Which is the best?Which one to choose?Comparison Polar Ignite, Polar Vantage M, Garmin Forerunner 245, Suunto 5 and Coros Pace

The 5 models smart health watch compared in this article are mid-range multi sports watches offering relatively complete functions for running. The Polar Ignite is a bit apart with more fitness oriented functions (hence our comparison Polar Ignite vs Garmin Vivoactive 4 vs Suunto 3 Fitness) but we still wanted to include it in this comparison for its preparation functions for a race and training program that will interest runners looking to progress without knowing it.

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Polar Ignite: the multisport watch that replaces your coach

New for 2019, the Polar Ignite is a multisport watch with a touch screen, very thin (8.5 mm!), Ultralight and refined designed to train easily. It also offers everything you need to stay in shape (exercises and tips to follow them well). His main interest is to take on an intelligent assistant (coach) who analyzes your physical condition and assesses your recovery during the night in order to offer tailor-made training programs. She also knows how to prepare you for a race (5 km, 10 km, half-marathon or marathon) while predicting your running time according to your physical condition! It is perfect for those who need advice to progress without knowing themselves in training. It offers performance analysis tools, analyzes your sleep in detail (breathing is taken into account in addition to the heart) and offers cardiac coherence exercises with real-time feedback to relax and eliminate stress.

Buy the Polar Ignite

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Polar Vantage M: a triathlon watch with an advanced performance analysis function

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. Thanks to Polar Flow, you can analyze your performance. Its brand new optical sensor with 9 LEDS and 4 sensors is very precise and works in 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. The Polar Vantage M is available in a more complete version (Polar Vantage V).

Buy the Polar Vantage M

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Forerunner 245 and 245 Music: with GPS navigation and advanced training tools

Replacing the Forerunner 235, the Forerunner 245 is the model just above the Forerunner 45, the simplest of watches to run. It is offered with or without an mp3 player (like the Forerunner 645 which also has a contactless payment solution). After the global success of the Forerunner 235, this is the watch that will most certainly hit the headlines in 2019 and 2020.

In addition to the functions of the Forerunner 45, it offers GPS navigation (GPS track, route tracking, etc.), advanced training tools, a compass, a pulse oximeter for measuring acclimatization to the heat, altitude and efforts.

Its price-performance ratio is excellent. Among the 5 models presented here, it is the best compromise for athletes who need advanced functions for training but who do not have a high budget.

Learn more about the Forerunner 245 and 245 MusicBuy the Forerunner 245

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Suunto 5: a compact triathlon watch with adaptive training plans

New for 2019, the Suunto 5 is a mid-range multisport and triathlon watch with great autonomy, offering multiple sporting functions for training and daily monitoring. She is the replacement for the Spartan Trainer.

Elegant and robust, this smart health connected watch has a GPS and powerful navigation functions. It has an optical heart rate monitoring on the wrist. It offers 80 sports profiles and everything you need to analyze and monitoring your progress. But above all, it offers a personalized training plan which is updated according to the progress made.

Its other advantage is to offer an intelligent battery management (like on the Suunto 9) with display of the remaining autonomy time and the possibility of changing the battery mode along the way.

This watch should delight athletes looking for a watch that is both beautiful to wear, relatively light and has essential functions for GPS navigation, tracking and training.

Read our  review of the Suunto 5 and our opinion on this modelBuy Suunto 5

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Coros Pace: a triathlon watch at a low price

New in 2018, the Coros Pace is a thin and light multisport and triathlon watch offering the basic tools for running, rolling, swimming (swimming or sea) or even practicing triathlon, all at a relatively attractive price. It can also be used indoors on carpets or indoor bikes (spinning). It carries all the useful and rare tools for a watch of this price: GPS (GPS + GLONASS + Beidou), optical cardio on the wrist, barometric altimeter, gyroscope, accelerometer, compass, color screen. It tracks your activity 24 hours a day (steps, calories, climbs). Its autonomy is remarkable (25 to 50 hours in GPS mode and 30 days in watch mode!). Please note, it only works with a Smartphone (no software or web application available for computer).

Read our detailed review of the Coros Pace and our opinion on this modelBuy the Coros Pace

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Comparison Polar Ignite versus Vantage M versus Forerunner 245 versus Suunto 5 versus Coros Pace: the differences

We compared 5 watches of relatively close price (200 to 300 €). We could have included the Forerunner 45, the simplest running watch offering the essentials for running at a price of around € 200, but the Forerunner 245 seemed more suitable for this comparison.

These 5 models offer common basic characteristics and functions: GPS, cardio on the wrist, several sport profiles for multisport use, sport functions, activity monitoring. All assess physical condition, VO2max and level of recovery. They each offer unique features that will help you choose one model over another.

Price, design and technical characteristics compared

The 5 watches compared here are all mid-range, between 200 and 300 €, a fairly reasonable price for a sports watch offering relatively complete sports functions. For more advanced functions, we will move towards the top of the range (Garmin Forerunner 945, Suunto 9, Polar Vantage V for example. See our comparison of the best current running watches).

