Garmin Venu 2 Plus In-Depth Review: 11 Things to Know!

[@Tmacademia]

Great job by Garmin to put out a head to head competitor to the Samsung and Apple Watch. I personally have no need for the assistant, mic, and speaker for my watch because I have no need to use my watch for calls. But there are a lot of people who like those features

[@marcinmichon4349]

Calls option is nice addition. It's good to have just in case, then not. Garmin should make it form beginning.

[@ChaseTheSummit]

Nice one Ray! I like that you included all of the little jingle tones lol. They certainly make the watch feel more modern!

[@jybler007]

Yo

[@KingLifeTale]

So ready for the Venu “plus” to have better training tracking.. training load for example would be great for target market (HIIT & hybrid athletes)

[@christoffertews9792]

When will the embargo on the Fenix 7 be lifted? 😉

[@TimShelnut]

Like to know also lol

[@joshuanicholson420]

Yeah, can’t wait to see how much the Fenix 7 has been updated, by the looks of this new watch, probably a big update.

[@Lynn-zw7dr]

Thank you for this. I really like the Venu 2S but sent it back as I didn't realise you couldn't take and make calls on it, but loved everything else about it. So I'm going to look at the white and gold Venu 2 Plus tomorrow, and as long as it's not too big as I have small wrists, I'm going to buy it. I have a Galaxy 4 watch using with my Pixel 6 Pro, (not impressed). Cheers from the UK. 👍🏻🇬🇧

[@Michael-vf5id]

Are you liking the venu 2 plus so far ?.

[@CatFromFL]

I stuggled with the extremely low volume of my assistant until You taught me to tap it and increase the volume. DUH!!! 🙄 I tried for 3 days to increase that damned volume. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[@Dcrainmaker]

Haha…happy to help!

[@geoffgoldplum1231]

Great stuff, on point as usual! Hopefully F7 follows soon

[@bcwest619]

This might be the most awesome all-day + fitness watch ever made! Amazing! Glad Garmin is finally REALLY stepping into the smartwatch realm.

[@jkadbhjadhboa]

Great video, as always. Came for the info on the difference in screen sizes between the Venu 2 and the 2 Plus and was pleasantly surprised (same screen, smaller bezels). Thanks!

[@tonybowen455]

So crazy that the 265/965 get about 7 days batt life with always on display vs only 2-3 days with the venu 2 plus. Maybe one day garmin will add the voice assistant and call features to the amoled lines.

[@TexasNightRider]

Ordered The Garmin Venue 2 Plus Today For My Wife Based On This Review. Thank You.

[@NotoriousVictorious]

I have the original venu and just bought the 2 plus. You're video has made me even more excited for it!

[@fitgearhunter]

Awesome summary. Can’t wait for what’s next from Garmin.

[@thani7963]

Always informative, the price is not far from fouruners and fenixs, when you going to unveils the Fenix 7.

[@mitchelltanner6306]

Venu 2 does not have a beeper. I really appreciate the review though. I had hoped Garmin would have addressed the sleep tracking issues (i.e. it is useless for shift workers) and how it deactivates the always on display. Ah well...the Venu 2 is still the best Sports watch I have owned.

[@akinoshoko4258]

I agree re shift work. Even a manually triggered "I am sleeping now" option would be great....🙄🙂

[@kevinoconnor2202]

It's a bit disappointing that there is no training load, recovery time etc on this watch. If there was I'd snatch this watch up immediately. Do you know if that will possibly come on the watch in the future?!? Would it be as simple as a software update for them to add these features?!? Great review, thanks!

[@johnmanley4528]

I would love that too. But, that would cannibalize sales of Garmin’s higher end models, so I would not expect that to ever happen,

[@johnmanley4528]

Of course, even the low end Polar Ignite has training load features. I don’t know why Garmin can’t include it in a watch that is twice as expensive.

[@kevinoconnor2202]

@@johnmanley4528 I hear you although the Forerunner 245 which is $225 does have this feature. Seems like a miss from Garmin on this one seeing how the Venu 2 Plus is Over $200 more. Fingers crossed that they wise up here!

