Everyone wants to get the most out of their exercise, and when it comes to burning fat and getting in shape, your heart rate plays a significant role. To get the most fat-burning power possible, you’ll want to maintain a high number of beats per minute. But how do you track your heart rate without stopping to check your pulse every few minutes? A heart rate monitor conveniently on your chest or wrist will do the job for you.
Below we’ve collected some of the most popular heart rate monitors on the market, giving you a rundown of their pros, cons, and why you should consider them. While you won’t go wrong with any of the selections, the best option for you will depend on how each suits your needs.
Heart Rate Monitors Comparison Chart
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1. Mio Alpha 2 Heart Rate Watch
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RUNNER UP |
2. Fitbit Charge 2 Heart Rate
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3. Garmin Forerunner 235
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4. Wahoo Fitness TICKR X Heart Rate Monitor
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5. Polar FT1 Heart Rate Monitor
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Our Heart Rate Monitors Guide Reviews
The Alpha 2 from Mio is a wristwatch-based option for people who are interested in tracking their heart rate while exercising in the pool or outdoors. Compared to other options, it comes at one of the higher price points you’ll see for a heart rate monitor, but its integration with popular fitness apps extends functionality and you get peace of mind with the 1-year warranty.
The watch is adjustable to be able to fit around wrist sizes varying from 5.3” to 7.5”, and tracks any daily activity being done. This includes workouts with step counter, distance, pace, and calories burned. You can set your target fat-burning zone and be alerted by the display when you fall out of it so you don’t sweat for no reason.
The memory will hold up to 25 hours of stored workout data, and the Mio app will further add to the experience. This will allow you to get all the correct data needed, taking in info from your age, gender, resting heart rate, and maximum heart rate for more accurate readings.
This device can be connected to a swimming tracker app and used at depth of 30M or shallower, such as a lap pool.
- Type: Wristwatch
- Uses Bluetooth and ANT+: Both
- With onboard memory: Yes
- Accurate: Yes
- Comfort: Adjustable band
- Durable: Yes
- Build quality: Good
- LED and vibration feedback: Both
- Comfortable: Yes
- Good battery life: Average
- Waterproof: Up to 30m
- Lightweight: Yes
- Display: LED
- Rechargeable battery: Yes; 24-hour life
- Can tracks all-day activity: Yes
- Provides feedback on sleep: No
- Connectivity features: Bluetooth and ANT+
- Connectivity: Wireless
- Easy-to-use app: Yes
- SPECS
- WHAT I LIKE
- WHAT I DON'T LIKE
- Pros/cons overview
- VIDEO
- Wristwatch
- Store up to 25 hours of data
- Bluetooth compatibility
- Water resistant to 30m
- Mio GO App
One of the best aspects of this product is the resiliency that it comes with, and the carefree aspect of owning one. Being able to be water resistant up to 30m of water gives you the option to be more relaxed with your device and not worry about things like how long you’ve been in the water or how deep the water may be. It also stores data so you don’t have to sync it the second you get home to get workout insights. Finally, storing 25 hours of data lets you track your workout progress.
Some negative aspects that come with having this device are the price and overall design. While it may have some wonderful features, they just won’t be worth it for someone who isn’t able to spend this level of money on a wristwatch. Alternatively, being only a wristwatch can hinder some consumers who are interested in a chest strap style of heart monitor, or someone who is interested in one that doubles as both.
PROS
- Waterproof to 30m
- Memory holds 25 Hours
- Large display
CONS
- Expensive
- Wristwatch only
The Charge 2 from Fitbit is currently one of the most popular heart rate and fitness tools on the market today. It is able to track anything from your real-time fitness stats and can notify you of any calls, texts, or upcoming calendar events. It comes at a slightly higher price point compared to your average heartrate monitor, but with the potential effects it can have on your life many find it to be a worthy purchase since it is also backed by a 1-year warranty.
The display includes the necessities of any watch, providing date and time next to your heart rate so it’s easy to quickly reference as you exercise.
