Suunto Race 2 Review

The Suunto Race 2 arrived with a massive software overhaul, and Suunto's number-one priority for this updated watch: improved heart rate accuracy. We tested the stainless steel version, which has a larger, 1.5-inch AMOLED display that's bright enough to see in direct sunlight.

Accuracy

GPS accuracy on the Race 2 was strong. On our known 2-mile course, the watch tracked 1.96 miles, landing within the expected range for this terrain. The track shape was clean on open roads and held together well under tree cover, consistent with the dual-frequency performance we saw across the premium watches in our lineup.

Suunto cited improved HR accuracy as its number-one priority for this generation, and it hit the mark – the mean difference between the Race 2 and a Polar Verity Sense armband was only 2.4 BPM. We noticed the same lag during our warm-up as other comparable watches, with heart rate readings running a bit high before converging around the 15-minute mark. Once it settled, the sensor on the Race 2 tracked our heart rate reliably across varied effort levels, cleaning up previous issues with accuracy at the start of activity and during descents.

Activity Use

The 1.5-inch AMOLED screen on the Race 2 is one of the brightest in our lineup, making it easier to see data fields and maps even under the harsh midday sun. Processing speed has doubled from the original Race, and the difference is immediately noticeable when scrolling through menus or panning across maps. Fully detailed maps are available offline, and they now feature larger directional arrows, clearer points of interest, and a north-up orientation option. When you zoom in fully, it's still a bit hard to see the trail on the map, but the overall navigation experience is greatly improved with the Race 2. You can now simultaneously run three SuuntoPlus apps during an activity, including intensity monitoring. Improved running dynamics with real-time feedback make it possible to adapt things like your cadence or vertical bounce during a run.

Everyday Use

The Suunto app continues to improve, offering a cleaner interface that is easier to navigate than Garmin Connect, though it has fewer features overall. Sleep tracking now includes sleep phases, and the AI Coach provides training recommendations based on your recent activity load. The Race 2's notification handling remains a sore point: alert beeps cannot be silenced independently of full Do Not Disturb mode, which means you either hear every notification or none at all. There are no message replies, no speaker or microphone, and no music or payment options. However, the absence of a subscription paywall means all features are available upon purchase, which is increasingly rare in this category.

Extra Features

The Race 2 adds AI Coach training recommendations, an expanded SuuntoPlus ecosystem with more than 100 partner apps, and a passcode lock for added security when you take off your watch. Beyond software additions, the hardware extras are minimal: there is no flashlight, no music storage, no NFC for payments, and no speaker or microphone. For athletes who want a focused training and navigation tool without the distractions of a full smartwatch, the Race 2 is a deliberate choice. For anyone who wants to leave their phone at home, it is a limitation.

Wearability

The stainless version we tested weighs 2.6 ounces, while the titanium option drops to 2.3 ounces – both are comfortable to wear all day. At 14mm thick, the Race 2 keeps a relatively low profile for a watch with such a big screen. The 22mm silicone strap is comfortable and dries quickly. Charging from empty to full takes approximately 68 minutes, which is the fastest in our lineup and a genuine advantage for athletes who need to top up between sessions.

Battery Life

We measured 54 hours of battery life in All Systems mode, which delivers some of the best battery endurance we've seen from a watch with a bright, AMOLED screen. It takes just over an hour to fully charge the Race 2 from zero. The redesigned magnetic charging cable reliably snaps into place, a marked improvement over previous generations.

Should You Buy the Suunto Race 2?

The Race 2 is not a smartwatch: you can't listen to music, make phone calls, or use it for contactless payments. But for runners and athletes who want accurate heart rate data, easy-to-read maps, and the confidence of a 54-hour GPS battery, the Race 2 earns its spot among the top performers in our lineup.

What Other GPS Watches Should You Consider?

The Race 2 shares the same software platform as the Suunto Vertical 2, but the more expensive Vertical 2 adds a dedicated LED flashlight and even longer battery life, making it the better choice for multi-day expeditions. The Garmin Forerunner 970 offers music and contactless payments, though it has a significantly shorter battery life than either Suunto watch. The Coros Apex 4 offers the best of both worlds – maximum battery life with full maps and music storage, though the tradeoff is a MIP screen that's not nearly as bright as the AMOLED display on the Race 2.

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