The Polar Vantage M3 is the model’s first inexpensive AMOLED watch, after the $599 Vantage V3 and $749 Grit X2 Professional first shed off the previous MIP commonplace. The $399 M3 shares their 4th-gen Elixir OHR and dual-band GPS, which means it ought to provide dependable accuracy on par with Polar’s flagships.
I made a decision to place this to the take a look at! Regardless of the wet climate and coming down with a chilly, I took the Polar Vantage M3 on a number of runs, lengthy walks, and a observe run over the previous couple of weeks, evaluating the outcomes towards the Garmin Fenix 8 ‘s dual-band GPS, the COROS HRM armband , and the Polar H10 chest strap.
Once I pitted the Vantage V3 towards flagship Garmin and COROS watches , it fell a bit brief for GPS accuracy (whereas nonetheless doing higher than a GPS-only watch) and was pretty correct for HR information in comparison with a chest strap. So I used to be curious to see how the mid-range Vantage M3 would do with related {hardware}.
Seems the Polar Vantage M3 is sort of dependable for GPS, however rather less dependable for coronary heart fee accuracy in some circumstances. Nonetheless, the mid-range M3 is already making the flagship V3 look a bit overpriced by providing the identical expertise for much less.
Polar Vantage M3 GPS accuracy
(Picture credit score: Michael Hicks / Android Central)
I used the Fenix 8 as a location accuracy management group as a result of Garmin’s dual-band GPS tends to steer the trade for reliable leads to my assessments. The mid-range COROS PACE Professional did surprisingly effectively towards it in my accuracy take a look at earlier this month, so I had excessive hopes that the Vantage M3 might do equally effectively.
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Exercise
Polar Vantage M3
Garmin Fenix 8
11/13 (Run)
4.04 miles; 324W; 58 TL; 164 spm
4.01 miles; 351W; 76 TL; 162 spm
11/17 (Run)
2.00 miles; 312W; 30 TL; 164 spm
2.02 miles; 338W; 43 TL; 162 spm
11/17 (Observe run)
4,020m; 477W; 50 TL; 182 spm
4,010m; 503W; 260 TL; 180 spm
11/17 (Stroll)
6.31 miles; 83 TL; 124 spm
6.33 miles; 31 TL; 116 spm
11/21 (Run)
3.03 miles; 322W; 44 TL; 164 spm
3.01 miles; 351W; 61 TL; 163 spm
11/21 (Stroll)
3.27 miles; 29 TL; 126 spm
3.27 miles; 15 TL; 123 spm
11/23 (Run)
6.23 miles; 350W; 142 TL; 168 spm
6.22 miles; 381W; 166 TL; 164 spm
I am sorry that so a lot of my assessments have been brief jogs — which are typically too brief to disclose discrepancies — or lengthy walks which can be often too slow-paced to problem the antenna’s full skills. I did not get to go on a hike for correct elevation testing or accuracy on a tree-obscured route, both.
From what I used to be in a position to take a look at, nevertheless, the Vantage M3 did respectably effectively, all the time falling intently inside the identical margins because the Garmin look ahead to a future.
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(Picture credit score: Android Central)
(Picture credit score: Android Central)
(Picture credit score: Android Central)
(Picture credit score: Android Central)
(Picture credit score: Android Central)
(Picture credit score: Android Central)
(Picture credit score: Android Central)
If you happen to look extra intently on the GPS map between the Vantage M3 (orange line ) and Fenix 8 (blue ) for my most up-to-date 10K run above, there are just a few cases the place the Vantage M3 drifts barely into the road or buildings, with the identical unprompted zig-zagging and exhausting angles because the dual-frequency Suunto Race , in addition to some points with underpasses that the Fenix 8 did not encounter.
Fortunately, the Vantage M3 has fewer gaffes than Suunto and does completely effectively in regular situations, sticking to the proper facet of my native path. And for my observe run under, it did not stick completely to the primary lane, however that is one thing each watch I’ve examined struggles with; Polar’s outcome is definitely among the many finest I’ve seen amongst dual-band watches.
(Picture credit score: Android Central)
Whereas I could not do a correct hike, my stroll alongside one other close by path was illuminating. Within the screenshots under, you will see how the Vantage M3 (now the blue line) does completely effectively on the unimpeded stretches, however below tree cowl, you will see much more wavering briefly stretches the place I used to be strolling straight forward (and Garmin’s orange line is often extra constant). My complete distance was solely two-hundredths aside, although, so most individuals will not thoughts.
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(Picture credit score: Android Central)
(Picture credit score: Android Central)
(Picture credit score: Android Central)
(Picture credit score: Android Central)
General, I feel folks can be proud of the Vantage M3’s location accuracy, particularly for its value. What’s maybe extra attention-grabbing is how Garmin and Polar persistently observe operating energy, coaching load, and steps per minute otherwise.
I am inclined to belief Garmin over Polar for steps; Garmin has gained a number of step-counting accuracy assessments , and Garmin, Apple, COROS, and Fitbit all intently matched on complete steps and cadence throughout a 20-mile, four-watch take a look at .
