As SELF’s health director, I’ve examined a lot of smartwatches and health trackers, so I do know there are just a few fundamental must-haves for me: The machine must precisely measure distance, tempo, and coronary heart charge throughout my exercises (no lagging GPS, please!); function intuitively out of the field; and sync seamlessly with my cellphone with none troubleshooting.
However for those who’ve perused a listing of the perfect health trackers on the market, you realize there are so many fashions with additional options that promise aid you perceive your physique higher. The brand new Garmin Venu 3 smartwatch ($450, amazon.com) falls solidly in that camp: The model vows to “offer you a extra full image of your well being.” However does it ship on that formidable, holistic pledge? I strapped on a pattern to seek out out—learn on for my full evaluation.
How I examined
I based mostly my evaluation of the Garmin Venu 3 on standards beneficial by SELF’s panel of consultants, which focuses on issues like ease of use, accuracy with distance and coronary heart charge (amongst different metrics), battery life, and particular options. I wore the smartwatch for over a month, and took it off solely to cost it when crucial—that means, I showered and slept with it secured to my wrist. I examined the Venu 3 throughout completely different sorts of exercises, together with outside and treadmill runs, energy coaching routines, indoor bike periods, and even a yoga class.
Ease of use
For me, a watch must be usable proper out of the field, no directions wanted. So I pay additional shut consideration to issues like intuitive setup and (lack of) studying curve.
First impressions
Once I unboxed the Garmin Venu 3, I used to be pleasantly stunned by how fairly it was: I attempted it in French grey (a light-weight mushroom colour with gold accents) within the smaller, 41-mm case dimension (excellent for my small wrist), and thought it seemed far more trendy than a number of the different gadgets I’ve examined (together with considered one of my favorites, the Garmin Forerunner 265, which had a decidedly extra rugged look).
Like its predecessor, the Venu 2, the latest model is a combo of touchscreen and bodily buttons, which to me, is the perfect of each worlds. The display makes for straightforward scrolling, and the Venu 3 has three buttons that come in useful when your dexterity is compromised (say, like while you’re operating within the chilly with gloves on and must mark a lap interval.)
The watch face
You may both use preloaded watch faces or select your personal within the companion Garmin Join IQ app. I went with the latter and picked out an admittedly busy face that exhibits me a ton of metrics, together with time of day (in fact), date, battery, coronary heart charge, and steps—and a enjoyable little bar chart that illustrates my steps for the final seven days.
One large plus for me with the Venu 3 is how intuitive all the pieces was from the get-go. Press the highest button, and also you go proper to the train menu. Swipe up or down and also you see the breakdown for all of your vitals. Along with the metrics I discussed above, my custom-made lineup consists of my complete runs per week, physique battery (Garmin’s calculation of how a lot power you may have for the day), sleep rating, restoration, and cellphone notifications. Contact any of those, and also you’re despatched to a separate display with extra deets—one thing I very a lot appreciated, since a number of occasions it’s good to go to the app to get that intel.