Compare Polar Street X vs Garmin Forerunner 170 Music

GPS accuracy received a positive hands-on score, with the reviewer reporting very good test results overall despite minor exceptions.

GPS performance earned unusually consistent praise despite the single-band hardware, with reviewers finding it close to pricier multi-band Garmins and accurate on city, coastal, and woodland routes. Multi-band remains preferable for the toughest dense-city or deep-trail conditions.

Heart-rate evidence was mixed overall: one reviewer was cautious based on prior Polar sensor testing, while hands-on reviewers reported accurate or more reliable workout data.

Heart-rate tracking is generally strong for running and mixed training, with several reviewers calling the older Elevate 4 sensor very good. Hard intervals and strength work can expose some lag, so a chest strap remains the cleaner choice for precision.

Sleep-stage tracking was treated cautiously; one reviewer called Polar's sleep stages mediocre, while another found SleepWise useful but warned not to fully rely on watch sleep analysis.

Sleep tracking has improved enough to broadly match an Oura Ring on sleep duration, bedtime, and key stages on most nights, though Garmin’s history here was acknowledged as weaker.

Fitness tracking accuracy was generally positive where evaluated, with reviewers describing reliable metrics and good all-sports accuracy in hands-on testing.

Across running, swimming, gym work, elevation tracking, and race-style intervals, reviewers found the watch consistently accurate and useful for analyzing performance.

Recovery tools were viewed positively because reviewers highlighted Training Load Pro and guidance that helps users judge when to train and when to recover.

Training Readiness, Training Status, load, and recovery guidance are among the watch’s biggest strengths, helping runners structure training and avoid overdoing it. One reviewer cautioned that beginners can become too dependent on recovery scores instead of listening to their bodies.

Coaching features were valued because reviewers said the watch helps interpret training and gives guidance on whether users are on track.

Garmin Coach and Quick Workouts are standout strengths, offering adaptive plans, fast structured sessions, and useful guidance for everyone from first-race runners to experienced athletes. Suggested Quick Workouts can occasionally be tougher than expected.

Workout variety was praised thanks to broad sports support, including open-water swimming, multisport, gym workouts, and outdoor training.

The jump to more than 80 sport profiles makes the watch far more versatile than older entry Forerunners, covering running, gym, team, winter, and water activities. The lack of native HYROX and multisport/triathlon modes still leaves gaps for some athletes.

Blood oxygen was a clear limitation because reviewers noted the Street X lacks SpO2 measurement, especially compared with what similarly priced watches often include.

Pulse Ox is welcomed as part of the expanded health package, bringing a feature that previously sat above this entry-to-midrange tier.

Wellness insights were praised for useful interpretation, especially SleepWise and broader data that helps users understand recovery and daily readiness.

Garmin’s broader wellness package is viewed positively, especially the comprehensive health data and useful evening reports that recap the day and help frame the next one.

Battery life was one of the strongest attributes, with multiple reviewers praising endurance, predictability, and real-world performance.

Battery life is adequate rather than class-leading. Depending on display settings and training load, reviewers saw roughly three-and-a-half to six days in heavier real-world use; most runners found that workable, but it trails some cheaper or older alternatives.

Charging convenience was positive because the shared USB-C charger was described as useful for owners of multiple Polar watches.

Charging is a clear annoyance: the proprietary Garmin cable can be finicky to keep seated and feels dated compared with USB-C.

Comfort was praised because the watch is light for its rugged design and was described as suitable for all-day wear.

The light, slim case is exceptionally easy to wear for workouts, sleep, and daily use, especially on smaller wrists. The main comfort caveat is skin irritation reported from the strap or back casing by a couple of reviewers.

Materials quality was mixed because the watch was rugged, but one reviewer said it did not feel as premium as titanium or stainless steel.

Materials are a weak spot compared with premium Garmins: the polymer construction feels basic, and one report flagged possible skin irritation from the plastic back during prolonged wear.

Build quality was strong overall, with reviewers describing robust protection and a rugged, scratch-resistant construction.

The build is functional and familiar rather than premium, described as standard Garmin fare with a lightweight plastic character.

Fit received positive evidence from the light build and smaller-wrist suitability noted by one reviewer.

The compact case fits smaller wrists well while still being judged suitable for a broad range of wrist sizes, with little catching or digging during wear.

Water resistance was scored where a reviewer described the watch as very water resistant and dust proofed.

The watch handled swimming well in testing and was considered safe and dependable for both pool use and showering.

Band quality was positive in hands-on use, with the reviewer liking the strap texture.

The silicone band feels soft and stretchy, but one reviewer developed a rash from it, making long-term skin comfort a real point of variability.

Style and design were praised by reviewers who liked the rugged, different-looking aesthetic.

The watch keeps Garmin’s sporty look but earns praise for fun color choices, coordinated bands, and a polished appearance that still feels light on the wrist.

Display quality was consistently positive, with reviewers praising the AMOLED screen, sharpness, readability, and modern feel.

The AMOLED screen is one of the watch’s most praised features: colorful, sharp enough for dense run data, and easy to read. It is not as fluid or premium as flagship smartwatch panels, but reviewers still rate it highly.

Brightness was adequate but not class-leading, with reviewers noting it was not super bright or suggesting brighter-display shoppers look elsewhere.

