Buying guide for best suunto watches
Sometimes, a watch is more than just a watch. Since 1936, Suunto has been offering outdoor and sports watches that do more than simply tell the time. These watches are uniquely designed to track and provide helpful information whether you’re hunting, fishing, hiking, diving, running, or engaging in a variety of other activities. For anyone who leads an active lifestyle, a Suunto watch is an indispensable accessory.
Suunto has so many options to choose from that finding the ideal watch to meet your needs can be a challenge. Considering the number of features available, it’s easy to feel a little overwhelmed.
At BestReviews, we’re here to streamline the shopping process. If you’re in the market for a Suunto watch, our shopping guide is full of tips to help you choose the best option for your sporting and adventure needs.
Types of Suunto watches
Sports
Suunto sports watches are designed for runners, hikers, and other individuals who enjoy a variety of outdoor activities. There are models that target specific sports, as well as multisport watches that work for all kinds of athletic endeavours. Most Suunto sports watches are rugged and hold up well under regular outdoor use. Some models have GPS, heart rate monitoring, and a rechargeable battery.
Premium
While Suunto premium watches are designed for rugged outdoor activities, they emphasize high-quality materials and design for a more stylish appearance. That means that while they still provide the features loved by adventure enthusiasts, the watches are suitable for everyday wear to the office and beyond.
Dive computer
Suunto dive computer watches have a durable, functional design specifically tailored for underwater sports and activities. Larger models feature impressive color screens that are visible underwater, while others have a standard black-and-white display. Most dive computer watches have a 3D compass, dive planning feature, wireless connectivity, and a variety of dive mode options.
Suunto watch features to consider
Screen
Suunto sports watches have either a basic black-and-white digital screen or a color LCD touchscreen. While the digital screens feature large, clear numbers that are fairly easy to read, the color screens are usually brighter and provide a greater contrast, which can make them even easier to read during vigorous activities like running. Watches with touchscreens can be easier to control when you’re on the go as well.
Keep in mind that Suunto watches with color touchscreens are generally more expensive than black-and-white models. The watches with the largest color screens tend to have the heftiest price tag.
Materials
Suunto watches are extremely rugged and designed to be able to stand up to vigorous activity and the elements. The watches feature highly durable materials for the bezel, crystal, case, and strap, which vary depending on the watch type.
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Bezel: Many Suunto sports and premium watches have a stainless-steel bezel, which is extremely strong and rust resistant. The dive watches have either a composite or titanium bezel. Both materials hold up well to repeated use in saltwater or chlorinated water.
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Crystal: Suunto watches use either a mineral crystal or sapphire crystal over the watch face. Mineral crystal is chemically treated for scratch resistance and is usually the more affordable option. However, it doesn’t hold up as well to extreme temperatures and can shatter or crack if hit at the right angle. Sapphire, found on all Suunto premium watches and some of the sports and dive watches, is more expensive. It’s highly durable, scratch resistant, and shatterproof. Sapphire crystals are also so clear that anti-reflective treatment can be added to both sides without causing any blurriness when you look at the watch face.
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Case: Most Suunto watches have a stainless steel, composite, or titanium case. All three materials are highly durable, rust resistant, and low maintenance, but titanium is the best option for watches that will be worn in or near water.
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Strap: Suunto watch straps are made of silicone, steel, leather, titanium, or elastomer. Sports watches usually have a silicone strap, which is highly durable and easy to clean. Premium watch bands are either leather or stainless steel for a dressier look without sacrificing durability. Suunto dive watches have bands made of titanium, silicone, or elastomer.
Bluetooth compatibility
Many of the Suunto sports watches and dive watches with smartwatch capabilities feature Bluetooth connectivity to enable you to transfer data between the watch and your phone. In most cases, the watches are only compatible with iPhones and Android phones, so check to make sure that the watch will work with your make and model of phone.
Digital compass
All Suunto watches feature a digital compass for navigation during your outdoor adventures or fitness excursions. The compass is accurate to within five degrees, and a little less accurate for the dive watches.
GPS
Some of the more expensive Suunto sports watches offer GPS, providing visual route navigation on the touchscreen and a wide array of outdoor maps via satellite, so you never have to worry about losing your way.
Battery
Most Suunto sports watches have rechargeable batteries that offer 14 days of battery life in time mode, 7 days in tracking and mobile notification mode, and 25 hours or more in training mode with GPS. These watches also have multiple battery modes that manage the battery life to help make sure you never run out of power during a long hike or training session.
Other sports watches and premium models have replaceable batteries that generally last about a year. Dive watches are available with either replaceable batteries that last approximately two years or rechargeable batteries that last up to two months.
Tracking and notification
Nearly all Suunto sports watches can track basic fitness categories like steps and calories, but some advanced models can track data for a variety of sports statistics, including running, biking, and swimming, to make staying on top of your workouts as easy as possible. These watches are compatible with Suunto apps that can assist with data tracking, route planning, monitoring workout recovery, and developing workout plans. Watches with advanced tracking features can also monitor your sleep patterns and habits.
These advanced Suunto sports watches are also compatible with many iPhone and Android smartphones, which means you can receive calls, texts, and other notifications on the watch from your phone.
Water resistance
Most Suunto sports and premium watches resist water to 100 meters, so you can wear your watch swimming laps. Some dive models offer water resistance to 150 meters. All of the watches meets ISO standards, so you can trust that they are safe in the water to the listed depths.
Heart rate monitor
Many Suunto sports watches have a heart rate monitor that enables you to track how well you’re meeting fitness goals during your workout. Some advanced models measure your heart rate directly from your wrist, while others use a belt or chest strap.
Weather indicators
All Suunto watches are equipped with some type of weather indicator to help you stay safe outdoors. Some models offer basic data, such as barometric pressure and weather trends, while others provide the temperature, sunrise and sunset times, storm alarm, and other features.
Expert Tip
If you find that the heart rate monitor on your Suunto watch isn’t working properly, clean the wrist sensors or chest strap.
STAFF
BestReviews
Suunto watch prices
Suunto watches range in price based on the type and features included. In most cases, you can expect to pay between $170 and $1,750 for a Suunto watch.
Suunto sports watches with limited features range from about $170 to $280. Sports watches with higher-end features typically run from $280 to $600.
Suunto premium watches tend to differ less from model to model in terms of the features they offer, so you’ll usually pay between $400 and $425.
Suunto dive watches with limited features usually range from $450 to $680. Higher-end computer dive watches typically cost between $680 and $1,750.
FAQ
Q. Are Suunto watches suitable for women?
A. Many Suunto watches do have a larger face, which makes them popular with men. However, the watches are designed to be unisex, so they work just as well for women. There are some models that offer a more compact size, as well as more stylish designs, which tend to appeal to women. Be sure to consider size and appearance if you’re shopping for a watch for a woman.
Q. Are Suunto dive watches good for swimming?
A. While you can certainly swim with a Suunto dive watch, some of the higher-end models are actually quite bulky, which means they might not be comfortable while you’re swimming laps. Many of the dive watches don’t track fitness data, so you won’t be able to keep track of your swimming progress. The Suunto dive watches are best used for diving, freediving, spearfishing, and snorkeling.
Q. What type of warranty coverage does Suunto offer for their watches?
A. Suunto watches typically come with a limited two-year warranty. Keep in mind that the warranty doesn’t cover normal wear and tear, damage caused by rough handling, or any defects that result from using the watch in a way that isn’t recommended in the manufacturer’s instructions.
