Garmin Venu 2S Review: Is This a Good Choice?

Searching for a smaller-sized GPS smartwatch that offers advanced health monitoring and fitness features? We’ve taken a closer look at the Garmin Venu 2S, and it seems like a fantastic option.

Available in two stylish colors, this smartwatch boasts a bright AMOLED display, Bluetooth, GPS, and Wi-Fi connectivity. The impressive battery life lasts up to 11 days in smartwatch mode and up to 8 hours in GPS mode with music, plus there’s a battery saver mode.

With over 25 built-in indoor and GPS sports apps, finding new ways to stay active has never been easier. Choose from walking, running, cycling, HIIT, swimming, golf, and many more. Preloaded workouts encompass cardio, yoga, strength, HIIT, and Pilates, or create your own in the Garmin Connect app.

The watch allows you to download up to 650 songs, including playlists from Spotify, Amazon Music, or Deezer (premium subscription may be required), and it connects to wireless headphones for phone-free listening.

Bottom Line

The Garmin Venu 2S is a fantastic choice for those seeking a small-sized GPS smartwatch with advanced health monitoring and fitness features.

With its stylish design, impressive battery life, and extensive app options, it’s time to elevate your fitness game.

Product Overview: Garmin Venu 2S GPS Smartwatch

Staying active and connected just got more enjoyable with the Garmin Venu 2S. In two stylish color choices, this smartwatch features a vibrant AMOLED display, giving you a clear view of your data. The impressive battery life, up to 11 days in smartwatch mode and 8 hours in GPS mode with music, ensures you stay informed about your health without any disruptions.

With over 25 built-in indoor and GPS sports apps, you can track various activities, from walking and running to HIIT and golf. The watch also provides preloaded workouts tailored for cardio, yoga, strength, HIIT, and Pilates, leaving no excuses for a dull workout routine. Additionally, Garmin Coach offers adaptive training plans for your running challenges.

When exercising, you can enjoy your favorite tunes without your phone, as this smartwatch stores up to 650 songs. Just connect wireless headphones (not included) and you’re set for a music-filled workout. For added convenience, the Garmin Pay contactless payment system allows you to make purchases on-the-go without cash or cards.

Stay on top of your notifications, calls, and texts with this smartwatch, paired with a compatible Android or Apple smartphone. Safety and tracking features, such as incident detection and assistance, help keep you secure during outdoor activities.

Lastly, various health monitoring options help you understand your body better, including health snapshot, Body Battery energy levels, sleep score, fitness age, and stress tracking. Note that the Garmin Venu 2S is intended as an estimation of your activity and metrics, not as a medical device.

Key Features

Long-Lasting Battery

One of the most notable aspects of the Venu 2S is its impressive battery life. With up to 11 days in smartwatch mode and up to 8 hours in GPS mode with music, you won’t have to worry about constantly charging your watch. There’s even a battery saver mode to ensure your watch lasts as long as possible during those busy days.

Multiple Built-In Sports Applications

The Venu 2S offers over 25 built-in indoor and GPS sports apps, catering to a wide range of interests. From walking and running, to cycling and swimming, as well as golf and HIIT workouts, there’s something for everyone. This smartwatch makes it easy to explore new ways to stay active and keep your fitness goals on track.

Wireless Music Download

Music lovers will appreciate the ability to download up to 650 songs directly onto their Venu 2S. You can sync playlists from Spotify, Amazon Music, or Deezer (a premium subscription may be required) and enjoy phone-free listening by connecting to wireless headphones (not included). This feature makes it perfect for workout sessions or simply enjoying your tunes on-the-go.

Contactless Payment With Garmin Pay

Provided you’re in a country and connected to a payment network that supports it, the Venu 2S allows you to make contactless payments using Garmin Pay. This way, you can leave your cash and cards at home, making your shopping experience more convenient and hassle-free.

Smart Notifications

Stay connected without being glued to your phone – the Venu 2S delivers smart notifications from your compatible Android or Apple smartphone. This means you’ll never miss a call, text, or social media alert, as they will be delivered directly to your wrist. Plus, when paired with a compatible phone, safety and tracking features include incident detection and assistance, which send your live location to emergency contacts during outdoor activities.

In summary, the Garmin Venu 2S offers an array of attractive features, from long battery life and various sports apps, to music downloading and contactless payments. Combined with smart notifications and extensive health monitoring functions, this smartwatch is a valuable addition to your fitness and daily life.

