Polar Vantage M3 review: Feature-packed but flawed
Polar Vantage M3: One-minute review
Polar has long been a trusted brand in the fitness world, known for its accurate data heart rate monitorit is best running watch and fitness tracking devices for athletes and fitness enthusiasts. Vantage M3 aims to continue that reputation, combining a bright and vibrant AMOLED display, accurate dual-frequency GPS, and advanced health metrics such as wrist-based ECG and skin temperature tracking. It’s packed with tools to help you train smarter and recover better – all at an affordable price. With Vantage V3 and Polar Grit X2 ProPolar is fully embracing the transition from dimmer pixel memory displays to AMOLED screens.
While the Vantage M3 has a lot going for it, it’s not without its flaws. The setup process was painfully slow and glitchy during my testing, and the companion app Polar Flow felt like it was stuck in the past, despite providing many detailed metrics. Combined with a lack of third-party app support, the M3 starts to feel a bit limited compared to its more feature-rich rivals.
That said, for fitness-first users who don’t mind skipping the smartwatch extras, the Vantage M3 performs well overall. The sharp AMOLED display makes statistics easy to read even when running outdoors in bright sunshine. Features like Recovery Pro and Training Load Pro add meaningful insights, while dual-frequency GPS ensures accurate route tracking in most situations.
While the Polar Vantage M3 is a good choice for those who prioritize health and fitness tracking, it’s not the most versatile wearable out there. Its smartwatch features are fairly lacking, as there’s no app store, voice assistant, or NFC for payments. Jiamingit also provides a streamlined training experience, at least as good as the Connect IQ store. In 2025, this limited functionality feels outdated, especially compared to other smartwatch options currently on the market.
Still, it’s solid for serious fitness enthusiasts, especially outdoor workouts that require GPS, and comes packed with useful tools for training and recovery. Just don’t expect it to offer the same benefits you’d expect from more feature-rich alternatives such as apple watch Or a high-end model from Garmin. If you can overlook these shortcomings and focus purely on its fitness capabilities, the Vantage M3 still has a lot going for it.
Polar Vantage M3: price and availability
- price: £349 / $399 / $599AU
- release date: October 2024
- color: Night black and gray sand color
The Polar Vantage M3 will hit shelves in October 2024, priced at $399 / £349 / AU$599, and will fall into the mid-range fitness watch category. It’s available in two understated colors: Night Black and Gray Sand, which should appeal to those who prefer a minimalist look.
While it’s not the cheapest option on the market, compared to Polar’s higher-end models like the Vantage V3 (£519 / $599.95 / AU$899) and Grit X2 Pro ($749.95 / £649.99 / AU$1,099.99) it does offer reliable value. For its price, you get premium features like dual-frequency GPS, offline mapping, and advanced fitness tracking—all without stretching into the luxury price tier.
Polar Vantage M3: Design
- Lightweight and comfortable for all-day wear
- Stunning AMOLED display with clear resolution
- The silicone strap is a little stiff so it’s difficult to readjust
Design-wise, the Polar Vantage M3 balances style and practicality well. The 44mm case (including strap) weighs just 53 grams, making it so lightweight that you’ll barely notice it’s there, whether you’re hitting the gym or rushing out to run errands. Its slim case size means it fits snugly around your wrist and stays put even during more strenuous movements, so you don’t have to worry about it moving or coming loose during your workout.
The stainless steel frame feels great in the hand, with more refined, wear-resistant edges, and delicate studs that provide helpful guidance as you slide across the touch screen. However, the plastic body does take away from the premium feel slightly, especially compared to competitors that use sturdier materials, such as Garmin’s higher-end models. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it does make you wish for some extra polish.
Next, let’s talk about the display of this watch, which uses a 1.28-inch AMOLED display – this is undoubtedly one of the standout features of the Vantage M3. With its crisp 416×416 resolution and 1,500 nits of peak brightness, it’s vibrant and sharp—which is why I found it makes your stats easy to read in almost any lighting condition. That said, it’s slightly smaller than some of Polar’s pricier models, which can make some of the data screens feel a little cramped, especially when you’re in the middle of a workout and looking at metrics on the go.
The monitor’s Gorilla Glass 3 coating also provides scratch-resistant protection, which performed well in my testing. The five physical buttons next to the touchscreen are a welcome addition, providing a way to easily navigate menus when sweating or wearing gloves. However, they can be more tactile; the Garmin’s controls, for example, are thicker and feel more satisfying to use.
