Being able to monitor your heart rate wherever you go can be a real lifesaver if you’re living with a condition that affects the speed of your heartbeat. Of course, in order to do that, you’re going to need to find a good heart rate monitor.
If you’re on the market for a convenient armband that will let you keep track of your pulse, then you’ve come to the right place. We’re going to review some of the best armband heart rate monitors on the market.
Read on for more information about the best armband heart rate monitors that you can get this year to see which one is the best option for your needs and preferences.
Comparison Chart
Best Armband Heart Rate Monitor Reviews
Scosche Rhythm+ 2.0 Heart Rate Armband Monitor
Starting things off is this premium heart rate monitor from Scosche, which comes with some of the most advanced features on the market. While it might not be the most affordable option on the market, what you’re getting is certainly well worth the price.
Review
One of the best things about this heart rate monitor from Scosche is its new and improved strap design. It is a flexible, hook-style band that secures the Rhythm+ 2.0 comfortably on your tricep, bicep, or upper forearm, allowing you to keep track of your heart rate from the area on your arm that is most comfortable to you.
The extended battery life is also a huge bonus. The rechargeable battery is able to provide you with up to 24 hours of working time between each charge. So, as long as you’re charging the Rhythm+ 2.0 daily, you’ll never have to worry about it dying during the middle of the day. The monitor also shares the same charging cradle as the previous iteration of this device, the Rhythm 24.
Scosche is known for its high-quality products, and that is proven with the superior accuracy on this monitor. The Rhythm+ 2.0 features optical sensor technology, making use of green and yellow LEDs to measure your blood flow for a highly accurate reading no matter how fair or deep your complexion might be. There is also an integrated accelerometer that further assists in offering you extremely accurate measurements.
With its universal connectivity, the Scosche Rhythm+ works with all Bluetooth Smart and ANT+ enabled devices and electronics. This includes watches, smartphones, fitness equipment, and tablets. The heart rate monitor is able to work with more than 200 heart rate monitoring apps, including Wahoo Fitness, Fitdigits, Runkeeper, Strava, and many more! There’s only one real issue that we have with the Rhythm+, and that’s its price tag. It’s fairly costly for a heart rate monitor, but like we mentioned earlier, we feel that the price is worth all of its excellent features.
Pros
- Superior accuracy
- Durable design
- Universal connectivity
- Longer battery life
Cons
- Expensive
CooSpo Armband Heart Rate Monitor
Next on the list is this highly accurate heart rate armband monitor from CooSpoo, which features a unique, sophisticated design that will make you feel like you’re living in the future. It comes with a range of excellent features that make keeping track of your pulse a walk in the park.
Review
CooSpo includes their patented optical sensor technology on their armband heart rate monitor for highly accurate pulse monitoring capabilities. The great thing about this device is that it supports the continuous measurement of real-time heart rate data during exercise, as well as when your body is in a rested state. Even better is that the armband is also able to track and capture training zones and calories burned through an app on your smartphone.
The CooSpo heart rate monitor can monitor HR zones using different LED light colors, allowing you to see the progress and status of your exercises more intuitively. The great thing about this device is that it also supports a heart rate variability function. It is compatible with Bluetooth 5.0 and ANT+ and is capable of working with smartphones, Garmin devices, sports watches, and much more.
CooSpo also made it as easy as possible to use their armband heart rate monitor. All you need to do is press the start-up button and the LED will flash blue until the device detects your heart rate. Once that happens, you’ll be good to go. To turn the device off, simply hold the start-up button down again until the LED flashes red this time, and the armband will vibrate. When that happens, it will be off.
This armband comes with IP67 waterproofing to keep the device protected if you suddenly get caught in a rainstorm while exercising. However, it’s definitely not enough waterproofing to protect the device if it becomes totally submerged, so you won’t be able to go swimming with the CooSpo armband on. While that might not be a major issue for some, if you were hoping to be able to track your pulse in the pool, it can be a bit of a letdown.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Highly durable
- Compatible with other devices
- Very accurate
Cons
- Cannot be submerged in water
Polar Verity Sense Optical Heart Rate Monitor Armband
If you know anything about Polar, you know that they are renowned for making some of the best sporting equipment and accessories on the market. Their Verity Sense optical heart rate monitor is no different and offers some of the best features that the field has to offer. Let’s find out a little more about it.
Review
The first thing you’ll notice when you put the Polar Verity Sense armband on is just how comfortable it is to wear. It is designed to be worn on the upper portions of the arms, keeping your wrist free to provide you with a full range of movement when you’re exercising. It fits on the upper arm but can also clip onto your swimming goggles or fit snugly against your skin against tight-fitting clothing.
