On April 22nd, Garmin announced the new Venu 2 (45 mm) and Venu 2S (40 mm) smartwatch. With its smaller form factor, the 2S is intended for women or people with smaller wrists. The AMOLED screen is bright and ensures great visibility even in bright daylight. The Venu 2/2S does not compromise. It offers a great battery life, up to 11 days of battery in smartwatch mode, is waterproof up to 50 meters, includes 25 workout modes, comes with a fast and accurate GPS, and includes numerous Health tracking features that we will review in greater details. The Venu 2/2S has all you can expect from a premium smartwatch, including contactless payment and music listening. Its price is in line with other top-of-the-line competitors. The obvious target market being health-conscious sporty people willing to combine style and top-notch features.
- Suit your style with a smartwatch that's available in two colors and features a bright AMOLED...
- Get an uninterrupted picture of your health, thanks to battery life of up to 11 days in smartwatch...
- Get up to 8 hours of battery life in GPS mode with music, plus rapid recharging and battery saver...
- Use preloaded workouts that include cardio, yoga, strength, HIIT and Pilates, create your own in the...
- Download up to 650 songs to your watch, including playlists from Spotify, Amazon Music or Deezer...
Health SnapshotTM
This feature lets users record an instant snapshot of their health status. In 2 minutes, the Venu 2 Series will combine various information, including Heart Rate, Heart Rate Variability, and stress level, to provide an instantaneous health status. The data are visible in Garmin Connect and a pdf that can even be shared with your doctor. A great way to get a quick checkup when feeling unwell.
The original Venu smartwatch already estimated your fitness age based on the maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max). The Venu 2 goes one step further. It compares and uses more data such as your workout level, resting heart rate, and BMI (or % of fat) to estimate your fitness level according to your age group.
Better oximeter and heart sensor
The Venu 2 uses the Elevate sensor Generation 4 to improve the oxygen saturation (SpO2) readings and the detection of the heart rate. When compared to other devices or chest heart monitors, the data appear as accurate and reliable. We can only regret the lack of an FDA-cleared EKG monitoring, such as those offered by the Galaxy Watch 3 or the Apple Watch Series 6, which are still the best smartwatches available for ECG analysis.
More accurate Sleep Score
The new Venu 2 relies on FirstBeat Analytics to improve the sleep parameters. Light, Deep, and REM sleep episodes are combined with data from the oximeter, breathing, and movement sensors. A sleep score will be provided along with the sleep duration and quality. Insights and advice on how to improve your sleep are provided on Garmin Connect or directly on the watch.
Numerous other health parameters
The Venu 2 is no doubt a great choice for Android users that exercise regularly and want to make the most of the numerous fitness features. Numerous health-tracking features are somehow available to offer a well-rounded smartwatch that should satisfy a large range of users. Among them, we can cite:
- menstrual cycle or pregnancy tracking features,
- hydration level,
- stress analysis associated with breathing exercises to help relax when needed,
- VO2 max,
- Breathing pattern.
To wrap up
The Venu 2/2S Garmin offers a stylish and truly smart watch that will be equally useful at the gym while working out or as a health watch. By improving the accuracy of the sensors, the Venu 2 Series has a lot to offer.
Still missing are an FDA-cleared EKG and the possibility to record blood pressure. Overall, when looking for a fitness watch offering solid health features, the Venu 2/2S is a solid choice.
