Garmin’s Venu series occupies a sweet spot in the smartwatch market, blending robust fitness tracking with stylish aesthetics. The Venu 2 and its slightly more sophisticated sibling, the Venu 2 Plus, represent Garmin’s commitment to bridging the gap between dedicated sports watches and everyday wearables. But do they truly deliver on this promise, or are they caught in the middle, pleasing neither hardcore athletes nor casual users? Let’s dive deep.
The Venu 2 and 2 Plus share a core DNA, offering vibrant AMOLED displays that are a joy to behold, even in direct sunlight. The responsiveness of the touchscreens is excellent, navigating menus feels fluid and intuitive. Performance-wise, these devices are snappy. App loading is quick, and data synchronization with the Garmin Connect app is seamless. Battery life is commendable, generally exceeding advertised figures. The Venu 2 easily manages five days with moderate use, while the 2 Plus, with its added voice assistant features, typically lasts around four. GPS accuracy is generally reliable, though some users have reported occasional discrepancies in dense urban environments.
Design is where the Venu 2 series truly shines. Both watches boast a sleek, understated elegance that makes them suitable for both the gym and the boardroom. The materials feel premium, and the build quality is top-notch. The Venu 2 comes in two sizes, catering to different wrist sizes, while the Venu 2 Plus offers a single, slightly smaller case. The addition of a microphone and speaker on the Venu 2 Plus is the key differentiator. This allows for Bluetooth calling directly from the watch, as well as voice assistant integration (Siri, Google Assistant, or Bixby, depending on your phone). The call quality is surprisingly good, though it’s best reserved for quick conversations rather than lengthy calls.
Feature-wise, both watches are packed to the brim. You get comprehensive health tracking, including heart rate monitoring, SpO2, stress tracking, sleep analysis, and body battery energy monitoring. They also support a wide array of sports activities, with built-in GPS and detailed metrics for each. The Garmin Connect app is a treasure trove of data, providing insights into your fitness and well-being. However, the sheer amount of data can be overwhelming for some users. While the interface is generally well-designed, there are times when navigating the app feels less than intuitive. Another minor gripe is the limited third-party app support compared to platforms like Wear OS or watchOS.
The value proposition of the Venu 2 series is a bit more complex. They are priced competitively against other smartwatches with similar features, but they also face competition from Garmin’s own range of dedicated sports watches, which offer even more advanced metrics and features. The Venu 2 Plus commands a premium for its added voice assistant functionality, and it is up to the user to decide if that feature is worth the extra cost.
Where to Buy:
Garmin Venu 2/2 Plus Quick Summary
Key Scores:
- Value: 92%
- Design: 93%
- Performance: 90%
- Quality: 91%
- Popularity: 90%
Top Pros
- ✅ The AMOLED display is bright, vibrant, and easily readable in sunlight.
- ✅ Comprehensive health and fitness tracking provides detailed insights into well-being.
- ✅ Battery life is excellent, lasting several days on a single charge.
Key Cons
- ❌ Limited third-party app support is a notable drawback compared to competitors.
- ❌ The Garmin Connect app can feel overwhelming due to the sheer volume of data.
- ❌ GPS accuracy can be inconsistent in dense urban environments.
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