Sport Passion   -  Comparatives, tests, advice and training tips

Comparison Suunto 3, Suunto 5, Suunto 7 and Suunto 9: the differences, which one to choose?

by Philippe Baudoin © Copyright (published 28/01/2020)
suunto 3, suunto 5, suunto 7, suunto 9 compared

4 versatile sports watches. Comparison and advice.

Suunto offers a series of 4 watches including 3 multi-sports and triathlon watches and 1 connected watch running under Wear OS. From the entry-level model designed for everyday, fitness and occasional sports to the high-end model with record autonomy and advanced functions, which watch to choose according to your budget and your goals? Discover our comparison and our opinion.

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Suunto 7 versus Suunto 3, 5 and 9: Wear OS in addition!

Before comparing these 4 Suunto watches, let's specify that the Suunto 7 (new January 2020) is very different from the other models of the brand. It is a watch that is both connected (like the Garmin Venu, the Samsung Galaxy Watch or the Apple Watch) but that also offers advanced sports functions.

Suunto's strategy here is to catch up with its competitor Garmin by offering features that were sorely lacking until now: music, a payment solution and cartography. Thanks to Wear OS, this is now possible.

Suunto 7 has a rich and vibrant AMOLED display and runs on Wear OS, Google's operating system for watches that includes the famous Google Smart Wizard, Google Fit Activity Tracking and access to numerous apps downloadable from the Google Play Store. On the other hand, some of its sports functions, although more advanced than those of classic connected watches, are less elaborate than other Suunto watches and the watch's autonomy is significantly lower.

The Suunto 7, compared to the Suunto 3, 5 and 9 models, is therefore more aimed at the general public looking for the equivalent of an Apple Watch but with advanced sports features. It is suitable for occasional to regular sportsmen and women who want a dual-use watch that can be worn on a daily basis and offers intelligent functions. For competitive athletes, long (ultra) races or activities that require GPS navigation (hiking, trekking, ski touring, etc.) or comprehensive training tools (race dynamics, advanced training, etc.), Suunto 5 or, ideally, Suunto 9 is the best choice.

Suunto 7
New for 2020, Suunto 7 is a connected watch with advanced sports functions with music, payment, colour mapping and on-board heat maps. It includes the Google assistant.

Elegant watches for all sports

Suunto offers 4 stylish and robust sports watches to play sports, train, stay in shape or simply to wear every day for 24-hour monitoring of your physical activity. From the entry-level model for occasional sportsmen and women to the high-end model for athletes and competitors and the smart and sporty connected watch, there is something for every profile.

Here is a brief overview and comparison of these 4 cardio-GPS watches to help you choose the one that best suits your goals.

Suunto 3: a small and light watch for training and staying healthy

slim Suunto 3 Fitness watch

The Suunto (formerly Suunto 3 Fitness) is a very attractive entry-level sports watch, robust, small in size and very light (36 g), designed for active people who want to improve their physical condition and stay healthy. It was called Suunto 3 Fitness but in January 2020, Suunto renews its range and simplifies the name. Only the design is slightly revised (new colours). The functions are identical.

Elegant and in colours that can match the clothes, it is perfect for daily use and fitness training. Designed for both genders, it will appeal to those who are looking for a chic watch to wear in the city, at work or for formal outings.

Attention, it does not have GPS, which explains its excellent autonomy (30 h). However, it is possible to connect it to a smartphone to find its position and record its route.

Its strong point is to offer a evolutionary training assistance which allows to progress without knowing anything about it. The watch offers a tailor-made 7-day programme with an optimal duration and intensity to be respected for each exercise. The programme is adapted according to the activities actually carried out. Simply choose a mode (maintain your shape, improve your shape or boost your shape) and follow the program.

The watch also tracks stress and recovery levels and gives an overview of the day. Finally, it helps to find the right balance between activity and rest.

Buy Suunto 3
 

Suunto 5: a compact triathlon watch with everything you need for training

nice Suunto 5 sport watch

New for 2019, the Suunto 5 is a mid-range multi-sports and triathlon watch with a long range, offering multiple sports functions for daily training and monitoring. She's the replacement for the Spartan Trainer.

Elegant and robust, this connected watch features GPS and powerful navigation functions. It has an optical heart rate monitor on the wrist. It offers 80 sport profiles and everything you need to analyze and monitor your progress. But most importantly, it offers a personalized training plan that is updated according to your progress.

