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Polar Vantage V2 vs Garmin Fenix 6 – Which is Better?

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The Vantage V2 which is one of the best GPS smartwatches from Polar has a remarkable design, lots of activity tracking features, and a long battery life. It shares a lot in common with Garmin Fenix 6 which is also a sophisticated GPS smartwatch with a great design, lots of features, and long battery life. Both smartwatches are priced relatively the same, so, which is better between the Vantage V2 and Garmin Fenix 6? I have compiled the specs and features, and we’ll compare them to find out the differences.

Please note that the Fenix 6 is available in three versions; Fenix 6, Fenix 6 Pro, and Fenix 6 Pro Solar. However, this comparison is between the Fenix 6 and Vantage V2. The other two Fenix 6 smartwatches are higher-end GPS smartwatches with trendline popularity routing, music storage, and ski.

Polar Vantage V2 vs Garmin Fenix 6 Full Specifications Compared

Polar Vantage V2Garmin Fenix 6
Polar vantage v2 specsgarmin fenix 6 specs

EDITOR'S RATING

Design:
4.4 out of 5 stars (4.4 / 5)
Battery:
4.5 out of 5 stars (4.5 / 5)
Fitness tracking:
4.6 out of 5 stars (4.6 / 5)
Features:
3.6 out of 5 stars (3.6 / 5)
Price:
3.5 out of 5 stars (3.5 / 5)
Average:
4.1 out of 5 stars (4.1 / 5)
Design:
4.5 out of 5 stars (4.5 / 5)
Battery:
4.3 out of 5 stars (4.3 / 5)
Fitness tracking:
4.8 out of 5 stars (4.8 / 5)
Features:
4 out of 5 stars (4.0 / 5)
Price:
3 out of 5 stars (3.0 / 5)
Average:
4.1 out of 5 stars (4.1 / 5)

ABOUT DEVICE

Device namePolar Vantage V2Garmin Fenix 6
Device typeFitness/Sport SmartwatchFitness/GPS smartwatch
PredessesorPolar Vantage VGarmin Fenix 5
Successor__--
Released dateOctober, 2020August, 2019
Ideal forMenMen

DISPLAY

Display typeMIP Transflective LCDTransflective MIP LCD
Display size1.2 inch1.3 inch
Display resolution240 x 240 pixels260 x 260 pixels
Pixel density__--
Input typeTouchscreen
5 physical buttons
5 buttons (Not touchscreen)
Always-onYesYes
Customizable watch faceYesYes

BODY

ShapeCircularCircular
Dimension47 x 47 x 13 mm47 x 47 x 14.7 mm
Weight52 grams
(including straps)
80 grams
Casing materialAluminum/
Glass fiber reinforced polymer back
Fiber-reinforced polymer with polymer rear cover
Strap/band materialSiliconeSilicone
Bezel MaterialAluminumStainless steel
Strap size22mm22mm
Interchangeable band Yes, 22mmYes, 22mm
Screen protectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3Corning Gorilla Glass DX
Water resistant/ProtectionYes, 10ATM (MIL-STD-810G)Yes, 10ATM
Swim-proofYes, recommendedYes, recommended
Color(s)Gray/lime back
Black/black
Black/green
Black

MEMORY

RAM__--
Internal storage____
Memory card slotNoNo

CONNECTIVITY

BluetoothBluetooth v4.2 LEYes, and ANT+
Bluetooth callingNoNo
Wi-FiNoNo
NFCNoYes
Payment systemNoneGarmin pay
GPSGPS/GLONASS/GALILEO/QZSS/A-GPSGPS/GLONASS/Galileo

CELLULAR TECHNOLOGY

TechnologyNoNo
SIMNoNo
BandNoNo

NOTIFICATIONS

Email alertYesYes
SMS alertYesYes
Calls alertYesYes
Event reminderYesYes
WeatherYesYes
Third-party appsYesYes
Text responseNoYes, (Android Only)

