Garmin Venu 3 Smartwatch vs Garmin Forerunner 165

Both are Garmin AMOLED watches with GPS, heart rate, sleep and HRV tracking, so the split is about focus. The Venu 3 is the all-rounder: bigger 1.4-inch screen, stainless steel bezel, speaker and microphone for wrist calls, music storage, Garmin Pay and Body Battery with nap detection. The Forerunner 165 is the running tool: lighter 43 mm case, Garmin Coach plans, race adaptive training, training effect and VO2 max, and it carries the higher owner rating. Buy the Venu 3 for daily wear and phone-free calls; buy the Forerunner 165 if running is the point.

• Choose the Venu 3 if you want one watch for calls, music, contactless payments and general health tracking, and you prefer a larger stainless-bezel case.
• Choose the Forerunner 165 if you train for races and want guided plans, training effect and VO2 max in a smaller, lighter case.