If you love working out, you know how important it is to train intelligently and have the right gear. In this respect, monitoring your heart rate lets you know how hard you should push yourself.
Do you need to slow down, or should you keep rocking? Your heart rate monitor can tell you just that.
We know it’s difficult to choose the right device that looks stylish and has all the functions you need.
We’ve reviewed five best heart rate monitors currently available, each with a different price tag and features. Interested in finding out more? Keep reading.
Comparison Chart
Best Heart Rate Monitor Reviews
Fitbit Charge 3 Fitness Activity Tracker
Although released in 2018, Fitbit Charge 3 is still a favorite device for tracking heart rate. This affordable, sleek, modern fitness tracker is suitable both for men and women. Clad in aluminum, it’s lightweight and feels very comfortable.
Product Highlights
Whether you’re working out or sleeping, you can wear Fitbit Charge 3 to monitor your health. It comes in different colors and with a silicone or a leather band.
The standard black color is the most popular choice among users; it looks stylish both if you’re in a meeting or out running.
The touchscreen display on this tracker is large, allowing you to see readings, messages and notifications clearly. It’s also waterproof, so you can wear it while swimming, which is uncommon for many heart rate monitors.
Battery life on this unit is excellent. It lasts for up to seven days, depending on how it’s used.
Whether you’re an active person and want to track your stats, or you just need to pay attention to your overall well-being, this device can measure your heart rate, oxygen saturation, and monitor your sleep.
The band measures heartbeat with great accuracy, especially while resting. There can be some irregularities while running, however, but they aren’t significant.
What’s more, if you enroll in a program supported by Fitbit, you can learn about any irregularities with your heartbeat. This can also help you diagnose potential sleep apnea.
In a nutshell, this is one of the best heart rate monitors, and for good reasons. It’s affordable, has various functions, feels comfortable and lightweight, and provides pretty accurate readings.
The Good
This device has an impressive battery life compared to some competitors. It won’t die even by the end of the third workout. Furthermore, it features sensors that can monitor your heart rate and oxygen levels 24/7.
The Bad
The unit doesn’t come with a dedicated GPS. You can connect this tracker to your phone, but it can be bothersome. Plus, it can be difficult to see your metrics in direct sunlight.
Pros
- Modern design
- Waterproof
- Good accuracy, especially while resting
- Fantastic battery life
Cons
- No dedicated GPS
- Difficult to see the display in bright sunlight
Garmin Forerunner 235
Garmin is a renowned manufacturer of top-of-the-line wearables, and this unit is no exception. Although expensive, the Garmin Forerunner 235 still is one of the most respected heart rate monitors and fitness trackers on the market.
Product Highlights
Although this wrist-worn device looks bulky, it’s surprisingly comfortable. Since it’s actually lightweight, you’ll barely notice you’re wearing it while running.
The price of the unit depends on the colors of the band, which can be red, black, and baby blue. It’s a got a large display that works well even in direct sunlight. The only time when this screen shows flaws is in the dimmest light.
If you aren’t a fan of a modern touchscreen, you’ll love this tracker. It’s got five buttons, which are very responsive and help you navigate through the menu.
The battery life of this unit is outstanding. With GPS turned on, it can run up to 11 hours. On the other hand, turning off GPS will keep this heart rate monitor going on for nine days.
The Garmin Forerunner 235 can track some basic features, such as steps, calories, time, and distance.
But the reason it’s on the list as the best heart rate monitor is for its advanced features. This device takes tracking heart rate to a new level. In addition to monitoring it 24/7, it gives you feedback over 3-4 hours, along with low, average, and high levels.
After using it for seven days, you also get a chart with your heart rate overview. All these functions allow you to keep an eye on different metrics.
Many devices can track oxygen levels, but Garmin 235 personalizes this experience. When setting up the watch, you can put in your weight, so your oxygen saturation will be measured accordingly. This is as accurate as it can be.
The bottom line is that this is a great heart rate monitor, especially for avid runners who want to take their training to a whole new level. And although costly, the advanced features justify this price.
The Good
The Garmin 235 gives its users a personalized and satisfying experience, with incredibly accurate heart rate and oxygen saturation levels. Furthermore, it’s great you get an overview of your stats after a certain period of time.
The Bad
The Garmin 235 doesn’t have an option for music. This can be a problem for users, given how advanced some of the other features are.
Pros
- Advanced oxygen saturation readings
- Charts with heart rate overview
- Big display
- Sturdy body
Cons
No music
Polar H10 Heart Rate Monitor
This Polar H10 is one of the best chest heart rate monitors on the market. It’s affordable and provides consistent results. Moreover, it sits comfortably on your chest, without looking too bulky inside of your T-shirt.
Product Highlights
If you opt for a chest heart rate monitor, you have to make sure it fits snuggly and doesn’t slip.