Another advantage is intelligent battery management (as on the Suunto 9) with a display of remaining battery life and the ability to change battery mode while driving.

This watch should delight sportsmen and women who are looking for a watch that is beautiful to wear, relatively light and equipped with the essential functions for GPS navigation, tracking and training.

Read our detailed review of the Suunto 5 and our opinion of this model
Buy Suunto 5
 

Suunto 7: a connected and sporty watch with maps, music and payment

Suunto 7

The Suunto 7, released in January 2020, is the first watch from Sunnto to run under Wear OS, Google's watch operating system. Unlike today's connected watches, this one offers advanced sports functions. It is therefore ideal for people looking for a watch for mixed use (sport and city).

The advantage of Wear OS is to offer the best of the smart features of the moment thanks to downloadable apps.

It has a high-definition AMOLED colour touch screen and all the sensors useful for sport (GPS, wrist cardio, barometric altimeter, compass). It includes topographical maps, a payment solution and allows you to listen to music without a Smartphone. Wear OS gives access to the Google assistant (the watch has a microphone on it to interrogate it), to health monitoring (Google Fit), to access to information (Internet).

In terms of sports functions, this watch is similar to the Suunto 5 but with the added mapping. On the other hand, its autonomy is much lower, it does not offer adaptive custom trainingand GPS navigation is limited.

Read our detailed review of the Suunto 7 and our opinion of this model
Buy Suunto 7
 

Suunto 9: a multi-sport and triathlon watch with record-breaking autonomy designed for competitors and demanding athletes

Suunto 9 watch

The Suunto 9 is a multi-sport and triathlon watch with a colour touch screen, offering a record 120 hours of power-saving mode and high measurement accuracy thanks to FusedTrack&trade. FusedTrack is a function that combines GPS, accelerometer, gyro and compass to refine the GPS track when the signal is weak or when the power save mode is activated, provided it is used for slower sports such as cycling, walking or running. In addition, the watch offers intelligent battery management that evaluates the remaining battery life and allows you to change the battery mode while on the move. No more worries about low battery power!

The "Baro" model also carries a thermometer and an altimeter barometer. Thanks to these sensors, the watch offers weather functions (pressure, temperature, thunderstorm alarm) and accurate measurements of altitude, altitude difference and rate of ascent. Suunto 9 also displays sunrise/sunset times, an altitude graph and other features of interest to explorers.

With 80 sport profiles, advanced GPS navigation, weather functions, record-breaking range and high measurement accuracy, Suunto 9 is perfect for competition, intensive training, ultra-deepwater racing (ultra-trail, ultra-marathon, etc.), outdoor and exploration. Demanding sportsmen and women will appreciate it.

Read our detailed review of the Suunto 9 and our opinion of this model
Buy Suunto 9
 

Main differences between Suunto 3, Suunto 5, Suunto 7 and Suunto 9

FeaturesSuunto 3Suunto 5Suunto 7Suunto 9
Awards
$
$$
$$$
$$$$
Sports profiles70+80+70+80+
True multi-sports
 
Autonomy
•••
•••
•••••
GPSWith SmartphoneGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BeiduGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS
Wrist cardio
Evolutionary training assistance
   
Customizable training 
  
Interval training
 
Evaluates recovery
Fitness and stress monitoring 
 
Sleep Quality
Via Google Fit
24/7 activity monitoring
Via Google Fit
Waterproofing30 m50 m50 m100 m
GPS Navigation 
GPS track
Barometric altimeter  
mp3 player  Music via app 
Payment function  
 
Comparison Suunto 3 vs. Suunto 5 vs. Suunto 7 vs. Suunto 9: key differences

Design and technical features

pretty white and gold watch

Unlike Garmin and its series Forerunner sporty look, Suunto here offers versatile watches with a chic design that can be worn as much for sports as for going out or working. The steel bezel, the colours of the bezel and bracelets and the design of the watch are indeed very elegant. This is the strength of these watches and the strength of Suunto with this series. Until recently, Suunto only offered silicone bracelets. The brand now offers fabric and leather bracelets.

Each model comes with a colour screen. The Suunto 9 and Suunto 7 have a high-resolution touchscreen and the watch glass is made of high-strength sapphire crystal (Suunto 9) or Corning Gorilla (Suunto 7). These watches have been designed to be robust.