FITNESS TRACKING

Sleep apneaNoNo
Sleep trackingYesYes
StepsYesYes
Floors climbedYesYes
Heart rate monitoringYesYes
CaloriesYesYes
DistanceYesYes
StressYesYes
VO2 Max.YesYes
Blood oxygenNoYes
Blood pressureNoNo
Menstrual cycle trackingNoYes
Swim trackingYesYes
Under-water heart rate trackingYesYes
Preloaded mapsYesNo
On-screen workout modes__Yes
Triathlon modeYesYes
ECG TrackingNoNo
Preloaded sport modesYes, 130Yes
Safety trackingNoYes

MEDIA

AudioNoNo
Music streamingNoNo
Bluetooth musicNoNo
RadioNoNo
LoudspeakerNoNo
MicrophoneNoNo
CameraNoNo

SENSORS

PLATFORM

Operating system (OS)_Proprietary OS
Chipset_--
CPU_--
GPU----

BATTERY

Type of batteryNon-removable Li-ion batteryNon-removable Li-ion battery
Battery capacity 346mAh--
Battery lifeMixed usage: 7 days
GPS mode: 40hrs
Smartwatch: Up to 14 days
GPS: Up to 36 hours
Max Battery GPS Mode: 72 hours
Expedition GPS Activity: 28 days
Battery Saver Watch Mode:48 days
Charging typeUSB cradleUSB charging cable
Charging timeAbout 1-2 hoursAbout 1-2 hours
Battery saver modeYesYes
Solar powerNoNo
Rapid chargingNoNo

CLOCK FEATURES

Time/DateYesYes
StopwatchYesYes
AlarmYesYes

OTHER FUNCTIONS

Control cameraNoYes
Music controlYesYes
Find phoneYesYes

MISC

Compatibility Android and iOSAndroid 4.4+
IOS 10.0+
Bluetooth 4.0+
Check if your device is compatible
Companion appPolar Flow appGarmin connect IQ
Voice commandNoNo

BOX CONTENTS

Polar Vantage V2Garmin Fenix 6
StrapsStraps
USB cradleUSB charging cable
Quick start guideQuick start guide
NOTE: We can't guarantee that all the information on this table are 100% correct. Read full disclaimer. Please, report an error.
Official SiteOfficial Site

Polar vantage v2 features

Polar Vantage V2 Features

Activity Tracking FeaturesVantage V2
Compass
Has a compass that allows you to know your exact orientation.
Yes
Swimming Metrics
Automatically detects your heart rate, swimming style, distance, pace, strokes and rest times. Distance and strokes get tracked also in open water swimming.
Yes
Fitness Level Test
Test your fitness level easily in just 5 minutes without breaking a sweat.
Learn more
Yes
Breathing Session For Stress Management
Relax your body and calm down your mind with the help of a guided breathing exercise
Yes
Complete Sleep Monitoring
Tracks your complete sleep cycle including stages and time spent in each.
Yes
Training Benefits
Get motivating feedback immediately after training describing the effect of the session. Learn more
Yes
Weather Update
Check current weather info and a 2-day forecast straight on your watch
Yes
Continuous Heart Rate Tracking
Tracks your heart rate continuously to give you a comprehensive view of how your heart behaves during the day as well as calories.
Yes
Track Calories
Know exactly how many calories you’ve burned based on your weight, height, age, gender, your individual maximum heart rate (HRmax) and how hard you’re training.
Yes
Running Program
Get a personal and adaptive training plan that fits you and your goals.
Learn more
Yes
Route Planning With Komoot
Plan your route on Komoot, import it to your Polar Grit X and let the turn-by-turn guidance take care of navigation for you.
Yes
Route Guidance
Upload your route to your Polar Grit X and stay on the right path with real-time guidance.
Yes
Running Index
Get an estimate of your running VO2max and see how your running performance is developing.
Yes
Training Load Pro
Quantify the strain of your training session and see how your training strains the different parts of your body.
Yes
Hill Splitter
Get detailed data about your performance on the uphill and downhill sections of your session
Yes
FuelWise
Learn to refuel and maintain adequate energy levels during your long training sessions.
Yes
FitSpark Training Guide
Polar Grit X and the FitSpark™ training guide make sure you’re prepared for your pursuit to conquer the trails with ready-made daily workouts that match your recovery, readiness, and training history. Learn more
Yes
Energy Sources
See how your body uses different energy sources during a training session. Polar Grit X divides your energy usage into carbs, proteins and fats.
Running Power
Get more comprehensive insight into the intensity of your running sessions.
Learn more
Yes
Recovery Pro
See how recovered your body is and get recovery feedback. Learn more
Yes
Strava Live Segments
Make your runs and rides more exciting with Strava Live Segments. Get alerts about nearby segments, see real-time performance data during a segment and check your results right after you finish.
Yes
Multisport Training
It allows you to do multiple sports in one training session and seamlessly switch between sports without interrupting the recording of your training.
Yes
Inbuilt GPS/QZSS/GLONASS/A-GPS/GALILEO
Built-in GPS provides accurate speed and distance measurement for a range of outdoor sports, and allows you to see your route on the map in the Polar Flow app and web service after your session.
Yes
Leg Recovery Test
The Leg Recovery Test tells you whether your legs are ready for high-intensity training.
Yes
Running Performance Test
The Running Performance Test helps you keep track of your progress and personalize your heart rate, speed, and power zones.
Yes
Cycling Performance Test
Helps you follow your progress, allows you to personalize your power zones, and tells you your personal functional threshold power. A compatible power meter required.
Yes

