Keep your telephone in your pocket as you reply telephone calls or converse to Google Assistant or Siri in your wrist. The Venu 3 provides key upgrades like a brand new well being sensor suite, wheelchair mode, days of additional battery, and restoration time whereas maintaining a slim and engaging design.
ForAdds mic/ speaker for Bluetooth calls, assistantAll-Systems GNSS monitoringElevate v5 coronary heart charge sensorSlightly bigger showsSleep Coaching and Recovery TimeAgainstPricier than everSome lacking options from different GarminVenu 3S battery loses 4 days
Even although the Garmin Venu 2 supplied a significant step up over the unique Venu, it is undoubtedly feeling its age at this level. It nonetheless seems attractive and has strong battery life, however its “mainstream” focus would not work fairly as nicely with out the most recent Garmin software program or mic/speaker combo.
ForMore affordably pricedVibrant show and battery life nonetheless impressHas many of the similar sensors, sports activities modesAgainstNo Sleep Coaching / nap detection / HRV statusGPS-only trackingNo mic or speakerMissing restoration time after exercises
Unlike the extra rugged Instincts or specialised Forerunners, the Garmin Venu collection targets mainstream health followers. They showcase Garmin’s efforts to make a extra conventional smartwatch, providing new options earlier than every other Garmin watch will get them. The Garmin Venu 3 is not any exception, making some vital upgrades over the 2021 Venu 2.In some ways, the Garmin Venu 3 is the successor to final 12 months’s Garmin Venu 2 Plus. It provides the identical mic & speaker for Bluetooth calling and sensible assistant instructions, plus a 3rd button for shortcuts. The Venu 3 shares the Plus’ expensive $450 price ticket, too, whereas including unique instruments like Sleep Coaching, the brand new Garmin Elevate v5 coronary heart charge sensor, and post-workout restoration suggestions. If you personal the Venu 2 and are deciding whether or not or to not improve — or are contemplating saving cash with a reduced Venu 2 — we’re right here to assist. First, we’ll examine all the pieces that is unchanged between the 2 watches. Then, we’ll totally break down the Garmin Venu 3 vs. 2 specs and options to see if it is well worth the swap.Garmin Venu 3 vs. Venu 2: What’s the identical?Why you may belief Android Central
Our professional reviewers spend hours testing and evaluating services so you may select the perfect for you. Find out extra about how we take a look at.(Image credit score: Garmin)Garmin saved to the same template with the Venu 3 and Venu 2. These two watches share fairly a number of similarities, which we’ll define beneath:Swipe to scroll horizontallyCategoryGarmin Venu 3Garmin Venu 2Display1.4-inch (454×454) or 1.2-inch (390×390) AMOLED touchscreen1.3-inch (416×416) or 1.1-inch (360×360) AMOLED touchscreenMaterialsStainless metal bezel, fiber-reinforced polymer caseStainless metal bezel, fiber-reinforced polymer caseProtection5ATM, Gorilla Glass 35ATM, Gorilla Glass 3Dimensions45 x 45 x 12 mm or 41 x 41 x 12 mm45.4 x 45.4 x 12.2 mm or 40.4 x 40.4 x 12.1 mmWeight 47g or 40g49g or 38gWatch strap22mm or 18mm, quick-release22mm or 18mm, quick-releaseSensorsGarmin Elevate v5, SpO2, altimeter, compass, accelerometer, gyroscope, thermometer, ambient mildGarmin Elevate v4, SpO2, altimeter, compass, accelerometer, gyroscope, thermometer, ambient lightGPS trackingGPS-only or All-Systems GNSSGPS solelyConnectivityBluetooth, ANT+, Wi-Fi, NFCBluetooth, ANT+, Wi-Fi, NFCMic and speaker✔️🚫Music storage8GB8GBDesign: Both watches are available in two sizes and use the identical supplies: chrome steel for the bezel and strengthened plastic for the general physique. The 45mm Venus use 22mm quick-release bands; the 41mm Venus use 18mm bands.Although the Venu 3 vs. 2 dimensions are barely completely different — the Venu 3 is 2g lighter than the two, whereas the Venu 3S is 2g heavier than the 2S — they’re roughly the identical dimension and can really feel the identical in your wrist. They even have the identical water resistance and Gorilla Glass safety. Connectivity: Both watches sync through Bluetooth, help Wi-Fi uploads and downloads, allow Garmin Pay, and help ANT+ equipment. Sensors: Although the Venu 3 has the newest-gen Elevate v5 optical coronary heart charge sensor (extra on that beneath), all the pieces else is similar. The Venu 2 has the Pulse Ox sensor for blood oxygen, altimeter for elevation, compass for navigation, ambient mild for show changes, and accelerometer/ gyroscope for measuring motion for step-counting and health club workout routines. Core well being and coaching information: We’ll talk about the Venu 3’s latest software program methods beneath. With the Venu 2, you get the acquainted Garmin software program