With this device you’ll find not only a simple heartrate monitor, but also other great features like the ability to track in real-time when you fall asleep, how long you’re asleep, and then the ability to wake with a silent vibrating alarm.
Another great feature is the ability to set the device to very specific workouts. Whether you’re playing a sport like basketball, doing intense cardio, or lifting weights it is important to differentiate the statistics to get the correct information for you.
- Type: Wristwatch
- Uses Bluetooth and ANT+: Bluetooth
- With onboard memory: No
- Accurate: Yes
- Comfort: Yes
- Durable: Yes
- Build quality: Solid
- LED and vibration feedback: Yes
- Comfortable: Yes
- Good battery life: Yes
- Waterproof: No
- Lightweight: Yes
- Display: OLED
- Rechargeable battery: Yes
- Can tracks all-day activity: Yes
- Provides feedback on sleep: Yes
- Connectivity features: Bluetooth
- Connectivity: Wireless
- Easy-to-use app: No
- SPECS
- WHAT I LIKE
- WHAT I DON'T LIKE
- Pros/cons overview
- VIDEO
- Wristwatch
- Call and text notifications
- Alarm capability
- Up to 5-day battery life
- Tracks all-day activity
The main positive point from using a device such as this Fitbit is the complete control you’ll have over any exercise in your life. This device will turn into much more than just a simple heart rate monitor and you may find it being a very key aspect of your life similar to your phone, wallet, and keys. From sleep to working out to managing your stress levels, it can help improve your life in many ways.
The negative side of a device such as this one without a doubt has to be the price. While there are very few actual fundamental flaws with this product, at such a high price point many will be wondering if any heart rate monitor regardless of features could ever be worth such a luxurious price point. The answer as always comes down to if you’re able to afford spending this much on a device, it’s definitely worth it.
PROS
- Slick design
- Tracks sleep and fitness in real time
- Call and text notifications
- Up to 5-day battery life
CONS
- Requires app
- Expensive
The Garmin Forerunner 235 is another option for a luxurious wristwatch-based heartrate monitor. It comes at quite a high price point, but also comes with the features that may make you wonder how you ever exercised without it. Includes a 1-year warranty.
It has the look of a traditional wristwatch as opposed to a wristwatch that more mirrors a smartphone. This could be a key feature for someone looking for a more old-school look instead of the sleek option.
With this device you should also be on the lookout for audio cues if you have a smartphone connected. This will alert you when you’ve completed a lap and also provide the exact time that you completed a lap in. However, the included on-watch features like GPS make it usable even when not connected to a smartphone
The battery life for this device should be anywhere from 9-11 hours depending on exact specifics of use.
In addition to displaying your heart rate, the display will also show the zone you’re currently in and whether it’s in fat burning mode or not. For those looking to lose weight, this can be incredibly helpful.
- Type: Wristwatch
- Uses Bluetooth and ANT+: Bluetooth
- With onboard memory: No
- Accurate: Yes
- Durable: Very
- Build quality: Solid
- LED and vibration feedback: With phone
- Comfortable: Yes
- Good battery life: When GPS is disabled
- Waterproof: Yes
- Lightweight: Yes
- Display: LED Screen
- Rechargeable battery: Yes
- Can tracks all-day activity: Yes
- Provides feedback on sleep: Yes
- Connectivity features: Bluetooth
- Connectivity: Wireless
- Easy-to-use app: Multiple app Integrations
- SPECS
- WHAT I LIKE
- WHAT I DON'T LIKE
- Pros/cons overview
- VIDEO
- Wristwatch
- Customizable widgets and watch faces
- Activity tracking for steps, distance, and sleep
- Wireless connectivity
- Notifications for calls, texts, and weather
- GPS-enabled
Along with the features already named, a positive to this device is the GPS mode/feature. This is an invaluable feature for any runner who likes to venture past their neck of the woods and ensure that even if you manage to get lost, you’ll always be able to get yourself back on the right track.
