Garmin Venu X1 Review: A truly modern fitness smartwatch

Value When Reviewed

$799.99

Finest Costs In the present day: Garmin Venu X1

$799.99

Extra so than every other watch within the firm’s vary, the Garmin Venu X1 takes the combat on to the Apple Watch Extremely 2 with some implausible outcomes.

As a lot as I like Garmin watches, I do suppose that there’s a difficulty with the quantity of wearables the corporate presently places out. It’s totally different if you happen to’re somebody who has their pulse on the newest developments within the smartwatch world, however I’d think about that the common particular person doesn’t know what it’s that makes the Forerunner, Vivoactive, Venu and Fenix ranges totally different from each other – it’s complicated, even for a tech journalist.

With that in thoughts, it’s at all times been tough to suggest a particular Garmin watch over the remaining, in the way in which that you would be able to for the Apple Watch Sequence 10 and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7, understanding that they’re simply nice choices for most individuals. This time, Garmin has found out a method to place its newest watch as a extra direct competitor to the one wearable it needs to be fearful about: the Apple Watch Extremely 2.

After spending a couple of weeks testing the Venu X1, I can safely say that Garmin has lastly made the all-in-one machine that I’ve been ready for.

Design & Construct

• Very light-weight on the wrist
• Powerful, partial-titanium construct
• The slimmest Garmin watch but

In the event you’re in any respect aware of the Garmin Venu vary then you definately’ll already know that the X1 doesn’t comply with the identical design language as many of the different watches that bear the identical branding.

There’s no round chassis right here! As an alternative, the X1 has reverted to the square-like panel beforehand seen on the Garmin Venu Sq.

Thomas Deehan / Foundry

This transformation won’t be to everybody’s style, however I’ve come to love it fairly a bit, principally due to the way it’s led to a profitable mixture of a slimmer chassis in addition to a bigger show.

At simply 7.9mm thick, the Venu X1 is actually one of many slimmest smartwatches I’ve ever worn, and never as soon as have I needed to fear about it catching on my clothes. It nearly makes different Garmin watches really feel a bit too giant by comparability.

Even with the thinner body, the X1 doesn’t lose a lot in the way in which of sturdiness as there’s a titanium backing (with bolstered polymer used elsewhere) and a sapphire crystal display screen, all of which assist to maintain the X1 secure from the weather. I’ve taken the watch swimming, on a dusty hike and all the way down to the health club, and it nonetheless appears as if it’s simply come out of the field.

There’s 5ATM water resistance, which suggests the watch can stand up to depths of as much as 50 metres, though surprisingly there’s no official IP score, which is a disgrace.

There are simply two buttons on the right-hand facet, one to carry up the primary menu and the opposite to return a step. Whereas they’re responsive, the buttons are a bit on the quiet facet and I would favor having an audible click on because it simply makes the expertise really feel a bit extra tactile.

Thomas Deehan / Foundry

I additionally want that the colourways for the Venu X1 have been a bit extra thrilling. There are simply two choices accessible – Black and Moss – and whereas I do love the contact of inexperienced that the latter brings to the desk, it could have been good to see one thing a bit extra consideration grabbing just like the orange watch bands that you would be able to get with Apple’s equally priced machine.

Nonetheless, it’s a really assured design general and one which makes Garmin really feel a bit extra fashionable within the present panorama.

Display & Audio

• 2-inch AMOLED show
• Simple to learn each indoors and outdoor
• Take calls and take heed to music by way of the built-in speaker

In comparison with the low-power show that was commonplace on Garmin watches (and might nonetheless be seen on the likes of the Garmin Enduro 3), the Venu X1’s giant 2-inch AMOLED show seems like one thing from a complete totally different period.

In fact, with it being a sq. panel, it does really feel extra like utilizing an Apple Watch than every other Garmin machine I’ve examined, however given simply how shiny the display screen is, to not point out how simple it’s to learn notifications and exercise knowledge, I’ve no trigger for complaints.

There may be an always-on mode accessible for the show, however I’d suggest maintaining the characteristic switched off because it takes a severe knock to the battery life because of this (extra on that later).

I additionally want that the display screen was a bit sooner to wake while you elevate your wrist. There have been a couple of instances the place I attempted to get a sly look on the time by twisting my wrist with out elevating it, and the X1 hadn’t fairly registered the motion. Nonetheless, it didn’t occur so typically as to massively impede my enjoyment of the machine.

Thomas Deehan / Foundry

There’s a built-in speaker on the X1 which can be utilized not solely to make and obtain calls while not having to achieve in your smartphone, however you can even play downloaded music and podcasts straight from the watch itself.

On condition that it’s a lot extra environment friendly (and socially acceptable) to easily join a pair of earbuds as an alternative, I don’t actually know why you’d need to play music out of the watch’s audio system, however I’ll say that the audio high quality itself is a lot better than I anticipated it to be.