suite you understand and love: Heart charge zones, depth minutes, Body Battery, health age, Livetrack, animated on-screen exercises, and a Health Snapshot. Music storage: Each Venu watch has 8GB of storage. Along with something you obtain from Connect IQ, you have got loads of house on your personal MP3 information or playlists from Spotify, Amazon Music, or Deezer. Garmin Venu 3 vs. Venu 2: Hardware and battery(Image credit score: Jeramy Johnson / Android Central)The most evident Garmin Venu 3 improve is its show. Both sizes offer you an additional 0.1 inches of show house from 1.1 and 1.3 to 1.2 and 1.4. Garmin shrunk the Venu 2’s noticeable show border, giving the Venu 3 extra visible house with out considerably altering the dimensions. In reality, it is fairly spectacular that Garmin managed to make the Venu 3 barely slimmer than the Venu 2 whereas including the built-in mic and speaker. The 1.3-inch Garmin Venu 2 Plus is 0.6mm thicker and weighs 4g greater than the 1.4-inch Venu 3, for comparability. We’re nonetheless ready on Garmin to ship us the Venu 3, so we won’t take a look at the standard of the mic and speaker simply but. With the Venu 2 Plus, our reviewer discovered that his voice “came through clearly to my call recipients on the other side,” however was much less happy with the speaker, calling it a bit “tinny” and arduous to listen to besides in a silent room. We’re hopeful the speaker will get a minor increase with the Venu 3; nonetheless, even when it is the identical high quality, a tinny speaker is healthier than none in any respect.The mic’s different profit is that it enables you to command your telephone’s main sensible assistant: Google Assistant, Bixby, or Siri. Considering loads of Wear OS watches haven’t got Google Assistant anymore, it is good that you would be able to entry it on a Garmin watch.As for the speaker, it permits audio prompts throughout guided exercises like intervals, so you do not want to take a look at your watch to know what to do subsequent.Swipe to scroll horizontallyBattery modeGarmin Venu 3 / 3SGarmin Venu 2 / 2SSmartwatch mode14 days / 10 days11 days / 10 daysAlways-on display5 days / 5 days2 days / 2 daysBattery Saver mode26 days / 20 days12 days / 11 daysGPS-only26 hours / 21 hours22 hours / 19 hoursAll-Systems GNSS20 hours / 15 hours🚫GPS with music13 hours / 10 hours8 hours / 7 hoursAll-Systems GNSS with music11 hours / 8 hours🚫The Garmin Venu 2 helps GPS, GLONASS, and GALILEO, however solely individually. With the Garmin Venu 3, you may activate All-Systems mode to raised pinpoint your location in areas the place one satellite tv for pc sign is likely to be disrupted. Another vital {hardware} distinction is that the Garmin Venu 3 delivers a robust battery life increase. The Venu 2 had strong battery life for its time, but it surely may barely help an always-on show, the battery saver mode barely lived as much as the identify, and utilizing GPS with music would burn via the battery approach too quick. The Venu 3 does rather a lot higher in these areas, and its All-Systems mode lasts practically so long as the Venu 2 in GPS-only mode. As for the Venu 3S, it is not really that significantly better than the 2S apart from the AOD or Battery Saver modes, exhibiting the identical 10-day most for normal use.(Image credit score: Michael Hicks / Android Central)The final main distinction with the Venu 3 has to do with the brand new Elevate v5 optical coronary heart charge sensor. Garmin hasn’t marketed what makes this new sensor higher; we all know for sure that it has extra LEDs, which ought to make it take extra correct readings. We additionally know due to DC Rainmaker that the Venu 3 can take ECG readings, similar to the Venu 2 Plus, however that it is not lively but as a result of it wants FDA authorization first. He additionally claims that the Elevate v5 sensor has the capability to take pores and skin temperature readings; Gadgets & Wearables corroborated this, discovering Garmin Connect screenshots of a brand new pores and skin temperature widget.So, in concept, the Garmin Venu 3 will help two new well being metrics that the Venu 2 cannot. But even when the Elevate v5 helps these options, we won’t assure Garmin will activate them on the Venu 3; generally, hidden {hardware} limitations preclude technically-possible options from engaged on particular fashions. So though it appears prone to us, we would not purchase the Venu 3 with the expectation that you will get ECG and pores and skin temperature readings. Of the 2, ECG is extra probably.As a closing aspect word, though each the Venu 3 and Venu 2 have Pulse Ox monitoring, solely the Venu 3 will help Jet Lag Adviser, serving to information you on how nicely you’ve got recovered after touring the world over and adjusting your health information accordingly.Garmin