The Polar H10 has a newly-developed no-slip strap that stays on even when you’re swimming. You can wear it as loose or as tight as you want. Moreover, it’s suitable even for people with a bigger chest.
In resting conditions, the standard inconsistency for heart rate is ± 1%. However, even when you’re working out, this chest strap provides accurate readings. This is thanks to the additional third electrode and a newly developed algorithm.
Many devices can be waterproof, but they can’t be used while swimming, as they tend to give inaccurate results. But the Polar H10 excels in this category and provides consistent and reliable results even underwater.
The built-in memory on this strap can save readings from a 65-hour session, which is a lot. And when you finish working out, you can choose how to keep the data.
This unit has got some fantastic options. Keep information on a paired Bluetooth device, or store it at Polar Flow for downloading.
The Good
Since the Polar H10 has enough internal storage, you can train for up to 65 hours without a smartphone.
To make sure you still save data, download Polar Beat app, which is available both for Android and iOS users. The battery life is also good. The unit will run up to 400 hours before you have to replace the batteries.
The Bad
Unfortunately, this chest strap doesn’t have a light indicator. It would be useful to know when the strap is on and when it starts measuring your heart rate.
Pros
- Great internal storage
- Fantastic accuracy, even while swimming
- Affordable
- Comfortable
Cons
- No ANT+
- No light indicator
Polar Ft1 Heart Rate Monitor
Do you want a simple heart rate monitor that won’t break your bank? Consider purchasing this Polar Ft1. It’s an entry-level device, sufficient if you want something with just the basic features.
Product Highlights
If you aren’t a big sports enthusiast but need something to measure your heart right while you get back on track, this device is a good call. It’s a watch, which comes with a comfortable M to XXL strap. That said, if you’ve got a smaller chest, even M size can be too big, so keep that in mind.
In addition to the heart rate, which is shown continuously, the unit also displays time, average, and maximum heart rate during the activity. That way, you can adjust your training. It’s a one-button device, so navigating it is pretty simple.
The backlit display is quite large, so you can see the numbers even in a lower light environment. There’s also an alarm that informs you if your heart rate is getting too high.
There isn’t much inconsistency between your actual heart rate and the numbers, so it’s still pretty precise.
Overall, this unit is good value for money if you need a no-frills heart rate monitor. It’s suitable for people just starting to exercise, or even the elderly. Put simply, this device does just what a basic heart rate monitor should do.
The Good
If you’re on a tight budget and looking for a unit that still gives pretty accurate readings, then this device is the right call. With just one button, it’s user-friendly and straightforward.
The Bad
Unfortunately, when your battery needs changing, you’ll have to send the product to the manufacturer. If you use the chest strap, keep in mind that it tends to slip.
Pros
- Simple to use
- Comes with a strap
- Easy navigation
- Good for the elderly
Cons
- No calorie tracker
- Doesn’t show daily averages
EZON Heart Rate Monitor Sports Watch
If you’re looking for something to satisfy your basic needs, something that works accurately, and is comfortable, consider getting this device. The EZON watch looks elegant and comes with a soft, comfortable strap.
Product Highlights
Sometimes you just need a simple heart tracker without advanced features like GPS or sleep monitoring. Unfortunately, there aren’t many straightforward units that are good value for money, and accurate. However, this device has got everything you need in a simple heart rate monitor.
The large screen is clear, and works well even in low light. It displays time, date, and real-time heart rate. Moreover, it has a calorie counter and a stopwatch.
Setting up this device is rather simple. Just go through the manual, and you’re all set. In addition to a comfortable band, the watch is also snug and doesn’t feel tight on the wrists.
This unit has both audio and visual alarm, which tells you the sweet spot for your workout intensity. If you’re running or cycling, this function is very beneficial. Keep in mind that you can’t use this watch while swimming as the buttons don’t work underwater. It’s also advisable to take it off while you’re showering.
The body of the watch is made of high-quality materials, making this unit long-lasting. A fact emphasized by the 50-year calendar!
The Good
This affordable, simple watch has got all the necessary features you need to track your heart rate. It isn’t complicated and feels quite comfortable. There’s also an audio and visual alarm informing you of your heart rate.
The Bad
The watch doesn’t connect with the phone, which can be an issue for some users. But this does allow you to focus on your physical activity, without having to check the phone. Furthermore, you can’t use it underwater.
Pros
- Simple, without too many additional functions
- Elegant
- Comes with a comfortable strap
- Waterproof
Cons
- Doesn’t connect to your phone
- Not suitable for swimming
Buyer’s Guide
If you’re considering buying a heart rate monitor, there are certain aspects you must keep in mind.
You should find the comfortable sports companion that fits your style and budget, but also satisfies all your needs. To help you choose the best heart rate monitor, we’ll provide you with a buyer’s guide.
