Polar Vantage M3 review: Affordable doesn’t have to mean basic

Polar has earned its name as a fit-tech pioneer thanks to decades of innovation in the fitness space, producing reliable, performance-focused gear for athletes since the late ‘70s.

From heart rate monitors to multisport smartwatches, the brand has crafted impressive tools that help users optimise their training and recovery, upping the ante in recent years with releases such as its Vantage, Grit and Ignite watch series. However, with stiff competition from brands like Garmin, Apple and COROS, staying relevant in the fast-moving world of wearables is no small feat.

In a bid to do just that, the brand has recently launched the Polar Vantage M3 - the firm’s latest addition to its mid-range smartwatch line-up. Building on the success of its predecessors, the Vantage M3 represents a big step forward for the brand, introducing a vibrant AMOLED display, dual-band GPS and a host of advanced health features like wrist-based ECG and skin temperature tracking.

Designed for both casual fitness enthusiasts and more serious athletes, the Vantage M3 promises top-tier performance tracking and detailed insights into training, recovery and sleep. But with so many strong alternatives on the market, does it do enough to keep Polar’s legacy alive? I’ve spent a few weeks testing the Vantage M3 to find out if it delivers on its promises.

Polar Vantage M3 review

Price and availability

The Polar Vantage M3 was launched in October 2024 with a retail price of £349/$399.95/ AU$599, positioning it in the mid-range fitness watch category. It’s available now at Polar UK, Polar US and Polar AU in two colour options: Night Black and Greige Sand, offering a sleek, minimal aesthetic that most people should like.

While it’s not the cheapest fitness tracker on the market, the Vantage M3 strikes a balance between affordability and premium functions. Compared to Polar’s higher-end models like the Polar Vantage V3 (£549) and Polar Grit X2 Pro (£699), the M3 offers a more accessible price while still delivering many of the same advanced features, such as dual-band GPS, offline maps and wrist-based ECG.

Design and build quality

In terms of looks, the Polar Vantage M3 finds a nice balance between durability and style, though it’s not without its shortcomings. Its 44mm case feels compact and lightweight, at just 53g with the strap, making it comfortable for all-day wear, whether you’re at the gym or out on a hike.

The stainless-steel bezel adds a premium touch, complemented by subtle studs that help guide your finger when interacting with the display. However, the plastic body slightly detracts from its overall aesthetic, feeling less robust - and a bit cheaper feeling - than competitors in the same price range.

The real draw of the M3’s design, however, is its 1.28-inch AMOLED display. Bright and crisp with a 416x416 resolution and 1,500 nits of peak brightness, it’s easy to read in any light, whether you’re running under the midday sun or checking your stats in low light. Colours are vibrant and text is lovely and sharp, but the smaller size compared to Polar’s higher-end models (like the Vantage V3) means some data screens can feel a bit cramped during more intense activities.

Nevertheless, the Gorilla Glass 3 screen offers good protection against scratches, and I found the touch interface to be responsive and intuitive overall. Pairing this with five physical buttons makes it rather easy to operate in most conditions, from sweaty gym sessions to rainy runs.

That said, the buttons can feel slightly small and less tactile compared to Garmin watches, which offer more robust and satisfying controls. I did love the easy-to-enable screen lock feature, though, which prevented any accidental button taps during intense exercises like HIIT classes.

One drawback is the strap. While the silicone material is comfortable and secure during workouts, the buckle and loop system can be fiddly, often requiring a bit of patience to tuck in securely. Thankfully, it uses a standard 22mm size, so it’s easily replaceable if needed.

Overall, the M3’s design is functional and attractive, but the build quality could be improved to match the price tag. It’s practical but not groundbreaking.

Features and performance

The Polar Vantage M3 is geared heavily toward fitness and health tracking, with an impressive array of features designed to support training, recovery and navigation. But how do these features stack up in everyday use?

One thing I need to get off my chest before we get into the nitty-gritty of the Vantage M3’s performance capabilities is the watch’s frustratingly long and glitchy setup process. Perhaps I was unlucky, but setting up the watch took me a solid hour from unboxing to being ready to track my exercise. It required a sync with my phone via its (rather awkwardly designed companion app - more on that later), which seemed to take an age before freezing and becoming unresponsive just before completion.

I was rushing to get it up and running in time for my yoga class, and unfortunately, it didn’t make it. I’m not sure why a brand-new watch with zero tracked data stored on it needed so long to become functional, and maybe this won’t be the case for everyone, but it’s worth a mention regardless.

