Garmin Vivoactive 6 vs. Venu 3: Choosing the right smartwatch can be hard, especially when the Vivoactive 6 and the Venu 3 are two of Garmin’s most famous models. Both are great at tracking your health, have smart features, and look good, but which one gives you more for your money?
If you want to find the best Garmin watch, read this comparison. It breaks down the main differences in features, specs, design, battery life, and total value. We have the right smartwatch for everyone, whether you’re a relaxed fitness fanatic, an athlete who needs to track your progress, or someone who just wants a reliable everyday watch.
Let’s look at the specifics and see how the Vivoactive 6 and Venu 3 compare.
Garmin Vivoactive 6 vs Venu 3
Garmin Vivoactive 6: An Entry-Level Garmin
With its 1.2-inch AMOLED display and 11-day battery life, the new Vivoactive 6 smartwatch from Garmin is an incremental upgrade over the previous version.
In addition to additional storage and updated software, new satellite systems are now accessible. However, it does have some out-of-date technology, such as the Elevate v4 HR sensor.
| Pros (What’s Good) | Cons (What’s Missing) |
|---|---|
| Slightly slimmer design — 0.2mm thinner than before | Uses older Elevate v4 heart rate sensor, lacks ECG and advanced health tools |
| Includes 8GB of storage for music playback | No built-in elevation tracking for runs or detailed training load insights |
| Improved satellite support with BeiDou and QZSS, plus a built-in gyroscope | Some advanced features are locked behind a Garmin Connect Plus subscription |
| New software perks like running power metrics and race time predictions |
Garmin Venu 3: A Better Fitness Experience
If you’re looking for a fitness tracker from Garmin but don’t require as much functionality as a Vivoactive, the Venu 3 is a good option.
Key enhancements include the ability to detect skin temperatures, take ECG readings, and have a microphone and speaker integrated into the device. Still, it’s missing a few things as it isn’t a true Forerunner.
| Pros (What’s Good) | Cons (What’s Missing) |
|---|---|
| Sleek look available in two different case sizes | App selection is limited compared to other platforms |
| Offers premium Garmin tools like Advanced Body Battery and Sleep Coach | Missing advanced fitness training features found in Forerunner, Enduro, or Fenix models |
| Equipped with the latest Elevate v5 heart rate sensor and ECG support | No built-in LTE connectivity option |
| Can use both GPS and GLONASS at the same time for improved location tracking | On the expensive side |
Specifications
| Category | Garmin Vivoactive 6 | Garmin Venu 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | Polymer body with aluminum bezel | Polymer body with stainless steel bezel |
| Display | 1.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen, 390 × 309 resolution | 1.4-inch AMOLED touchscreen, 454 × 454 resolution |
| Screen Protection & Water Rating | Corning Gorilla Glass 3, water-resistant up to 50 meters (5ATM) | Corning Gorilla Glass 3, water-resistant up to 50 meters (5ATM) |
| Watch Band | 20mm quick-release strap | 22mm (135–200mm) or 18mm (110–175mm) interchangeable straps |
| Satellite Tracking | Supports GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou; multi-GNSS (no dual-band) | Supports GPS, GLONASS, Galileo; multi-GNSS (no dual-band) |
| Sensors | Gen 4 heart rate monitor, SpO2 sensor, accelerometer, light sensor, compass, gyroscope | Gen 5 heart rate monitor with ECG, SpO2, accelerometer, barometric altimeter, light sensor, compass, gyroscope |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, ANT+, NFC (Garmin Pay) | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, ANT+, NFC (Garmin Pay) |
| Microphone & Speaker | Not included | Built-in mic and speaker included |
| Health & Fitness Features | Sleep coach, nap tracking, Body Battery, wheelchair tracking, fitness modes, recovery insights, morning summary, on-screen workouts, Garmin Coach, VO2 Max | Same as Vivoactive 6 plus jet lag guidance |
| Music Storage | 8GB; supports Spotify, Deezer, Amazon Music, or local files | 8GB; supports Spotify, Deezer, Amazon Music, or local files |
| Size | 42.2 x 42.2 x 10.9 mm | Venu 3: 45 x 45 x 12 mm / Venu 3S: 41 x 41 x 12 mm |
| Weight (with strap) | 36g (watch: 23g) | Venu 3: 47g (watch: 30g) / Venu 3S: 40g (watch: 27g) |
| Price | $299.99 | $449.99 |
Both watches have connectivity through Garmin Pay, Bluetooth, ANT+, and Wi-Fi. Excluding the barometric altimeter (exclusive to Venu) and the previously mentioned distinct Garmin Elevate v4 and v5 sensors, the watches possess a same array of sensors: pulse oximeter, accelerometer, ambient light sensor, compass, and gyroscope. The Venu 3’s altimeter enables precise tracking of height gains during runs or treks, a feature absent in the Vivoactive 6.
