| Manufacturer | Garmin |
|---|---|
| Type | Square AMOLED fitness smartwatch |
| Series | Venu |
| Released | 1 September 2022 (announced 1 September 2022) |
| Price at launch | Venu Sq 2: GBP 229.99 / USD 249.99 / EUR 269.99. Venu Sq 2 Music Edition: USD 299.99 / EUR 299.99 |
| Predecessor | Venu Sq |
| Successor | Not yet announced; see Release Radar |
| Sizes | 40.6 x 37.0mm square case (small) |
| Variants | Venu Sq 2 (no longer on sale); Venu Sq 2 Music Edition (onboard music storage and Wi-Fi) |
| Colours | Venu Sq 2: Metallic Mint with Cool Mint case; Slate with Shadow Grey case; Cream Gold with White case. Music Edition: Slate with Black case; Peach Gold with Ivory case; Cream Gold with French Grey case |
Specifications as at launch. Features and activity profiles reflect the latest Garmin software.
Expert opinion | What’s new | Specifications | Battery life | Features | Activity profiles | Quick answers | Further reading
Expert opinion
Who it suits: Everyday fitness users who want a bright AMOLED smartwatch with GPS, health tracking and contactless payments, rather than performance coaching.
The Venu Sq 2 covers the health basics well: sleep scoring, Body Battery, stress, respiration, Pulse Ox and heart rate, with Garmin Coach running plans and guided workouts on top. Built-in GPS records runs and rides without a phone, Garmin Pay handles small purchases, and the battery lasts up to 11 days.
It lacks Training Readiness, Training Status and maps, so serious endurance athletes will outgrow it. The standard model has no music storage; the Music Edition, the only version still on sale, adds it with Wi-Fi.
Garmin Venu Sq 2
Bright square smartwatch that tracks your health and workouts for over a week per charge.
What’s new versus the Venu Sq
Hardware
- AMOLED display with an optional always-on mode, replacing the LCD
- Larger 1.41″ display at 320 x 360 pixels
- Smartwatch battery up to 11 days, up from 6 days
Software
- Sleep score and insights
- Health Snapshot
Specifications
The Venu Sq 2 and Music Edition share the case, display and sensors. The Music Edition adds onboard music storage and Wi-Fi. Garmin no longer sells the standard Venu Sq 2.
| Specification | Venu Sq 2 | Venu Sq 2 Music Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Display | ||
| Display type | AMOLED, always-on option | AMOLED, always-on option |
| Display size | 1.41″ (35.9mm) diagonal | 1.41″ (35.9mm) diagonal |
| Resolution | 320 x 360 pixels | 320 x 360 pixels |
| Colour | Yes | Yes |
| Lens | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Physical | ||
| Case size | 40.6 x 37.0mm square (small) | 40.6 x 37.0mm square (small) |
| Dimensions | 40.6 x 37.0 x 11.1mm | 40.6 x 37.0 x 11.1mm |
| Weight | 38.0g | 38.0g |
| Bezel material | Anodised aluminium | Anodised aluminium |
| Case material | Fibre-reinforced polymer | Fibre-reinforced polymer |
| Band | 20mm quick release, silicone | 20mm quick release, silicone |
| Wrist fit | 125 to 190mm | 125 to 190mm |
| Water rating | Swim, 5 ATM | Swim, 5 ATM |
| © the5krunner. Link required. | ||
| Sensors and positioning | ||
| GNSS | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo |
| Heart rate | Garmin Elevate wrist heart rate monitor | Garmin Elevate wrist heart rate monitor |
| Pulse Ox | Yes | Yes |
| Skin temperature | No | No |
| Other sensors | Compass, accelerometer, thermometer (needs external Tempe sensor), ambient light sensor | Compass, accelerometer, thermometer (needs external Tempe sensor), ambient light sensor |
| Connectivity and storage | ||
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, ANT+ | Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi-Fi |
| NFC (Garmin Pay) | Yes | Yes |
| Storage | 4GB | 4GB |
| Music | Smartphone music controls only | Yes, music storage and playback |
| Maps | No maps; back to start navigation | No maps; back to start navigation |
| LED flashlight | No | No |
| Speaker and microphone | No | No |
| Charging | Garmin proprietary plug charger | Garmin proprietary plug charger |
| © the5krunner. Link required. | ||
| Internal components | ||
| Processor | NXP i.MX RT533 (first used on Venu Sq 2 in September 2022) | |
| GNSS chipset | Airoha AG3335MN (first used on Fenix 7 in January 2022) | |
| Storage (component) | Samsung 4 GB | |
| Battery capacity | 205 mAh | |
| Optical HR sensor | Garmin Elevate Gen 4 (first used on Venu 2 in April 2021) | |
| Component identification from FCC filing teardown photos. | ||
Battery life
Battery figures are Garmin’s official ratings.
