Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs Venu 2 vs 2 Plus: A battle of features & build

The Garmin Vivoactive 5, Venu 2, and Venu 2 Plus are like the triplets who went to different colleges. They have similar DNA, but each has its own set of talents and quirks. They’re the wearable equivalents of a Swiss Army knife, packed with features that can track your heartbeat, guide you through a forest, and tell you how well you slept last night.

But as with any set of siblings, the devil is in the details—or in this case, the sensors. While they all share the family traits of heart rate monitoring and GPS navigation, not all the siblings are equally gifted. So, if you’re looking to find out which of these high-tech wrist ornaments best suits your adventurous or fitness-focused lifestyle, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty and separate the prodigies from the merely proficient.

All three watches can be purchased on Garmin’s website and Amazon.

Jump to

Hardware & design
Technical specs
Battery life
Functionality
The bottom line

Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs Venu 2 vs 2 Plus: Hardware & design

Look & feel

When it comes to wearables, the materials used are more than just a sum of their parts; they define the very essence of the device. The Venu 2 and Venu 2 Plus sport a stainless-steel bezel that exudes a sense of premium sophistication. It’s the kind of material that says, “I mean business, but I also know how to have a good time.” On the other hand, the Vivoactive 5 opts for an anodised aluminium bezel, offering a more understated elegance. It’s lighter and gives off a sporty vibe. This makes it the go-to choice for those who prefer a more casual look.

The first thing you’ll notice when you strap one of these devices onto your wrist is the weight. The Venu 2, tipping the scales at 49 grams, feels substantial without being burdensome. It’s a wearable that lets you know it’s there, in a reassuring way. The Venu 2 Plus takes it a notch higher at 51 grams, adding just that extra bit of gravitas. In contrast, the Vivoactive 5 is a featherweight champion at just 36 grams. It’s so light you might forget you’re wearing it, making it ideal for those who want a near-invisible companion on their fitness journey.

At this point its also worth mentioning that there’s a Venu 2S version. So you can take a pick of different size options for that one. The S model comes in a 40mm case size, the other one comes in at 45mm. In this article we focus on the larger edition. As far as Vivoactive 5 and Venu 2 Plus, they fall somewhere between these two size options.

AMOLED display on all three

The display is where you’ll spend most of your time interacting with these devices, and each timepiece offers a unique visual experience. The Venu 2 and Venu 2 Plus boast a 1.3-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 416 x 416 pixels. The colors are vibrant, and the blacks are deep, making every notification and fitness metric pop. The Vivoactive 5, while featuring a slightly smaller 1.2-inch AMOLED display with a 390 x 390-pixel resolution, doesn’t lag far behind. Its display is crisp and clear, offering an excellent visual experience in various lighting conditions.

Let’s talk about physical buttons. The Venu 2 Plus distinguishes itself with three of them, offering additional functionality but at the expense of a slightly more complex interface. In contrast, both the Venu 2 and Venu 2 Plus come equipped with just two physical buttons. So something to be aware of.

While all three devices offer quick-release bands, their sizes differ. The Venu 2 opts for a 22 mm industry-standard size, while the Vivoactive 5 and Venu 2 Plus go for a slightly narrower 20 mm. This subtle difference could influence your choice if you’re looking to customize your device with third-party bands.

In terms of water-resistance, the trio comes with a 5 ATM water resistance rating. This makes them equally adept at handling your sweat-drenched workouts or spontaneous cannonballs into the pool.

Under the hood

All three devices come equipped with Garmin’s core technologies, including the Elevate wrist heart rate monitor. This is coupled with a Pulse Ox blood oxygen saturation monitor, and built-in compass. They also support multiple global navigation satellite systems like GPS, GLONASS, and GALILEO, and feature an accelerometer and ambient light sensor. These shared technologies form the backbone of each device, providing a robust suite of health and navigation features that cater to a wide range of user needs.

As far as differences, the Vivoactive 5 lacks a barometric altimeter and gyroscope, both of which are present in the other two. This makes the Venu models more suitable for activities like hiking or winter sports.

The Venu 2 Plus breaks away from its siblings by incorporating a ECG sensor. This advanced feature allows for more in-depth heart health monitoring, making the Venu 2 Plus a compelling choice for those who are keen on comprehensive cardiovascular tracking.

