Featured in this comparison chart, are; the Polar Ignite – An outstanding fitness smartwatch with some very nice interesting features, joined by the Garmin Forerunner 245 – another comprehensive fitness tracker with remarkable battery life, and the Suunto 5 – the latest fitness smartwatch from Suunto, and an all-around activity tracker ready to track your active life.

One interesting thing is that these three shares quite a lot of fitness tracking features in common, and also are moderately priced which makes this comparison of the Polar Ignite vs Garmin Forerunner 245 vs Suunto 5 a very interesting one for fitness enthusiasts looking for a moderately priced fitness smartwatch that helps manage your fitness goals effectively and effortlessly.

Head-to-head, we compare specs and features of these three to help you make a perfect choice.

Polar Ignite vs Garmin Forerunner 245 vs Suunto 5 Specs Compared

Polar IgniteGarmin Forerunner 245 MusicSuunto 5
polar ignite specsgarmin forerunner 245 music specssuunto 5

ABOUT DEVICE

Device namePolar IgniteGarmin Forerunner 245 MusicSuunto 5
Device typeFitness/Sport SmartwatchFitness/GPS smartwatchFitness/GPS smartwatch
Predessesor__Garmin Forerunner 235_
Successor__Garmin Forerunner 255Suunto 7
Released dateJune, 2019April, 2019May, 2019
Ideal forUnisexUnisexMen

DISPLAY

Display typeIPS Transflective LCDTransflective memory-in-display (MIP)Active Matrix LCD
Display size1.2 inch1.2 inch1.3 inch
Display resolution240 x 240 pixels240 x 240 pixels218 x 218 pixels
Pixel density__282.8 PPIUnknown
Input typeTouchscreen
1 physical button
5 buttons, (Not touchscreen)(Not touchscreen) 5 physical buttons
Always-onYesYesYes
Customizable watch faceYesYesYes

BODY

ShapeCircularCircularCircular
Dimension43 x 43 x 8.5 mm42.3 x 42.3 x 12.2 mm46 x 46 x 14.6 mm
Weight35 grams
(including straps)
38.5 grams66 grams
Casing materialGlass fiber reinforced polymerFiber-reinforced polymerGlass fibre reinforced polyamide
Strap/band materialTPU (Black and silver)
Silicone (other colors)
SiliconeSilicone
Bezel MaterialStainless steelFiber-reinforced polymerStainless steel
Strap size20mm20mm22 mm
130-230 mm (Lenght)
Interchangeable band Yes, 22mmYes, 20mmYes, 22mm
Screen protectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3Corning Gorilla Glass 3Mineral glass crystal
Water resistant/ProtectionYes, 3ATMYes, 5ATMYes, 5ATM
Swim-proofYes, recommendedYes, recommendedYes, recommended
Color(s)Black
Silver
Yellow
White
Black
Aqua
White
Black
White
Burgundy

MEMORY

RAM__--Unknown
Internal storage__4GBNil
Memory card slotNoNoNo

CONNECTIVITY

BluetoothBluetooth LEYes, and ANT+Bluetooth v4.2 LE
Bluetooth callingNoNoNo
Wi-FiNoYesNo
NFCNoNoNo
Payment systemNoneNoNone
GPSGPS/GLONASSGPS/GLONASS/GalileoGPS/GLONASS/GALILEO/QZSS/GALILEO

CELLULAR TECHNOLOGY

TechnologyNoNoNo
SIMNoNoNo
BandNoNoNo

NOTIFICATIONS

Email alertYesYesYes
SMS alertYesYesYes
Calls alertYesYesYes
Event reminderYesYesYes
WeatherYesYesYes
Third-party appsYesYesYes
Text responseNoYesNo

FITNESS TRACKING

Sleep apneaNoNoNo
Sleep trackingYesYesYes
StepsYesYesYes
Floors climbedNoNoNo
Heart rate monitoringYesYesYes
CaloriesYesYesYes
DistanceYesYesYes
StressYesYesYes
VO2 Max.YesYesYes
Blood oxygenNoYesNo
Blood pressureNoNoNo
Menstrual cycle trackingNoYesNo
Swim trackingYesYesYes
Under-water heart rate trackingNoYesYes, with Suunto smart sensor
Preloaded maps_NoYes
On-screen workout modesNoNoNo
Triathlon modeYesNoYes
ECG TrackingNoNoNo
Preloaded sport modesYesYesYes
Safety trackingNoYesNo

MEDIA

AudioNomp3/mp4No
Music streamingNoYesNo
Bluetooth musicNoYesNo
RadioNoNoNo
LoudspeakerNoNoNo
MicrophoneNoNoNo
CameraNoNoNo

SENSORS

PLATFORM

Operating system (OS)_Proprietary OSUnknown
Chipset_--Unknown
CPU_--Unknown
GPU------

BATTERY

Type of batteryNon-removable Li-ion batteryNon-removable Li-ion batteryNon-removable Li-ion battery
Battery capacity 165mAh--Unknown
Battery lifeGPS and wrist-based heart rate: 17 hrs
Watch mode with heart rate: Up to 5 days
Smartwatch Mode: Up to 7 days
GPS mode with music: Up to 6 hours
GPS mode without music: Up to 24 hours
Smartwatch mode: Up to 14 days
Mixed usage: Up to 7 days
GPS Active: 20h / 40h
Charging typeUSB cradleUSB charging cableUSB cradle
Charging timeAbout 1-2 hoursAbout 1-2 hoursAbout 1-2 hours
Battery saver modeYesNoNo
Solar powerNoNoNo
Rapid chargingNoNo_

