Garmin Venu 2 Plus smartwatch review - outstanding sports functionality with smart lifestyle features

The great performance, looks and functionality of the outgoing Venu 2 with the well-executed addition of a speaker and microphone to support calls, voice assistant and music

Main image
(Image credit: Emma Silversides)
Cycling Weekly Verdict

Garmin’s main aim with the Venu 2 Plus was to compete with smartwatches offering more than the Venu 2. The additions of on-board music, voice assistant and the ability to make and receive calls have certainly done this. The outstanding sport/fitness functionality of the Venu 2 remains wholly unchanged, fans of the Venu 2 may not deem the gains worth the upgrade; not everyone wants to talk into their wrist, right? However, it’s a great piece of technology that excels for day-to-day fitness and lifestyle tracking without feeling like these extra smart features have just been an after-thought to keep up with the Jones’. The Venu 2 Plus is complemented by Garmin's Connect App. For those who haven't experienced it, analysis is outstanding and you'll struggle to find anything quite as comprehensive.

Reasons to buy
  • +

    Long battery life

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    Excellent analysis and feedback

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    Onboard music

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    Fast recharge

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    Ability to make and receive calls

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    Clear display

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    Robust lens

  • +

Reasons to avoid
  • -

    GPS takes longer than some to be found

  • -

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You can trust Cycling Weekly. Our team of experts put in hard miles testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.

I've had my hands on the Venu 2 Plus for over two months and feel like there's still a whole load of functions that I haven't had time to explore. 

Read on to find out exactly what I think of this GPS smartwatch as I scratch the surface of a comprehensive smartwatch that delivers functionality, features and performance...

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