Technology

Heart rate monitor – Top 7 Heart Rate Monitors For Your Exercise And Resting Period.

Tracking your resting heart rate provides valuable information about your fitness level and cardiovascular health over a period of time. A lower resting heart rate signifies a higher level of fitness and improved cardiovascular well-being.

Additionally, using a heart rate monitor can measure heart rate variability, which refers to the variations in the time intervals between heartbeats. Monitoring heart rate variability is particularly useful for training, as a greater variability indicates that your body is more responsive to physical exertion.

Without realising it, you may already possess a heart rate monitor, as numerous fitness trackers and smartwatches now have this feature. While the technology in these devices has significantly advanced, a dedicated standalone heart rate monitor typically offers more precise results and a wider range of metrics for tracking your heart rate. Here are the best seven heart rate monitors.

1. POLAR H10 Heart Rate Monitor

PROS
  • Comfortable
  • Long battery life
CONS
  • The app could be better

Polar’s H10 heart rate sensor is widely recognized as one of the top-notch heart rate monitors available for purchase. Its chest strap is designed to be waterproof, making it suitable for use during swimming. At the same time, the incorporation of slip-resistant silicone dots ensures that it remains securely in place for precise readings and enhanced comfort.

With built-in memory, the Polar H10 heart rate sensor allows you to store data from a single workout session. This convenient feature lets you leave your phone behind while exercising and retrieve the recorded data later.

Additionally, the sensor is accompanied by the Polar Beat app, which provides comprehensive insights such as calories burned, fat burned, and heart rate. Moreover, the Polar H10 heart rate sensor is compatible with various other apps and devices, enhancing its versatility and integration into your fitness routine.

Another notable feature of the Polar H10 heart rate sensor is its ability to connect to two devices simultaneously. This means that you can conveniently use it with your smartwatch and compatible exercise equipment simultaneously, allowing for seamless monitoring and tracking of your heart rate during workouts.

More Of It

Battery Life Up to 400 hours
Connectivity Bluetooth and ANT+
Waterproof? Up to 30 meters

2. Garmin HRM-Dual Heart Rate Strap Monitor

PROS
  • Long battery life
  • Comfortable
CONS
  • Must unscrew compartment to change batteries

If you’re looking for a heart rate monitor that fits within a budget, the HRM-Dual from Garmin, a reputable brand, is a reliable option. This heart rate monitor offers all the essential features—it is comfortable to wear, provides accurate readings, and is compatible with a wide range of devices and exercise equipment. Its affordability makes it particularly appealing, balancing price and functionality.

With an impressively long battery life, estimated at approximately 3.5 years when used for an hour per day, the HRM-Dual heart rate monitor stands out for its exceptional longevity. While it may not boast an extensive array of advanced features, it remains highly compatible with a wide range of apps, allowing you to maximize the benefits of your workouts.

This makes the HRM-Dual a reliable and practical choice for tracking your heart rate without frequent battery replacements or compromising compatibility with your preferred fitness applications.

More Of It

Battery Life Up to 3.5 years (1 hour per day)
Connectivity Bluetooth and ANT+
Waterproof? Up to 10 meters

3. Wahoo Fitness Tickr Fit Armband Heart Rate Monitor

PROS
  • Rechargeable battery
  • Comfortable
CONS
  • Hard to adjust while wearing

If you experience discomfort with a chest strap heart rate monitor, an armband can be a suitable alternative, particularly for activities where a wristband is impractical. The Wahoo Tickr Fit offers an excellent solution as it can be comfortably worn on the forearm or upper arm.

Equipped with an optical sensor, it ensures consistent accuracy regardless of the placement on your arm. This versatility allows you to choose the most convenient and comfortable position while receiving reliable heart rate monitoring.

The Wahoo Tickr Fit armband can seamlessly integrate with Wahoo’s Run Fit app and other popular third-party applications such as Strava and Runtastic. It offers extensive connectivity options, allowing you to pair it with your smartphone, smartwatch, or even exercise equipment like treadmills and stationary bikes. This lets you view your heart rate in real time, providing valuable insights into your workout intensity and performance across various devices and platforms.

More Of It

Battery Life Up to 300 hours
Connectivity Bluetooth and ANT+
Waterproof? Yes

4. POLAR H9 Heart Rate Sensor Monitor

PROS
  • Comfortable
  • Very accurate
CONS
  • Not as many metrics as in other models

The Polar H9 is another heart monitor highly regarded for its comfort and accuracy, similar to its counterpart, the H10. However, it lacks some of the additional features found in the H10. The H9 does not have built-in memory to store data from workout sessions, and it can only connect to one device at a time, limiting its connectivity options.

