Garmin Vivoactive 6 vs Venu 3S: Comparison
Hey fitness funs! Today I'm diving deep into one of the most intriguing matchups in Garmin's smartwatch lineup: the budget-friendly Vivoactive 6 versus the premium Venu 3S. Both watches target active users who want comprehensive health tracking without the bulk of larger fitness watches, but they take distinctly different approaches to achieve that goal.
I've been wearing both watches for weeks, testing everything from daily activity tracking to advanced running metrics, sleep analysis, and smart features. After extensive real-world testing across different workouts, environments, and usage patterns, I'm ready to reveal which compact Garmin delivers the better overall experience. Let's see how these fitness-focused companions stack up!
Image of Garmin Vivoactive 6 & Venu 3S. Source: Canva
Garmin Vivoactive 6 vs Venu 3S: Quick Overview
Here's the essential breakdown: The Garmin Vivoactive 6 and Venu 3S both feature compact cases with bright AMOLED displays and comprehensive health tracking. The Vivoactive 6 focuses on sports performance with advanced running features, course navigation, and animated workouts. The Venu 3S emphasizes lifestyle integration with ECG readings, phone calls, voice assistant, and superior build quality with stainless steel construction.
For most fitness enthusiasts, I recommend the Garmin Vivoactive 6. Its expanded running metrics, course navigation, and doubled music storage deliver exceptional value. However, choose the Venu 3S if you prioritize premium materials, phone connectivity, ECG health monitoring, or need the longest possible battery life in a compact form factor.
Table of Contents:
Garmin Vivoactive 6 vs Venu 3S: Full Comparison
| Specification | Garmin Vivoactive 6 | Garmin Venu 3S |
| Image |
|
|
| Display | 1.2" AMOLED (390x390 px) | 1.2" AMOLED (390x390 px) |
| Case Size | 42mm | 41mm |
| Case Material | Fiber-reinforced polymer, aluminum bezel | Stainless steel bezel, fiber-reinforced polymer |
| Weight | 36g (with silicone band) | 40g (with silicone band) |
| Thickness | 10.9mm | 12mm |
| Water Rating | 5 ATM (50 meters) | 5 ATM (50 meters) |
| Battery Life (Smartwatch) | Up to 11 days | Up to 10 days |
| Battery Life (GPS) | Up to 21 hours | Up to 21 hours |
| Music Storage | 8GB | 8GB |
| Built-in GPS | Multi-band GPS, GLONASS, Galileo | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo |
| Heart Rate | Elevate v4 optical sensor | Elevate v5 optical sensor |
| ECG | No | Yes |
| Phone Calls | No | Yes (speaker & microphone) |
| Voice Assistant | No | Yes |
| Sports Profiles | 80+ (including advanced running) | 30+ built-in sports apps |
| Navigation | Course/route following, breadcrumb trail | Basic breadcrumb trail |
| Animated Workouts | Yes (strength, cardio, yoga, Pilates) | Yes (strength, HIIT, yoga, Pilates) |
| Smart Wake Alarm | Yes | No |
The specifications reveal two watches targeting different aspects of the fitness smartwatch experience. Both feature identical 1.2-inch AMOLED displays with 390x390 resolution, delivering vibrant colors and excellent outdoor visibility. However, the Vivoactive 6 leverages multi-band GPS for enhanced accuracy, while the Venu 3S uses traditional GPS with additional satellite systems.
The Vivoactive 6 shines in sports-focused features, offering over 80 activity profiles compared to the Venu 3S's 30+ built-in sports apps. More importantly, it includes advanced running metrics like Running Dynamics, Running Power, and PacePro for race pacing - features typically reserved for Garmin's premium running watches. The course navigation with breadcrumb trails also sets it apart for outdoor adventures.
The Venu 3S counters with lifestyle integration features that the Vivoactive 6 lacks entirely. The built-in speaker and microphone enable phone calls directly from your wrist, while voice assistant support adds hands-free convenience. The ECG capability provides medical-grade heart rhythm analysis, and the newer Elevate v5 heart rate sensor offers improved accuracy during high-intensity activities.
Battery performance is nearly identical, with both watches lasting over a week in smartwatch mode and around 21 hours with continuous GPS tracking. The Vivoactive 6's slight edge in smartwatch battery life (11 vs 10 days) comes from its more efficient processor and lack of always-listening voice features.
Build quality differences reflect their different positioning in Garmin's lineup. The Venu 3S features a premium stainless steel bezel and superior materials, while the Vivoactive 6 uses a fiber-reinforced polymer case with aluminum accents. Both are equally water-resistant and durable for daily fitness activities.
Vivoactive 6 vs Venu 3S: Design & Build Quality
Both watches embrace Garmin's modern circular design philosophy with refined aesthetics that work in both gym and office settings.
