Details
Brand
Suunto
Model
M2
Battery Life
12 months
Use
Tracking
Latest Version
Suunto M5
Key Features
• Very low price• Heart rate monitoring• Long battery life• Water resistant
Comfort
The Suunto M2 is pretty strong when it comes to comfort. The watch itself is pretty lightweight, weighing in at just 40g. This is a bit lighter than most fitness watches on the market, and can likely be attributed to the M2 also having a bit less features than other watches. The face itself is also smaller than most, making it fit a bit more comfortably, without being too much of a burden on the wrists. The strap is made of a material called elastomer, which is a basically a synthetic blend that is very similar to rubber. The plus of this is that it is fairly light, and also is not affected by water. The M2 is water resistant up to 30 meters which is definitely a nice plus. Overall, comfort is pretty good.
Size
s Available;The Suunto M2 is only available in one size. The face is not too heavy or large, so it shouldn’t be an issue for most users. The band is similar, and will be able to fit the majority of users. Unfortunately, the band does not appear to be replaceable for the M2, so those who have had issues with sizing on watches in the past might want to be a bit more wary.
Accessories
Other than the heart rate strap it comes with, there are no other accessories for it. The band is unfortunately not replaceable, so there isn’t too much customization there either.
Style
When it comes to style, there are some positives and negatives with the Suunto M2. A major positive is that the watch is pretty small and light. This is counter to most smart watches and sports watches which are generally pretty large, or at least larger than traditional watches. The face of the watch is definitely a bit dated looking however. While not horrible looking by any stretch, it definitely gives off a sports watch vibe. This is not bad for some, but for those who prefer a more casual look, it may be a bit off putting. The same could be said for the band, which also gives a very sporty vibe. Again, this isn’t inherently bad, but really just comes down to preference.
Activities
The Suunto M2 is primarily focused on running, and can be considered a running watch. The watch can definitely be used for other physical activities as well though, considering that the watch only monitors calories, heart rate, and time, all of which are useful for other sports. Overall, the watch is pretty bare bones in terms features, but works well for a variety of activities.
Basic Features
The Suunto M2 is primarily focused on running, and can be considered a running watch. The watch can definitely be used for other physical activities as well though, considering that the watch only monitors calories, heart rate, and time, all of which are useful for other sports. Overall, the watch is pretty bare bones in terms features, but works well for a variety of activities.
Advanced Features
When it comes to advanced features, the Suunto M2 doesn’t offer much. The main appeal of the watch is its simplicity and price, so this is not totally surprising, or unwarranted. That said, the Suunto M2 really doesn’t offer any advanced features at all, perhaps with the exception of the heart rate measuring. Heart rate measurement, while more common now than in the past, is still not entirely standard, and is a pretty nice feature to have. Another plus is that it uses a strap rather than recording optically. Though the strap can be a bit more of a hassle in some cases, it is much more consistent and generally more accurate than optical heart rate sensors.
Connectivity
The Suunto M2 doesn’t really connect to anything. It does not come with Bluetooth as many running watches nowadays have come around to doing. It does not sync with smartphones as a result, and It also does not sync to computers. The watch also does not connect to anything via WiFi, and so it does not upload data to any fitness websites. The Suunto M2’s connectivity is pretty much nonexistent.
Ease of Use
Ease of use is a pretty strong point for the Suunto M2. This is partially due to good design, and also due to the lack of advanced features. General timekeeping, including setting alarms and using the stopwatch are very straightforward and easy. Using the watch for fitness activities is also pretty standard, and shouldn’t cause much trouble. The only area that might be a bit challenging is using the heart rate strap. For those who have done it before it probably won’t be an issue, but it might be unfamiliar for beginners. Overall however, the M2 is very easy to use.
Power Source
The battery of the Suunto M2 is projected to last around one year in standby mode. The battery does not need to be charged like other fitness watches. The battery will need to be changed after a while however. Though the projected time is one year, this can of course vary based on intensity and frequency of use.
Accuracy
The Suunto M2 is pretty strong in the accuracy department. This is pretty easy for it however, considering it doesn’t really monitor many stats that can even be measured inaccurately. The timekeeping related features such as the stopwatch, date measurement, and alarms are all perfectly accurate, as is to be expected.;The fitness related features are generally more accurate, but they definitely can be more hit or miss than the timekeeping features. The calories burned calculator is heavily dependent on height and weight measurements, and can vary a great deal based on a person’s physique and build. The estimator used in the M2 serves as a good baseline, but like most calories burned calculators, should be taken with a grain of salt, rather than as absolute fact. The heart rate monitor is a bit better, and is quite accurate for the most part. This is mostly due to the fact that heart rate is measured via strap rather than via optical readings, which can definitely vary a bit.
Face
The Suunto M2 has a pretty small face in comparison to many other smart watches and fitness watches. This is understandable though because of the data offered by the M2, which is less than most other watches as well. The face displays regular time and date when not tracking. When being used for an activity, it can display heart rate as well as time spent in the activity. The face itself is decent looking, but nothing too special. Notably, the face does not have a backlight, which can be quite frustrating when trying to use the watch in less lit areas, or at night.
Band
The band of the M2, as mentioned above is made of elastomer. This is essentially a synthetic blend that operates very similarly to rubber. This means that the band is light and hugs the skin well without being overbearing. It also means that the band is not heavily affected by water, and shouldn’t retain odors when exposed to moisture. Elastomer is a pretty solid material, though not really as high quality as something like silicone. This makes sense though, considering the price point of the M2.
Apps
As a result of not really connecting to anything, the Suunto M2 also does not really interface with any apps. Popular apps like Strava, or MapMyFitness require syncing of data, which the M2 is incapable of doing. The only apps that will be usable are ones that require manual entry of data, more akin to logs. Runners can use the data they get from the M2 to utilize a variety of apps.
Sizes Available
The Suunto M2 is only available in one size. The face is not too heavy or large, so it shouldn’t be an issue for most users. The band is similar, and will be able to fit the majority of users. Unfortunately, the band does not appear to be replaceable for the M2, so those who have had issues with sizing on watches in the past might want to be a bit more wary.
Durability
Durability is pretty standard for the Suunto M2. It isn’t particularly designed for anything more than a regular sports watch, though that definitely should be adequate for most people. The face is fairly resistant to abrasions and scratches that can come about from drops or other accidents. Of course, like any watch, too much force will cause issues, but in general the M2 shouldn’t see any problems from regular use. The band is also similar in this regard. Both pieces are water resistant which is a nice boost to durability when exposed to rain or other water.
Price
Price is another very strong aspect of the Suunto M2, as it should be. The M2 debuted at $119, but is now priced around $80 or lower depending on the retailer. This is significantly lower than the price of other smart watches and sports watches, making it a great entry watch for beginners.
Bottom Line
The Suunto M2 is overall a very bare bones watch, limited to essentially time, heart rate, and calorie measurement. For some, this might be perfect, especially when factoring in the low price tag and the battery not needing to charge. For others who want a more advanced watch with features like distance tracking or smartphone syncing, the M2 will be a bit of a let down. Overall, the watch pretty much offers what one would expect for the lower price, and is perfect for those looking for a very minimal watch.
