Uncompromised and trendy
The Garmin Venu 3 launched in mid-2023 as a testing floor for brand spanking new options like Sleep Coaching, nap detection, and an enhanced Body Battery metric. Since then, it has added ECG and pores and skin temperature readings, plus some Forerunner instruments like working type evaluation. Not solely is it a superb watch, but it surely’s additionally liable to get higher over time due to Garmin’s updates.
ForTrendy, thin-bordered AMOLED in two sizesMic & speaker built-inECG and pores and skin temperatureRecovery time and enhanced Body Battery30 additional sports activities modesThird button for shortcutsWheelchair modeAgainstNearly twice the priceThicker and heavierVenu 3S has worse battery life
Mid-range high quality
Even although the 2022 Venu Sq 2 preceded lots of the new options above, it nonetheless has the necessities you’d need in a Garmin watch: above-average GPS and coronary heart charge accuracy, an 11-day battery life, Garmin Coach, and customized exercises. Plus, you get an AMOLED show as a substitute of the boring MIPs frequent to low-cost Garmin watches. Still, be prepared for compromise in comparison with the Venu 3.
ForSkinny and light-weight for Garmin watchPixel-rich AMOLEDSame GPS accuracy, battery life as Venu 3Accurate Elevate v4 sensorAgainstNo altimeter, gyroscope, ECG, or pores and skin temperatureHave to pay $50 additional for music, wi-fiSquircle design could also be polarizing
The Garmin Venu 3 appears to be like improbable, has a ton of latest tips and upgrades for the fashionable athlete, and offers you the mic/speaker combo it’s essential take telephone calls in your wrist. It’s additionally fairly costly in comparison with your typical watch!Athletes used to purchasing low-cost squircle trackers would possibly look as a substitute on the Venu Sq 2 — or the Venu Sq 2 Music Edition — and hope they’ll get away with the mid-range choice, whereas nonetheless getting these candy Garmin metrics and coaching instruments.So, do you have to purchase the Venu 3, the perfect mainstream Garmin watch with only a few compromises? Or do you have to select the Venu Sq 2, which our reviewer known as the “Goldilocks smartwatch” for its balanced method?Keeping these with frugal budgets in thoughts, let’s break down the Garmin Venu 3 vs. Sq 2 Music to see how they examine in consolation, sensors, battery, options, and different areas so you may make an knowledgeable buy.Garmin Venu 3 vs. Venu Sq 2: Design and displayWhy you possibly can belief Android Central
Our knowledgeable reviewers spend hours testing and evaluating services so you possibly can select the perfect for you. Find out extra about how we check.Swipe to scroll horizontallyCategoryGarmin Venu 3 / 3SGarmin Venu Sq 2 MusicDisplay1.4-inch (454×454) or 1.2-inch (390×390) AMOLED touchscreen1.41-inch (320 x 360) AMOLED touchscreenMaterialFiber-reinforced polymerFiber-reinforced polymerBezelStainless steelAnodized aluminumDimensions45 x 45 x 12mm; 41 x 41 x 12mm40.6 x 37.0 x 11.1mmWeight47g; 40g38gQuick launch bands22mm; 18mm20mmProtection5ATM; Gorilla Glass 35ATM; Gorilla Glass 3Colors3: Silver/ Whitestone; Slate/ Black; 3S: Slate/ Pebble Grey; Silver/ Sage Grey; Soft Gold/ French Gray, Dust Rose, or Ivory.Cream Gold with French Gray; Peach Gold with Ivory; Slate with BlackBoth the Venu 3 and Venu Sq 2 stray from the everyday Garmin watch look, however the Sq 2 is very so. As the title implies, it has a squircle look that may enchantment to followers of the Apple Watch or low-cost health trackers just like the Amazfit GTS 4 Mini.(Image credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)Its display screen dimension and sq. form go away loads of room for widgets and notifications, and it has a excessive 341ppi ratio for dense textual content. It has an aluminum bezel across the show as a substitute of the same old fiber-reinforced polymer, which could make it much less sturdy but in addition look extra “normal.”For comparability, the rounded Venu 3 and 3S design offer you a extra “traditional” smartwatch look, particularly due to the chrome steel bezel giving it seen class and texture. No one would mistake this for a hybrid watch, but it surely’s nonetheless extra probably to attract glances than the extra generic Sq 2.(Image credit score: Michael Hicks / Android Central)Both Venu watches rely totally on touchscreen controls, missing the Up/Down buttons you’d get on a Garmin Forerunner or Instinct. As our Venu Sq 2 reviewer put it, this “isn’t very practical” when your fingertips get sweaty throughout a exercise, particularly when in comparison with watches with a rotating bezel or digital crown.While the Venu Sq 2 has two buttons — one for choosing and beginning exercises, and one for going again or beginning a brand new lap — the Venu 3 provides a 3rd button completely for shortcuts. You can choose your favourite instrument like music controls or your telephone’s assistant, and all the time have it’s one faucet or maintain away. Plus, they’ve a metallic end that goes with the Venu 3’s elegant look.