Suunto vs. Garmin: A Comprehensive Guide to GPS Sports Watches

Deciding between a Suunto and a Garmin GPS sports watch can be a challenging task, as both brands offer a wide array of feature-rich devices designed for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts. Both Suunto and Garmin are recognized for producing high-quality watches with GPS capabilities that track various metrics and offer advanced training analysis. The "best" choice ultimately depends on individual preferences, specific needs, and desired features.

Key Highlights

Suunto excels in mapping and navigation: Many users find Suunto's map implementation superior for fast-paced sports like trail running and gravel cycling.
Garmin offers extensive data and features: Garmin is often preferred by "data addicts" due to its comprehensive metrics, wider range of specific activity profiles (like skiing and surfing), and more robust smartwatch features.
Both brands provide excellent core sports tracking: Customizable data screens, real-time metrics such as pace, time, distance, calories burned, and heart rate are standard on watches from both Suunto and Garmin.

Design and Build Quality

When comparing Suunto and Garmin watches, the design and build quality are often noticeable differences. Suunto watches are frequently described as having a more premium feel on the wrist. For instance, the Suunto Vertical is noted for feeling more comfortable and seemingly "disappearing" on the wrist compared to the Garmin Fenix 7, despite being slightly larger in dimension.

The Suunto Race showcases a robust design.

Garmin watches, such as the Fenix series, are known for their solid and robust construction, built to withstand demanding outdoor conditions. Some users appreciate Garmin's G-shock-ish aesthetic and perceived toughness, feeling more secure about potential impacts. The choice between the two often comes down to a preference for Suunto's more understated and potentially more comfortable designs versus Garmin's rugged and often larger form factors.

Comfort and Wearability

Wearability is a significant factor for devices worn consistently for tracking activities and daily health metrics. Both brands offer watches designed for 24/7 wear, but some models are more comfortable than others. The Suunto Run and Garmin Forerunner 165, for example, are highlighted as being small, lightweight, and comfortable for continuous wear. However, larger models like the Suunto Race S, while a smaller version of the Suunto Race, still have a substantial diameter and depth, requiring a wrist thick enough to accommodate them comfortably.

Display Technology

Display technology is an area where recent Suunto models have made significant strides, directly competing with Garmin's offerings. The Suunto Race features a large AMOLED display with a high resolution, providing a vibrant and clear visual experience. This makes menu navigation and data readability excellent.

The Suunto Race features a vibrant AMOLED display.

Garmin also offers models with AMOLED displays, such as the Forerunner 965, which are highly regarded for their brightness and clarity. However, some Garmin models, like the Enduro 3, utilize MIP (Memory-in-Pixel) displays, which excel in battery life and visibility in direct sunlight but may not be as vibrant indoors. The choice of display type often depends on the user's priority: a brighter, more interactive AMOLED or a power-efficient, always-on MIP.

Touchscreen and Navigation

Both Suunto and Garmin have incorporated touchscreens into many of their newer models, providing an alternative or supplementary interaction method to physical buttons. The Suunto Race, for instance, offers a combination of a touchscreen, physical buttons, and a rolling crown, allowing for versatile navigation, particularly useful during diverse activities or when wearing gloves. Garmin also offers touchscreens on various models, enhancing ease of use, especially for map interaction. The effectiveness of touchscreen implementation can vary between models and brands, influencing overall user experience.

Features and Functionality

The core functionality of both Suunto and Garmin watches revolves around tracking sports activities and providing relevant data. Both brands offer customizable data screens to display real-time metrics such as pace, distance, time, calories burned, and heart rate. However, the depth and breadth of features can differ significantly between the two ecosystems.

Sports Profiles and Tracking

Garmin generally offers a wider variety of pre-loaded sport profiles, including specific activities like skiing, surfing, and climbing, in addition to common running, cycling, and swimming profiles. This makes Garmin watches highly versatile for multisport athletes. Suunto also provides a good range of sport profiles, with a strong focus on outdoor and endurance activities. While the core tracking is comparable, Garmin often has the edge in offering niche sport profiles out-of-the-box.

Mapping and Navigation

Mapping and navigation are frequently cited as a strong suit for Suunto, particularly in models like the Suunto Race. Suunto's map implementation is often praised for being smooth and easy to use, especially during fast-paced activities. While Garmin's mapping capabilities have significantly improved and in some cases may surpass Suunto in terms of detail and global coverage on higher-end models, Suunto's interface is often preferred for quick and intuitive navigation on the go. The Suunto Race, in particular, is highlighted for its mapping and navigation features, which may be lacking altogether in some comparable Garmin models like the Forerunner 265.

A comparison of mapping features between Garmin and Suunto watches.

This video provides a visual comparison of the mapping capabilities offered by Garmin Fenix 8 and Suunto Race watches. It delves into the user interface, ease of navigation, and the level of detail provided by the maps on each device. This comparison is relevant for users who prioritize reliable and intuitive navigation features for their outdoor activities, such as trail running, hiking, or cycling.

Training Analysis and Insights

Both brands offer comprehensive training analysis tools, providing insights into training load, recovery, and progress. Garmin is often seen as catering more to "data addicts," offering a wealth of metrics and performance analytics through its platform. Suunto also provides detailed training analysis, with the Suunto app being praised for its excellent interface and data statistics, offering a great overview and comparison with past activities. For more experienced athletes seeking in-depth data and analysis, both brands provide robust tools, but Garmin might have a slight edge in the sheer volume and customization of data presented.