[@johnmanley4528]

@@kevinoconnor2202 It would be a definite buy for me with those features. It’s a software update and surely not that big of a deal for them to offer. It would really set it apart from the Apple Watch.

[@Trekman78]

@@kevinoconnor2202 i just got a brand new 245 for £100 its a great watch

[@brankododig1585]

Shame they didn't add more sport modes. Love the display on Venu2 and sleep tracking and everything it does, but no native outdoor swim support and not working with power meters is a bit disappointing.

[@cristiansasmiresan461]

Hi there! :) Is it possible to listen to music while running without taking the smartphone with us? Thank you 🙏🏼

[@rickyreynolds0]

Amazing review. Thank you. 1 Question: can you reply to a text message via dictation? or only preset replys?

[@sarahstone9634]

Wondering the same…especially for iOS.

[@leeannkatzfey6733]

This video was sooo helpful to watch because this is my first Garmin watch. Question for you, I’m used to my Apple Watch always being connected to my iPhone. The Venu 2 plus needs to be reconnected to my iPhone through the day by opening the app. Is that how it should be or am I doing something wrong? It’s annoying that it doesn’t stay connected. Thanks for any help/thoughts!

[@mariorock76]

Hi! Good review as always! I bought this watch and I would like to know how do you choose Google assistant instead of Bixby when you have a Samsung cell phone? I don't use Bixby, and it's Bixby that opens anyway when I configure voice assistance on the watch...

[@LyuLefterov]

Love the review! It's unclear if I can ask the assistant to place a call or send someone a text message and dictate into the watch mic. Also when you are receiving a call, can you receive it on the watch directly without pulling your phone out of your pocket? I'd love to see/hear more on the actual assistant integration and functionality. Maybe it wasn't possible to test this on these beta units prior to production units rolling out. Any additional info on the actual Assistant integration would be super useful for everyone considering this device based on the assistant being added to it. Thank you so much!

[@LyuLefterov]

I purchased the watch and answered my own questions. It's possible to place calls via assistant and receive calls directly on the watch.

[@armaholic5949]

@@LyuLefterov what voice assistant do you use?

[@sarahstone9634]

Can you reply to a text or send a text via dictate, specifically with iOS?

[@rochaa1200]

Just ordered mine! Thanks for video 🤙🏼 Love student discounts

[@Theycallmefons]

Many thanks for the ever so great content! I have a question I can’t seem to find online. Can you also use music to play when using the alarm function to wake you in the morning?

[@izz13i]

Hi Thanks for the great review. Can you please make ne only about voice assistants for blind people??No one shows how advanced usage a person can have if they can't seevat all.

[@ericB3444]

Which watch is more accurate for projected Vo2 max?

[@CarlovanHouten1973]

Great review, tnx! Were you staying in Amsterdam or do you actually live there?

[@Dcrainmaker]

I live here. Cheers!

[@drjekyll832]

What I sometimes find hard with Garmin Watches is how they compare to other Watch-Series in their Lineup, for example the Fenix 6 (pro, s…). Does it basically have the same features, minus the rugged looks and the expedition mode? The price and the better display suggest that something else must be missing though. Thanks!

[@shmvon]

Multisport and maps will be the main differences, besides the screen and the mic.

[@steven8591]

It has other metrics specific to certain sports missing too. For example it does not show you the training load, recovery time, it does not detect max HR or adjusts heart rate zones according to LTT. I have the 745 which I use for running and Venu 2 for everyday. I prefer the 745 for the data, and venu for the looks. I would choose the Venu if it had all the metrics that 745 offers (plus I find buttons easier to toggle between screens when running).

[@henryglasou]

Great video - thanks! This is probably a bit on the side, but do you know if it's possible to change the watch face picture to a live watch face animation that we upload ourselves? I can't seem to figure this out using my iPhone and Venu 2 Plus (my first Garmin watch).

[@Fredsreviews58]

I cannot wait for the Fenix 7 vids!

[@christophercarpunky6322]

February

[@alpray4978]

Great review as always! Thank you! I feel like the speaker / voice ability is actually a pretty big deal so I am thrilled to see that addition. Also the smaller case but the same size face is great.

