Comparison PolarIgnite, VantageM, GarminForerunner245, Suunto5, Coros Pace

The 5 models compared in this article are mid-range multi-sport sports watches offering relatively complete running functions. The Polar Ignite is a little bit different with more Fitness-oriented functions (hence our comparison Polar Ignite versus Garmin Vivoactive 4 versus Suunto 3 Fitness) but we still wanted to include it in this comparison for its race preparation and training programming functions that will interest runners seeking to progress without knowing anything about it.

Polar Ignite: the multi-sport watch that replaces your coach

New in 2019, the Polar Ignite is a multisport watch with a touch screen, very thin (8,5 mm!), ultra-light and refined designed to train easily. It also offers everything you need to stay in shape (exercises and advice to follow them well). Its main interest is to take on board an intelligent assistant (coach) who analyses your physical condition and evaluates your recovery during the night in order to propose tailor-made training programmes. 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 much about training. It offers performance analysis tools, detailed sleep analysis (breathing is taken into account in addition to the heart) and cardiac coherence exercises with real-time feedback to relax you and eliminate stress.

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, break your records and achieve your objectives thanks to numerous monitoring tools. A Training Load Pro function also prevents overtraining. Thanks to Polar Flow, you will be able to analyze your performance. Its brand new optical sensor with 9 LEDs and 4 sensors is very accurate and works under the most difficult conditions, including underwater! It offers more than 130 sports. It has an activity monitoring function that includes an analysis of sleep (time and quality). Compact and lightweight, it is perfect for running. Its 30-hour autonomy is quite comfortable. For a more chic look, you can easily change the strap. It is a relatively complete multi-sport watch in terms of training monitoring, especially for running, and offers a reliable optical sensor. The Polar Vantage M Exists in a more complete version (Polar Vantage V).

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 watch on the market for running. It is available with or without an mp3 player (such as the Forerunner 645 which also has a contactless payment solution). After the worldwide success of the Forerunner 235, it is the watch that will most certainly be a hit 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 heat, altitude and effort.

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

Suunto 5 : a compact triathlon watch with adaptive training plans

New in 2019, the Suunto 5 is a mid-range multi-sport and triathlon watch with a long autonomy and multiple sports functions for daily training and monitoring. It is the replacement for the Spartan Trainer.

Elegant and robust, this connected watch carries a GPS and powerful navigation functions. It is equipped with an optical heart rate monitor on the wrist. It offers 80 sports profiles and everything you need to analyze and monitor your progress. Above all, it offers a personalized training plan that is updated according to the progress made.

Its other advantage is that it offers intelligent battery management (as on the Suunto 9) with display of remaining battery life and the possibility of changing battery mode during the journey.

This watch should delight athletes looking for a watch that is beautiful to wear, relatively lightweight and equipped with essential functions for GPS navigation, tracking and training.

Coros Pace: a triathlon watch at a low price

New in 2018, the Coros Pace is a thin and lightweight multi-sport and triathlon watch offering the basic tools for running, cycling, swimming (swimming pool or sea) and triathlon, all at a relatively attractive price. It can also be used indoors (tread mill and indoor bicycles). It carries all the useful and rare tools for a watch of this price: GPS (GPS + GLONASS + Beidou), cardio optics on the wrist, barometric altimeter, gyroscope, accelerometer, compass, color screen. It follows your activity 24 hours a day (steps, calories, etc.). Its autonomy is remarkable (25 to 50 hours in GPS mode and 30 days in watch mode!). Be careful, it only works with a Smartphone (no software or web application available for computer).

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 to run at a price of about 200 €, but the Forerunner 245 seemed more appropriate for this comparison.

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

Features and characteristics	Ignite	Vantage M	Forerunner 245	Suunto 5	Coros Pace

Prices	~200 €	~250 €	~300 €	~330 €	~200 €
Case size	43 mm	46 mm	42.3 mm	46 mm	46 mm
Thickness	8.5 mm	12.5 mm	12.2 mm	14.6 mm	11.8 mm
Weight	35 g	45 g	38,5 g	66 g	48 g
Autonomy (GPS / activity monitoring)	17 h / 5 d	30 h / 5 d	24 h / 7 d	20 h / 7 d	25 h / 30 d
Sports profiles	100+^(*)	130+	16	80	6
True multi-sport (manages transitions between activities)		•		•	•
Triathlon mode		•		•	•
GPS	GPS, GLONASS	GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, GZSS	GPS, GLONASS, Galileo	GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, GZSS	GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo
Cardio on the wrist	•	•	•	•	•
Personalized training assistant	•		•	•
Interval training		•	•	•	•
Evaluate recovery	•	•	•	•	•
Assesses physical condition	•	•	•	•	•
Assesses stress level			•	•
Relaxation / breathing exercises	•	•	•
Quality of sleep	+++	+++	++	++	++
24/7 activity monitoring	•	•	•	•	•
Waterproofing	30 m	30 m	50 m	50 m	50 m
GPS navigation			•	•	•
Barometric altimeter					•
Mp3 player			In option
Payment function

Price, design and comparative technical characteristics

The 5 watches compared here are all mid-range, between 200 and 300 €, which is a rather reasonable price for a sports watch with relatively complete sports functions. For more advanced functions, look at higher-end watches like (Garmin Forerunner 945, Suunto 9, Polar Vantage V. See our comparison of the best running watches).

