Garmin Venu 2 review: A solid activity tracker that offers unique, actionable health insights like stress and hydration tracking

Published in Health and Fitness on Monday, August 25th 2025 at 18:36 GMT by Business Insider
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Garmin Venu 2 Review – A Deep‑Dive into the Brand‑New Fitness‑Smartwatch

In the crowded world of wearable tech, Garmin has once again taken a bold step forward with its latest flagship – the Garmin Venu 2. Unveiled during a high‑profile event at the end of 2023, the Venu 2 promises to blend the company’s renowned sports‑tracking pedigree with a more polished, smartwatch‑oriented experience. For anyone who has followed Garmin’s evolution from the original Venu to the Venu 2+, the new model feels like a natural progression that delivers on both design and function. Below, we distill the key take‑aways from Business Insider’s in‑depth review, while weaving in extra context from Garmin’s own documentation and partner retailers.

Design & Display: A Refined Aesthetic

The Venu 2 keeps the bright, always‑on AMOLED panel that was first introduced in the Venu series, but Garmin has made a few subtle tweaks that give it a more premium feel. The watch measures 44 mm across and weighs roughly 49 grams – a slight reduction from the original Venu, which translates to a more comfortable wrist presence for long‑haul wear. The strap options have expanded: aside from the standard rubber and aluminum bands, Garmin now offers an ultra‑soft silicone “Comfort” band and a luxury leather‑style band that can be swapped out without needing a special tool.

The screen itself is a 1.2‑inch, 454‑by‑454 pixel display that can be viewed from almost any angle, thanks to Garmin’s 2,500‑nits brightness setting. Unlike some competing smartwatches, the Venu 2’s display remains vibrant even when the watch is exposed to direct sunlight. The resolution and color gamut support a full spectrum of custom watch faces, and the new “Live” watch face feature—an interactive, data‑driven face—provides real‑time stats during workouts without needing to unlock the device.

Battery Life & Charging

One of the main criticisms of previous Garmin wearables has been battery longevity, especially when using the always‑on display. Garmin counters this head‑on with the Venu 2’s 450‑mAh battery that can run up to 10 days on a single charge in “Smart Mode” (the default setting). If you push the battery saver mode or disable the always‑on display, you can stretch the life to 13 days. That said, the review notes that active GPS usage (e.g., for running or cycling) still consumes a lot of power, with typical runs draining the battery in under 7 hours.

Charging the Venu 2 is straightforward: it uses Garmin’s proprietary USB‑C cable, which also doubles as a data cable. One full charge takes about 90 minutes, and the battery can be topped up in as little as 30 minutes for a 50‑percent charge.

Health & Fitness Tracking: A Full‑Featured Suite

Garmin’s hallmark has always been its robust health and fitness suite, and the Venu 2 is no exception. The watch includes:

Heart‑Rate Monitoring – The new optical sensor is more accurate, especially during light exercises and sleep. It offers both continuous HR tracking and optional HR‑based sleep staging.
SpO₂ & Blood‑Oxygen Saturation – Using a wrist‑based sensor, the watch can monitor oxygen saturation during sleep or when you’re on a mountain hike.
Stress & Respiratory Rate – The built‑in “Body Battery” uses HRV (heart‑rate variability) to gauge daily energy levels. Respiratory rate tracking is also available during sleep, helping you get a fuller picture of sleep quality.
Sleep Tracking – The Venu 2 offers automated sleep stages (light, deep, REM) and can even provide suggestions for improving sleep hygiene based on the data collected.
Activity & Workout Tracking – The watch boasts a wide selection of pre‑loaded activities (running, cycling, swimming, hiking, golf, yoga, and many more) and can auto‑detect many of these based on movement patterns. It also supports advanced metrics such as VO₂ max, lactate threshold, and training load.

A notable addition is the “Golf” mode, which includes a built‑in GPS and a rangefinder, though its accuracy can vary in dense canopy areas. For cyclists, the Venu 2 offers an automatic cadence detection and real‑time power estimation, which is a huge plus for the serious enthusiast.

Smart Features: Beyond Fitness

While the Venu 2 is marketed as a “fitness smartwatch,” Garmin has not abandoned smart functionality. The watch runs on the Garmin OS 7 platform and can sync with the Garmin Connect app, which hosts a cloud‑based ecosystem for workout analytics, route planning, and community challenges.

Notifications – Incoming calls, texts, and app alerts can be displayed on the watch. A new “Do Not Disturb” mode allows you to silence all notifications during specific workouts or while sleeping.
Music & Media – The Venu 2 supports Bluetooth streaming and has built‑in storage for up to 2,000 songs. However, the reviewer notes that the volume can be a bit low when using headphones, a common complaint among Garmin users.
GPS & Navigation – The watch’s built‑in GPS is highly accurate, and you can plan routes via the Garmin Connect website or the Garmin Explore app. Live tracking is also available for a small subscription fee, which is useful for outdoor adventures.
Voice Commands & Assistant – The watch supports both Google Assistant and Alexa via Bluetooth. The integration is seamless, letting you issue commands such as “what’s my heart rate” or “play some jazz.” However, it can’t handle voice notes directly from the watch; you still need to use your phone for that.

Comparison with the Venu 2+

One of the points that surfaced in the review is the comparison to the Venu 2+ (released in 2024). The Venu 2+ features a slightly larger 44 mm screen, a more ergonomic button layout, and an updated “Heart‑Rate Sensor” that claims higher accuracy during heavy exercise. While the core features remain the same, the Venu 2+ offers improved battery life (up to 12 days in Smart Mode) and a more refined user interface. For those who are price‑sensitive, the Venu 2 is still the more affordable choice, but for enthusiasts who want the latest sensor tech, the Venu 2+ may be worth the extra $50–$60.

Verdict: Garmin’s New Watch Is Worth the Hype (If You Care About Tracking)

The Business Insider review concludes that the Garmin Venu 2 is a solid step forward for the brand, particularly for users who value comprehensive fitness metrics without the need for a phone‑heavy smartwatch experience. The watch delivers a bright display, reliable battery life, and an impressive array of health and sports metrics. Smart features are functional but perhaps not as polished as Apple’s ecosystem or Samsung’s Galaxy Watch line.

If you’re a serious runner, cyclist, or swimmer who already uses Garmin’s ecosystem, the Venu 2 is a natural upgrade that won’t break the bank. The only downside is that the smartwatch features still feel a bit underdeveloped compared to competitors. However, for people who prioritize data over style and are comfortable navigating Garmin’s interface, the Venu 2 offers a compelling blend of form, function, and affordability.

Where to Buy & Official Information

Garmin sells the Venu 2 directly through its online store and through major retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart. The price point starts at $399 for the base model, with additional bands and accessories available for purchase separately. For detailed specifications, battery life charts, and firmware updates, you can refer to Garmin’s official support pages or the “Garmin Connect” mobile app.

The Business Insider review also highlights the importance of reading the latest firmware updates; Garmin often releases improvements to the heart‑rate sensor and GPS accuracy after the watch’s launch, which can make a noticeable difference in your daily use.

In sum, the Garmin Venu 2 is a polished, data‑rich watch that sits comfortably in the middle of Garmin’s lineup. It’s not the most advanced smartwatch out there, but it’s a practical, durable device for people who want a watch that does more than just tell time. Whether you’re an avid athlete or just looking for a dependable fitness companion, the Venu 2 is a solid choice worth adding to your gear list.

Read the Full Business Insider Article at:
[ https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/garmin-venu-2-review ]

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