Polar Pacer Pro launched in April 2022 as the higher-tier sibling to the Pacer, adding a barometer, compass and route guidance.
| Manufacturer | Polar |
|---|---|
| Type | Running-focused GPS watch |
| Series | Pacer |
| Released | April 2022 |
| Price at launch | GBP 259.00 / EUR 299.90 / USD 299.90 |
| Predecessor | None directly. Pacer Pro is broadly a like-for-like swap with the Vantage M2, launched alongside it as a new tier. |
| Successor | Not yet announced. |
| Sizes | 45mm (single size) |
| Colours | Carbon Gray, Snow White, Midnight Blue, Autumn Maroon, Aurora Green |
Specifications and features as at launch, updated where the current official specification differs.
Jump to: Expert opinion | Pacer Pro versus Pacer | Specifications | Battery life | Features | Further reading
Expert opinion
Pacer Pro adds a barometer, compass, an aluminium bezel and route guidance over the standard Pacer, at the same processor, memory, display resolution and battery capacity. It effectively replaced the Vantage M2 in Polar’s lineup at launch: the same core hardware tier, but faster, lighter and with a better screen.
Route guidance works with imported GPX files or routes synced from Komoot or Strava, with turn-by-turn cues added automatically when a route is loaded via Polar Flow. If the wearer strays off route, Pacer Pro can only point back to it as a straight-line bearing; unlike Coros Vertix 2 or Garmin Fenix at the time, it has no onboard map to route around obstacles. Running power is supported via a third-party sensor such as Stryd rather than a proprietary wrist-based calculation.
Pacer Pro versus Pacer
- Pacer Pro has a barometer and compass; Pacer has neither
- Pacer Pro has an aluminium bezel; Pacer has a plastic case with no separate bezel
- Pacer Pro supports route guidance, Komoot turn-by-turn navigation, route import and a route elevation profile; Pacer has none of these
- Pacer Pro has Hill Splitter and a Cycling Performance Test; Pacer does not
- Both share the same processor, memory, display resolution, GNSS chipset, battery capacity and water rating
- Pacer Pro is priced above the standard Pacer at launch and at current RRP
Specifications
| Display | |
|---|---|
| Size | 1.2 inch |
| Type | MIP, always-on |
| Resolution | 240 x 240 pixels |
| Touchscreen | No |
| Physical | |
| Case size | 45mm (single size) |
| Thickness | 11.5mm |
| Weight | 41g with strap, 23g without |
| Case material | Plastic |
| Bezel material | Aerospace aluminium |
| Water rating | WR50 |
| Military standard | MIL-STD-810G |
| Sensors and positioning | |
| GPS | Single-frequency, multi-constellation: GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS |
| Heart rate | Precision Prime Gen 3.5 optical |
| Other sensors | Barometer, magnetic compass, accelerometer. No ECG, SpO2, skin temperature or gyroscope. |
| Connectivity and storage | |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth LE |
| Charging | Proprietary / USB-A |
| Storage | 32MB |
| Music storage | No. Controls phone-connected music only. |
| Onboard maps | No. Route guidance and turn-by-turn cues from an imported route, but no visual map. |
Battery life
| Mode | Battery life |
|---|---|
| Smartwatch | Up to 6.5 days |
| Performance training mode (GPS and HR) | Up to 30 hours |
| Eco training mode | Up to 139 hours |
the5krunner’s launch review cited 35 hours of training time and 100 hours in power-save mode, matching figures given for the standard Pacer. Polar’s current official specification lists 30 hours performance training mode and 139 hours eco training mode, and this page uses the current official figures.
Features
Training and recovery
- FitSpark adaptive daily workout guidance
- Training Load Pro (cardio, muscle and perceived load)
- Nightly Recharge and Sleep Plus Stages
- FuelWise nutrition guidance
- Free structured running plans, calendarised to a race date and distance
- Running power via a third-party sensor such as Stryd. No wrist-based running power.
- Wrist-based speed, distance and cadence
- Race pace guidance
- Strava Live Segments
- Polar Fitness Test, Running Performance Test, Cycling Performance Test and Walking Test
Navigation
- Route guidance and route import, with turn-by-turn cues from Komoot or a loaded GPX file
- Route elevation profile
- Hill Splitter climb analysis
- Barometer and compass
- Back-to-start as a straight-line bearing only. No on-device map or intelligent re-routing.
Connectivity and smart features
- Polar Flow app
- Heart rate broadcast to gym equipment and third-party apps
- Music playback control from the wrist, phone-connected only
- Phone notifications and weather
- SHIFT strap mechanism, compatible with non-Polar 20mm bands via an adapter
- Bluetooth only, no ANT+
Further reading
- the5krunner Polar Pacer Pro and Pacer review
- Polar Vantage M3 vs Pacer Pro comparison
- Polar watch specifications
Related watches
- Also consider: Polar Pacer, the same core hardware without a barometer, compass or route guidance, at a lower price.
- Within the Polar range: Polar Vantage M3 adds ECG, SpO2, offline maps and dual-frequency GPS for a substantially higher price.