The negatives for this device would have to be a combination of the battery life and the price. The battery life is mostly acceptable, but for a device that aims to be a person’s personal companion they may find issues when the battery life only lasts half of the day when using GPS.
PROS
- GPS-enabled
- Doesn’t require app
- Weather widget
- Notifications for calls, texts, emails
- Customizable
CONS
- Expensive
- Low battery life with GPS enabled
The Wahoo Fitness TICKR X Heart Rate Monitor is a stylish chest strap-based heart rate monitor (adjustable from 23” to 48”) for exercisers of all levels. It falls in the mid-range for price while offering most if not all of the features the average fitness enthusiast could want and includes a 1-year warranty for peace of mind.
This heart rate monitor tracks heart rate, counts calories, records laps, and analyzes your running form to improve speed and safety. This information can be stored in the internal memory and accessed later or viewed in real-time when connected to your smart phone with one of the 50+ supported fitness apps.
This monitor is waterproof up to 5m, making it both sweatproof and usable in shallow water such as a lap pool. Combining it with a popular swimming app like Speedo will allow it to be a solid swimming companion.
- Type: Chest monitor
- Uses Bluetooth and ANT+: Both
- With onboard memory: Yes
- Accurate: Yes
- Durable: Yes
- Build quality: High
- LED and vibration feedback: LED
- Comfortable: Yes
- Good battery life: Ye
- Waterproof: Up to 5m
- Lightweight: Yes
- Display: LED Lights
- Rechargeable battery: No
- Can tracks all-day activity: Yes
- Provides feedback on sleep: No
- Connectivity features: Wireless
- Connectivity: Bluetooth and ANT+
- Easy-to-use app: Integrates with 50+ apps
- SPECS
- WHAT I LIKE
- WHAT I DON'T LIKE
- Pros/cons overview
- VIDEO
- Chest strap holder
- Memory to store exercise data
- Up to 12 months of battery life
- Connect to smartphone with Bluetooth
- Compatible with 50+ smartphone apps
The ability to be used as a swimming trainer adds to the potential uses of this tracker. Another positive is the advanced running analytics it can record and provide upon syncing, which will let you know how to more safely and effectively run. Finally, the number of app compatibilities makes it a versatile choice with advanced functionality.
The downside of this heart rate monitor is that it requires a smartphone to provide the data and insight. Unless you take your phone along, you’ll have to be okay with reviewing the results post-workout rather than as you work out, which doesn’t help you adapt your style according to the running analytics provided or precisely monitor heart rate.
PROS
- Slick design
- Sweatproof and waterproof (5m rating)
- Running analytics
- App compatibility extends functionality
CONS
- Requires app
- Real-time tracking requires phone
A simple to look at and simple to use option, the Polar FT1 Heart Rate Monitor gets the job done without breaking the bank. Coming in towards the lower end of the mid-tier, this wrist or chest monitor offers solid value – especially when you add in its 2-year warranty.
The Polar FT1 Heart Rate Monitor constantly reads your heart rate and displays it on the large screen for you to check at will. The monitor can also double as a clock and alarm (similar to a standard watch), so it can be worn constantly.
This model features the ability to set a target range for your heart rate so that you can ensure you are burning fat, and it will set an alarm off when you leave your desired zone. Simply use the single button on the face to turn it on, configure your settings, and go.
- Type: Wrist and chest
- Uses Bluetooth and ANT+: No
- With onboard memory: Yes
- Accurate: Yes
- Durable: Very Durable
- Build quality: Great
- LED and vibration feedback: LED
- Comfortable: Yes
- Good battery life: Yes
- Waterproof: No
- Lightweight: Yes
- Display: LED Screen
- Rechargeable battery: No
- Can tracks all-day activity: Yes
- Provides feedback on sleep: No
- Connectivity features: None
- Connectivity: None
- Easy-to-use app: No
- SPECS
- WHAT I LIKE
- WHAT I DON'T LIKE
- Pros/cons overview
- VIDEO
- Chest strap or wristwatch
- Large display
- Real-time readings
- Stores most recent workout
- Manual heart rate targeting zones
The Polar FT1 Heart Rate Monitor shines with its simplicity. It doesn’t include many of the extra features you’ll find in higher priced models, but it does what it is supposed to: monitor your heart rate and make it easy to track while you exercise. It is also very simple to use when compared to the complicated smart fitness trackers flooding the market.
