Suunto 9 BaroFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 6 mentions across 1 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment100%
PROS 100%

Rank based on 6 mentions across 1 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You need multi-day battery life for ultras or long expeditions
  • You value rugged looks and build quality over software polish
  • You're switching from a watch with poor endurance battery life

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need reliable custom interval/workout building
  • You depend on flawless Strava/app syncing
  • You expect responsive customer support if something breaks

What users complain about

No cons data available.

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Based on user comments

Best choice
1Premium
Garmin Fenix 7
Exceptional battery lifeRugged, durable build with sapphire glassImproved maps and touchscreen navigationHigh price makes upgrading hard to justifyInconsistent screen visibility on some solar unitsHeart rate sensor bugs
Garmin Fenix 7
Exceptional battery life
Rugged, durable build with sapphire glass
Improved maps and touchscreen navigation
High price makes upgrading hard to justify
Inconsistent screen visibility on some solar units
Heart rate sensor bugs
2Mid
Apple Watch Series 5
Always-on displayMeaningful upgrade from older Apple WatchesSolid battery life for an always-on watchNot worth upgrading from Series 4Feels fragile without a caseNeeds nightly charging with always-on enabled
Apple Watch Series 5
Always-on display
Meaningful upgrade from older Apple Watches
Solid battery life for an always-on watch
Not worth upgrading from Series 4
Feels fragile without a case
Needs nightly charging with always-on enabled
3Mid
Amazfit Balance
Impressive Battery LifeVersatile Fitness Tracking FeaturesGorgeous AMOLED DisplayPrice ConcernsScreen Smudging and ScratchesIssues with Body Composition Measurement
Amazfit Balance
Impressive Battery Life
Versatile Fitness Tracking Features
Gorgeous AMOLED Display
Price Concerns
Screen Smudging and Scratches
Issues with Body Composition Measurement
Best value
4Mid
Amazfit Active 2
Excellent Value for PriceGood Heart Rate TrackingLong Battery LifeInconsistent Heart Rate TrackingLimited Storage CapacitySoftware Bugs and Glitches
Amazfit Active 2
Excellent Value for Price
Good Heart Rate Tracking
Long Battery Life
Inconsistent Heart Rate Tracking
Limited Storage Capacity
Software Bugs and Glitches
5Budget
Amazfit Bip 6
Impressive Battery LifeGreat Price-to-Quality RatioLightweight and Comfortable DesignLimited Storage CapacityInaccurate Sleep TrackingFragile Screen
Amazfit Bip 6
Impressive Battery Life
Great Price-to-Quality Ratio
Lightweight and Comfortable Design
Limited Storage Capacity
Inaccurate Sleep Tracking
Fragile Screen
You are here
6Premium
Suunto 9 Baro
Excellent battery life for ultras
Suunto 9 Baro
Excellent battery life for ultras
7Budget
Amazfit Band 7
Long Battery LifeAccurate Heart Rate MonitoringBuilt-in Alexa FunctionalityBattery Life DiscrepanciesInaccurate Tracking for Some ActivitiesStrap Durability Issues
Amazfit Band 7
Long Battery Life
Accurate Heart Rate Monitoring
Built-in Alexa Functionality
Battery Life Discrepancies
Inaccurate Tracking for Some Activities
Strap Durability Issues
8Premium
Garmin Fenix 7S
Excellent battery lifeGreat fit for smaller wristsStrong outdoor sunlight visibilityDim or hard-to-read sapphire displayBulky or heavy feelHigh price for display quality received
Garmin Fenix 7S
Excellent battery life
Great fit for smaller wrists
Strong outdoor sunlight visibility
Dim or hard-to-read sapphire display
Bulky or heavy feel
High price for display quality received
9Mid
Garmin Fenix 5
Long-term durabilityGreat value for featuresRugged build qualityHeart rate sensor accuracyIndoor display visibility only averageReliability concerns in comparison to newer models
Garmin Fenix 5
Long-term durability
Great value for features
Rugged build quality
Heart rate sensor accuracy
Indoor display visibility only average
Reliability concerns in comparison to newer models
10Premium
Garmin Fenix 6X
Long battery lifeScratch-proof sapphire glassDetailed sports and training dataHigh priceInconsistent sleep and body battery trackingSapphire screen brightness/visibility concerns
Garmin Fenix 6X
Long battery life
Scratch-proof sapphire glass
Detailed sports and training data
High price
Inconsistent sleep and body battery tracking
Sapphire screen brightness/visibility concerns

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Battery life is the watch's standout strength for endurance athletes. Multiple ultrarunners report finishing 100-mile races and 27+ hour efforts with 20% or more battery remaining, prompting switches from Garmin and Ambit models specifically for this reason. Commenters coming from Fenix 3/5 watches cite needing to carry battery packs on their old devices, something they no longer need with the 9 Baro, though some note GPS accuracy still needs tweaking.

Software and app experience frustrate many long-term owners. Users repeatedly criticize the inability to create or edit custom workouts and intervals, calling it borderline unacceptable at this price point. The Suunto app and Movescount are described as poor, with syncing issues to Strava (including pace miscalculations) and confusing dual-app transitions. The backlight double-tap gesture also works inconsistently across screens.

Reliability and support issues undermine trust for a premium purchase. Several buyers report barometer failures, sudden battery drain, wildly inaccurate step counts, and erratic heart-rate spikes during easy efforts. Compounding this, many describe Suunto customer service as unresponsive, with unanswered emails, long hold times, and unhelpful chat-only support, leading some to abandon the brand entirely after paying $500-900 for the watch.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?