Let’s move on to the Vantage M3’s performance, starting with the GPS. The watch’s dual-band system is quick to connect and whether you’re cycling around the city or running around the block, the GPS seemed to work well, displaying accurate results. However, it did show slight deviations in particularly challenging environments, such as high-rise-heavy areas. It’s not a deal-breaker but does put it a step behind premium models like the Garmin Fenix 8, which handles these spaces not only with ease but with greater precision.

Health tracking is another strength of the Vantage M3. Polar’s fourth-generation optical heart rate sensor serves up reliable data during workouts, though there’s occasional lag during sudden bursts of activity, such as sprints or high-intensity intervals. Additional metrics like SpO2 monitoring, wrist-based ECG and skin temperature tracking add depth to its health insights, making it a useful tool for those who take their fitness seriously. These features also integrate seamlessly with Polar’s Recovery Pro and SleepWise tools, which help you gauge your body’s readiness for the next workout.

However, during testing, I did find that the Vantage M3 could overshoot tracking results somewhat. For example, I compared the watch’s step counting against both a Garmin Fenix smartwatch and the Samsung Health app during a 10,000-step walk to gauge its accuracy. While the M3 generally tracked movement well, I noticed it consistently overcounted steps by a noticeable margin - typically logging over 200 steps more than the other devices.

This discrepancy might not matter to casual users, but for those relying on precise activity tracking, it could be a little worrying. Polar’s algorithms likely err on the side of counting subtle movements as steps, which may inflate daily totals. While this doesn’t diminish its performance in other metrics like GPS or heart rate tracking, it’s worth bearing in mind if accurate step counting is a priority.

For training enthusiasts, the M3 includes Polar’s signature features like Hill Splitter, which automatically tracks uphill and downhill segments, as well as Training Load Pro, which assesses whether you’re undertraining, overtraining or hitting the sweet spot. These tools are genuinely helpful for optimising your exercise routine. In terms of navigation options, there’s full offline maps and turn-by-turn guidance through Komoot, which is impressive for a watch at this price point.

Where the M3 struggles is its smartwatch functionality. Beyond viewing notifications and controlling music, there’s little in the way of added convenience. With no app store or voice assistant, it feels one-dimensional compared to more versatile alternatives. For fitness-focused users, though, it’s still a strong contender.

Lastly, let’s talk battery life. The watch’s battery is solid but definitely not groundbreaking. I found that it lasts just over 24 hours in GPS mode or around five to six days with moderate use, falling short of some competitors but still offering respectable endurance for most. Charging the watch is quick enough, though, and makes use of a USB-A proprietary cable.

Polar Flow app

The Vantage M3’s biggest letdown is by far its companion app, Polar Flow. I’ve never really been a fan of this app. Not only is it aesthetically unpleasing, but your workout data is only viewable after you’ve manually synchronised the device to your phone first, which - I have to admit - can feel tedious. The app itself just isn’t so well-designed and certainly takes some getting used to. It can appear a little oversimplified at times, and too convoluted to check simple data insights at others. For the most part, it's poorly designed, counterintuitive and difficult to get used to, which will likely leave most users feeling frustrated.

Verdict

The Polar Vantage M3 is a well-rounded fitness watch that shines in its core purpose: tracking health and performance. With its bright AMOLED display, reliable dual-band GPS, and extensive suite of training tools, it’s a good option for fitness enthusiasts who want advanced metrics without the premium price tag.

Its lightweight design and comfortable fit make it suitable for all-day wear, while features like Recovery Pro and SleepWise add next-level insights into training and recovery routines. However, it’s let down by a glitch setup process, a lacklustre companion app and limited smartwatch functionality including no app store - shortcomings which might deter users looking for a more versatile device.

Still, the Vantage M3 strikes a good balance between price and features, offering much of the functionality of higher-end models in a more affordable package. While it’s not the most innovative watch on the market, it’s a dependable companion for those wanting top-tier health and fitness features without breaking the bank

Also consider

Garmin Forerunner 55: Garmin's beginner-friendly watch offers reliable GPS tracking, heart rate monitoring, and basic training tools at a lower price point. While it lacks the Vantage M3’s advanced training metrics, it’s a solid option for beginners or casual runners looking for simplicity and affordability.

Garmin Forerunner 265: The Vantage M3's direct competitor, the Forerunner 265, takes fitness tracking to the next level with a vibrant AMOLED display, advanced training readiness metrics, and a more robust ecosystem. It’s about the same price as the Polar but delivers premium features and a more polished user experience for serious athletes.

Fitbit Versa 4: it blends fitness tracking with smartwatch functionality, including app support, voice assistant compatibility, and notifications. While its health tracking isn’t as advanced as the Vantage M3, it excels in everyday usability and is a better choice for those who want an all-rounder wearable.