Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs Venu 3 - Is the Extra Cost Worth It?

As more people embrace a healthy and active lifestyle, finding the right smartwatch has become a key decision. Among Garmin’s extensive lineup, the Vivoactive 5 and Venu 3 stand out as two of the most popular models, frequently compared by users.

Both watches feature high-quality AMOLED displays, built-in GPS, multiple sports modes, and comprehensive health tracking. Yet many buyers are left wondering:

• How different are the features, really?
• Is the Venu 3 worth the extra cost?
• If I’m on a tighter budget, is the Vivoactive 5 enough?

In truth, the Vivoactive 5 represents a major upgrade to Garmin’s earlier series, offering a near-premium experience at a more accessible price point. Meanwhile, the Venu 3 is geared toward users seeking a more complete package, with added features like call support and advanced health monitoring.

This article dives deep into the differences between the Garmin Vivoactive 5 and Venu 3 - from design, features, and fitness tracking to smart functions, battery life, and overall value - helping you choose the one that fits your lifestyle and needs best.

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Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs Venu 3 - Specifications

Design Comparison - Lightweight & Practical vs Premium & Refined

When it comes to design, the Garmin Vivoactive 5 and Venu 3 take very different approaches in both look and feel.

• Materials: The Vivoactive 5 features an aluminum bezel, offering a lightweight and comfortable wearing experience. In contrast, the Venu 3 uses a stainless steel bezel that delivers a more premium look and better scratch resistance - ideal for users who value durability and aesthetics.
• Case Sizes: The Vivoactive 5 comes in a single 42mm size, which suits users with smaller wrists or those who prefer a more compact design. The Venu 3, however, is available in both 45mm and 41mm versions, giving more flexibility for different wrist sizes and style preferences.
• Display: Both models sport vibrant AMOLED screens, but the Venu 3 stands out with a larger 1.4-inch display and higher 454×454 resolution, offering crisper visuals and better clarity - great for users who frequently check metrics or want a sharper interface.
• Button Design: The Vivoactive 5 sticks with traditional physical buttons for straightforward operation. The Venu 3 uses a sleek 3-button layout with a hidden design, making the watch face cleaner and more modern while reducing accidental presses.
• Weight: Due to its stainless steel build, the Venu 3 weighs around 47g, offering a more solid feel. The Vivoactive 5 weighs just 36g, making it more comfortable for all-day wear and ideal for those sensitive to wrist weight.

Both watches support quick-release bands with multiple material options, so comfort and customization are on par. You can also check Garmin Venu Watch bands such as Garmin Venu 3 Watch Bands, also Garmin Vivoactive Watch Bands.

Winner: Venu 3

Reason: With its superior materials, higher screen quality, refined design, and more size options, the Venu 3 offers a more premium experience overall.

Heart Rate Tracking Comparison - 4 Reliable & Practical vs Elevate 5 Precise & Professional

The Garmin Vivoactive 5 is equipped with the stable and reliable Elevate 4 heart rate sensor, which meets the needs of everyday health monitoring and general activities like running. It’s suitable for most users who want accurate all-day tracking.

In contrast, the Venu 3 features the more advanced Elevate 5 sensor, first introduced in the flagship Fenix 7 Pro. This sensor offers improved signal collection and processing, delivering greater accuracy during high-intensity workouts and interval training, reducing heart rate measurement errors. It’s ideal for users who demand precise training data.

Additionally, the Venu 3 adds a breathing variability index that provides deeper insights into sleep quality by detecting subtle breathing changes, such as snoring and apnea, expanding the heart rate monitoring capabilities.

Summary: If your focus is on everyday health tracking and moderate exercise, the Vivoactive 5’s heart rate sensor is sufficient; but for professional-level accuracy, especially during intense training, the Venu 3 is the better choice.

Winner: Venu 3

Reason: It uses the more advanced Elevate 5 sensor with enhanced heart rate precision and comprehensive sleep breathing analysis.

Advanced Health Tracking - Venu 3 Is More Comprehensive, Vivoactive 5 More Practical

When it comes to health monitoring, the Venu 3 clearly takes the lead. It features an ECG function that allows users to check their heart rhythm directly from the wrist and detect signs of atrial fibrillation - a major upgrade in Garmin's health tracking capabilities. In contrast, the Vivoactive 5 does not support ECG, making it more suitable for users focused on general heart rate and stress tracking.

