Polar has consistently delivered some of the most capable training tools through its Polar Flow software, available both online and via smartphone apps. The newest addition to its lineup, the Polar Grit X2, stands out as a robust wearable that captures key health and fitness data, integrating seamlessly into the Polar Flow ecosystem. This allows users to track performance and monitor trends to help them achieve their fitness goals.
While Garmin has been expanding its smartwatch offerings with features like speakers, microphones, payment systems, and satellite services, Polar (along with competitors like Coros and Suunto) continues to focus primarily on health and wellness. The Polar Grit X2 is built for rugged durability, catering to active individuals while providing some basic smartwatch functionality, such as app notifications.
I had the chance to try out the Polar Grit X2 Pro in 2024. The Grit X2 delivers a similar experience but comes in a slightly smaller and sleeker package, priced at $200 less. The Grit X2 Pro has seen a price increase of $250 to $1,000 since my initial review. At $800, the Grit X2 remains on the pricier side for a GPS sports watch with limited smartwatch features. In comparison, Garmin’s Venu X1 and Forerunner 970 are priced around the same $800 mark (with the Forerunner 970 priced $50 lower), offering far more features than the Grit X2.
Suunto’s new models, such as the Vertical 2 and Race 2, are priced more competitively at $600 and $500, respectively, and offer similar features to the Grit X2.
The Grit X2 features a stunning 1.28-inch AMOLED display with sapphire crystal glass. Weighing just 2.2 ounces, it’s lighter and more compact than some of its competitors. This smaller size also means the battery has a reduced capacity, offering up to 30 hours of GPS tracking and about seven days in typical smartwatch mode. For those who don’t mind charging their sports watch once a week, the AMOLED display’s vibrant colors and crisp blacks are an appealing feature.
GPS tracking on the Grit X2 was highly accurate, and its heart rate measurements aligned closely with other watches in my tests. The maps and routing performed well, making it an excellent choice for hiking or trail running, especially if you can find it on sale for a better price. The five hardware buttons are particularly useful in rainy conditions, which is how I tested the watch.
The Grit X2 comes equipped with the Polar OS 4.0 UI, which also rolled out to other Polar watches. Notable updates include features like Find My Phone, a PIN code security option, updated workout summaries, and points of interest on maps. However, the Polar Flow smartphone app, which provides access to the data collected by the Grit X2, feels a bit dated and isn’t the most intuitive app to navigate.
Additionally, I found the need to press and hold the button to initiate syncing with the Polar Flow app somewhat cumbersome. I prefer automatic syncing between the watch and phone, which is a feature offered by many competitors. I would love to see improvements in Polar Flow to enhance the user experience, especially given the excellent AI-based guidance and coaching found in watches like the Fitbit Premium on the Pixel Watch 4.
