Garmin Venu 3 Smartwatch vs Garmin vívoactive 5

Both are Garmin AMOLED fitness watches with Body Battery, sleep coaching, HRV status, Garmin Pay and 30+ sports apps, so the core experience is close. The Venu 3 is the step-up: a larger 45 mm stainless-bezel case, Gorilla Glass 3, a built-in speaker and microphone for calls from the wrist, an altimeter for floors and stairs, and longer battery life. The vívoactive 5 is smaller and lighter at 42 mm, has a rotating bezel-free touchscreen with two font sizes, and owners say it suits smaller wrists and converts from Fitbit well, though some find it clunky and want more petite band options. Buy the Venu 3 for calls and a more premium build; buy the vívoactive 5 for a lighter, simpler tracker.

• Choose the Venu 3 if you want to take calls from your wrist, track floors climbed, and wear a stainless-bezel watch with a bigger screen.
• Choose the vívoactive 5 if you want a lighter 42 mm watch that still covers sleep, recovery, GPS and Garmin Pay, and you do not need on-wrist calls.