This Sleek, Powerful Garmin Hits the Smartwatch Sweet Spot

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This Sleek, Powerful Garmin Hits the Smartwatch Sweet Spot

I've tested a lot of smartwatches over the past few years. Some lean into action sports and fitness, while others do their damnedest to serve as a wrist-borne computer, aiming to replace the smartphone in your pocket. Most, however, aim to land somewhere between the two, serving as a do-everything device that fits every occasion. Most fail.

The Garmin Venu does better to achieve that do-everything goal than just about every watch I've tried outside of the Apple ecosystem, which is saying something. The Venu has all the fitness bells and whistles you could want, with a standout GPS (typically what you expect from Garmin) and solid smartwatch functionality.

But the big draw here that makes the Venu worthy of MH Certified status isn't just one feature; it's the sum of all its parts. The smartwatch is one of the most wearable, usable devices I've tested—which is saying something, because I've kept it on for the better part of three months through the coronavirus pandemic quarantine.

- Brett WIlliams (Men's Health Associate Fitness Editor)