Garmin Venu 3 crushes workouts and smarts; ScanWatch 2 nails health and battery.
I’ve been helping friends pick between smartwatches for years, and the garmin venu 3 vs withings scanwatch 2 is a classic fork in the road. You want fitness brains and smart features? Or a timeless watch that quietly watches your health for weeks? I wore both in real life—from runs to red-eye flights—and I’ll share what actually matters so you can choose the right fit.
Garmin Venu 3 Slate Stainless…
Built-In Speaker And Microphone Wrist-Based Heart Rate Animated On-Screen Workouts Women Battery.average life : 14.0 days Connectivity technology : Wireless Display.size : 1.4 inches
Withings ScanWatch 2 – Hybrid…
TIMELESS DESIGN – Hybrid smartwatch with analog hands and digital health tracking. Stainless steel case with sapphire glass for durability. Available in multiple sizes and…
Is Garmin Venu 3 Good?
Yes—especially if you care about training feedback and smart features. The Venu 3 feels built for people who move. It’s bright, fast, and encourages you to use it. In my testing, it gave clear guidance for daily readiness, naps, and recovery, and the built-in GPS was rock solid on runs. It’s a full smartwatch that still lasts over a week for me with notifications and a couple of workouts.Two moments sold me. First, an interval session: the animated workout cues on the AMOLED screen kept me on pace without checking my phone. Second, a busy travel day: I took a quick call from my wrist, then the Sleep Coach adjusted my goals after a short airport nap. It’s the rare watch that helps during both sweat and life.
Garmin Venu 3 Slate Stainless Steel Bezel 1.4-Inch AMOLED Touchscreen Display Smart Watch with 45mm Black Case and Silicone Band
What Makes It Stand Out / Key Features
- 1.4″ AMOLED touchscreen with always-on option and crisp animated workouts
- Built-in GPS with multi-GNSS and strong heart rate tracking
- Sleep Coach, nap detection, HRV insights, and Body Battery energy
- On-wrist calls and smartphone voice assistant support via mic/speaker
- Garmin Pay, 5 ATM water rating, and robust Garmin Connect app
What I Like
- Clear coaching: daily readiness and recovery tips feel actionable
- Bright, readable display outdoors and at the gym
- Reliable GPS and HR for steady-state and interval runs
- On-device music and Bluetooth headphones free me from my phone
- Comfortable strap and light enough for all-day wear
- Phone calls from the wrist are surprisingly useful
What Could Be Better
- No ECG support for AFib checks
- Always-on display can cut battery quickly
- App store (Connect IQ) is smaller than Apple’s or Google’s
My Recommendation
If you want a true fitness-first smartwatch that still handles life, the Venu 3 is a great buy. It’s widely available and delivers excellent value for active users.| Best For | Why |
|---|---|
| Runners and gym-goers | Built-in GPS, coaching, and animated workouts |
| Busy professionals | On-wrist calls, voice assistant, and long-enough battery |
| Data-driven users | Sleep Coach, HRV, and Body Battery insights |
Is Withings ScanWatch 2 Good?
Yes—if you want a classic watch that quietly tracks health for weeks. The ScanWatch 2 focuses on medical-grade signals and effortless wear. It delivers ECG on demand, SpO2, sleep quality, and 24/7 temp variation tracking without nagging you. I often forgot I was wearing a tracker—until it surfaced something useful.Two examples stood out. A few days before I felt sick, the temperature variance graph ticked up, and my resting heart rate nudged higher. That early hint helped me ease off training. Another moment was during a coffee-fueled day—its quick ECG helped me rule out anything odd when my heart fluttered. It’s discreet, dependable, and very battery-friendly.
Withings ScanWatch 2 – Hybrid Smart Watch, Heart Rate Monitoring, Fitness Tracker, Cycle Tracker, Sleep Monitoring, GPS Tracker, 30-Day Battery Life, Android & Apple Compatible, HSA/FSA
What Makes It Stand Out / Key Features
- Hybrid analog design with tiny OLED info display
- Up to 30 days of battery life on a single charge
- On-demand ECG (AFib detection) and SpO2
- TempTech 24/7 temperature variation tracking and sleep scoring
- Connected GPS via phone, 5 ATM water resistance, sapphire glass
What I Like
- Looks like a real watch; works for office and events
- Battery life you can forget about
- ECG and health metrics feel clinical and trustworthy
- Sleep tracking highlights breathing disturbances
- Great sync with the Withings Health Mate app and Apple Health/Google Fit
What Could Be Better
- Small screen means limited smart features
- No built-in GPS; relies on your phone for routes
- No on-wrist calls or contactless payments
My Recommendation
If you want a refined, health-first watch with massive battery life, choose ScanWatch 2. It’s ideal when style and long-term health tracking matter more than sporty smarts.| Best For | Why |
|---|---|
| Health-focused users | ECG, SpO2, temp variation, sleep insights |
| Minimalists | Classic look and simple, low-friction tracking |
| Travelers | 30-day battery reduces charging anxiety |
garmin venu 3 vs withings scanwatch 2: Side-by-Side Test
I wore both for daily life, workouts, and travel. Here’s how the garmin venu 3 vs withings scanwatch 2 stack up where it counts.Health Sensors & Accuracy: Which Tracks More?
Both measure core vitals, but they aim at different needs.| Feature | Garmin Venu 3 | Withings ScanWatch 2 |
|---|---|---|
| ECG (AFib) | No | Yes, on-demand |
| SpO2 | Yes (spot and sleep) | Yes (spot and sleep) |
| HRV insights | Yes (Sleep/Body Battery context) | Limited HRV context |
| Temperature tracking | No dedicated skin temp | Yes (24/7 variation) |
“ScanWatch 2 wins for medical-style checks and temperature, while Venu 3 wins for training-oriented insights.”