In terms of design, except for the Polar Ignite, the most refined, all have a rather sporty look. The case of the Ignite Polar is ultra-thin mm, only slightly 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 mastodon on small wrists (see also our comparison of the best cardio watches for women). In comparison, the Suunto 5 and Coros Pace are a little larger. The Suunto 5 is also the heaviest with 66 g compared to the 35 g of the Polar Ignite! Also note the metal crown at Polar and Suunto for a more robust and neater looking watch.

The bracelets are made of silicone for lightness and optimal comfort for sports. At Garmin and Polar, they can be changed without tools. This will allow us to wear a compatible bracelet that is more chic for the city.

There is also a color screen with 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 Ignite Polar is that it comes in 2 sizes of bracelets (like the Vantage M) for greater comfort and a more neat appearance on thin wrists.

Features and characteristics	Ignite	Vantage M	Forerunner 245	Suunto 5	Coros Pace

Case size	43 mm	46 mm	42.3 mm	46 mm	46 mm
Thickness	8.5 mm	12.5 mm	12.2 mm	14.6 mm	11.8 mm
Weight	35 g	45 g	38,5 g	66 g	48 g
Screen resolution (px)	240 x 204	240 x 240	240 x 240	218 x 218	240 x 240
Touch screen display	•
Color display	•	•	•	•	•
Bezel	Stainless steel	Stainless steel	Reinforced polymer	Stainless steel
Glass	Glass	Glass	Corning Gorilla 3	Mineral crystal	Polymer
Waterproofing	30 m	30 m	50 m	50 m	50 m
Wristband size (mm)	130-185 155-210	130-175 140-210	127 x 204	130 x 210
Width of bracelet		22 mm	20 mm	22 mm
Tool-free interchangeable strap	•	•	•
Wristband material	Silicone plastic	Silicone	Silicone	Silicone	Silicone

Autonomy: big differences according to the models

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

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

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

Model	Ignite	Vantage M	Forerunner 245	Suunto 5	Coros Pace
Watch mode				14 days
Watch mode + activity tracking 24/24 7/7	5 days	5 days	7 days	7 days	30 days
Training mode	17 h	30 h	14 h	20 / 40 h	25 / 50 h
Recharge during activity				•
Intelligent charging reminders				•

Sensors: the Coros a little better equipped

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

All 5 models are also equipped with 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 expected to be fully operational by 2020 with global coverage. However, it is not sure that it will bring an interesting improvement in Europe.

We note the presence of an altimeter barometer on the Coros Pace, a tool that is mainly used for mountains and therefore trail exits to measure, with greater accuracy than GPS, altitude, altitude difference, vertical speed. It is also used in activity tracking to count the number of floors climbed. 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 (blood oxygen level measurement) is used to assess acclimatization to altitude and heat and adjust the VO2max based on the data. It assesses the level of blood oxygen even during sleep monitoring (we can see the effects of sleep apnea in particular).

It is at the level of the external sensors that we can see differences: power, cadence, speed and cardio thoracic belt sensors. The Polar Ignite will not be able to measure your running rate, vertical oscillation, stride length or other running dynamics useful for a thorough analysis of an output.

Features and characteristics	Ignite	Vantage M	Forerunner 245	Suunto 5	Coros Pace
GPS	GPS, GLONASS	GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, GZSS	GPS, GLONASS, Galileo	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS	GPS, GLONASS, BDS, Galileo
Wrist HR	•	•	•	•	•
Underwater wrist HR	•	•	•		•
Accelerometer	•	•	•	•	•
Compass		•	•		•
GPS Altitude	•	•	•	•	•
Barometric altimeter					•
Thermometer
Pulse oximeter			•
Cardio belt compatible	•	•	•	•	ANT+
Compatible power running sensor		•	•	•
Speed and cadence running sensor		•	•	•	•
Bike cadence sensor		•	•	•	•
Bike power sensor		•		•	•

Training and performance analysis tools. Physiological measurements

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

The Coros Pace is also well furnished with its advanced training effects (aerobic and anaerobic training effect, VO2max, Training load). We also find a design similar to Garmin. On the other hand, it does not allow the programming of training sessions, which is a major disadvantage.

