Budget: The sky is the limit when it comes to replacement band options. Between Garmin and third-party retailers, you can find bands covering a wide range of prices as well. Decide how much you want to invest in your new strap before diving in. The experience of taking calls doesn't feel radically different from doing something similar with a Wear OS smartwatch or an Apple Watch, but it worked without any issues. Despite the difference in case sizes, Garmin has managed to plant on the same 1.3-inch, 416 x 416 AMOLED touchscreen display, which in our testing time offers much the same in terms of responsiveness, brightness and overall quality. Both can be used in always-on modes too, which will see a drop in battery performance.

Much like the Fitbit Sense, the Venu 2 plays its hand extremely well as a fitness watch. However, as a daily smartwatch, it doesn’t excel, and this is where the Apple Watch is still lightyears ahead. The voice features here aren't groundbreaking in smartwatch terms, but they have been well integrated at least. The smart assistant control felt the most useful of those new features, but if you like the idea of handling calls like you can on an Apple Watch, Fitbit smartwatch or Wear OS smartwatch over Bluetooth, then you'll be happy here. The round case houses an AMOLED display, with a 416x416 pixel resolution (45mm) and the Venu 2S has a 360x360. It’s crisp and easy to read, albeit there’s nothing in the OS that’s particularly visually arresting. The watch face selection is particularly dull, and the selection on Garmin Connect IQ isn’t much better. We found daily step counts in the ballpark of step counts recorded on the third-generation Oura Ring and a Fitbit Charge 5. Resting heart rate data felt reliable too, sitting at around the same average we're used to seeing on Fitbit's Charge 5, the Oura, and our current go-to watch, the Garmin Enduro. The Garmin Venu 2 and 2S are some of the best Android smartwatches on the market. These smartwatches might be expensive, but they're full of features that deliver a well-rounded wearable experience. Now that the new Garmin Venu 2 Plus is available, you can take that experience to the next level with voice assistants and Bluetooth calling. Regardless of which watch you prefer, one part of the experience is finding a watch band that works for you.Like Body Battery, the stress score has also been overhauled to be more sensitive and insightful. You can easily see spikes in stress throughout the day, and this isn’t just limited to the physiological demands of moving about. Stainless steel straps are the most durable and robust option for smartwatch straps. These types of straps are able to withstand all wear and tear, making them ideal for those with an active lifestyle. Elegant and stylish Use preloaded workouts that include cardio, yoga, strength, HIIT and Pilates, create your own in the Garmin Connect™ app on your compatible smartphone, or try Garmin Coach free adaptive training plans to help you prepare for your next running challenge Outside of the added voice skills, it's much the same as the Venu 2 as far as what you're getting here in terms of a smartwatch.

The Venu 2S is 10 days in smartwatch mode and 7 hours of GPS battery life. When that always-on mode is enabled, we say you can expect 3-4 days again. We are also able to offer an exchange to a different product if required, please specify this when returning your product. Wristbands are the most stylish and elegant option for smartwatches. A leather strap provides a classic and timeless look that can take your smartwatch to the next level. This detailed activity profile puts scaling and strength PRs right at your wrist plus graphics that show what muscle groups you worked.Like everything on the Garmin Venu 2 the on-screen data was clear and concise, and easy to read. The GPS switched between holes easily and for those who like to play an occasional round but find it hard to justify a fully-fledged golf watch, it’s a no-brainer. This is where the key big difference lies between the two Venu 2 watches. If you want the richest smartwatch experience that Garmin currently has to offer, then it's the Venu 2 Plus. One of the most impressive aspects of the Garmin Venu 2 Plus strap is its comfort. The strap is made from high quality silicone rubber, which is not only durable but also extremely comfortable to wear. This is particularly important for exercise enthusiasts who need to wear the watch for longer periods of time. Strength, Cardio, HIIT and Elliptical Training, Stair Stepping, Floor Climbing, Indoor Rowing, Yoga, Pilates and Breathwork

The sensitivity means the daily stress score is now of more interest, and it’s worth keeping an eye out for high numbers. It’s also linked directly to the Garmin breathwork feature, so you can undertake some guided breathing if you need to.

Stainless steel bands

You're getting three physical buttons on the Venu 2 Plus compared to the two on the Venu 2, which is mainly to accommodate new voice features.