In terms of design, apart from the most refined Polar Ignite, all have a rather sporty look. The case of the Polar Ignite is ultra-thin (8.5 mm), barely thicker than a classic watch, and the watch is elegant. With the Forerunner 245, this model is also the most suitable for thin wrists. The watch will therefore not be a juggernaut on small wrists (see also our comparison of the best cardio watches for women). In comparison, the Suunto 5 and the Coros Pace are a little larger. The Suunto 5 is also the heaviest with its 66 g compared to the 35 g of the Polar Ignite! Also note the metal crown at Polar and Suunto for a more robust watch with a more polished appearance.

The straps are made of silicone for lightness and optimal comfort for sports. At Garmin and Polar, they can be changed without tools. We can thus wear a compatible bracelet more chic for the city.

There is also a color screen of good definition (few differences between each model). The Polar Ignite is the only one to offer a touch screen, which, with its user-friendly interface, makes it very easy to use.

Another advantage for the Polar Ignite, it is available in 2 strap sizes (like the Vantage M) for greater comfort and a more neat appearance on thin wrists.

Autonomy: big differences between models

Autonomy is one of the essential criteria of a sports watch, in particular if you aim to use it over long distances or if you do not want to recharge your watch too often.

In training mode with GPS, the advantage is clearly Coros Pace with 25 h of autonomy and 50 h in energy saving mode. The Vantage M offers 30 hours without degrading the quality of the data. That said, the Suunto 5 remains our favorite watch with its intelligent battery management mode (you can change the mode along the way depending on the remaining battery level) and its FusedTrack system which extrapolates the missing GPS data in economy mode. energy to keep high data accuracy. It can also be recharged during the race, without having to stop the watch.

In watch mode with activity tracking, the Coros Pace surpasses all other watches with an autonomy of up to 30 days!

The sensors: the Coros a little better equipped

All the watches in this comparison are equipped with a heart rate monitoring on the wrist, but on the Polar Ignite, the Polar Vantage M and the Forerunner 245, it also works underwater thanks to sensors designed for this.

The 5 models also have a GPS chip compatible with GPS, GLONASS and Galileo (it should be activated shortly on the Coros Pace). Coros Pace also offers access to Beidou, the new satellite system launched by China in 2000 and which should be fully operational in 2020 with global coverage. Not sure, however, that it brings an interesting improvement in Europe.

We note the presence of an altimetric barometer on the Coros Pace, a tool which is used especially for the mountain and therefore trail outings to measure, with greater accuracy than GPS, altitude, elevation, vertical speed . It is also used in activity monitoring to count the number of climbed floors. The other advantage of the barometric altimeter is that it indicates the altitude anywhere, even without a GPS signal!

On the Garmin Forerunner 245, a pulse oximeter (measurement of the blood oxygen level) is used to assess the acclimatization to altitude and to heat and to adjust the VO2max according to the data. It assesses the level of blood oxygen including during sleep monitoring (we can see in particular the effects of sleep apnea).

It is at the level of the external sensors that we mainly see differences: power, cadence, speed sensors or even chest strap. Polar Ignite will not be able to measure your running pace, vertical oscillation, stride length or other running dynamics useful for a thorough analysis of an outing.

Functions for training and performance analysis, physiological measurements

The Garmin Forerunner 245 is the most complete in terms of tools to help the runner with its running dynamics (stride length, cadence, contact time on the ground, vertical oscillation, running power, etc.) and its physiological measurements very complete (VO2max, Aerobic and anaerobic Training Effect, lactic threshold, recovery time, load and training status, etc.).

The Coros Pace is also well supplied with its advanced training (aerobic and anaerobic training effect, VO2max, Training load). We also find a design similar to Garmin. However, it does not allow training programs to be scheduled, which is a big drawback.

The interest of Polar Ignite is to offer training that takes into account the physical condition but also the level of physical recovery evaluated at night during sleep. If you haven’t recovered enough, you won’t be offered intense training, for example. This requires wearing the watch to sleep.

The Polar Vantage M, on the other hand, assesses the impact of sports sessions on training and helps to adjust training accordingly.

For their part, Garmin and Suunto assess the level of recovery throughout the day (Body Battery and Body Resource functions) but do not take it into account in the construction of training plans. It is up to the user to judge, from the indicator, whether it is good or not to go to train. Polar, on the other hand, offers adaptive training plans: the watch offers a plan adapted to your physical condition and your training history and corrects it according to the activities actually followed.

Each of the watches in this comparison displays the calories expended, the VO2max and the effort tracking. We also find the evaluation of recovery and stress level except in Coros. Garmin, Suunto and Coros also offer an assessment of the recovery time required after an outing. For specialists who need in-depth analyzes, Garmin and, to a lesser extent Coros, offer more advanced measures such as the Training Effect, the evaluation of the lactic threshold, the training load, the measurement of the power (by external sensor).

