Garmin EPIX vs Venu 2 Plus: 13 Key Differences!

In this review, I dive into the 13 key differences between the Garmin EPIX and the Garmin VENU 2 Plus, from display to data, maps to music, and tons more. Detailing not just how they're different, but why that matters and whether or not it might matter to you.

I cover the price, size, hardware, mapping, navigation, speakers, microphone, voice assistants, battery life, AMOLED display, concerns about burn-in, sport profile differences, training load and recovery differences, sensor support like power meters and ANT+/Bluetooth Smart, GPS chipset differences, music playback including Spotify and Amazon Music, the optical HR sensor, emergency features and plenty more!

0:00 Intro
0:40 Price, Size, and Hardware
1:40 Maps & Navigation
3:11 Speakers & Microphone
3:55 Voice Assistants
4:27 Battery Life (Real-World)
5:05 Display Technologies & Burn-in
7:00 Sport Profiles
8:27 Sensors & Data Metrics
9:10 Training Load & Recovery Data
10:22 GPS Hardware & Accuracy
11:06 Music Options
11:43 Heart Rate Sensor
12:27 Emergency Features
13:43 Final Recommendations

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#GarminEpix #GarminVenu2Plus #EPIX

[prflyr]

I have the Venu 2 and Fenix 6X Pro. I find myself really loving my V2 more. The big advantage to the Fenix series is maps, especially for back country adventures. For day to day use, average folks working out, the Venu is fantastic.

[MVK_GS]

I smiled when I saw this come up on my feed. Thanks for creating this content, DC Rainmaker. I had this very comparison in mind the moment the Epix Gen 2 was released.

[jamesstatham]

Great review and tipped me initially towards the Venu 2. I've just bought one to replace a 645 Forerunner where the case broke. Screen and interface are light years ahead of the 645, but they have stripped out a few of the running stats from that watch (eg vertical oscillation, even though my chest strap supports it) and very annoyingly Strava Live Segments. To my mind, Garmin never really replaced the 645 - you either dumb down a bit with the 245 which also lacks some smart features (such as Pay) or go full triathlon. Here's hoping that there is an Amoled Forerunner soon. In the meantime, pondering whether to go for that Epix after all...

[RcklessExo]

I think someone just starting out would feel so overwhelmed with the Epic watch, Venu 2 Plus is a great watch would recommend that one as a beginning watch and maybe later when you get comfortable with the Venu 2 epix would be next to get👍

[michasalwa]

Thank you for this video. I was waiting for this comparison!!!

[jber]

This is a relevant comparison video for me and my use case, as I'm not really a typical sports guy (more of the target group for Vivoactive/Venu), but I'm really tired of trying (and failing) to use a touchscreen outdoors when I need to wear gloves almost half the year (Sweden). I have been looking at something like a FR745, but this touchscreen+button combo of Fenix 7/Epix 2 really seems like the best of both worlds. Really hope that feature will come to the FR line soon!

[ctrpltx]

Hey DC, thank you for the comparison videos. I’m in the market for a new watch and have been watching all of your watch comparison videos 😵‍💫 they’re very informative but I still can’t figure out which is the right watch for my purposes:
1) I run occasionally and would like to use one for marathon training
2) I’d like to track my sleep and steps- any additional health tracking would be a bonus
3) I’d like a watch I can wear during a spartan race and not worry about the dirt destroying the Watch
4) I train in a gym 85-90% of the time so fun gym features (although not necessary) would be fun to have.
5) I’ve been going back and fourth between Apple Watch, Garmin FENIX, Venue 2 Plus and Epix. All very different I know. 😣

I’d love to know your thoughts! Thank you in advance

[saikiranmaguluri]

Would have gone with V2 if it had open water swimming, I don't hike or trail run that often but I am looking forward now since I placed the order for Epix. I am not regretting that decision after watching this vid as there are many useful features that the V2 is missing. Can't wait to get my hands-on the epix and be epic 😅

[BigWill]

The speaker microphone on the venu2+ is a great feature that should’ve been on the Epix.

[DNA_DailyNerdAlert]

I don’t understand, why didn‘t show us the Trainingsload in the Venu - same as the FR55. That is really sad, it’s only a software restriction…thanks for your video. Best greeting from Germany 😃

[ibbyae]

Mapping and navigation is why I went with the epix 2, especially round trip course.

[testaccsolutions]

the correct comparison will be the epix vs the forerunner 955 (which is speculated to be out this year and with an AMOLED screen)

[rasmokey]

I have the Garmin venue 2 plus and the Garmin 6x pro solar! I like my venu 2 plus best!

[MrSupernova]

I have Fenix 7 X Solar Sapphire and recently got a Venu 2 (on sale) for daily use. The Fenix 7X is just too big and heavy for daily use. The Venu is perfect and has the basic activities I do although metrics are trimmed down. I plan to keep using my Venu 2 for daily use and for travel. Its much lighter and if something happens to it I won't be as upset as if something happened to my Fenix 7. I use my Fenix 7 for outdoor activities and exercising because it tracks a lot more metrics and has mapping. I would recommend the Venu 2 for anyone who doesn't need performance metrics beyond the basics, doesn't need mapping and wants to save some money. My Venu 2 records all my vitals, sleep score factors and has built in spotify which I use often. It has messaging, the battery lasts 11-12 days, has AMOLED screen, and is much lighter and comfortable for daily use. Doesn't get much better than that for a daily watch. The best part is that all my vitals and performance metrics are updated in the Garmin app seamlessly.

[BleakVision]

It‘s getting kind of annoying that the Venu line is missing so many rather essential training features like Recovery time, Training load or race predictor. I think they should just roll all the 645 tier metrics into this watch, since that spot in the line up is now vacant, and call ist a day.
Or just make an Amoled 655 now that I think of it.

[substance_B]

Ray,

I am interested in either of these watches. I would get one mostly for health tracking. My main endurance sport is cycling. I already have an Edge cycling computer to handle the activity tracking.

How would the Venu/Fenix/Epix be used in conjunction with the Edge while still being able to use the Stamina feature if the watch isn’t the main tracker?

[_Rafiki.]

Now waiting for a Garmin Edge cycle computer with an OLED display 👌

[mugenmrx]

Interesting. I bought the veno 2 plus and 2 months later upgraded to the Epix Gen 2 and so glad I did. Should have gone with the Epix first time around!

[klemmr]

During Storm Corrie I said to my wife that I hoped Ray wasn't flying things at Ijmuiden. There's a great pic of Zuidpier in today's Haarlems Dagblad.

[mikephilpot]

An Epix 2 Plus in 6 months? I want that! Outstanding comparison good man! 🤙🏻