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Knowing how to spot the best fitness tracker in a sea of options can be tough, especially when there’s so much overlap with some of the best smartwatches.
That line gets a little blurrier with the introduction of Polar’s latest smartwatch, the Unite. This easy-to-use watch offers many of the industry’s popular high-end features like advanced sleep-tracking and multi-sport compatibility at a surprisingly low price.
Though I spend much of my time outside, I’ve always been hit-or-miss when it comes to fitness trackers. I’ve never been a big watch wearer and I’m not the type of person who tracks my fitness or daily habits closely. But the Unite promises a host of useful features, including route and elevation tracking, sleep monitoring, and, interestingly, meditation and breathing guidance. I decided to give it a try.
After my first few days with the watch, I became a fitness tracker convert. Though I originally planned to wear it for a week to write this review, I’ve been wearing it daily and it’s become normal to sleep and shower in it. Here are my thoughts on the Unite and whether the price tag is too good to be true.
Extremely easy to use, even if you’re not tech-savvy
Right out of the box, I noticed the Unite is very easy to use and operate and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to first-timers or tech-challenged buyers. The colorful display is clear and easy to read and there are just a few basic motions that control everything you need to see on the watch. The Unite is a much more beginner-friendly option when compared to other devices like Fitbit or Garmin.
Learning to navigate the watch’s features takes roughly a day or so, and since the screen automatically illuminates when you lift your wrist, it’s easy to quickly see your data and stats while working out.
Though the face doesn’t offer as much customization as other watches, those downsides are outweighed by the Unite’s easy-to-use and clear information. It has the most straightforward operation of any tracker I’ve used.
Those more interested in smartwatches may want to check out our Polar Ignite review, which, according to Polar, burns out much more quickly when training mode is enabled but lasts dozens of hours longer in watch mode. It may be better for those who are fitness-minded but not strictly regimented, or anyone whose workout style requires quick bursts rather than longer, sustained activities.
High-tech features for workouts and daily life
The Unite has most of the features I care about on a watch: GPS-tracking (sort of) a heart-rate monitor, sleep tracking, and text notifications. Unfortunately, it doesn’t feature music integration, touch-to-pay payment functionality, or maps and weather.
However, what it lacks in advanced smartwatch or fitness features it makes up for with useful daily fitness features, including Serene breathing guidance and Spark, a series of personalized strength, cardio, and restoration routines.
Both Serene and Spark are easy to use and follow, and I was always able to find time to use them on most days. I rarely do breathing exercises on my own but found myself using the Serene feature at least once or twice a day.
There are also two apps that are compatible with the watch: Polar Beat, which focuses on capturing resting heart rate data, route tracking, and speed, and Polar Flow, which is more focused on providing an overall summary of your health and fitness stats.
The Unite does still come with some advanced features found on more expensive Polar watches, too. I particularly like the cardio load feature, which analyzes the intensity and effectiveness of your workout by comparing your heart rate to past workout sessions. The watch learns about your fitness and activity over time, allowing it to make recommendations and analyses about your health.
Average battery life but quick charging
Polar claims the battery lasts around four days with normal use and that seemed mostly accurate. Without using GPS-enabled tracking, a full day of use (including sleeping) used roughly 20 percent of the battery. Tracking an approximately 45-minute bike ride used an additional 20 percent of the battery. Fortunately, it takes only around an hour to get to 100 percent, so there’s usually enough time to squeeze in a charge while showering or cooking.
Rather than charging with a standard mini USB cord, the Unite has a unique piece that snaps to the back of the watch and plugs directly into a USB port. This charger is small and specific to Polar, so be sure not to lose it.
GPS functionality only when paired with your phone
The Unite doesn’t have built-in GPS functionality but when paired with your phone, it’s able to use your phone’s GPS to track elevation, distance, and route. It seems quite accurate (I tested it side-by-side with a Garmin Vìvoactiv 3 that has native GPS). I suspect Polar decided to leverage phone GPS rather than including one as a compromise to keep the price low. Still, if your phone battery dies quickly or you prefer not to carry your phone while working out, it may not be a workable solution.
The Unite links and automatically uploads to Strava, Gaia, and other popular fitness phone apps, too. You can store up to 20 sport profiles like kayaking, biking, running, or open-water swimming, and while working out, you change the metrics displayed on the face to quickly access the stats you care about most.
Note that the limited GPS functionality means that certain fitness tracking features will be less accurate since they won’t be able to track distances consistently.
Cons to consider
Aside from the lack of built-in GPS, the only major downside comes down to features. Without music functionality or advanced tracking features (new Suunto watches feature heatmaps, for example,) it’s designed to be more of an everyday tracker to monitor your health than a serious training or life-management device. It likely won’t beat the more full-featured offerings from Apple or Garmin.
Another minor gripe I had with the Unite relates to its strap. Rather than having a traditional clasp, the watch has a nub that tucks into a series of notches and the band then slides under the strap. I didn’t find it quite as comfortable as a traditional fabric strap, but plenty of band replacements are available online.
Should you buy it?
The Polar Unite takes all the best features of its high-tech kin, the Ignite, and puts it into a more affordable, easy-to-use package. If you want access to advanced fitness and health features and can make do without native GPS, it’s an excellent option. It’s a good everyday watch with enough outdoor-oriented features for the average user, and at just $150, it’s a compelling new addition to the fitness tracker market.
