The Garmin Venu 2 Plus is the new addition to the Venu family. It includes top-of-the-line features and attracts every sports enthusiast. At the same time, Forerunner 245 is also the best running watch of the Forerunner family.
Most runners or athletes get stuck between these two Garmin watches. Because both watches include similar outdoor and training features. But still, there are a lot of big gaps between these two watches.
In this article, I will cover the major difference between the Garmin Venu 2 Plus and VS Forerunner 245. And helps you to get the best watch for your purpose.
Comparison Table
| Features | Garmin Venu 2 Plus | Forerunner 245 |
| Bezel Material | Stainless Steel | fiber-reinforced polymer |
| Display Type | AMOLED optional always-on mode | sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) |
| Display Size | 1.3” | 1.2” |
| Water Rating | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
| Glass Protection | Gorilla® Glass 3 | Gorilla® Glass 3 |
| GPS + GLONASS | Yes | Yes |
| Heart Rate Tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Pulse Ox Sensor | Yes | Yes |
| VO2 max | Yes | Yes |
| Fitness Age | Yes | Yes |
| Body Battery Energy | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep Tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Stress Tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Animated Workouts | Yes | No |
| Advance Strength Training | Yes | No |
| Intensity Minutes | Yes | Yes |
| Garmin Pay | Yes | No |
| Battery Life | 9 days in smartwatch mode, 24 hours on GPS | 7 days in smartwatch mode, 24 hours on GPS |
| Music storage | 650 songs | No storage |
| Running Dynamics | No | Yes |
Garmin Venu 2 Plus VS Forerunner 245: Design & Display
First of all, let’s discuss the differences between their designs. The Garmin Venu series is focused on making stylish-looking watches, whereas the Forerunner series gives a sports look. Similarly, Venu 2 Plus looks sleeker and premium. It includes stainless steel bezel making the watch look premium.
On the other hand, Forerunner 245 has a more sporty look; the fibre-reinforced polymer bezel does not look much premium. But this watch looks more durable and is best for outdoor use.
Garmin Venu 2 Plus includes three size buttons to control functionality. Whereas Forerunner 245 has five side buttons because it lacks a touch display, and you have to control all the functionality via its buttons.
Both watches have 5 ATM water ratings, so you can use them while swimming and track water activities.
When it comes to displaying, Forerunner 245 includes a 1.2″ transflective display which is similar to the predecessors. But in Garmin Venu 2 Plus you will get a 1.3″ AMOLED display, which looks more vibrant and bright.
The touch screen is pretty nifty, and you can easily navigate the watch. At the same time, you might become confused while navigating your watch with buttons.
Overall, Garmin Venu 2 Plus has a better design that looks premium. Whereas Forerunner 245 follows the predecessor design, and the plastic bezel looks cheaper. But the Forerunner 245 is more sporty and feels durable.
Garmin Venu 2 Plus VS Forerunner 245: Battery Life
Both Garmin Venu 2 Plus and Forerunner 245 have a strong grip on battery life. But once I watch the performance better than others.
Garmin Venu 2 Plus is the current flagship watch of the Venu series. That’s why it comes with a lot of improvements. One big upgrade is definitely battery life, not this watch gives nine days of battery backup in smartwatch mode. At the same time, it lasts for 24 hours in GPS mode.
Whereas Forerunner 245 lasts for seven days in smartwatch mode and 24 hours in GPS mode.
Venu 2 Plus is a clear winner in the battery life department. However, it includes an AMOLED touch screen it still gives better battery performance.
Garmin Venu 2 Plus VS Forerunner 245: Price
Venu 2 Plus and Forerunner 245 fall in mid-range watch categories. But still, there is a big price difference between both watches.
Forerunner 245 comes with two modes; one with music and one without music. The Forerunner 245 non-music variety costs $299. At the same time, the music variant is available for $349.
On the other hand, Garmin Venu 2 Plus is expensive; it costs $499. But after purchasing Venu 2 Plus, you will never feel that you have lost your investment; it’s a worth-it training watch.
Garmin Venu 2 Plus VS Forerunner 245: Fitness Features
The first thing that everyone looks at in a smartwatch is its fitness tracking capabilities. No doubt, Garmin Venu 2 Plus and Forerunner 245 have insane fitness tracking.
Both watches include real-time heart rate tracking with HRV alters. In case of unusual heartbeats, your watch will send you a notification. Similarly, both watches include stress tracking, sleep tracking and Pulse Ox sensor.
Most of the fitness features are common in both watches, like; Fitness age, Intensity minutes tracking, VO2 max, respiration tracking, women’s health tracking etc.
But Venu 2 Plus contains some additional features like Animated screen workouts that allow you to effectively perform your workouts with right angles.
Similarly, Venu 2 Plus include a new feature called Advanced Strength Training; this feature shows your overall body muscles performance. And let you know which muscle group has been growing fast in the last week or month.
Health Snapshot is another additional feature in Venu 2 Plus. It generates reports based on your heart rate, respiration, stress, and Pulse Ox score. You can also share this report with your doctor for better consultation.
Garmin Venu 2 Plus has more comprehensive graphical data that allows you to easily understand your performance. You can view colorful graphs showing your fitness data for the last day, week, or month.
Garmin Venu 2 Plus VS Forerunner 245: Sports Features
Garmin watches are made for sports enthusiasts; that’s why you can’t ignore the sports capabilities of Garmin watches. The Forerunner 245 is best known for track running. And it’s the best and most affordable running watch out there.
Forerunner 245 includes a Running dynamics feature that tracks the core metrics of your run like; cadence, ground contact time, stride length, vertical oscillation, vertical ratio and running power. Whereas Venu 2 Plus lacks Running dynamics.
Similarly, Venu 2 Plus is good for Golfing because it gives more advanced Golfing features. Both watches are good for tracking swimming, and both support underwater wrist-based heart rate.
Venu 2 Plus is best for indoor strength training, as it includes advanced tools to measure exercises and high-intensity workouts. Plus, it also allows you to create your own workouts from 1,600 exercises.
Overall, both forerunner 245 and Venu 2 Plus are good sports watches. But Forerunner 245 is best for outdoor sports, whereas Venu 2 Plus is perfect for indoor sports and strength training.
Garmin Venu 2 Plus VS Forerunner 245: Other Features
Smartwatch features are also important to compare. There are a variety of smartwatch features available in both Venu 2 Plus and Forerunner 245.
Both watches receive smartphone notifications. But Venu 2 Plus gives more extras; it includes a built-in speaker and microphone for answering calls and texts. You can also make voice searches on Venu 2 Plus via Google Assistant.
Forerunner 245 doesn’t have any additional storage for music. The only Forerunner 245 music edition stores 500 songs. At the same time, Venu 2 Plus can store up to 650 songs.
Another extra thing in Garmin Venu 2 Plus is Garmin pay, which allows you to make contactless payments. At the same time, there is no such feature available in Forerunner 245.
Lastly, both watches include GPS + GLONASS for quick and accurate navigation. Safety tracking and Live track and also present in both watches.
Final Verdict:
Both Garmin Venu 2 Plus and Forerunner 245 are the best watches, and you can’t ignore anyone. But before choosing any of them, you must think for what purpose you’re going to buy this watch.
Forerunner 245 is an incredible watch for runners that give comprehensive insights and metrics. Whereas Venu 2 Plus includes more fitness features and strength features, it’s perfect for workout tracking and indoor fitness.
Also, if you want a premium-looking watch, then you should go for Garmin Venu 2 Plus.
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