The Suunto 3 stands out from other models due to its small size and light weight (36 g), ideal for everyday wear. It's the perfect model for keeping up with your activity and staying in shape. The Suunto 9, on the other hand, is made for very different purposes: it must last and offer all the instruments needed for competition and extreme sports, hence its larger size and weight. The Suunto 7, a connected watch to be worn every day, is an intermediate model that aims to compete with Apple and Garmin in the smart watch sector. It is also designed for sports.

FeaturesSuunto 3Suunto 5Suunto 7Suunto 9
Case diameter43 mm46 mm50 mm50 mm
Thickness14.3 mm14.6 mm15.3 mm16.8 mm
Weight36 g66 g70 g81 g
Screen resolution (px)218 x 218218 x 218454 x 454320 x 300
Touch screen  GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BeiduGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS
Colour screen
BazelStainless SteelStainless SteelStainless SteelStainless Steel
GlassPolyamideMineral crystalCorning GorillaSapphire crystal
Waterproofing30 m50 m 50 m100 m
Bracelet size20 mm22 mm24 mm24 mm
Bracelet interchangeable without tools  
 
Wristband materialSiliconeSiliconeSilicone, textile, leatherSilicone
Comparison Suunto 3 vs. Suunto 5 vs. Suunto 7 vs. Suunto 9: design and key technical features

Autonomy

Autonomy is a key parameter, even prohibitive, for athletes practicing sports for long periods of time (Ultramarathon, Ironman, etc..) and who are looking for accurate measurements. The manufacturers of sports watches have understood this and are working hard to offer watches that are more and more autonomous.

The athlete can change the battery mode at any time if the battery life is insufficient
Intelligent battery management display

If you don't increase the battery capacity and being limited by the size of the cases, you have to play on the consumption of the components. It is especially the GPS chip and the optical heart rate monitor that are very energy-intensive. The power-saving mode (Ultratrac) does save battery power by reducing the number of GPS and heart rate readings, but it alters the accuracy of the measurements, which is not to the liking of demanding sportsmen and women.

GPS track versus actual track
Illusion: the inaccurate trail (in yellow) is corrected (in pink) by FusedTrack by combining the GPS data with the data from the other sensors in the watch.

Recently, manufacturers have been moving towards Sony chips that use less power than the models offered by SiRF and Mediatek. This has allowed a great deal of autonomy.

But at Suunto's, we go further. The Finnish company came up with the idea of combining the energy-saving mode with an ingenious system that improves the accuracy of the measurements despite the reduced number of readings. It's the FusedTrack system. It combines data from the GPS, accelerometer, gyroscope and digital compass to extrapolate missing data. This ensures correct accuracy in UltraTrac mode or when the GPS signal is weak. This innovation available on the Suunto 9 is therefore very interesting and a definite advantage over the competition.

In addition to FusedTrack, Suunto offers intelligent battery management on the Suunto 5 and Suunto 9. The function analyzes the activities to better estimate the use of the watch. It estimates the remaining battery level and issues alerts when the battery life is low or insufficient for the programmed route. The user can then change modes, for example from Performance mode (recording every second) to a more economical mode.

Despite its small size, the Suunto 3 offers excellent range. That's because it doesn't carry a GPS.

Finally, the Suunto 7 is a little different with a relatively low battery life due to its outstanding AMOLED display. It does little better than the Apple Watch (6 p.m.) as a connected watch and therefore needs to be recharged regularly. Autonomy drops to 8 hours when playing sports while listening to music and to 5 hours when used outdoors. This limits its use and keeps it away from long-duration activities such as long hikes and ultratrail. Smartwatch isn't doing so badly, however, thanks to its energy-efficient processor, a Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 3100 chip, the latest from Qualcomm, designed to optimize power consumption. Qualcomm is currently working on a new chip that will provide a faster processor.

ModelSuunto 3Suunto 5Suunto 7Suunto 9
Watch mode10 days14 days40 days14 days
Watch mode + 24/7 monitoring + mobile notifications5 days7 days2 days7 days
GPS mode30 h20 h / 40 h12 h25 h / 50 h / 120 h
Intelligent charge reminders 218 x 218 320 x 300
FusedTrack   
Comparison Suunto 3 vs Suunto 5 vs Suunto 7 vs Suunto 9: autonomy

Sensors

Suunto 5, Suunto 7 and Suunto 9 are equipped with a GPS chip that is compatible with GPS (American satellite system), GLONASS (Russian system), GALILEO (European system) and QZSS (Quasi-Zenith Satellite System) also called Michibiki (Japanese system). Suunto 7 is also compatible with the Chinese satellite system (Beidu). This increases the chances of receiving the GPS signal in sensitive areas.

