| Polar Grit X | Garmin Venu | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | $749 | $549★ |
| Subscription | ✓ None | ℹ️ Optional — $70/yr |
| Hardware | ||
| Weight | 57g | 42g★ |
| Water resistance | 100m★ | 5ATM |
| Battery | 40 days★ | 12 days |
| Always-on display | ❌ | ✅★ |
| GPS | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cellular | ❌ | ❌ |
| Platform | iOS & Android | iOS & Android |
| Tier | Sports GPS | Smartwatch |
| Buy timing | ||
| Released | Apr 11, 2024 | Sep 22, 2025 |
| Cycle advice | bad | good★ |
| Deals advice | good★ | neutral |
| Next model | — | — |
Five times the battery of the Vantage V3 — enough for week-long mountain stages or ultramarathons without charging access.
Automatically segments your run by uphill and downhill sections, calculating pace and power for each — essential for mountain race training.
Running power without a chest strap or foot pod — Polar's key differentiator versus Garmin at this price tier.
The Venu 4 adds on-demand ECG (a first for the Venu line) alongside Garmin's signature Body Battery energy score — combining health monitoring and daily readiness in one watch.
A white/red LED flashlight and a speaker/microphone for hands-free calling — practical features that set the Venu 4 apart from the Venu 3.
SatIQ multi-band GPS for precise tracking in cities and trails, with up to 12 days of battery life in the 45mm model — significantly more than any comparable smartwatch.
The right pick depends on what you optimize for.
$749 vs $759 over 3 years · no required subscription.
40 days vs 12 days battery.
8 sensors.
42g · no required subscription.
Trail runners, hikers, and outdoor athletes who want Polar's analytics with significantly longer battery life than the Vantage V3. The titanium case and sapphire glass make it suitable for technical terrain where watch durability matters.
Full details →Users who want Garmin's best health analytics and sports tracking on a stylish AMOLED watch for everyday wear. Works equally well for Android and iPhone. The Venu 4 adds ECG and a flashlight to the formula — ideal for anyone who wants a capable lifestyle watch with genuine health monitoring depth.
Full details →