Garmin Forerunner 970 vs Garmin Venu 4

Buy the Forerunner 970 if you train for races and want full-color maps, multi-band GPS and deep recovery metrics. Buy the Venu 4 if you want an everyday smartwatch with health tracking, phone calls on the wrist and longer smartwatch battery life. The 970 is the more specialized training tool with a titanium case and sapphire lens; the Venu 4 is stainless steel with a smaller 1.2-inch screen. Owners of both praise accuracy and battery life, but the 970 draws running and triathlon users while the Venu 4 draws general fitness and health users.

• Choose the Forerunner 970 if you run or race and need built-in maps, multi-band GPS and training readiness data.
• Choose the Venu 4 if you want a daily health and fitness watch with on-wrist calls and longer smartwatch battery life.