[@Nigel__]

What an awesome watch. I’ll take this over the Apple Watch without hesitation.

[@NoahCBanks]

Awesome review! That battery life!! 🤩

[@ORH1030]

wonderful review!did the plus got voice memo function?

[@johnmanley4528]

Nice review, Ray. Why has Garmin not created a tennis or racquet sport profile? Polar has had that forever.

[@johnmanley4528]

@@jean-phil I agree!

[@kedrickperkins331]

Do you have a video with recommendation of which garmin watch is for which person?

[@BleakVision]

The call function is going to be a treat on future Edge devices!

[@shreyp5788]

Great review! It makes a lot clear for me to decide which one I should go with Thank you!

[@Dcrainmaker]

Thanks - appreciate it!

[@rufysufy]

good rundown! Does this have any duathlon/triathlon tracking and can I go sea water swimming with it? I want to get a watch but I want to wear it all day round even at work and don't want something that looks like a fitness tracker.

[@calydewaele]

Thnx for the great review! Now i want the watch even more😄🤩

[@kompromesso]

Spot on review as usual, thanks. Did you test the Ox accuracy improved vs the 2/2s which were partly flawed? Do you think that this will send previuos version px lower and there's any timing strategy to minimize cost px? Thanks again and keep up with the outstanding work

[@Dcrainmaker]

I've left it on for night monitoring. It's so-so at that, often showing low values. Whereas for spot-checking while being static (as how a proper test would be done), then it's pretty darn accurate.

[@jorgecalvo6182]

Congratulations excellent video as usual. Is the Recovery Time feature available in this new Venu 2 plus?. Tks

[@Dcrainmaker]

No recovery time in the Venu/Vivoactive series unfortunately.

[@jorgecalvo6182]

Tks!

[@John-rh3xc]

Awesome video, thank you!. I might need some help: can't seem to make Google Assistant work with a Samsung Phone. Each time I activate the assistant button on my Venu2, Bixby shows up. Does anyone know how to make it work?

[@darioi67]

Hey mate, thanks for the awesome review, do you know if the Garmin Venu 2 Plus can be charged using one of those multi device charges (phone, watch, ear buds) that can be purchased ?

[@RC-sj4bp]

Patiently waiting for the F7 😌

[@christophercarpunky6322]

February

[@cirkuscederstrom]

Fenix 7 - is it coming at CES?

[@svns]

Does the Venu 2 have a beeper? I've never heard it.

[@dustinjarnigan515]

I'm replacing a fenix 6x pro and am primarily interested in trail running is this a bad fit

[@thumelumse]

How is the Bluetooth range on this watch??? 😊 I no from other garmin models there a bad Bluetooth range.

[@SmallRobotPainting]

Great review as usual.. Anyone know what the golf functionality is like..?

[@rjnc60]

Amazing watch!

[@MrNogate]

I wonder if garmin is discontinuing the vivoactie series. I'm using the vivoactive 4 for a while now because I like the display type but getting the newer sensors would be nice in a vivoactive 5.

[@Dcrainmaker]

Hard to say. I've gotta believe we're probably approaching the end of the line for a Vivoactive series unit, as the Venu battery life continues to improve. Maybe one more iteration, but not sure.

[@MrNogate]

@@Dcrainmaker Thanks for the quick reply! I guess we'll wait and see

[@jackt7331]

I lost my vivoactive 4 two weeks ago and I have a very hard time deciding between buying the venu 2 now or waiting for a potential venu 3/vivoactive 5 release this year.

[@sensovision]

Thanks for the review! Can you tell if it's possible to use it with Alexa or just Google Assistant? And what's the watchface we can see on the video, is it built-in one or it could be found at CIQ?

[@Dcrainmaker]

The watch-face is a stock one on the watch. And no Alexa at this time, just Google Assistant/Siri/Bixby.

