How to find the right product for you
This Product Comparison Calculator will allow you to compare products in one of two ways. Choose from the two dropdown menus below to auto-populate the product boxes with results, or click on the product boxes to activate your own personalized choices. Once the product boxes are shaded per your liking, click the “COMPARE NOW” button to retrieve a customized product comparison graph.
Currently there are eight product types:
– Watches (and bike computers!!!!)
– Trainers (for cycling indoors)
– Activity monitors (things like Fitbits and step counters)
– Power meters (for cycling)
– Action Cams (things like GoPro’s and the like)
– Heart Rate Sensors (Straps and Optical sensors that measure HR)
– Trainer Apps (for cycling indoors on trainers)
– Drones (primarily sport focused options)
For trainers, the focus is primarily on computer-integrated trainers that provide resistance control. Additionally, like the watches I only include units that I’ve personally reviewed and/or used.
Select product use/budget for a comparison from the drop down menus:
Select product use:
Select price range:
Note: While many running watches have a basic bike mode, only running units that are multi-sport focused are also included in the bike-only results (in addition to bike-specific units). Hiking units are those that include a Barometric Altimeter, Magnetic Compass and navigational functions.
Or select products for comparison by clicking the product boxes below:
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Adidas Smart Run GPS
Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen)
Apple Watch Series 2 & Nike+ Edition
Apple Watch Series 3
Apple Watch Series 4
Apple Watch Series 5
Apple Watch Series 6
Apple Watch Series 7
Apple Watch Series 8
Apple Watch Series 9
Apple Watch Series SE
Bia GPS
Bryton Cardio 60 Multisport Watch
COROS APEX
COROS APEX 2 (Base)
COROS APEX 2 Pro
COROS APEX Pro
COROS Pace 2
COROS Vertix
COROS Vertix 2
COROS Vertix 2S
CycleOps Joule 2.0 (Original)
CycleOps Joule GPS
Epson ProSense 307
Epson SF-810
FINIS Swimsense
Fitbit Ionic
Fitbit Sense
Fitbit Surge
Fitbit Versa
Fitbit Versa 3
Fitbit Versa Lite
Garmin Edge 1000
Garmin Edge 1030
Garmin Edge 1030 Plus
Garmin Edge 130
Garmin Edge 130 Plus
Garmin Edge 20
Garmin Edge 200
Garmin Edge 25
Garmin Edge 500
Garmin Edge 510
Garmin Edge 520
Garmin Edge 520 Plus
Garmin Edge 530
Garmin Edge 705
Garmin Edge 800
Garmin Edge 810
Garmin Edge 820
Garmin Edge 830
Garmin Edge Explore
Garmin Edge Explore 2
Garmin Edge Touring (Normal)
Garmin Edge Touring (Plus)
Garmin Enduro
Garmin Enduro 2
Garmin Epix
Garmin Epix (Gen 2)
Garmin Epix Pro Series
Garmin Fenix
Garmin Fenix 5 (5/5S/5X)
Garmin Fenix 5 Plus
Garmin Fenix 5 Plus (5/5S/5X)
Garmin Fenix 5S Plus
Garmin Fenix 5X Plus
Garmin Fenix 6 Pro Solar Series
Garmin Fenix 6 Series
Garmin Fenix 6S Pro Solar
Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Series
Garmin Fenix 7 Series
Garmin Fenix2/Fenix2 SE
Garmin Fenix3
Garmin Fenix3 HR
Garmin Forerunner 10
Garmin Forerunner 110
Garmin Forerunner 15
Garmin Forerunner 165
Garmin Forerunner 210
Garmin Forerunner 220
Garmin Forerunner 225
Garmin Forerunner 230
Garmin Forerunner 235
Garmin Forerunner 245
Garmin Forerunner 25
Garmin Forerunner 255 Music
Garmin Forerunner 265
Garmin Forerunner 305
Garmin Forerunner 310XT
Garmin Forerunner 35