Suunto 3 Fitness does not have a GPS chip, but it can be connected to a smartphone to acquire data (so you need to carry your phone with you if you want to record the GPS track). It also has an accelerometer that allows it to count steps and measure the distance travelled without GPS, including indoors, on a treadmill for example. The advantage of this model is to offer a large autonomy despite the small size of the watch.

cardio optic wrist
The 3 watches carry an optical heart rate sensor on the wrist

All 4 watches have a heart rate monitor on the wrist for continuous pulse measurement and 24-hour monitoring. The watch deducts the caloric expenditure during the activity and during the day. For more precise measurements, these watches, with the exception of the Suunto 7, are compatible with the Suunto Smart Sensor chest belt. The belt is necessary for swimming and highly recommended for fractional swimming if reliable records are to be made.

With the exception of the Suunto 7, each model can also be coupled to external sensors (cadence, speed) for running and cycling. The Suunto 5 and Suunto 9 also allow you to couple a Stryd power sensor for running and a power sensor for cycling.

Suunto 9 comes with other useful instruments for hiking, mountaineering, and trail riding: a thermometer, barometer, barometric altimeter, and compass, all combined with weather functions and measurements of altitude, elevation, and vertical speed. In addition, a gyroscope can be used to improve the accuracy of GPS readings (FusedTrack mode described above). These instruments (except for the thermometer and gyroscope) can be found on the connected Suunto 7 watch. However, on this model, the weather functions, including local temperature, are provided by dedicated apps that require a connection to a smartphone.

FeaturesSuunto 3Suunto 5Suunto 7Suunto 9
GPSWith SmartphoneGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BeiduGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS
FC at wrist5 days7 days2 days7 days
Accelerometer30 h20 h / 40 h12 h25 h / 50 h / 120 h
Compass  Via App320 x 300
GPS Altitude  
GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS
Barometric altimeter  
Gyroscope   Stainless Steel
Thermometer   Sapphire crystal
Suunto Smart Sensor Belt Compatible30 m50 m  100 m
Stryd power sensor compatible (running) 22 mm 24 mm
Rate sensor & running speed
 
Cycling speed sensor & cycling speedSiliconeSilicone Silicone
Bicycle power sensor 
 
Comparison Suunto 3 vs. Suunto 5 vs. Suunto 7 vs. Suunto 9: sensors

Functionalities (sports training, exploration, navigation)

These functions, which are more and more present on sports watches, provide the athlete with a valuable aid for training and performance monitoring.

custom workouts screen
On the Suunto 5, custom workouts adapt according to progress.

The comparative series offers the basic tools for training (HR measurements, speed, distance, course recording, training programming) but few tools to help the athlete. Apart from cadence measurement, there are no real race dynamics for example and very few physiological measurements. This is the big difference with Garmin watches (Forerunner Series for example). At Garmin, on the other hand, triathlon watches are rare, whereas at Suunto, all the watches in our comparison, except for the Suunto 7, have this profile.

Suunto 5, Suunto 7, and Suunto 9 offer many measurements relevant for cyclists, runners, and swimmers (power measurements, cadence, swim functions, etc.).

The Suunto 5 also offers adaptive individual training, a feature that should be of interest to many athletes who need guidance in their training. The watch evaluates the physical condition and takes into account the athlete's goals to propose a 7-day training plan. It is sufficient to respect the number of outings, the duration and the intensity of the proposed exercises.

Thumbnail track screen
Suunto 7 displays maps and the GPS track. The other models allow you to follow a pre-recorded path (guidance).

Suunto 5 and 9 watches offer powerful GPS navigation functions to help you find your way around and get to any place without getting lost (thumb tracking, navigating to a point of interest, following a planned route, etc.). ). The Suunto 7 also offers color mapping and heat (or attendance) maps for 15 sports activities including running, biking, hiking, skiing. They indicate the routes most frequented by the Suunto community. On the other hand, the Suunto 7's GPS navigation is minimalist (no direction indication, no turning navigation not turning). You will have to zoom the map to find your bearings and locate the GPS track if you want to retrace your steps or follow a recorded route.

On Suunto 9, you'll find complete instruments for the mountains: barometric altimeter, compass, thermometer. The watch can detect changes in the weather, alerting the wearer to the risk of thunderstorms. These functions are also available on Suunto 7, sometimes via the smartphone (temperature, weather).

