Garmin Venu X1 Review: A truly modern fitness smartwatch

Worth When Reviewed

$799.99

Greatest Costs Right now: 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 improbable outcomes.

As a lot as I really like Garmin watches, I do suppose that there’s a difficulty with the quantity of wearables the corporate at the moment places out. It’s totally different for those who’re somebody who has their pulse on the most recent 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 difficult to suggest a particular Garmin watch over the remaining, in the best way you can for the Apple Watch Collection 10 and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7, understanding that they’re simply nice choices for most individuals. This time, Garmin has found out a approach to place its newest watch as a extra direct competitor to the one wearable it ought to be apprehensive about: the Apple Watch Extremely 2.

After spending just a few 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
• Robust, partial-titanium construct
• The slimmest Garmin watch but

When you’re in any respect aware of the Garmin Venu vary then you definately’ll already know that the X1 doesn’t observe the identical design language as a lot 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 alteration won’t be to everybody’s style, however I’ve come to love it fairly a bit, largely 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 virtually makes different Garmin watches really feel a bit too massive by comparability.

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

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

There are simply two buttons on the right-hand aspect, one to carry up the principle menu and the opposite to return a step. Whereas they’re responsive, the buttons are a bit on the quiet aspect 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 had been a bit extra thrilling. There are simply two choices out there – Black and Moss – and whereas I do love the contact of inexperienced that the latter brings to the desk, it will have been good to see one thing a bit extra consideration grabbing just like the orange watch bands you can get with Apple’s equally priced machine.

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

Display screen & Audio

• 2-inch AMOLED show
• Straightforward to learn each indoors and outside
• 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 may nonetheless be seen on the likes of the Garmin Enduro 3), the Venu X1’s massive 2-inch AMOLED show appears like one thing from a complete totally different period.

After all, 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 brilliant the display 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 out there for the show, however I’d suggest holding the function switched off because it takes a severe knock to the battery life in consequence (extra on that later).

I additionally want that the display was a bit quicker to wake while you increase your wrist. There have been just a few 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 usually 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 with no need to succeed in to your smartphone, however it’s also possible to play downloaded music and podcasts straight from the watch itself.

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

Enjoying CKY’s 96 Fairly Bitter Beings (one in all my go-to fitness center tracks), I used to be impressed to listen to virtually each instrument given its due, and loads of weight afforded to the vocals as nicely. It might probably get fairly loud, too, so for those who do ever neglect to carry your earbuds with you on a run, you’ve gotten a backup choice.

Software program & Options

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

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

I’ll admit that for those who’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, all the pieces feels way more intuitive than earlier than.

Thomas Deehan / Foundry

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

When you’ve ever used a Garmin watch earlier than, then you definately’ll know that on the subject of apps, units just like the Venu X1 don’t have the identical stage of third-party assist as you’ll discover on Put on OS or any Apple Watch, however there are just a few key quality-of-life options which are current.

Over the course of my evaluation, an official Google Maps app made its approach to the Garmin IQ retailer, though the function is at the moment solely out there to Android customers, and was a bit finicky to arrange after I took it out for a spin. What works much better (and is accessible 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 function that I really 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 approach to a Venu watch.

Simply maintain the again button for just a few seconds and the torch that’s housed within the top-portion of the chassis, switches itself on, whereby you’ve gotten 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 operating by the park earlier than daybreak, the torch has been immensely useful, and that’s earlier than contemplating the security functions it may have for those who get misplaced on a path run and wish a method of signalling your location to passersby.

On a lighter be aware, you need to use the built-in microphone to seize voice notes on the go. It’s not the kind of function I might personally make use of, however for the extra productive amongst you who’re continually jotting down concepts, you might recognize the performance.

Health & Well being Monitoring

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

As with all Garmin watch, the health monitoring is at all times going to be the principle 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 fundamental goal of serving to folks on their health journey and develop higher habits that result in a more healthy way of life.

There are tons of exercises to trace, with all the pieces from indoor rowing to backcountry snowboarding. If there’s a selected manner that you simply prefer to train, then likelihood is 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 fitness center.

Thomas Deehan / Foundry

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

Weightlifting, then again, is a blended bag. The automated rep recognition software program is certainly higher than it was, however I discovered myself at all times already having to right the depend 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 not fault the Venu X1 for is its coronary heart charge monitoring knowledge. When paired with the Polar H10 chest-worn coronary heart charge monitor, Garmin’s watch was in a position to keep virtually precisely in keeping with 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 elements 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 an awesome 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 each.

GPS monitoring can also 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 assist. It labored positive in my testing however for those who do loads 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 main health tracker for the foreseeable future.

Thomas Deehan / Foundry

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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 anxious, 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 anticipate as much as eight-days of use on a single cost which actually 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 it will make the Venu X1 much less interesting for ultramarathon runners who want as a lot battery life as doable, it’s a concession I’m comfortable to make.

In any case, the flexibility 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, notably as I’ve had loads of smartwatches through the years that required charging at the very least as soon as a day.

A much less comfortable stat is how battery life plummets to only two days when the always-on show is energetic. 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 data always.

On the very least, you received’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 just a few days at the very least. It took a bit longer to succeed in 100%, clocking in at a 90-minute cost, however given simply how occasionally it’s essential to cost the X1, it’s hardly the worst factor.

In case you are in a rush nevertheless, you may get about 46% of the best way there from only a 30-minute cost. On a remaining be aware, the Venu X1 nonetheless utilises the identical proprietary charging cable that Garmin has used on its different watches for years now.

Thomas Deehan / Foundry

Worth & Availability

In comparison with the amount of cash that you could possibly 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 also be out there 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 may often be discovered with a reduction connected.

Though the usual Garmin Venu 3 is extra reasonably priced at £399.99/$449.99, I’d argue that the Venu X1 has extra in frequent 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 nicely positioned to be a greater worth decide towards Apple’s premium wearable, while additionally providing top-shelf Garmin options with out the high-end price ticket that tends to go along with them.

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

Must you purchase the Garmin Venu X1?

When you’ve been tempted by the Apple Watch Extremely 2, however you need a bigger show, higher battery life and a extra well-rounded health monitoring expertise, then the Garmin Venu X1 is simply too good to go 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 an awesome decide for any health fanatic.

The diminished battery life, notably towards different Garmin watches, is bound 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 finished precisely what it wanted to do.

Specs

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