Source: Polar.com

Polar Vantage V2 Pros

  • Rugged and durable design.
  • Lots of activity tracking features make it an in-depth activity tracker.
  • Battery life is impressive.
  • Features training plans which can help you reach more fitness goals.

Polar Vantage V2 Cons

  • Lakcs music storage.
  • Lacks microphone and loudspeaker.
  • Loss of connection while syncing with phone (restarting phone fixes the problem).
  • Screen resolution isn’t great and the UI is somewhat shabby.
  • Not a great choice for handling notifications.

Garmin Fenix 6 Features

garmin fenix 6

ACTIVITY TRACKING FEATURES

Garmin Fenix 6

SMART FEATURES

Connect IQ (Downloadable watch faces, data fields, widgets, and apps)Yes
On-device Connect IQ storeNo
Text response/reject phone calls with text (Android only)Yes
CalendarYes
WeatherYes
Real-time settings sync with Garmin Connect™ mobileNo
Battery saver - customizable low power watchYes
Controls smartphone musicYes
Plays and Control Watch MusicYes
Find my phoneYes
Find my watchYes
Virb remoteYes

HEALTH MONITORING FEATURES

Wrist-based Heart Rate trackingYes
Daily resting heart rateYes
AbNormal heart rate alertYes (high and low)
Respiration Rate (24/7)Yes
Fitness AgeYes
Blood oxygen (SpO2) monitoringYes (spot-check, and optional all-day acclimation and in sleep)
Battery energy monitorYes
Stress trackingYes
Relaxation remindersYes
Relaxation breathing timerYes
Sleep monitoringYes
Advanced sleep tracking/Sleep ScoreYes
Menstrual cycle trackingYes (in Garmin Connect and optional Connect IQ widget)
Hydration trackingYes (in Garmin Connect and optional Connect IQ widget)
Health SnapshotYes

SAFETY AND TRACKING FEATURES

LivetrackYes
Group LivetrackYes
Live event sharingYes
Incident detection during select activitiesYes
AssistanceYes
Spectator Messaging (New)No
Assistance Plus (New)No

TACTICAL FEATURES

Stealth modeNo
Night vision modeNo
Dual Grid CoordinatesYes
Kill switchNo

ACTIVITY TRACKING FEATURES

Steps CounterYes
Move bar (displays on device after a period of inactivity; walk for a couple of minutes to reset it)Yes
Auto goal (learns your activity level and assigns a daily step goal)Yes
Sleep monitoring (monitors total sleep and periods of movement or restful sleep)Yes
Calories burnedYes
Floors climbedYes
Distance travelledYes
Intensity minutesYes
TrueupYes
Move IQ

