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Best Polar Watches

Updated December 2018
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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
Bottom Line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Polar
V800 GPS Sports Watch
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Bottom Line

For the serious athlete or athletic type, this GPS-enabled watch offers top tracking tools to optimize your performance.

Pros

Much more than just a heart rate monitor. Built-in GPS keeps track of your ride, run, or hike measuring your speed, distance, and route. Syncs with phone, tablet, or computer for use with Polar Flow app/website to track progress and personalize settings. Waterproof to 30m. Counts laps.

Cons

Heart rate monitor doesn’t really work while swimming.

Polar
FT4 Heart Rate Monitor
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Bottom Line

Lightweight, reliable fitness tracker that measures heart rate and calories burned.

Pros

Great choice for basic function without the bells and whistles of other fitness trackers. Loved for its continuous, accurate heart rate monitor (chest strap included). Beeps when you go out of your zone, a function that can be turned on/off. Tracks calories burned. Also tells time and date.

Cons

Strap must be cleaned regularly to work properly. No stopwatch function.

Best Bang for the Buck
Polar
FT7 Heart Rate Monitor
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Bottom Line

Simple but popular heart rate monitor that also calculates fitness zones.

Pros

Well-liked for its functionality and affordability. Accurate heart rate reading continually displayed. Calculates calories burned and fat-burning zone. Can be used as normal watch when not in exercise mode (displays time, day, date). Comfortable chest strap stays in place and is washable. Popular with men and women.

Cons

Limited information displayed on watch; LCD display feels outdated.

Polar
RC3 GPS Sports Watch
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Bottom Line

Lightweight, attractive watch with GPS that’s ideal for hikers or trail runners.

Pros

Calculates altitude. Rechargeable battery lasts for a full-day hike or run. Syncs with Polar app/website for training programs. Popular among triathletes. Comes with heart rate strap. Highly readable screen.

Cons

Not water-resistant. GPS signal takes a few minutes to pick up.

Polar
FT60 Heart Rate Monitor
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Bottom Line

Classic fitness tracker that provides workout motivation as well as heart rate monitoring.

Pros

Popular for its three customizable cardio zones: calorie-burning, fat-burning, and maintenance. Tracks weekly goals and rewards you with a “trophy” when you reach them. Waterproof. Easy to use and doesn’t require a phone or computer.

Cons

No stopwatch function. Heart rate monitor doesn't work in the water.

How we decided

We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

  • 9 Models Considered
  • 5 Hours Researched
  • 1 Experts Interviewed
  • 120 Consumers Consulted
    • Zero products received from manufacturers.

    We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

    Why trust BestReviews?
    BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
    BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers.
    BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.

    A Polar watch is designed for athletes of all ages. It allows you to track your heart rate, calories burned, and other exercise data. Plus, each watch syncs with a smartphone, tablet, or computer, enabling you to evaluate your exercise progress over time. Some watches can be customized to different cardio zones. Additionally, various watches are waterproof, which means you can wear your watch when you swim. A Polar watch even enables you to measure your distance, speed, and route during walks, runs, and bike rides. It comes in multiple styles, sizes, and colors. And when you are not exercising, a Polar watch can be used as an everyday watch that displays the date and time.

    The team that worked on this review
    • Ana
      Ana
      Writer
    • Bronwyn
      Bronwyn
      Editor
    • Melinda
      Melinda
      Web Producer
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    Polar

    V800 GPS Sports Watch

    Polar

    V800 GPS Sports Watch

    For the serious athlete or athletic type, this GPS-enabled watch offers top tracking tools to optimize your performance.

    $359
    ×

    Polar

    FT4 Heart Rate Monitor

    Polar

    FT4 Heart Rate Monitor

    Lightweight, reliable fitness tracker that measures heart rate and calories burned.

    $154
    ×

    Polar

    FT7 Heart Rate Monitor

    Polar

    FT7 Heart Rate Monitor

    Simple but popular heart rate monitor that also calculates fitness zones.

    $98
    ×

    Polar

    RC3 GPS Sports Watch

    Polar

    RC3 GPS Sports Watch

    Lightweight, attractive watch with GPS that’s ideal for hikers or trail runners.
    $1222
    ×

    Polar

    FT60 Heart Rate Monitor

    Polar

    FT60 Heart Rate Monitor

    Classic fitness tracker that provides workout motivation as well as heart rate monitoring.
    $169

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