Polar Unite launched in June 2020 as a lower-cost sibling to the Ignite, dropping onboard GPS in favour of connected GPS through a paired phone.
| Manufacturer | Polar |
|---|---|
| Type | Fitness watch, connected GPS |
| Series | Unite |
| Released | 30 June 2020 |
| Price at launch | USD 149.95 / EUR 149.90 |
| Predecessor | None directly. Unite launched as a cheaper, GPS-less sibling to the original Polar Ignite, not a replacement for it. |
| Successor | Not yet announced. |
| Sizes | 43mm (single size) |
| Colours | Black, White, Pink, Blue |
Specifications and features as at launch, sourced from Polar’s user manual technical specification.
Jump to: Expert opinion | Unite versus Ignite | Specifications | Battery life | Features | Further reading
Expert opinion
Unite is the original Ignite with onboard GPS removed and a newer Precision Prime optical sensor added, at a lower price. Connected GPS takes positioning and speed from a paired phone rather than an onboard chip, which removes the watch’s ability to record a GPS track independently of a smartphone.
The trade-off extends to data depth. Auto lap, the altimeter, running cadence, elevation metrics, Running Index and swimming metrics are all absent, and Training Load Pro is not available in Polar Flow. Battery life improves under the lighter sensor and connectivity load: up to 50 hours in training mode with connected GPS, against a shorter figure on the original Ignite.
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Unite versus Ignite
- Unite has connected GPS only, taking position and speed from a paired phone. Ignite has onboard GPS.
- Unite has a newer Precision Prime optical sensor, likely more accurate than Ignite’s for most people
- Unite’s headline price was USD 149.95 at launch, against USD 229 for the original Ignite
- Unite adds haptic vibration alerts and watch face colour customisation, both absent on the original Ignite
- Unite removes auto lap, the altimeter, running cadence, elevation metrics, cadence metrics, Running Index and swimming metrics
- Unite is lighter at 32g against Ignite’s 35g
- Both share 20mm interchangeable straps
Specifications
| Display | |
|---|---|
| Type | Colour touch display (IPS TFT) with ambient light sensor |
| Resolution | 240 x 204 pixels |
| Physical | |
| Weight | 32g with strap |
| Case material | ABS+10GF, glass, PMMA, stainless steel |
| Strap material | Silicone, 20mm interchangeable |
| Water rating | WR30 |
| Sensors and positioning | |
| GPS | Connected GPS only, via a paired phone. No onboard GNSS chip. |
| Heart rate | Precision Prime optical |
| Other sensors | No barometer, compass, ECG or SpO2 |
| © the5krunner. Link required. | |
| Connectivity and storage | |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth LE, 2.402-2.480GHz, 5mW maximum power |
| Charging | Proprietary charging dock |
| Storage | Up to 90 hours of training data (GPS and heart rate), depending on language settings |
| Music storage | No. No music control feature at all, unlike Ignite. |
| Onboard maps | No |
Battery life
| Mode | Battery life |
|---|---|
| Watch mode, continuous heart rate | Up to 4 days |
| Training mode (optical HR and connected GPS) | Up to 50 hours |
| © the5krunner. Link required. | |
Battery is a 174mAh Li-Pol rechargeable cell. Operating temperature range is -10°C to +50°C, narrower than most current Polar watches.
Features
Training and recovery
- FitSpark adaptive daily workout guidance
- Nightly Recharge
- Sleep Plus Stages
- Serene guided breathing
- Over 130 sport profiles
- Continuous heart rate and 24/7 activity tracking
- No Training Load Pro in Polar Flow
- No auto lap, altimeter, elevation metrics, cadence metrics, Running Index or swimming metrics
Navigation
- Connected GPS only, requires a paired phone for position and speed data
- No onboard GPS, barometer or compass
- No route guidance or navigation features
Connectivity and smart features
- Polar Flow app, or stand-alone mode without a Flow account (some features unavailable in stand-alone mode)
- Heart rate broadcast to Polar Club system
- Haptic vibration alerts
- Customisable watch face colour themes
- No music control, no phone notifications
- Syncs to third-party apps including Strava, TrainingPeaks and MyFitnessPal via Polar Flow
Further reading
Related watches
- Also consider: Polar Ignite, which adds onboard GPS, music control and additional training metrics at a higher price.