[@sensovision]

@@Dcrainmaker thanks! Too bad they didn't include Alexa as I was hoping to

[@adiazlopez8]

Great watch and great review

[@CyberDemonVZ]

Great review, thanks! One question, is it possible to start/stop run when I lock the screen (by pressing one of the physical keys)? It is not possible on Vivoactive 4 (or I don't know how to do it).

[@Dcrainmaker]

No, not possible. But that makes sense, as the lock was originally intended (years ago) for protecting buttons from jackets pressing them.

[@CyberDemonVZ]

@@Dcrainmaker Makes sense, thanks! So, unlock watch before run, noted :)

[@cnmn9493]

So you have to have your phone with to awnser a call or respond to a text. I was looking to go running without my phone and be able to be contact and be able to respond. Also to have music. Just hate carrying my phone on a run. Can I do all that with this watch?

[@ManuelSiliezar]

How would it be an “upgrade” from the Fenix 5s to the Venu 2 plus? Would you recommend it or try to stick upgrading to a newer fenix?

[@atomicdemise]

would love to see an LTE VENU2+

[@dankhaw2960]

Does the watch provide audible update like the one that is done via Garmin Connect on the phone speaker such as kilometer update, pace, avg pace, etc. ? That would be nice, with that, we do not need to glance at the watch anymore.

[@mikephilpot]

Does the Venu 2 plus have a surf option for us surfers? Debating on this vs. the new Epix. Rock on Ray! 🤙🏻

[@GStrauss]

Great video! How is it compare to Samsung watch 4? Looking to use it for sport (Cycling, swim and gym), talk via speaker, sleep and step tracking, get messages. ( actually I'm looking to get the Garmin D2 air x10 which is very similar to the VENU 2 PLUS, I'm also a pilot). Today I own the galaxy watch 1 and it's doing good for what I need but short battery life and hard to see the screen with the messages... Thanks!

[@abnerperez941]

I want to buy the Venu 2 plus Garmin watch but my question is do I need to carry my phone with me if I’m going for a run or can I leave it at home?

[@Nvious1]

Thanks for the review. What's the scoop on the always on display? It says "optional" on the product site, but I heard in another review that there is a catch. What's your experience?

[@Dcrainmaker]

If you go with always-on, it's about 2-2.5 days in my testing. Versus gesture-based it's about 5-6 days (with normal workout use) in my testing.

[@nick22954]

looks like a great watch. emergency calls,body battery and a nice screen. thinking to buy and remove my polar m2

[@MarkGreaves007]

Will the Venu 2 Plus add workouts to training load if I’m also using my Fenix 6 in true up and physio true up modes? Can’t find any information for this. In other words, if I use the Venu 2 plus for small local walks and runs will that add to Fenix training loads as that will be used for longer runs.

[@billkimura4512]

Thank you. Definitely not worth upgrading if you already have the Venu 2.

[@Travel_Stache]

tough decision. get this or the galaxy watch 4 or wait for the rumored pixel watch?

[@Travel_Stache]

@Tiago Thinksi'd love to hear back from you once you've testet both a couple of weeks

[@peerhermans5604]

Can you couple a HR monitor that you put on your chest, to the watch?

[@Dcrainmaker]

Yes, both Bluetooth or ANT+ will pair.

[@MateHegyhati]

Just out of curiosity: at what time did you record the part when you called Des? And was He still in Amsterdam or at home? :-P

[@Dcrainmaker]

When he was home on Christmas Eve. :)

[@anna40299]

about time Garmin makes a watch able to answer calls, I boycott Garmin for the price we were paying and the lack of functions before, now I am excited to get one

[@ToreTharaldsen]

Hey, do you know if "widget complications" work with custom watch faces? Will long pressing a data point on any watch face work as the shorcut?

[@burgerkingler_anim]

I’m a beginner runner who runs 3x a week but would like to run a marathon maybe in a year or two. Do you think the Venu 2+ watch would be good for someone like me, or would a forerunner 255 maybe be better for the running stats? I’m coming from an old Fitbit Alta hr, so I’ve been doing pretty fine for the past few years without the detailed stats. But do the extra running details really help that much?

