Polar Electro is among the world’s leading manufacturers of fitness watches and sports training computers. The company was founded by Seppo Saynajakangas in 1977 in Kempele, Finland. In 1982, Polar unveiled the first wireless heart rate monitor and has since been a leader in the field of sports training computers and fitness watches.
Polar Electro is still based in Finland with around 1,200 people under its employ. The company has a global presence and supplies more than 35,000 retail stores spread across more than 80 countries around the world.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Polar Fitness Watches Comparison Chart
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
EDITOR'S CHOICE  |
1. A300
|
Check Price |
RUNNER UP  |
2. A360
|
Check Price |
  |
3. A370
|
Check Price |
  |
4. FT1
|
Check Price |
  |
5. FT4
|
Check Price |
  |
6. FT7
|
Check Price |
  |
7. M200
|
Check Price |
  |
8. M400
|
Check Price |
  |
9. M430
|
Check Price |
  |
10. M600
|
Check Price |
  |
11. V800
|
Check Price |
  |
12. Loop 1
|
Check Price |
  |
13. Loop 2
|
Check Price |
  |
14. Polar RC3
|
Check Price |
  |
15. OH1
|
Check Price |
A Series
The A300 is a simple and powerful heart rate monitor, the basic model in the famous Polar A series.
This monitor offers a clear and easy-to-read display which shows time spent in the fat burn and fitness improving zones of your training.
Also, it can show you a detailed breakdown of your training schedule, sleeping patterns, and daily progress.This simple heart rate monitor is there for people who are looking to burn excess fat and improve fitness.
The upsides include a super clear display, USB-rechargeable battery, four-week battery runtime, the ability to export training data to your smartphone via Bluetooth, and waterproof construction.
On the downside, A300 doesn’t feature GPS tracking for runners who’d like to analyze their running routes.
As part of the A series, the neatly-designed A360 offers basic heart rate monitoring and fitness tracking features. It comes with a full-color LED display and an adjustable wristband.
The monitor measures heart rate of the wrist. Despite the fact that it lacks GPS, A360 can display the covered distance with exceptional precision.This model is made for people serious about taking their fitness to the next level.
The finest features of this activity tracking bracelet include a clear and very informative display, the ability to sync with the Polar Flow smartphone application, accurate heart rate measurements, multiple sports profiles, and easy setup.
The only major downside to this heart rate monitor is the lack of GPS. It also lacks 24/7 heart rate monitoring.
The stylish A370 is a feature-rich heart rate monitor based on the mid-range A360 activity tracking bracelet. It offers advanced sleep tracking, GPS sharing, 24/7 heart rate monitoring, smartphone notifications, and Polar Flow compatibility.
Additionally, this neat HRM displays daily summary, speed and distance, and 5-zone heart rate. It can also share your smartphone’s GPS.The A370 is for people who want to step up their fitness game with the help of a stylish, motivational heart rate monitor.
The list of pros includes a crystal clear display with a ton of available information, USB-rechargeable battery with an exceptionally long runtime, 24/7 heart rate monitoring, speed and distance measuring, and advanced sleep tracking.On the other hand, a top-of-the-line heart rate monitor could benefit from the inclusion of its own GPS system.
FT Series
The FT1 has long been among Polar’s best-sellers. It is a simple and easy-to-use heart rate watch featuring a modern design and fantastic battery life.
The FT1 is a self-contained monitor, meaning you won’t need a PC or Mac to set it up. Conversely, you won’t be able to upload the training data to your iPhone or Android phone.
The main features include an easy-to-read backlit display, very accurate heart rate measurement, and training tracking with summaries. This simple heart rate watch is there for people who want a straightforward, old-school monitor.
The pros include simplicity, 18-month battery life, and accurate heart rate measurements. On the other end, the FT1 has no GPS and can’t be connected to a smartphone or a computer.
The famous FT4 was introduced years ago as an upgrade to the entry-level FT1 model. It remains true to the series’ concept, being both a great-looking everyday wrist watch and a self-contained heart rate monitor.
The FT4 offers precise heart rate measurement and calories burnedcalculations based on several parameters.
This model also features post-session summaries with average HR and time spent in each heart rate zone. Mainly, it is for people who like to keep it simple and want to avoid the hassle of smartphones and computers.
On the upside, the FT4 is simple and very easy to use. It offers detailed calories burnt info, HR zone control, and an 18-month battery life. On the flipside, it is a bit outdated and features no GPS.
This is one of the most popular heart rate monitors Polar has ever made. It is a simple and self-contained unit which serves as a time-of-the-day watch and a heart rate monitor.
It comes with a nicely designed housing, changeable wristband, and a clear, easy-to-read display. Under the hood, the FT7 offers the essential HRM features, such as after-session summaries, weekly summaries, indications of fitness and fat burning training phases, and a durable battery. The FT7 is for all exercisers who want to track their progress over time.
The pros include heart rate zone control, 18-month battery life, accurate HR measurements, and progress tracking. On the flipside, the FT7 doesn’t have a GPS and can’t connect to other devices.
M Series
The M200 is the most affordable Polar M-serieswatch. It comes with anattractive case with a circular digital display and an adjustable wristband.
This model is primarily aimed at runners, recreational, amateur, and professional alike. However, it can be used for a wide variety of other sports as well.
The main features include off-the-wrist heart rate monitoring, inactivity notifications, GPS, 24/7 activity tracking, post-training analysis and feedback, and a durable battery.