Taking part in CKY’s 96 Fairly Bitter Beings (certainly one of my go-to health club tracks), I used to be impressed to listen to nearly each instrument given its due, and loads of weight afforded to the vocals as properly. It could actually get fairly loud, too, so if you happen to do ever neglect to carry your earbuds with you on a run, you’ve a backup choice.

Software program & Options

• Garmin’s revamped UI feels nice to make use of
• The primary torch to seem on a Garmin Venu watch
• Offline music playback and NFC funds

Final 12 months, Garmin made an enormous overhaul to its proprietary software program simplifying the consumer expertise, making it simpler to get from one characteristic to a different.

I’ll admit that if you happen to’ve turn out to be used to Garmin’s older software program, then it does take a little bit of time to regulate to what’s on provide, however when you do acclimatise to it, every thing feels much more intuitive than earlier than.

Thomas Deehan / Foundry

Now, while you’re on the primary watch face, it’s a swipe all the way down to see your notifications, a swipe as much as see key factors of knowledge like your health ranges and the climate, whereas a swipe to the left brings up the primary menu.

In the event you’ve ever used a Garmin watch earlier than, then you definately’ll know that with regards to apps, units just like the Venu X1 don’t have the identical stage of third-party help as you’ll discover on Put on OS or any Apple Watch, however there are a couple of key quality-of-life options which might be current.

Over the course of my assessment, an official Google Maps app made its method to the Garmin IQ retailer, though the characteristic is presently solely accessible to Android customers, and was a bit finicky to arrange once I took it out for a spin. What works much better (and is on the market to all customers) is offline playback by way of Spotify for some musical motivation, and wi-fi funds by way of Garmin Pay for a cheeky post-run drink.

The characteristic that I like greater than something, nevertheless, is the built-in torch (I do know!). It’s a staple of the Fenix and Enduro ranges, however that is the primary time that the torch has discovered its method to a Venu watch.

Simply maintain the again button for a couple of seconds and the torch that’s housed within the top-portion of the chassis, switches itself on, whereby you’ve 4 ranges of depth and the choice to toggle a pink gentle.

Thomas Deehan / Foundry

Whether or not it’s been wanted when taking the bins out at night time or when working by the park earlier than daybreak, the torch has been immensely useful, and that’s earlier than contemplating the protection purposes it might have if you happen to get misplaced on a path run and want a method of signalling your location to passersby.

On a lighter observe, you should use the built-in microphone to seize voice notes on the go. It’s not the kind of characteristic I might personally make use of, however for the extra productive amongst you who’re continuously jotting down concepts, chances are you’ll respect the performance.

Health & Well being Monitoring

• Detailed post-workout data
• Glorious coronary heart fee monitoring knowledge
• Good emphasis on relaxation and restoration

As with every Garmin watch, the health monitoring is at all times going to be the primary star of the present and it’s a lot the identical right here.

Even with the redesign, the Venu X1 hasn’t forgotten about its foremost goal of serving to individuals on their health journey and develop higher habits that result in a more healthy life-style.

There are tons of exercises to trace, with every thing from indoor rowing to backcountry snowboarding. If there’s a selected means that you just prefer to train, then chances are high that it may be tracked on the Venu X1.

Within the time that I’ve spent with the watch, I’ve taken it for hikes, runs, stints on the elliptical machine and even weightlifting on the health club.

Thomas Deehan / Foundry

I’ll say that each one Garmin watches fare a bit higher with regards to cardio exercises, as you’ll be able to see your coronary heart fee zones in real-time and obtain alerts if issues are getting too intense.

Weightlifting, alternatively, is a combined bag. The automated rep recognition software program is unquestionably higher than it was, however I discovered myself at all times already having to appropriate the rely on the finish of every set, which is why I are inclined to ignore all of that and simply have it document a complete weightlifting session as a single set.

Nonetheless, one factor I can’t fault the Venu X1 for is its coronary heart fee monitoring knowledge. When paired with the Polar H10 chest-worn coronary heart fee monitor, Garmin’s watch was in a position to keep nearly precisely according to its outcomes. On each the elliptical machine and the treadmill, the Venu X1 was solely ever 1BPM away from the identical outcomes recorded by the Polar H10 which, for a wrist-worn tracker, is excellent.

Thomas Deehan / Foundry

The accuracy of its heart-rate knowledge is a big boon because it then components into the X1’s understanding of how a lot effort you’ve exerted over the course of a day and the way a lot sleep you want earlier than you’re in a position to deal with one other exercise.

