Garmin Forerunner 55 vs Polar Vantage M (medium / large)

Last Updated & Fact Checked:  October 16, 2022

Are you trying to decide between the Garmin Forerunner 55 and the Polar Vantage M (medium / large)?

Product Versus will provide you with all the product details so you can quickly compare the facts to find which product is right for you – the Garmin Forerunner 55 or the Polar Vantage M (medium / large) – and find out exactly what the differences are.

Both the Garmin Forerunner 55 and the Polar Vantage M (medium / large) are quality products, so read on to find out which one is best for your needs!

Garmin Forerunner 55 quick facts

Polar Vantage M (medium / large) quick facts

Garmin Forerunner 55 product details

Bestseller No. 1
Garmin Forerunner 55, GPS Running Watch with Daily Suggested Workouts, Up to 2 weeks of Battery Life, Black
1,204 Reviews
Garmin Forerunner 55, GPS Running Watch with Daily Suggested Workouts, Up to 2 weeks of Battery Life, Black
  • Easy-to-use running watch monitors heart rate (this is not a medical device) at the wrist and uses GPS to track how far, how fast and where you’ve run
  • Battery life: up to 2 weeks in smartwatch mode; up to 20 hours in GPS mode
  • Plan your race day strategy with the PacePro feature (not compatible with on-device courses), which offers GPS-based pace guidance for a selected course or distance
  • Run your best with helpful training tools, including race time predictions and finish time estimates
  • Track all the ways you move with built-in activity profiles for running, cycling, track run, virtual run, pool swim, Pilates, HIIT, breathwork and more
Bestseller No. 2
Garmin Forerunner 55, GPS Running Watch with Daily Suggested Workouts, Up to 2 weeks of Battery Life, White (Renewed)
  • Easy-to-use running watch monitors heart rate (this is not a medical device) at the wrist and uses GPS to track how far, how fast and where you’ve run
  • Battery life: up to 2 weeks in smartwatch mode; up to 20 hours in GPS mode
  • Plan your race day strategy with the PacePro feature (not compatible with on-device courses), which offers GPS-based pace guidance for a selected course or distance
  • Run your best with helpful training tools, including race time predictions and finish time estimates
  • Track all the ways you move with built-in activity profiles for running, cycling, track run, virtual run, pool swim, Pilates, HIIT, breathwork and more
On Sale!Bestseller No. 3
Garmin Forerunner 55 GPS Running Smartwatch, Black
1,263 Reviews
Garmin Forerunner 55 GPS Running Smartwatch, Black
  • Easy-to-use running watch monitors heart rate (this is not a medical device) at the wrist and uses GPS to track how far, how fast and where you’ve run - Battery life: up to 2 weeks in smartwatch mode; up to 20 hours in GPS mode
  • Take the guesswork out of training with suggested workouts of varying intensities based on your training history, fitness level and recovery time
  • Plan your race day strategy with the PacePro feature (not compatible with on-device courses), which offers GPS-based pace guidance for a selected course or distance
  • Run your best with helpful training tools, including race time predictions and finish time estimates - Tune in to your body with advanced wellness features, such as intensity minutes, fitness age, all-day respiration and more
  • Track all the ways you move with built-in activity profiles for running, cycling, track run, virtual run, pool swim, Pilates, HIIT, breathwork and more - Customize your watch with free watch faces, data fields, apps and widgets from the Connect IQ Store (requires Garmin Connect app and Connect IQ app loaded on a compatible smartphone)

Polar Vantage M (medium / large) product details

Bestseller No. 2
POLAR Vantage M Fitness Watch - Black -
  • ULTRA-LONG BATTERY LIFE: Up to 30 hours of training time with GPS active, the durable and waterproof all-in-one Polar vantage M is for those who love setting records
  • POLAR PRECISION PRIME SENSOR FUSION TECHNOLOGY: Accurate optical HR monitoring for 130+ sports includes swimming, cycling
  • TRAINING LOAD PRO and RECOVERY PRO:: The vantage m is the fitness and biking activity tracker, separating cardio, muscle and perceived load, get a comprehensive view of how training sessions strain your body, follow your recovery level and get insights to your sleep to avoid overtraining or injuries
  • Nightly recharge helps you make the most of your day even when your resources are low, it offers you practical tips on how to train, sleep better and regulate your energy levels
  • More than a swim/bike/run watch: Together with Polar flow and Polar flow for coach, Polar vantage M forms a complete activity and training solution for an athlete’s training, automatically sync training data to Strava, training peaks, etc
On Sale!Bestseller No. 3
POLAR VANTAGE M –Advanced Running & Multisport Watch with GPS and Wrist-based Heart Rate (Lightweight Design & Latest Technology), Black, M-L
  • ULTRA-LONG BATTERY LIFE : The Polar Vantage M Advanced GPS Running & Multisport Watch lasts for up to 30 hours of training time
  • POLAR PRECISION PRIME HEART RATE : Polar’s heart rate monitor watches redefine the gold standard in optical heart rate accuracy by combining the latest in bio-impedance electrodes and optical sensors
  • TRAINING LOAD PRO: The Vantage M is the ultimate fitness tracker, separating cardio load, muscle load and perceived load. Polar’s Training Load Pro provides an unparalleled look into how your training affects your body
  • SWIM/BIKE/RUN FUNCTIONALITY : As a waterproof watch, long-distance running watch and biking activity tracker combined, you can capture key metrics like swimming stroke and pace. You can even pair with your favorite compatible cycling accessory
  • PERSONALIZE WITH YOUR OWN STYLE : With customizable fitness band options, tailor your Vantage M with replaceable wrist bands of multiple colors

