The Polar Unite is an impressive and feature-rich fitness tracker at just $150 — so long as you don't need built-in GPS

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• The Polar Unite is loaded with features like advanced sleep tracking, guided breathing exercises, fitness recommendations, and in-depth analysis.
• It's extremely easy to operate, even for a first-time smartwatch user or someone who's used to the interface of a different brand.

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The wearable industry is a nearly $18 million space, and it's expected to more than double within the next five years. So, when it comes to buying a fitness tracker, the question is often less "which is right for me?" and more "which of these many great options should I choose?"

That question gets a bit more complicated with the introduction of Polar's latest smartwatch, the Unite. Launched in June at less than $150, this easy-to-use watch offers many of the industry's popular high-end features like advanced sleep-tracking and multi-sport compatibility at a surprisingly low price.

Though I spend much of my time outside, I've always been hit-or-miss when it comes to fitness trackers. I've never been a big watch wearer, and I'm not the type of person who tracks my fitness or daily habits extremely closely. But the Unite promises a host of useful features, including route and elevation tracking, sleep monitoring, and, interestingly, meditation and breathing guidance. I decided to give it a try.

After my first few days with the watch, I became a fitness tracker convert. Though I originally planned to wear it for just a week to write this review, I've been wearing it daily, and it's become normal to sleep and shower in it. Here are my thoughts on the Unite, and whether the price tag is too good to be true.

Extremely easy to use, even if you're not tech-savvy

Right out of the box, I noticed that the Unite is extremely easy to use and operate — I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to first-timers or tech-challenged buyers. The colorful display is clear and easy to read, and there are just a few basic motions that control everything you need to see on the watch.

From the face, swiping left or right scrolls between daily statistics like steps taken, heart rate, last activity, sleep status, and training suggestions. Tap on any of the screens and it takes you to details about that feature, too. After a bike ride, all I needed to do to see my stats was to tap on the activity screen and I can see everything from my distance and heart rate range to speed and a rating of how hard the workout was.

There's only one button on the watch, which acts as a back button across all screens (except the main menu). If you hit the button from the main screen, you'll get to the menu to start activities, set timers, or begin a watch-led workout. Learning to navigate the watch's features takes roughly a day or so, and since the screen automatically illuminates when you lift your wrist, it's easy to quickly see your data and stats while working out.

Though the face doesn't offer as much customization as other watches, those downsides are outweighed by the Unite's easy-to-use and clear information. It has the most straightforward operation of any tracker I've used.

High-tech features for workouts and daily life

The Unite has most of the features I care about on a watch: GPS-tracking (sort of, more on that below,) a heart-rate monitor, sleep tracking, and text notifications. It doesn't feature music integration, touch-to-pay payment functionality, or maps and weather.

However, what it lacks in advanced fitness features it makes up for with useful daily fitness features, including Serene breathing guidance and Spark, a series of personalized strength, cardio, and restoration routines you can do from your living room floor. Many of the Unite's features are borrowed from the far more expensive Polar Ignite ($240).

As I expected from the watch, both Serene and Spark are easy to use and follow. And because they're easy to use and can be as short as three minutes, I was always able to find time to use them on most days. I rarely do breathing exercises on my own but found myself using the Serene feature at least once or twice a day.

The Unite does still come with some advanced features found on more expensive Polar watches, too. I particularly like the cardio load feature, which analyzes the intensity and effectiveness of your workout by comparing your heart rate to past workout sessions. The watch learns about your fitness and activity over time, allowing it to make recommendations and analyses about your health. It's a high-tech feature for a $150 watch.

Average battery life but quick charging

Polar claims the battery lasts around four days with normal use, and that seems accurate after my time with it. Without using the GPS-enabled tracking, a full day of use (including sleeping) used roughly 20 percent of the battery. Tracking an approximately 45-minute bike ride used an additional 20 percent of battery. Fortunately, it takes only around an hour to get to 100 percent, so there's usually enough time to squeeze in a charge while showering or cooking.

Rather than charging with a standard mini USB cord, the Unite has a unique piece that snaps to the back of the watch and plugs directly into a USB port. This charger is small and specific to Polar, so be sure not to lose it. However, you can buy a replacement online for $14.95.

GPS functionality only when paired with your phone

The Unite doesn't have built-in GPS functionality, however, when paired with your phone, it's able to use your phone's GPS to track elevation, distance, and route. It seems quite accurate (I tested it side-by-side with a Garmin Vìvoactiv 3 that has native GPS.) I suspect Polar decided to leverage phone GPS rather than including one as a compromise to keep the price low. Still, if your phone battery dies quickly or you prefer not to carry your phone while working out, it may not be a workable solution.

The Unite links and automatically uploads to Strava, Gaia, and other popular fitness phone apps, too. You can store up to 20 sport profiles like kayaking, biking, running, or open-water swimming, and while working out, you change the metrics displayed on the face to quickly access the stats you care about most.

Cons to consider

Aside from the lack of built-in GPS, the only major downside comes down to features. Without music functionality or advanced tracking features (new Suunto watches feature heatmaps, for example,) it's designed to be more of an everyday tracker to monitor your health than a serious training or life-management device. It likely won't the more full-featured offerings from Apple or Garmin.

Another minor gripe I had with the Unite relates to its strap. Rather than having a traditional clasp, the watch has a nub that tucks into a series of notches and the band then slides under the strap. I didn't find it quite as comfortable as a traditional fabric strap, but plenty of band replacements are available online.

The bottom line

The Polar Unite takes all the best features of its high-tech kin, the Ignite, and puts it into a more affordable, easy-to-use package. If you want access to advanced fitness and health features, and can make do without native GPS, it's an excellent option. It's a good everyday watch with enough outdoor-oriented features for the average user, and at just $150, it's a compelling new addition to the fitness tracker market.

• Should you buy it? If you aren't concerned with having GPS in your fitness tracker at all times, then yes. For $150, the Polar Unite is an impressive, inexpensive fitness tracker that gives you the basics. Tack on the fact that it also offers advanced features like sleep tracking, fitness analysis, and breathing routines, and you have a wearable that does far more than its cheap price tag lets on.
• What are your alternatives? Buyers who want better battery life and a stand-alone GPS should consider the Garmin vivoactive 4. It's able to go seven days between charges and has music storage, touch-to-pay, and hydration tracking, among other features. However, it's more than twice as expensive at $349.99 (though you can snag an older vivoactive 3 with music for $187.95.)

  If price is your ultimate concern, another option is the FitBit Charge 4. They're somewhat comparable on features, but the Unite has a full touch-screen watch face while the Fitbit is more in line with the brand's popular band-style designs. I'd opt for the Unite to get access to Polar's advanced sleep-tracking and fitness-guidance features, though basic FitBits can start under $80.

Pros: Offers sleep tracking and fitness recommendations, costs just $150, is a great entry-level fitness tracker

Cons: No dedicated GPS (requires pairing with a smartphone for use), no music integration