Yes

GYM & FITNESS EQUIPMENT

Available gym activity profilesstrength, cardio and elliptical training, stair stepping, floor climbing, indoor rowing, pilates and yoga
Cardio workoutsYes
Strength workoutsYes
HIIT workoutsNo (to be added)
Yoga workoutsYes
Pilates workoutsYes
On-screen workout animationsYes
Automatic rep countingYes
On-screen workout muscle mapsNo

TRAINING, PLANNING & ANALYSIS FEATURES

GPS speed and distanceYes
Customizable data pagesYes
Customizable activity profilesYes
Auto PauseYes
Interval trainingYes
Improved interval (Includes open repeats, intervals data page, rest screen and auto detection) (New)
Advanced workoutsYes
Downloadable training plansYes
Power modes - customizable in-activity battery settingsYes
Auto lapYes
Manual lapYes
Rest timer (New)
Configurable lap alertsYes
Heat and altitude acclimationYes
VO2 Max. (Run)Yes
VO2 Max. (Trail run)No
Real-Time staminaNo
Training status (lets you see if you're training effectively by tracking your training history and fitness level trend.)Yes
Training load (your total training load for the last 7 days calculated from estimated epoc)Yes
Training load focusYes
Training effect (aerobic)Yes
Training effect (anaerobic)Yes
Primary Benefit (training effect labels)Yes
Improved Recovery Time (New)Yes
Daily Suggested Workouts (New)Yes
Custom alertsYes
Audio promptsYes
Finish timeYes
Virtual partnerYes
Race an activityYes
Auto multisport activitiesYes
Manual multisport activitiesYes
Course guidanceYes
Garmin Live SegmentsYes
Strava Live SegmentsYes
Round-Trip course creator (running/cycling)No
Trendline Popularity RoutingNo
Touch and/or button lockYes
Hot keysYes
Auto scrollYes
Activity history on watchYes
Noopener Noreferrer">Physio TrueupYes

HEART RATE TRACKING FEATURES

HR zonesYes
HR alertsYes
HR caloriesYes
% HR max.Yes
% HRRYes
Recovery timeYes
Auto max HRYes
Morning report (New)
Race glance/widget (New)
HRV status (New)
Training readiness (New)
HRV stress test (measures your heart rate variability while standing still, for 3 minutes, to provide you with an estimated stress level; the scale of this is 1 to 100; low scores indicate lower stress levels)Yes (with compatible accessory)
HR broadcast (broadcasts HR data over ANT+ to paired devices)Yes
Respiration rate (during exercise)Yes (with compatible accessory)

RUNNING FEATURES

Available run profilesRunning, treadmill running, indoor track running, trail running, virtual running
GPS-based distance, time and paceYes
Running dynamicsYes (with compatible accessory)
Vertical oscillation and ratio (the degree of 'bounce' in your running motion and the cost-benefit ratio with stride length)Yes (with compatible accessory)
Ground contact time and balance (shows how much time, in the running motion, your foot is on the ground rather than in flight and lets you check your running symmetry)Yes (with compatible accessory)
Stride length (real time)Yes (with compatible accessory)
Cadence (provides real-time number of steps per minute)Yes
Running power (New)
Performance condition (after running 20 minutes, compares your real-time condition to your average fitness level)Yes
Lactate threshold (through analysis of your pace and heart rate, estimates the point where your muscles start to rapidly fatigue)Yes (with compatible accessory)
PacePro pacing strategiesYes
Run workoutsYes
Race predictorYes
Course and weather-specific race predictor (New)
Foot Pod CapableYes
Run/Walk/Stand detection

GOLF FEATURES

Preloaded with 42,000 courses worldwideYes
Yardage to F/M/B (distance to front, middle and back of green)Yes
Yardage to layups/doglegsYes
Measures shot distance (calculates exact yardage for shots from anywhere on course)Automatic
Digital ScorecardYes
Custom targetsNo
Stat tracking (strokes, putts per round, greens and fairways hit)Yes
Garmin AutoshotYes
Full vector mapNo
Auto Courseview updatesYes
Green view with manual pin positionYes
Hazards and course targetsYes
PinpointerYes
Playslike distanceNo
Touch-targeting (touch target on display to see the distance to any point) (New)Yes
Handicap scoringYes
Truswing compatibleYes
Round timer/odometerYes
Automatic club tracking compatible (requires accessory)Yes
Tournament LegalNo