In terms of sleep, both watches offer sleep coaching, automatic nap detection, and standard sleep stage tracking. However, the Venu 3 goes further by providing deeper insights, including sleep-time blood oxygen levels, HRV status, body recovery metrics, and respiration rate. It also delivers a “Morning Report” with your sleep score, energy level, and local weather, giving users a comprehensive overview of their health right when they wake up. The Vivoactive 5 covers the basics well but lacks the depth and interactive experience of the Venu 3.

On the overall health tracking front, the Venu 3 is equipped with the newer Elevate 5 heart rate sensor for more accurate readings during high-intensity workouts. It also includes a Jet Lag Adviser feature, which is ideal for frequent travelers. Meanwhile, the Vivoactive 5 remains a solid, value-driven option, retaining core features such as Body Battery, stress tracking, HRV, menstrual tracking, and guided meditation.

Winner: Venu 3 Wins

Reason:It offers more advanced health metrics, deeper sleep tracking, and superior sensor technology - ideal for users who want a higher level of health management.

Battery Life Comparison - Venu 3 Lasts Longer, Vivoactive 5 Is More Balanced

In terms of battery performance, the Venu 3 holds a clear advantage. It offers up to 14 days in smartwatch mode - 3 days more than the Vivoactive 5 - and maintains about 5 days even with always-on display (AOD) enabled. In full GPS mode, it delivers up to 20 hours of tracking, making it ideal for frequent workouts and outdoor use.

The Vivoactive 5 delivers solid performance with 11 days in smartwatch mode, around 5 days with AOD, and 17 hours in GPS mode. While respectable, its battery life is slightly shorter and more suited for casual daily use.

Winner: Venu 3

Reason: It provides longer-lasting battery life across both everyday and active usage scenarios.

Price & Color Options - Budget-Friendly Simplicity vs Premium Variety

In terms of pricing, the Vivoactive 5 is set at $299.99, offering just one size but a range of practical and stylish color options like Orchid, Ivory, Slate, and Navy - making it a solid choice for users focused on value and simplicity.

On the other hand, the Venu 3 series is priced at $449.99, about $150 more, and comes in two case sizes (including the smaller Venu 3S). It features more refined and luxurious color choices such as French Gray, Rose, and Soft Gold, appealing to users who care about style, customization, and premium finishes.

Winner: Draw

Reason: Vivoactive 5 wins on affordability, while Venu 3 excels in design and personalization - each suits a different set of priorities.

Smart Features Comparison - Practical Utility vs Communication & Entertainment Experience

Garmin Venu 3 delivers a more comprehensive smart feature set, equipped with both a speaker and microphone. It supports Bluetooth calls and voice assistant commands, making it ideal for hands-free use during workouts. The watch also enables offline music playback, Spotify playlist syncing, and Garmin Pay for contactless payments. In comparison, the Vivoactive 5 lacks a speaker and microphone, but still supports text replies and voice assistant (on Android), along with Garmin Pay, offline music, and Connect IQ app compatibility - covering most everyday needs.

Winner: Venu 3

Reason: Offers a more complete smart experience, ideal for users seeking rich communication and entertainment features.

Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs Venu 3 - Which One Is Worth Buying?

Although Vivoactive 5 and Venu 3 target different users, both continue Garmin’s strong tradition in health and fitness tracking. They offer a wide range of sports modes, all-day health monitoring, GPS, and AMOLED displays, with minimal differences in core features.

If you prioritize cost-effectiveness, have a limited budget, or just need a lightweight, practical smartwatch for everyday health tracking and workouts, the Vivoactive 5 is a solid choice. It retains most of the essential functions and performs well in comfort and battery life, making it a versatile entry-level option.

However, if you want a watch with superior design quality, smarter features, more precise sensors, and advanced health functions - such as Bluetooth calling, voice assistant, animated workout screens, sleep breathing analysis, barometric altimeter, and jet lag advisor - the Venu 3 is the better pick. It suits users who pay attention to details and need professional-grade support, especially serious athletes or those requiring comprehensive health management.

Summary Recommendation:

• Practical use + budget priority → Choose Garmin Vivoactive 5
• Comprehensive features + smart experience → Choose Garmin Venu 3

In the end, the choice depends on your budget, usage habits, and the depth of features you need.