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Heart Rate Monitor on Wrist

You have decided to get serious about your workouts. As any fitness enthusiast knows, monitoring your heart rate is extremely important. A heart rate monitor can help you track your fat burn zone. Many can do much more. So, what are the best heart rate monitors to use when working out? Well, it depends on your fitness goals. If you are a cyclist or triathlete, you may want a different heart rate monitor than the person who goes to the gym three times a week.

We want to help you cut through all the options. Sometimes, it can seem as though there are too many heart rate monitors to choose from. Here are the best heart rate monitors to get the best data for your workouts.

How to Buy a Heart Rate Monitor

Choosing your heart rate monitor starts by deciding what type of device you want to connect your data.

Most people want to use their phone to connect their devices. If you fall into this category then you will want a heart rate monitor that connects via Bluetooth. These will connect to apps like runkeeper.

Chest strap heart rate monitors use ANT+ technology to connect to a smartwatch. This is commonly found in Garmin and Polar watches.

Chest Strap Heart Rate Monitor vs Wrist Sensor Heart Rate Monitor

Person working our with a heart rate monitor

When looking for a heart rate monitor for your workouts, there are two major types. A chest strap heart rate monitor and a wrist sensor heart rate monitor.

The two types have long been debated. Wrist sensor heart rate monitors use LEDs to measure the blood pulse in your veins. These optical sensors are on most fitness trackers today, such as Polar, Apple, Garmin, and Fitbit. The biggest question that comes into play is are they as accurate as chest strap heart rate monitors?

We have tested both options in various workout activities from triathlons, marathon running, and weight training.

Wrist sensor heart rate monitors are much more comfortable and convenient. You can wear them all day long. If you are exercising in a steady-state, such as jogging on the treadmill, then a wrist sensor will be just fine.

If you are ramping up the intensity, then a chest strap heart rate monitor will be more accurate. We noticed a difference when training for a triathlon. The chest strap monitor did a much better job of tracking the spikes in the heart rate when sprinting.

Our Top Picks

Now that you have an idea of what to look for based on your needs. Let’s dig into our list of the best heart rate monitors for working out. We’ll first go through the chest strap heart rate monitors then the on-wrist heart rate monitors. Lastly, we will take a look at some new technology, headphones that can track your heart rate!

Best Overall: Fitbit Charge 3

“Charge 3 was made first and foremost for fitness.“

Best for Accuracy: Polar H10

“Widely known as one of the most accurate heart rate monitors on the market”

Best Chest Strap- Runner Up: Wahoo TICKR X

“One great feature is the Ticker X can provide your heart rate zones. “

Best for Runners/Triathletes: Garmin Forerunner 935

“It has a multi-sport mode that will sync with a workout that fits your fancy. “

Best on a Budget: Letsfit Smart Watch

” Don’t let the price fool you. This heart rate monitor has a number of great features.”

Best Headphone HRM: Bose SoundSport Pulse

“Yes, you read that right. Headphones that track your heart rate do exist!“

Polar H10

Buy Now: Amazon

To put it simply, the Polar H10 is super accurate. It is widely known as one of the most accurate heart rate monitors on the market. So, if precision and accuracy are what you care most about, the Polar H10 is a great match.

Apple and Android can both pair with the Polar H10. It connects via ANT+. You can take it the distance with your favorite device. It will even connect with your heart rate monitor cardio equipment such as spin bikes and treadmills.

Polar redesigned the H10 to be comfortable. The added small silicone dots to keep the heart rate monitor in place. It stays with you on the go.

Your heart rate is monitored via sensors that detect electrical activity in your heart. It actually acts in a similar way as an EKG would.

One cool feature to note is that it’s waterproof. The downside is you can’t track your heart rate in the water. It will track other metics in the event your on wrist monitor dies.

Pro’s

  • Supreme accuracy and precision
  • Easy to use
  • Connects to all devices via ANT+
  • No-slip design
  • Waterproof
  • Comes in more colors than just black
  • Waterproof

Cons

  • Heart rate intervals can not be tracked in the water

Wahoo TICKR X

Buy Now: Amazon

Like the Polar H10, the Wahoo Ticker X is a simple heart rate monitor to operate. You strap the HRM to your chest, pair it with the app, and get moving. The Ticker X will monitor several different workouts, but its bread and butter are cycling and running. Wahoo added a static cycling feature that makes this Heart Rate Monitor great for users who use a spin bike. In addition, there’s a treadmill mode, running, cycling, and spin class mode.

It works by using your phone’s GPS while the heart rate monitor tracks your vitals. The paired data will then be able to provide you with other statistics and metrics through the Wahoo app. The Ticker X will sync to most watches but will no sync to Garmin (sorry Garmin users) making it a little less versatile than some other options.

The heart rate monitor is very accurate. As we have already discussed, most chest straps are found to be more accurate. The Ticker X is no exception. One great feature is the Ticker X can provide your heart rate zones. This is especially helpful so you do not waste your workout. Maintaining these heart rate zones (especially during cardio sessions) allows users to optimize their fat burn.

The Wahoo Ticker app is clean and functional. It provides the data in a simple way, ensuring that you do not have to fumble around to find what you are looking for.

Pros:

  • Very accurate heart rate monitor
  • Tracks heart rate zones
  • Has spin bike feature
  • Great for cyclists and runners

Cons

  • Less features than other options
  • Does not pair with Garmin smartwatches

Fitbit Charge 3

Buy Now: Amazon

One of the most versatile heart rate monitors on the market is the Fitbit charge 3. It has a number of great features that we will get into. The Charge 3 was made first and foremost for fitness.

