Polar, a globally recognized brand, is renowned for its precision in heart rate monitoring and its range of fitness watches. This post presents a detailed comparison between two of Polar’s cost-effective fitness smartwatches: the Polar Ignite and the Polar Vantage M. We aim to provide you with comprehensive insights that will assist you in determining which of these Polar watches is the perfect fit for your needs.
Table of Contents
Comparison Table of Polar Ignite vs Vantage M
Specs. & Features
Watch Type
Display Size
Display Type
Input type
Weight
Released Date
Best Use
Phone Connection
Compatibility
Navigation
Sensors
Notifications
Water Resistance
Charging Time
Battery Life
Sleep Tracking
Steps Tracking
Calories Tracking
Distance Tracking
Speed/Pace
Race Pace
Stress Tracking
(Running Index)
Running Program
(via 3rd party sensor)
Running Power
Swim Tracking
Under-water heart rate tracking
Preloaded sport modes
Interval Timers
FitSpark™ training guide
Companion app
Cons
Pros
Price
Polar Ignite
Fitness/Sport Smartwatch
1.2 inch , 240 x 204 pixels
IPS Transflective LCD
Touchscreen
1 physical button
1.23 oz (35 grams)
including straps
June, 2019
Fitness
★ Designed to work best with indoor workouts, including fitness, gym, and group exercise.
Connectivity and Sensors
Bluetooth LE
Android and iOS
GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, A-GPS
1. Heart rate monitor
2. Accelerometer
3. Gyroscope
4. Compass
5. Ambient light
1. Email alert
2. SMS alert
3. Calls alert
4. Event reminder
5. Weather
6. Third-party apps
* No option to reply to notifications
Features
Yes, 3ATM, Swim-proof
1. GPS and wrist-based heart rate: 17 hrs
2. Watch mode with heart rate: Up to 5 days
► Ignite is specifically a fitness watch, and Vantage M is better for runners.
► Without music storage.
► Ignite’s battery life is shorter than Vantage M’s, and this is because Ignite has a bright display optimized for indoor use.
► Lightweight, slim and stylish
► A comprehensive fitness tracker
► Swim-proof
► Long battery life
► Screen clarity is good
Polar Vantage M
Fitness/Sport Smartwatch
1.2 inch , 240 x 240 pixels
MIP Transflective LCD
5 physical buttons
1.59 oz (45 grams)
including straps
September, 2018
Running, Cycling, Fitness, Triathlon
★ Designed to work best with outdoor and multisport workouts as well as with triathlon.
Bluetooth v4.2 LE
Android and iOS
GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, A-GPS
1. Heart rate monitor
2. Cadence Sensor
(with buil-in Accelerometer)
3. Gyroscope
4. Average stride length
5. Speed/Pace
1. Email alert
2. SMS alert
3. Calls alert
4. Event reminder
5. Weather
6. Third-party apps
* No option to reply to notifications
Yes, 3ATM, Swim-proof
About 1-2 hours
1. GPS and wrist-based heart rate: 30 hrs
2. Watch mode with heart rate: Up to 5 days
With 3rd party sensor
► Advanced running metrics require an additional connected device.
► Without music storage.
► Black metal bezel prone to scratching.
► A comprehensive fitness tracker
► Great for athletes and multi-sport users
► Outstanding aesthetics
► Very long battery life
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Detailed Insights on Polar Ignite vs Polar Vantage M
After a thorough comparison of the Polar Ignite and Polar Vantage M, we’ve gathered some key insights that could further guide your decision-making process.
The Polar Ignite, known for its sleek design and user-friendly interface, is ideal for those who value simplicity and style. It offers a variety of fitness tracking features, including sleep tracking and guided breathing exercises, making it a great companion for everyday wellness.
On the other hand, the Polar Vantage M stands out with its advanced training features. It’s particularly suited for athletes and fitness enthusiasts who require detailed performance metrics. With its multi-sport mode, it’s a versatile choice for those who engage in different types of sports and workouts.
However, both watches excel in providing accurate heart rate monitoring and offer great value for their price, making them both excellent choices depending on your specific needs and preferences.
In summary, here are the key insights from our comparison:
- The Polar Ignite is perfect for those who prefer a sleek design and user-friendly interface.
- The Polar Vantage M is ideal for athletes and fitness enthusiasts who need detailed performance metrics.
- Both watches provide accurate heart rate monitoring and offer great value for their price.
Conclusion
In the end, the choice between the Polar Ignite and the Polar Vantage M comes down to your personal needs and preferences. If you’re looking for a stylish, user-friendly watch with wellness features, the Polar Ignite is your go-to. If you’re an athlete or fitness enthusiast in need of detailed performance metrics, the Polar Vantage M is your perfect workout partner.
Remember, choosing a fitness watch is like choosing a running partner. It’s not about who’s the fastest or the strongest, but who’s the best fit for you.
Polar Ignite and Polar Vantage M – Frequently Asked Questions
Polar Ignite tracks your daily steps, calories burned, and active minutes and puts those all together along with your exercise to create an overall daily activity goal. Once you’ve set your target, you can view your progress on Ignite or in the Polar Flow app.
Yes, you can use Polar Ignite for tracking swimming. The Ignite’s Precision Prime optical heart rate sensor offers a well-functioning and comfortable way to measure Heart Rate when swimming. In addition to your swimming, Polar Ignite also tracks your swimming style, distance, pace, strokes, and rest times.
FitSpark™ suggested workout sessions cover three types of training: Cardio, Strength, and Supportive. The FitSpark™ body-weight workouts include exercises that you can do using your own body as resistance. No additional weights are needed. Only circuit workouts include exercises for which you’ll need some additional weights and equipment.
Polar Vantage M phone notifications are available for iOS and Android phones. To use phone notifications, you need to have the Flow app running on your phone, and it also needs to be paired with your watch.
The Polar Vantage M watch tracks your sleep if you wear it at night. It detects when you fall asleep and when you wake up and collects the data for deeper analysis in the Polar Flow app and web service.