Overdue for a refresh — no successor announced yet. Prices should be at their lowest
Full details →| Polar Vantage V | Fitbit Sense | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | $599 | $199★ |
| Subscription | ✓ None | ℹ️ Optional — $79/yr |
| Hardware | ||
| Weight | 39g | 26g★ |
| Water resistance | 5ATM | 50m |
| Battery | 8 days★ | 6 days |
| Always-on display | ✅★ | ❌ |
| GPS | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cellular | ❌ | ❌ |
| Platform | iOS & Android | iOS & Android |
| Tier | Sports GPS | Smartwatch |
| Buy timing | ||
| Released | Oct 4, 2023 | Sep 28, 2022 |
| Cycle advice | bad | bad |
| Deals advice | good | good |
| Next model | Polar Vantage V4 (2026) | — |
Polar Vantage V3 is one of the few sports GPS watches with on-demand ECG — usually only found on lifestyle smartwatches.
Running power measurement without a foot pod or chest strap — a significant training metric for pacing effort on hills and varied terrain.
The most detailed training load analysis in any sports watch: muscle groups targeted per session, recovery status per muscle, and long-term load trends.
The EDA (electrodermal activity) sensor tracks physiological stress throughout the day — a feature absent from most competitors at this price.
Comes with Fitbit Premium for advanced sleep analysis, HRV trends, stress management scores, and personalised health insights.
Unlike Apple Watch or Galaxy Watch, Sense 2 pairs with any smartphone and runs 6 days before charging.
The right pick depends on what you optimize for.
$436 vs $599 over 3 years · no required subscription.
8 days vs 6 days battery.
6 sensors.
26g · no required subscription.
Serious endurance athletes — particularly runners and triathletes — who want Polar's unmatched training load science and recovery guidance, combined with ECG health monitoring and running power in a premium package.
Full details →Health-conscious users on any platform who want continuous stress monitoring (EDA sensor), ECG, and Fitbit's deep wellness coaching — without paying Galaxy Watch or Apple Watch prices. Particularly strong for iPhone users who want serious health tracking at under $250.
Full details →