The strongest points of this daytime watch/heart rate monitor include a high level of measuring precision, 15 sports profiles, waterproof construction, 24/7 activity tracking, GPS, and compatibility with the Polar Flow app.
The biggest letdowns include somewhat poor display brightness and the lack of HR zones. Also, the standard M200 doesn’t support wrist gestures.
The modern M400 heart rate monitor/time of day watch has an elegant design, waterproof construction, and a host of useful features. It offers GPS, easy-to-read color display, 5-zone heart rate tracking, and everything that’s in the affordable M200 (24/7 activity tracking, post-training analysis,smartphone notifications, compatibility with a wide range of training apps, and more). The M400 is focused on runners, though cyclists, swimmers, weightlifters, and other exercisers can use it as well.
On the upside, the M400 offers super-accurate heart rate monitoring, excellent connectivity options, a bright and well-organized display, GPS, 24/7 activity tracking, and a long battery life. On the downside, the day of time mode could have received more attention.
The M430 combines the features of a standard time of day wristwatch and those of a high-end heart rate monitor. It offers modern styling, a back-loadedoptical heart rate monitor, Polar’s Training Benefit, intervals with vibrating alerts, and recovery analysis.
In addition, you also get a GPS, accelerometer which accurately tracks the covered distance in the indoor settings, 24/7 activity tracking, and smartphone notifications. The M430 is primarily made for runners, as it is packed with running-oriented training programs. However, other exercisers can use it, too.
The highlights of this fantastic heart rate monitor/time of day watch include a brilliant display, GPS, connectivity options, wide range of running programs, precise heart rate measuring, waterproof construction, long battery life, and built-in accelerometer for indoor running. This HRM has no glaring weaknesses worth mentioning.
The M600 was introduced back in 2021 to all-around stellar reviews. This smartwatch runs on Android Wear OS and is one of Polar’s most serious takes on exercise-oriented smartwatches.
The wrist-based heart rate monitoring, 24/7 activity tracker, onboard GPS, and calories burned calculator are its main features on the HRM side. On the smartwatch side, the M600 features everything the Android Wear OS has to offer. This premium model is for exercisers who want the latest tech on their wrist while they work out.
The highlights include pre-installed Polar Flow app, wrist heart monitor, SWIM metrics, GPS, activity tracker, and calories burned display. On the flipside, the battery is somewhat weak.
The V800 is Polar’s flagship heart rate monitor/wristwatch. It became an instant classicwhen it was released back in 2021, as well as one of the Polar’s best-selling heart rate monitors.
Since November 2021, the V800 supports Live Strava Segments. It is geared primarily towards professional and competitive triathletes. Of course, casual and intermediate-level runners, swimmers, and bikers can use it, too.
Some of the key features include modern design, easy-to-read Gorilla Glass display, compatibility with Android and iOS devices, and low energy Bluetooth (BTLE) connection.
The pros include GPS, durable battery, waterproof construction, excellent connectivity options, Live Strava Segments support, and Gorilla Glass display. On the flipside, this HRM/watch might be a bit expensive for casual exercisers.
The Loop 1 is the starter model in the Loop series. It comes in the form of a discreet, yet fashionably designed wrist-mounted device with a simple display and an adjustable wristband.
It is a basic activity tracker made for everyone interested in getting more activity throughout the day and improving their fitness and overall health.
That being said, professionals and competitive athletes probably won’t get much out of it. The main features include Polar EnergyPoints, OwnCal, Activity Guide, and Activity Benefit. It also features a durable battery and waterproof construction.
On the upside, the Loop 1 offers basic activity tracking, burned calories meter, compatibility with H7 and H6 heart rate sensors, and waterproof construction. To the other side, it might be too simple for serious exercisers and professional athletes.
The Loop 2 builds on the legacy of the immensely popular Loop 1 activity bracelet. It, too, is an activity bracelet save forsome slightly more advanced features.
The Loop 2 has an improved design as well, though it keeps things simple enough for everyday use. Like its predecessor, it’s for everyone intent on improving their fitness level and health.
Of course, serious exercisers and pros can use it, though they might not benefit too much from it.
The main features include smartphone notifications and alerts, waterproof construction, a simple display, fat burning/improving fitness zones, and Bluetooth connectivity.
The strongest points of this activity bracelet are its simplicity, waterproof construction, Bluetooth connectivity, and smartphone notifications. However, the same simplicity restricts its use to casual fitness monitoring.
The Polar RC3 is a neat and well-made wristwatch/heart rate monitor. While not the most technologically advanced, it is sufficiently equipped to support casual, amateur, and semi-professional exercisers.
Of course, pros who like to keep things simple might also find this watch very attractive. The RC3 comes with a built-in GPS, 5 heart rate zones, calories burned display, after session feedback, and distance/heart rate/cadence meters. For time-keeping purposes, it is a basic wristwatch.
The highlights include waterproof construction, built-in GPS, and the ability to track key statistics (burned calories, distance covered, cadence, speed, heart rate). On the flipside, technically-oriented exercisers and professional athletes might find it too simple.
The OH 1 is a simple optical HR monitor designed to be worn around the arm. You can wear it around the wrist or the upper arm (either below or above bicep).
It comes without a display and has only two work modes – standalone and broadcasting. In the standalone mode, the OH 1 stores the heart rate data internally, while in the broadcast mode it sends the data to a compatible device via Bluetooth.
It is made for virtually everyone who wants accurate HR measurements in real time.
The highlights include six heart rate monitoring LED lights and the ability to store up to 8 training sessions. The weakest point of the OH 1 is the lack of ANT+ support.
