Best Polar Running Watch for Every Runner: Featuring Vantage V2, Grit X, Vantage M, Ignite and Unite

Рет қаралды 19,344

Күн бұрын

If you’re in the market for a running watch and you’re considering choosing a Polar over Garmin or Coros, but you’re not sure which watch is best for you, then this video - looking at the best Polar running watches you can buy right now - is for you.
From the entry level Polar M200 to the range-topping Vantage V2, we’ve tested all the Polar GPS running watches on sale right now. And we’ll talk you through the strengths, weakness and all the important comparisons on which features you can expect, battery life, accuracy and design.
We’ll also give you our recommendations on the best to buy - depending on what kind of runner you are - and, of course, those to avoid.
BEST POLAR RUNNING WATCHES - JUMP TO IT:
@0:56 - £400+ - Vantage V2
@7:00 - £300-£400 - Vantage V
@11:17 - £300-£400 - Grit X
@14:55 - £200-£300 - Vantage M
@19:55 - £100-£200 - Ignite
@25:10 - £100-£200 - Unite
@33:17 - Sub-£100 - M200
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Пікірлер: 56

@robinbebbington7063 3 жыл бұрын

Great comparison. I bought a used unite and found the raise to wake quite unreliable. Also when using Bluetooth earbuds with my phone it would stop GPS recording. So I started looking at the used market again and picked up a grit X at just over half the new price. It must not have been used much at all as there is not a mark on it. The grit X is very comfortable on my wrist which I love. I have gotten used to the dim display but love it being always on. It's brilliant in bright sun. The unite is hard to see in the sun. The features of the grit X are more than I need but works for my needs. My only issue is a knee injury has stopped me exercising to any great degree and even walking can be painful. So it's probably time to start using fitspark to get back into training. I do find the sleep tracking is pretty accurate as to how well I slept. Really looking forward to trying out turn by turn navigation on my next MTB ride in the summer here in Melbourne Australia. Thanks again but now we need the update against the new range. Also looking forward to the music controls coming to the grit X later this year.

@donalgibson317 3 жыл бұрын

Fair play Kieran - you love your Polar watches ! The Grit X is still the best looking by a mile.

@TheRunTesters 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Donal (Kieran here), I do enjoy some of the different things Polar focuses on. Though I judge every watch on its merits, regardless of the brand. The Grit X vs V2 design is an interesting one. I actually quite like both to be honest.

@AsdfAsdf-cw6mz 3 жыл бұрын

Unfortunately none of Polar's recent watches have the estimated finish time like the m400 or m430 have. It would be great if you could go specifically through the different running features of each watch (zone lock, back2start, est finish time,...). Anyway this is already one of the best reviews for runners i've seen. So thank you very much! :)

@AndersStangl 3 жыл бұрын

Bought the Vantage V with the H10 at Amazon SE the other day for SEK 4 300 | € 430 | £ 372. Good value for money I think.

@kamilkuzma4508 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for review. I go for grit X.

@TheRunTesters 3 жыл бұрын

Nice, let us know how you get on.

@arnopr 2 жыл бұрын

Love the rugged no-nonsense simplicity, physical controls, and display of the M430. Just wish it had better battery life and it would be perfect! However you mentions it doesn't have GPS Power save mode, I thought it did.

@carloscoresbartolome8671 3 жыл бұрын

Finally after hearing you , Coming from a m200 and looking for a complete polar to run elsewhere I’ve purchased the grit x. On sale by 350 euros... I hope it works fine:)

@TheRunTesters 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Carlos, glad we were helpful and hope the Grit X does what you need it to.

@NguyenTran-po4hq 3 жыл бұрын

Hello, would you like to tell which watch can read the gps real speed km/h when riding ? Thanks for very informative review👍

@mirkolooser4905 3 жыл бұрын

That was a great review, thanks a lot. I just started looking into getting a GPS/ Training watch and I was surprised and a bit overwhelmed by the huge variety that is available and videos like this are of huge help. My main sport is cycling (long distances) and hiking, just then followed by running, but I think one of the more advanced watches can help me greatly to optimize my training. Now, that you covered the Polar watches in this video, do you have something similar to cover Garmin watches? Or are you planning to do do one? I think lots of people would appreciate it to get an all-in-one overview what is available, what they can do, the pros and cons etc.

@TheRunTesters 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Mirko, there's is a Best Garmin and Coros watches video on the channel.