With just one button, the Polar Verity Sense is one of the easiest heart rate monitoring devices to use out there. All you need to do is switch it on, place it on your arm or temple, and you’ll be ready to go out into the world and monitor your heart rate every step of the way. It works with both Bluetooth and ANT+, guaranteeing that there will always be a large range of devices that you can connect your Verity Sense to.
One of the best things about Polar’s Verity Sense heart rate monitor is that it is highly versatile and is capable of suiting a wide range of sports. You can either monitor your heart rate in real-time using a connected device or app, or you can record your sessions and transfer your pulse data to your smartphone afterward. That’s just not possible with many other similar devices.
The Verity Sense is also a great companion for swimmers. Its strap can conveniently fit around your temple or clip onto your goggles, helping you track your distance, heart rate, and pace automatically when you’re in the swimming pool. The one gripe we have with the Verity Sense is how expensive it is, but we do feel like the price tag is worth the quality.
Pros
- Highly versatile
- Very convenient to use
- Works well for swimmers
- Can fit on various places in the body
Cons
- Expensive
Fitcent Heart Rate Monitor Armband
If you’re looking for a highly affordable heart rate monitor that gets the job done without any unnecessary bells and whistles, then Fitcent has you covered. This band comes with a comfortable strap and easy-to-use construction that makes it a pleasure to work with. It also comes in two stylish colors, which is a nice bonus.
Review
The Fitcent heart rate monitor armband monitors your heart rate in real-time while you’re working out, thanks to its CL830 sensor. This sensor is able to help you track and capture your heart rate in real-time, as well as your training zones and the calories that you burn throughout your training session. It does this in conjunction with your smartphone or tablet and your favorite compatible workout app.
The dual-band technology, which is compatible with Bluetooth and ANT+, allows the Fitcent heart rate monitor to work well with tablets, smartphones, GPS watches, and even bike computers from Polar, Wahoo, Garmin, and more. The monitor is also compatible with most smartphone devices and more than 200 of the most popular fitness apps in the world. So, if you’re someone who uses Wahoo Fitness, Runkeeper, or another app, you’re in luck.
One of the things we like most about the Fitcent pulse monitor is that it is made using a rechargeable lithium battery that comes with an LED charging indicator. The charge time is just 1.5 hours, or until the solid green light indicates that the battery has been fully charged. The integrated battery is able to last an impressive 60 hours between each charge, so you won’t have to stress about frequently charging the Fitcent monitor.
Another great bonus to this heart rate monitor from Fitcent is that it comes in two stylish colors – red and black. You’ll be able to choose the one that appeals to you most, so you’ll never have to put on an eyesore every time you want to track your pulse while working out. The only real problem that this band suffers from is that it is not the most comfortable device to wear, so if you plan on wearing it for prolonged periods, you may experience some discomfort.
Pros
- Dual-band connectivity
- Compatible with various apps
- Rechargeable lithium battery
- Comes in two colors – pick which you prefer most
Cons
- Not the most comfortable to wear
Echelon Beat Advanced Armband Heart Rate Monitor
And finally, we have this compact little heart rate monitoring device from Echelon called the Echelon Beat. If you want something that is unobtrusive and compact but that will still be able to fit around any part of your body, then Echelon has you covered with this highly affordable option.
Review
The first thing to note about the Echelon Beat advanced armband heart rate monitor is that it comes with a rechargeable lithium battery. We have always found rechargeable batteries to be vastly superior to their disposable counterparts, as they not only save you time and money but also help preserve the environment. The battery in the Beat is able to last a good 12 hours before needing to be recharged.
If you are truly passionate about keeping track of your fitness progress, then you’ll be happy to know that the Echelon Beat works with the Echelon Fit app. This app is able to provide you with invaluable metrics regarding your fitness progress and how your heart rate changes during your workout sessions, which helps you keep better track of your overall health and wellness as an athlete.
The HR zone light that is incorporated in the Echelon Beat changes color based on your heart rate, so you’ll always be able to know how your heart is doing at a glance. This is extremely useful for runners and other athletes, as you won’t have to keep checking your phone while you are working out. Speaking of phones, the Echelon Beat is compatible with most smartphones – specifically, iPhone 4s and later, as well as Android devices that support Bluetooth 4.
One issue that the Echelon Beat suffers from is that the armband can feel flimsy. You’re going to want to handle the device with care or you could run the risk of breaking it.
Pros
- Rechargeable battery that holds charge
- Works with the Echelon Fit app
- HR zone light changes color based on pulse
- Compatible with most smartphones
Cons
- Armband can feel flimsy
Wrapping Up
Whether you’re a pro athlete or just someone who enjoys running, being able to monitor your heart rate can be an incredibly useful metric to track. If you want to be able to track your pulse quickly and easily, be sure to consider some of the armband heart rate monitors mentioned above.