[@brucelin5842]

I like to know also

[@swampy2b]

I bought an OG Venu five days before the Venu 2 was announced (womp womp). This update is pretty compelling, but I still want to know if those rumors about an Epix 2 are real first. I want more training metrics than you get with the Vivoactive/Venu line. That said, is it weird that I'm almost more happy about the 20mm watch band size than AW style mic/speaker?

[@michaeldenholm2214]

Does the Venu 2 Plus have the option of an altimeter data screen with a Navigate activity? On my FR935 I can import a gpx file then show the elevation plot for a hike. Just wondering if the Venu 2 Plus can do that too.

[@scottwalburn6193]

I'm torn between this and an Epix. I'm primarily a cyclist and have a 1030 computer. I have a Fenix 6 which I love but I don't end up using a lot of the features.

[@swiftdetecting]

Is it possible to do same things with this like a Garmin instinct can do as well ? and also save GPS Points fast ?

[@willidevegt8831]

At the moment i have the Fenix 6x pro. I like that you can make / receive phone calls on the Venu 2 plus also i like the amoled display and the new sensors. I dislike the shorter battery life but i guess you can not have it all perfect. would you recommend this as an upgrade from the Fenix 6x pro or do you think it is better to wait for a Fenix 7 ?

[@spinnekopje]

Check all functions you use on your fenix 6x pro, if the venu 2 plus has all of those, you might consider changing to it an most probably you won't have any reason to wait for the fenix 7. If you use certain features of your fenix 6x pro that aren't available the venu isn't an option. I also use a fenix 6x pro and for me the venu is not an option. It might be for my wife. The option to make / receive phone calls might be useful for me, but I do wait on the fenix 7 and check out new features on that one to decide whether they are worthwhile to upgrade or not.

[@willidevegt8831]

@@spinnekopje Je hebt gelijk beter nog even wachten en kijken wat de Fenix 7 brengt

[@CarlovanHouten1973]

@@spinnekopje ik heb de Fenix 5x en waarvoor ik hem gebruik (wandelen, hardlopen, slaapmeting) kan ik de Venu 2 Plus vast en zeker ook gebruiken. Maar de Fenix is toch net ff een wat meer horloge vind ik

[@Midlifesports]

Do you think they’ll do the same with the Vivoactive series? I prefer the trans reflective and battery life, but love the wrist call function. Any time line on this. Thanks!

[@ConfuciusLm]

Hi, I just ordered this watch from a UK store, but I live in the US. Do you think I'll have any issues?

[@tomeauburn]

Have you done any reviews of models that also act as a dive computer?

[@ricpat51]

Does it have the HRV feature as the 255 and 955? Whether not, do you know if it is possible to Garmin include this feature in a future firmware update?

[@nicolaslegut9271]

Would you be apple to pair this watch with apple AirPods Pro?

[@Dcrainmaker]

Yup!

[@Chris-dw3xl]

Can you use the top button as a stop/ start like on other garmin watches ? Or is it only touch screen? Cheers

[@Dcrainmaker]

Yes, the physical button is start/stop.

[@Chris-dw3xl]

@@Dcrainmaker cheers I’ll think I’ll get one Apple Watch can’t really do much with it plus battery life is the pits

[@OneArthur]

Venu2 plus vs instinct 2 maybe? Or witch should I choose?

[@Graham_Rule]

That looks like a nice piece of kit. I'm thinking of replacing my Forerunner 645 some time soon and this looks like a likely candidate. Or are there others that you'd recommend?

[@cheetoritos]

Same! I have the Forerunner 645 Music and was looking at the regular Venu 2S. Probably going to wait until Amazon Prime day or black friday for this one to go on sale and upgrade.

[@donnawetter1513]

How does the speaker behave after contact with water? And did they update the supporte Bluetooth codecs?

[@Dcrainmaker]

No issues. I take daily showers with it, plus occasional pool and ocean swims.

[@donnawetter1513]

@@Dcrainmaker But its not really working until its dry again (my smartphone speaker behaves like that)?

[@roxrox91]

How far can the phone be if i want to call on the smartwatch ? does it has to be nearby?