The interest of the Polar Ignite is to offer training that takes into account the physical condition but also the level of physical recovery assessed at night during sleep. If you have not recovered enough, you will not be proposed intense training, for example. It requires wearing the watch to sleep.

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

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 bad to go for a workout. Polar, on the other hand, offers adaptive training plans: the watch offers a plan adapted to your physical condition and training history and adjusts it according to the activities actually followed.

Each watch compared here measures the number of burnt calories, the VO2max and the level effort. All except the Coros Pace evaluate the time for recovery and stress levels. Garmin, Suunto and Coros also offer an assessment of the recovery time required after an outing. For specialists who need advanced analysis, Garmin and, to a lesser extent Coros, offer more advanced measurements such as Training Effect, lactic threshold assessment, training load, power measurement (by external sensor).

Features and characteristics	Ignite	Vantage M	Forerunner 245	Suunto 5	Coros Pace
GPS speed and distance	•	•	•	•	•
Interval training		•	•	•	•
Running dynamics			•		•
Training programs	•	•	•	•
Adaptive training	•	•		•
Evaluation of the race time	•	•	•
Audio instructions			•	•
Strava compatible				•	•

Features and characteristics	Ignite	Vantage M	Forerunner 245	Suunto 5	Coros Pace
Calories spent	•	•	•	•	•
VO2max	•	•	•	•	•
Running power		•	•	•
Lactic threshold			•
Aerobic and anaerobic Effect Training			•		•
Recovery and stress assessment	•	•	•	•
Evaluation of recovery time			•	•	•
Continuous monitoring of the level of effort (solicitations, stress, etc.)	•	•	•	•	•

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 in all sports (running, cycling, swimming, outdoor). It's really the most complete. Too bad its altimeter isn't barometric.

Then comes the Suunto 5, which is also well furnished. For outdoor and hiking, we 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 for outdoor thanks to its barometric altimeter and compass but its profiles are limited (running, swimming, cycling and triathlon)! It does not even offer a generic profile or the possibility of creating new profiles.

The Polar Ignite is the least provided for triathlon activities except swimming. In particular, it offers a heart rate monitor that works underwater.

Function	Ignite	Vantage M	Forerunner 245	Suunto 5	Coros Pace
Sports profiles	100+^(*)	130+	16	80	6
Running:
Interval training			•	•	•
Running training	•	•	•	•
Speed and cadence sensors		•	•	•	•
Support for Stryd power sensor		•	•	•
Cycling:
Speed	•	•	•	•
Power sensor compatibility		•		•	•
Cadence sensor compatibility		•	•	•	•
Speed sensor compatibility		•		•	•
Varia Compatibility			•
Swimming:
Recommended activities	Swimming in the sea and swimming pool	Swimming pool and open water	Swimming pool	Swimming pool and open water	Swimming pool and open water
Measuring and monitoring HR	•	•		With belt	•
Swimming rhythm in the pool and distance	•	•	•	•	•
Open water swimming rhythm and distance	•	•		•	•
Swimming type detection	•	•	•	•	•
Swimming efficiency (SWOLF)	•	•	•	•	•
Cadence and number of movements	•	•	•	•	•
Calories spent		•		•	•
Outdoor :
Route recording	•	•	•	•	•
Visualization of the trace in real time			•	•
Follow an itinerary		•	•	•
Return to departure		•	•	•
Navigation to a POI		•	•	•
Vertical speed
Barometric Altitude					•
GPS Altitude	•	•	•	•	•
Total ascent/descent				•	•
Temperature
Sunrise/sunset times			•	•

Connected functions

Here again, the Forerunner 245 stands out clearly with many connected functions such as assistance in the event of a fall, remote object control (VIRB camera, etc.), the possibility of being tracked on the Internet and tracking of other athletes, access to the weather, etc.

Function	Ignite	Vantage M	Forerunner 245	Suunto 5	Coros Pace
To be followed on the Internet			•
Communicate with other athletes
Fall detection			•
Assistance in case of a fall (SOS call)			•
Phone Notifications	•	•	•	•	•
Weather function			•
Controlling the music of a smartphone			•
Embedded mp3 player			In option
Payment solution
Find my watch function			•
Find my phone function			•
Answer/reject call with SMS			•
Calendar of events			•

Activity monitoring

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

Function	Ignite	Vantage M	Forerunner 245	Suunto 5	Coros Pace
Number of steps	•	•	•	•	•
Physical activity objectives (step, kcal)	•	•	•	•
Calories burt	•	•	•	•	•
Distance travelled	•	•	•
Number of floors climbed					•
Sleep analysis (duration)	•	•	•	•	•
Detailed sleep analysis	•	•	•	•	•
Physical age			•	•
Recovery and stress assessment	•		•	•	•
Monitoring of the level of effort (sollications, stress, etc.)			•	•
Relaxation exercises	•	•	•