Reviewers consistently found the AMOLED display bright and vivid enough for normal use, including direct sunlight, even though Garmin’s pricier watches can get brighter.

Outdoor visibility was mostly workable, with one reviewer cautious in bright sun and another finding the display easy to read in all conditions.

Outdoor readability is excellent, with multiple reviewers saying pace and data remain easy to see in bright sunshine and normal running conditions.

Reliability was praised in general terms through comments about consistency, daily dependability, and a tough, simple, reliable experience.

In demanding race preparation and event use, the watch did its job consistently, delivering dependable data and controls without getting in the way.

Value was the strongest consensus point, with reviewers repeatedly calling the price-to-feature package affordable, competitive, compelling, or among the best values.

Value depends heavily on what you need. The 170 Music packs premium training tools, accurate tracking, payments, and phone-free audio at a lower tier than Garmin flagships, but several reviewers think the cheaper 70, discounted 165/265, or Coros Pace 4 can be better buys.

Software smoothness was split: one reviewer found Polar sluggish, while another praised the simple, less overwhelming usability.

The updated software is praised for faster performance and smoother navigation than Garmin’s older budget-watch experience.

The companion app was one of the clearest weak points, with reviewers calling it outdated and hard to scan for key data.

Garmin Connect is powerful for training analysis and can make certain tasks easier, but one reviewer felt the app still badly needs a redesign. Its depth is useful, though not always elegant.

The user interface drew mixed opinions, ranging from dated and sluggish to clean, simple, and beginner-friendly.

The on-watch interface is widely considered simple, polished, and easy to use through either touch or buttons. Small quirks remain, including buried settings and an occasionally ambiguous start-button interaction.

The operating system itself was considered solid, with no major functional complaints, though the interface still drew criticism elsewhere.

The latest Garmin software feels more polished and cohesive, bringing sports and smartwatch functions together with a sleeker presentation. Reviewers also value its position for receiving newer features.

Smartwatch features were seen as good enough for essentials but limited compared with fuller platforms, especially around smart features beyond notifications, weather, and music controls.

The 170 Music goes beyond pure run tracking with payments, apps, notifications, music, and a more complete smartwatch interface. Reviewers still see it as a sports watch first rather than a true phone-replacement smartwatch.

Customization was viewed positively through complication/widgets customization and easy band swapping.

Watch faces, widgets, and data screens can be customized extensively, letting runners prioritize the information they actually want to see.

The ecosystem was a recurring caveat because reviewers said Garmin still leads in ecosystem depth and polish.

Connect IQ adds some smartwatch extensibility, but one reviewer found its useful app selection much thinner than Apple’s or Google’s stores.

Button controls were praised in hands-on review for their large, textured feel and good appearance.

Garmin’s five-button layout is a major practical strength for runners because it remains easy to operate with sweaty hands, gloves, or a bouncing stride. One reviewer noted a small ambiguity around the start button.

Navigation was useful but limited: reviewers liked route guidance for urban use, while noting the absence of full maps and limitations for mountains or trails.

Breadcrumb course guidance is useful for everyday routes, but the lack of full offline maps is one of the most repeated omissions. It is fine for familiar roads and basic course following, less convincing for wilderness, ultras, or map-heavy trail use.

Safety features were supported mainly by the flashlight making the wearer more visible to traffic.

LiveTrack is a useful safety extra for solo activities, giving contacts a way to follow the wearer’s location when a phone connection is available.

One reviewer found the run alerts comically loud and disliked having no separate volume adjustment beyond disabling sound and vibration.

Garmin Pay is useful for phone-free runs and everyday purchases, but reviewers disagree on whether it justifies the price premium over the cheaper Forerunner 70.

Five-button navigation is generally easy and dependable, especially while running, and the newer software feels smoother. The main drawback is that some capabilities remain buried in settings.

The touchscreen makes on-watch music controls notably easier to use and helps the device feel more like a regular smartwatch.

Offline music is one of the Music model’s clearest benefits, letting runners leave the phone behind and load playlists from supported services. The feature is easy to live with, but the price premium and Apple Music gap weaken the value for some users.

Syncing and connection behavior impressed in testing, with near-instant GPS lock and quick, easy Strava synchronization.

Streaming support is a mixed point: Spotify, Amazon Music, Deezer and some other services work well, but Apple Music’s absence is repeatedly called out as a meaningful limitation. Spotify offline use also requires Premium.

The touchscreen is repeatedly described as snappy and responsive without becoming overly sensitive, making swipes and taps reliable in daily use.

Body temperature tracking was treated as a nice-to-have rather than a major deciding feature.

Garmin Connect worked almost identically on iPhone and Android in testing, making the core experience effectively platform-neutral.

Data privacy was praised by one reviewer as a reason to consider Polar, especially for European users.

ECG was also a limitation: reviewers framed the missing ECG sensor as understandable at the price but still a downside for users who prioritize health metrics.

The flashlight was one of the clearest wins, repeatedly described as useful, essential, visible, and sufficient for low-light situations.

Durability was one of the strongest themes, with repeated praise for ruggedness, military-style toughness, and daily-use survivability.

Wrist-based running power is welcomed as a surprisingly advanced training tool at this price, giving runners another way to manage effort and work on form.