It is also the only of the three to feature a built-in speaker and microphone. This feature transforms the device from a mere fitness tracker to a more interactive gadget, capable of handling calls and potentially voice-activated tasks.

Last but not least, let’s mention memory. With 8 GB of storage, the Venu 2 and Venu 2 Plus offer ample space for your apps, music, and other data. The Vivoactive 5, although coming in at 4 GB, still provides sufficient room for essential apps and functionalities.

Technical specs

Here’s a table showing the differences in technical specs between the three devices.

Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs Venu 2 vs 2 Plus: Battery life differences

All three devices offer impressive battery longevity in smartwatch mode, with the Vivoactive 5 and Venu 2 leading the pack at up to 11 days. The Venu 2 Plus trails slightly at up to 9 days, which is still commendable.

The Vivoactive 5 takes the crown in battery saver mode, boasting up to 21 days of battery life. The Venu 2 and Venu 2 Plus offer up to 12 and 10 days, respectively, which are respectable figures but fall short of the Vivoactive 5’s performance.

When it comes to GPS functionality, the Venu 2 Plus offers the longest GPS mode without music at up to 24 hours. This is followed closely by the Venu 2 at 22 hours. The Vivoactive 5 offers multiple GPS modes, including a GPS-only GNSS mode that lasts up to 21 hours and an all-systems GNSS mode that can go for up to 17 hours.

Both the Venu 2 and Venu 2 Plus offer up to 8 hours of GPS mode with music, aligning them closely in terms of multimedia capabilities. The Vivoactive 5 also offers up to 8 hours but in its all-systems GNSS mode with music.

Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs Venu 2 vs 2 Plus: Functionality

Fitness & health tracking

When it comes to health monitoring, the Vivoactive 5 takes the lead in offering meditation, sleep coaching, and nap detection features, which are absent in the Venu 2 and Venu 2 Plus. However, the Venu 2 Plus stands out with its ECG sensor, providing a more comprehensive cardiovascular tracking option. In the realm of activity tracking, the Vivoactive 5 offers unique features like push tracker and weight shift alert, while both the Venu 2 and Venu 2 Plus have the capability to track floors climbed.

In terms of gym and fitness equipment, all three devices offer a wide range of activity profiles, but the Venu models include additional options like breathwork. The Vivoactive 5 is the only device to offer workouts specifically designed for wheelchair users. When it comes to training and planning, the Vivoactive 5 again takes the lead with features like recovery time, HRV status, and interval training. Both Venu models lack these features but partially make up for it with on-screen workout animations, which the Vivoactive 5 lacks.

Smart functionality

The Vivoactive 5 excels in smart features, offering an on-device Connect IQ Store, the ability to view images from Android notifications, and a morning report feature. It also syncs settings in real-time with Garmin Connect Mobile. The Venu 2 and Venu 2 Plus fall short in these areas but have a unique offering: the Venu 2 Plus supports Bluetooth phone calling and voice assistant, a feature not available in the other two models.

Functionality comparison table

Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs Venu 3 vs Venu 3s: The bottom line – navigating the Garmin Maze

The Garmin Vivoactive 5, Venu 2, and Venu 2 Plus are comparable to a set of siblings, each endowed with distinct capabilities and idiosyncrasies. They serve as Garmin’s counter to competitors like the Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch, offering a wide array of features from health metrics with some smartwatch functionalities sprinkled in. However, when you delve into the specifics, each device reveals its own advantages and limitations that could sway your choice.

Essential reading: Best fitness trackers and health gadgets

When it comes to value for money, the Vivoactive 5, priced at $299.99, stands out as the most cost-effective option. It excels in health and fitness tracking, boasting unique features such as meditation, sleep coaching, and nap detection. And let’s not forget recovery time, HRV status and other training and planning goodies.

Meanwhile, the Venu 2 and Venu 2 Plus, priced at $399.99 and $449.99 respectively, also offer a broad range of features, including ECG monitoring and Bluetooth phone calling in the case of the Venu 2 Plus. However, given the price points, the Venu 2 has lost some of its allure, especially when compared to its siblings. If you happen to find the Venu 2 or Venu 2 Plus at a discounted rate, they could become more appealing options. But for now, if you’re seeking a device that offers a comprehensive set of features without breaking the bank, the Vivoactive 5 is likely your best bet.

All three watches can be purchased on Garmin’s website and Amazon.

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