Polar offers 3 sports watches geared towards running and triathlon, one of which is also designed for trail running and outdoor use-Polar Vantage M vs Vantage V vs Grit X.The mid-range model (Vantage M) will suit most athletes. The Vantage V is performance and competition oriented. The latest Polar Grit X watch released for 2025 adds advanced features for trail running and outdoor use.These very complete models are clearly in competition with Suunto, Garmin or Coros sports watches.
Here is a quick overview and a comparison of these 3 cardio-GPS watches to help you choose the one that best suits your goals.
ULTRA-LONG BATTERY LIFE : The Polar Vantage M Advanced GPS Running & Multisport Watch lasts for up to 30 hours of training time
POLAR PRECISION PRIME HEART RATE : Polar’s heart rate monitor watches redefine the gold standard in optical heart rate accuracy by combining the latest in bio-impedance electrodes and optical sensors
TRAINING LOAD PRO: The Vantage M is the ultimate fitness tracker, separating cardio load, muscle load and perceived load. Polar’s Training Load Pro provides an unparalleled look into how your training affects your body
This cardio watch is designed to follow you on your sports outings and optimize your performance, beat your records and reach your goals thanks to numerous monitoring tools. A Training Load Pro function also avoids overtraining. With Polar Flow, you can analyze your performance. Its brand new revolutionary optical sensor with 9 LEDS and 4 sensors is very precise and works under the most difficult conditions, including underwater! It offers more than 130 sports. It has an activity monitoring function including a sleep analysis (time and quality). Compact and light, it is perfect for running. Its autonomy of 30 hours is rather comfortable. For a more chic look, you can easily change the strap. It is a relatively complete multisport watch in terms of training monitoring, in particular for running and it offers a reliable optical sensor.
Polar Vantage V: for performance and demanding athletes in running and triathlon activities
ULTRA-LONG BATTERY LIFE: The Polar Vantage V Multisport Watch has up to 40 hours of training time with GPS active. As a premium, durable, and waterproof watch, the Vantage V can stand up to your toughest training and grueling races.
POLAR PRECISION PRIME HEART RATE: Poplar's heart rate monitor watches redefine the gold standard in optical heart rate accuracy by combining the latest in bio-impedance electrodes and optical sensors.
Replacing the famous Polar V800, the Polar Vantage V is the version above the Polar Vantage M. It takes all its functionality and adds some interesting innovations such as the measurement of wrist power without external sensor, a Recovery Pro function assessing recovery and providing advice for optimal training. It is aimed more at athletes looking for performance.
This model has a barometer and a touch screen. Its autonomy is also better.
Polar Grit X: for outdoor, trail, triathlon with record autonomy
MILITARY-LEVEL DURABILITY: U.S. Military standard 810G passed for extreme temperatures, drop, humidity and water resistance (up to 100 meters). Polar Grit X shows you current weather and a 2-day forecast.
LIGHTEST OUTDOOR WATCH WITH BUILT-IN GPS: This multi-sport watch comes with a compass and altimeter (in a training mode), ultra-long battery life and Polar’s unique training features.
The Polar Grit X is a multisport and triathlon watch incorporating the characteristics of the Polar Vantage V (except the Recovery Pro function) with, in addition, new and practical functions for outdoor and trail running. It is equipped with a color touch screen.
Its sporting functions, common to the Vantage V, include power on the wrist (without external sensor), advanced functions for training (progressive training to prepare for a race, recovery analysis, evaluation of the effects of training, etc. .). It offers, in addition, complete functions for outdoor, trail and mountain biking like a compass, access to the weather over 2 days, the possibility of programming a route with Komoot and following it directly on the watch, return to the starting point. The watch can analyze slopes directly and has a refueling assistant (food and hydration).
The Grit X offers intelligent battery management and a 40 h autonomy which can be pushed up to 100 h in battery saving mode.
Design and technical characteristics: 2 robust models with touch screen
Polar offers 3 watches of similar design with a definite advantage over the 2 high-end models in terms of robustness, elegance and comfort of use.
The Vantage V and Grit X offer a stainless steel case and ultra-resistant Corning Gorilla glass. These 2 watches are robust and comply with the military standard MIL-STD-810G (high resistance to shocks, temperature and humidity), an important criterion, especially for an outdoor watch (Grit X). The Vantage M benefits from a slightly thinner (12.5 mm versus 13 mm) and cheaper polymer housing. Note that the Grit X is a little wider in diameter (47 mm versus 46 mm) for the same size and the same screen definition, however (30 mm in 240 x 240 px for the 3 watches).
The color screen has the advantage of being tactile on the Vantage V and the Grit X.
The weight of these watches remains very correct with only 66 g for the Vantage V and 64 g for the Grit X. The Vantage M, on the other hand, is a featherweight. It weighs only 44 g thanks, in particular thanks to a saving on the weight of the case (in polymer), the smaller battery and the components (no barometer).