Smartwatch Features

Garmin generally offers a broader range of smartwatch features compared to Suunto. This includes features like music storage with streaming service compatibility (unlike Suunto which may be limited to MP3 files), contactless payments, and a more developed app ecosystem through Garmin Connect IQ. Suunto focuses more on core sports and outdoor features, with fewer general smartwatch functionalities. For users who want a device that seamlessly integrates with their daily digital life beyond sports, Garmin often provides a more comprehensive smartwatch experience. However, it's worth noting that comparing a high-end Garmin Fenix to a Suunto 7 (which is more of a general Android smartwatch) isn't always a fair comparison, as their primary purposes differ.

Battery Life

Battery life is a critical factor for GPS sports watches, especially for endurance athletes. Both Suunto and Garmin offer models with impressive battery life, though specific performance varies by model and usage (e.g., GPS accuracy settings). Some Suunto models, like certain versions of the Suunto 9, are noted for having excellent battery life, with claims of up to 170 hours in GPS mode in some configurations. The Suunto Race is stated to offer up to 65 hours in GPS tracking mode and 16 days in smartwatch mode. Garmin also boasts long battery life, particularly with models featuring solar charging like the Enduro series, which can extend GPS battery life significantly (up to 320 hours with solar). Without solar, Garmin's GPS battery life can be around 57 hours or more depending on the model. Both brands offer competitive battery performance, with the best choice depending on the expected duration and intensity of activities and the importance of features like solar charging.

Accuracy (GPS and Heart Rate)

Accuracy in GPS tracking and heart rate monitoring is fundamental for sports watches. Both Suunto and Garmin utilize advanced GPS technologies, including multi-band reception in some models, to improve location accuracy, especially in challenging environments. While anecdotal evidence on forums can be mixed, many reviews suggest both brands offer reliable GPS tracking for most users. For heart rate monitoring, both brands offer wrist-based optical sensors in their higher-end watches. Some older Suunto models, like the Ambit 3 Peak, relied on optional chest straps for heart rate data. While wrist-based HR is convenient, chest straps are generally considered more accurate for high-intensity activities. Comparisons of wrist-based HR accuracy between Suunto and Garmin models generally find them to be within a close range.

Ecosystem and App Experience

The accompanying smartphone app and overall ecosystem play a significant role in the user experience. The Suunto app is frequently praised for its user interface and presentation of data, offering a clean and insightful platform for reviewing activities and tracking progress.

The Suunto app provides detailed insights into training.

Garmin Connect is a powerful and extensive platform that provides a vast amount of data, training plans, and social features. It also supports a wide range of third-party integrations. While the Suunto app is highly regarded for its design and usability, Garmin Connect offers a more extensive ecosystem with more options for customization and connectivity with other services and devices through its Connect IQ platform. However, some users have reported frustrations with Suunto's firmware updates and customer service, leading some to switch to Garmin. Conversely, others have found Garmin's weather service to be less localized compared to Suunto's.

Price and Value

Price is often a deciding factor for consumers. Both Suunto and Garmin offer watches across various price points, from entry-level to high-end multisport devices. Suunto is sometimes seen as offering great value, with models like the Suunto Run undercutting comparable Garmin rivals like the Forerunner 165 while still providing extensive sports features. The Suunto Race is also noted as being a reasonably priced sports watch that competes well above its price category. Garmin's higher-end models, while more expensive, often pack in a wider array of features, including advanced smartwatch capabilities and specialized sport profiles. The value proposition depends on the specific features a user needs and their budget.

Comparison Table

Feature	Suunto	Garmin
Design Feel	Often described as more premium and comfortable	Rugged and robust
Mapping & Navigation	Strong suite, often praised for intuitive interface in fast-paced sports	Comprehensive maps, improving with newer models, wider global coverage on high-end models
Training Analysis	Detailed insights via well-designed Suunto app	Extensive data and metrics for "data addicts," broader customization
Smartwatch Features	More focused on core sports features, fewer general smartwatch functionalities (e.g., limited music streaming)	Broader range of smartwatch features (e.g., music streaming, contactless payment), developed app ecosystem (Connect IQ)
Battery Life	Competitive, some models known for long endurance (e.g., Suunto 9)	Excellent, especially with solar charging options on some models
Sports Profiles	Good range, strong in outdoor and endurance sports	Wider variety, including niche sports (e.g., skiing, surfing)
App Ecosystem	Praised for user interface and data presentation	Extensive and powerful platform with broad third-party integration

Conclusion: Which is Right for You?

Both Suunto and Garmin produce excellent GPS sports watches, and the choice between them is highly personal. If you prioritize intuitive mapping and navigation, a potentially more premium feel on the wrist, and a clean, well-designed app experience focused on core sports data, Suunto is a strong contender. Models like the Suunto Race and Suunto Vertical are good examples of their strengths. If you are a "data addict" who wants the most comprehensive metrics, a wider range of specific sport profiles, extensive smartwatch features like music streaming and contactless payments, and a robust ecosystem with ample customization options, Garmin is likely the better fit. The Garmin Fenix and Forerunner series cater to these needs. Ultimately, the best way to decide is to consider your primary activities, the features that are most important to you, and potentially try on models from both brands to see which feels more comfortable and aligns with your preferences.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Suunto watches good for running?

Yes, Suunto watches are widely regarded as good for running, offering detailed tracking, training analysis, and GPS capabilities suitable for runners of all levels. Models like the Suunto Run and Suunto Race are specifically designed with runners in mind.

Is Suunto owned by Garmin?

No, Suunto is a Finnish company and is not owned by Garmin, which is an American multinational corporation. They are direct competitors in the sports watch market.

Do Suunto watches have maps?

Yes, many Suunto watches, particularly higher-end models like the Suunto Race and Vertical, feature detailed maps and navigation capabilities, which are often praised for their usability.

Is the Suunto app better than Garmin Connect?

The "better" app is subjective and depends on user preference. The Suunto app is often praised for its clean interface and data presentation, while Garmin Connect offers a more extensive platform with a wider range of features, data, and third-party integrations.