Garmin Venu 2 Plus & Garmin Venu 2 share many similarities, but there are also important differences, such as quality, performance, features, design, and connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the Garmin Venu 2 Plus rather than the Garmin Venu 2.
Why Do I Recommend The Garmin Venu 2 Plus?
- The Garmin Venu 2 Plus comes with a built-in microphone and speaker for taking Bluetooth calls directly from the wrist in situations where reaching for a phone is inconvenient, whereas the Garmin Venu 2 has no microphone or speaker.
- Garmin Venu 2 Plus features voice assistant access through the connected smartphone to enable hands-free actions like setting reminders or sending messages, while the Garmin Venu 2 does not support voice assistant interaction.
- It includes a dedicated third button for quicker access to phone and voice functions, whereas the Garmin Venu 2 has only a two-button layout.
- The Garmin Venu 2 Plus supports on-wrist audio playback through its speaker for alarms and prompts, while the Garmin Venu 2 relies entirely on vibration and silent notifications.
- Garmin Venu 2 Plus has a slightly smaller 43.6 mm case to provide a more comfortable fit on smaller and medium wrists, whereas the Garmin Venu 2 uses a larger 45.4 mm case.
- It supports Bluetooth call notifications with actionable controls such as answering or declining on the watch for improved communication convenience, while the Garmin Venu 2 only supports basic call alerts with no interaction.
- The Garmin Venu 2 Plus maintains similar GPS and fitness capabilities with additional smart features to streamline daily phone-free functionality, whereas the Garmin Venu 2 focuses mainly on fitness and health tracking.
- Garmin Venu 2 Plus uses a 20 mm band size to increase compatibility with slimmer strap styles, whereas the Garmin Venu 2 uses a wider 22 mm band.
Maybe the Garmin Venu 2 can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the Garmin Venu 2 Plus. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Garmin Venu 2 Plus | Garmin Venu 2 |
| Button count | 3 buttons | 2 buttons |
| Middle button function | Voice / shortcut button | No dedicated voice button |
| Microphone | Yes, built-in | No |
| Speaker | Yes, built-in | No |
| Phone call support | Bluetooth calls from wrist | No calls from watch |
| Voice assistant access | Yes, via paired phone assistant | No voice assistant access |
| Smartwatch battery life | Up to 9 days | Up to 11 days |
| Battery saver smartwatch | Up to 10 days | Up to 12 days |
| GPS only (no music) | Up to ~24 hours | Up to ~22 hours |
| GPS with music | Up to ~8 hours | Up to ~8 hours (similar) |
| Case material | Fiber-reinforced polymer with stainless steel bezel | Fiber-reinforced polymer |
| Included band size | Fits smaller wrist range | Fits slightly larger wrist range |
| Price | Check Venu 2 Plus Price | Check Venu 2 Price |
What Common Both Can Do?
- AMOLED Display: Both models include bright AMOLED screens that provide improved contrast, vivid colors, and better outdoor visibility compared to traditional LCD screens. This makes touchscreen navigation smoother and visually appealing in fitness and daily use.
- Always-On Display Option: Each watch supports an always-on mode, allowing users to see the time and key info without wrist gestures. This improves convenience during workouts and daily wear.
- Touchscreen: Both devices rely on responsive touchscreen interaction for menu navigation and app usage. The familiar interface makes them simple to operate for new and experienced smartwatch owners alike.
- Stainless Steel Bezel: Both watches use stainless steel around the display, improving durability while adding a premium aesthetic. This helps protect the screen edge from impacts during everyday activities.
- Corning Gorilla Glass Protection: Each model uses durable glass to resist scratches and provide long-lasting clarity. It allows users to wear the watch confidently in active environments.
- GPS / GNSS: Both include multi-GNSS tracking for accurate positioning during runs, hikes, and cycling routes. This ensures reliable distance metrics even in more challenging signal environments.
- Wrist-based Heart Rate: Both track heart rate continuously for workouts and daily health monitoring. By observing trends, users can better manage exercise intensity and wellness goals.
- Pulse Ox Sensor: Each supports blood oxygen measurement, useful during sleep tracking and assessing altitude adaptation. It adds valuable context to overall respiratory health.
- Sleep Tracking: Both analyze sleep stages and quality nightly, helping users identify rest patterns for recovery and performance. Detailed results appear in Garmin Connect.
- Stress Tracking: Both models assess stress throughout the day using HRV metrics. This helps users detect when to relax or engage in breathing exercises.
- Body Battery Energy Monitoring: Each tracks energy levels by combining sleep, heart rate, and activity indicators. Users can better plan workouts when their energy score is high.
- Women’s Health Tracking: Both support menstrual cycle and pregnancy tracking through Garmin Connect. This creates a more personalized wellness experience.
- Garmin Pay: Each allows contactless payments, convenient for running errands or exercising without carrying a phone or wallet.
- Music Storage: Both watches can store music directly on the device for phone-free listening with Bluetooth headphones. This benefits runners and gym users who prefer minimal gear.
- Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi-Fi Support: Both support wireless connectivity for syncing data, linking accessories, and using music services. This enables seamless ecosystem integration.
- Health Snapshot: Each device captures a 2-minute recording of vital stats like heart rate, stress, and respiration. It provides a quick health overview for monitoring personal trends.
- On-device Animated Workouts: Both show animated guidance for strength, cardio, and yoga sessions. This helps users follow proper exercise form without needing a separate screen.
- Water Rating 5 ATM: Both are suitable for swimming and shower use with resistance up to 50 meters. Users can confidently track water workouts and wear them daily.
- Garmin Connect Sync: Both automatically sync health and fitness data to the Garmin Connect platform for detailed analysis and progress tracking.
- Smartphone Notifications: Each displays calls, texts, and app alerts when connected to a phone. This keeps users connected on the go without constantly checking their device.
Common Features
| Feature | Garmin Venu 2 Plus | Garmin Venu 2 |
| AMOLED Display | Yes | Yes |
| Always-On Display Option | Yes | Yes |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Stainless Steel Bezel | Yes | Yes |
| Corning Gorilla Glass Protection | Yes | Yes |
| GPS / GNSS | Multi-GNSS | Multi-GNSS |
| Wrist-based Heart Rate | Yes | Yes |
| Pulse Ox Sensor | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep Tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Stress Tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Body Battery Energy Monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Women’s Health Tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Garmin Pay | Yes | Yes |
| Music Storage | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi-Fi Support | Yes | Yes |
| Health Snapshot | Yes | Yes |
| On-device Animated Workouts | Yes | Yes |
| Water Rating | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
| Garmin Connect Sync | Yes | Yes |
| Smartphone Notifications | Yes | Yes |
| Price | Check Venu 2 Plus Price | Check Venu 2 Price |
FAQ
Can I make phone calls directly on the Garmin Venu 2 Plus? Does the Garmin Venu 2 support phone calls like the Venu 2 Plus? Do both watches have the same display quality? Which model has better battery life overall? Can both watches store music for phone-free listening? Are both watches suitable for swimming? Do both models have GPS built in? Is voice assistant available on both models? Can I use Garmin Pay on both watches? Do both watches track advanced health metrics like Pulse Ox and stress? Which model fits smaller wrists better? Do both support animated workouts on the watch screen? Are there differences in sports tracking between the two models? Do both watches sync with Garmin Connect? Which model should I choose for more smartwatch-style features? |