Wear Radar

Garmin VenuvsWHOOP 5.0

Required
sub to use
Garmin Venu has no required sub
$162
3-yr cost gap
WHOOP 5.0 cheaper
26 Hz
HR sampling
WHOOP 5.0 only — Garmin Venu undisclosed
15g
lighter
WHOOP 5.0
Garmin Venu
Buy/Wait:good

Early in release cycle

Full details →
WHOOP 5.0
Buy/Wait:good

Early in release cycle

Full details →
Garmin VenuWHOOP 5.0
Pricing
Starting price$549Free (hw)
Subscriptionℹ️ Optional — $70/yr⚠️ Required — $199/yr
Year 1 total cost$619$199
Year 3 total cost$759$597
Hardware
Weight42g27g
Water resistance5ATM10ATM
Battery12 days14 days
Always-on display
GPS
Cellular
PlatformiOS & AndroidiOS & Android
TierSmartwatchFitness Tracker
Buy timing
ReleasedSep 22, 2025May 8, 2025
Cycle advicegoodgood
Deals adviceneutralneutral
Next model

Health Sensors

Garmin Venu only
3 exclusive sensors
Stress TrackingStress estimate from HRV and physiological signals
Body BatteryGarmin's energy reserve — how much fuel left in the tank
Nap DetectionAuto-detects and logs short daytime sleep
Both
5 shared
ECGDetects irregular heart rhythms (AFib)
Heart RateContinuous or on-demand pulse tracking
SpO2Blood oxygen saturation, tracked during sleep
HRVHeart rate variability — stress & recovery scores
Skin TempOvernight changes linked to illness or cycle tracking
WHOOP 5.0 only
4 exclusive sensors
Respiratory RateBreaths per minute overnight — flags illness or overtraining
Strain ScoreDaily cardiovascular load — how hard your body worked
Blood PressureDetects hypertension patterns — trend tracking, not clinical mmHg
VO2 MaxEstimated aerobic capacity — fitness level benchmark

Why buy each?

Garmin Venu

ECG and Garmin Body Battery

The Venu 4 adds on-demand ECG (a first for the Venu line) alongside Garmin's signature Body Battery energy score — combining health monitoring and daily readiness in one watch.

Built-in flashlight and speaker

A white/red LED flashlight and a speaker/microphone for hands-free calling — practical features that set the Venu 4 apart from the Venu 3.

Multi-band GPS, 12-day battery

SatIQ multi-band GPS for precise tracking in cities and trails, with up to 12 days of battery life in the 45mm model — significantly more than any comparable smartwatch.

WHOOP 5.0

WHOOP Age — healthspan tracking

WHOOP 5.0 gives you a biological age score derived from your sleep, recovery, and training habits — showing whether your lifestyle is ageing you faster or slower than your years. Updated daily, it makes long-term health trends visible at a glance.

AI Coach — coaching, not just data

WHOOP's AI Coach learns your body's patterns and delivers personalised daily recommendations in plain language — not just what happened, but why, and what to do next. It adapts to your training load, sleep debt, and recovery trends.

Strength Trainer — weight room coverage

WHOOP 5.0 added a dedicated strength trainer that auto-detects sets, measures neuromuscular load alongside cardiovascular strain, and shows recovery demand from resistance training — a gap every previous WHOOP version had.

Quick Winner

The right pick depends on what you optimize for.

For the budget
WHOOP 5.0 wins

$597 vs $759 over 3 years.

For battery life
WHOOP 5.0 wins

14 days vs 12 days battery.

For health depth
WHOOP 5.0 wins

9 sensors · 26 Hz HR sampling.

For daily comfort
Garmin Venu wins

42g · no required subscription.

Bottom Line

Technical gaps
  1. Venu-only sensors: Stress Tracking, Body Battery, Nap Detection.
  2. 5.0-only sensors: Respiratory Rate, Strain Score, Blood Pressure, VO2 Max.
  3. Weight. 5.0 is 15g lighter — relevant for all-day comfort and sleep.
  4. Water resistance. 5.0 rates 10ATM vs 5ATM on Venu.
Commercial gaps
  1. Hardware cost. 5.0 is $549 cheaper upfront ($0 vs $549).
  2. Subscription. WHOOP 5.0 requires a subscription ($199/yr) — device stops working without it. Garmin Venu has an optional subscription.
  3. 3-year total cost. 5.0 costs $597 vs $759 — a $162 gap.
Pick the Garmin Venu if…

Users who want Garmin's best health analytics and sports tracking on a stylish AMOLED watch for everyday wear. Works equally well for Android and iPhone. The Venu 4 adds ECG and a flashlight to the formula — ideal for anyone who wants a capable lifestyle watch with genuine health monitoring depth.

Full details →
Pick the WHOOP 5.0 if…

Athletes, coaches, and fitness-obsessed users who want deep recovery and sleep data without screen distractions. WHOOP suits those who train hard and want to understand whether their body is ready to push. Not for casual users or those who want smartwatch features like notifications or GPS.

Full details →