CLOCK FEATURES

Time/DateYesYesYes
StopwatchYesYesYes
AlarmYesYesYes

OTHER FUNCTIONS

Control cameraNoYesNo
Music controlYesYesNo
Find phoneYesYesNo

MISC

Compatibility Android and iOSAndroid and iOS
Check if your device is compatible
Android and iOS.
Check if your device is compatible
Companion appPolar Flow appGarmin connect IQSuunto App
Voice commandNoNoNo

BOX CONTENTS

Polar Vantage MGarmin Forerunner 245Suunto 5
StrapsStrapsStraps
USB cradleUSB charging cableUSB cradle
Quick start guideQuick start guideQuick start guide
NOTE: We can't guarantee that all the information on this table are 100% correct. Read full disclaimer. Please, report an error.
Official SiteOfficial SiteOfficial Site

Polar Ignite vs Garmin Forerunner 245 vs Suunto 5 Features Compared

  1. Design

  2. The most befitting smartwatches to wear while working out indoor or outdoor should be lightweight, comfortable to wear, have long battery life, and can easily be viewed outdoors under direct sunlight.

    Well, these three fulfill all these criteria, however, the Polar Ignite takes it a little further with its incredibly slim design that makes it the sleekest among the three, while also having the least weight that of course, makes it the most befitting wear for sports activities.

    It’s no doubt, a perfect definition of what a fitness smartwatch should be.
    The slim stainless steel bezel on the Ignite and Suunto 5 leaves these two with a more stylish design, and of course, makes the fashion statement of some sought, but then the Ignite with a slimmer bezel has a specific characteristics appearance that makes it the most suitable choice for women.

    Although, the Forerunner 245 with the smallest case size is also a great choice for women, while the Suunto 5 is most befitting for men.

  3. Fitness Tracking

  4. These three being outstanding fitness smartwatches are comprehensive choices for tracking your active life. Each of these will track your complete sleep cycle, calories burned after an activity, steps, distance, pace, routes, track your fitness level/ VO2 max, continuous heart rate tracking – all the essential features for the pro athlete with each having specific sport profiles that allow you choose your preferred workout modes from the numerous sport modes available.

    However, the Suunto 5 features a multisport mode and recovery option that helps you see how well your body is recuperating from the previous exercise. This makes it a great choice for triathlon athletes and professionals alike.

    On the other hand, the Ignite offers over 100 sport modes, plus the new FitSpark training guide that offers ready-made daily on-demand workouts that match your recovery, fitness level and training history helping you choose your preferred workout mode effortlessly. There’s also the Training Load – that quantify the strain of your training sessions, helping you see how well your training strain your body.

    While, the Forerunner 245 comes with a pulse ox sensor that monitors your blood oxygen level giving you insight on how well your body utilizes oxygen – a very essential feature that gives you insight on your sleep quality, and also a great deal for climbers.

    There’s also the body energy battery monitoring feature that uses collected data to gauge your energy level – A feature that helps you know how active you’re to embark on the next workout activity. So, that you can achieve more fitness goals, but don’t break down.

  5. Battery Life

Interestingly, these three devices have some of the most impressive battery life on the market that lets you go long on a single charge.

However, Forerunner 245 takes it a bit further with its about 7 days long battery life on smartwatch mode and 24 hours in training with GPS and heart rate tracking which makes it the best choice for anyone engaging in extreme workout activities.

Which Should You Buy?

It’s important to note that any of these three will comprehensively track your active life. Each of these has got a long list of fitness tracking features with differing perspectives on the style of activity tracking.

However, going by design and price, the Ignite with the most outstanding design is the best choice for women and is also a comprehensive fitness tracker with impressive long battery life.

The Suunto 5 on the other hand, is the best choice for triathlon athletes, also a comprehensive fitness tracker with long battery life.

And, for hikers and extreme activity tracking, the Forerunner 245 is the best choice, while also being a comprehensive fitness tracker with pulse ox sensor and incident detection feature that ensures you get the needed help when an accident occurs by sending your location to a preset emergency contact.

Here’s how they stack up;

GARMIN FORERUNNER 245 Comes with a pulse ox sensor, and a comprehensive fitness tracker with the longest battery life. A great choice for men and women.
POLAR IGNITEThe lowest price, yet a comprehensive fitness tracker with long battery life, while also being the most stylish with the most decent appearance. The best choice for women.
SUUNTO 5Also a comprehensive fitness tracker with a long battery life, and the best choice for triathlon athletes and Pros alike. The best choice for men.

Our Pick

The Garmin Forerunner is an outstanding fitness smartwatch with a pulse ox sensor, a long battery life while also being a comprehensive fitness tracker featuring inbuilt incident detection that ensures you get the needed help when an accident occurs. It’s no doubt a great choice, and is our preferred choice.

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4 Comments

    • Based on size and appearance, Yeah. The polar ignite is the best choice for women among the three watches, while the Suunto 5 is more befitting wear for men than the other two – Editor’s opinion.

      Thank you for visiting .

  1. Ridiculous editiors opinion in 2019.

    Not all mens wrists are bigger than womens wrists. Or perhaps women simply can’t cope with the extra few grams?

    They both allow wrist of between 130 to 210mm.

    Also the “best choice for women” isn’t a multisports watch, whereas the “best choice for men” is.

    you’d think THAT would be important, rather than which one is “more feminine” looking.

    “Women, know you place. The Suunto 5, is a MAN’s watch. It’s not for the likes of you. Forget about silly multisport.”

    • I respect your opinion Allen. Like I said, I’d made my recommendations based on appearance and size of which the polar Ignite has the least and most potable design. If there’s any watch out of these three that will look nice on women,I think it’s the Polar Ignite, otherwise these three are nice fits for men.

      We really appreciate your time, thank you.