However I’ve seen prior to now how Garmin coaching load appears to underestimate walks and overestimate observe exercises, whereas Polar separates cardio and muscle load in a approach that feels extra refined and correct to my effort stage — apart from the grossly-underestimated observe load. And operating energy has all the time felt like an arbitrary metric that varies by model, so I do not put a lot inventory in it.
Polar Vantage M3 HR accuracy
(Picture credit score: Michael Hicks / Android Central)
My Polar Vantage M3 coronary heart fee outcomes gave me whiplash. For most traditional runs, it delivered constant HR averages, if all barely under my exterior HRMs. However my observe run outcomes have been disappointing and my stroll information confirmed the proper averages however was bizarrely wild on the graphs.
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Exercise
Polar Vantage M3
COROS HRM or Polar H10
11/13 (Run; COROS)
146 bpm / 155 max; 546kcal
147 bpm / 155 max; 536kcal
11/17 (Run; COROS)
146 bpm / 157 max; 279kcal
146 bpm / 157 max; 274kcal
11/17 (Observe run; COROS)
175 bpm / 193 max; 285kcal
179 bpm / 190 max; 285kcal
11/17 (Stroll; COROS)
122 bpm / 146 max; 1,119kcal
123 bpm / 146 max; 773kcal
11/21 (Run; COROS)
146 bpm / 157 max; 418kcal
147 bpm / 157 max ; 409kcal
11/21 (Stroll; COROS)
111 bpm / 120 max; 463kcal
111 bpm / 120 max; 372kcal
11/23 (Run; Polar H10)
168 bpm / 185 max; 954kcal
169 bpm / 186 max; 859kcal
For each run besides one two-mile jog, the Polar Vantage M3 was 1 bpm in need of my optical arm band or my Polar ECG. Within the two HR graphs under (hit the magnification button), you possibly can see how the purple Garmin graph sits barely above the pinker Polar one at most factors, apart from when my effort dips and Polar is slower to drop.
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(Picture credit score: Android Central)
(Picture credit score: Android Central)
There’s usually a delay between wrist- and arm-based optical displays or chest straps, however a strong health watch ought to nonetheless common out to the identical outcome in the long run. I would wish to see Polar work out its algorithm to shut the small hole, however 1 bpm is not a significant problem and it is nonetheless in the proper ballpark.
What’s barely weirder is my two strolling exercise charts. Polar actually struggled to remain near my fluctuating coronary heart fee for each actions, with a 5–10 bpm hole above or under my precise HR for sustained stretches.
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(Picture credit score: Android Central)
(Picture credit score: Android Central)
They ended up averaging out to similar or shut bpm averages for 6- and 4-mile walks; so once more, maybe you will not care in regards to the distinction. However which will have been luck greater than every little thing else; I seen this 5Krunner HR accuracy take a look at did superb for many runs however had bizarrely inflated HR totals for a peaceful stroll. So I am hoping that is an space the place the Polar algorithm can enhance with time.
(Picture credit score: Android Central)
As for my observe exercise, I can solely present a portion of the graph as a result of it in some way acquired absolutely misaligned in-between lap pauses about midway by way of, so the outcomes have been needlessly complicated. This portion provides you a glimpse of what to anticipate, although: just a few beats brief at most factors, dipping as little as 20 bpm below at one level, and overestimating my max by just a few beats. Mainly, it is all over.
I’ll do an unpaused observe run for my full Vantage M3 overview, to keep away from any bizarre points with flat, skewed outcomes. However even with this incomplete take a look at, I really feel just like the Vantage M3 might have accomplished a lot better in that preliminary snapshot. If I have been a severe athlete attempting to trace anaerobic effort, I would most likely purchase an exterior monitor to pair with my Vantage M3.
The Polar Vantage M3 holds its personal
(Picture credit score: Michael Hicks / Android Central)
There is a new class of AMOLED operating watches that price about the identical as an Apple Watch or Pixel Watch however provide a severe leg up for coaching metrics, battery life, and accuracy.
If I had to decide on between the COROS PACE Professional ($349), Suunto Race S ($349), Polar Vantage M3 ($399), and Garmin Forerunner 265 ($449), I would have a critically robust choice on my fingers — however I would additionally really feel like I could not go flawed with anybody alternative.
With the Vantage M3 specifically, I respect its light-weight and skinny design, Strava route and Komoot instructions integration, full suite of sensors like ECG and pores and skin temp, and default topo maps.
Its 7-day battery life is on the brief facet for a operating watch, and I am not the most important fan of Polar Stream as a companion app, however it would not really feel like a significant downgrade from the pricier Vantage V3 , with related perks like its helpful VO2 Max and orthostatic assessments and comparable accuracy. Whereas I’ve but to overview it absolutely, the Vantage M3 appears to be like extra compelling than the V3 for sheer worth.
I simply want it was a bit extra correct for anaerobic runs or low-effort cardio.
Mid-range operating excellence
Whereas the Polar Vantage M3 is cheaper than the Vantage V3, it has the identical water resistance, well being sensors, multi-band GPS, coaching and restoration software program, health assessments, topographical maps, and restricted good instruments for $200 much less. It has a shorter battery life, a smaller show, and cheaper supplies, however it’s in any other case a extra compelling possibility for many runners.