New products & alternatives to the Garmin Forerunner 55 and the Polar Vantage M (medium / large)

New
Garmin Forerunner 55, GPS Running Watch with Daily Suggested Workouts, Up to 2 weeks of Battery Life, Aqua (Renewed)
  • Easy-to-use running watch monitors heart rate (this is not a medical device) at the wrist and uses GPS to track how far, how fast and where you’ve run
  • Battery life: up to 2 weeks in smartwatch mode; up to 20 hours in GPS mode
  • Plan your race day strategy with the PacePro feature (not compatible with on-device courses), which offers GPS-based pace guidance for a selected course or distance
  • Run your best with helpful training tools, including race time predictions and finish time estimates
  • Track all the ways you move with built-in activity profiles for running, cycling, track run, virtual run, pool swim, Pilates, HIIT, breathwork and more
New
Garmin Forerunner 55 GPS Running Smartwatch, Black (Renewed)
  • Easy-to-use running watch monitors heart rate (this is not a medical device) at the wrist and uses GPS to track how far, how fast and where you’ve run - Battery life: up to 2 weeks in smartwatch mode; up to 20 hours in GPS mode
  • Take the guesswork out of training with suggested workouts of varying intensities based on your training history, fitness level and recovery time
  • Plan your race day strategy with the PacePro feature (not compatible with on-device courses), which offers GPS-based pace guidance for a selected course or distance
  • Run your best with helpful training tools, including race time predictions and finish time estimates - Tune in to your body with advanced wellness features, such as intensity minutes, fitness age, all-day respiration and more
  • Track all the ways you move with built-in activity profiles for running, cycling, track run, virtual run, pool swim, Pilates, HIIT, breathwork and more - Customize your watch with free watch faces, data fields, apps and widgets from the Connect IQ Store (requires Garmin Connect app and Connect IQ app loaded on a compatible smartphone)
On Sale!New
Garmin Forerunner® 255S Music, Smaller GPS Running Smartwatch with Music, Advanced Insights, Long-Lasting Battery, Black
134 Reviews
Garmin Forerunner® 255S Music, Smaller GPS Running Smartwatch with Music, Advanced Insights, Long-Lasting Battery, Black
  • Built with a slim design and an always-on, full-color display that’s light on the wrist and easy to read even in direct sunlight — with available sizes of 46 mm and 41 mm
  • Smaller-sized Forerunner 255S Music provides up to 12 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and up to 26 hours in GPS mode for a full picture of your health — from sleep to training
  • Download up to 500 songs to your watch, including playlists from Spotify, Amazon Music or Deezer (subscription required), and connect with your wireless headphones for phone-free listening
  • Morning report summarizes your sleep, HRV status and daily workout suggestion in one place as soon as you wake up (This device is intended to give an estimate of your activity and metrics)
  • Get ready for your next race with training tips, personalized daily suggested workouts and completion time predictions based on course details, weather and performance
New
Garmin Forerunner® 955, GPS Running Smartwatch, Tailored to Triathletes, Long-Lasting Battery, Black
231 Reviews
Garmin Forerunner® 955, GPS Running Smartwatch, Tailored to Triathletes, Long-Lasting Battery, Black
  • Built with an always-on, full-color display that’s light on the wrist and easy to read even in direct sunlight
  • Battery life: up to 15 days of battery life in smartwatch mode for a full picture of your health — from sleep to training; plus, get up to 42 hours in GPS mode and up to 80 hours in UltraTrac mode
  • Click or swipe through maps and stats with traditional button controls or a new, responsive touchscreen
  • Whether you’re running on city streets or riding densely covered trails, Forerunner 955 provides full-color, built-in mapping to keep you on track
  • Access multiple global navigation satellite systems, and get access to multiple frequencies sent by navigation satellites for improved accuracy in areas where GNSS signals are reflected, weak or typically don't penetrate — giving you superior accuracy for how far and how fast you’ve run — even in challenging environments
New
Garmin Forerunner 245 GPS Running Smartwatch with Advanced Training Features - Grey (Renewed)
  • Included components: Forerunner 245, USB Cable, Quick Start Guide
  • Evaluates your current training status to indicate if you’re undertraining or overdoing it; offers additional performance monitoring features
  • Get free adaptive training plans from Garmin Coach, or create your own custom workouts at the Garmin Connect online fitness community
  • Provides advanced running dynamics, including ground contact time balance, stride length, vertical ratio and more
  • Safety & Tracking features make it easy to share your location with chosen contacts

Our conclusion on the Garmin Forerunner 55 vs Polar Vantage M (medium / large)

Both the Garmin Forerunner 55 and the Polar Vantage M (medium / large) are high quality products and we are sure you will be happy with either one. In the end it comes down to your budget and the value for money you are looking for.

Either way, the Garmin Forerunner 55 and the Polar Vantage M (medium / large) are both excellent products that will more than do their job!