- Within the Polar range: Polar Ignite 3 is the current-generation equivalent, with onboard dual-frequency GPS, an AMOLED display and a longer feature list.
Small things I always use
- Garmin 90-degree charging adapter: Charges your Garmin from any USB-C cable. Essential when travelling. I use one.
- Body Glide: The blue anti-chafe stick swimmers and runners carry. I use it.
- Speedo earplugs: Fewer ear infections and no cold-water dizziness. I use them.
- Dryrobe Advance: My winter changing robe for open-water swims. I use one. A cheaper option is the AONYIYI changing robe.
- Maurten: Race fuel that stays easy on the stomach. I use them.
- Beet It Sport nitrate shots: Beetroot shots I take in the days before a race. I use them.
- Garmin charging puck: The quickest way to top up before a session. I use one.
- Injinji: Toe socks that stop rubbing, so you run more. I use them.
- Ultimate toe protectors: Stop black toenails on long runs. They work. I use them.
- Compressport R2 v2 calf sleeves: My calf sleeves of choice. I use them.
- Cellucor C4: My pre-workout before hard sessions.
- TPU tubes: Schwalbe Aerothan, Tubolito and Pirelli SmarTube. Light, tiny spares. I use all three.
- G8 insoles: Adjustable insoles that are good. I use them.
- Cycplus Cube: A 97g electric pump that gets a road tyre rideable in two minutes. I carry one. 5% off with code THE5KRUNNER.
Watches and sensors
- Polar H10: My daily driver for waking HRV.
- Polar Verity Sense: My backup arm-worn HR sensor.
- Nomad bedside charger: Charges my iPhone and Apple Watch overnight. I use it, and many of their bands.
- Train.Red: The best muscle oxygen sensor I’ve used.
- Tymewear: Accurate heart rate and reliable ventilatory zones. I use it to pace endurance rides over an hour.
- Garmin Forerunner 970: A pro-grade triathlon watch. I use this.
- Apple Watch Ultra 4: My daily smartwatch. No phone needed on rides.
- Garmin Fenix 9 Pro: I’ve just bought one.
On the bike
- Continental GP5000 for everyday riding, and Aero 111 on the front for special occasions.
- Helmets: Specialized S-Works Evade 3 for road riding, and Rudy Project Wing for TT-style races. I use both.
- Ravemen FR300: A front light that mounts under your Garmin or Wahoo. I use one.
- Wahoo TRACKR Radar: I use it on one bike and Varia on the other. They perform the same.
- Garmin Varia RTL515: Radar that warns you of cars from behind. I use this model.
- Wahoo ELEMNT Roam 3: The bike computer that’s easy to use. I use mine on most rides.
- Favero Assioma Pro RS2: Accurate power pedals that swap easily between bikes. I use this model.
Home and indoor training
- NPE Runn: Makes my basic treadmill smart, sending more accurate speed and distance to my watch and Zwift. I use it.
- Google Wifi: Keeps Zwift connected in my pain cave. I use it.
- Apple TV 4K: Zwift on the big screen. I use two.
- Google Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen): My video doorbell, running in both Google Home and Apple Home. I use it.
Health, recovery and sleep
- FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus: Shows how my blood sugar responds to diet.
- hDrop: Measures my sweat loss in summer and indoors.
- Fourth Frontier Zone: Checks my heart under load in hard sessions.
- Oura Ring 5: My partner’s recovery tracker of choice.
- Eight Sleep: A cooling mattress cover my partner and I use nightly.
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