Venu 3 vs. Venu 2: Software updates(Image credit score: Garmin)You might have already heard that the Venu 3 will help Sleep Coaching and nap monitoring for the primary time. After an evening’s sleep, you will obtain a Morning Report judging the standard of your sleep based mostly in your age, every day and longer-term exercise ranges, latest sleep historical past, naps taken and coronary heart charge variability (HRV). Generally talking, it will advocate you sleep between 7 and 9 hours. You can attempt to make up for misplaced sleep by napping in the midst of the day; the Garmin Venu 3 will monitor your noon sleep interval and take that under consideration on your Body Battery and sleep teaching. Speaking of Body Battery, the Garmin Venu 3 will take a look at your exercises and offer you restoration time suggestions after you end, based mostly in your present health stage (aka VO2 Max) and fatigue. To assist information these suggestions, you can choose the “rate of perceived exertion,” which principally means you will faucet certainly one of 5 emoji faces to charge how you’re feeling from sturdy to injured.Some different minor however vital new options are guided meditations, the flexibility to create interval exercises in your watch, and the choice to change to a bigger, extra readable font dimension. We’re particularly thrilled that the Garmin Venu 3 will add wheelchair exercises for the primary time: it should monitor pushes as an alternative of steps and remind you to shift your weight fairly than stand up and stretch. It’ll use a unique metric to evaluate your effort, since “upper body exercise typically produces greater physiological strain than lower body exercise at similar workloads,” which “can result in earlier fatigue onset during exercise.”You additionally get 7 new sports activities modes: Snowshoeing, Tennis, Padel, Pickleball, eBiking, Handcycling, and Indoor Handcycling. The Garmin Venu 3 would not have as many sports activities modes as different Garmin watches, however the listing is slowly rising, at the very least.While these are the main variations, we poured over the Garmin Venu 3 and a couple of spec sheets and located different upgrades chances are you’ll care about. Here are the remaining Garmin Venu 3 unique software program instruments we discovered:On-device Connect IQ storeSupport for the Garmin SportOn appSupport for energy meters, eBikes, and Smart Trainer ManagementInterval coaching: Open repeats, an interval information web page, relaxation display, and auto detectionNew open-water swim metrics and Auto-Rest detection throughout pool swimming modeGarmin Venu 3 vs. Venu 2: Should you improve?Upgrading to the Garmin Venu 3 offers you All-Systems GNSS, significantly better battery life (particularly with AOD lively), Sleep Coaching, a mic and speaker for Bluetooth calls, a 3rd programmable button for pulling up your favourite widgets, a bigger AMOLED show, restoration suggestions, and wheelchair workout routines — plus the opportunity of ECG and pores and skin temperature readings down the road. Venu 2 homeowners have an actual motive to really feel tempted by the Venu 3; and anybody contemplating saving $50–$100 on the Venu 2 as an alternative of the Venu 3 ought to think twice about lacking out on all these new instruments.If you personal the Garmin Venu 2 Plus, our present decide for the perfect health smartwatch, it is a a lot more durable determination since you have to have purchased it so lately. You have already got the mic, speaker, ECG readings, and third button, in any case. Even although it has a much less spectacular 9-day battery life, spending one other $450 on the Venu 3 for diminishing returns is probably not advisable. The exception is if you happen to want a selected improve like energy meter compatibility or wheelchair mode. Ultimately, we’re fairly proud of all the pieces the Garmin Venu 3 brings to the desk. We want it had coaching load, Training Readiness, steered exercises, multisport mode, dual-frequency GPS, and different instruments yow will discover on comparable $450 Garmin watches just like the Forerunner 265 or Instinct 2X Solar. But that is nonetheless a giant step in the suitable path to maintain the Venu collection related.
Choose the Garmin Venu 3 for its superbly massive show in a skinny, light-weight bundle, in addition to its mic/speaker and extra correct monitoring. Skip it if you happen to’re already happy along with your Venu 2 Plus otherwise you’d fairly have a thicker Garmin watch with extra fitness-focused methods.
Stick with (or purchase) the Garmin Venu 2 if you happen to’re bored with sleep monitoring and easily need a pretty Garmin tracker with the entire necessities. Otherwise, transfer on from the Venu 2 and take an in depth take a look at the Venu 3 for the entire causes outlined above.