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Suunto Race 2 vs Vertical 2

Quick verdict

Suunto Race 255 h GPS65 gAMOLED

Choose the Suunto Race 2 if…

  • You want a lighter (65 g), cheaper watch for daily wear
  • 55 h of GPS is enough for your longest races and routes
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Suunto Vertical 265 h GPS87 gAMOLED

Choose the Suunto Vertical 2 if…

  • You want a built-in LED flashlight for night runs and aid stations
  • You want 65 h in dual-band for long ultras
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For maximum autonomy on long ultras, Suunto Vertical 2 lasts longer in GPS mode. If you want the lightest watch on your wrist, go for Suunto Race 2. On budget, Suunto Race 2 is the more affordable option.

Suunto Race 2 or Suunto Vertical 2? GPS battery (55 h vs 65 h), weight (65 g vs 87 g), maps and multi-band, with a clear verdict and a check of whether each lasts your whole race.

Pick by what you need

  • If you want the lightest (65 g) → Suunto Race 2
  • If you want to save without giving up the essentials → Suunto Race 2

Radar: where each watch wins

Absolute 0–100 scale, no exaggerated gaps: a tie stays a tie. Suunto Vertical 2 leads on 3 of 6 axes.

Radar of Suunto Race 2 versus Suunto Vertical 2Six axes: GPS battery, everyday battery, lightness, maps, multi-band GPS, and display with extras.GPS batteryEverydaybatteryLightnessMapsMulti-bandGPSDisplay& extras
Radar of Suunto Race 2 versus Suunto Vertical 2
AxisSuunto Race 2Suunto Vertical 2
GPS battery46/10054/100
Everyday battery60/10067/100
Lightness50/10013/100
Maps100/100100/100
Multi-band GPS50/100100/100
Display & extras50/10050/100

GPS: 120 h = 100 · Weight: 35 g = 100, 95 g = 0 · Multi-band: by its battery (60 h = 100) · Display: AMOLED + music.

Spec-by-spec comparison

SpecSuunto Race 2Suunto Vertical 2
GPS battery55 h65 h
Multi-band batteryYes65 h
Smartwatch18 days20 days
Weight65 g87 g
Maps✓✓
Multi-band✓✓
Music––
DisplayAMOLEDAMOLED
PriceMid-rangeHigh-end
Where to buyView on Amazon(opens in a new tab)View on Amazon(opens in a new tab)

GPS battery = each manufacturer's standard GPS mode; multi-band = dual-frequency (maximum accuracy). On Suunto, Polar Grit and Amazfit T-Rex the GPS figure already corresponds to dual-band mode. Figures verified against the manufacturer.

Suunto Race 2SuuntoSuunto Race 2

Racing watch with a 1.5" 2,000-nit AMOLED display, dual-band GPS and free offline maps. Up to 55 h in the most accurate mode and 18 days in smartwatch mode. Rotating crown, 115+ sport modes and 32 GB of storage for maps. A lot of watch for the money versus Garmin.

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Suunto Vertical 2SuuntoSuunto Vertical 2

Adventure watch with a 1.5" 2,000-nit AMOLED display, a bezel-integrated LED flashlight (white and red, with SOS mode) and free offline topo maps. Up to 65 h of dual-band GPS and 20 days of daily use. Built for long ultras, mountain traverses and night sections.

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Will it last your race? Real battery across 300 races

We estimated a mid-pack runner's finish time for every race in our calendar (distance, elevation and terrain) and added a 25% safety margin. Here's the result:

Suunto Race 2 lasts 292 of 300 races

Suunto Vertical 2 lasts 297 of 300 races

RaceBattery neededSuunto Race 2Suunto Vertical 2
Zugspitz Ultratrail by UTMB167 km · 8205 m+54 hLastsLasts
Grand Raid des Pyrénées160 km · 10000 m+54 hLastsLasts
Nice Côte d'Azur by UTMB168 km · 9000 m+56 hDiesLasts
UTMB Mont-Blanc174 km · 10000 m+60 hDiesLasts
Grand Raid de La Réunion180 km · 10200 m+62 hDiesLasts
L'Échappée Belle152 km · 11390 m+62 hDiesLasts
HOKA Val d'Aran by UTMB163 km · 10000 m+64 hDiesLasts
L'Infernal Trail des Vosges205 km · 10000 m+66 hDiesDies

Estimate for a mid-pack runner on the longest distance, standard GPS on ultras and multi-band on races under 12 h. Tap a race to see the watches we recommend for it.

Verdict

For maximum autonomy on long ultras, Suunto Vertical 2 lasts longer in GPS mode. If you want the lightest watch on your wrist, go for Suunto Race 2. On budget, Suunto Race 2 is the more affordable option.

Analysis: where they really differ

Suunto's two mapping watches, and both are AMOLED now: the question is no longer the screen but size versus battery and extras. The Race 2 weighs 65 g and gives 55 h of GPS; it's the watch for anyone who wants offline maps and multi-band in a size that's wearable every day. The Vertical 2 steps up to a 1.5" 2,000-nit AMOLED, adds a bezel LED flashlight (white and red, with SOS mode) and stretches battery to 65 h in dual-band, at 87 g in steel (74 g in titanium). Both use the same free offline topo maps and the same Suunto software. Choose the Race 2 for lightness and price; choose the Vertical 2 for the flashlight, a bigger screen and more multi-band hours.

Choose the Suunto Race 2 if…

  • You want a lighter (65 g), cheaper watch for daily wear
  • 55 h of GPS is enough for your longest races and routes
  • You don't need a flashlight on your watch

Choose the Suunto Vertical 2 if…

  • You want a built-in LED flashlight for night runs and aid stations
  • You want 65 h in dual-band for long ultras
  • You prefer a larger 1.5" AMOLED screen for map navigation
View on Amazon: Suunto Race 2(opens in a new tab)View on Amazon: Suunto Vertical 2(opens in a new tab)

Frequently asked questions

Which lasts longer, Suunto Race 2 or Suunto Vertical 2?
Suunto Race 2 offers 55 h of GPS battery and Suunto Vertical 2 offers 65 h, so Suunto Vertical 2 lasts longer for long efforts.
Which one is lighter?
Suunto Race 2 weighs 65 g and Suunto Vertical 2 weighs 87 g; Suunto Race 2 is the lighter of the two.
Do both have onboard maps?
Yes, both Suunto Race 2 and Suunto Vertical 2 include onboard topo maps.
Which is better for trail running and ultras, Suunto Race 2 or Suunto Vertical 2?
Suunto Vertical 2: 65 h of GPS and onboard maps to navigate routes without relying on your phone.
Is it worth paying more for the Suunto Vertical 2?
The Suunto Vertical 2 sits in a higher segment and in return adds: 10 h more GPS battery. If you won't use those features, the Suunto Race 2 gives you the essentials for less.
Can I listen to music without my phone?
Neither the Suunto Race 2 nor the Suunto Vertical 2 stores music onboard; you'll need to carry your phone.

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Suunto Race 2(opens in a new tab)Vertical 2(opens in a new tab)