@hannesaltenfelder4302 2 жыл бұрын

M400 is still my watch to go. It has everything I need in a watch, I do not care about 1bpm +-, I think all the extras watches have nowadays are too hyped and it is better to listen to your body. If I need music, I use my phone, even HRV I measure via phone. Maps? => phone! I consider to buy a new watch once I exceed 8hours runs. I always loved polar for what it was: no bullshit, accurate reading and I remember that for a long time they resisted in joining the wrist-LED-hype (which is less accurate anyway). Unfortunately that's not how money/business works, so they had to catch up with the trends. I hope they will be the first company to come up with a watch, that can measure your lactate. Maybe with some kind of bodyimplemented chip? Anyways, polar flow is unbeaten to the date and for me there is no reason yet, to upgrade.

@vanyabriggs4521 3 жыл бұрын

Very useful review i have the vantage v2 here on my table and ive been undecided but your review has made my mind up , ill be sending Ito back , short battery life is a no for me x

@TheRunTesters 3 жыл бұрын

Glad we've been able to help you make your mind up Vanya. What are you going to choose instead?

@dropin324 3 жыл бұрын

I just got the V2 last week. Awesome watch. I was deciding between V2 and Garmin 745/945. Your videos were a big help in making that decision - thanks!! Recovery Pro is awesome and underrated. I’m the type that will push myself too hard. I’ve already had two days where the watch strongly encouraged me to take a rest day/light day after I pushed a bit too hard. I can see the results in my heart rate variability figures after a hard day. Touch screen really does work very well. If you like having data, you can’t beat Polar Flow. That was one of the big factors that pushed me to Polar over Garmin. Another consideration for me was the look. I wear suits for work. In my opinion, this is one of the only true running/triathlon watches that would look appropriate with a suit. Thanks for the awesome videos!!

@TheRunTesters 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Brandon, glad we helped with your decision and you're enjoying the V2.

@jbl500 3 жыл бұрын

Great great review and explanation!!! These are FITNESS TRACKERS

@TheRunTesters 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Jona. We tend to class fitness trackers as the band-style options.

@bcoleone1 Жыл бұрын

any idea if tha vantage v2 sensor is as annoying on the skin as the garmin ?

@nollys8523 3 жыл бұрын

I think the lack of “future proofing - for want of a better phrase - puts me off buying a Polar watch. I have no problem buying another Polar HRM, but their attitude regarding their watches doesn’t fill me with confidence. My 4-5 year old Forerunner 235 still gets updates, with a Polar watch I should expect “as is”, and buying a new Polar watch when other features are available as they’re highly unlikely to provide an update to the existing watches. I was considering which watch to get between the Grit X and Instinct Solar for trail running.

@stuartjenkins9339 3 жыл бұрын

thanks for review. bought V2 on your recommendation 2nd hand. was that or Garmin 245. it's great, apart from battery life which is ok. also what is infuriating, is you can't see lap times in the training modes?! i used to use a Casio F91W super basic watch, but the only thing i wanted on that was lap times. looked at these new ones and thought yeah get the sleep tracker, heart rate monitor and GPS as well. but this doesn't have the lap times! so you inevitably forget when the next round is due as you're focused on something else (like breathing for one!). lame. it has a lap time, but then you can't see hte heart rate. chest strap means you can't see the heart rate from that either, until after. or eg running/strength training modes where you can't see lap times. come on Polar sort this out. lap times and heart rate at the same time please. just ends up being amateur without

@luismendozapantion9439 2 жыл бұрын

Gracias

@roberto28briggs 3 жыл бұрын

Cheers Kieran

@TheRunTesters 3 жыл бұрын

You're welcome Roberto. Thanks for watching.

@subliminallyinc 3 жыл бұрын

9:34 extra battery drain on the V2 might be attributed to the more responsive touch screen and ambient light sensor which is why the V1 does better in battery for this regard.

@TheRunTesters 3 жыл бұрын

Yes, possibly.

3 жыл бұрын

I am using Vantage M. When I increase my tempo, my heart rate rises too late. When I go from 60-70% heart rate range to 100%, it doesn't show instantly. I can see the correct result after about 25-30 seconds. I tried it on my wrist. I also tried it with Geonaute Ant + HR Monitor. Should I take H10 or OH1 to get the fastest and most accurate result. Chest band can sometimes make contactless. I've never tried the sleeve. How can I get the result most accurately.

