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Comparison Polar Vantage M vs Vantage V vs Grit X: the differences, which one to choose?

by Philippe Baudoin © Copyright (published 30/06/2020)
Polar Vantage M, Vantage V and Grit X compared

3 Polar watches for running, triathlon, trail or outdoor. Comparison and opinion.

Polar offers 3 sports watches from mid-range to top-of-the-range designed for sports, in particular running and triathlon. The most recent model, Polar Grit X, also offers trail and outdoor sports for a rather competitive price. Which model to choose according to your goals and budget? Discover our comparison and our opinion.

Buy Polar Vantage M

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Buy Polar Vantage V

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Buy Polar Grit X

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3 complete sports watches for occasional to professional sports

Polar offers 3 sports watches oriented running and triathlon, one of which is also designed for trail and outdoor use. The mid-range model (Vantage M) will suit most sportsmen and women. The Vantage V is performance and competition-oriented. The latest Polar Grit X watch released in 2020 adds advanced features for trail and outdoor use. These comprehensive models are clearly competing with the sports watches from Suunto, Garmin and Coros.

Here is a short overview and comparison of these 3 cardio-GPS watches to help you choose the one that best suits your objectives.

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

Polar Vantage M

This cardio watch is designed to follow you in 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 prevents overtraining. Thanks to Polar Flow, you will be able to analyse your performance. Its brand new revolutionary optical sensor with 9 LEDs and 4 sensors is very accurate and works in the most difficult conditions, even underwater! It offers more than 130 sports. It has an activity monitoring function including sleep analysis (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 it offers a reliable optical sensor.

Buy Polar Vantage M
 

Polar Vantage V: for performance and demanding athletes in running and triathlon activities

Polar Vantage V

Replacing the famous Polar V800, the Polar Vantage V is the top version of the Polar Vantage M. It retains all of its features and adds some interesting innovations such as wrist power measurement without an external sensor, a Recovery Pro function that evaluates recovery and provides advice on how to train optimally. It's aimed more at performance-oriented sportsmen and women.

This model has a barometer and a touch screen. Its autonomy is also better.

Read our detailed review and opinion on the Polar Vantage V
Buy Polar Vantage V
 

Polar Grit X: for outdoor, trail, triathlon with a record autonomy

Polar Grit X watch

The Polar Grit X is a multi-sport and triathlon watch with all the features of the Polar Vantage V (except for the Recovery Pro function) plus new and practical functions for outdoor and trail use. It is equipped with a colour touch screen.

Its sports functions, common to the Vantage V, include power at the wrist (without external sensor), advanced training functions (progressive training to prepare for a race, recovery analysis, evaluation of the effects of a training session, etc.). In addition, it offers complete functions for outdoor, trail and mountain biking such as a compass, access to the 2-day weather forecast, the possibility to program a route with Komoot and follow it directly on the watch, return to the starting point. The watch knows how to analyze the slopes live and has a refreshment assistant (food and hydration).

The Grit X offers intelligent battery management and a 40-hour battery life that can be extended to 100 hours in battery-saving mode.

Read our detailed review of the Polar Grit X and our opinion on this model
Buy Polar Grit X
 

Main differences between Polar Vantage M, Vantage V and Grit X

FeaturesVantage MVantage VGrit X
 montre Polar Vantage Mmontre Polar Vantage Vmontre Polar Grit X
Price~250 €399 €429 €
Case diameter46 mm46 mm47 mm
Thickness12.5 mm13 mm13 mm
Weight45 g66 g64 g
Autonomy (GPS / Eco / + watch with 24-hour tracking)30 h/ - / 5 d40 h / - / 30 d40 h / 100 h / 30 d
Sports profiles130+130+130+
True Multisport (manages transitions between activities)
Triathlon mode
GPSGPS, GLONASS, Galileo, GZSSGPS, GLONASS, Galileo, GZSSGPS, GLONASS, Galileo, GZSS
Wrist cardio
Personal Training Assistant 
Interval training
Recovery Pro 
 
Assesses physical fitness
Assesses stress level   
Relaxation / breathing exercises
Sleep analysis
24/7 activity monitoring
Waterproofing30 m50 m100 m
GPS Navigation  
Barometric altimeter 
mp3 player   
Payment function   
Comparison Polar Vantage M vs Vantage V vs Grit X: key Differences

Design and technical features: 2 robust and touch screen models

Polar offers 3 watches of similar design with a definite advantage over the 2 top-of-the-range models in terms of robustness, elegance and comfort of use.

The Vantage V and Grit X offer a stainless steel housing and ultra-resistant Corning Gorilla glass. Both watches are robust and comply with the military standard MIL-STD-810G (high resistance to shock, temperature and humidity), an important criterion especially for an outdoor watch (Grit X). The Vantage M benefits from a slightly thinner (12,5 mm vs 13 mm) and cheaper polymer case. Note that the Grit X is a little wider in diameter (47 mm versus 46 mm) for the same size and screen definition however (30 mm in 240 x 240 px for the 3 watches).