It features a range of fitness modes for your workouts. These include running, swimming, cycling, and strength training. The broad number of activities that this Fitbit Charge 3 covers, makes this a great option for most workout enthusiasts. It does have fewer activities than the Garmin 935 for example but boasts a much lower price tag for similar functionality and features.

Beyond the activity modes, Charge 3 tracks a number of other metrics making it a well-rounded fitness tracker. It tracks steps, calories, and sleep.

Now to get into the meat, heart rate tracking. Your heart rate is tracked 24 hours per day. It may lag inaccuracy during cardio compared to a chest strap heart rate monitor. As we said earlier, high-intensity training is better suited to a chest strap. But, we found that it was much better suited for users who typically work out in the gym. It just provides better heart rate data. Kudos to the Fitbit algorithm, because it does a great job processing the data after your workout. If you want precision accuracy for your heart rate, then you will want to add a chest strap. If you want an overall picture of your heart rate data, then the FitBitCharge 3 is a great option.

It has a great battery life and can last up to 7 days with a two-hour charge. This sets it apart from smartwatches as most need to be re-charged daily.

Check out this video to see the Fitbit Charge 3

Pros

  • Great for all fitness
  • Tracks heart rate 24/7
  • Long battery life
  • Tracks a number of workout metrics
  • User-friendly app
  • Waterproof

Cons

  • The touch screen is finicky when wet

Garmin Forerunner 935

Buy Now: Amazon

If you are looking for the best overall heart rate monitor for your workouts then the Garmin Forerunner 935 will be your best option. When paired with their chest strap, it is an extremely accurate heart rate monitor.

The Forerunner 935 was designed with hardcore triathletes in mind. So it can handle any super intense workouts, including HIIT. It is a major watch upgrade for many Garmin watch owners and has a number of sweet features.

Since it was designed for triathletes, it has a multi-sport mode that will sync with a workout that fits your fancy. It has a built-in barometer so your watch knows when you are exercising at an incline. It has a built-in compass + GPS making it a great heart rate monitor for campers, hikers, and trail runners alike.

Just some of the sport modes include treadmill running, track running, indoor and outdoor cycling, pool and open water swimming, and of course a triathlon mode where you can track your brick workouts. There’s more, it can track hiking, trail runs, skiing, paddle sports such as stand- up paddle boarding or kayaking, and golf.

One feature that stands out is how lightweight the watch is. It’s comfortable to wear all day. It weighs 49 grams and is 13.9m thick.

One thing to note is that this heart rate monitor does not have a touch screen. You navigate the watch via 5 buttons on the watch. They are easy to use and nicely labeled so even a new user should not have a problem.

As for the heart rate monitor, Garmin 935 uses optical heart rate sensors. It can also be paired with ANT+ chest strap heart rate monitors as well. Making this watch extremely accurate and flexible. If you are getting ready to run a marathon, the chest strap would be vital. If you are just going to the gym to lift some weights, just roll in with the watch alone and let the heart rate sensors take HR readings.

This video gives a look at the Garmin Forerunner 935.

Pro’s

  • Versatile heart rate monitor
  • ANT+ chest strap HR monitor connectivity
  • Comfortable and light at 49 grams
  • A large number of workout modes suitable for anyone
  • Battery life is very long
  • GPS
  • Evaluates your training status

Cons

  • Does not have a touch screen

Letsfit Smart Watch

Buy Now: Amazon

The Letsfit Smartwatch is our budget pick. Don’t let the price fool you. This heart rate monitor has a number of great features. Not only does it track your heart rate when working out, it can also track a number of other fitness metrics. It tracks your steps, activity, and controls your music while you workout.

Letsfit also added a number of features so you can wear the watch all day including message l notifications, alarm clock, and a breathing guide. If money is tight, or you are a beginner to heart rate monitors, this is a fantastic option. Check out the reviews and latest price by clicking here!

Pro’s

  • Heart rate monitor
  • Sleep monitor
  • Tracks Calories Burned
  • Step Counter
  • Activity Tracker
  • Call and Message reminder
  • Multi-sport mode
  • Breathe Training
  • Music Control

Con’s

  • It can lose connection with the app at times
  • Step counter not very accurate

Bose SoundSport Pulse Wireless Headphones

Buy Now: Amazon

Yes, you read that right. Headphones that track your heart rate do exist! The Bose Soundsport Pulse work connects to your favorite app (such as runkeeper) to track your pulse through your ear canal. As with any type of heart rate monitor, maintaining contact with your skin is key to get accurate readings.

They come with great audio quality that Bose is known for. Most people love to crank music when they work out, and the Bose Soundsport Pulse provides the best of both worlds. They fit snugly on your ear, so you won’t have to worry about losing your earbuds mid squat (which always is a buzz kill).

Pro’s

  • Great sound
  • only need one device for your workouts
  • Fit snugly in your ear
  • Connects to your favorite fitness app

Cons

  • Needs to stay in contact with your skin for accurate reading
  • Still a new technology

Conclusion

Finding the best heart rate monitor for your sweat sessions is not an easy choice. There are so many options to choose from. We are here to help in any way we can. Choose the HRM that fits your lifestyle. If accuracy is the utmost importance, then you will want to get a chest strap. If you want to access your HR any time of day, then look at the wrist options. Whatever you choose, we hope it fuels your motivation to get moving.