Nevertheless, it still offers reliable heart rate monitoring, ensuring accurate readings during your workouts, and maintains the reputation of Polar’s quality and performance standards.

Despite its slightly limited features, the Polar H9 comes with a more affordable price tag, making it an appealing option for first-time users venturing into the world of heart rate monitors. It can be connected to the Polar Beat app and other compatible apps and devices, allowing you to conveniently track your heart rate and access workout routines tailored to enhance your fitness level.

While offering a budget-friendly alternative, the Polar H9 still delivers the essential functionality of heart rate monitoring and provides the opportunity to improve your overall fitness experience.

More Of It

Battery Life Up to 400 hours
Connectivity Bluetooth and ANT+
Waterproof? Up to 30 meters

 

5. MyZone MZ-Switch Heart Rate Monitor

PROS
  • Automatically detects how you’re wearing it
  • A good amount of built-in memory
CONS
  • MyZone app is too busy

Are you more inclined towards a chest strap, armband, or wristband heart rate monitor? The MyZone MZ-Switch offers the flexibility to accommodate your preference with its versatile design. Equipped with ECG and optical sensors, it ensures accurate heart rate monitoring regardless of the chosen wearing style.

The monitor comes with adjustable chest, arm, and wrist bands, allowing you to switch between them based on your convenience and comfort seamlessly. With the MyZone MZ-Switch, you can select the monitoring method that suits you best.

The HRM effortlessly identifies your preferred wearing style and intelligently selects the most suitable sensor. It offers convenient usage with the ability to store up to 36 hours of data before requiring a download. Furthermore, it boasts compatibility with a wide range of devices and apps, including its own proprietary platform. However, some users find its design to be slightly cumbersome.

More Of It

Battery Life Up to 6 months
Connectivity Bluetooth and ANT+
Waterproof? Up to 10 meters

6. Garmin HRM-Pro Premium Chest Strap Heart Rate Monitor

PROS
  • Accurate measurements
  • Advanced running metrics
CONS
  • Battery life could be longer

For dedicated athletes, the Garmin HRM-Pro proves to be a worthwhile investment. This chest-strap heart rate monitor is specifically designed for serious fitness enthusiasts. While it includes its dedicated app for Android and iOS users, it also seamlessly integrates with popular fitness apps like Strava.

Its suitability for runners sets it apart, providing advanced metrics such as vertical oscillation, stride length, and contact time, in addition to the standard heart rate data.

With the Garmin HRM-Pro, you can store up to 18 hours of data before downloading it to your phone. This allows you to track your workouts for several weeks without immediate data transfer. Additionally, the HRM-Pro offers the flexibility to connect to multiple devices simultaneously. Whether you want to sync it with your smartwatch or exercise equipment, you can easily establish connections on multiple devices simultaneously.

More Of It

Battery Life Up to 1 year (1 hour per day)
Connectivity Bluetooth and ANT+
Waterproof? Up to 50 meters

7. Peloton Heart Rate Monitor Band

PROS
  • Comfortable
  • Lights to indicate heart rate zone
CONS
  • No ANT+ connectivity

While it is possible to use any heart rate monitor with a Peloton machine, the most compatible option is the one specifically designed by Peloton itself. This armband connects seamlessly to your Peloton bike or treadmill, providing you with real-time heart rate data. What sets it apart is the inclusion of five LED lights corresponding to different heart rate zones, enabling you to optimize your workout intensity.

These LED lights also tie into Peloton’s Strive Score, a personalized metric based on your heart rate that measures the intensity of your workout. The Peloton armband is compatible with non-Peloton equipment as long as Bluetooth connectivity is available, but if you don’t own a Peloton machine, there may be other heart rate monitor options that better suit your needs.

More Of It

Battery Life Up to 10 hours
Connectivity Bluetooth
Waterproof? IP67 (up to 1 meter for 30 minutes)

Tip

When choosing a heart rate monitor, the key consideration is how you intend to use it. If swimming is part of your routine, a waterproof monitor is essential. Additionally, certain exercises, such as boxing and kettlebell workouts, may not be compatible with wrist heart rate monitors, so alternative options should be explored. When running, selecting a monitor that doesn’t interfere with your arm movements during the activity is important.

Jael Okwuchukwu

I am Okwuchukwu Jael, a writer, educator, and musician from Enugu State. Teaching, both academic and musical, is a passion of mine, and I specialize as a Western pianist. Currently, I am employed as a blogger at Writer's King LTD, combining my love for writing and desire to share knowledge with a broader audience.

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