Garmin and Polar are known for their outdoor watches. Both companies make high-quality wearables that are popular among athletes and fitness enthusiasts. But which brand is right for you?
In this article, we’ll be comparing two of their flagship models: Polar Grit X Pro vs. Garmin Instinct 2.
Since both these watches are packed with top-notch features and designed to withstand extreme conditions, the actual question would be: how do they differ from each other, and who’s better?
Well, we’re here to answer all these queries.
Polar Grit X Pro vs. Garmin Instinct 2: General Comparison
| Product Name | Polar Grit X Pro | Garmin Instinct 2 |
| Predecessor | Polar Grit X | Garmin Instinct |
| Release date | October, 2021 | Feb, 2022 |
| Parent company | Polar | Garmin |
| Operating system | Proprietary OS | Garmin OS |
| Compatibility | Android & iOS | Android & iOS |
| LTE connectivity | No | No |
| Music Control | No | Yes |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth | Bluetooth, Ant+ |
| Sensors | HR monitoring, Altimeter, Barometer, Compass, Gyro, Accelerometer, Cadence/Cycling monitoring sensors | GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, Barometer, Altimeter, Compass, Accelerometer, Thermometer, Pulse OX, Garmin Elevate Wrist Heart rate monitor |
| Water-resistance | 100m (10ATM) | 100m (10ATM) |
Probably not much you can tell for the general comparison, right? Well, hang in there because we’re about to dig deep into their features to see who wins the battle of being the best outdoor smartwatch.
Polar Grit X Pro vs. Garmin Instinct 2: Price comparison
Let’s look at the prices of the Polar Grit X Pro and the Garmin Instinct 2.
Garmin Instinct 2 Pricing:
Garmin Instinct 2/2S (Standard): Around $350
Garmin Instinct 2/2S (Camo): Around $400
Garmin Instinct 2/2S (Surf): Around $500
Garmin Instinct 2 (Tactical): Around $500
Garmin Instinct 2 (Dezl): Around $400
Polar Grit X Pro Pricing:
Polar Grit X Pro (Standard): Around $500
Polar Grit X Pro (Titan): Around $600
Now, as we can see, the Garmin Instinct 2 isn’t just one watch and comes in different editions, and it can cost you $500 if you choose the premium edition. That said, if you’re opting for the standard variant of Instinct 2, it will only set you back $350.
On the other hand, Grit X Pro comes in just one standard variant, costing straight up $500, while the Titan style can cost another 100 bucks, making the grand total of $600.
So, depending on your needs, either watch could be a good option. But if the price is your primary concern, the Grit X Pro may not be the best choice.
Polar Grit X Pro vs. Garmin Instinct 2: Design and display
| Specifications | Polar Grit X Pro | Garmin Instinct 2 |
| Colors | Black DLC, Nordic Copper, Arctic Gold, Titan | Deep Orchid, Black, Poppy, Electric lime, etc. |
| Dimensions | 47 x 47 x 13mm | 40 x 40 x 13.3 mm (40mm) 45 x 45 x 14.5 mm (45mm) |
| Case Size | 47mm | 40mm and 45mm |
| Bezel material | Stainless-steel | Fiber-reinforced Polymer |
| Display Type | Always-on Transflective | monochrome, sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) |
| Display Size | 1.2 Inch | custom, two-window design; 0.9” x 0.9” (23 x 23mm) |
| Touchscreen | Yes | No |
| Display Resolution | 240 x 240 pixels | 176 x 176 pixels |
| Screen Material | Sapphire Glass lens | Chemically strengthened glass |
| Buttons | 5 | 5 |
| Band Size/Type | 22mm FKM (Fluoroelastomer rubber) straps | 22mm, silicone |
| Weight | 79g with strap | 52g (45mm) without strap 42 (40mm) without strap |
As we have already mentioned, Garmin introduced Instinct 2 in different editions, plus two sizes; 40mm and 45mm.
The 40mm watch is referred to as S (small), and you can choose Standard, Camo, and Surf editions in it, while there’s no option of choosing 40mm in Tactical and Dezl editions, so you’ll have to go with 45mm size in these variants.
Coming to the design of Polar Grit X Pro, which is more of a robust, and durable watch built to withstand extreme weather and conditions. It has a stainless-steel bezel that is resistant to scratches and corrosion. A Sapphire Glass lens protects the screen, and the watch comes with a 22mm FKM (Fluoroelastomer) band.
In contrast, Garmin Instinct 2 is also a rugged and reliable watch but uses a different material for its bezel. The Garmin’s Fibre-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) bezel is designed to resist impact and vibration.
In addition, the screen of Instinct 2 is also protected by Chemically strengthened glass, and it comes with a 22mm standard silicone band. As a result, both watches have good screen protection and are resistant to scratches and impacts.
Now, the display might be the first thing you’ll notice when you compare the Polar Grit X Pro vs. Garmin Instinct 2. The Grit X Pro has a 1.2-inch always-on transflective touchscreen display with 240 x 240 pixels. The Instinct 2, on the other hand, has a less-than-an-inch monochrome display with 176 x 176 pixels.
Since there’s no touchscreen display in the case of Instinct 2, you’ll have to rely on the five buttons for navigation, and operating the watch.