@TheRunTesters 3 жыл бұрын

Hey Emrah, pairing it up with a chest strap monitor will give you more reliable results, particularly for things like tempo/interval training. Any of the Polar external heart rate monitors should do a better job of staying in line with swift changes in heart rate. Hope that helps.

@expatadventureturkey9324 3 жыл бұрын

Now for the research v2 versus Garmin Fenix 6x I need to upgrade my current watch....

@TheRunTesters 3 жыл бұрын

Fenix 6 definitely has more in its locker, is broadly a more capable watch but you'll pay for those extra tools. But will you use them is the big question?

@erickmejia4055 3 жыл бұрын

I just ordered the Vantage V, but let’s hear what they say about it!

@TheRunTesters 3 жыл бұрын

Let us know how you get on with the V, Erick.

@carlogaytan7010 3 жыл бұрын

How useful is the running power?

@philipperonzier6365 3 жыл бұрын

Hello, I bought a Vantage M 2 years ago when I started to run. Now I run 3 times per week + HIIT + mountain bike + swim (when swimming pools will reopened ). Do you think I need to upgrade to a GRIT X (looks better and cheaper than V2) ? I have a H10 too so maybe buy a stryd pod and keep the VM ? thanks in advance for you answer.

@TheRunTesters 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Phillipe, there are a bunch of features on the Grit you don’t get on the M as well as a bigger battery life but if you’re largely happy with the data you’re getting, but fancy adding power, the Stryd is a great tool. Do you have specific things you feel you’re lacking in the M?

@philipperonzier6365 3 жыл бұрын

@@TheRunTesters first of all thanks for the quick response. I am very happy with the Vantage M and what I could miss are: power measurement and barometric altimeter. moreover I find the Grit X prettier ... but is it worth the money to add?

@TheRunTesters 3 жыл бұрын

@@philipperonzier6365 The Grit X definitely has a nicer build and is a more capable watch. Turn by turn navigation, Hill Splitter and Fuelwise, Strava live segments all missing on the M. Grit battery life is better too. A Stryd will bring a barometer and cover off that power, along with lots of training tools, form metrics etc that come at training very differently to Polar. Stryd is also great for reliable pacing. You can get a lot of additional functionality from a £200 Stryd but you'll have to be happy to have some data in two places and it's geared towards a detailed approach to training and performance optimisation. The Grit X is possibly a more simple upgrade but at £379 that's a more significant outlay. Much comes down to how and why you run here.

@philipperonzier6365 3 жыл бұрын

@@TheRunTesters Thank you for your informative comments :) you're right I have to make my choice based on my real needs for running. As a beginner maybe I don't need the wrist power and the other upgrades yet. Thank you again for this Polar watch comparison and for your advice. Philippe

@hellbowl8745 3 жыл бұрын

Damn.. im using and wearing at the moment M400.. almost the same as M430, only no HR on wrist.. and half lower battery.. I like the design and yes the charging is bad with that kind of cable... i Will probably go with Grit X next...

@TheRunTesters 3 жыл бұрын

The Grit X is a solid performer.

@subliminallyinc 3 жыл бұрын

19:18 Vantage M does not have an audible beeper which makes it poor for interval work alerts and as a personal alarm clock.

@TheRunTesters 3 жыл бұрын

Yes, it does miss that. Though the vibrations are quite strong.

@yakiweiss546 3 жыл бұрын

It's so frustrating the differences between watch(vantage v) results and the Strava app. I usually run and swim, In open water it is the worst. makes me think about my next watch ..

@TheRunTesters 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Yaki, this is worth a watch to explain why you might get discrepancies in the distance / pacing. And it might not be your watch. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/gZabidVzxJrTnaM.html

@johnvandongen892 3 жыл бұрын

do you have an idea why Polar chooses NOT to release an update for creating training plans based on power for Polar Vantage M (now only possible HR and pace)? Technically it should not be an issue so why not? Ps. I use stryd so the watch will measure power accurately.

@TheRunTesters 3 жыл бұрын

Hi John, we're guessing it might be because they figure few people will use the third-party power option. Or it's just not a priority development wise. It's not on the V1 either as far as we know.

@johnvandongen892 3 жыл бұрын

@@TheRunTesters Can't imagine that that is the reason. Training on power is gaining popularity and even if it is a niche, seems to be fairly simple to write a bit of code which would add it as an option for those runners that are interested. But then again, I'm not an IT guy so cant really tell if it is simple or not. Thanks for your response and keep these informative videos coming!