In this article, we’re diving deep into a head-to-head battle between the Suunto 9 Peak and the Polar Grit X Pro.
These two have been getting quite the buzz and for good reason. Both have their share of bragging rights, and they’re priced similarly, causing quite a stir in the smartwatch community.
But as we all know, it’s not a one-size-fits-all world. So, who’s the true champ?
Well, sit tight as we dive into the nitty-gritty to find out which watch truly reigns supreme for your outdoor adventures.
Let’s get started!
Suunto 9 Peak vs Polar Grit X Pro: Pricing
The Suunto 9 Peak comes in two versions: the black steel version priced at $569 and a titanium version priced at $699.
For our comparison, we’ll focus on the steel version as its price is closer to the Polar Grit X Pro’s price range.
The Polar Grit X Pro also has two options: the steel version costs $499, and the titanium version, the Grit X Pro Titan, costs $599.
The $70 difference between the Suunto 9 Peak and the Polar Grit X Pro steel versions may influence your decision if budget is a critical factor.
Where to Buy?
- Suunto 9 Peak: View on Amazon
- Polar Grit X Pro: View on Amazon
Suunto 9 Peak vs Polar Grit X Pro: Specs Comparison
| Product | Suunto 9 Peak | Polar Grit X Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Design & Build | Round Bezel: Titanium Grade 5 Case: Sapphire crystal Strap: Silicone | Shape: Round Body: Stainless steel Strap: Fluoroelastomer |
| Display | 1.2” trans reflective | 1.2 inch MIP |
| Resolution | 240 x 240 pixel | 240 x 240 pixels |
| Dimension | 43 x 43 x 10.6 mm | 47 x 47 x 13 mm |
| Weight | 52 g | 79 g |
| Water Resistance | 10 ATM | 10 ATM |
| Satellite Connectivity | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BEIDOU, | Yes (GPS, GLONASS,Galileo, QZSS) |
| Sensors | Barometer, Altimeter, GPS, SpO2, Magnetic Compass, temperature, optical HR/HRV | Heart Rate Tracking Sleep, Stress, Steps, Calories, Menstrual cycle |
| Battery | 7 days with 24/7 tracking, 11 days in smartwatch mode | up to 7 days |
| Price | $999 | starting at $421 |
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Suunto 9 Peak vs Polar Grit X Pro: In-Depth Review
Design & Build Quality
From a high-level view, both these watches share a similar design language catering to the outdoorsy individual with their rugged builds.
When you put them side by side, the difference in size and weight becomes apparent.
The Polar Grit X Pro has a diameter of 47mm and is approximately 13mm thick, whereas the Suunto 9 Peak is 43mm in diameter and about 11mm thick.
The Suunto 9 Peak’s more compact size may appeal to those looking for a less bulky watch. The weight difference is also noteworthy: the steel Suunto 9 Peak weighs 63g (52g for the titanium version), whereas the steel Polar Grit X Pro weighs 79g (73g for the titanium version).
Each watch comes with a unique band: The Polar Grit X Pro has a heat and chemical-resistant fluoroelastomer band and a leather band, whereas the Suunto 9 Peak features a soft, breathable silicone strap. Both watches come with quick-release bands for easy swapping.
The way you interact with each watch is distinctly different. The Suunto 9 Peak has a touchscreen and three buttons, offering a tactile and satisfying click.
The Polar Grit X Pro, however, has a touchscreen and five buttons, providing more physical controls.
Both watches are impeccably built with premium materials. They both feature scratch-resistant sapphire lenses and predominantly metal cases.
The Suunto 9 Peak has a mostly metal back with a small patch of plastic where it sits on your wrist, while the Polar Grit X Pro has a plastic back. However, both watches feel solid, robust, and hard to damage.
Display
When it comes to the display, the Suunto 9 Peak and the Polar Grit X Pro are quite similar.
Despite the larger overall diameter of the Polar Grit X Pro, both watches feature a 1.2-inch transflective display that performs excellently under direct sunlight. Both also offer a good quality backlight.
However, they are not OLED displays, so don’t expect the vibrant colors and deep blacks of an Apple Watch. These are built for function rather than aesthetics.
Both watches allow you to adjust the backlight brightness in their settings, with options for high, medium, or low levels. While the highest setting offers the best visibility, it does consume more battery power.
The Suunto 9 Peak has a slight advantage here, with an ambient light sensor that automatically adjusts the backlight depending on the surrounding light conditions.
