Garmin Vivoactive 6 vs Venu 3: Which Best Suits Your Lifestyle?
Naila Syifa
Updated June 2025
Garmin’s smartwatch lineup can feel overwhelming sometimes, especially when models start to overlap in features. The Vivoactive 6 and Venu 3 are a great example of this. They both aim to be the go-to fitness smartwatch, but they approach that goal a little differently.
I’ve taken a closer look at both to help you figure out which one might be a better match for your needs (or your budget).
Key Takeaways
The Vivoactive 6 is a better value for fitness-focused users with more sport profiles, smart wake alarm, and deeper running features. The Venu 3 costs more but adds premium perks like ECG, skin temperature, and built-in calling, making it a more complete lifestyle smartwatch.
Garmin Vivoactive 6
Active & Versatile
✓ 1.2” AMOLED
✓ 70+ Activity Profile
✓ PacePro Pacing Strategies
✓ Smart Wake Alarm
Garmin Venu 3
Lifestyle & Fitness
✓ 1.4” AMOLED
✓ 50+ Activity Profile
✓ ECG App
✓ Built-In Speaker & Microphone
Price
Garmin Venu 3
Let’s get this out of the way: there’s a decent price gap. The Vivoactive 6 sits at US$299.99, while the Venu 3 is priced at US$449.99. That’s a difference of $150 at retail, though I’ve seen the Venu 3 on sale quite a bit.
Still, if you're trying to get the most value for your money, it's a good idea to look closely at what that extra cost is actually giving you.
Design & Display
Garmin Vivoactive 6
At a glance, both watches have that stylish Garmin aesthetic, with silicone straps and the same tough Corning Gorilla Glass 3 lens. They're swim-friendly with 5 ATM water resistance, and the build quality feels premium for both.
But the Venu 3 definitely has a more refined touch. It’s larger, with a 1.4" AMOLED display and 45mm case size compared to the Vivoactive 6’s 1.2". display and 42.2mm case. And the resolution is higher too (454 x 454 versus 390 x 390 pixels), so things look a bit crisper and brighter.
The bezel also makes a difference: the Vivoactive 6 uses aluminum, while the Venu 3 opts for stainless steel, giving it a more premium look and feel.
Color-wise, the Vivoactive 6 is a little more playful, available in bone, black, green, and pink. The Venu 3 is a bit more limited with just white and black, although if you go for the smaller Venu 3S, you’ll find more color choices to suit your style.
Health & Fitness Features
Garmin Venu 3
This is where things start to diverge a bit more. Both watches come loaded with Garmin’s health tracking essentials: 24/7 heart rate, blood oxygen, stress tracking, advanced sleep tracking, Body Battery, and more.
They also both include features like on-screen workout animations, breathwork, and wheelchair mode—things that make the Garmin ecosystem so well-rounded.
But the Venu 3 goes a little deeper in a few areas. It supports the Garmin ECG app, which can check for signs of AFib, and it also includes skin temperature tracking. There’s even a jet lag adviser, which could be useful if you travel a lot.
However, the Vivoactive 6 fights back with its smart wake alarm—something I personally find super appealing. It uses gentle vibrations to wake you during a lighter sleep phase, within a 30-minute window. I think it's a small but very practical feature that can make mornings less jarring.
Also, the Vivoactive 6 introduces two new GNSS, adding QZSS and BeiDou to the mix, which improves location tracking in certain parts of Asia. Meanwhile, the Venu 3 sticks with just GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo.
Garmin Vivoactive 6
There are also some differences in activity tracking. The Vivoactive 6 supports 73 activity profiles—much more than the 54 on the Venu 3.
It’s added tons of niche workouts, including:
Mobility, Outdoor Track Running, Trail Running, Obstacle Running, Horseback Riding, Golfing, Mountaineering, Archery, Road Biking, Gravel Biking, Bike Touring, Cyclocross, Kayaking, Snorkeling, Motorcycling, Overlanding, Motocrossing, ATVing, Snowmobiling, XC Skate Skiing, Ice Skating, and Inline Skating
If you like trying out new activities or want a watch that can adapt as your workouts evolve, the Vivoactive 6 has a clear edge.
But the Venu 3, interestingly, includes three activity types the Vivoactive 6 doesn’t have: floor climbing, indoor climbing, and bouldering. So, if you're into climbing sports, that could sway your decision.
And then when it comes to running, the Vivoactive 6 is more performance-focused. It offers features like PacePro Pacing Strategies and Race Predictor, which could be helpful if you're training for a specific goal or preparing for a race. These are more advanced running features that the Venu 3 doesn't include.
Smartwatch Features
Garmin Venu 3
When it comes to everyday smart features, both watches do a good job. You’ll get smart notifications, Garmin Pay, and music controls on both models. You can also store music on the watch, which is handy if you like working out without your phone.
But this is where the Venu 3 pulls ahead. It includes a built-in speaker and microphone, so you can actually take Bluetooth calls directly on the watch and use your voice to respond to texts or interact with your phone’s voice assistant. It makes the Venu 3 feel more like a true smartwatch—not just a fitness tracker that tells the time.
The Vivoactive 6 doesn’t have those features, which might not be a dealbreaker, but it's definitely something to keep in mind if you like to stay connected while your phone is tucked away.
Battery Life
Garmin Vivoactive 6
Both watches offer great battery life compared to other smartwatches, especially considering their AMOLED displays.
On Smartwatch Mode, the Vivoactive 6 lasts up to 11 days (or 5 days if the always-on display is used), while the Venu 3 stretches that to 14 days.
On Battery Saver Smartwatch Mode, the Venu 3 can go up to 26 days, while the Vivoactive 6 tops out at 21.
These aren’t dramatic differences, but it’s still an edge for the Venu 3. If you hate charging your watch often, or travel a lot and need something that will last, you might appreciate that extra time between charges.
Garmin Vivoactive 6 vs Venu 3
Final Thoughts
Garmin Venu 3
When comparing these two, it really comes down to what you value most. The Venu 3 feels like a lifestyle upgrade—it has a sleeker design, a larger and sharper display, and smarter features like calling and voice assistant support. It’s perfect for someone who wants a smartwatch that does a bit of everything and looks good doing it.
The Vivoactive 6, on the other hand, is kind of a quiet powerhouse. It’s more affordable, packs in more sports profiles, offers deeper running features, and even has a smart wake alarm that genuinely improves the day-to-day experience. If you’re more fitness-focused and want something that gives you serious value without breaking the bank, it’s a solid pick.
If you like to read more on smartwatches, check out our other relevant guides here:
Best Smartwatches
Garmin Vivoactive 4 vs 5
Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs 6
Garmin Vivoactive 6 vs Forerunner 165
Author
Naila Syifa
Naila has spent over 1,800 hours researching, exploring, and writing about the latest trends in technology, consumer electronics, and smart home gadgets.
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