Garmin recently unveiled the Venu 3, a smartwatch designed for people who love fitness but also want a stylish everyday watch. At the same time, the Instinct 2 watch, which has been around for a bit longer, is still popular. If you’re trying to pick between these two, this article will help! 

The prices of both watches are pretty close, so you’ll want to choose based on their features.

If you want a watch that can track your workouts and also do things like play music, take calls, and help you find your way, the Venu 3 might be for you. It looks good with any outfit and even lets you make calls directly from your watch.

But, if you want a strong and sturdy watch that’s great for sports, check out the Instinct 2. It’s tough, has special features for activities like running, biking, and swimming, and its battery lasts a long time. If you get the version with solar power, it lasts even longer!

For in-depth comparison let’s dive in.

Garmin Venu 3 vs Instinct 2: Price & Availability

Both the Garmin Venu 2 and the Instinct 2 are not single watches but rather entire product lines with multiple configurations available.

Garmin introduced the Venu 3 series to the world on August 30, 2023. Those interested can now pick them up directly from Garmin.com. There are two sizes to choose from – 41mm and 45mm, both priced at $449.99. 

If you’re considering the larger 45mm, you have the choice of silver with a Whitestone case or slate paired with a black case. Those eyeing the smaller model will appreciate its variety in colors. There are five unique color combinations, including Soft Gold bezel paired with cases in ivory, French Gray, or Dust Rose, a silver bezel with a Sage Gray case, and a slate bezel matched with a Pebble Gray case.

The Instinct 2 series was released earlier, on February 9, 2022. The standard edition watch is priced at $349.99 / £299.99. For those looking for a bit more, the solar tactical and surf editions will set you back $499.99 / £429.99.

Where to Buy?

Garmin Venu 3 vs Instinct 2: Design & Display

Design Highlights:

• Material: Both watches, the Venu 3 and Instinct 2, come in a strong resin case paired with comfy silicone bands.
• Appearance: The Venu 3 stands out a bit more with its sleek brushed metal bezel, giving it a refined look.
• Buttons: If you look at the side, the Venu 3 has three buttons. One is for choosing menu options, and another is for going back. The rest is managed by its touchscreen. This screen is smartly locked during activities to avoid any unintentional touches. On the flip side, the Instinct 2 has five buttons for all its tasks, since it doesn’t have a touchscreen. There’s a button for selecting options, going back, scrolling up and down, and even one for the backlight. A bonus is the tiny display at the top right, which guides you when you’re using the menus.
• Customization: Feeling like a change? Both watches let you switch their bands easily. You can buy different styles like silicone, woven, leather, or metal from Garmin to give your watch a fresh look.

Display Insights:

• Screen Type: The main difference between the two watches is their screens. The Venu 3 boasts a colorful AMOLED touchscreen. The Instinct 2, however, has a simpler black-and-white memory-in-pixel (MiP) screen, which isn’t touch-sensitive.
• Features: Even though the Instinct 2’s screen isn’t as sharp as the Venu 3’s, it has a handy small display that can show useful stuff like the temperature or how many steps you’ve taken. This little screen is also a helper when you’re trying to find your way around the watch’s options. It’s a simple design, but it does the job well.
• Usage: Each screen has its own strengths and weaknesses. The Instinct 2’s screen saves a lot of battery, but it’s not the best for looking at maps because it doesn’t show many details. The Venu 3, on the other hand, shows maps brightly and clearly, and can even play animated workouts for you. But, this comes at a cost – it uses more battery, so you’ll find yourself charging it more often.

Garmin Venu 3 vs Instinct 2: Health & Fitness Features

When it comes to fitness tracking, the choice between the Garmin Venu 3 and the Instinct 2 depends heavily on what kind of activities and features you prioritize. Let’s break down the health and fitness features of each watch to see how they stack up against each other.

Both the Garmin Venu 3 and Instinct 2 come equipped with on-board GPS. This is essential for those who love outdoor activities as it tracks your route and speed. However, the Instinct 2 takes it a notch higher, especially for avid runners. The watch provides insights like performance condition ratings and even has a race predictor. This handy tool estimates your race times for different distances like 5k, 10k, half marathon, and marathon. So, as you get fitter, the watch adjusts and reduces your predicted times. Another cool feature for Instinct 2 users is the TracBack. 

Lost on a run? This function will navigate you back along the route you took, ensuring you always find your way home. For those who love trails and elevation, the Instinct 2 offers elevation profiles, an auto climb mode, and even calculates your total ascent and descent.

