Garmin Venu 3 vs Garmin Venu 3S
Garmin Venu 3 wins 2 of the 7 categories we compared, against 1 for Garmin Venu 3S (4 tied) — including battery life (14 days vs 10 days).
Garmin Venu 3 vs Garmin Venu 3S: our verdict
Venu 3S makes the most sense if you want a lighter watch on your wrist without giving up health, GPS, or smart features. If battery life and a bigger, sharper display are higher on your list, Venu 3 is the better fit. The main tradeoff is simple: you’ll be charging Venu 3S more often.
Go with Venu 3 if your priorities are a larger, sharper screen and longer battery life in a fitness watch. If a lighter feel matters more every time you wear it, Venu 3S is the better match. The tradeoff is that 47 g weight, which can feel noticeably heavier than some alternatives.
Summarised from our video comparison of these two wearables.
Watch the video comparison
Garmin Venu 3 vs Garmin Venu 3S: Battery & Charging
| Spec |
 Garmin Venu 3
|
 Garmin Venu 3S
|
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 14 days | 10 days |
| GPS battery life | 26 hours | 21 hours |
| Charging time | 70 min | 70 min |
| Charging | USB | USB |
Garmin Venu 3 vs Garmin Venu 3S: Display
| Spec |
Garmin Venu 3
|
Garmin Venu 3S
|
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 1.4 in | 1.2 in |
| Display type | AMOLED touchscreen | AMOLED touchscreen |
| Resolution | 454 x 454 | 390 x 390 |
| Screen protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
Garmin Venu 3 vs Garmin Venu 3S: Health Sensors
| Spec |
Garmin Venu 3
|
Garmin Venu 3S
|
|---|---|---|
| Heart rate | Yes | Yes |
| ECG | Yes | Yes |
| Blood oxygen (SpO2) | Yes | Yes |
| Heart rate variability | Yes | Yes |
| Skin temperature | Yes | Yes |
| Blood pressure alerts | No | No |
| Irregular rhythm alerts | No | No |
| Breathing rate | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Stress tracking | Yes | Yes |
Garmin Venu 3 vs Garmin Venu 3S: GPS & Navigation
| Spec |
Garmin Venu 3
|
Garmin Venu 3S
|
|---|---|---|
| Built-in GPS | Yes | Yes |
| Dual-band GPS | No | No |
| Satellite systems | 3 | 3 |
| Offline maps | No | No |
| Barometer | Yes | Yes |
| Compass | Yes | Yes |
Garmin Venu 3 vs Garmin Venu 3S: Smart Features
| Spec |
Garmin Venu 3
|
Garmin Venu 3S
|
|---|---|---|
| Contactless payments | Yes | Yes |
| Music storage | Yes | Yes |
| Calls from the wrist | Yes | Yes |
| Cellular (LTE) | No | No |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes |
| Notifications | Yes | Yes |
| Fall detection | Yes | Yes |
| Emergency SOS | Yes | Yes |
| Software | Garmin proprietary | Garmin proprietary |
| Works with | Android & iOS | Android & iOS |
| Voice assistant | Yes | Yes |
Garmin Venu 3 vs Garmin Venu 3S: Design & Durability
| Spec |
Garmin Venu 3
|
Garmin Venu 3S
|
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 47 g | 40 g |
| Thickness | 12 mm | 12 mm |
| Water resistance | 50 m | 50 m |
| Military-grade toughness | No | No |
| Case size | 45 mm | 41 mm |
| Material | Plastic | Plastic |
Garmin Venu 3 vs Garmin Venu 3S: Price & Colors
| Spec |
Garmin Venu 3
|
Garmin Venu 3S
|
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Soft Gold, Slate, Silver | Soft Gold, Slate, Silver |
| Release year | 2023 | 2023 |
Where each one wins
Garmin Venu 3
- Battery life: 14 days (vs 10 days)
- GPS battery life: 26 hours (vs 21 hours)
- Screen size: 1.4 in (vs 1.2 in)
Garmin Venu 3S
- Weight: 40 g (vs 47 g)
Wearables Similar to Garmin Venu 3 or Garmin Venu 3S
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, the Garmin Venu 3 or the Garmin Venu 3S?
Garmin Venu 3 wins 2 of the 7 categories we compared, against 1 for Garmin Venu 3S (4 tied) — including battery life (14 days vs 10 days).
Which is cheaper, the Garmin Venu 3 or the Garmin Venu 3S?
Both cost around $449, so the choice comes down to specs rather than price.
What are the main differences between the Garmin Venu 3 and the Garmin Venu 3S?
The biggest gaps are in battery life (14 days on the Garmin Venu 3 vs 10 days); weight (40 g on the Garmin Venu 3S vs 47 g); GPS battery life (26 hours on the Garmin Venu 3 vs 21 hours).