Finally, the Grit X model benefits from more diverse straps in silicone, fabric and leather. These are interchangeable without tools, as on the Vantage M.
Autonomy is an essential parameter for a sports watch, especially if you practice long-term sports (ultra-thin, ultra-deep, ironman, etc.). Polar offers 30 hours in GPS mode on the Vantage M which is already very good autonomy for most athletes but of course not for ultra long races. On the Vantage V, a larger battery (320 mAh instead of 230 mAh) can wait 40 h. On the Grit X, Polar goes further by offering intelligent battery management with display of the remaining time and the possibility of modifying or deactivating certain functions. We can thus reach up to 100 hours of autonomy by playing on 3 parameters: the recording rate of the GPS track, the deactivation of the optical heart rate sensor and the display refresh rate.
The Grit X model therefore becomes interesting for long races, at least in degraded mode. But for good accuracy and the use of the optical sensor, we can hardly exceed 40 hours of use because, unfortunately, Polar does not offer recharging during the activity. To gain battery life, you can however use a cardio belt and deactivate the optical heart rate monitoring.
The sensors: wrist power and barometric altimeter for 2 models
We find on each model the classic sensors: GPS chip compatible with GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, QZSS (Japanese system), optical heart rate monitoring on the wrist, accelerometer. The Vantage V and the Grit X also have a barometer and a barometric altimeter that can be calibrated manually on the Grit X. There is also a digital compass on the Grit X.
The Vantage V and the Grit X offer power on the wrist, that is to say without an external sensor. This Polar-exclusive feature is of particular interest to running fans. The watch only uses the sensors it has on board to make the calculation (speed, acceleration, slope in particular).
These watches are compatible with external sensors (speed, cadence, power, footpod, cardio belt, etc.) as long as they work in Bluetooth. ANT + is not supported (check the compatibility with your sensors and fitness equipment). The Grit X also allows you to connect several sensors of the same type, for example 2 cardio belts or 2 cadence sensors. We can thus use 2 bikes (indoor and road bikes), each with its own sensors (cadence, speed, cardio belt), which avoids complications especially for multisport activities.
Finally, on the Grit X, Polar improves its optical heart rate sensor by using orange LEDs for an even better adaptation to different skin types.
Fonctionnalities
In terms of functionality, the 3 watches offer complete functions to support the athlete in his training. In general terms, the Vantage M offers comprehensive basic functions. The Vantage V completes these functions for sportspeople looking for performance (pros, competitors, etc.) with better autonomy and a seal allowing diving. The Grit X takes over all the functions of the Vantage V (except 2) and offers an even better range and an even greater seal.
The Vantage M offers all the basic tools and will satisfy most athletes: adaptive training (to prepare a 5 km, 10 km, half-marathon or marathon), evaluation of race time, evaluation of recovery at night (Nightly recharge), programming training, evaluation of training efficiency, FitSpark training guide, VO2max evaluation, fitness Review. The watch also tracks activity, including an excellent sleep analysis (the best on the market to date). You can connect external sensors (cardio belt, speed and cadence sensors, power sensor, footpod for example) for more measurements or greater accuracy. It can be used for swimming but not for diving.
The Vantage V brings more advanced tools for pros, competitors and athletes looking for advanced tools and statistics. In particular, it assesses the power developed during running without the need for an external sensor. A Polar exclusive. It is compatible with Strava (for cyclists). It offers an orthostatic Review and the Recovery Pro function, two tools exclusive to this model. They make it possible to evaluate, in a very simple way, the recovery after an intense and frequent training, to optimize the training in order to avoid overtraining and to provide recommendations concerning the activities which can be practiced. The watch has sound alerts (in addition to the vibration alerts present on the Vantage M). Its water resistance of 5 ATM allows diving in shallow waters. Read our detailed review and opinion on the Polar Vantage V
Finally, the Grit X offers all the functions of Vantage V except the orthostatic Review and the Recovery Pro function. It also includes new practical functions specific to outdoor, trail and mountain bike outings. There is in particular a Hill Splitter function which analyzes the hills live, uphill and downhill (vertical speed, distance, duration, number of climbs / descents, etc.), the possibility of planning, with Komoot, and following a route , monitoring of energy expenditure, a refueling assistant (FuelWise), access to the weather forecast … Its water resistance is 10 ATM (100 m). Read our detailed review and our opinion on the Polar Grit X
The advantage of the Grit X is that it is more complete than the Vantage V while being less expensive! However, it does not offer the Recovery Pro function, which can be inconvenient for runners.
