The only one here with maps
Garmin Forerunner 965
- Offline maps
- Lasts far longer
Cheaper alternatives to the Garmin Venu X1
Three cheaper Garmins: keep the maps, add ECG, or just cover the basics.
Updated November 11, 2026
Adds ECG and a torch, no maps
Garmin Venu 4
- ECG and a torch
- Two case sizes
Cheapest of the three
Garmin vívoactive 6
- Slim and light
- Bright AMOLED screen
The original
Garmin Venu X1
Worth it if: You want an Apple Watch Ultra-style Garmin
- A huge 2-inch AMOLED screen
- Maps and a sapphire lens
Not worth it if: You want a week or more per charge
Top of the range, and worth it
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What are you actually paying extra for with the Venu X1?
What the extra money buys
- A huge 2-inch AMOLED screen
- Maps and a sapphire lens
- Very slim for its screen size
Worth it if
- You want an Apple Watch Ultra-style Garmin
- A big screen matters more than battery
Not worth it if
- You want a week or more per charge
- You'd use ECG, which it lacks
Good to know
Why each one made the list, and our final recommendation.
Garmin Forerunner 965
It keeps the Venu X1's maps and roughly triples its rated battery. Android Central found its AMOLED screen makes maps easy to read, and TechRadar once called it possibly Garmin's best watch. It looks like a sports watch, not a slim smartwatch.
Garmin Venu 4
TechRadar found it moves easily from office to outdoors, and Les Numériques calls it very versatile with a more refined design. Android Central rates it the ideal fitness watch for most people, though it's heavier than the Venu 3.
Garmin vívoactive 6
TechRadar calls it a feature-stuffed pocket rocket in a slim, light body. Android Central sees it as the easy Garmin for casual gym-goers. It covers workouts, sleep and GPS, without maps or premium materials.
Final recommendation: If maps matter, the Forerunner 965 keeps them and lasts much longer. The Venu 4 is the stylish everyday pick and adds ECG and a torch. On a budget, the vivoactive 6 covers fitness tracking for far less. Keep the Venu X1 for its huge, slim screen and maps in one dressy watch.
Side by side
Specs from each maker. Price levels come from shop prices we checked recently; tap through for today's price.
| Model | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price level | Top of the range | Premium | Premium | Affordable |
| Battery (claimed) | Up to 8 days (smartwatch mode) | Up to 23 days (smartwatch mode) | Up to 12 days (45 mm) / 10 days (41 mm) | Up to 11 days (smartwatch mode) |
| GPS | Built-in, up to 16 hours | Built-in, up to 31 hours (GPS-only, no music) | Built-in, up to 20 hours (45 mm) / 15 hours (41 mm), GPS-only | Built-in, up to 21 hours (GPS-only) |
| Screen | 2-inch AMOLED, sapphire lens | AMOLED, 1.4-inch | AMOLED, 1.4-inch (45 mm) / 1.2-inch (41 mm) | AMOLED, 1.2-inch |
| Maps | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Water resistance | 5 ATM | – | – | – |
| Works with | iPhone and Android | iPhone and Android | iPhone and Android | iPhone and Android |
| Shop | Check price on Amazon ↗ | Check price on Amazon ↗ | Check price on Amazon ↗ | Check price on Amazon ↗ |
Questions people ask
Is the Venu 4 better than the Venu X1?
Not better, different. The Venu 4 adds ECG and lasts longer, but it has no maps and a smaller screen.
Which Venu X1 alternative has the best battery?
The Forerunner 965, by a wide margin: up to 23 days in smartwatch mode per Garmin, against 8 days for the Venu X1.
Is the vivoactive 6 good enough for running?
For casual running, yes. It has built-in GPS and workouts, but no maps or the deeper training tools of a Forerunner.
Related guides
How we reached this
We compared the Garmin Venu X1 with the alternatives most often recommended by independent reviewers, then checked each against the makers' own specs and current prices.
We haven't tested these products ourselves. Our picks weigh independent expert reviews against each maker's published specs and the prices we checked. Opinions are ours; facts link to where they come from. How we choose.
Sources: Garmin: Garmin Venu X1 specs, TechRadar: Garmin Venu X1 review: The most innovative Garmin watch in years, and a genuine Apple Watch Ultra rival, Android Central: Garmin Venu X1 review: Garmin vets should give it a chance, T3: Garmin Venu X1 review: Garmin’s sleekest smartwatch yet, but is it worth the price?, Garmin: Garmin Forerunner 965 specs, Android Central: Garmin Forerunner 965 review: Better than the best, TechRadar: Garmin Forerunner 965 review, Les Numériques: Test Garmin Forerunner 965 : une excellente montre multisport sublimée par l'Amoled, Garmin: Garmin Venu 4 specs, Android Central: Garmin Venu 4 review: The ideal fitness watch for everyone, TechRadar: Garmin Venu 4 review: A seamless transition from the office to the outdoors, Les Numériques: Test Garmin Venu 4 : la montre ultra-polyvalente soigne son design, Garmin: Garmin vívoactive 6 specs, TechRadar: Garmin Vivoactive 6 review: A feature-stuffed pocket rocket, Android Central: Garmin Vivoactive 6 review: For the casual fitness-goer, Les Numériques: Test Garmin Vivoactive 6 : une montre connectée élégante et compétitive.