This $399 Polar may be the best Apple Watch alternative for multi-sport athletes

Earlier this summer, I had the chance to try out Polar's newest flagship watch and enjoyed the large display, rugged design, and powerful Polar Flow training features. However, the Ignite 3's training features have been a bit limited for people with smaller wrists or who want a smaller Polar watch, as that watch is focused on providing an everyday fitness experience.

The new Polar Vantage M3 targets multi-sport athletes who want a smaller watch than the Vantage V3 or Grit X2 while also having access to serious performance, training, and recovery tools. Polar states that over 80% of Polar watch users train in three or more sports, so this new $400 M3 is designed to support these athletes in all aspects of their daily lives.

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Polar Elixir biosensing technology on the watch provides ECG, SpO2, and skin temperature sensors for advanced sleep tracking and wellness measurements. Recovery Pro, performance testing, and support for more than 150 activities are provided with the Vantage M3.

The 1.28-inch AMOLED display provides up to 30 hours of battery life while training and up to seven days in smartwatch mode. The watch weighs 53 grams and has dual-frequency GPS, a stainless steel bezel, and Gorilla Glass.

Sander Werring, CEO of Polar Electro, said: "The Polar Vantage M3 empowers today's incredibly versatile athletes and is perfect for anyone who wants the extraordinary set of Polar capabilities in a more compact design. With its combination of award-winning design, superior performance, and science-backed features, no other mid-range sports watch supports athletes in their every pursuit like the all-new Polar Vantage M3."

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Beyond the Vantage M3 itself, it is important to understand that a comprehensive Polar Flow smartphone application and website support the watch. Users can access a vast amount of data to help track their daily lives, set goals, and use the data to improve their performance. Polar Flow is one of the best services available for serious athletes, and the Vantage M3 is your ticket to go with the flow.