Should you choose Venu 2 or Venu 2 Plus?

If you’re weighing which Venu 2 lineup to buy, rest assured that there are more similarities than differences. Each model has a pixel-rich AMOLED display, a plastic case with a steel bezel, water resistance, the same sensors and other similar features. Sure, you’re going to pay a hefty bill no matter which option you choose, but is the new Venu 2 Plus worth the extra bucks? It depends on whether you want a lifestyle watch or a watch separate from your phone.

Garmin Venu 2 and Venu 2 Plus: A few key differences

Venu 2 Plus summons the voice assistant.

The newer Garmin Venu 2 Plus features three specific upgrades over the Garmin Venu 2 and 2S: the addition of a microphone, speaker, and a third navigation button on the side of the watch.

With the help of the microphone and speaker, the Venu 2 Plus can answer calls forwarded from a nearby smartphone. Alternatively, you can summon your favorite voice assistant to ask a question or start a workout.

These additions make your watch more usable and slightly reduce overall battery life. For example, the Venu 2 lasts 11 days or 8 hours of GPS time in smartwatch mode, while the Venu 2 Plus only lasts 9 days — but also withstands 24-hour GPS tracking, which is several hours longer than other Venu 2 watches.

All three watches have touchscreen navigation, but the Venu 2 and Venu 2S only have two buttons, while the Venu 2 Plus adds a third. Everyone can start a workout or go back to the previous screen with a quick press, but only the Plus gives you two shortcuts for a short or long press on the middle button. You can configure them to summon Garmin Pay, your voice assistant, your smartwatch, or any other feature you need to access frequently and quickly.

Otherwise, you basically get the same specs. The 2 and 2 Plus are fairly heavy compared to most fitness trackers, while the Garmin Venu 2S offers a more relaxed experience if you can live with the smaller display. You can rest assured that you’ll get the same software, metrics, sport modes and longer battery life than any other lifestyle watch.

	Garmin Venus 2	Garmin Venu 2S	Garmin Venu 2 Plus
operating system	Garmin operating system Available for Android and iOS	Garmin operating system Available for Android and iOS	Garmin operating system Available for Android and iOS
exhibit	1.3″/33mm Corning Gorilla Glass 3 Color AMOLED touch screen	1.1″/29mm Corning Gorilla Glass 3 Color AMOLED touch screen	1.3″/33mm Corning Gorilla Glass 3 Color AMOLED touch screen
solve	416×416	360×360	416×416
Case and Bezel	Fiber Reinforced Polymers (Plastics) Stainless steel	Fiber Reinforced Polymers (Plastics) Stainless steel	Fiber Reinforced Polymers (Plastics) Stainless steel
band	22mm	18mm	20mm
sensor	GPS/GLONASS/GALILEO human resource Management barometric altimeter compass Gyro Accelerometer thermometer Ambient light sensor blood oxygen saturation	GPS/GLONASS/GALILEO human resource Management barometric altimeter compass Gyro Accelerometer thermometer Ambient light sensor blood oxygen saturation	GPS/GLONASS/GALILEO human resource Management barometric altimeter compass Gyro Accelerometer thermometer Ambient light sensor blood oxygen saturation
music storage	Up to 650 songs Partnered with Spotify, Deezer, Amazon Music	Up to 650 songs Partnered with Spotify, Deezer, Amazon Music	Up to 650 songs Partnered with Spotify, Deezer, Amazon Music
NFC payment	Garmin payment	Garmin payment	Garmin payment
telephone	🚫	🚫	✔️
voice assistant	🚫	🚫	Bixby, Google Assistant, Siri
LTE	🚫	🚫	🚫
connectivity	Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi-Fi	Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi-Fi	Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi-Fi
Battery	11 days (12 with battery saver) 8 hours GPS mode with music 22 hours GPS mode without music Proprietary Charger	10 days (11 with battery saver) 7 hours GPS mode with music 19 hours GPS mode without music Proprietary Charger	9 days (10W/power saving mode) 8 hours GPS mode with music 24 hours GPS mode without music Proprietary Charger
Wireless charging	🚫	🚫	🚫
water proof	5 ATMs	5 ATMs	5 ATMs
aspect	45.4 x 45.4 x 12.2 mm	40.4 x 40.4 x 12.1 mm	43.6 x 43.6 x 12.6 mm
weight	49 grams	38 grams	51 grams
color	slate, silver	slate, silver, Light gold, rose gold	slate, silver, Light gold

This Garmin Venu 2 and 2S offer a fair compromise

When we first reviewed the Garmin Venu 2, we praised it as a great device, but it was too expensive for what it offered. If it could cost $100 less, it might rank among the best Android smartwatches to date. But over the next few months, we often saw it priced well below its $400 list price.

The new Venu 2 Plus will likely cost $450 for a while, and if you can spot a sale on a Venu 2 or 2S, you might want to snap it up when it’s on sale. Venu 2 has built-in GPS and music storage so you can easily exercise without a smartphone. If you like to leave your phone behind during your workouts, you probably don’t need the Plus’ cellular upgrade.

Also, for those with thinner wrists, you might prefer the Venu 2S due to its lighter weight and smaller display size. Plus, it has a unique and stylish rose gold style that you might love.

This Garmin Venu 2 Plus justify the extra cost

If you can afford the extra cost, the Venu 2 Plus is our recommended future-proof option. Assuming you’ll be doing some sustained workouts, the actual workout tracking lasts longer than others, which may help reduce the battery life of the microphone and speakers.

Its smart assistant connectivity helps make the Venu 2 Plus a proper “lifestyle” watch and fitness watch. We love the third button to access your favorite tools like NFC payments without scrolling through menus. If you’re planning to spend a lot of money on a smartwatch, go for a plus size; it’s one of the best fitness smartwatches we’ve tested.

Fully unlocked cellular potential

Garmin Venu 2 Plus

Track your workouts the longest

$450 at Amazon $450 at Best Buy $450 at Walmart

The Venu 2 Plus is the true ultimate form of this watch line, offering everything you need for fitness and everyday use. You won’t regret choosing to take calls on your wrist.

Cut costs, increase size and color

Garmin Venu 2 and 2S

Go (rose) gold and save money

$350 at Amazon $400 at Best Buy

If you don’t mind missing out on the mic and speakers, the Garmin Venu 2 and 2S offer gorgeous AMOLED displays and comprehensive fitness metrics to help you reach your fitness goals.