The Garmin Vivoactive 6 has a battery life of up to 11 days on a single charge, whilst the Venu 3 may last up to 14 days. Both figures will decline markedly with increased usage of music streaming, activity monitoring, and GPS. You will charge them with the proprietary charging wire provided by Garmin in the package.
Design and Display
The Vivoactive 6 and Venu 3 smartwatches from Garmin have a more minimal design. These watches aren’t tough like the Instinct, Forerunner, Fenix, or Enduro. Their style is basic enough to mix with a workout gear or your daily wear. The style matches both product lines’ “casual” look.
The Venu 3 and 3S are available. The Venu 3 weighs 30 grams without a strap and is 45 x 45 x 12mm, whereas the 3S weighs 27 grams. Vivoactive 6’s 42.2mm case is slimmer and lighter than both Venu models, putting it in the middle.
Vivoactive 6 smartwatches accept 20mm quick-release watch bands for easy swapping. For comparison, the Venu 3 uses 22mm straps and the 3S 18mm. The included bands are silicone, however the greatest Garmin watches can be updated with original or aftermarket straps.
The more expensive Garmin Venu 3 has better materials. Similar to the Vivoactive 6, it has a fiber-reinforced polymer case and stainless steel bezel. On the Vivoactive 6, the bezel is anodized aluminum. This helps the cheaper watch be lighter on the wrist. Including the strap, it weights 37 grams.
Both watches have AMOLEDs. The Venu 3S matches the Vivoactive 6’s 1.2-inch 390 x 390 panel. The larger Venu 3 has a 454 x 454 1.4-inch panel.
The Vivoactive 6 and Venu 3 have 5ATM water resistance and Gorilla Glass 3 covers.
Hardware and Features
Just like the Garmin Instinct 3, the Vivoactive 6 is a newer version of a Garmin watch that doesn’t have the brand’s newest sensors. The Garmin Elevate v4 heart rate monitor is used in both the Vivoactive 5 and the Vivoactive 6. That means it won’t be able to get more accurate tools for measuring skin temperature, heart rate, and ECGs.
It’s too bad, because the Venu 3 is almost two years old and has the newest Garmin Elevate v5 monitor, which can read ECG and skin temperature. In this case, the Venu 3 costs $150 more than the Venu 2 and has better sensing.
Besides that, the two gadgets can do a lot of the same things. The best Wear OS watches will have a lot of app support, but both of these have 8GB of built-in storage for music. Both of them also have an All-Systems mode for GPS that works with GPS, GLONASS, and GALILEO.
Along with QZSS and BeiDou, the Vivoactive 6 goes one step further, but neither watch has dual-band GPS.
Which Should You Buy?
The Garmin Vivoactive 6 and Venu 3 are both intended for individuals who require essential fitness and health features in a sleek and compact form factor. The Vivoactive 6 has the advantage of being the most recent release; however, it fails to exploit this advantage due to its older heart rate sensor than the Venu 3. That is why the Venu 3 is the most exceptional casual Garmin watch available.
That being said, the Venu 3 may not provide sufficient information for individuals who are athletes or fitness enthusiasts who are interested in the distinctions between Garmin’s Elevate v4 and v5 sensors. Conversely, the Vivoactive 6 is the most exceptional entry-level Garmin available, priced at $300 and only a slight decrease from the Venu 3. Despite this, it does not represent a significant improvement over the Vivoactive 5.