Unlike Garmin and its Forerunner series, which are more suitable for running (with the exception of the Forerunner 945 which is designed for almost any sport), Suunto 3, 5, 7 and 9 watches are versatile. They are suitable for a large number of sports (70 to 80 profiles registered). The Suunto 5, Suunto 7 and Suunto 9 are particularly well equipped for most activities, whether for endurance sports (running, trail, cycling, swimming, triathlon, cross-country skiing, cardio, rowing, etc.), mountain (hiking, trekking), exploration, or extreme sports (paragliding, diving, mountaineering, etc.).

Functions for training

FeaturesSuunto 3Suunto 5Suunto 7Suunto 9
GPS speed and distanceWith SmartphoneGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BeiduGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS
Record journey5 days7 days2 days7 days
Customizable sports modes and displays 20 h / 40 h 25 h / 50 h / 120 h
Interval training
 320 x 300
Running Dynamics    
Personalized training
   
Adaptive training 
  
Race time predictor    
Audio instructions 50 m  100 m
Strava, TrainingPeaks, Endomodo compatible
22 mm
24 mm
Comparison Suunto 3 vs Suunto 5 vs Suunto 7 vs Suunto 9: functions for training and analysis

Physiological measurements

Although Suunto uses data from Firstbeat, there are few physiological measurements. Suunto 3 and Suunto 5, more complete here than Suunto 9, estimate the VO2max, Body Resource (body energy) and stress level. Suunto 7 does not benefit from any Firstbeat algorithm and depends on the apps offered by the Wear OS.

These measurements make it possible to evaluate the level of physical fitness and to offer advice and plans adapted to the user.

The Body Resource function, also found on the Series Forerunner 45, 245 and 945, is designed to prevent overtraining. It helps the athlete to find the right balance between training time and recovery time. To do this, the watch estimates the level of recovery by taking into account physical activity, rest times, stress level, quality of sleep. She is thus able to say whether or not it makes sense to go training.

The 4 watches estimate the recovery time after an effort, i.e. the number of hours it will take for the body to recover after an outing.

FeaturesSuunto 3Suunto 5Suunto 7Suunto 9
Calories expendedWith SmartphoneGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BeiduGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS
VO2max5 days7 days  
Body resource
20 h / 40 h  
Stress and recovery assessment
  
Recovery time depending on training
Comparison Suunto 3 vs Suunto 5 vs Suunto 7 vs Suunto 9: physiological measurements

Heart rate evaluation

Unlike other models, the Suunto 7 can measure the heart rate underwater from the optical wrist monitor. Suunto mentions, however, that the measurements may be incorrect. Unfortunately, it is not possible to connect an external sensor (chest belt or cuff) on this model.

FeaturesSuunto 3Suunto 5Suunto 7Suunto 9
Hear rate zonesWith SmartphoneGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BeiduGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS
Real-time HR graph5 days7 days
Real time average HR 20 h / 40 h
Calories expended
Registers HR while swimming
Comparison Suunto 3 vs. Suunto 5 vs. Suunto 7 vs. Suunto 9: exploiting heart rate
With compatible accessory

Sports functions and the outdoors

FunctionSuunto 3Suunto 5Suunto 7Suunto 9
Sports profiles70+80+70+80+
Display  1 to 7 fields 1 to 7 fields
Running    
Interval training assistance
 
Race pace 
Stroke power 
 
Tour comparison 
Average speed, max. per lap in real time 
Speed and cadence sensor support
 
Bike    
Speed 
Average real time speed 
Power Sensor Compatibility 
 
Average and maximum cycling power 
 
Revolutions and maximum power per revolution 
 
Real-time laps with average HR, average power and average speed 
Yes, without the power
Support for fractional training with power, speed and CF 
 
Swimming    
HR measurement and monitoring
Swimming rhythm in pool and distance 
Open water swimming rhythm and distance 
Swimming type detection 
Swimming efficiency (SWOLF) 
Swimming time per length (pool), laps, total 
Cadence and number of movements 
Automatic intervals 
Interval training tours 
Interval training training assistance  
 
Outdoor    
Route registration
Real-time trace (\"Thumbnail\") 
Navigating to a POI 
 
ETA (estimated time of arrival) 
 
Recording and viewing GPS track
GPS track analysis
Zoom levels in navigation 
Heat maps 
Heat maps on the watch  
 
