Garmin Venu 4 vs. Garmin Forerunner 570: Which sports watch should you get?

While some will value the extra buttons on the Forerunner 570, which makes it easier to control during workouts and especially when swimming, after testing both watches, I’d say the Venu 4 is the better option for most people.

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Both watches come in two sizes — there are 42mm and 47mm models of the Garmin Forerunner 570, and 41mm and 45mm models of the Garmin Venu 4. Both sizes cost the same with each watch, and the Venu 4 and Forerunner 570 share the same price of $549.

There are three colors of each size of the Forerunner 570 — black, light blue, and raspberry for the 42mm watch, and black, purple, and yellow/blue for the 47mm model. The smaller 41mm Venu 4 comes in gold, silver, or black, while the bigger 45mm watch only comes in silver or black.

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Garmin Forerunner 570

Garmin Venu 4

Price

From $549

From $549

Size

47mm: 47 x 47 x 12.9mm / 42mm: 42.4 x 42.4 x 12.9mm

45mm: 45 x 45 x 12mm / 41mm: 41 x 41 x 12 mm

Display

47mm: 1.4in 454 x 454 pixels / 42mm: 1.2in 390 x 390 pixels

45mm: 1.4in 454 x 454 pixels / 41mm: 1.2in 390 x 390 pixels

Battery life (watch)

47mm: Up to 11 days / 42mm: Up to 10 days

45mm: Up to 12 days / 41mm: Up to 10 days

Weight (with silicone band)

47mm: 50g / 42mm: 42g

45mm: 56g / 41mm: 52g

Water resistance

50 meters

50 meters

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The most important differences between the Forerunner 570 and Venu 4 are found in their designs. Both watches are similar in size and weight — the Forerunner 570 is a little larger and heavier, but I didn’t notice this on the wrist — but the Venu 4 has more metal on its case and only two buttons to the Forerunner 570’s five.

They have the same size AMOLED display — 1.2in on the smaller models and 1.4 on the larger ones — but the Venu 4 has smaller bezels around the screen. It has a sleeker look in general, thanks to having fewer buttons and more metal on its case, and looks more like a smartwatch than the sportier Forerunner 570.

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The Forerunner 570 does come in brighter colors, though, and I love the look of the yellow and blue watch, as well as the raspberry option. It’s more fun and distinctive than the usual Garmin style, and having five buttons makes it easier to control when your fingers are wet or sweaty, or when wearing gloves.

Perhaps the biggest difference in design is the built-in flashlight on the Venu 4, which is extremely handy to have on your wrist. Garmin has added a flashlight to most of the new watches it’s launched this year, but the Forerunner 570 missed out.

Otherwise, the key elements of the design are the same across both watches, which have the same 5 ATM waterproof rating and sensors on board.

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In the past, the Garmin Venu line has lacked many of the sports features you get on Forerunner watches, but that’s no longer the case with the Venu 4, which has all the same tracking and analysis tools you get on the Forerunner 570.

Both have been impressively accurate throughout my testing as well, producing accurate GPS on all my runs.

The heart rate tracking has been a little less impressive on the Venu 4 than on the Forerunner 570 for me, but since they have the same sensor, this is likely just down to random variation. With both watches, I’d pair a chest strap for more reliable results.

However, the extra buttons on the Forerunner 570 do make it a little easier to control during workouts, for me, most notably when outdoors in the rain or wearing gloves, when trying to use the touchscreen on the Venu 4 is trickier.

If you’re a swimmer in particular, the extra buttons on the Forerunner 570 will be invaluable if you want to scan through data screens during your training.

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While the listed battery life of both watches is quite similar, it’s worth noting that the smaller Forerunner 570 lasts slightly longer on a charge than the smaller Venu 4, and the larger Venu 4 slightly outlasts the larger Forerunner 570.

Swipe to scroll horizontallyGarmin Forerunner 570 vs Garmin Venu 4: battery life

Garmin Venu 4 41mm

Garmin Forerunner 570 42mm

Garmin Venu 4 45mm

Garmin Forerunner 570 47mm

Watch mode

10 days (3 days always-on)

10 days (4 days always-on)

12 days (4 days always-on)

11 days (5 days always-on)

All-systems GPS

13 hours

14 hours

19 hours

16 hours

Multi-band GPS

12 hours

13 hours

17 hours

14 hours

During my testing, I had the displays set to always-on with both watches and the GPS in the most power-intensive multi-band for outdoor activities. The 47mm Forerunner 570 and 45mm Venu 4 both usually lasted me four to six days, depending on how much time I was running outdoors.

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The Venu 4 has a few extra health features compared with the Forerunner 570, most notably the ability to take ECG measurements.

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While the Forerunner name and five-button design will ensure the 570 still has a lot of appeal for keen athletes, I do think the Venu 4 is the better buy of these two watches, even as a marathoner myself.

I love having a flashlight on my watch, and while having to use a touchscreen instead of buttons was an occasional annoyance for me during workouts, it’s worth it for the flashlight.

The other key deciding factor will be which design you prefer in terms of aesthetics. I’m undecided on this one because I like the bright colors you get on the Forerunner 570 range, but the Venu 4 does have a more premium look, and is slightly smaller and lighter.