[@SebaP1991]

Could you tell me is the user allowed to download MP3 songs to internal memory of the watch and use it later without the phone? I know you mentioned Spotify but I want to find out is the regular way working too (I mean like in vivoactive 4). Also are you allowed to install other external apps or system is not allowing you to do so? Best regards and thank you for the review!

[@Dcrainmaker]

Yes, you can download MP3's to it, but it requires a computer (PC or Mac). I mean, I suppose technically you can do it with an Android phone, but basically you can only load MP3's using a USB cable. You can install 3rd party apps using Garmin's Connect IQ platform, though that's mostly focused on sports/fitness apps.

[@baddriversofcolga]

I'm thinking about getting one of these to replace my Fitbit as I don't care to pay monthly for data that I'm already collecting. I wish it was a bit cheaper, though...

[@alexandreblanquaert5256]

Can you couple this watch to the mate 20 pro huawei without bugs please ?

[@wzahrte]

The display size between the Venu 2 and the Plus is the same at 1.3 inches but why does the Plus look smaller? Is it an optical illusion? And the bezel size looks big on the Plus.

[@jackt7331]

2 plus is 43mm, 2 is 45mm

[@chrisblumarten]

can you sync music locally with spotify premium so you can listen on a run without taking your phone along as well?

[@Dcrainmaker]

Yup, exactly!

[@chrisblumarten]

@@Dcrainmaker wonderful, thanks for the great review

[@elenalomeli4364]

I am on the search of a watch that can help me to record my thoughts via voice when I am out running without my phone. I am a very happy user of the Venu 2, which I tried to replace with a Samsung watch 6 for voice recording but it is just not doing it for me. Please, can you advice me on the best sports watch out there with voice recording (without the phone) Thanks!!!

[@elenalomeli4364]

I am hopeful for a venu 4?

[@timd.5389]

Are there information about training effect (eg aerob) now available like in the forerunner series?

[@Dcrainmaker]

No, no such stats here. Only on Forerunner/Fenix.

[@stokes99]

Dang....literally just upgraded from the FR235 to the FR945 LTE, but as a cyclist (very little running these days), this looks way more my style. I scoffed at needing to make/take calls on my watch, but found out that was just because I prefer Garmin (ha!). Any reason to really keep the 945 over the Venu 2 plus? I prefer calls over the assistance of LTE on the 945 since I never leave w/o my phone.

[@fendermon]

Maps?

[@rujo700]

Is Venu 2 Plus bigger or smaler than Forerunner 945 LTE? As far as I can se from specs Venu 2 Plus has a slightly bigger display (1,3 and 945 LTE 1,2), but 945 LTE is a tiny bit bigger with frame and body in the mix.

[@4tCa4mzUPqRZZo]

Just curious, do you use the band that comes with the watch? Or do you recommend another one? I'm mostly getting it for running, and I'm slightly worried about getting a rash or something similar on my wrist. Also I'm one of those people that brings my phone with me on outdoor runs. Will the watch use it's own gps, or the phones?

[@Dcrainmaker]

I used the band that came with it. Works good for me! On a run, the watch will use its own GPS, not your phones.

[@4tCa4mzUPqRZZo]

@@Dcrainmaker thank you!

[@efff-l8x]

Очень хороший обзор. Very great review !!!

[@willidevegt8831]

i like your reviews very much but one thing in this review i noticed and dont understand is one day you are in running in Amsterdam and an other day you are cycling in the mountains in America

[@Dcrainmaker]

Nope, wasn't in America. Spain. :)

[@willidevegt8831]

@@Dcrainmaker LOL okay

[@ted363636]

Great review as always. I was wondering what's the age limit of Garmin products if a teenager wants to use them. I'm not talking about Garmin Jr app, I mean standalone account. Apple made Watch usable by kids, how it looks in Garmin world?

[@MateHegyhati]

Legally, it is 16 I think, as Garmin is a US based country. It would be nice if they found a legal way around this. Now pretty much everyone just fakes their birthyears.

[@swampy2b]

IIRC, Garmin Connect asks you if you're at least 13 when you try to create an account.