Garmin Venu 2/2 Plus Review: More Than Just a Pretty Face

Garmin has long been synonymous with serious fitness tracking, but the Venu series aims to bridge the gap between hardcore performance and stylish everyday wear. The Venu 2 and its slightly more advanced sibling, the Venu 2 Plus, represent Garmin’s continued push into the smartwatch market, offering a compelling blend of health metrics, smartwatch features, and attractive designs. But can these devices truly compete with the likes of Apple and Samsung, or are they simply fitness trackers in disguise? Let’s dive in.
The core experience across both models is remarkably polished. Garmin’s user interface is intuitive and responsive, making navigation a breeze. The vibrant AMOLED display is a joy to behold, even in direct sunlight, and the Corning Gorilla Glass 3 provides ample scratch resistance. Performance is snappy; scrolling through widgets and launching apps feels fluid and lag-free. The Venu 2’s battery life is particularly impressive, easily lasting several days on a single charge, while the 2 Plus, with its added microphone and speaker, takes a slight hit but still manages a respectable timeframe.
From a fitness perspective, Garmin continues to excel. Both watches offer a comprehensive suite of tracking features, from heart rate monitoring and GPS tracking to advanced sleep analysis and blood oxygen saturation measurements. The sheer volume of data captured is staggering, providing users with a detailed overview of their health and fitness levels. Garmin’s Connect app is equally powerful, offering in-depth analytics and personalized insights to help users reach their goals. The built-in sports apps cover a wide range of activities, including running, cycling, swimming, and yoga, and the watches automatically detect and record various workout types.

The Venu 2 Plus distinguishes itself with its added microphone and speaker, enabling users to take calls directly from their wrist and utilize voice assistants like Siri, Google Assistant, or Bixby. This feature adds a layer of convenience that the Venu 2 lacks, but the call quality is predictably limited by the speaker’s size and proximity to the wrist. The voice assistant integration works reliably, but is not quite as seamless as on dedicated smartwatches.

Build quality is excellent across both models. The stainless steel bezel and fiber-reinforced polymer case feel premium and durable, while the silicone strap is comfortable to wear for extended periods. The watches are also water-resistant to 5 ATM, making them suitable for swimming and showering. However, the design, while sleek, lacks the customizable feel of some competitors, specifically in terms of app selection and widget placement. The pre-loaded widgets and watch faces, while adequate, can sometimes feel limiting for tech enthusiasts looking for more personalization options.
The value proposition of the Venu 2 and 2 Plus is complex. While they offer a compelling blend of fitness tracking and smartwatch features, they are not the cheapest options on the market. The Venu 2 provides an excellent balance of features and battery life, while the Venu 2 Plus offers added convenience with its microphone and speaker. However, those primarily focused on in-depth smartwatch functionality might find the offerings from Apple and Samsung to be more compelling.
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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 vibrant and easy to read in all lighting conditions.
- ✅ Comprehensive fitness tracking features provide detailed health insights.
- ✅ Battery life is excellent, especially on the standard Venu 2 model.
Key Cons
- ❌ Customization options for watch faces and widgets can feel limited.
- ❌ The speaker quality on the Venu 2 Plus is mediocre for phone calls.
- ❌ The price point may be prohibitive for some budget-conscious buyers.
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