OUTDOOR RECREATION

Available outdoor recreation profilesHiking, climbing, mountain biking, skiing, sNowboarding, xc skiing, stand up paddleboarding, rowing, kayaking, jumpmaster, tactical, indoor climbing, bouldering, and surfing
Point-to-Point navigationYes
Bread crumb trail in real timeYes
Back to startYes
TracbacKYes
Ultratrac ModeYes
Around me modeYes
Up aheadNo
Elevation profileYes
Distance to destinationYes
Barometric trend indicator with storm alertYes
ClimbPro ascent plannerYes
Trail run auto climbYes
Vertical speedYes
Total ascent/descentYes
Future elevation plotYes
Preloaded Topographical mapsNo
Preloaded road and trail maps (New)No
Preloaded Ski resort mapsNo
Downloadable cartography supportYes
Compatible with BasecampYes
GPS coordinatesYes
Sight 'N GOYes
Area calculationYes (via Connect IQ)
Hunt/fish calendarYes (via Connect IQ)
Projected waypointYes
Sun and moon informationYes (via Connect IQ)
Xero locationsYes
Expedition GPS activityYes
TidesYes (via Connect IQ)

CYCLING FEATURES

Available cycling profilesBiking, indoor biking, mountain biking, triathlon
Alerts (triggers alarm when you reach goals including time, distance, heart rate or calories)Yes
CoursesYes
MTB Grit & FlowNo
Cycle map (routable cycling-specific street map)No
Bike lap and lap maximum power (with power sensor)Yes
Race an activityYes
FTP (Functional Threshold Power)Yes (with compatible accessory)
Compatible with Vector (Power Meter)Yes
Power Meter compatibleYes
Advanced cycling dynamicsYes
Compatible with Varia Vision (head-mounted display)Yes
Compatible with Varia Radar (Rear-Facing Radar)Yes
Compatible with Varia LightsYes
Speed and cadence sensor support (with sensor)Yes (ANT+ and Bluetooth Smart sensors)

SWIMMING FEATURES

Available swim profilesPool swimming, open water swimming, swimming/running
Open-water swim metrics (distance, pace, stroke count/rate, stroke distance, swim efficiency (SWOLF), calories)Yes
Pool swim metrics (lengths, distance, pace, stroke count, swim efficiency (SWOLF), calories)Yes
Stroke type detection (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly) (pool swim only)Yes
Drill logging (pool swim only)Yes
Basic rest timer (up from 0) (pool swim only)Yes
"Repeat on" rest timer (pool swim only) (New)Yes
Auto rest (pool swim only) (New)Yes
Time and distance alertsNo
Pacing alerts (pool swim only) (New)Yes
Countdown start (pool swim only)Yes
Pool swim workoutsYes
Critical swim speed (New)Yes
Underwater wrist-based heart rateYes
Heart rate from external HRM (real-time during rests, interval and session stats during rests, and automatic heart rate download post-swim)Yes (with HRM-Tri and HRM-Swim)

Garmin Fenix 6 Pros

  • Sturdily built, premium and rugged design.
  • Very impressive long battery life with battery saver modes that lets you go longer.
  • Comprehensive activity trackers.
  • The HRM and Vo2 max Sensor are somehow accurate.

Garmin Fenix 6 Cons

  • Quiet expensive.
  • Lacks microphone.
  • Lacks onboard music storage.
  • Notifications don’t show images, only text is shown.
  • The companion app needs more improvement especially with regards to watch faces.

Which is Better?

In my opinion, Garmin Fenix is a more comprehensive GPS smartwatch. It features blood oxygen tracking – an important metric that allows you to see how well your blood utilizes oxygen. Fenix 6 also features incidental fall detection that allows the watch to call a preset emergency number when it detects a hard fall (phone must be nearby).

Overall, both smartwatches are durably built and well equipped to track your daily activities both indoor and outdoor.