The colour screen has the advantage of being touch-sensitive on the Vantage V and 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, to a saving on the weight of the case (made of polymer), the smaller battery and the components (no barometer).

Finally, the Grit X model benefits from more diverse silicone, fabric and leather straps. These are interchangeable without tools, as on the Vantage M.

FeaturesVantage MVantage VGrit X
 montre Polar Vantage Mmontre Polar Vantage Vmontre Polar Grit X
CaseReinforced polymerStainless steelStainless steel
Case diameter46 mm46 mm47 mm
Thickness12.5 mm13 mm13 mm
LunetteStainless steelStainless steelStainless steel
GlassGlassCorning GorillaCorning Gorilla
Weight45 g66 g64 g
Screen resolution (px)240 x 240240 x 240240 x 240
Screen size1.2\" (30 mm)1.2\" (30 mm)1.2\" (30 mm)
Touch screen GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, GZSSGPS, GLONASS, Galileo, GZSS
Colour screen
Waterproofing30 m50 m100 m
Bracelet size (mm)130-175140-210130-185155-210130-190145-215
Wristband width22 mm22 mm22 mm
Bracelet interchangeable without tools
 
Wristband materialSiliconeSiliconeSilicone, leather, fabric
Polar Vantage M vs. Vantage V vs. Grit X comparison: design and key technical features

Autonomy: up to 100 hours on the Polar Grit X

Autonomy is an essential parameter for a sports watch, especially if you practice long-lasting sports (ultratrail, ultramarathon, ironman, etc..). Polar offers 30 h in GPS mode on the Vantage M which is already a very good autonomy for most sportsmen 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 remaining time and the possibility to change or deactivate certain functions. Up to 100 hours of autonomy can be reached 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 thus becomes interesting for long runs, at least in gradient mode. But for a good precision and the use of the optical sensor, we will hardly be able to exceed 40 hours of use because, unfortunately, Polar does not propose a recharge during the activity. To gain in battery life, you can however use a cardio belt and deactivate the optical heart rate monitor.

ModelVantage MVantage VGrit X
Watch mode with HR monitoring5 days7 days7 days
Watch mode without HR monitoring  30 days
GPS training mode30 h40 h40 h
Energy saving mode  100 h
Intelligent battery management  
Polar Vantage M vs. Vantage V vs. Grit X comparison: autonomy

Sensors: wrist power and barometric altimeter for 2 models

On each model you will find the classic sensors: GPS compatible with GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, QZSS (Japanese system), optical heart rate monitor on the wrist, accelerometer. The Vantage V and Grit X also have a barometer and a barometric altimeter that can be manually calibrated on the Grit X. There is also a digital compass on the Grit X.

cardio optical wrist
The optical heart rate monitor has 4 sensors detecting the right contact with the skin and 10 LEDs for pulse measurements

The Vantage V and Grit X offer power at the wrist, i.e. without an external sensor. This Polar-exclusive feature is of particular interest to running fans. The watch simply uses only the sensors it carries on board to make calculations (speed, acceleration, slope in particular).

These watches are compatible with external sensors (speed, cadence, power, footpod, cardio belt, etc.) as long as they operate in Bluetooth. ANT+ is not supported (check your sensors and fitness equipment for compatibility). The Grit X also allows you to connect several sensors of the same type, for example 2 cardio belts or 2 cadence sensors. You can thus use 2 bikes (indoor and road bike), each with its own sensors (cadence, speed, cardio belt), which avoids complications especially for multi-sport activities.

Finally, on the Grit X, Polar improves its optical heart rate sensor by using orange LEDs for even better adaptation to different skin types.

FeaturesVantage MVantage VGrit X
GPSGPS, GLONASS, Galileo, GZSSGPS, GLONASS, Galileo, GZSSGPS, GLONASS, Galileo, GZSS
Wrist cardio
Wrist cardio works underwater
Barometer 
Accelerometer
Compass  
Thermometer   
Pulse oximeter   
Cardio belt compatible
Compatible running power sensor
Rate sensor & running speed
Bicycle cadence sensor
Bicycle power sensor
Multiple sensors of the same type  
School external sensorsBluetoothBluetoothBluetooth
Polar Vantage M vs. Vantage V vs. Grit X comparison: sensors

Features

In terms of functionality, the 3 watches offer complete functions to accompany the sportsman in his training. Broadly speaking, the Vantage M offers comprehensive basic functions. The Vantage V completes these functions for sportsmen and women in search of performance (pros, competitors, etc.) with improved autonomy and water-resistance allowing diving. The Grit X has all the functions of the Vantage V (except 2) and offers even better range and water resistance.