(Image credit score: Michael Hicks / Android Central)You additionally get the selection of two show sizes: the 1.4-inch Venu 3 or the 1.2-inch Venu 3S, which has the identical worth and options. Both hit about 320ppi, which is fairly commonplace for high-end watches. And there’s little or no wasted area across the border, whereas the Venu Sq 2 has a thick black border and fewer pixels.The Venu Sq 2’s predominant design perk is how skinny it’s, in comparison with your typical Garmin watch. Most are within the 13–15mm vary, jutting out out of your wrist. The Venu 3 additionally falls beneath common at 12mm, however the 11.1mm Venu Sq 2 is lighter than the 1.2-inch Venu 3S, not to mention the Venu 3.Beyond that, each the Venu 3 and Venu Sq 2 have loads of fashionable shade choices, a sweat-wicking silicone band with a Quick Release mechanism for simple swaps, and 5ATM water resistance.Garmin Venu 3 vs. Sq 2: Hardware and battery lifeSwipe to scroll horizontallyCategoryGarmin Venu 3Garmin Venu Sq 2 MusicSensorsElevate 5 HRM with ECG and pores and skin temperature; Pulse Ox (SpO2); accelerometer; ambient mild sensor; barometric altimeter; compass; gyroscopeElevate v4 HRM, Pulse Ox (SpO2), accelerometer, ambient mild sensor, compassGNSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEOAccuracy modesAll-Systems GNSS or GPS solelyAll-Systems GNSS or GPS solelyConnectivityGarmin Pay (NFC), Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi-FiGarmin Pay (NFC), Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi-FiMusic storage8GB4GBMic & speakerYesNoBattery (Smartwatch)3: 14 days; 3S: 10 days11 daysBattery (Always-on show)3: 5 days; 3S: 5 days3 daysBattery (GPS solely)3: 26 hours; 3S: 21 hours26 hoursBattery (All-Systems GNSS)3: 20 hours; 3S: 15 hours20 hoursBefore we proceed with the Venu 3 vs. Venu Sq 2 comparability, let’s briefly clarify how the Venu Sq 2 and Sq 2 Music examine in {hardware}: They’ve just about equivalent, however solely the Music version has music storage (clearly) and Wi-Fi connectivity. Even in case you do not want on-watch music, wi-fi assist makes downloading updates or syncing with Garmin Connect considerably sooner. If you are able to do with out, although, the Venu Sq 2 is a cut price for what it provides at $250.(Image credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)The Venu 3 has considerably higher {hardware} than the cheaper Venu Sq 2, because it ought to for $200 extra. But let’s begin with the squircle watch’s upsides, corresponding to the truth that it has the identical All-Systems GNSS assist for triangulating your place utilizing a number of satellite tv for pc methods.Neither is as correct because the Forerunner 265 or different dual-band GPS watches, however solely the Venu 3 is priced comparably to these; at $250, the Venu Sq 2 primarily competes in opposition to GPS-only watches, giving it the sting.In phrases of battery life, they rating identically for GPS-only monitoring (26 hours) and All-Systems monitoring (20 hours), whereas the Venu 3 pulls forward by three days in smartwatch mode and 4 hours when streaming music and monitoring your place (11 vs. seven hours). Compared to the proportionally sized Venu 3S, although, the Venu Sq 2 wins in most classes moreover AOD mode.(Image credit score: Michael Hicks / Android Central)Now, we begin declaring the Venu 3’s perks. The first and most blatant one is the built-in mic and speaker for Bluetooth calls or voice assistant passthrough out of your telephone. There’s no LTE assist or correct watch instructions, and our Venu 3 reviewer famous that the speaker high quality is on the “quiet and tinny” facet, however that it “works in a pinch” and the mic high quality is nice.For well being monitoring, the Venu 3 has the latest-gen Elevate sensor that helps guide ECG readings for AFib detection and passive pores and skin temperature readings at evening that issue into your Sleep Score and probably spot sicknesses. The Venu Sq 2, with its Elevate v4, does have fairly correct coronary heart charge information, fortunately, but it surely lacks the flexibility to measure Heart Rate Variance (HRV) throughout sleep.(Image credit score: Michael Hicks / Android Central)A extra problematic lacking function for out of doors athletes is the Venu Sq 2’s lack of an altimeter for judging flooring climbed or the impact of elevation in your tracked outcomes. Plus, it is lacking a gyroscope for extra correct wrist motion information that the Venu 3 makes use of to research your working type and energy.Lastly, in case you’re shopping for the Venu Sq 2 Music Edition for, nicely, music, take into account that the Venu 3 has twice the cupboard space. Otherwise, although, you are getting a reasonably comparable {hardware} expertise. The actual variations, unsurprisingly, come all the way down to software program options.Garmin Venu 3 vs. Venu Sq 2: Features and software programSwipe to scroll horizontallyCategorySoftwareAvailable on Venu 3 and Sq 2 MusicBody Battery, sleep monitoring/ rating, Health Snapshot, stress monitoring, menstrual cycle monitoring, Fitness Age, breathwork / respiration monitoring, customized exercises w/ 1,600 train sorts, Garmin Coach, Intensity Minutes, music playback controls, Only obtainable on Venu 3Enhanced Body Battery, Morning