Polar Versus Garmin Premium Smartwatches

When it comes to smartwatches for athletes, one might say that Garmin and Polar run a tight race. As brands, more consumers have probably heard of Garmin, but at least some of that attention comes from the company’s long history of producing GPS equipment for cars and other forms of transportation. On the other hand, Polar, a brand from Finland, gained more attention recently because of its focus on tools to aid athletic recovery.

From pro athletes to weekend warriors, fitness buffs should consider comparable watches from these two companies. Also, both of these brands produce watches for just about any level of fitness and budget. However, this article focuses on highlighting high-end models from Garmin and Polar.

ZDNet ranked the Garmin Marq Series as the best choice for athletes who want a wearable that offers them an excellent fitness tool and a bit of luxury. These watches look stunning, offer durable builds and the best materials, and can run quite a long time between charges.

They can also play music, send smartphone notifications, and include various sensors. On the downside, these premium smartwatches start at $1,500 and are relatively large and heavy.

For about one-third of the price of a Garmin Marq, a Fenix 6 offers an excellent choice for serious athletes who challenge themselves with a variety of fitness activities. The positives include plenty of features and metrics, plus a long-lasting battery.

However, even though the Fenix 6 costs much less than the Marq, it’s still relatively expensive, with a starting price of about $560.

The Polar Vantage V2 competes well with Garmin, and Polar even beat the more established company on some measures. For one thing, this watch only weighs 52 grams, which makes it look like a lightweight contender when compared to either the Fenix 6 or the Marq.

The Polar Vantage V2 offers many of the same functions its rivals do. Plus, Vantage 2 buyers can expect good battery life and outstanding fitness recovery features. Negatives might include the lack of support for offline music and a concentration on swimming, cycling, and running features. Customers can shop around to find the Polar Vantage V2 for less than $500.

The top-line smartwatches from Garmin and Polar earned good reputations for using high-quality materials and durable designs. Still, the extreme portability of these high-tech wearables makes them vulnerable to common issues.

For example, FixItMobile, a watch repair company, mentioned that the most common smartwatch problems they see include rapid battery drain, no response from voice controls, touchscreen cracks or failures, and lost data.

Meanwhile, the limited warranties included with the watches will only help pay for factory defect repairs. Even then, the defects must show themselves before the limited warranty ends. After the contract ends, the watch owner has to pay for their repairs or a replacement watch for other common problems.

For better protection, smartwatch owners should consider a smartwatch extended warranty.

Upsie’s extended warranty for smartwatches is the best option for smartwatch warranties. Upsie costs up to 70 percent less than competitors, making them one of the best deals on the market.

In addition, Upsie covers accidents, wear, and defects. Your Upsie smartwatch warranty overlaps with your limited warranty and takes over complete coverage once the limited warranty ends, ensuring that your watch is always protected.

They’re also hassle-free, and customers have access to 24-7 live claims representatives by phone and a choice of mail-in or local service.