Garmin - Venu Sq
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Reddit Reviews:
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Based on 1 year's data from Feb 24, 2026 How it works
Liked most:
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"I specifically got the Garmin for a wrist based gps and mapping tool to track and orient myself. ... The Millitary has been orienteering with Garmin wrist based gps systems forever."
"Garmin’s GPS tracking for outdoor activity is a little bit better/accurate. ... That’s something to consider if you want to log hikes, bike rides, walking, running etc."
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"I switched from Fitbit to the Garmin ecosystem several years ago with a Venu Sq. That took me from couch potato to running several times per week; I love the activity badges."
"Fantastic little watch that should be able to do all that OP needs it to!"
"Great at counting steps"
3
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"leans more towards the social side in appearance"
"Garmin now has smaller, less expensive options (no chest strap) like the Venu SQ that are great. ... You can get one for under $200"
"The Venu series are more fashionable."
8
2
"The battery life is measured in days, not hours."
"You know they make amoled screen garmins that last 7-14 days right?"
"My Venu can last more than 4 days with AOD. ... And if I have regular GPS activities, it lasts 2-3 days. ... AW can't last that much even with AOD off. ... I had a Samsung before and without AOD, it would last max 2 days (no activities). With AOD, it would last 10-12 HOURS."
9
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"it was uh... run over by a bunch of skiers last winter, has a cracked screen and some dead pixels, but is still truckin along."
"My OG Venu is still kicking as my daily driver!"
"it's still going strong to this day"
Disliked most:
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"but you can’t edit the data fields on that. ... Activities pages were limited. ... the activities data page was limited, only 4 max data points. For backcountry skiing I like knowing distance, current elevation, total ascent, time, and heart rate. For trail running, the same plus pace."
"I have a Venu, chosen because I was quite disabled for years and didn't need a lot of fitness features and it is more feminine, but now that I'm up and running again, I'm saving for a forerunner. ... I tell you this because I would be disappointed in your current choice."
"I got the Venu and was surprised by how my brother's cheaper Forerunner 165 can do multiple things my watch can't (like estimate 10K, 21K times and suggest a daily workout)."
0
1
"I have most bells and whistles turned off on my VenuSQ, but it drains really quickly. ... I have the screen brightness at the lowest setting too. ... It’s only 3.5 years old."
0
2
"the arm isn’t great for activity where the wrist is constantly moving like rowing"
"Garmin Sq, which were out by up to 15bpms"
arch_three 1.0Garmin now has smaller, less expensive options (no chest strap) like the Venu SQ that are great. You can get one for under $200 and you get all the tracking, heart rate data. Lower models just don’t have all advanced metrics and setting.
Might just depend on the amount you want to spend vs what you are going to get out of it. You could get a less expensive Garmin like a Venu Sq ($100-$150 refurb) that gives you body battery, sleep score, steps, heart rate, etc. The standard run of health metrics that can help with recovery and measuring general activity. I wear a gamin daily and do a lot of weight training. I can confirm that it doesn't do well at measuring anything related to lifting. You'll get a standard heart rate increase, but even intense weightlifting sessions aren't able to trigger the auto activity sensor. I still appreciate the data though. but you don't need a $1,000 Fenix to get helpful data. That is the one thing I wish I would have known before buying a Fenix.
Fenix 5 for long trail runs/ultras. Venu SQ because I don’t like having a dinner plate on my wrist 24/7.
Bubbly_Inspector_884 1.0We have the Garmin Index S2 scales. I wear a Garmin Venu Sq and my husband has a Garmin Instinct Solar. TBH we would not buy anything else!
C_Rab 1.0I’ve rowed for years with my Concept 2 and my old Venu Sq. I use a chest strap because the arm isn’t great for activity where the wrist is constantly moving like rowing. RowErg links up with Garmin Connect and adds the activity after it’s synced. I’ll have a new 955 tomorrow so we’ll see how all the additional training metrics are affected by the rowing and running. Just keep in mind if you want to trend VO2Max data over time you’ll need to run or walk occasionally for Garmin to give you an estimate.
CriticismReal1734 1.0I’ve had[ ](https://matrixmaverick14.github.io/website/garmin-venu-sq.html)[this smartwatch](https://matrixmaverick14.github.io/website/garmin-venu-sq.html) for months. pairs easy, notifications work fine, no real complaints.
dalekaup 1.0I got a Garmin Venu SQ from Ebay for $40 and it's pretty good.
darkwhale109 1.0my old venu sq has better range than my vivoactive 5
derFensterputzer 1.0If you also want a smartwatch with payment features: I have a Garmin Venu Sq. Would reccomend
jacketry 1.0I currently have a Venu Sq that I love, but it was uh... run over by a bunch of skiers last winter, has a cracked screen and some dead pixels, but is still truckin along. I posted about it after the incident, and since then, more pixels have died on me. But it has been a good watch! I am not much of a runner, but I play competitive adult softball, enjoy distance biking, hiking, and long walks. I also strength train and feel like Garmin was a huge upgrade from my Fitbit Charge 3 and 4. I was impatiently waiting for the Venu 4 to come out to purchase a new watch, but I am so disappointed! I like the look of it, but It is WILDLY expensive and doesn't feel like it offers much to support that price point. I am super bummed about this. Not sure where to go from here. The Vivoactive is an option, I guess, or I could order another older Venu Sq or SQ2 (mine was a refurb and is still working well, I get 7 days to a charge). I don't know. I'm just disappointed.
Mist_biene 1.0If you only need HR and you prioretize size get the vivosmart If you also want SmartWatch features get the venu sq
outandabout__ 1.0I have a Venu SQ (super basic) from ~2022. Battery life is great still, if I have Bluetooth off and don’t record activities (off the grid somewhere/etc) it lasts >7-10 days. Usually have Bluetooth on and record a run/workout ~4x/week, I charge it maybe every 3-4 days. My watch does RHR and Body battery, seems like nearly every other garmin watch shows HRV and other advanced stats (incl the Venu 4 I believe). I mainly ride bikes, and use my garmin edge bike computer when I ride. I scratched my watch face pretty good while rock climbing once, and got a screen protector (silicon/something and easy on/off) would reccomend that for activities like climbing but I don’t have issues with much scratching on regular rides. 10/10 would reccomend the switch. Also music controls are super easy, I have the “shortcut” on my watch as my music playback so super easy to play/pause/change volume/skip with just a few touches. You can read notifs easily, but no replying ability like Apple.
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