Pros and Cons

Pros

We found that the Garmin Venu 2S offers some great advantages to users looking for a smaller-sized GPS smartwatch. The AMOLED display is bright and the smartwatch is available in two colors, catering to different style preferences. The battery life is impressive, offering up to 11 days in smartwatch mode and up to 8 hours in GPS mode with music, along with a battery saver mode.

The Garmin Venu 2S is packed with more than 25 built-in indoor and GPS sports apps, including walking, running, cycling, HIIT, swimming, golf, and many more. Users can also benefit from preloaded workouts such as cardio, yoga, strength, HIIT, and Pilates, create their own workouts using the Garmin Connect app, or use Garmin Coach’s free adaptive training plans for running challenges.

Another great feature is the ability to download up to 650 songs, including playlists from Spotify, Amazon Music, or Deezer (may require a premium subscription). Additionally, the watch can connect to wireless headphones for phone-free listening. This smartwatch also supports Garmin Pay, allowing users to leave their cash and cards at home when making NFC-enabled payments on the go.

When paired with a compatible smartphone, users won’t miss any important notifications as the watch delivers call, text, and social media alerts directly to the wrist. Safety and tracking features include incident detection and assistance, which send the user’s location to emergency contacts during outdoor activities.

Furthermore, the Garmin Venu 2S provides extensive health monitoring features like health snapshot, Body Battery energy levels, sleep score, fitness age, stress tracking, and more.

Cons

However, there are a few drawbacks to this smartwatch. The Garmin Venu 2S doesn’t measure blood pressure or BMI like some competing devices. Some users experienced a slight lag when navigating through the widgets. Additionally, the advanced tracking features such as HRV may show inconsistencies in readings, causing confusion for users relying on this data.

Overall, while the Garmin Venu 2S has some minor limitations, it still offers an array of features that make it a compelling choice for a smaller-sized GPS smartwatch with health monitoring and fitness capabilities.

Final Thoughts

After examining the Garmin Venu 2S, we believe this smaller-sized GPS smartwatch is a great choice for those looking for advanced health-monitoring and fitness features. Many users appreciate its accurate GPS, Spotify integration, lightweight design, and suite of fitness and wellness tracking options. However, some users mentioned minor lag in widget navigation and lack of blood pressure or BMI tracking compared to other smartwatches.

The Garmin Venu 2S has an impressively high overall rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars, and with nearly unanimous praise for its durability, battery life, and ease of use. While some users have compared it to the Fitbit and found themselves on the fence, most are satisfied with the upgrade and feel that the value and unique features of the Venu 2S outweigh any minor drawbacks.

In conclusion, if you’re searching for a reliable and feature-packed fitness smartwatch, the Garmin Venu 2S might just be the perfect fit for your needs. With its sleek design and impressive array of health and wellness tracking capabilities, you’ll find yourself reaching your goals in no time.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the battery life of the Venu 2S compare to other Garmin watches?

The Venu 2S offers up to 11 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and up to 8 hours in GPS mode with music. This is impressive compared to some Garmin watches, though others may offer longer battery life in certain scenarios. It also features a battery saver mode to further extend its longevity.

Is the Venu 2S waterproof and suitable for swimming?

Yes, the Venu 2S is waterproof and specifically designed for swimming. It comes with built-in indoor and GPS sports apps, including swimming. So, you can confidently use it to track your swim sessions without worry.

What are the key features of the Garmin Venu 2S?

• Bright AMOLED display
• GPS and indoor sports apps including walking, running, cycling, HIIT, swimming, and golf
• Preloaded workouts and Garmin Coach adaptive training plans
• Music storage up to 650 songs with support for Spotify, Amazon Music, and Deezer
• Garmin Pay contactless payments
• Smartphone notifications, safety, and tracking features
• In-depth health monitoring like Body Battery, sleep score, fitness age, and stress tracking

How does the Garmin Venu 2S screen protect against scratches?

The Venu 2S is built with durability in mind and has received high praise from users who report it remains scratch-free after significant use and accidental impacts. While the product does not specify the type of screen protection, it appears to be resilient to damage.

What is the difference between the Venu 2S and the regular Venu 2?

The primary difference between the Venu 2S and the Venu 2 is the size. The Venu 2S is smaller and lighter, making it more suitable for people with smaller wrists. Nonetheless, both models share similar features like GPS, sports apps, and health monitoring.

Can the Garmin Venu 2S store and play music without a phone?

Yes, the Venu 2S can store and play up to 650 songs without needing a phone. You can download playlists directly from Spotify, Amazon Music, or Deezer (premium subscription may be required) and connect wireless headphones for a phone-free listening experience during workouts or daily activities.