Garmin Forerunner 405
Garmin Forerunner 410
Garmin Forerunner 45/45S
Garmin Forerunner 55
Garmin Forerunner 60/70
Garmin Forerunner 610
Garmin Forerunner 620
Garmin Forerunner 630
Garmin Forerunner 645/645 Music
Garmin Forerunner 735XT
Garmin Forerunner 745
Garmin Forerunner 910XT
Garmin Forerunner 920XT
Garmin Forerunner 935
Garmin Forerunner 945
Garmin Forerunner 945 LTE
Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar
Garmin Forerunner 965
Garmin Instinct
Garmin Instinct Solar
Garmin MARQ Athlete
Garmin Swim
Garmin Swim 2
Garmin Tactix
Garmin Venu
Garmin Venu 2
Garmin Venu 2 Plus
Garmin Venu 3
Garmin Venu SQ
Garmin Venu Sq 2
Garmin Vivoactive
Garmin Vivoactive 3
Garmin Vivoactive 3 Music
Garmin Vivoactive 4
Garmin Vivoactive 5
Garmin Vivoactive HR
Garmin Vivosmart HR+
Garmin Vivosport
Hammerhead Karoo
Hammerhead Karoo 2
Leikr GPS
Lezyne Mega- XL GPS
Lezyne Mega-C GPS
Magellan Echo
Magellan Switch & Switch Up
Microsoft Band 2
Mio Alpha Optical HR Monitor
Motorola Motoactv
Nike+ GPS Sportwatch
O-Synce Navi2Coach
Polar A300
Polar Grit X
Polar Grit X Pro
Polar Ignite 2
Polar Ignite 3
Polar Ignite GPS
Polar M200
Polar M400
Polar M430
Polar M450
Polar M460
Polar M600
Polar Pacer Pro
Polar RC3
Polar RCX3
Polar RCX5
Polar Unite
Polar V650
Polar V800
Polar Vantage M
Polar Vantage M2
Polar Vantage V
Polar Vantage V2
Samsung Galaxy Active
SIGMA ROX 12 SPORT
Soleus 1.0 GPS
Soleus 2.0 GPS
Stages Dash
Stages Dash L50
Stages Dash M50
Suunto 3 Fitness
Suunto 5
Suunto 5 Peak
Suunto 7 Wear OS Watch
Suunto 9 Baro
Suunto 9 Peak
Suunto 9 Peak Pro
Suunto Ambit
Suunto Ambit2
Suunto Ambit2 R
Suunto Ambit2 S
Suunto Ambit3 Peak
Suunto Ambit3 Sport
Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR
Suunto Spartan Trainer Wrist HR
Suunto Spartan Ultra
Timex Cycle Trainer 2.0 GPS
Timex Global Trainer
Timex Marathon GPS
Timex One GPS+
Timex R300 GPS
Timex Run Trainer GPS 1.0
Timex Run Trainer GPS 2.0
Timex Run x20 GPS
Timex Run x50
TomTom Multisport
TomTom Multisport Cardio
TomTom Runner
TomTom Runner Cardio
TomTom Spark
TomTom Spark 3/Runner 3
Wahoo ELEMNT
Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT
Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT V2
Wahoo ELEMNT MINI
Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM
Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM V2
Wahoo RIVAL GPS Watch
Comparison Results:
| Function/Feature | Garmin Fenix 5 Plus (5/5S/5X) | Garmin Forerunner 235 | Garmin Forerunner 645/645 Music |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copyright DC Rainmaker - Updated May 14th, 2021 @ 3:16 pm New Window | |||
| Price | $699/699EUR | $249 | $399/$449 (with music) |
| Product Announcement Date | June 17th, 2018 | Oct 21st, 2015 | Jan 8th, 2018 |
| Actual Availability/Shipping Date | June 17th, 2018 | November 2015 | Late January 2018 |
| GPS Recording Functionality | Yes (with Galileo too) | Yes | Yes |
| Data Transfer | USB/Bluetooth Smart/WiFi | USB, Bluetooth Smart | USB/Bluetooth Smart/WiFi |
| Waterproofing | Yes - 100m | 50 Meters | Yes - 50m |
| Battery Life (GPS) | Up to 32hrs in GPS-on, up to 85hrs in UltraTrac GPS (varies by model) | Up to 16 hours | 14hrs GPS/5hrs GPS-Music |
| Recording Interval | 1S or Smart | 1-second & Smart | 1S or Smart |
| Alerts | Vibrate/Sound/Visual | VIBRATE/SOUND/VISUAL | Vibrate/Sound/Visual |