Cyclists might lean more towards the Instinct 2. While the Venu 3 offers basic cycle tracking, the Instinct 2 is a treasure trove of features for biking enthusiasts. Whether you’re into road cycling, mountain biking, gravel cycling, e-biking, or even touring, the Instinct 2 has got you covered. It’s a true companion for cyclists, compatible with power meters and also supporting speed and cadence sensors.

Swimming is another area where the Instinct 2 shines. The Venu 3 does offer some neat swim tracking features like stroke detection and metrics for pool swims. But the Instinct 2 dives deeper. It provides open-water swim metrics, drill logging, and even a rest timer. There’s also the auto rest feature and the cherry on top: the watch can suggest swim workouts based on your past activities and current fitness level.

That being said, the Venu 3 has its own unique offerings. Its vibrant color AMOLED screen allows for animations. This means users can enjoy animated yoga and Pilates workouts right on their wrists. Following these workouts has never been easier! Plus, the Venu 3 also introduces ‘Wheelchair mode.’ This feature lets users track daily pushes and receive weight shift alerts plus wheelchair-specific sports apps and workouts.

Garmin Venu 3 vs Instinct 2: Smart Features

When weighing the smartwatch capabilities of the Garmin Venu 3 and the Instinct 2, there are certain standout features that differentiate them.

Both the Venu 3 and the Instinct 2 are competent everyday companions, making it easier for you to stay connected. They can display messages from your smartphone directly on your wrist and even alert you about incoming calls. However, if you dig deeper into the smartwatch functionalities, the Venu 3 takes the lead.

Music lovers might appreciate the Venu 3 more. While both watches can control music playback on your smartphone, the Venu 3 offers an added bonus. It boasts internal storage for music, allowing you to store up to 650 songs. This is particularly handy for those who like to keep their workouts upbeat without having to carry their phones.

In terms of apps and customization, both watches have the capability to download additional apps and watch faces through Garmin’s Connect IQ platform. In addition, all the watch models support contactless payments “Garmin Pay“.

For Android phone users, there’s a bit more flexibility. Both the Venu 3 and the Instinct 2 offer the convenience of rejecting calls with a text message. But the Venu 3 goes a step further. It comes equipped with a microphone. This means not only can you make and receive calls directly from your wrist, but you can also interact with your phone’s voice assistant as long as you’re within the Bluetooth range.

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Garmin Venu 3 vs Instinct 2: Battery Life

• Battery Advantage: When it comes to battery, the Garmin Instinct 2 series definitely takes the lead. Their longer battery life is mostly due to the less power-hungry display they use.
• Solar Power: The Instinct 2 Solar models have a unique perk – they can extend their battery life with just some sunlight. Just a few hours in the sun each day can keep these watches running even longer. In fact, Garmin has an impressive claim: if you’re someone who spends a lot of time outdoors, like a lifeguard, you might never need to charge the watch!
• Using Features: However, it’s important to note that battery life isn’t just about the screen. Turning on functions like GPS, listening to music, or checking your blood oxygen levels will drain the battery faster.

Below the table shows Venu 3 vs Instinct 2 Backup time:

Garmin Venu 3 vs Instinct 2: Which Should You Buy?

When deciding between the Garmin Venu 3 and the Instinct 2, your choice will largely come down to the specific features you prioritize. Let’s break it down in a simple way:

Buy Garmin Venu 3 if…

• Style & Display: You want a sleek and stylish smartwatch that’s perfect for both workouts and everyday wear. The vibrant AMOLED touchscreen provides clear visuals.
• Smart Features: You’d like to have internal music storage, and the ability to make and receive calls right from your wrist.Payments: You value the convenience of making contactless payments through Garmin Pay.
• Animated Workouts: You’re into yoga and pilates and would appreciate animated guides right on your watch.
• Wheelchair Mode: You or someone you know can benefit from features catered to wheelchair users.

Buy Garmin Instinct 2 if…

• Durability: You need a rugged watch tailored for intense sports and outdoor activities.
• Special Features: You’re an avid runner, cyclist, or swimmer who values detailed insights and metrics.
• Battery Life: You want a watch with superior battery life. If you opt for the solar model, you’ll benefit from extended battery life with exposure to sunlight.
• Display: While it lacks the color touch screen, you value the black-and-white memory-in-pixel (MiP) screen for its battery efficiency and an additional small display for quick insights.

In short:

If you’re leaning towards a more lifestyle-oriented watch with a mix of smart and fitness features, the Venu 3 is your pick. 

On the other hand, if you’re outdoorsy and want a tough companion that’s packed with fitness-specific features, the Instinct 2 is the way to go. Consider what matters most to you and choose accordingly!

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