Fitness Training & Sports: Who Coaches Better?
If you work out often, coaching depth matters.| Feature | Garmin Venu 3 | Withings ScanWatch 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Built-in GPS | Yes (multi-GNSS) | No (phone needed) |
| Workout modes | Dozens incl. HIIT, yoga, swim | Core modes with auto-detect |
| Guided/animated workouts | Yes | No |
| Recovery & readiness | Yes (Sleep Coach, Body Battery) | Basic recovery cues |
“For training, the Venu 3 is clearly stronger thanks to GPS, coaching, and recovery tools.”
Smart Features & Connectivity: Everyday Convenience
These features make or break daily use.| Feature | Garmin Venu 3 | Withings ScanWatch 2 |
|---|---|---|
| On-wrist calls | Yes (mic/speaker) | No |
| Voice assistant | Yes (via phone) | No |
| Payments | Garmin Pay | No |
| Music | Offline playlists (Spotify/Deezer/Amazon) | No |
“Venu 3 behaves like a true smartwatch; ScanWatch 2 stays intentionally simple.”
Display & Design: Readability vs Elegance
Looks and readability matter all day.| Aspect | Garmin Venu 3 | Withings ScanWatch 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 1.4″ AMOLED touchscreen | Analog + small OLED window |
| Always-on | Optional AOD | Analog hands are always visible |
| Materials | Polymer/stainless bezel | Stainless steel, sapphire glass |
| Aesthetic | Sporty-modern | Classic watch style |
“Tie: Venu 3 is easier to read for data; ScanWatch 2 looks dressier and more timeless.”
Battery Life & Charging: Who Lasts Longer?
Charging less is always nicer.| Metric | Garmin Venu 3 | Withings ScanWatch 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Typical days | Up to ~14 days | Up to ~30 days |
| Heavy GPS use | Strong, but drains faster | Uses phone GPS; minimal drain |
| Charge time | About an hour+ | About 2 hours |
| Power saving | Yes | Yes (power reserve) |
“ScanWatch 2 dominates on battery life; it feels almost maintenance-free.”
GPS & Navigation: Phone-Free vs Phone-Dependent
Outdoor tracking should be simple.| Aspect | Garmin Venu 3 | Withings ScanWatch 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Built-in GNSS | Yes | No |
| Route following | Basic guidance, no maps | Phone app after-the-fact |
| Signal speed | Fast lock in my tests | Depends on phone signal |
| Independence | Phone-free runs | Phone required for routes |
“Venu 3 wins for runners and cyclists who want reliable, phone-free tracking.”
Apps & Data Ecosystem: Where Your Data Lives
Data should be easy to find and share.| Aspect | Garmin Venu 3 | Withings ScanWatch 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Companion app | Garmin Connect (detailed training) | Health Mate (health-first) |
| App store | Connect IQ | No real app store |
| Integrations | Strava, Apple Health, MyFitnessPal | Apple Health, Google Fit |
| Coaching plans | Yes (Garmin Coach) | No |
“Garmin’s ecosystem is deeper for training; Withings is cleaner for health snapshots.”
Value for Money: What Do You Get?
Both are premium, but value depends on your use.| Consideration | Garmin Venu 3 | Withings ScanWatch 2 |
|---|---|---|
| What you pay for | Full smartwatch + training | Elegant health tracker + battery |
| Longevity | Frequent updates and profiles | Timeless design, simple upkeep |
| Who gets best value | Active users, runners | Health-first, style-focused users |
| Hidden costs | Bigger battery drain with AOD/music | Needs phone for GPS |
“Value is a draw: pick Venu 3 for fitness value, ScanWatch 2 for health-with-style value.”
Final Verdict: Which Should You Buy?
If you want a do-it-all fitness smartwatch, get the Garmin Venu 3. It’s better for training, GPS runs, coaching, and daily smarts like calls and payments. It’s the obvious pick for active lifestyles.If you want a stylish, health-first watch with epic battery life, choose the Withings ScanWatch 2. It’s ideal for ECG, temp variation, sleep, and a minimalist, dressy look.
FAQs Of garmin venu 3 vs withings scanwatch 2
What’s the biggest difference in garmin venu 3 vs withings scanwatch 2?
Venu 3 is a full smartwatch with built-in GPS, coaching, calls, and payments. ScanWatch 2 focuses on health (ECG, temp variation) and 30-day battery with a classic look.Which is better for running in the garmin venu 3 vs withings scanwatch 2?
Garmin Venu 3. It has built-in GPS, training features, and better on-wrist data. ScanWatch 2 needs your phone for GPS.Is ECG important in the garmin venu 3 vs withings scanwatch 2 choice?
If you want on-demand AFib checks, ScanWatch 2 wins. If you care more about coaching and workouts, Venu 3 is the better fit.How does battery compare in garmin venu 3 vs withings scanwatch 2?
Venu 3 lasts up to about two weeks. ScanWatch 2 can stretch to around a month. ScanWatch 2 clearly wins battery life.Which looks better: garmin venu 3 vs withings scanwatch 2?
Style is personal. Venu 3 looks sporty and modern with a big AMOLED screen. ScanWatch 2 looks like a classic analog watch that fits formal wear.
Rubel Miah is the Senior Editor at MyStyleGrid.com, where he brings a sharp editorial eye and an unshakable love for fashion to everything he does. A true style addict, Rubel lives and breathes trends, from streetwear to high fashion, and has a knack for turning inspiration into impactful stories. With years of experience in fashion journalism and digital media, he curates content that empowers readers to express themselves through style. When he’s not editing features or forecasting the next big thing, you’ll find him hunting down vintage pieces or capturing street style moments around the city.
