Garmin Forerunner 255 vs Garmin Venu 2 Plus
The Verdict
Garmin Forerunner 255 and Venu 2 Plus serve different priorities within the sports watch category. Forerunner 255 excels with exceptional battery longevity, delivering up to 14 days in smartwatch mode and 30 hours GPS tracking, making it ideal for multi-day adventures and training blocks. Its MIP display provides superior readability in sunlight and contributes to that battery efficiency. Venu 2 Plus counters with a vibrant 416x416 AMOLED screen offering richer colors and better contrast, though battery life drops to 9 days smartwatch, 24 hours GPS. Both include SpO2, heart rate, sleep tracking, GPS, NFC, and WiFi. Forerunner 255 prioritizes endurance athletes seeking extended tracking; Venu 2 Plus attracts those valuing screen quality and fitness aesthetics. At $349 versus $449, Forerunner 255 delivers superior value for serious runners and triathletes, while Venu 2 Plus appeals to lifestyle-conscious fitness enthusiasts willing to compromise battery for display brilliance.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Garmin Forerunner 255 if…
- →14-day battery life means weekly charging at most
- →Multi-band GPS for exceptional outdoor tracking accuracy
- →Morning Report with daily training readiness and HRV status
Buy the Garmin Venu 2 Plus if…
- →Built-in speaker and microphone enable phone calls from the wrist
- →Vivid AMOLED display is one of the best on any Garmin
- →Voice assistant support (Siri, Google Assistant, Bixby) via phone
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Garmin Forerunner 255
Pros
- 14-day battery life means weekly charging at most
- Multi-band GPS for exceptional outdoor tracking accuracy
- Morning Report with daily training readiness and HRV status
- Race Predictor estimates finish times for 5K to marathon
- Lightweight at 49 g and comfortable for 24/7 wear
Cons
- MIP display lacks the vibrancy of AMOLED competitors
- No touchscreen on base model — button-only navigation
- No ECG or blood pressure monitoring
- Limited smart features compared to Apple Watch or Wear OS
- Third-party app ecosystem is small
Garmin Venu 2 Plus
Pros
- Built-in speaker and microphone enable phone calls from the wrist
- Vivid AMOLED display is one of the best on any Garmin
- Voice assistant support (Siri, Google Assistant, Bixby) via phone
- 9-day battery with AMOLED is excellent
- On-watch music storage with Spotify, Amazon Music, and Deezer
Cons
- No cellular — phone calls require Bluetooth connection to phone
- No multi-band GPS — less precise in urban canyons
- $449 approaches Apple Watch Ultra territory
- Stainless steel bezel adds bulk at 51 g
Full Specifications
| Spec | Garmin Forerunner 255 | Garmin Venu 2 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Garmin proprietary OS | Garmin OS (Connect IQ) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 49 g | 51 g |
| Case material | Fiber-reinforced polymer | Stainless steel bezel with fiber-reinforced polymer case |
| Water resistance | 5ATM | 5ATM |
| Health & Sensors | ||
| ECG | ||
| SpO₂ | ||
| Skin temperature | ||
| Heart rate | ||
| Sleep tracking | ||
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 14 days (smartwatch), 30 hrs GPS | Up to 9 days (smartwatch), 24 hrs GPS |
| Display | ||
| Size | 46mm | 43mm (1.3 inches) |
| Type | MIP (Memory-in-Pixel) transflective | AMOLED |
| Always-on display | ||
| Resolution | 260 x 260 | 416 x 416 |
| Processor | ||
| Chipset | Garmin custom SoC | Garmin custom processor |
| Connectivity | ||
| GPS | ||
| NFC | ||
| Wi-Fi | ||
| Cellular | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
Explore more in smartwatches, see all Garmin products or all Garmin products. View full details for the Garmin Forerunner 255 or the Garmin Venu 2 Plus.