Characteristics
Vantage M
Vantage V
Grit X
GPS speed and distance
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GPS altitude
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Split training
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Adaptive training (5, 10, 21, 42 km)
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Race time evaluation
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Strava Live Segments
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Orthostatic Review
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Wrist running power (without external sensor)
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Stroke power with external sensor
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Training Load Pro
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Recovery Pro
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Nightly recharge (assesses night recovery)
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Training schedule
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Training efficiency
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VO2max (Running Index)
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FitSpark (training guide)
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Sleep Plus Stages
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Hill Spliter (rib analysis)
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GPS navigation
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Route planning with Komoot
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Importing routes
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FuelWise (refueling assistant)
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Energy source
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Polar Fitness Review
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Audible alerts
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Vibration alerts
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Weather forecast
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In terms of sports activities, Polar offers more than 130 profiles. The 3 models are obviously perfectly suited for running but also cycling, swimming and triathlon, in addition to many other sports.
The Vantage V is perfect for running, with its complete tools and the measurement of power on the wrist. The Grit X is more suitable for mountain, trail, mountain biking thanks to its barometric altimeter (also present on the Vantage V), a compass, functions provided for outdoor (route tracking, return to departure, visualization real-time trace, rib analyzer, refueling assistant).
For cyclists, the Vantage V and Grit X are compatible with Strava Live Segments, an advantage not offered by the Vantage M.
Function
Vantage M
Vantage V
Grit X
Sport profiles
130+
130+
130+
Triathlon
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Running:
Split training assistance
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Running training
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Supports speed and cadence sensor
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Wrist pace
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Support for Stryd power meter
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Power on the wrist
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Bike :
Speed
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Power sensor compatibility
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Cadence sensor support
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Speed sensor support
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Strava Live Segments
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Varia compatibility
Swimming:
Recommended activities
Swimming pool and open water
Swimming pool and open water
Swimming pool and open water
HR measurement and monitoring
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Pool swimming rhythm and distance
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Open water swimming rhythm and distance
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Swimming type detection
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Swimming efficiency (SWOLF)
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Cadence and number of movements
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Calories expended
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Outdoor:
Recording of routes
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Visualization of the track in real time
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Follow an imported or saved route
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Back to start (straight line)
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Return to departure (itinerary follow-up)
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Barometric Altitude
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GPS altitude & elevation
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Activity monitoring
Like most sports watches today, the compared Polar watches have a classic 24/7 activity tracking function with continuous recording of the distance traveled, the number of steps taken, the heart rate and calories burned and a detailed sleep analysis, the best on the market today.
Function
Vantage M
Vantage V
Grit X
Number of steps and distance
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Physical activity goals
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Calories burned
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Detailed sleep analysis
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Night recovery assessment
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Relaxation exercises
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Number of floors climbed
Smart health connected functions
Polar only offers notifications from Smartphones and, for the Grit X model, access to the weather (via Smartphone). We’re not far from the many functions offered by Garmin, for example on its Fenix 6 or its Forerunner 945 (assistance in the event of a fall, SOS call, remote device control, monitoring on the Internet, MP3 player, payment, etc. ) or at Suunto with Wear OS on Suunto 7.
Function
Vantage M
Vantage V
Grit X
Being followed on the Internet
Communicate with group athletes
Fall detection
Assistance in the event of a fall (SOS call)
Phone notifications
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•
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Weather function
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Smartphone music control
On-board mp3 player
Payment solution
Our opinion: Polar Vantage M, Vantage V or Grit X: which one to choose?
First of all, you should know that these 3 watches target different uses and a different audience. The 3 offer complete functions for running, swimming, cycling (for an exclusively cyclist use, it would be better to turn to a GPS bike computer, we recommend the Garmin Edge series, triathlon and many others sports.
Polar Vantage M: all the basic functions that will suffice for most athletes
If your budget is limited and you are looking for a sports watch offering good functions for training and progress or just for sports monitoring, the Polar Vantage M will do the trick. It is sufficient for most athletes. It has the advantage of being lighter than the other 2 (2/3 of the weight). On the other hand, it is less robust, its screen is not touch-sensitive, it does not carry the power measurement tool on your wrist (but you can always connect an external power sensor if necessary) or the Recovery Pro function , it does not have a barometric altimeter (the accuracy will be a little less good) and its autonomy is a little lower (30 h versus 40 h on the Vantage V). In short, less benefits that will not make a big difference for many occasional to regular users. Please note, its water resistance of 3 ATM is not compatible with diving.
Polar Vantage V: the model to choose for demanding athletes looking for performance
For advanced use (competition, professional use, etc.), the Vantage V will be a better choice. It is a Premium watch which is aimed at athletes looking for performance and optimization of their training, especially for running. The watch is compatible with Strava Live Segments, an advantage for cyclists. Its greater autonomy and its water resistance of 5 ATM can also be a determining criterion depending on your objective. It is also prettier with its metal case and more robust (military standard), which makes it more suitable than the Vantage M for certain sports where shocks or friction are frequent. Finally, its touch screen makes it more practical to use, but not necessarily during sport.