The Polar Vantage M offers all the basic tools and will satisfy most athletes: adaptive training (to prepare for a 5 km, 10 km, half marathon or marathon), running time evaluation, nightly recharge evaluation, training programming, training efficiency evaluation, FitSpark training guide, VO2max evaluation, fitness test. The watch also performs activity monitoring including an excellent sleep analysis (the best on the market to date). It can be connected to 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.

Training Load Pro screen
Training Load Pro evaluates the training load on your body (heart and muscles)

The Polar Vantage V brings more advanced tools for pros, competitors and athletes looking for advanced tools and statistics. In particular, it evaluates the power developed when running without the need for an external sensor, an exclusivity Polar. It is compatible with Strava (for cyclists). It offers an orthostatic test and the Recovery Pro function, two tools exclusive to this model. They make it possible to evaluate, in a very simple way, recovery after intense and frequent training, to optimise training in order to avoid overtraining and to provide recommendations regarding the activities that can be practised. The watch has audible alerts (in addition to the vibration alerts on the Vantage M). Its water resistance of 5 ATM allows diving in shallow water. Read our detailed review and opinion on the Polar Vantage V.

Hill Splitter screen

Finally, the Grit X offers all the features of the Vantage V except for the orthostatic test and Recovery Pro function. In addition, it includes new practical functions specific to outdoor, trail and mountain bike riding. These include a Hill Splitter function that analyses live hill climbs and descents (vertical speed, distance, time, number of climbs/descents, etc.), the possibility to plan and follow a route with Komoot, energy expenditure tracking, a fuel assistant (FuelWise), access to the weather forecast, etc. Its waterproofness 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! On the other hand, it does not offer the Recovery Pro function, which can be a disadvantage for runners.

FeaturesVantage MVantage VGrit X
GPS speed and distanceGPS, GLONASS, Galileo, GZSSGPS, GLONASS, Galileo, GZSSGPS, GLONASS, Galileo, GZSS
GPS Altitude
Interval training
Adaptive training (5, 10, 21, 42 km)
Evaluation of the running time
Strava Live Segments 
Orthostatic test 
 
Power on wrist (without external sensor) 
Power (with external sensor)
Training Load Pro
Recovery Pro 
 
Nightly recharge (evaluates nightly recovery)
Training programming
Training efficiency
VO2max (Running Index)
FitSpark (training guide)
Sleep Plus Stages (sleep analysis)
Hill Spliter (coastal analysis)  
GPS Navigation  
Route planning with Komoot  
Importing routes 
FuelWise (refueling assistant)  
Energy source  
Polar Fitness Test
Audible Alerts 
Vibration Alerts
Weather  
Comparison of Polar Vantage M vs. Vantage V vs. Grit X: Features

In terms of sports activities, Polar offers more than 130 profiles. The 3 models are of course ideal for running, but also for cycling, swimming and triathlon, in addition to many other sports.

The Vantage V is perfect for running, with its comprehensive tools and wrist power measurement. The Grit X is more suitable for mountain, trail and mountain biking thanks to its barometric altimeter (also present on the Vantage V), a compass, and functions designed for outdoor use (route tracking, return to the start, real time track display, hill climb analyser, fuel assistant).

For cyclists, the Vantage V and Grit X are compatible with Strava Live Segments, an advantage not offered by the Vantage M.

FunctionVantage MVantage VGrit X
Sports profiles130+130+130+
Triathlon
Running:   
Interval training assistance
Running training
Speed and cadence sensor support
Wrist stride rate
Stryd power sensor support
Power at the wrist 
Cycling:   
Speed
Power Sensor Compatibility
Cadence sensor support
Speed Sensor Support
Strava Live Segments 
Varia Compatibility   
Swimming:   
Recommended activitiesSwimming pool and open waterSwimming pool and open waterSwimming pool and open water
HR measurement and monitoring
Swimming rhythm in pool and distance
Open water swimming rhythm and distance
Swimming type detection
Swimming efficiency (SWOLF)
Rate and number of movements
Calories expended
Outdoor:   
Route recording
Real-time trace visualization  
Follow an imported or saved route 
Back to departure (straight line)
Back to departure (route monitoring)  
Barometric Altitude 
GPS Altitude & elevation difference
Polar Vantage M vs. Vantage V vs. Grit X comparison: sports features

Activity monitoring

Like most sports watches today, the Polar watches being compared have a classic 24/7 activity monitoring function with continuous recording of distance travelled, number of steps taken, heart rate and calories burned and a detailed sleep analysis, the best on the market today.