Ancillary functions

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

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

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

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

The Polar Ignite is perfect for people who want to train and progress without knowing anything about training. The watch takes into account physical condition and night-time recovery to propose tailor-made training plans or, for example, to 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 various relaxation exercises, including cardiac coherence and a biofeedback system to check the effectiveness of the exercise live. Finally, it is the most beautiful, in terms of design, and the most comfortable (weight, size) of the 5 watches compared. We have included it in our comparison of the best cardio watches for women.

Garmin Forerunner 245: the best for its tools

For advanced performance and 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 the other brands in this field. 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 you have recovered well after an outing and during the night. The prediction of the race time allows you to observe your progress. We also appreciate the opportunity to measure yourself or others by following a recorded path. 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 journey). It is a pity that the altimeter is not barometric for hiking outings 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 us to evaluate the impact of a session on the cardiovascular system and muscles. The watch also offers training plans to prepare a race (5 km, 10 km, half-marathon, marathon). Too bad its tools are limited (no race dynamics, minimalist functions).

Suunto 5: for its adaptive training and intelligent battery management

Suunto 5 is not well equipped with performance analysis and athlete support tools. The main interest of this model is to propose adaptive training plans: they adapt according to the progress made. The watch also offers a triathlon profile and intelligent battery management to optimize battery life.

Coros Pace: for its impressive autonomy and price-quality ratio 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 it offers only very few sports profiles (running (indoor and outdoor), cycling (indoor and outdoor), swimming, multi-sports). If you practice other sports, forget about it… It does not even offer a "free style" profile and does not allow programming a profile either. It has some advanced tools for runners and a barometric altimeter and compass for trailers and hikers, but it does not offer a "walking" profile or GPS navigation (route tracking and return to the starting point. The accuracy of the GPS track is not as good as the major brands (Polar, Garmin, Suunto). It is also a pity that it does not allow for the scheduling of training sessions. Its great advantage is to carry a high-capacity battery, to be compact and to offer everything you need for triathlon, all at a reasonable price.

Summary table (for and against) to help you choose between the 5 watches

Features and characteristics	Ignite	Vantage M	Forerunner 245	Suunto 5	Coros Pace

Prices	$$	$$$	$$$	$$$	$$
Recommended sports	Fitness, gym, many other sports	Triathlon, running, cycling, swimming, many other sports	Running, cycling, swimming	Triathlon, running, cycling, swimming, outdoor, many other sports	Running, cycling, swimming, running and indoor cycling
Elegance (size, finesse, design)	+++++	+++	+++	++++	+++
Comfort (weight, height)	++++	+++	+++	+++	+++
Autonomy of sport+GPS mode	+++	++++	+++	++++	+++++
Autonomy of watch + activity tracking	++	++	++	++	+++++
The plus of the model	Analysis of night recovery, detailed sleep analysis, relaxation exercise, elegance	Performance, triathlon mode, power measurement, night recovery analysis, detailed sleep analysis	Performance, Body battery, mp3 player (Music version), assistance (falls)	Body resource, GPS navigation, intelligent battery management & Fusedtrack	Value for money, record battery life, ease of use, fast data transfer, trace estimation without GPS
Training and analysis	Customized training	Customized training	Downloadable training plans, running dynamics, physiological measurements	Custom adaptive training, power measurement (running, cycling)	Advanced training
Sensors	GPS, wrist HR	GPS, HR wrist, compass	GPS, wrist HR, pulse oximeter, compass	GPSFC wrist	GPS, wrist HR, altimeter, compass
External sensors	Cardio belt	Cardio belt, Stryd sensors, cadence, speed	Belt HRM-Dual, HRM-Run	Smart Sensor, cadence / speed / power running and cycling	Cardio belt, ANT+ sensors
Suitable for running	++	++++	++++	++++	++++
Adapted to the mountain	+	+	+	++	+
Suitable for swimming	+++	++++	++++	++++	++++
Suitable for cycling	+	+++	++	+++	+++
Suitable for outdoor use	+	+	+	+++	+

Price and availability

These watches are available in specialized shops. Sport Passion offers you, with its partners, discount coupons.

Comparison Polar Ignite, Polar Vantage M, Garmin Forerunner 245, Suunto 5 and Coros Pace: which one to choose?

Buy Polar Ignite

Buy Polar Vantage M

Buy Garmin Forerunner 245

Buy Suunto 5

Buy Coros Pace

The 5 watches described in brief