Garmin Vivoactive 6 Design:
Garmin Venu 3S Design:
The Vivoactive 6 measures 42mm in diameter and 10.9mm thick, making it one of the slimmest watches in Garmin's lineup. At just 36g with the silicone band, it feels remarkably light during extended wear. Available colors include Slate with Black Band, Lunar Gold with Bone Band, Metallic Jasper Green, and Metallic Pink Dawn, offering appealing options for different style preferences.
The Venu 3S is slightly smaller at 41mm but thicker at 12mm, weighing 40g with the band. Despite the compact footprint, it feels more substantial thanks to the stainless steel construction. Color options include Soft Gold, Rose Pink, Sage Gray, and classic Black, with some variants featuring leather straps for a more premium appearance.
Both watches use two physical buttons alongside touchscreen navigation. The Vivoactive 6's buttons have a refined shape compared to its predecessor, while the Venu 3S maintains the established Venu series button design. All interactions feel responsive and precise during workouts.
The AMOLED displays on both models are protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3 and deliver excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. Screen brightness appears comparable, though neither manufacturer specifies exact nit ratings.
Garmin Vivoactive 6 or Venu 3S: Owner Reviews
Real-world feedback reveals how each watch performs across different user priorities and lifestyles:
Garmin Vivoactive 6 Owner Reviews:
Praises: "The running features are incredible for this class. Having Running Dynamics and PacePro on the Vivoactive line is amazing - these used to be exclusive to premium Forerunners."
"Love the Smart Wake alarm feature. It actually works better than my phone's version and wakes me up feeling more refreshed during lighter sleep phases."
"Course navigation is a game-changer for trail running. The breadcrumb trail keeps me on track during long runs in unfamiliar areas."
***
Drawbacks: "The plastic build feels budget compared to other watches in my collection. It's functional but not particularly premium."
"Missing ECG and phone call features that my previous Venu had. Would have paid a bit more for those capabilities."
"Battery life is good but not exceptional. Gets me through a week but needs charging more often than advertised with heavy GPS use."
Garmin Venu 3S Owner Reviews:
Praises: "The call quality is surprisingly good for a watch. I can take quick calls during workouts without missing a beat."
"Build quality feels incredibly solid. The stainless steel bezel and overall materials make it feel like a premium watch that happens to track fitness."
"ECG readings give me peace of mind during high-intensity training. The data syncs perfectly with my doctor's visits."
***
Drawbacks: "Lacks the advanced running features of newer Garmin watches. Expected more detailed training metrics given the premium positioning."
"Voice assistant is hit-or-miss. Sometimes it works perfectly, other times it struggles to understand commands in noisy environments."
"The premium pricing puts it uncomfortably close to Apple Watch territory, where app selection and ecosystem integration are superior."
The feedback clearly shows each watch serving different user priorities. Vivoactive 6 owners appreciate the sports-focused features and value proposition but sometimes wish for more premium materials. Venu 3S users love the build quality and lifestyle integration but question whether the training features justify the premium positioning for serious athletes.
Vivoactive 6 and Venu 3S Alternatives
If neither Garmin quite meets your needs, consider these compelling alternatives in the fitness smartwatch category:
- Garmin Forerunner 165: A running-focused watch with AMOLED display, training readiness, and race predictor features. More specialized than both options but excellent for serious runners.
- Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen): Offers superior app ecosystem, seamless iPhone integration, and robust smart features. Better for casual fitness tracking but requires daily charging.
The Garmin Forerunner 165 appeals to dedicated runners who want the most advanced training features. Its AMOLED display, training load guidance, and race predictions make it ideal for marathon training, though it lacks the lifestyle features of both Venu and Vivoactive models.
The Apple Watch SE provides the most comprehensive smartwatch experience for iPhone users, with massive app selection, seamless ecosystem integration, and excellent daily activity tracking. However, it requires daily charging and offers less detailed sports analytics compared to either Garmin option.
Which Garmin Should You Buy?
After extensive testing and comparison, both the Garmin Vivoactive 6 and Venu 3S excel in their respective domains, but they serve distinctly different user priorities and needs.
Choose the Garmin Vivoactive 6 if you're a serious fitness enthusiast who prioritizes training features over lifestyle integration. Its advanced running metrics, course navigation, and comprehensive sports profiles deliver exceptional value. The Smart Wake alarm, animated workouts, and doubled music storage make it feel more premium than expected. This is the clear winner for athletes who want Forerunner-level training tools in a more affordable, lifestyle-friendly package.
The Garmin Venu 3S makes sense for users who want a premium smartwatch that happens to excel at fitness tracking. Its phone calling, voice assistant, ECG monitoring, and superior build quality appeal to professionals who need seamless connectivity alongside health monitoring. The premium materials and refined design also attract users who prefer investing in a watch they'll keep for years.
For most buyers, the Vivoactive 6 represents better overall value. It delivers most of the Venu 3S's fitness capabilities while adding features like advanced running metrics and navigation that the more expensive watch lacks. Both watches prove that Garmin continues leading the fitness smartwatch category with purpose-built devices that prioritize health insights and sports performance over general-purpose computing.