Garmin Venu 3 Compared to the Venu SQ 2 and Other Fitness Watches

Garmin’s Venu 3, priced at $449.99, redefines fitness tracking and smartwatch capabilities with its sleek design and enhanced features. Ideal for active lifestyles of all kinds, it offers industry-leading health insights and connectivity. Plus, the Venu 3 series comes in an elegant stainless steel bezel with multiple color options and two case sizes. 

In this blog we’ll highlight the features of the previous Venu Sq 2 and other older Garmin models, then check out how the new Venu 3 compares. We’ll also compare the Venu 3 to other brands so you can get a full picture of which watch is going to best fit your lifestyle. 

How the Venu 3 Compares to Older Garmin Models 

Venu Sq 2/Venu Sq 2 Music vs Venu Sq/Venu Sq Music

In terms of size, style, and function, the 2022 Venu Sq 2 is very similar to the original square Garmin watch.

The greatest difference is most notably the addition of the AMOLED display, followed by substantially increased battery power and more accurate GPS.

The crystal-clear AMOLED display shows large, easy-to-read text, even in bright sunlight.

Another win for the new Sq 2 is almost twice the battery life as the original Venu Sq: up to 11 days in smartwatch mode and 26 hours in GPS mode! Although, you will get less with using all-systems GPS, music with GPS, and if you enable the always-on screen. But overall, it's a huge boost in power that will allow you to get 24/7 picture of your overall health and fitness.

The previous Venu Sq offered only up to 6 days in smartwatch mode, 14 hours in GPS, and 6 hours in GPS with music.

And if we're talking differences, we should probably talk about the Garmin Venu Sq 2 price: $249.99 for the standard and $299.99 for the music edition. That's a $50 increase over the original series. You get to decide if the upgrades are worth it!

The Venu 3 improves upon the Venu Sq 2 by adding the built-in speaker and microphone, making it more versatile as a smartwatch. It also offers enhanced battery life and advanced features like the jet lag adviser and ECG app. 

While the Venu 2 costs less, the Venu 3’s upgrades justify the price increase for users who want the latest tech.

Garmin Vivoactive 5 or Venu 3: Which Should You Choose?

Garmin’s Venu 3 and Vivoactive 5 both feature stunning AMOLED displays and robust health tracking, but they cater to slightly different needs. 

The Venu 3 offers a larger 1.4” display (454x454 px), a stainless steel bezel, 45 mm case, and 47 g weight. The Vivoactive 5 has a slightly smaller  1.2” display (390x390 px), an aluminum bezel, 42.2 mm case, and lighter at 36 g.

The Venu 3 offers a more premium design with a larger, crisper display, while the Vivoactive 5 focuses on compactness and lightweight wear.

Both watches include Pulse Ox, advanced sleep tracking, Body Battery™, and built-in sports apps for diverse activities. However, the Venu 3 adds ECG capability, wheelchair mode, and a jet lag adviser—perfect for frequent travelers. If health tracking is your priority, the Venu 3 leads with its advanced features.

When it comes to battery life, the Venu 3 outlasts the Vivoactive 5, with 14 days in smartwatch mode and 26 hours in GPS-only mode, compared to the Vivoactive’s 11 days and 21 hours, respectively. 

Both models allow music storage and playback, smart notifications, and Garmin Pay™, but the Venu 3 includes a built-in speaker and microphone for phone calls and voice assistants.

Overall, go with the Garmin Venu 3 if you want top-tier health insights, longer battery life, and calling capabilities. Opt for the Vivoactive 5 for a lighter, budget-friendly option with solid fitness tracking.

Which Garmin Watch is Better? The Forerunner 265 or Venu 3? 

The Forerunner 265 is tailored for serious runners, offering features like race preparation tools, triathlon support, and multi-band GPS. However, it lacks the AMOLED display, music storage, and advanced health insights that the Venu 3 provides. For those seeking a balance between performance and lifestyle features, the Venu 3 is the better all-rounder.

Key Features of the Garmin Venu 3

Now let’s dive into the standout features of this watch, which is a serious upgrade from its predecessor, the Venu SQ 2. 

AMOLED Display

The 1.4-inch AMOLED screen delivers vibrant, crisp visuals with an optional always-on mode. This means whether you're in direct sunlight or in a dimly lit yoga studio, the display is clear and easy to read. The touchscreen interface is responsive, making it intuitive to navigate through menus, access widgets, or review activity data. Compared to the memory-in-pixel (MIP) screens found on some other Garmin models, the AMOLED offers a premium experience, especially for users who prioritize aesthetics and readability. 