| Backlight Greatness | Great | Good | Great |
| Ability to download custom apps to unit/device | YEs | Yes | Yes |
| Acts as daily activity monitor (steps, etc...) | Yes | Yes | YEs | Music | Garmin Fenix 5 Plus (5/5S/5X) | Garmin Forerunner 235 | Garmin Forerunner 645/645 Music |
| Can control phone music | Yes | Yes | Yes (FR645 Music version) |
| Has music storage and playback | Yes | No | Yes (3.5GB) |
| Streaming Services | Spotify, Amazon Music, Deezer, iHeartRadio | Spotify, Amazon Music, Deezer, iHeartRadio | Payments | Garmin Fenix 5 Plus (5/5S/5X) | Garmin Forerunner 235 | Garmin Forerunner 645/645 Music |
| Contactless-NFC Payments | Yes | Yes | Connectivity | Garmin Fenix 5 Plus (5/5S/5X) | Garmin Forerunner 235 | Garmin Forerunner 645/645 Music |
| Bluetooth Smart to Phone Uploading | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Notifications to unit (i.e. texts/calls/etc...) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Live Tracking (streaming location to website) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Group tracking | Yes | Yes | |
| Emergency/SOS Message Notification (from watch to contacts) | No | No | No |
| Built-in cellular chip (no phone required) | No | No | No | Cycling | Garmin Fenix 5 Plus (5/5S/5X) | Garmin Forerunner 235 | Garmin Forerunner 645/645 Music |
| Designed for cycling | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Power Meter Capable | Yes | WITH SOME CONNECT IQ APPS (BUT CANNOT RECORD DATA) | No |
| Power Meter Configuration/Calibration Options | Yes | N/A | N/A |
| Power Meter TSS/NP/IF | Yes | N/A | N/A |
| Speed/Cadence Sensor Capable | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Strava segments live on device | Yes | No | Yes |
| Crash detection | No | No | Running | Garmin Fenix 5 Plus (5/5S/5X) | Garmin Forerunner 235 | Garmin Forerunner 645/645 Music |
| Designed for running | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Footpod Capable (For treadmills) | Yes | YES (Also has INTERNAL ACCELEROMETER) | Yes |
| Running Dynamics (vertical oscillation, ground contact time, etc...) | WITH RD POD, HRM-TRI OR HRM-RUN (NOT VIA OPTICAL HR) | No | WITH RD POD, HRM-TRI OR HRM-RUN (NOT VIA OPTICAL HR) |
| Running Power | With extra sensor | Yes with RD-POD or 3rd party apps | |
| VO2Max Estimation | YEs | Yes | YEs |
| Race Predictor | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Recovery Advisor | Yes | Yes | YEs |
| Run/Walk Mode | Yes | Yes | Yes | Swimming | Garmin Fenix 5 Plus (5/5S/5X) | Garmin Forerunner 235 | Garmin Forerunner 645/645 Music |
| Designed for swimming | Yes | No (protected though just fine) | Yes |
| Openwater swimming mode | YEs | N/A | No |
| Lap/Indoor Distance Tracking | Yes | N/A | Yes |
| Record HR underwater | WITH HRM-TRI/HRM-SWIM (Not with optical HR) | N/A | No |
| Openwater Metrics (Stroke/etc.) | Yes | N/A | No |
| Indoor Metrics (Stroke/etc.) | YEs | N/A | Yes |
| Indoor Drill Mode | Yes | N/A | Yes |
| Indoor auto-pause feature | No (it'll show rest time afterwards though) | N/A | No (it'll show rest time afterwards though) |
| Change pool size | YEs | N/A | YEs |
| Indoor Min/Max Pool Lengths | 14M/15Y TO 150Y/M | N/A | 14M/15Y TO 150Y/M |
| Ability to customize data fields | Yes | N/A | YEs |
| Captures per length data - indoors | Yes | N/A | Yes |