Sports functions

Of the 5 watches, only 3 are true multisports that can be used, among others, for triathlon: the Polar Vantage M, the Suunto 5 and the Coros Pace.

The Forerunner 245 offers the most functions whatever the sport (running, cycling, swimming, outdoor). It really is the most complete. Too bad his altimeter is not barometric.

Next comes the Suunto 5, which is also well supplied. For outdoor and hiking, we will prefer these 2 models (Forerunner 245 and Suunto 5) with a preference for the Garmin which has a compass. These watches offer navigation functions that are not found on the other 3 watches.

The Coros Pace also remains interesting outdoors for its barometric altimeter and compass, but its profiles are limited (running, swimming, cycling and triathlon)! It doesn’t even offer a generic profile or the ability to create new profiles.

Polar Ignite is the least supplied for triathlon activities except for swimming. In particular, it offers an underwater heart rate monitoring.

Smart health connected functions

The Forerunner 245 still stands out clearly here with many smart health connected functions such as assistance in the event of a fall, remote control of objects (VIRB camera, etc.), the possibility of being tracked on the Internet and tracking distance from other athletes, access to the weather, etc.

Activity monitoring

Garmin and Suunto offer comprehensive functions. The Coros Pace, thanks to its barometric altimeter, counts the number of climbed stages. The Polar offers remarkable monitoring of the quality of sleep.

Additional functions

These functions can make the difference in choosing a cardio watch, although some may seem a little gimmicky and add price to the watch.

• A music player: present on the Forerunner 245 Music, it allows you to listen to your favorite music without Smartphone thanks to Bluetooth headphones

• A pulse oximeter (or saturometer): only available on the Forerunner 245, it measures the blood oxygen level and helps prevent accidents at high altitudes. It is also used to assess acclimatization to altitude and heat, to provide a more in-depth sleep analysis and to adjust the VO2max. The measures help the athlete to better prepare for a competition planned at an altitude and at temperatures different from that where you trains.

Our opinion on these 5 cardio-GPS watches: which is better?

It is difficult to qualify one of these 5 watches as “better” since it depends above all on the objective sought and the intended use. Each brings a number of advantages.

Polar Ignite: for fitness and training without knowing anything about it

The Polar Ignite is perfect for people who want to train and progress without knowing anything about it. The watch takes into account physical condition and night recovery to offer tailor-made training plans or, for example, prepare you for a race (10 km, half-marathon, etc.). It is also the best choice for sleep monitoring. For people who want exercises to relax, this model is also the best for its varied relaxation exercises, including cardiac coherence and a biofeedback system allowing to check live the effectiveness of the exercise. Finally, it is the most beautiful, in terms of design, and the most comfortable (weight, size) of the 5 watches compared. We also included it in our comparison of the best cardio watches for women.

Garmin Forerunner 245: the best for its tools

For performance and advanced statistics or for the preparation of competitions, we recommend the Garmin Forerunner 245. The watch is very complete for this level of range with metrics and tools largely sufficient for most athletes. Garmin is far ahead of other brands in this area. The racing dynamics are complete and will delight runners looking for advanced data to optimize their training. The Body Resource function, associated with the measurement of the level of effort (or stress), is also a good indicator to know if one has recovered well after an outing and during the night. Predicting race time allows you to observe your progress. We also appreciate the possibility of measuring yourself or others by following a recorded course. The navigation tools are also interesting (display of the track live, return to the start by the same path (Trackback), evaluation of the time of the route). Too bad the altimeter is not barometric for hiking trips and that the watch is not suitable for triathlon (no management of the sequence of activities).

Polar Vantage M: for its tools to help runners

We appreciate the Polar Vantage M for its Triathlon profile and its Training Load Pro function which allows to assess the impact of a session on the cardiovascular system and on the muscles. The watch also offers training plans to prepare for a race (5 km, 10 km, half-marathon, marathon). Too bad its tools are limited (no racing dynamics, minimalist functions).

Suunto 5: for adaptive training and intelligent battery management

The Suunto 5 is not very supplied with tools for performance analysis and assistance to athletes. The advantage of this model is above all to offer adaptive training plans: they adapt according to the progress made. The watch also offers a triathlon profile and intelligent battery management which optimizes the autonomy.

Coros Pace: for its impressive autonomy and its value for money for triathlon and its activities

As for the Coros Pace, it represents the best value for money of the 5 models even if it does not reach the capacities offered by Garmin and that it offers very few sporting profiles (running (indoor and outdoor), cycling (indoor and outdoor), swimming, multisports). If you practice other sports, go your way … It does not even offer a “free style” profile and does not allow programming. It has some advanced tools for runners and a barometric altimeter and a compass for trailers and hikers, but it does not offer a “walking” profile or GPS navigation (route tracking and return to the starting point. Precision GPS track is not as good as the big brands (Polar, Garmin, Suunto). Too bad also that it does not allow to program training. Its great interest is to carry a high capacity battery, be space-saving and offer everything you need for triathlon, all at a reasonable price.

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