Garmin Vivoactive 5 is the fifth-generation Vivoactive smartwatch. It was released in September 2023. Venu Sq 2 was released last year in September 2022.
Both smartwatches are compelling options under $300. We compare Vivoactive 5 and Venu Sq 2 below in detail.
Main differences
The main differences between the Vivoactive 5 and Venu Sq 2 are shared below:
- Garmin Vivoactive 5 has a round display and Venu Sq 2 has a square-shaped display.
- Vivoactive 5 comes with apps for nap detection, meditation, and sleep coaching.
- Vivoactive 5 also supports a wheelchair mode for tracking the pushes of wheelchair users.
- Venu Sq 2 lacks Wi-Fi connectivity. It does support ANT+ and Bluetooth connectivity. Vivoactive 5 supports ANT+, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi wireless connectivity.
- Venu Sq 2 lacks music functionality. You will need to use the paired smartphone for music features. Vivoactive 5 offers full music functionality.
- There are considerable differences in activity profiles supported by Vivoactive 5 and Venu Sq 2 for cycling, swimming, outdoor recreation, and running.
- Vivoactive 5 is compatible with the Garmin Golf app. Venu Sq 2 supports Golfing features. But, it does not have the Garmin Golf app.
We look at a detailed comparison of Vivoactive 5 and Venu Sq 2 below.
Display specifications
Garmin Vivoactive 5 and Venu Sq 2 have a 3rd generation Corning Gorilla Glass in the display lens.
Vivoactive 5 and Venu Sq 2 have an AMOLED display. Both watches support the Always-on-display mode (AOD mode). It may be pertinent to mention that the Alqays-on-display mode consumes a lot of battery. So, you may want to use it less frequently.
The core display features of Vivoactive 5 and Venu Sq 2 are given below.
| Display specifications | Garmin Vivoactive 5 | Garmin Venu Sq 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Display lens | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Display size | 30 mm or 1.2″ | 36 mm or 1.4″ diagonal |
| Color display | Yes | Yes |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Display resolution | 390 x 390 pixels | 320 x 360 pixels |
| Ambient light sensor | Yes | Yes |
| LED Flashlight | No | No |
Physical specifications
Most physical attributes or features of Vivoactive 5 and Venu Sq 2 are similar. Both watches have a bezel of anodized aluminum. Both smartwatches have identical internal storage and water resistance ratings.
Vivoactive 5 and Venu Sq 2 lack the sensors for Gyropscope and Barometric altimeter.
We look at the physical specifications of Vivoactive 5 and Venu Sq 2 in a side-by-side comparison table below.
| Physical specifications | Garmin Vivoactive 5 | Garmin Venu Sq 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Watch size | 42 mm | 41 mm |
| Watch dimensions | 42.2 x 42.2 x 11.1 mm | 40.6 x 37.0 x 11.1 mm |
| Thickness | 11.1 mm | 11.1 mm |
| Bezel | Anodized aluminum | Anodized aluminum |
| Watch body | Fiber-enforced polymer | Fiber-enforced polymer |
| Watch weight | 36 g | 38 g |
| Band size | 20 mm | 20 mm |
| Recommended wrist circumference | 125-190 mm | 125-190 mm |
| GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Multi-band GPS | No | No |
| Water rating | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
| Swimming profiles | Pool swimming, Open water swimming | Pool swimming |
| Device storage | 4 GB | 4 GB |
| NFC Payments | Garmin Pay | Garmin Pay |
| Wireless connectivity | ANT+, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | ANT+, Bluetooth |
| Accelerometer | Yes | Yes |
| Compass | Yes | Yes |
| Gyroscope | No | No |
| Barometric altimeter | No | No |
| Garmin Pulse Ox Sensor | Yes | Yes |
| Garmin Elevate Heart Sensor | Yes | Yes |
| Thermometer | Yes (tempe sensor needed) | Yes (tempe sensor needed) |
| In-built speaker | No | Yes |
| In-built microphone | No | Yes |
| Android compatibility | Android 7 or higher | Android 7 or higher |
| iOS compatibility | iOS 15 or higher | iOS 15 or higher |
Both, Vivoactive 5 and Venu Sq 2 have a bezel of anodized aluminum.
The water resistance rating of Vivoactive 5 and Venu Sq 2 is 5 ATM or 50 meters underwater depth pressure.