| Indoor Alerts | Yes | N/A | Yes | Triathlon | Garmin Fenix 5 Plus (5/5S/5X) | Garmin Forerunner 235 | Garmin Forerunner 645/645 Music |
| Designed for triathlon | Yes | No | No |
| Multisport mode | Yes | No | No | Workouts | Garmin Fenix 5 Plus (5/5S/5X) | Garmin Forerunner 235 | Garmin Forerunner 645/645 Music |
| Create/Follow custom workouts | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| On-unit interval Feature | YEs | Yes | YEs |
| Training Calendar Functionality | Yes | Yes | YEs | Functions | Garmin Fenix 5 Plus (5/5S/5X) | Garmin Forerunner 235 | Garmin Forerunner 645/645 Music |
| Auto Start/Stop | Yes | Yes | YEs |
| Virtual Partner Feature | YEs | No | YEs |
| Virtual Racer Feature | Yes | No | Yes |
| Records PR's - Personal Records (diff than history) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Tidal Tables (Tide Information) | No | No | No |
| Weather Display (live data) | Yes | YEs | Yes | Navigate | Garmin Fenix 5 Plus (5/5S/5X) | Garmin Forerunner 235 | Garmin Forerunner 645/645 Music |
| Follow GPS Track (Courses/Waypoints) | Yes | No | Yes |
| Markers/Waypoint Direction | Yes | No | Yes |
| Routable/Visual Maps (like car GPS) | Yes | No | No |
| Back to start | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Impromptu Round Trip Route Creation | Yes | No | No |
| Download courses/routes from phone to unit | Yes | No | Yes | Sensors | Garmin Fenix 5 Plus (5/5S/5X) | Garmin Forerunner 235 | Garmin Forerunner 645/645 Music |
| Altimeter Type | Barometric | GPS | Barometric |
| Compass Type | Magnetic | N/A | |
| Optical Heart Rate Sensor internally | Yes | YEs | Yes |
| SpO2 (aka Pulse Oximetry) | Fenix 5X Plus only | ||
| Heart Rate Strap Compatible | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| ANT+ Heart Rate Strap Capable | Yes | Yes | YEs |
| ANT+ Speed/Cadence Capable | Yes | Yes | YEs |
| ANT+ Footpod Capable | Yes | Yes | YEs |
| ANT+ Power Meter Capable | Yes | No | No |
| ANT+ Lighting Control | Yes | NO | Yes |
| ANT+ Bike Radar Integration | Yes | NO | Yes |
| ANT+ Trainer Control (FE-C) | No | NO | No |
| ANT+ Remote Control | No (can control VIRB though) | YES FOR GARMIN VIRB | No |
| ANT+ eBike Compatibility | No | NO | No |
| ANT+ Gear Shifting (i.e. SRAM ETAP) | Yes | No | No |
| Shimano Di2 Shifting | Yes | NO | No |
| Bluetooth Smart HR Strap Capable | Yes | NO | Yes |
| Bluetooth Smart Speed/Cadence Capable | Yes | NO | Yes |
| Bluetooth Smart Footpod Capable | Yes | NO | Yes |
| Bluetooth Smart Power Meter Capable | YEs | NO | NQo |
| Temp Recording (internal sensor) | Yes | NO | Yes |
| Temp Recording (external sensor) | Yes | YES (TEMPE) | Yes | Software | Garmin Fenix 5 Plus (5/5S/5X) | Garmin Forerunner 235 | Garmin Forerunner 645/645 Music |
| PC Application | Garmin Express | Garmin Express | PC/Mac |
| Web Application | Garmin Connect | Garmin Connect | Garmin Connect |
| Phone App | iOS/Android/Windows Phone | iOS/Android/Windows Phone | iOS/Android/Windows Phone |
| Ability to Export Settings | No | No | No | Purchase | Garmin Fenix 5 Plus (5/5S/5X) | Garmin Forerunner 235 | Garmin Forerunner 645/645 Music |
| Amazon | Link | Link | Link |
| Backcountry.com | Link | ||
| Competitive Cyclist | Link | ||
| REI | Link | DCRainmaker | Garmin Fenix 5 Plus (5/5S/5X) | Garmin Forerunner 235 | Garmin Forerunner 645/645 Music |
| Review Link | Link | Link | Link |