Despite this, the silicone strap is overall soft and comfortable. Its buckle and loop system can be fiddly at times and often requires more patience to secure securely. But on the bright side, the standard 22mm size means you can easily swap it out for a replacement that better suits your needs.
Polar Vantage M3: Features
- Comes with fitness and recovery tools
- Limited smartwatch features leave you wanting more
Polar Vantage M3 is built for fitness enthusiasts and its range of features proves it. From wrist-based ECG and SpO2 tracking to detailed recovery metrics like SleepWise and Training Load Pro, it’s clear that health and performance tracking is the primary focus of this watch. It has tools for almost every aspect of your fitness journey – features that truly work together and provide insights that really help you train smarter and recover better.
While the watch’s fitness features are good, its smartwatch functionality falls short. Sure, you can read notifications and control your music, but that’s about it. There’s no app store for adding third-party tools, no voice assistant to help you with hands-free navigation tasks, and no NFC for payment support.
It’s surprising, especially in 2025, that even cheap wearables offer a more comprehensive selection. As a result, the Vantage M3 feels a bit out of place for those who want a versatile device that combines fitness with everyday convenience.
Still, the fundamentals are solid. Sync your watch to the Polar Flow app to see all your training metrics in one place. While the app itself isn’t the most intuitive or visually pleasing, it does get the job done – albeit with a little patience.
Polar Vantage M3: Performance
- Dual-frequency GPS is accurate but not perfect
- Indicators are not as accurate as expected
- Battery life is approximately five days with mixed use
The Vantage M3’s dual-frequency GPS performs well in most situations. It connects quickly and provides accurate data during running, cycling and hiking. However, it’s not perfect. In dense urban areas with tall buildings, the GPS may wobble slightly and deviate from your true route. It’s not a disaster by any means, but when you compare it to higher-end models like the Garmin Fenix ​​8 Series, the difference is pretty noticeable.
Heart rate monitoring is another area where the M3 excels, although it’s not perfect. Optical sensors provide consistent readings during steady-state exercise, but can be difficult to keep up during sudden bursts of activity, such as sprints or high-intensity intervals. This can be a bit frustrating if you rely heavily on accurate heart rate data for training. Step tracking, meanwhile, is less impressive. It often counted hundreds more of my steps than other devices I’ve tested, which might annoy anyone who thinks precise metrics are crucial.
As for battery life, it’s decent but not groundbreaking. Polar says you can get 5 to 6 days of use with moderate use, or about 24 hours in GPS mode. I found that with mixed use—one workout per day with GPS tracking, general step counting, and sleep tracking—I was only off by about five days. It’s enough for most casual users, but endurance athletes may find themselves charging more than they’d like. On the plus side, charging is relatively quick and painless thanks to the dedicated USB-A cable included in the box.
At its core, the Polar Vantage M3 is great as a training tool. Its recovery features (like Training Load Pro) are really useful for improving your workouts, and the sharp AMOLED display makes interacting with the watch a pleasure. Whether you’re running in the sun or checking your progress under strong floodlights, I found the overall performance of the screen to be excellent. But when you consider the price tag, it’s hard to ignore its shortcomings. For £349/$399/$599 you can expect a more premium experience, especially in terms of smartwatch functionality. Still, if you’re looking for a fitness-first device, it’s a solid choice, but it’s not all that great.
- Performance score: 3.5/5
Polar Vantage M3: scorecard
| category | Comment | Fraction |
| value | Located in the middle of the value range. | 3.5/5 |
| design | Lightweight and comfortable. | 4/5 |
| feature | Nice, but offers a more comprehensive range of options. | 3/5 |
| Performance | Excellent as a training tool, but very limited as a watch. | 3.5/5 |
Polar Vantage M3: Should I buy it?
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
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how i tested
I wore the Polar Vantage M3 daily for more than two weeks, testing its functionality during various activities including running, cycling, and yoga. I use its dual-frequency GPS for outdoor workouts and Polar’s app tools to track recovery metrics. I also evaluated its smartwatch capabilities by syncing it to my smartphone, using it for notifications, and evaluating app integration. To test durability, I wore it during both intense workouts and everyday casual use, focusing on comfort and battery performance.
First review: January 2025