| Mode | Venu Sq 2 | Venu Sq 2 Music Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Smartwatch | Up to 11 days | Up to 11 days |
| Battery saver | Up to 12 days | Up to 12 days |
| GPS only | Up to 26 hours | Up to 26 hours |
| All systems | Up to 20 hours | Up to 20 hours |
| All systems + music | Not available | Up to 7 hours |
| © the5krunner. Link required. | ||
Features
A full breakdown of Garmin platform features is available at Garmin features explained.
Plan
- Garmin Coach 5K, 10K and half-marathon running plans
- Cardio, strength, HIIT, yoga and Pilates workouts
Prepare
- Body Battery energy monitoring
- Sleep score and advanced sleep monitoring
- All-day stress and respiration tracking
- Pulse Ox blood oxygen saturation
- Breathwork and relaxation breathing
- Health Snapshot
- Abnormal heart rate alerts
- Fitness Age
- Women’s health and hydration tracking
Perform
- VO2 max for running
- Golf yardages, digital scorecard and stat tracking
- Varia radar and Varia lights compatibility
- Pool swim metrics with underwater wrist heart rate
Connect
- Smart notifications, with text replies on Android
- Garmin Pay contactless payments
- Music storage and playback
- Incident detection and assistance during select activities
- Connect IQ Store on the watch
- Gaming activity and GameOn app
Activity profiles
| Category | Profiles |
|---|---|
| Running | Running, Treadmill Running, Indoor Track Running |
| Cycling | Biking, Indoor Biking |
| Swimming | Pool Swimming |
| Gym and fitness | Strength, HIIT, Cardio and Elliptical Training, Stair Stepping, Indoor rowing, Pilates, Yoga |
| Outdoor | Walking, Disc Golf |
| Other | Winter sports: Skiing, Snowboarding, XC Classic Skiing | Water sports: Stand Up Paddleboarding, Rowing |
Garmin Venu Sq 2
Bright square smartwatch that tracks your health and workouts for over a week per charge.
Quick answers
When was the Garmin Venu Sq 2 released?
Garmin announced and released the Venu Sq 2 and Venu Sq 2 Music Edition on 1 September 2022. The launch price was GBP 229.99 or USD 249.99, and USD 299.99 for the Music Edition.
Does the Venu Sq 2 have GPS?
Yes, the Venu Sq 2 has built-in GPS, GLONASS and Galileo, so it records runs and rides without a phone.
Can the Venu Sq 2 track swimming?
Yes, it has a Pool Swimming profile with lengths, pace, stroke type and SWOLF, and a 5 ATM water rating. There is no open water swim profile.
What does the Music Edition add?
The Music Edition stores songs and playlists from Spotify, Deezer and Amazon Music for phone-free listening through wireless headphones, and adds Wi-Fi for syncing. It is the only version still on sale.
How long does the Venu Sq 2 battery last?
Garmin rates the Venu Sq 2 for up to 11 days as a smartwatch and up to 26 hours in GPS-only mode.
Further reading
- Venu Sq 2 vs Venu Sq, compared with Apple Watch SE
- Garmin watch specifications
- Release Radar: upcoming Garmin watches
Related watches
Predecessor: Garmin Venu Sq, the LCD original with shorter battery life.
