At a Glance: Quick Ratings
Heart Rate Functions
Fitness / Sport Features
Ease of Use
Battery Life
Where To Get It
A Deep Dive Into Polar H7
Stop for a minute. If you carry a smartphone with you when you exercise, then LOOK NO FURTHER. This could be the product you have been looking for. The Polar H7provides ECG accurate heart rate data directly to your smartphone.
With dozens of FREE training apps like Polar Beat, Strava and Endomondo you can accurately track time in training zones, max and minimum heart rate and calories burnt, plus lots more (depending on the APP). The Polar H7 Bluetooth heart rate sensor has been reviewed by Tristan Haskins aka CardioCritic
Related Reading: Check out our review of the Alivecor Kardia Mobile ECG monitor. A huge step in technology.
What Is It?
Video Review
Who really wants to wear a chest strap heart rate monitor? If you absolutely demand 99.999% accuracy then a chest strap heart rate sensor is the most accurate system. However, I’d rather have something a little more comfortable. In late 2021 Polar introduced the Polar OH1 (Optical Heart Rate) – an armband style heart rate sensor that can be worn on the upper or lower arm. Heart Rate is accurately acquired from the 6 x LED sensors. This heart rate data is then either BROADCAST to compatible Bluetooth devices or STORED internally for download to Polar Flow at a later time. In this storage mode the Polar OH1 armband HRM sensor can be used as a standalone device recording up to 200 hours of total training data.
If you simply want to record heart rate on your iOs or Android device running your favourite fitness app (Polar Beat, Endomondo, Strava, MapMyRun etc) the Polar OH1 could be just what you’ve been looking for. It can also broadcast HR data to other compatible Bluetooth devices eg. Polar M460, POlar V800, Suunto Spartan (range) etc. Or simply strap it on your arm, turn it on, press the button twice to enter STANDALONE mode and go train. All your heart rate data is conveniently stored for download to Polar Flow when you’ve finished….
Main Features and Functions
Bluetooth 4.0 Heart Rate for Smartphones
The Polar Bluetooth H7 sensor gives you live heart rate on your mobile training application, to make the most of every session. If you want to keep track of your heart rate while training all you need is this heart rate sensor, a modern smartphone and one of the dozens of free training apps.
Bluetooth technology is already installed on the iPhone 4S and all subsequent models and most recent Android smartphones. In addition to low energy Bluetooth (BTLE 4.0) smart technology, the H7 also utilises T31 Coded 5.4 kHz transmission to connect with the majority of Polar training computers and compatible gym equipment. In summary, this Polar heart rate sensor belt can communicate with BOTH your smartphone running a fitness App and a Polar T31 coded wrist computer (or any gym equipment displaying the GymLink logo)
Key Features
- Compatible with iPhone 4S, iPhone 5,6,7 and most Bluetooth 4.0 Android Smartphones
- The soft textile chest strap seamlessly adapts to your body shape, bringing full freedom of movement to your training
- Bluetooth smart ready technology – providing ECG-accurate heart rate to any Bluetooth smart ready device
- Also transmits on Polar coded 5 kHz transmission – therefore compatible with most Polar training computers
- Makes it quick and easy to add heart rate monitoring to your smart phone
- Long transmission range (~10m)
- User replaceable battery
- Includes a soft and comfortable hand washable textile heart rate monitor chest strap
- Compatible with any Polar T31 coded heart rate monitor like the FT4, FT7, F11, RS100, CS200, etc
More Features
Supported by Brilliant Fitness apps
Bluetooth Heart Rate for your Smartphone
Alternative Bluetooth HR sensors
Review Summary
Polar have lead the world in heart rate monitoring since 1976 for a good reason. Their products are exceptional quality and can be considered as the GOLD STANDARD of heart rate monitoring. I personally use either this Polar H7 or the BlueLeza as my CONTROL heart rate monitor when doing comparisons with other models. There is nothing to criticise in this brilliant Bluetooth HR sensor. If you’re looking to add the metric of heart rate to your iPhone or Android phone then there is no better product on the market, thus the exemplary 5/5 star rating I have given the Polar H7.
