What we tested for 6 weeks

We wore this watch every day. Running, cycling, swimming, sleeping, stress. We even tried to break it. She's holding on.

The AMOLED screen: It’s luxury

Compared to the LCD screens of classic Garmin watches, AMOLED changes everything. The colors explode. Black is really black. Under the sun, it is readable without straining. The battery takes a hit (normal), but it's worth it.

Health Monitoring: Useful, Not Magic

• Heart rate: accurate to ±2 bpm
• Cardiac variability (HRV) and stress level: interesting to see your trends, but does not replace a cardiologist
• Sleep: detects phases well, sometimes too sensitive to movements at night
• Menstrual cycle: works if you enter it manually

GPS: Reliable, Fast

Hooks up in 15-20 seconds. Precise track in town and in the mountains. No weird drift like on some Chinese watches. You can trust the distances shown.

Swimming

Waterproof up to 50m. We tested it in swimming pools and at sea. It counts lengths correctly (85% accuracy). Not perfect, but honest.

Garmin Venu 2S review: What real users are saying

Marie, 34 years old, Marseille: "I bought for the design. I stayed for the battery. 11 days without charging, it's crazy. The screen is magnificent, it's a change from my old Fitbit."

Thomas, 42 years old, Paris: "Runner for 10 years. I had a Fenix ​​6X before. The Venu 2S is lighter, more beautiful, almost as complete. Just missing the advanced mapping, but for €400 it's normal."

Sophie, 28 years old, Lyon: "Disappointed by the sleep tracking. It tells me that I slept 4 hours when I clearly slept 7 hours. Otherwise, it's a nice watch."

On Amazon, it has 4.1/5 stars with 2,400+ reviews. The criticisms come up often: the screen is superb, the battery keeps its promises, the design pleases, but the sleep tracking can be approximate.

Garmin Venu 2S vs Its Competitors

Venu 2S vs Venu 3S

The Venu 3S is more recent (2024). It has a bigger screen, more AI features, slightly better battery. It costs €499. If you can find the Venu 2S for less than €350, grab it. Otherwise, the 3S is worth the extra €100.

Venu 2S vs Lily 2

The Lily 2 is smaller, lighter, more feminine. It costs €299. But it has fewer sports features (no multi-constellation GPS, no advanced swim tracking). Choose the Lily 2 if you want an elegant watch for everyday life. Choose the Venu 2S if you're serious about sports.

Venu 2S vs Apple Watch Series 9

The Apple Watch costs €429 and locks you into the Apple universe. The Venu 2S works with any phone. The Apple Watch has Siri and Apple Pay. The Venu 2S has a better battery and better sports tracking. It's a choice of philosophy, not performance.

Venu 2S vs Huawei Watch 4

The Huawei costs €349 and also has an AMOLED screen. She is very good. But Garmin has more sport modes (100+ vs 60), better integration with Strava, and a more active community. Garmin wins over time.

Who Should Buy It (And Who Should Not)

Buy it if:

• You run, cycle or swim regularly
• You want a watch that lasts 10+ days without charging
• You like beautiful screens and you are willing to pay for them
• You have an Android or iOS phone (it works with both)

Do not buy it if:

• You have a tight budget (less than €300)
• You want a watch for everyday use only, without sports
• You need Apple Pay or Siri
• You are an Apple fan and you want to stay in the Apple universe

The Verdict: Is It Really Worth It?

Yes. No huge “but”. Just little “buts”.

The Garmin Venu 2S is an excellent smartwatch. The AMOLED screen is life-changing. The battery keeps its promises. Sports tracking is reliable. The design doesn't look like a "sports watch", it looks like a "real watch".

The flaws? Sleep tracking can be inaccurate. There is no NFC for payments. The Garmin Connect app isn't as smooth as Strava. But nothing blocking.

At €399, it's expensive. At €349 (regular promotional price), it's fair. At €299 or less, it's a bargain.

Final score: 4.2/5

It loses 0.8 points for approximate sleep tracking and the absence of NFC. It wins all its points on design, screen and battery.

Where to Buy It at the Best Price

Amazon

Generally €349-399. Fast delivery, easy returns. It's the safest.

Garmin.com (Official Site)

Sometimes promotions. Official 2 year warranty. Fewer color choices than on Amazon.

Decathlon

Rarely in stock. When it's there, it's the same price as Amazon. Advantage: you can see it in real life before buying.

Cdiscount

Sometimes cheaper (299-349€). Check that it is sold by Cdiscount directly, not a third party.

Our advice: Wait for a promotion (Black Friday, sales). It regularly goes to €299-349. No need to pay full price.

Garmin Venu 2S Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the battery really last?

11 days in classic watch mode (without GPS). 6 days with GPS active every day. 3-4 days if you do intensive sports with GPS every day. It's honest.

Does it work with my phone?

Yes. Android 6.0+ or ​​iOS 14+. It doesn't matter the brand.

Is it really waterproof?

Yes, 50m. You can swim with it. No diving.

Is sleep tracking reliable?

At 70-80%. It detects the phases well, but sometimes it tells you that you slept less than in reality. Useful for seeing trends, not for counting exact minutes.

Can we pay with the watch?

No. No NFC. You need to take out your phone.

Does it work with Strava?

Yes. Automatic synchronization. Your activities report directly to Strava.

What is the difference with the Venu 2 (without the S)?

The Venu 2S is smaller and lighter. The screen is identical. The features too. If you have small wrists, take the 2S. Otherwise, the classic Venu 2 is cheaper.

Does it scratch easily?

The screen is Gorilla Glass. Durable, but not indestructible. Protection (film or tempered glass) doesn't hurt if you're clumsy.