Both displays are quite functional, but neither is particularly vibrant. If picking a winner based on backlight brightness, the Suunto 9 Peak might have a slight edge.
But when it comes to overall readability, the Polar Grit X Pro’s sapphire display appears to be less reflective and a bit easier to read at various angles.
One minor gripe with both watches is the thick bezel surrounding the display. Given their large size and identical display dimensions, this bezel seems quite prominent, especially on the larger Polar Grit X Pro.
Despite being in an era where thin bezels are becoming the norm, it appears that this trend hasn’t caught on fully in the sports watch category yet.
Health & Smart Features
Both the Suunto 9 Peak and Polar Grit X Pro pair seamlessly with your phone to deliver notifications for things like text messages, Facebook updates, calendar events, and more.
However, despite their similarities, each watch offers a unique blend of features that might tip the scales for some users:
- The Suunto 9 Peak features a built-in heart rate sensor and a SpO2 sensor. This allows the watch to measure both heart rate and blood oxygen saturation levels. It also features an ambient temperature sensor, providing you with valuable data about your surroundings.
- On the other hand, the Polar Grit X Pro lacks the SpO2 and temperature sensor. However, it offers its own unique perks, such as a handy weather widget and a recommended workout widget, which are both extremely useful for outdoor enthusiasts and fitness aficionados.
Activity Tracking
When it comes to tracking physical activity, both the Suunto 9 Peak and Polar Grit X Pro offer an abundance of activity profiles to suit various types of workouts:
- The Polar Grit X Pro comes with an impressive array of around 130 activity profiles. From badminton to soccer, football to running, and both indoor and outdoor treadmill running, this watch has got you covered no matter what your exercise routine looks like.
- While the Suunto 9 Peak may not have quite as many activity profiles as the Grit X Pro, it certainly doesn’t skimp on options. You’ll still find a comprehensive range of profiles to choose from, ensuring all the bases are covered.
Moreover, both watches come equipped with a multi-sport or triathlon mode, adding an extra layer of versatility for athletes who engage in multiple sports in one session.
Once you’ve selected your activity, both watches display a wealth of information about your performance. And the best part? All this information is entirely customizable within the respective smartphone apps for each watch, allowing you to tailor your data display to match your unique tracking needs.
GPS & Navigation
The Polar Grit X Pro supports Komoot navigation and Strava to import pre-designed routes. Its breadcrumb navigation shows you a little line along which you move, with the watch notifying you if you veer off course.
However, it’s not a full map, so you can’t pan around or add waypoints. But, it does include a back-to-start function that retraces your steps to navigate you back to the start of your activity.
The Suunto 9 Peak also supports breadcrumb navigation but has an edge with its integrated course designer feature in the Suunto app.
This allows you to design your course, including points along a route, on either trails or roads. Moreover, it lets you add waypoints that you can view on the watch while navigating.
Battery Life
The battery life of your smartwatch is another essential consideration as it determines how often you need to recharge it, particularly when using GPS or other power-consuming features.
The Suunto 9 Peak prides itself on its excellent battery life. It offers different battery modes that allow you to choose between performance and longevity.
With GPS tracking on, the Suunto 9 Peak promises up to 25 hours in performance mode and can extend up to 170 hours in tour mode. This makes it a great option for endurance athletes, ultrarunners, or multi-day expedition hikers.
On the other hand, the Polar Grit X Pro is also impressive when it comes to battery life. With continuous GPS and heart rate tracking, it offers up to 40 hours of battery life.
If you’re using the power-saving options, it can extend up to 100 hours. These features make it suitable for long training sessions and races.
Both watches also have a smart battery reminder system that estimates your remaining battery life and advises you when to charge so you’re not caught off guard during your workouts.
Suunto 9 Peak vs Polar Grit X Pro: Which One to Choose?
If you’re looking for a daily-use smartwatch that provides fitness tracking, sleep tracking, and wellness data and has some cool features like a weather widget, then the Polar Grit X Pro would be your best bet. Its sleep tracking offers more digestible data, and it has additional wellness tracking features that the Suunto 9 Peak lacks.
However, the Suunto 9 Peak is also a pleasure to wear. It might lack some of the additional features like the weather widget found in the Polar Grit X Pro, but it compensates by offering superior navigation features, including waypoint support for adding locations like aid stations.
In terms of activity tracking and running watches, both perform admirably well. Despite the slight edge in navigation features to the Suunto 9 Peak, it’s a close draw overall.