Battery Life

With up to 14 days in smartwatch mode, the Venu 3 lets you track health and fitness data around the clock without constant charging. Even in GPS-only mode, it offers 26 hours of usage—perfect for long hikes or marathon training. Activating GPS with music provides 11 hours of battery life, which is sufficient for most endurance activities. The customizable Battery Saver mode extends usage further, making it a reliable choice for travelers or those with busy schedules.

Music Playback

Music storage and playback come standard on the Venu 3, allowing you to leave your phone behind during workouts. With 8 GB of internal storage, you can load playlists from Spotify, Amazon Music, or Deezer. The watch pairs seamlessly with Bluetooth headphones, giving you an uninterrupted listening experience while running, cycling, or at the gym.

Health Monitoring

The Venu 3 stands out with its comprehensive suite of health tools:

• Advanced Sleep Tracking: Provides detailed insights into light, deep, and REM sleep stages, coupled with a sleep score to help you optimize rest.
• Body Battery™: Tracks your energy levels throughout the day, helping you decide when to push hard or take a break.
• ECG App: Allows on-demand electrocardiograms to monitor heart health, an invaluable feature for those with cardiac concerns.
• Pulse Ox: Monitors blood oxygen saturation during sleep or throughout the day, offering valuable insights for altitude training or respiratory health.
• Jet Lag Adviser: A unique addition, this feature helps frequent travelers adapt more quickly to new time zones by offering tailored advice. 

Built-In Speaker and Microphone

The built-in speaker and microphone enable Bluetooth calling directly from the watch when paired with your phone. Additionally, you can use the voice assistant feature for hands-free texting, setting reminders, or checking the weather, making the Venu 3 a practical companion for everyday life.

Multi-Band GPS

For outdoor enthusiasts, the multi-band GPS ensures highly accurate location tracking even in challenging environments like dense forests or urban canyons. Whether you’re logging a morning run or mapping a mountain hike, the Venu 3 keeps your data precise.

How the Venu 3 Stacks Up Against Competitors

Polar Pacer Pro 

The Polar Pacer Pro is a strong contender for runners, offering VO2 max estimates, advanced training tools, and turn-by-turn navigation. However, it lacks the Venu 3’s music playback, AMOLED display, and wellness-focused features like Body Battery and advanced sleep tracking.

COROS APEX 2 

The COROS APEX 2 is a durable multisport watch with excellent battery life and navigation tools, making it ideal for outdoor adventurers. Yet, it falls short on smartwatch functionality and lacks a vibrant display, giving the Venu 3 an edge for users who want both fitness and lifestyle features. 

Which Should You Buy, the Apple Watch 9 or Garmin Venu 3? 

Choosing between the Apple Watch 9 and Garmin Venu 3 depends on your priorities. If size and display are your top priorities, the Apple Watch 9 comes in two sizes (41 mm and 45 mm), features an always-on Retina display with up to 2,000 nits brightness, and customizable casings (aluminum or stainless steel).

The Garmin Venu 3 has a larger 1.4” AMOLED display with vibrant colors, stainless steel bezel, and a more fitness-oriented design.

For style and screen clarity, Apple excels, whereas Garmin prioritizes durability and outdoor readability.

The Garmin suite is tailored for deeper fitness insights, while Apple’s ecosystem supports casual tracking and productivity. The Venus 3 offers advanced health features like Body Battery™, jet lag adviser, sleep coaching, and wheelchair mode. The Apple Watch 9, meanwhile, tracks basic fitness metrics, integrates seamlessly with iOS, and includes ECG, heart rate, and blood oxygen apps.

When it comes to battery life, Garmin is the clear winner with up to 14 days in smartwatch mode compared to Apple’s 18 hours. 

Overall, the Apple Watch 9 is great  for Apple users who want iOS compatibility and prefer a Retina display. The Garmin Venu 3 is best suited for fitness enthusiasts who want advanced health tools and superior battery life.

Why Choose the Garmin Venu 3?

The Garmin Venu 3 is a versatile fitness smartwatch that excels in health monitoring, connectivity, and style. Whether you’re a pro athlete or a weekend warrior, this watch delivers.

Here’s why it’s worth the investment:

• All-In-One Solution: Fitness, health, and smart features in a single device.
• Advanced Insights: From sleep coaching to energy tracking, it helps you optimize daily habits.
• Long Battery Life: Up to two weeks without sacrificing features.
• Stylish and Durable: The AMOLED display, Gorilla Glass lens, and stainless steel bezel make it both beautiful and tough.

If you’re ready to upgrade your fitness tracking and sport a sleek style while working out or just hitting the road, the Garmin Venu 3 might just be the perfect fit.