Ever dreamed of hitting that 14,000-step milestone in a single outing, wondering if your smartwatch is truly your faithful companion? Well, I did just that, pitting the new Google Pixel Watch 4 against the Garmin Venu 4 in a head-to-head step-tracking showdown. As Tom's Guide's Fitness Editor, I've spent years obsessing over the finest wearable tech, and let me tell you, this comparison had me questioning everything I thought I knew about fitness trackers. But here's where it gets controversial: in a world where accuracy feels like a non-negotiable, could one watch's tiny edge really make or break your daily routine?
The Google Pixel Watch 4 has just hit the market and skyrocketed to the top of our best smartwatches rankings, much like the Garmin Venu 4. Over the past decade, I've penned countless reviews on the best Garmin watches, and I've got to say, the Venu 4 has left me genuinely impressed. These aren't just glorified pedometers – they're 24/7 companions that monitor heart rate, sleep patterns, and even menstrual cycles, helping you tune into your body's rhythms.
When I evaluate fitness trackers, I always kick things off with the fundamentals. For beginners, think of it this way: does the device nail down your workout type automatically, like detecting a jog versus a brisk walk? Is the interface intuitive enough to glance at your sleep score right after waking? And crucially, how precise is it at tallying those all-important steps? To get to the bottom of this, I attached both the Google Pixel Watch 4 and the Garmin Venu 4 to my wrist and embarked on a series of walks, using a manual clicker to count each step meticulously. Back home, I synced the data and compared it against my personal tally. Stick around – my findings might surprise you, and this is the part most people miss: the devil's in the details of everyday accuracy.
For my experiment, I spread out 14,000 steps across multiple strolls, keeping track as I went. Both watches employ the same core technology for step counting: an internal accelerometer that detects the swing of your arm. To clarify for newcomers, an accelerometer is like a tiny motion sensor inside the watch – it picks up on your body's movements, counting each full arm swing as two steps. It works regardless of which wrist you wear it on (dominant or not), even if your hands are tucked in pockets or gripping items like bags or phones. The key is consistent motion detection.
Here's how the numbers stacked up from my walks:
- Walk one: Manual count - 4,209 steps; Google Pixel Watch 4 - 4,218 steps; Garmin Venu 4 - 4,228 steps
- Walk two: Manual count - 2,688 steps; Google Pixel Watch 4 - 2,702 steps; Garmin Venu 4 - 2,704 steps
- Walk three: Manual count - 4,842 steps; Google Pixel Watch 4 - 4,865 steps; Garmin Venu 4 - 4,862 steps
- Walk four: Manual count - 3,147 steps; Google Pixel Watch 4 - 3,186 steps; Garmin Venu 4 - 3,210 steps
- Total: Manual count - 14,886 steps; Google Pixel Watch 4 - 14,971 steps; Garmin Venu 4 - 15,004 steps
Across about seven miles of walking, both devices proved remarkably reliable. The Google Pixel Watch 4 overestimated by a mere 85 steps, while the Garmin Venu 4 added 118 – a negligible gap of just 33 steps in the context of a 15,000-step day. For context, the typical person covers roughly 2,000 steps per mile, so an overcount or undercount of around 100 steps is hardly earth-shattering. Still, the Google Pixel Watch 4 edged out slightly closer to my manual records, giving it a whisper of an advantage.
This solidifies that both watches excel at the basics of step tracking, alleviating the need for anyone to manually count like I did. But to truly weigh them, we'd need deeper dives into other features. Each is loaded with sensors for a holistic health approach: heart rate monitors (HRM), electrocardiograms (ECG), blood oxygen levels (SpO2), and skin temperature tracking.
From a smartwatch perspective, the Google Pixel Watch 4 shines brightly, essentially acting as a seamless extension of your smartphone. It integrates Google's Gemini AI assistant, which you can summon by simply raising your wrist, and it tailors workout suggestions based on your sleep quality and recovery status. On the flip side, the Garmin Venu 4 boasts Garmin's elite training tools, such as Training Readiness (which gauges if you're primed for a session), Body Battery (a measure of your energy levels), and overall Health Status insights. And this is where it gets a bit sticky: to unlock some premium training perks on the Pixel Watch 4, you'll need to shell out for a Fitbit Premium subscription, potentially adding hidden costs that catch users off guard.
Pricing is another battleground. The Garmin Venu 4 kicks off at $549 for the base 41mm or 45mm models, jumping to $599 with a leather band – that's a $100 hike from its predecessor, the Venu 3, which started at $450. In contrast, the Google Pixel Watch 4 begins at a more wallet-friendly $349. Value is subjective here – is the Garmin's specialized fitness focus worth the extra cash, or does Google's broader ecosystem appeal trump it?
We're just scratching the surface with more tests on the horizon, but if precise step counting is your priority, both deliver near-flawless performance. No more clicking along manually for you!
For deeper dives, check out our full Google Pixel Watch 4 review and Garmin Venu 4 review.
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Related reads:
- My 11,000-step challenge: Google Pixel Watch 4 vs. Samsung Galaxy Watch 8
- Apple Watch 10 vs. Pixel Watch 4: Which smartwatch reigns supreme?
- Two weeks with the Google Pixel Watch 4 – why it's my top futuristic pick
Jane McGuire serves as Tom's Guide's Fitness Editor, overseeing all things fitness from running shoes to yoga gear. A passionate runner with five years of reviewing fitness tech under her belt, Jane knows the ropes when it comes to spotting a reliable running watch or comfy shorts with ample storage. Off the trails, she's exploring the Surrey Hills on foot, snapping endless pics of her adorable pup.
What do you think – in an era of advanced wearables, does step accuracy still matter, or are features like AI integration the real game-changers? And could the Garmin's higher price ever justify its edge in training metrics? I'd love to hear your take – agree, disagree, or share your own experiences in the comments below!