Having this emphasis on restoration does make the Venu X1 (and most of Garmin’s wearables) really feel like a terrific all-in-one machine for staying on prime of your health, and the breakdowns of your exercises are succinctly worded so that you’ll at all times perceive precisely how your physique has benefited from every one.

GPS monitoring can be very dependable right here. I took the Garmin Venu X1 with me throughout a 25K charity stroll and tracked the whole journey. Not solely did it precisely present the trail I took however it additionally had the fitting distance logged by the tip of it (if barely over).

Sadly, it’s not fairly as correct as what you’ll discover on some rivals (together with cheaper choices) as there’s no dual-band help. It labored wonderful in my testing however if you happen to do a whole lot of runs in locations like forests, it could possibly be extra of a difficulty.

With all this in thoughts, I do know that I’m going to be utilizing the Garmin Venu X1 as my major health tracker for the foreseeable future.

Thomas Deehan / Foundry

Battery Life & Charging

• As much as 8 days of use
• Solely 2 days with the always-on show
• Pretty fast to recharge

Garmin watches have already managed to run rings across the competitors the place battery life is worried, and while that’s nonetheless technically the case with the Venu X1, the lead isn’t fairly as pronounced.

This time round, you’ll be able to count on as much as eight-days of use on a single cost which definitely outdoes the two-day stint of the Apple Watch Extremely 2 and Pixel Watch 3, however is behind the 14-day longevity of the Garmin Venu 3.

It’s a trade-off for having a smaller chassis, and whereas this may make the Venu X1 much less interesting for ultramarathon runners who want as a lot battery life as potential, it’s a concession I’m blissful to make.

In spite of everything, the power to get by three exercises over 4 days, two of which concerned offline music playback, and nonetheless have 51% battery left within the tank is a giant win, significantly as I’ve had loads of smartwatches over time that required charging at the very least as soon as a day.

A much less blissful stat is how battery life plummets to only two days when the always-on show is lively. As somebody who has spent extra time with the Apple Watch SE (2022) than every other smartwatch, I’m used to elevating my wrist to wake the show, however it’s a disgrace for anybody who would slightly have entry to key bits of knowledge always.

On the very least, you gained’t be ready lengthy to cost up the Garmin Venu X1. 

Beginning a cost at 5%, the battery was in a position to leap again as much as 66% after simply 40 minutes, which is greater than sufficient to get you thru a couple of days at the very least. It took a bit longer to achieve 100%, clocking in at a 90-minute cost, however given simply how sometimes you have to cost the X1, it’s hardly the worst factor.

If you’re in a rush nevertheless, you may get about 46% of the way in which there from only a 30-minute cost. On a closing observe, the Venu X1 nonetheless utilises the identical proprietary charging cable that Garmin has used on its different watches for years now.

Thomas Deehan / Foundry

Value & Availability

In comparison with the amount of cash that you possibly can spend at this finish of the market, I believe that the Garmin Venu X1 is fairly priced.

Within the UK, the Garmin Venu X1 will set you again £679.99. The watch can be accessible within the US and Australia, the place it’s priced at $799.99 and $1,499, respectively.

The X1’s closest competitor is the Apple Watch Extremely 2, which has a heftier price ticket of £799/$799, whereas the Put on OS-toting Samsung Galaxy Watch Extremely is a bit cheaper at £599/$649.99 though it could usually be discovered with a reduction hooked up.

Though the usual Garmin Venu 3 is extra inexpensive at £399.99/$449.99, I’d argue that the Venu X1 has extra in widespread with the pricier Garmin Fenix 8 which has a beginning value of £869.99/$1099.99.

With these choices factored in, the Venu X1 is properly positioned to be a greater worth decide in opposition to Apple’s premium wearable, while additionally providing top-shelf Garmin options with out the high-end price ticket that tends to go together with them.

Take a look at our chart of the perfect smartwatches to see our present prime 10.

Do you have to purchase the Garmin Venu X1?

In the event you’ve been tempted by the Apple Watch Extremely 2, however you desire a bigger show, higher battery life and a extra well-rounded health monitoring expertise, then the Garmin Venu X1 is simply too good to move up.

The truth that it’s cheaper than Apple’s high-end wearable, and features a few high quality of life extras like a built-in torch, simply makes the X1 a terrific decide for any health fanatic.

The diminished battery life, significantly in opposition to different Garmin watches, is certain to make the Garmin Venu 3 and even the Vivoactive vary a greater choice for many who worth longevity above all else, however as a tool that’s lastly mixed Garmin’s top-tier health monitoring with a genuinely fashionable design, the Venu X1 has completed precisely what it wanted to do.

Specs

• 2-inch AMOLED show
• 32GB storage
• iPhone and Android appropriate
• As much as eight day battery life
• Fiber-reinforced polymer with titanium caseback
• 5ATM water resistance
• 41 x 46 x 7.9mm