The Grit X Pro’s display is significantly more extensive and has a higher resolution, making it easier to see and navigate. However, the Instinct 2’s screen is still surprisingly usable thanks to its high contrast and backlit display.
Ultimately, both watches have well-designed screens that are easy to use and read, but the Grit X Pro’s larger screen, touch display, and higher resolution make it the better choice for most users.
Polar Grit X Pro vs. Garmin Instinct 2: Health monitoring
| Polar Grit X Pro | Garmin Instinct 2 | |
| Companion App | Polar Flow App | Garmin Connect App |
| Heart rate tracking | Yes | Yes |
| ECG tracking | No | No |
| Sleep monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| HRV alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Respiration Rate | No | Yes |
| Pulse Ox | No | Yes |
| Stress tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Hydration/Body battery monitoring | Yes, and it has recovery time instead of body battery monitoring | Yes |
| Women health tracking | No | Yes |
Regarding health monitoring, there is no doubt that the Garmin Instinct 2 is the better watch. Not only does it have a more accurate heart rate monitor, but it also tracks respiration rate and pulse OX (blood oxygen levels)
In addition, Instinct 2 also offers women’s health tracking, a feature not available on the Polar Grit X Pro. Although both watches can track your sleep, stress levels, hydration levels, and give HRV alerts, Instinct 2 provides a more comprehensive picture of your overall health.
And, because of these extra perks, Instinct 2 would be the clear choice for anyone looking for a multi-sports outdoor watch that can provide detailed information about their health and well-being.
Polar Grit X Pro vs. Garmin Instinct 2: Sports/fitness features
| Polar Grit X Pro | Garmin Instinct 2 | |
| All-day activity tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Multisport modes | Yes, 20+ | Yes |
| Colored TOPO Maps | No | No |
| Activity modes | Yes | Yes |
| Training features | Running Index, Candance, Speed/distance, Recovery Pro, Cycling performance, etc. | Advanced workouts, VO2 Max, Training Load/effect, Running profiles, Cadence, Golfing, etc. |
| Satellite-systems | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and QZSS |
Regarding features designed for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts, the Polar Grit X Pro and the Garmin Instinct 2 are both loaded with several options.
Both watches can track your daily activity levels and more specific outdoor activities, with multisport modes and extensive training features to help you get the most out of your workouts. Plus, with the 100m water-resistance, both Grit X Pro and Intinct 2 are safe for swimming in open/pool water and showering.
In terms of navigation, both watches come with multiple satellite systems (GPS/QZSS, GLONASS, Galileo) for accurate tracking. Although there is no option for colored topo maps on either watch, which might be a bummer for some people who likes to wander in the wild.
Polar Grit X Pro vs. Garmin Instinct 2: Smart features
| Specifications | Polar Grit X Pro | Garmin Instinct 2 |
| Smart notifications | Yes | Yes |
| Microphone | No | No |
| Speaker | No | No |
| Find my Phone/Watch | No | Yes |
| Music storage | No | No |
| Calendar/Weather | Yes | Yes |
| NFC payments | No | Yes (only in the Solar variant) |
As far as the smart features are concerned, the Garmin Instinct 2 and the Polar Grit X Pro are both well-equipped. Both watches can receive smart notifications, but since there’s no microphone or speaker, you can’t do much with it.
As anyone who has ever misplaced their smartphone can attest, the ability to track down a lost device can be invaluable. For that, find my Phone/Watch feature on the Garmin Instinct 2 makes it easy to locate a misplaced phone/Watch, even if it’s set to silent mode.
In addition, Instinct 2 also offers an NFC payment option (only in Solar Variant), allowing users to make quick and easy payments without having to fumble for their wallets.
By contrast, the Polar Grit X Pro does not offer any way to track down a lost phone or make NFC payments. While both watches provide smart features, the Garmin Instinct 2 is ultimately more versatile and user-friendly.
Polar Grit X Pro vs. Garmin Instinct 2: Battery life
| Polar Grit X Pro | Garmin Instinct |
| Battery life with GPS: 40 hours (training mode) Smartwatch mode: up to 7 days (24/7 HR tracking) Power saving modes: 100 hours (3 modes) | Smartwatch mode: Up to 28 days Battery saver watch mode: Up to 65 days GPS: Up to 30 hours Max Battery GPS Mode: Up to 70 hours Expedition GPS Activity: Up to 32 days |
One area where the Garmin Instinct 2 shines is in its battery life. In smartwatch mode, it can last for an impressive 28 days on a single charge. By comparison, the Polar Grit X Pro can only manage 7 days.
And in GPS modes, the Instinct 2 multiple settings that can extend its battery life even further. For example, the Instinct 2 can last up to 70 hours in Max battery GPS mode, while the Grit X Pro will only last for 40 hours in GPS mode.
Garmin Instinct 2 also has an edge in the power saving mode, in which it can last for whooping 65 days, while the Polar Grit X Pro can only go on for 100 hours. So, if you’re looking for a watch that can go the distance, Instinct 2 is a clear choice.
Polar Grit X Pro vs. Garmin Instinct 2: Who wins the battle?
In the end, it all comes down to personal preference. The Polar Grit X Pro is an excellent choice, if you want a watch with solid training and navigation features.
However, if you need a watch that can go the extra mile regarding battery life, and has better health-tracking features, then the Garmin Instinct 2 is worth considering.