FunctionVantage MVantage VGrit X
Tracking through Internet   
Communicating with the group's athletes   
Fall detection   
Assistance in case of a fall (SOS call)   
Telephone notifications
Weather function  
Smartphone music control   
Mp3 player   
Payment solution   
Polar Vantage M vs. Vantage V vs. Grit X comparison: connectivity, support and smart features

Connected functions

Polar only offers Smartphone notifications and, for the Grit X model, access to the weather (via Smartphone). This is a far cry from the many functions offered by Garmin, for example on its Fenix 6 or its Forerunner 945 (assistance in case of a fall, SOS call, remote device control, Internet tracking, MP3 player, payment, etc.) or by Suunto with Wear OS on the Suunto 7.

FunctionVantage MVantage VGrit X
Number of steps and distance
Physical activities objectives
Calories burt
Detailed sleep analysis
Evaluation of night-time recovery
Relaxation exercises
Number of floors climbed   
Comparison Polar Vantage M vs Vantage V vs Grit X: activity Tracking

Our opinion: Polar Vantage M, Vantage V or Grit X: which one to choose?

First of all, it is important to know that these 3 watches target different usage and a different public. All 3 offer complete functions for running, swimming, cycling (for exclusively cycling use, it is however better to turn to a GPS bike computer, we recommend the Garmin Edge series), triathlon and many other sports.

Polar Vantage M: all the basic functions that most sportsmen and women will need

If your budget is limited and you are looking for a sports watch with good features for training and progress or just for sports monitoring, the Polar Vantage M will do the job. It is sufficient for most sportsmen and women. It has the advantage of being lighter than the other two (2/3 of the weight). On the other hand, it is less robust, its screen is not touch-sensitive, it does not carry the wrist power measurement tool (but an external power sensor can still be connected if necessary) nor 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 less (30 h versus 40 h on the Vantage V). In short, fewer benefits that won't make much difference to many occasional to regular users. Be careful, its 3 ATM waterproofness is not compatible with diving.

Polar Vantage V: the model to choose for demanding sportsmen and women in search of performance

For advanced use (competition, pro use, etc.), the Vantage V will be a better choice. It is a Premium watch for sportsmen and women looking for performance and optimisation 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 rubbing are frequent. And its touch screen makes it more convenient to use, but not necessarily during sport.

Polar Grit X: the most complete and autonomous model designed for trail and outdoor use.

If you are looking for a complete watch for trail, mountain biking, hiking, adventure, the Grit X will be the best model: it offers everything the Vantage V offers (except the orthostatic test and the Recovery Pro function) with, in addition, a greater autonomy, more complete analysis tools and 10 ATM waterproofness. It is also robust and elegant (metal case, tool-free interchangeable straps in leather, fabric, silicone). It is more suitable than the Vantage V for mountain outings. The route planner, compass, slope analyser and fuel assistant are additional features. Its autonomy of 40 hours or 100 hours in eco mode makes it compatible with long runs. Too bad for ultratrail fans that it can not be recharged during an activity! (ditto on the 2 other models)

FeaturesVantage MVantage VGrit X
 montre Polar Vantage Mmontre Polar Vantage Vmontre Polar Grit X
Awards
$$
$$$
$$$
Recommended sportsTriathlon, running, cycling, swimmingTriathlon, running, cycling, swimmingTrail, outdoor, hiking, triathlon, running, cycling, swimming
Elegance (size, finesse, design)
++
+++
+++
Comfort (weight, size)
+++
++
+++
Autonomy sport mode+GPS
++
+++
++++
The plus of the modelGood value for money for most sports peopleSuitable for performance and competition, suitable for divingSuitable for performance and competition. Suitable for diving. The most complete in terms of sports and tools.
Sensors Power at the wristPower at the wrist
Suitable for running
++++
++++
++++
Suitable for hiking
+
+
++++
Suitable for swimming
++++
++++
++++
Suitable for diving 
++
+++
Suitable for cycling
++
++
+++
Suitable for outdoor use
+
+
++++
Comparison Polar Vantage M vs Vantage V vs Grit X: how to choose?

Polar Vantage M, Vantage V, Grit X: where to buy it?

You can find these watches on the Internet (see below) or in specialist shops. Sport Passion and its partners offer you discount vouchers.

Buy Polar Vantage M

Merchant
Price (from)
 
Bikeinn
279,00 €
130,99 €
Amazon
279,00 €
173,00 €
Lepape
279,00 €
195,00 €
Materiel-Velo
249,95 €
219,95 €
Alltricks
255,99 €
i-Run
279,00 €
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Buy Polar Vantage V

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Price (from)
 
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549,00 €
279,90 €
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499,00 €
335,00 €
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356,49 €
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599,00 €
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Buy Polar Grit X

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Price (from)
 
Alltricks
429,90 €
219,00 €
i-Run
299,00 €
229,00 €
Bikeinn
429,99 €
262,49 €
Amazon
429,00 €
325,00 €
Lepape
499,00 €
369,00 €
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Philippe Baudoin
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