Polar Grit X: the most complete and autonomous model designed for trail and outdoor
If you are looking for a complete watch for trail, mountain bike, mountain, hiking, adventure, the Grit X will be the best model: it indeed offers everything that the Vantage V offers (except the orthostatic Review and the function Recovery Pro) with, in addition, greater autonomy, more complete analysis tools and a water resistance of 10 ATM. It is also robust and elegant (metal case, interchangeable straps without tools in leather, fabric, silicone). It is more suitable than the Vantage V for mountain outings. Route tracking, the compass, the rib analyzer, the refueling assistant are additional advantages. Its autonomy of 40 h or 100 h in eco mode make it compatible with long races. Too bad for ultratrail fans that it cannot be recharged during an activity! (same on the other 2 models)
Polar Vantage M, Vantage V, Grit X: where to buy it?
ULTRA-LONG BATTERY LIFE : The Polar Vantage M Advanced GPS Running & Multisport Watch lasts for up to 30 hours of training time
POLAR PRECISION PRIME HEART RATE : Polar’s heart rate monitor watches redefine the gold standard in optical heart rate accuracy by combining the latest in bio-impedance electrodes and optical sensors
ULTRA-LONG BATTERY LIFE : The Polar Vantage M Advanced GPS Running & Multisport Watch lasts for up to 30 hours of training time
POLAR PRECISION PRIME HEART RATE : Polar’s heart rate monitor watches redefine the gold standard in optical heart rate accuracy by combining the latest in bio-impedance electrodes and optical sensors
TRAINING LOAD PRO: The Vantage M is the ultimate fitness tracker, separating cardio load, muscle load and perceived load. Polar’s Training Load Pro provides an unparalleled look into how your training affects your body
SWIM/BIKE/RUN FUNCTIONALITY : As a waterproof watch, long-distance running watch and biking activity tracker combined, you can capture key metrics like swimming stroke and pace. You can even pair with your favorite compatible cycling accessory
PERSONALIZE WITH YOUR OWN STYLE : With customizable fitness band options, tailor your Vantage M with replaceable wrist bands of multiple colors
Display resolution 240 x 240. Sizing M/L - wrist circumference 140-210 mm
ULTRA-LONG BATTERY LIFE: The Polar Vantage V Multisport Watch has up to 40 hours of training time with GPS active. As a premium, durable, and waterproof watch, the Vantage V can stand up to your toughest training and grueling races.
ULTRA-LONG BATTERY LIFE: The Polar Vantage V Multisport Watch has up to 40 hours of training time with GPS active. As a premium, durable, and waterproof watch, the Vantage V can stand up to your toughest training and grueling races.
POLAR PRECISION PRIME HEART RATE: Poplar's heart rate monitor watches redefine the gold standard in optical heart rate accuracy by combining the latest in bio-impedance electrodes and optical sensors.
ADVANCED RUNNING POWER: Accelerate the effectiveness and precision of your training with running power. Captured for the first time EVER directly from the wrist, the Vantage V can help fine-tune your effort. This is the ultimate activity tracker.
TRAINING LOAD PRO: The Vantage V is the ultimate fitness tracker, separating cardio load, muscle load and perceived load. Poplar's Training Load Pro provides an unparalleled look into how your training affects your body.
RECOVERY PRO: Recovery Pro allows your fitness watch to take into account factors outside of training that can influence recovery, providing a holistic view of not only what you've done, but what you can do next for optimal results.
MILITARY-LEVEL DURABILITY: U.S. Military standard 810G passed for extreme temperatures, drop, humidity and water resistance (up to 100 meters). Polar Grit X shows you current weather and a 2-day forecast.
MILITARY-LEVEL DURABILITY: U.S. Military standard 810G passed for extreme temperatures, drop, humidity and water resistance (up to 100 meters). Polar Grit X shows you current weather and a 2-day forecast.
LIGHTEST OUTDOOR WATCH WITH BUILT-IN GPS: This multi-sport watch comes with a compass and altimeter (in a training mode), ultra-long battery life and Polar’s unique training features.
LEARN TO REFUEL: Stay energized throughout your sessions with the new FuelWise fueling assistant.
ELEVATE YOUR GOALS: Automatically detected uphill and downhill stats from Hill Splitter tell you how you performed on the ascent and descent sections of your route by using your speed, distance and altitudedata.
STAY ON THE RIGHT PATH: The real-time turn-by-turn route guidance and route import from Komoot keep you on the right track and help you explore new areas safely. Plan multi-day routes, create personal collections, use worldwide offline maps and much more.
Included Components: Polar Grit X; Charging Cable; Getting Started Guide
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