In the world of fitness wearables, a long-standing household rivalry has finally been put to the test. After years of friendly debate between a devoted Garmin user and a loyal Fitbit wearer, the Garmin Venu 4 was deployed as the challenger to settle the score once and for all.
The Great Smartwatch Divide
As the author, a staunch Garmin advocate, explains, the fitness tracking community often splits into two distinct camps: Team Fitbit and Team Garmin. While Apple Watch users exist, they are humorously sidelined in this particular debate. The author's wife, however, has been a committed Fitbit user for years, favouring her ageing Versa 2. With her device showing its age, she agreed to a trial swap, donning the Garmin Venu 4 to see if it could convert her.
The Venu 4 was selected for its latest Garmin technology, availability in two sizes, and a colour range to suit different preferences. Initial impressions were positive, with the new watch's premium feel and shiny appearance winning immediate approval. The roadblock, however, came swiftly with the notoriously complex setup process.
Setup Struggles and Feature Triumphs
For a newcomer to the Garmin ecosystem, the initial configuration proved to be a significant hurdle. The process consumed most of an afternoon and evening, with further tweaks needed over subsequent days. The sheer depth of features—from myriad activity trackers and sensors to intricate lifestyle logging and smartphone integrations—makes Garmin's Connect app overwhelming. The author concedes that Fitbit, and most other brands, handle user onboarding with more finesse.
Despite this rocky start, the Venu 4's touchscreen interface was a welcome improvement over button-based Garmin models. Once personalised with her vital statistics, the author's wife quickly began to appreciate the device's capabilities. The ability to customise the watch face with a photo of her pet lizard and receive WhatsApp notifications with images showcased a level of sophistication her Fitbit lacked. A built-in torch also proved unexpectedly useful for evening dog walks.
Fitness Tracking and Battery Life: The Core Comparison
When it came to health and fitness metrics, the Garmin pulled decisively ahead. While acknowledging that sleep tracking might be slightly better on a Fitbit, the Venu 4 offered more comprehensive and deeper insights into activity and the body's response to it across nearly every other metric.
The most tangible everyday advantage was battery life. Where the Fitbit Versa 2 struggled to reach four days, the Garmin Venu 4 consistently achieved eight days on a single charge. Although the Fitbit's contactless charger was easier to use, this was a clear win for Garmin in terms of convenience.
The Verdict: Is the Premium Price Justified?
The final, and most thorny, point of comparison was price. The Fitbit Versa 2 and newer Versa 4 sit around the £150 mark, while the Garmin Venu 4 commands a premium £469.99. This substantial difference is hard to ignore. Over a post-run breakfast, the crucial question was posed: which would she buy with her own money?
The answer was surprising. Despite the cost, she was tempted to invest in the Garmin. The superior build quality, aesthetic appeal, extensive customisation, vastly better battery life, and more functional smartphone features collectively justified the higher price for her. The conclusion was that while the Fitbit remains a solid recommendation for budget-conscious users seeking basic tracking, the Garmin Venu 4 feels like a product worthy of its near-£500 tag.
For those serious about fitness and willing to navigate initial complexity, the Garmin ultimately runs rings around the Fitbit, offering a more premium and satisfying long-term experience.
