Garmin Enduro 3 vs Garmin Venu 3
The Garmin Enduro 3 is the flagship model here, boasting an astounding battery life of up to 90 days in smartwatch mode. In contrast, the Garmin Venu 3 offers a vibrant AMOLED display and built-in speaker for calls, but its battery only lasts 14 days. After comparing the specs, the key difference lies in endurance versus lifestyle convenience. If you're an ultra-endurance athlete, the Enduro 3's incredible battery and similar-weight design make it a no-brainer. However, if you're after a stylish smartwatch that can handle calls, the Venu 3 shines but sacrifices battery longevity.
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Garmin Enduro 3

Garmin Venu 3
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
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Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: Garmin Enduro 3 vs Garmin Venu 3

Garmin Enduro 3

Garmin Venu 3
| Criterion | Garmin Enduro 3 | Garmin Venu 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4(7)Amazon | ★4.5(5,399)Amazon |
Compatibility | iPhone, Android (Garmin Connect app required) | iPhone, Android (Garmin Connect app required) |
Operating System | Garmin OS (Proprietary) | Garmin OS (Proprietary) |
Case Size | 51mm x 51mm x 15.7mm | 45mm x 45mm x 12mm |
Case Material | Fiber-reinforced polymer case with titanium rear cover; Titanium bezel; Power Sapphire solar charging lens | Fiber-reinforced polymer case; Stainless steel bezel; Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
Display Type | Sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) | AMOLED; Always-On Mode available |
Display Size | 1.4 in (35.56 mm) diameter | 1.4 in (35.4 mm) diameter |
Resolution | 280 x 280 pixels | 454 x 454 pixels |
Always On Display | Yes (MIP display is always visible) | Yes (optional) |
Water Resistance | 10 ATM (water pressure equivalent to 100 meters) | 5 ATM (water pressure equivalent to 50 meters); Swimproof |
Durability | MIL-STD-810H (Thermal, Shock, Water); Scratch-resistant Sapphire lens | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 lens; Stainless steel bezel |
GPS | Multi-band GNSS with SatIQ technology; GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou | GPS; GLONASS; Galileo (Single-band GNSS) |
Connectivity | Bluetooth; ANT+; Wi-Fi | Bluetooth; ANT+; Wi-Fi |
NFC Payments | Garmin Pay | Garmin Pay |
Sensors | Elevate Gen 5 optical heart rate sensor (ECG capable); Pulse Ox blood oxygen saturation monitor; Barometric altimeter; Compass; Gyroscope; Accelerometer; Thermometer | Elevate Gen 5 optical heart rate sensor (ECG hardware); Pulse Ox blood oxygen saturation monitor; Barometric altimeter; Compass; Gyroscope; Accelerometer; Thermometer; Ambient light sensor |
Health Features | Garmin ECG App (region dependent); Body Battery; Sleep Score and advanced monitoring; HRV Status; Pulse Ox; Nap detection; Jet Lag Adviser; Health Snapshot | Sleep Coach; Nap Detection; ECG App (FDA cleared); HRV Status; Body Battery; Jet Lag Adviser; Health Snapshot; Women’s Health; Meditation |
Workout Modes | Ultrarunning (with rest timer); Adventure Racing; Trail Run; Advanced Strength Training; Hiking; Cycling (MTB, Gravel, Road); Swimming (Pool & Open Water); Skiing; Surfing; and 100+ others | Wheelchair Mode (pushes, weight shifts); Strength; HIIT; Yoga; Pilates; Running; Cycling; Swimming (Pool); Golf; Tennis; Pickleball; and 30+ others |
Storage | 32GB | 8GB |
Speaker Mic | None (Audio prompts via connected Bluetooth headphones only) | Built-in Speaker; Built-in Microphone (Voice Assistant & Calls) |
Calls | No (Can accept/decline calls to control phone; Android users can send text replies) | Yes (Make and take calls via Bluetooth connection to smartphone) |
Battery | Smartwatch mode: Up to 36 days (90 days with solar); GPS Only: Up to 120 hours (320 hours with solar); Expedition GPS: Unlimited with solar | Smartwatch mode: Up to 14 days (5 days always-on); Battery Saver: Up to 26 days; GPS-Only GNSS: Up to 26 hours; All-Systems GNSS: Up to 20 hours |
Charging | Garmin proprietary plug charger (USB-C cable included); Solar charging | Garmin proprietary plug charger (USB-C cable included) |
Weight | 63 g (Case only: 57 g) — includes UltraFit nylon strap | 47 g (with included band); 30 g (case only) |
Band Sizes | Fits wrists 127–225mm (UltraFit nylon strap included); QuickFit 26mm compatible | Fits wrists 135–200 mm (Silicone band included); Compatible with standard 22mm Quick Release bands |
Extras | Built-in LED Flashlight (Red/White strobes); Dynamic Round-Trip Routing; TopoActive Maps (preloaded); NextFork Map Guide; Grade Adjusted Pace; Real-time Stamina | Voice Assistant support (Siri, Google Assistant, Bixby via phone); Wheelchair mode specialized metrics; On-screen muscle maps; Photos in notifications (Android only) |
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Garmin Enduro 3
✓ Pros:
- • Unrivaled battery life: up to 90 days in smartwatch mode with solar
- • Incredibly lightweight (63g) for a 51mm watch due to nylon strap/titanium
- • Built-in LED flashlight is a game-changer for ultra-endurance events
- • Excellent visibility in direct sunlight thanks to MIP display
- • Preloaded TopoActive maps with SatIQ for superior navigation
✗ Cons:
- • Lacks the speaker/microphone found in the Fenix 8 series
- • No diving certification (unlike Fenix 8 which is rated to 40m)
- • MIP display is less vibrant indoors compared to AMOLED rivals
- • Large 51mm case size may be too bulky for smaller wrists
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Garmin Venu 3
✓ Pros:
- • Bright 1.4" AMOLED display with refined, lifestyle-friendly UI
- • Built-in speaker and microphone for wrist calls and voice assistants
- • Latest Elevate Gen 5 sensor supports FDA-cleared ECG app
- • Dedicated Wheelchair Mode tracks pushes rather than steps
- • Excellent 14-day battery life significantly outperforms Apple/Samsung
✗ Cons:
- • Lacks Multi-Band GPS (found in similarly priced Forerunner 265)
- • Plastic case body feels less premium than metal-bodied competitors
- • No LTE option available (phone required for calls/safety)
- • Gorilla Glass 3 is older tech compared to Sapphire or newer Gorilla Glass
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Which one is better?
The Garmin Enduro 3 is the better buy for most people - its battery life of up to 90 days crushes the Venu 3's 14 days. That said, grab the Venu 3 if you want the ability to take calls on the go - it's lighter and features a stunning AMOLED display.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Garmin Enduro 3 if: you need unrivaled battery life for multi-day adventures, prioritize similar-weight design, or want advanced navigation features. (2.22 oz weight, 32 GB storage)
Choose the Garmin Venu 3 if: you make calls from your wrist, appreciate a bright AMOLED display, or want a smartwatch that fits a lifestyle focus. (1.66 oz weight, 8 GB storage)
Conclusion
There is no wrong answer here. Focus on the features you will use daily and pick the model that aligns with them.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Garmin Enduro 3 excels if you value unrivaled battery life: up to 90 days in smartwatch mode with solar. Garmin Venu 3 is better if you prioritize bright 1.4" amoled display with refined, lifestyle-friendly ui. Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
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