Suunto Race S vs Suunto Race 2
The Race 2 is the better watch on paper: it lasts longer (18 days), lasts longer on GPS (65 hours) and has a bigger 49 mm case. Pick the Race S only if it matters to you that it has a smaller 45 mm case and is lighter.
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Key differences
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Battery life
Race 2 wins
The Suunto Race 2 lasts up to 18 days against 9 days.
-
GPS
Evenly matched
Both have built-in GPS with similar features.
-
Display
Race 2 wins
The Suunto Race 2 has an LTPO OLED screen against AMOLED.
-
Health
Evenly matched
Much the same health sensors.
-
Weight
Race S wins
The Suunto Race S is lighter: 60 g against 76 g.
Other differences
- Case size Depends on you
The Race 2 has a bigger 49 mm case; the Race S is 45 mm, a better fit for smaller wrists.
- Water rating Race 2 wins
The Race 2 is rated 10 ATM against 5 ATM, better for snorkelling and water sports.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Race S if…
- You have a smaller wrist: its case is the smaller one.
- You wear it to bed or have small wrists: it weighs 60 g.
Choose the Race 2 if…
- You hate charging: it's rated for up to 18 days in smartwatch mode.
- You do long runs, rides or hikes: it's rated for 65 hours with GPS.
- You want a bigger screen and larger buttons: its case is the larger one.
- You snorkel, surf or swim in open water: it's rated 10 ATM.
Full spec comparison
The Race 2 leads on battery life; elsewhere the two are closely matched.
Green cells with a ✓ mark the better spec in that row. Tick "Show differences only" to hide the rows where they match.
Overview
| Spec | Suunto Race S | Suunto Race 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Suunto | Suunto |
| Series | Race | Race |
| Colours | All Black | All Black |
Platform & apps
Both work with the same phones and software.
| Spec | Suunto Race S | Suunto Race 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Suunto | Suunto |
| Storage | 32 GB | 32 GB |
| App store | — | Yes |
Display
The Race 2 is ahead on the display.
It has a bigger screen, and the Race S doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Suunto Race S | Suunto Race 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Display type | AMOLED | LTPO OLED |
| Display name | High definition AMOLED screen | LTPO AMOLED |
| Screen size | 1.32 in | 1.5 in |
| Resolution | 466 x 466 | 466 x 466 |
| Pixel density | 499 ppi | — |
| Colour display | Yes | Yes |
| Always-on display | Yes | Yes |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Controls | touchscreen, buttons, crown | touchscreen |
Design & durability
Each watch has its strengths on size and durability.
The Race 2 has a bigger 49 mm case; the Race S is 45 mm, a better fit for smaller wrists. The Race S has a smaller 45 mm case and is lighter, while the Race 2 has a bigger 49 mm case, is rated 10 ATM and has a sapphire lens.
| Spec | Suunto Race S | Suunto Race 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Case sizes | 45 mm | 49 mm |
| Case shape | — | Round |
| Dimensions | 45 x 45 x 11.4 mm | 49 x 49 x 12.5 mm |
| Thickness | 11.4 mm | 12.5 mm |
| Weight (case) | 60 g | 76 g |
| Case material | Glass fibre reinforced polyamide | Glass fibre reinforced polyamide |
| Bezel material | Stainless steel | Stainless steel |
| Lens | Gorilla Glass | Sapphire crystal |
| Band material | silicone | silicone |
| Band width | 22 mm | 22 mm |
| Fits wrists | 125-175 mm | 125-175 mm |
| Water resistance | 5 ATM | 10 ATM |
| Operating temperature | -20 to 55 °C | -20 to 55 °C |
Battery
The Race 2 is ahead on battery life.
It lasts longer (18 days) and lasts longer on GPS (65 hours), and the Race S doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Suunto Race S | Suunto Race 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery (smartwatch mode) | 9 days | 18 days |
| Battery (multi-band GPS) | 30 hours | 2.3 days |
| All battery modes | Smartwatch: 9 days; Battery saver: 13 days; Multi-band GPS: 30 hours; All satellite systems: 40 hours; Max battery GPS: 5 days | Smartwatch: 18 days; Battery saver: 30 days; Multi-band GPS: 2.3 days; All satellite systems: 2.7 days; Max battery GPS: 8.3 days |
| Battery type | rechargeable lithium-ion | rechargeable lithium-ion |
| Charging | — | proprietary-plug |
GPS & navigation
Both have built-in GPS with similar capabilities.
| Spec | Suunto Race S | Suunto Race 2 |
|---|---|---|
| GPS | Built-in | Built-in |
| Multi-band GPS | Yes | Yes |
| Satellite systems | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou |
| Maps | Downloadable maps | Downloadable maps |
| Navigation features | Waypoint and visual route navigation, Breadcrumb trail in real time, Route planning with altitude profile, Point of Interest (POI) navigation, ETA (estimated time of arrival), remaining distance, bearing navigation | waypoints, back-to-start, route planning |
Health & sensors
Both track much the same health data.
Heart rate, sleep and the extra sensors line up closely.
| Spec | Suunto Race S | Suunto Race 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | optical HR, SpO2, compass, barometer, thermometer | optical HR, barometer, compass, SpO2 |
| Heart-rate tracking | 24/7 | 24/7 |
| Heart-rate variability | Yes | Yes |
| Blood oxygen (SpO2) | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep tracking | Sleep stages | Sleep stages |
| Stress tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Energy score | Daily resource level | Daily resource level |
| Cycle tracking | Yes | — |
Training
Training features are evenly matched.
| Spec | Suunto Race S | Suunto Race 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Sport profiles | 115 | 115 |
| Triathlon / multisport | Yes | Yes |
| Swim tracking | Pool and open water | Pool and open water |
| Underwater heart rate | Yes | Yes |
| Training metrics | VO2 max, training load, training effect, recovery time, lactate threshold, HRV status | VO2 max, training load, training effect, recovery time, lactate threshold |
| Adaptive coaching | Yes | Yes |
| Wrist running power | Yes | Yes |
| External sensors | Bluetooth HR strap, foot pod, speed/cadence, power meter | Bluetooth HR strap, power meter, foot pod, speed/cadence |
Smart features
Both offer much the same smart features.
| Spec | Suunto Race S | Suunto Race 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Notifications | Yes | Yes |
| Message replies | Android | Android |
| Cellular | — | None |
Diving, golf & more
Neither has a specialist edge here.
| Spec | Suunto Race S | Suunto Race 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Specialist modes | — | ski |
| Diving | Depth gauge | Depth gauge |
| Max dive depth | 10 m | 10 m |