Also consider: Apple Watch SE 3, the stronger smartwatch for iPhone owners.
Small things I always use
- Garmin 90-degree charging adapter: Charges your Garmin with any USB-C cable. Essential when travelling. I use one.
- Body Glide: The blue anti-chafing stick swimmers and runners carry. I use it.
- Speedo earplugs: Fewer ear infections and no cold-water dizziness. I use them.
- Dryrobe Advance: My winter changing robe for open-water swims. I use one. A cheaper option is the AONYIYI changing robe.
- Maurten: Race fuel that stays easy on the stomach. I use them.
- Beet It Sport nitrate shots: Beetroot shots I take in the days before a race. I use them.
- Garmin charging puck: The quickest way to top up before a session. I use one.
- Injinji: Toe socks that stop rubbing, so you run more. I use them.
- Ultimate toe protectors: Stop black toenails on long runs. They work. I use them.
- Compressport R2 v2 calf sleeves: My calf sleeves of choice. I use them.
- Cellucor C4: My pre-workout before hard sessions.
- TPU tubes: Schwalbe Aerothan, Tubolito and Pirelli SmarTube. Light, tiny spares. I use all three.
- G8 insoles: Adjustable arches, perfect position. I use them.
- Cycplus Cube: A 97g electric pump that gets a road tyre rideable in two minutes. I carry one. 5% off with code THE5KRUNNER.
Health, recovery and sleep
- Kineon MOVE+: Red and infrared light for sore knees, Achilles and other joints after hard training. I use it.
- FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus: Shows how my blood sugar responds to diet. Occasional use.
- hDrop: Measures my sweat loss in summer and indoors. I use it.
- Fourth Frontier Zone: Checks my heart under load in hard sessions.
- Oura Ring 5: My partner’s recovery tracker of choice.
- Eight Sleep: A cooling mattress cover my partner and I use nightly.
Watches and sensors
- Polar H10: My daily driver for waking HRV.
- Polar Verity Sense: My backup arm-worn HR sensor.
- Nomad bedside charger: Charges my iPhone and Apple Watch overnight. I use it, and many of their bands.
- Train.Red: The best muscle oxygen sensor I’ve used. Occasional use.
- Tymewear: Accurate heart rate and reliable ventilatory zones. I use it to pace endurance rides over an hour.
- Garmin Forerunner 970: A pro-grade triathlon watch. I use this.
- Apple Watch Ultra 4: My daily smartwatch. No phone needed on rides.
On the bike
- Continental GP5000 for everyday riding, and Aero 111 on the front for special occasions. I use both.
- Helmets: Specialized S-Works Evade 3 for road riding, and Rudy Project Wing for TT-style races. I use both.
- Ravemen FR300: A front light that mounts under your Garmin or Wahoo. I use one.
- Ravemen FR1000: The light and the computer mount in one unit, so nothing else goes on the bars. Better than mine.
- Ravemen FR1500SE: 1,500 lumens hanging under your Garmin, for proper night rides.
- Ravemen FR1100SE: 1,100 lumens under your Garmin, and up to 46 hours on slow flash.
- Ravemen FR500: A brighter FR300 with the same mount.
- Wahoo TRACKR Radar: I use it on one bike and Varia on the other. They perform the same.
- Garmin Varia RTL515: Radar that warns you of cars from behind. I use this model.
- Wahoo ELEMNT Roam 3: The bike computer that’s easy to use. I use mine on most rides.
- Favero Assioma Pro RS2: Accurate power pedals that swap easily between bikes. I use this model.
Home and indoor training
- NPE Runn: Makes my basic treadmill smart, sending more accurate speed and distance to my watch and Zwift. I use it.
- Google Wifi: Keeps Zwift connected in my pain cave. I use it.
- Apple TV 4K: Zwift on the big screen. I use two.
- Google Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen): My video doorbell, running in both Google Home and Apple Home via Starling. I use it.
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