Garmin Forerunner 965 vs Garmin Venu 2 Plus

The Verdict

Garmin's Forerunner 965 and Venu 2 Plus both deliver excellent fitness tracking with AMOLED displays and comprehensive health monitoring, but they're built for different priorities. The Forerunner 965 excels with a larger 1.4-inch AMOLED screen at 454 x 454 resolution versus the Venu 2 Plus's 1.3-inch display at 416 x 416, providing noticeably sharper visuals and easier readability during workouts. Battery performance heavily favors the 965, stretching to 23 days in smartwatch mode and 31 hours of GPS tracking compared to 9 days and 24 hours respectively on the Venu 2 Plus. The 965 includes skin temperature monitoring for better health insights, while both share SpO2, heart rate, and sleep tracking. Water resistance differs meaningfully: the 965 reaches 10 ATM for swimming and snorkeling, while the Venu 2 Plus maxes out at 5 ATM for splash resistance only. At $599 versus $449, the 150-dollar premium positions the 965 as the choice for serious runners and endurance athletes valuing multi-week battery life and advanced health metrics. The Venu 2 Plus remains an excellent value for casual fitness enthusiasts prioritizing style and everyday smartwatch features without needing extended GPS sessions. Choose the 965 if battery life and durability matter most; pick the Venu 2 Plus for budget-conscious fitness tracking.