Report, Sleep Coach, nap detection, ECG readings, pores and skin temperature, passthrough voice assistant, Bluetooth calling, Jet Lag advisor, Meditation, wheelchair mode, wrist-based working dynamics & energy, HRV standing, Red Shift mode, Recovery time widget, exercise profit (restricted)Sports profiles on each watchesRunning, Treadmill Running, Indoor Track Running, Walking, Pilates, Yoga, Strength, HIIT, Cardio, Elliptical Training, Stair Stepping, Indoor Rowing, Biking, Indoor Biking, Pool Swimming, Stand Up Paddleboarding, Rowing, Skiing, Snowboarding, XC Classic Skiing, Disc GolfExclusive sports activities profiles on Venu 3Floor Climbing, Hiking, Indoor Climbing, Bouldering, Handcycling, Indoor Handcycling, Open Water Swimming, Tennis, Pickleball, Badminton, Squash, Table Tennis, Padel, Platform Tennis, Racquetball, Snowshoeing, Basketball, Volleyball, Field Hockey, Ice Hockey, Football/Soccer, American Football, Lacrosse, Rugby, Ultimate Disc, Cricket, Softball, Baseball, Boxing, Mixed Martial ArtsThe Garmin Venu Sq 2 has 21 core actions that talk to what most on a regular basis folks will monitor for actions, particularly health club or at-home exercises. With the Venu 3’s 30 additional sports activities profiles, although, you get actions that basically want an altimeter (Hiking, Climbing) or gyroscope (all of the ball and racket sports activities). I assume the latter additionally is available in helpful for the superb Venu 3 wheelchair mode.You can see within the desk above that the Venu Sq 2 has the Garmin software program necessities associated to well being monitoring and the flexibility to comply with customized exercises, both indoors or open air (through Garmin Coach).(Image credit score: Michael Hicks / Android Central)Where it falls particularly quick is within the Venu 3’s new smarts. For instance, whereas the Venu Sq 2 has Body Battery, the Venu 3 has an enhanced model from 2023 that particularly exhibits what actions elevate and decrease your rating, from naps or lengthy sedentary intervals to powerful exercises or high-stress intervals.Similarly, whereas the Venu Sq 2 provides you a sleep “score” grading your sleep high quality, you aren’t getting the brand new Sleep Coach guiding you on how one can enhance your sleep high quality, nor the HRV (stress) and pores and skin temperature information to get a extra correct rating.(Image credit score: Michael Hicks / Android Central)Even although the Venu 3 is not a real working watch — you possibly can see our Venu 3 vs. Forerunner 265 information on all of the working instruments the Venu 3 lacks by comparability — it does have necessities like working energy, working type evaluation, a considerably obscure exercise profit abstract after you end a run, and a restoration time estimate for the way lengthy to attend till the following one.That final perk is very helpful for self-guided athletes, which can push you away from the Venu Sq 2. But you possibly can all the time make do by judging your individual tiredness for your self. It depends upon what sort of athlete you’re; for some, the Venu Sq 2’s means to log your energy burned, reps accomplished, and distance traveled will likely be greater than sufficient. For others, the Venu 3 — our choose for the perfect health smartwatch throughout manufacturers — has extra bells and whistles to encourage you to work tougher.Garmin Venu 3 vs. Sq 2 vs. Sq 2 Music: Which do you have to purchase?(Image credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)Assuming that we’re evaluating the Venu 3 and Venu Sq 2 Music version, you possibly can see the laundry listing of upgrades you get for paying $150 additional. Depending in your socioeconomic scenario, that may very well be doable or manner an excessive amount of, the distinction alone equaling the price of a very good health tracker.Compared to these, the Venu Sq 2 is a improbable choice, supplying you with a critical improve with its Garmin instruments. That’s why it is the “Goldilocks option” between expensive Garmin timepieces and low-cost bands that will not final.But it is also honest to say {that a} Venu 3 would in all probability final you a yr or two longer than the Venu Sq 2, what with its extra superior well being sensors and post-launch updates. It’s not going to really feel outdated anytime quickly. So the distinction in value is negated considerably by the Venu 3’s longevity.As of publication, the Venu 3 and Venu Sq 2 each sit on our listing of the perfect Garmin watches, so you are not making a foul selection both manner. If you possibly can afford it, although, the Venu 3 is the clear selection, with the Venu 3S as a good compromise in case you’re tempted by the Venu Sq 2’s petite design.
Fashionable and feature-packed
Choose the Garmin Venu 3 in order for you cutting-edge Garmin software program and sensors, together with a extra conventional watch-like design. Skip it for the Venu Sq 2 in case you’re on a strict funds.
Affordably dependable
Choose the Venu Sq 2 for a similar core options, battery life, and GPS accuracy because the Venu 3 in a extra reasonably priced bundle. Skip it in order for you extra than simply the Garmin necessities.