Metrics
If you’re thinking about getting a heart rate monitor, you must first consider the metrics. What functions do you want your unit to have? Are you looking for a simple heart rate monitor without many additional features? Or do you want it to track your run cadence, oxygen saturation, and sleep? These are going to be the deciding factors.
Some of the basic models are good if you only want to monitor your heart rate while exercising.
On the other hand, high-end products are so much more than a regular heart rate monitor. They also often have a GPS and can switch between multiple sports. For that reason, make sure you think about what’s important for your sports companion to measure.
Strap Width
Having a heart rate monitor with a comfortable strap is essential. Generally speaking, people choose watches with a slim strap for everyday use, while a wider strap is great when you’re working out.
The slim strap may look more elegant, so it’s great if you also want to wear it at work. That said, all that matters is your personal preference. Therefore, the strap width will ultimately depend on your style.
Design
Yet another factor that depends entirely on you. The market for heart rate monitors is thriving, meaning there are various kinds of devices and designs.
Some are quite simple, while others look like they’re out of this world. There are elegant, modern heart rate monitors, but also more elaborate ones designed to show off their advanced features.
Keep in mind that if your watch or a chest strap isn’t comfortable and doesn’t satisfy your needs, the design won’t matter.
Memory
If you just want a device that displays a real-time heart rate, then you don’t need it to have internal memory.
However, if you’re looking to monitor your heart rate more closely, compare the averages, and maybe even download some data, you need a unit with a good internal memory. For easier monitoring and downloading, you can connect these monitors to your phone.
Battery Life
Battery life is another major factor when it comes to selecting the best heart rate monitor. Some monitors have a long battery life. But when they die after a couple of years, you can’t replace them. There are also those with batteries you can change.
When it comes to watches, the situation is a bit different; they run on the batteries, but even if they die, you can easily get new ones.
The battery life can be quite long, depending on the kind of activity, and whether the device in question is using GPS or not.
If you turn off GPS, your battery will last a lot longer. On average, it’s 7-10 days, but sometimes even more than 20 days.
In that respect, when buying a heart rate monitor, make sure to check if it’s got GPS and its battery life.
FAQs
Why Should I Monitor Heart Rate and Not Just Steps?
Counting steps is useful in terms of general information about your daily walks. But for additional data that can take your fitness to a whole new level, having a heart rate monitor is the key.
The best indicator of your overall fitness preparedness is your heart rate. Therefore, to get the most of working out, it’s important to tailor your training to your current heart rate.
Monitoring your heart rate allows you to keep an eye on your well-being. Furthermore, it can track how you react in stressful situations.
Are Electric or Optical Monitors More Accurate?
Electrical monitors measure your heart rate by recording heart contractions. Usually, they use a chest strap for that.
In contrast, watches or arm straps are considered optical monitors because they measure your heart rate via sensors that use optical LED light, which track changes in your blood flow.
Generally speaking, top-notch chest straps are always more accurate, as they’re very closely connected to your heart. However, with today’s growing technology, optical monitors are becoming equally precise.
The important thing is to find a device that fits snuggly but not too tight. That way, you can get better readings.
How Does a Heart Rate Monitor Work?
When placed on a wrist, an arm, or around your chest, heart rate monitors measure your beats per minute. There are two ways they do this: either by detecting ECG (electrocardiogram) or via LED light sensors.
If you’re using a strap, then your heart rate is measured by having sensors attached around your skin and via ECG. On the other hand, watches and arm heart monitors use optical LED lights to track your blood flow changes.
What are the Benefits of Using a Heart Rate Monitor?
In short, numerous. First of all, a heart rate monitor gives you an insight into your cardiovascular system. To make any kind of physical activity even more efficient, you should plan it based on your heart rate.
By using these monitors while exercising, you get a silent companion that tells you to push yourself a little bit more.
Alternatively, the stats can also show when it’s time to slow down and take a rest. This kind of knowledge can help you get the most of your workouts.
What are the Different Types of Heart Rate Monitors?
Two main types of heart rate monitors are electrical and optical. For instance, chest straps typically use electrical sensors to measure your heart rate, whereas watches and arm straps use optical sensors.
Although in the past electrical straps were much more precise, nowadays, optical heart rate monitors are equally good.
In general, chest straps are better options for people who like to focus on physical activity, without having to look at their phone or a watch. While watches can be more comfortable and aren’t as prone to slipping.
Final Verdict
Monitoring your heart rate is a big step towards personalizing your training. Plus, it’s a way for you to know the level of your physical preparedness and your wellbeing.
But choosing the best heart rate monitor isn’t an easy decision, especially since there are so many different types, styles, price ranges, and functions.
Our recommended option is the expensive Garmin Forerunner 235. Although expensive, the advanced features it offers are well worth it.
Alternatively, if you’re looking for something on a budget, consider getting the Polar Ft1 heart rate monitor. It’s got all the functions a monitor should have and gives pretty decent accuracy.