Lightweight trail watch with capable navigation
Image: official product image from polar.com
Is the Polar Grit X2 good for ultrarunning?
Mostly: the Polar Grit X2 is a capable ultrarunning watch for trail outings that fit within its 30-hour training battery. Reviewers praise its GPS, heart-rate tracking and mapping, while its lighter build and lower listed price appeal against the Pro. For longer, self-supported ultras, battery limits and power management deserve careful consideration.
Key facts
| Category | GPS watches |
|---|---|
| Release | Launched 4 June 2025 in the UK and Europe; US later in 2025 |
| Price | £296.99 listed; one review gives £399.99 at launch, while ZDNet reports $800. |
| Key specs |
|
| Best for | Trail runners and hikers who want a lighter Polar watch with strong GPS, mapping and training features at a lower price than the Pro, and whose outings fit within its battery limits. |
| Consensus score | 8.4 out of 10 |
What is new on the Grit X2?
The Polar Grit X2 is a lighter, smaller alternative to the Grit X2 Pro, released in June 2025. It weighs approximately 61 to 62 g with its strap and pairs a 1.28-inch AMOLED touchscreen with sapphire glass. Dual-frequency GPS, offline colour maps and turn-by-turn guidance bring useful trail tools, while its 32 GB storage supports map use. Best Exercise’s review presents it as the Pro’s features in a lighter case. The case uses reinforced polymer with a stainless steel bezel, and its water rating is WR50 rather than the Pro’s WR100.
How does it perform on ultras?
Reviewers generally rate the Grit X2’s location tracking and heart-rate measurements well, and find its training, recovery and sleep features useful. Its training battery is rated for up to 30 hours, which is adequate for many trail outings but makes it less reassuring for long, self-supported ultras. Offline maps and rerouting are available, although reviews differ on the navigation experience: one praises these tools, while another notes route loading depends on a third-party app. The Polar Flow app and interface also draw criticism for feeling dated or awkward.
Who should buy the Polar Grit X2?
The Polar Grit X2 suits trail runners and hikers who want a compact GPS watch with mapping and extensive training and health tracking, and whose outings fit its battery limits. It is less compelling for runners expecting long, self-supported events without power planning. Buyers should also be comfortable with limited smartwatch functions and the Polar Flow experience. At £296.99 listed, it is positioned as a lower-cost alternative to the Pro, although reported prices vary. The verdict across the supplied reviews is positive overall, with battery and interface compromises to weigh.
What reviewers agree on
Strengths
- Light and compact for a rugged GPS watch
- Accurate GPS and heart-rate tracking praised by reviewers
- AMOLED display with sapphire glass
- Useful mapping, training, recovery and health features
- Competitive listed price compared with the Pro
Weaknesses
- Shorter battery life than the Grit X2 Pro
- WR50 rating rather than the Pro’s WR100
- Polar Flow app and user interface can feel dated or unintuitive
- Limited smartwatch capabilities
- Navigation and route-loading experience is not consistently praised
Frequently asked questions
How does the Polar Grit X2 fit?
The watch measures 44.7 × 44.7 × 12.5 mm and weighs approximately 61 to 62 g with its strap. The supplied review consensus does not provide a specific sizing or wrist-fit verdict, so check those dimensions against your preferences if fit is a priority.
How long does the Polar Grit X2 battery last on a run?
Polar rates the Grit X2 for up to 30 hours in training mode and up to seven days in smartwatch mode. The training figure may suit many trail outings, but runners planning long, self-supported ultras should consider battery limits and power management.
How does the Grit X2 compare with the Grit X2 Pro?
The Grit X2 is the smaller, lighter alternative, with a shorter training battery rating and WR50 water rating; the Pro is rated WR100. The Grit X2 is listed at £296.99, though reported prices vary. It offers a lower-cost route to Polar’s mapping and training features.
Sources behind this review
- Best Exercise, Polar Grit X2 Review: The Pro’s Brains in a Lighter Case
- ZDNET, Finally, a rugged sports watch that I’d recommend to everyone and tracks health reliably
- Which?, Polar Grit X2 review
- 220 Triathlon, Polar Grit X2 review
How this review works: the consensus score of 8.4 out of 10 condenses the verdicts of the independent reviews and lab tests listed above, compiled by endurance coach Paul Forrest. Prices and specifications are those quoted by reviewers at the time of testing and may have changed.
Training for an ultra? See endurance coaching with Paul Forrest.