Unfortunately, its simplicity is also the weakness of the Polar FT1 Heart Rate Monitor. Outside of displaying the heart rate, you won’t get much more diagnostic information. It doesn’t work with an app for extended functionality or data analysis.
PROS
- Simple to use
- Large display
- Real-time heartbeat monitoring
- Target zone settings
CONS
- Only provides basic heart rate monitoring
Final Verdict
Overall, the best heart rate monitor we’ve found is the Fitbit Charge 2. Despite coming at a slightly higher price than other options, it offers the ability to monitor and track exercises throughout the day, receive real-time analysis of your current health, and more. It also lasts all day with a long battery life and is supported by a 1-year warranty by one of the largest fitness gear companies in the world. If you want something to help improve your workouts and your everyday life, the Fitbit Charge 2 is for you.
Buyer’s Guide
From chest monitors that you strap on to simple wrist watches that happen to measure heart rate, there’s a ton of different heart rate monitors to choose from. In order to help you find the best heart rate monitor, we’ve included some key information to know so that you can make an informed decision about your potential purchase.
Why Buy A Heart Rate Monitor?
While just about all exercise is beneficial to your overall health, in order to get the most out of your sweat you want to be able to monitor your heart rate. As you exercise, your body requires additional blood for your muscles, leading to your heart rate increasing to keep up with the demand. While it rising too high can be a problem, maintaining between 50-85% of your maximum heart rate allows your heart to safely pump while providing the ideal amount of strain on the rest of your body, requiring more energy to function and burning more calories.
A heart rate monitor will tell you when your body is struggling to keep up with the blood and energy requirements of your exercise, which will tell you the state of your cardiovascular health and give you an idea of what exercises are working.
Which Heart Rate Monitor is Right for You?
The right heart monitor for you will depend on a variety of factors. Do you plan to use it in water? Do you want to sync it with an app on your phone, or just want a self-contained workout companion? What is your budget?
In general, you’ll want to choose a monitor that provides accurate information. The most convenient choices have a touchscreen or large display that shows the information at a glance so that you can monitor it closely while you work out rather than after. This way you can ensure you’re burning maximum fat. Additionally, if you plan to swim with it, be sure it has a waterproof rating, otherwise you may be buying yourself a new one soon.
What is Heart Rate Variability?
Heart rate variability (HVR) measures the level of variation in time between heartbeats your body experiences. Basically, it is the difference in your heart rate at its fastest and slowest. Your heart beat is regulated by your autonomic nervous system (ANS) – specifically the sympathetic (stimulation) and parasympathetic (relaxation) branches of your ANS. This system works automatically and is controlled by your brain, with each branch responding to stimuli you experience in your everyday life and adjusting your heart and body’s response accordingly.
A high HRV leads to a lower potential heart rate, which means that your body can operate with less stress on the heart due to superior cardiovascular health from a lack of stimulation from things like stress, lack of sleep, and poor diet. However, your heart can still reach the same maximum heart rate when necessary, leading you to be much more adaptable and better handle stimulation before it puts strain on the rest of you.
A low HRV often means that your brain is perceiving stress or danger, keeping your resting heart beat higher and closer to your maximum heart rate. This makes it much easier for you to enter “fight-or-flight” mode, which can lead to greater strain on your body and a harder time recovering from stressful events.
HRV is valuable to your workout companion because exercising stimulates your body, increasing your heart rate, recruiting muscles, and pumping blood where it needs to go which leads to improved cardiovascular health. Your stronger heart can then maintain a lower heart rate, both improving your ability to relax and handle stress as well as allowing you to exercise longer and more intensely because your heart rate gains additional room to rise to accommodate it.