Wear Radar

Garmin VenuvsAmazfit Balance

Garmin Venu
Buy/Wait:bad

Overdue for a refresh — no successor announced yet. Prices should be at their lowest

Best for: Users who want Garmin's best health analytics and sports tracking on a stylish AMOLED watch that doesn't look like a hiking GPS. Works equally well for Android and iPhone. The best Garmin option for someone who prioritises everyday wellness over extreme outdoor sports.

Full details →
Amazfit Balance
Buy/Wait:neutral

First-generation product — no release history to base predictions on

Best for: Android and iPhone users who want smartwatch health features (ECG, body composition, AI coaching) and a premium display at a price well below Apple Watch or Galaxy Watch. A strong pick if multi-day battery is a priority alongside health monitoring.

Full details →
Garmin VenuAmazfit Balance
TierSmartwatchSmartwatch
PlatformiOS & AndroidiOS & Android
Battery14 days14 days
Always-on display
GPS
Cellular
Health sensorshr, spo2, hrv, stress, body battery, nap detectionecg, spo2, hrv, hr, body comp, stress
ReleasedSep 7, 2023Nov 1, 2023
Cycle length868 daysnull days
Cycle advicebadneutral
Deals advicegoodneutral
Next model

Why buy each?

Garmin Venu

Garmin Body Battery

Garmin's signature energy monitoring tracks stress, sleep, and heart rate variability to give you a daily 0–100 energy score — more nuanced than raw step counts.

Nap detection

The Venu 3 automatically detects when you nap during the day and logs it accurately in your sleep data — a unique wellness feature among smartwatches.

AMOLED display, 14-day battery

Most AMOLED smartwatches last 1–2 days. Garmin's efficient software architecture stretches the Venu 3 to 14 days — a huge practical advantage.

Amazfit Balance

14-day battery with AMOLED display

Rare combination: a bright always-on AMOLED display and 14 days of typical use without charging.

ECG and body composition

Medical-grade ECG and bioelectrical impedance body fat analysis — features usually found only on watches costing $100–$200 more.

AI wellness coaching

Zepp Coach uses Amazfit's AI to build personalised workout plans, recovery recommendations, and stress management guidance.