Route planning with altitude profile    
Route planning with heat maps 
Vertical speed 
GPS Altitude 
Total ascent/descent 
FusedAlti (combined GPS and barometric altitudes)  
Temperature  Via app
Sunrise/Sunset Herbs 
Via app
Storm alarm  Via app
Sea level pressure   
Comparison Suunto 3 vs. Suunto 5 vs. Suunto 7 vs. Suunto 9: sports functions
With compatible accessory

Activity monitoring

Like most sports watches today, the Suunto watches compared have a 24/7 activity monitoring function with continuous recording of distance travelled, number of steps taken, calories burned and detailed sleep analysis. On the Suunto 7, the Google Fit function takes care of this. This monitoring has therefore been delegated to Google and is not carried out by the watch itself.

Suunto 3 and Suunto 5 additionally offer an estimate of the stress level, a Body Resource function (see above) and the estimate of physiological age (another way of representing VO2max, i.e. fitness, by comparing the user's fitness with that of other people and indicating the average age of people with the same value). These functions are interesting to follow his progress, measure the impact of training and adapt his training.

FunctionSuunto 3Suunto 5Suunto 7Suunto 9
Number of steps
Physical activity goals (steps, calories)
Calories burned
History of activities 
 
Detailed sleep analysis
Physical age
  
Body resource
  
Stress level measurement
  
Comparison Suunto 3 vs Suunto 5 vs Suunto 7 vs Suunto 9: activity monitoring

Connectivity

The Suunto 7 connected watch offers the best of today's smart features thanks to Wear OS and the ability to download the latest apps available on the watch. You can access the weather, your agenda, check the arrival time of a flight, check the weather, listen to music and much more. Thanks to the NFC chip and the Google Pay payment solution, it is possible to pay for purchases directly from the watch. In short, we are dealing with a watch that offers the equivalent of the Apple Watch functions.

Google Pay display

The 4 watches display Smartphone notifications (SMS, incoming call, email). They are compatible with the Suunto application and with the most popular online sports communities: Strava, Endomondo, TrainingPeaks, etc. Suunto 7 allows you to reply to SMS messages via predefined messages or, if you have an Android phone, by dictating them to the watch via the built-in microphone.

The Suunto 9 also benefits from compatibility with Suunto Movescount and Suunto Movescount App, a sports community that allows you to create your own sports diary, share activities, create or find itineraries, or customize your watch. Suunto offers millions of moves (circuits registered by the Suunto user community) and heat maps showing the most popular paths used by the community. It is thus possible to plan one's outing from topographic maps, by creating a new route or by searching for a route already taken by a member, then downloading the route into one's watch.

Suunto also offers training plans to follow on his watch. Diving fans will also be able to share their experience. In short, Movescount offers many possibilities that add value to the watch.

FunctionSuunto 3Suunto 5Suunto 7Suunto 9
Smart notificationsWith Suunto app
Weather functions  Via Google app
Smartphone Music Control  
 
Embedded mp3 player  Google App 
Comparison Suunto 3 vs Suunto 5 vs Suunto 7 vs Suunto 9: connectivity

Our opinion: Suunto 3, Suunto 5, Suunto 7 and Suunto 9: which one to choose?

The Suunto 3, Suunto 5, Suunto 7 and Suunto 9 are 4 very different watches since the first one is an entry-level watch, more oriented towards fitness and well-being, while the last one is a high-end and very complete watch designed for any sport.

chic watch for men
Suunto 3 is interesting for its elegance, its featherweight, its small size

Suunto 3: elegant, perfect for everyday wear and staying in shape

The Suunto 3 (replacing the Suunto 3 Fitness) is interesting because of its elegance, light weight, small size and sufficient functions for most casual sportsmen and women or non-sportsmen. It monitors your daily activity (calorie expenditure, distance covered, etc.) and records the essential data of your sports outings (endurance, gym, weight training), even triathlons! We particularly appreciate the evolutionary training assistance that allows you to improve or maintain your shape without knowing anything about it. Be careful, it does not have a built-in GPS but you can connect it to a Smartphone to benefit from it. Its accelerometer, however, makes it possible to estimate the distance travelled, outdoors or indoors.

