Heart rate monitors are useful for those who have health issues as well as those who want to keep track of their fitness level. Many wristband-based fitness trackers can monitor your heart rate, and chest strap monitors are also available for a more accurate reading. When choosing the best heart rate monitor for you, pick one that’s accurate, reliable, and reasonably comfortable. Also consider how easily you can read and upload the data, and whether the monitor is compatible with your smartphone, smart watch or tablet. We’ve compiled a list of 10 of the best heart rate monitors out there and ranked them according to popularity with users.
10. Scosche Rhythm+ Heart Rate Monitor
Best for: Accurate readings
This device from Scosche monitors your heart rate through an armband. This is different than most other monitors, which use a chest strap or wristband to gather heart rate data. The armband may be a lot more comfortable and less intrusive for some users. On the other hand, you need to use another device to read the data from this arm strap – it comes with the armband only. It’s waterproof but can become a bit slippery with sweat.
9. Omron 10 Series Arm Blood Pressure Monitor
Best for: Heart rate and blood pressure
If you need to accurately measure your blood pressure in addition to your heart rate, we recommend this Omron 10 Series. It’s best for those who need this data for medical reasons, rather than simply for workouts. This product occasionally has syncing issues, but it’s easy to use and gives consistent readings. Users say it’s fairly comfortable for an arm cuff.
8. Polar FT4 Heart Rate Monitor
Best for: Heart monitoring only
If you want a simple heart rate monitor without additional metrics, the Polar FT4 monitor is a reliable and cost-effective option. It uses a chest strap to accurately monitor your heart and can connect with gym equipment or the included wristband display for readings. The FT4 automatically alerts you when your heart rate seems too low or too high based on past data.
7. Wahoo Tickr Heart Rate Monitor
Best for: Accurate readings, all-purpose monitoring
You may not have heard of Wahoo Tickr before, but they’ve made a very low-cost and effective heart rate monitor. It’s consistently well-reviewed and is more than worth its low price tag. Users like this monitor because of its simplicity and versatility. It consists of a simple chest strap monitor without any attached wristband or another device. That may seem like a con rather than a pro, but it means that you can use the Tickr with a ton of different fitness apps on whatever smartphone or tablet you choose. It’s perfect for indoor workouts.
6. Zaccurate 400B Fingertip Pulse Oximeter Monitor
Best for: Sporadic readings
If you prefer a heart rate monitor that you can use for one-time readings when you need them, we recommend the Zacurate heart monitor. In addition to your pulse, it monitors your blood oxygen saturation levels and pulse strength. It displays this information on the simple LED display on the device. This monitor comes with a lanyard, so you can carry it with you wherever you go. It’s great for extreme sports enthusiasts who need detailed pulse data on the go, though it’s certainly less convenient than an automatic monitor that you can wear on your body.
5. Mio Alpha 2 Heart Rate Watch + Activity Tracker
Best for: Fitness tracking
Next in our search for the best heart rate monitor is this Mio Alpha 2 tracker that provides heart rate data through a wristband, which it also uses to track your overall activity. It gathers data on your steps, calorie, and distance. It doesn’t have quite as many metrics as our preferred smart watch picks, but it’s a great value for those who don’t need as much data and prefer not to use a chest strap. This tracker is also water resistant up to 30 meters.
4. Garmin Forerunner 610
Best for: Accurate readings
The Garmin Forerunner device is an excellent fitness tracker that also comes with a reliable heart rate monitor chest strap. It tracks detailed data about your workouts, including calories, time, and distance, and it helps you plan and track specific fitness goals such as distances. It wirelessly uploads data for later use, though users say it can take a while to sync and charge. It’s our pick for the best heart rate monitor that uses a chest strap.
3. Fitpolo Fitness Tracker
Best for: Fitness tracking, accurate monitoring
The FitPolo tracker is a much more affordable alternative to pricey models. It offers most of the same features, including tracking your steps, distance, heart rate, calories and sleep quality. It also has standard smart watch capabilities, like receiving texts and calls. This smart watch is water resistant. Users say the instructions can be a bit difficult to follow, and the accompanying fitness app isn’t the most well-designed, but this heart rate monitor is definitely worth the price.
2. Garmin Vivoactive HR+
Best for: Accurate readings
The Vivoactive HR+ smartwatch is definitely worth grabbing when it’s on sale. It’s comfortable and not too bulky, and it monitors your heart rate through the wrist band strap. This makes it ideal for those who don’t like having to wear a chest strap or don’t need to. This fitness tracker has a color display screen with touchscreen controls. It has a long battery life of up to 8 days, and it tracks your steps, distance and other fitness data in addition to your heart rate. The one downside to this smart watch is that the display can be a bit difficult to read depending on the lighting.
1. Fitbit Charge 2
Best for: Fitness tracking
The FitBit Charge 2 is one of the most popular heart rate monitors and fitness trackers online. Users love it because it offers plenty of high-quality data, including your pace, distance, steps, sleep quality and heart rate. It allows you to upload your data and customize your workouts accordingly. The Charge 2 even offers guided breathing sessions. This wrist band is a bit wider and bulkier than the Alta HR, but due to its wonderful reviews it’s our pick for the best heart rate monitor.
Conclusion
These 10 best heart rate monitors allow you to gain greater awareness of your body, whether you’re working out or simply living your life. Some provide more data than others, and they come in different configurations. Do you prefer a wristband, chest strap or arm band? What’s the best heart rate monitor in your opinion? Share your thoughts below.
Recommended Read: Best Fitness Trackers
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