Wireless connectivity
Vivoactive 5 includes support for Bluetooth, ANT+, and Wi-Fi. Venu Sq 2 lacks Wi-Fi connectivity. It only supports ANT+ and Bluetooth wireless connectivity.
Music
A significant difference between Vivoactive 5 and Venu Sq 2 exists in the way both watches handle music functionality.
Venu Sq 2 has very limited music functionality. You can control music on the paired smartphone using a Venu Sq 2. All music content will reside on the smartphone and play through it.
Vivoactive 5 offers full music functionality that includes the following:
- You can store music for offline listening on the watch storage.
- You can play and control music on the watch using the watch interface
- You can control music on the paired smartphone using the Vivoactive 5 smartwatch
- You can download Connect IQ apps for Spotify and Deezer. With a premium subscription, you can download the playlists for offline listening through the watch.
Battery
There is not much difference in the battery backup provided by Vivoactive 5 and Venu Sq 2. A list of different watch modes supported by both watches is mentioned below, along with the backup on each watch mode.
| Watch mode | Garmin Vivoactive 5 | Garmin Venu Sq 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Smartwatch mode | Up to 11 days | Up to 11 days |
| GPS mode | Up to 21 hours | Up to 26 hours |
| All-Systems GNSS mode | Up to 17 hours | Up to 20 hours |
| Battery Saver Mode | Up to 21 days | Up to 11 days |
| All-Systems GNSS mode with music | Up to 8 hours | – |
Activity profiles
There is a difference in activity profiles supported by Vivoactive 5 and Venu Sq 2. The comparison table below lists the different activities supported by both watches.
| Activity profiles | Garmin Vivoactive 5 | Garmin Venu Sq 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Swimming | Pool Swimming, Open Water Swimming | Pool Swimming |
| Cycling | Biking, Indoor Biking, eBiking, Handcycling, Indoor Handcycling | Biking, Indoor Biking |
| Outdoor recreation | Skiing, Snowboarding, XC Classic Skiing, Snowshoeing, Stand Up Paddleboarding, Rowing, Tennis, Padel, Pickleball, Disc Golf | Skiing, Snowboarding, XC Classic Skiing, Stand Up Paddleboarding, Rowing, Disc Golf |
| Gym Activity profiles | – | Strength, HIIT, Cardio and Elliptical Training, Stair Stepping, Indoor Rowing, Pilates, Yoga |
Wheelchair mode
Vivoactive 5 has a wheelchair mode to help wheelchair users track activities. Wheelchair users can monitor or track pushes. The watch will track your movements as pushes rather than steps, and you’ll have access to wheelchair-based activities and challenges.
You can also alleviate potential pressure sores from your chair by setting weight-shift alerts to help remind you to shift your weight throughout the day.
You can read more about the wheelchair mode in Garmin smartwatches on this page.
Costs
Garmin Venu Sq 2 has a list price of $249.99. You can get discounts from time to time.
Garmin Vivoactive 5 has been launched at a list price of $299.99.
Final verdict
For the extra $50 spent in getting a Vivoactive 5 over Venu Sq 2, you stand to gain the following features:
- Wi-Fi wireless connectivity (very important)
- Full music features
- Wheelchair mode
- Nap detection, sleep coaching and meditation apps.
- Garmin Golf app
I would pick a Vivoactive 5 over a Venu Sq 2 for all these reasons. And, do remember that the Vivoactive series is one of the most sold smartwatches of Garmin. To top it all, Vivoactive 5 is a more recent release than the Venu Sq 2.
More Smartwatch Comparisons
You may like to read more smartwatch comparisons related to Vivoactive 5 or Venu series watches below:
- Garmin Vivoactive 5 Vs Venu 2 Plus
- Garmin Venu 3 vs Vivoactive 5
- Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs Vivoactive 4
- Garmin Venu 3 Vs Fitbit Sense 2
- Garmin Venu 3 vs Fitbit Versa 4
- Garmin Venu 3 vs Fenix 7
- Garmin Venu 3 vs Venu Sq 2 smartwatch
- Garmin Venu 3 vs Venu 2 Smartwatch
- Garmin Forerunner 955 vs Venu 3
- Garmin Venu 3 vs Vivoactive 4