Suunto 5: very complete, the best value for money

The Suunto 5, released in 2019, has the advantage of bringing together, in a reasonably priced watch, a large number of sensors and functions for serious sports monitoring. It will meet the needs of most athletes. Versatile, it is suitable for almost all sports, whether at sea, on land, in the mountains or in the air! It offers new functions that are unfortunately not found on the Suunto 9, such as the Body Resource function, adaptive personal training, VO2max measurement, stress assessment. This watch offers long battery life and intelligent battery management. It is the best value model that will also meet the requirements of most regular sportsmen and women.

Suunto 7: for intelligent functions and advanced sports features

Suunto 7

Released in 2020, the Suunto 7 will be of particular interest to people looking for a smart connected watch that can be worn on a daily basis (city, work) and can also be used for occasional to regular sports (two-in-one watch). In our opinion, it is a good alternative to the Apple Watch for those who do not have an iPhone with, in addition, much more advanced sports functions. As a sports watch, it competes with Garmin by offering on-board mapping, heat maps, music on the wrist, a means of payment (NFC chip) and many apps to download.

The only downside is its short battery life, incompatibility with external sensors, and limited sport functions compared to the Suunto 5 and Suunto 9. These limitations make it obsolete for a number of activities: triathlon, long (ultra) races, activities requiring advanced GPS navigation, sports requiring the use of external sensors (cadence, speed, power, cardio). For this type of activity, it is better to go for the Suunto 5 or Suunto 9 or see another brand (see our comparison of cardio-GPS watches).

Suunto 9: for its record-breaking range, precision and instruments

Suunto 9, on the other hand, offers more comprehensive instruments, including a barometric altimeter and compass, as well as weather functions that make it more suitable than Suunto 5 for mountain or extreme sports. It is suitable for competition and intensive training. This model is especially interesting for its record-breaking range, intelligent battery management and precision thanks to FusedAlti. These assets make the watch compatible with very long outings (ultra-deep water races). Its display is also more comfortable and robust than the other two watches. It's just a little bulkier in size and weight.

3 triathlon watches and 1 connected watch offering many sports profiles

The advantage of these 4 models is that they are versatile. They are suitable for many sports including, with the exception of Suunto 7, triathlon. Suunto 5 and Suunto 9 can be used for almost any sport. In addition, they have advanced GPS navigation functions and can be used to download routes to follow. The heat maps allow you to enjoy the routes of other community members and even measure yourself against them. At Garmin, the features offered are certainly more complete, but the on-board sports profiles are fewer, unless you're paying a lot for a versatile model.

In order to help you in your choice, we propose you the summary table below.

FeaturesSuunto 3Suunto 5Suunto 7Suunto 9
Price
$
$$
$$$
$$$$
Recommended sportsFitness, gym, triathlon, many other sportsTriathlon, running, cycling, swimming, outdoor, many other sportsRunning, cycling, swimming, hikingTriathlon, running, cycling, swimming, outdoor, hiking, trail, many other sports
Comfort (weight, size, elegance)
••••
•••
•••
••
Autonomy
•••
•••
•••••
Useful functionsBody resourceBody resource, GPS navigationAltimetry, music, payment, cartography, intelligent functionsWeather, altimetry, GPS navigation functions
Training and analysisPersonalized workoutsCustomized adaptive drives, power measurement (running, cycling)Peak Training EffectPower measurement (running, cycling)
SensorsWrist HR
Accelerometer
GPS
Wrist HR
Accelerometer
Wrist HR
GPS
Accelerometer
Compass
Barometricaltimeter
Wrist HR
Accelerometer
Compass
Gyroscope
Thermometer
Barometric altimeter
External sensorsSmart Sensor, cadence / speed running and cyclingSmart Sensor, cadence / speed / power running and cycling Smart Sensor, cadence / speed / power running and cycling
Suitable for running
••••
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Adapted to the mountain 
••
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Suitable for swimming
••••
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Suitable for cycling
••••
•••
••••
Suitable for outdoor use
••••
•••
••••
Suitable for triathlon
••••
 
••••
Suunto 3 vs Suunto 5 vs Suunto 7 vs Suunto 9 compared: how to choose?

Suunto 3, Suunto 5, Suunto 7 and Suunto 9: where to buy it?

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

Buy Suunto 9

Merchant
Price (from)
 
i-Run
349,00 €
269,00 €
Alltricks
406,84 €
Amazon
599,00 €
442,00 €
Lepape
649,00 €
449,00 €
Bikeinn
717,92 €
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Commercial links. Prices are not contractual. Please visit the merchant site.

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