Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs. Garmin Venu 3 – Is it worth the price difference?

Garmin remains one of the great leaders in the sports smartwatch segment, and each model it launches improves the performance of the previous one. Furthermore, as is usual in these cases, the brand has several ranges of smart watches between which there are important differences. In this article we have compared the most recent models of two of these ranges: Garmin Vivoactive 5 and Garmin Venu 3.

So far, the Garmin Venu 3 is Garmin’s most complete smartwatch, but we have to say that the Vivoactive 5 comes very close. In fact, they share many similarities, especially when it comes to health and sports sensors and parameters. The Garmin Venu 3 offers more accurate heart rate data, because it has a more specific sensor, but the Vivoactive 5 is not bad at all. In fact, both have a special mode for people in wheelchairs and a nap detector.

On the other hand, the Garmin Venu 3 has a slightly larger screen with better resolution, although it is true that the Garmin Vivoactive 5 is lighter because it replaces stainless steel with anodized aluminum. Regarding the battery, the Venu 3 has a slightly longer life, and doubles the memory capacity of the Vivoactive 5. Now, is it worth the price difference, or is it more interesting to stick with the Garmin Vivoactive 5 for its quality-price ratio?

To answer this question, we have analyzed the specifications of the two smartwatches in depth, and we are going to tell you everything in this article. Join us!

Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs Garmin Venu 3 – Comparison Table

In the following table, we compare the main features of the two Garmin smartwatches. This way, you can have a prior idea about which range is most interesting for you:

The screen, the main aesthetic change

We cannot help but look, first of all, at the design of each smartwatch. And we admit that something curious happens to us: we like the aesthetic proposal of the Garmin Vivoactive 5 better, but we are also very convinced by the screen size of the Garmin Venu 3. In fact, the screen is the element in which they differ the most, at first glance , the two watches. Although both have an AMOLED screen, the Venu 3 has more resolution because it is larger, and has a size of 1.4 inches compared to 1.2 inches for the Vivoactive 5.

On the other hand, the Garmin Vivoactive 5 is considerably lighter, but not only because of the size (remember that the Venu 3 is available in two sizes), but also because of the bezel material. The Garmin Vivoactive 5 has an anodized aluminum bezel, while the Venu 3 is stainless steel, and this makes it heavier. However, we find that a lighter smartwatch is preferable if we use it for sports. Additionally, the Garmin Vivoactive 5 is available in four colors, while the Venu 3 can only be purchased in black and white.

Slight variations in autonomy

Battery life is another of the factors that most influence the purchase decision, because users demand increasingly longer autonomy. In this sense, it is fair to recognize that the Garmin Venu 3 has a battery that lasts a little longer than the Vivoactive 5, although both smartwatches are exceptional in this regard.

According to the brand itself, the Vivoactive 5 can work up to 11 days with standard use, but without an always-on screen, while the Garmin Venu 3 increases this autonomy to 14 days. The same thing happens in battery saving mode, which goes from 21 days on the Vivoactive 5 to 26 days on the Venu 3. Even so, the truth is that the battery life is good on both watches.

What is sports performance like?

If we buy a smartwatch, it is probably to keep greater control of our sporting activity. In this sense, the truth is that there are hardly any differences between the two watches. Both have a resistance of 5 ATM, which allows them to be submerged up to 50 meters. Likewise, they have the Garmin Coach function and have a special mode to measure the activity parameters of people who use wheelchairs.

As for sports applications, both models have more than 30. You may find more differences if you practice cycling, because the Venu 3 can be connected to power meters, in addition to speed and cadence sensors.

Health monitoring, better on the Venu 3

In the case of sensors to monitor health parameters, we have to say that the Garmin Venu 3 surpasses the Vivoactive 5. In fact, it almost seems to eclipse it, when the Garmin Vivoactive 5 is one of the most complete Garmin smartwatches in the market. this aspect. However, the Garmin Venu 3 has a more advanced heart rate sensor, as it has four more LED blocks that allow for more comprehensive pulse monitoring. In addition, the Garmin Venu 3 has a sensor that allows you to warn you if there is a risk of suffering from jet lag, and provides you with tips to mitigate it. This, without a doubt, is a great advantage when we travel.

Aside from these differences, both smartwatches can monitor blood oxygen saturation, stress level, menstrual health, and sleep monitoring. In fact, both are able to differentiate nap time from nighttime sleep, providing a more complete and unaltered report.

Two sensors make the difference

We have already talked about the health sensors, but the two smart watches have another set of more technological sensors that we also wanted to focus on. In this aspect, the Garmin Venu 3 adds two sensors that the Garmin Vivoactive 5 lacks. Specifically, the gyroscope and the altimeter, with which we can know the number of floors we have climbed, for example. Likewise, the Garmin Venu 3 incorporates a microphone and a speaker, so that we can answer calls or activate the voice assistant without having to use the smartphone. However, it’s fair to say that phone conversations aren’t the Venu 3’s strong suit.

Both smartwatches are compatible with Garmin Pay, so they allow contactless payments. And, in terms of connectivity, both can be synchronized with both iPhone and Android via Bluetooth, WiFi and ANT+. On the other hand, it is also worth highlighting that the Garmin Venu 3 has twice the memory of the Vivoactive 5. When it comes to storing reports, for example, it is an advantage.

Which Garmin smartwatch is most worth it?

At this point, the question we ask ourselves is whether it is worth paying the price difference for the Garmin Venu 3, or if the quality-price ratio of the Garmin Vivoactive 5 is more interesting. And the answer, as almost always, depends. If it is important to you to have a smartwatch that offers the best possible performance when it comes to controlling sports activity or monitoring your health, it is worth spending a little more on the Garmin Venu 3. Of course, only if you wear almost professional control of the parameters.

Otherwise, the Garmin Vivoactive 5 seems like a very affordable alternative considering all the features it has. This watch is designed for those who want to enjoy the features of a smartwatch but at a, let’s say, more amateur level. Furthermore, although in many of its features, such as battery life, it is inferior to the Venu 3, it still surpasses many smartwatches from other top brands.

Therefore, think about what the most important requirements are for you and, based on them, choose the smartwatch that best suits them.