When you go on a run or hit the gym for a training session, your body experiences a lot of physiological changes, out of which, there’s one thing that you ought to monitor all the time, which is your heart rate. As opposed to what most people believe, training harder and longer doesn’t mean a more efficient session, that’s why you need to have sessions with different intensities throughout the week, and that’s why heart rate monitoring devices exist.

If you’re pumped and ready for your next workout, you might be looking for the best heart rate monitor available today. Worry not, as you don’t need to hit every pharmacy or drug store looking for one, as we’ve already picked the best of the best in our heart rate monitor reviews. Here goes.

#1 – Polar H10 – Best Chest Strap Heart Rate Monitor

The Polar 10 is an accurate heart rate monitoring strap that’s affordable and comfortable, which is why it tops our “best heart rate monitor” list. The modern design of this chest strap makes use of extra silicon friction dots to keep the device in place while you’re moving around without resulting in the slightest discomfort.

For the readings, the Polar H10 chest strap packs the company’s most accurate heart sensor. It uses an ECG sensor that detects the heart’s electrical activity to deliver the BPM readings, along with a modified measuring algorithm and extra interference-preventing electrodes to increase the precision. If you’ve never heard of Polar before, know that it produces some of the best sensors available on the market, so you shouldn’t worry about inaccurate readings.

Every reading the strap records gets transmitted to the mobile app, which is available for both Android and iOS. The device is also compatible with a handful of fitness and health-related apps, which adds to the versatility.

Other features that we dig include the waterproofness of this device, which means that it’s suitable for swimmers, and the onboard memory, which can come in handy if you forget to charge your smartphone before your training session.

Pros

  • Accurate
  • Affordable
  • Comfortable

Cons

  • Isn’t compatible with some fitness apps

#2 – Withings Steel HR Sport Smartwatch – The Best Heart Rate Monitor Watch

The Withings Steel HR Sport Smartwatch is here to prove that you can actually train (and monitor your heart rate) in style. Unlike most smart devices, this is actually an analog watch, which means that it can blend with any outfit seamlessly while still providing accurate readings of your HR and transmitting them into the Withings Health Mate app.

The Steel HR Sport also offers connected GPS and can measure related fitness metrics such as your VO2 max. Additionally, it provides automatic run and swim detection and can run for 25 days before running out of juice (pun intended).

Pros

  • Looks good
  • Excellent battery life
  • GPS and sleep tracker included

Cons

  • A bit pricey

#3 – Apple Watch Series 4 – Best Smart Watch with Heart Rate Monitor

Apple devices are expensive, there’s no sense denying that, and the Apple Watch Series 4 is no different. Though it wasn’t designed to be a heart rate monitor exclusively, this smartwatch does the job just fine, making it an ideal device for those looking for the best heart rate monitor that would add a nice touch to their overall style.

For a wrist-based monitor, the Apple Watch Series 4 does excel. The Electrical and optical heart sensors that it packs make it ideal for both resting HR readings throughout the day and those taken during training sessions, including high-intensity interval training, also known as HIIT. It’s also equipped with an ECG feature, which means that it can also detect severe heart problems.

As a smartwatch, Apple’s Series 4 delivers other options besides monitoring your heart rate. It offers a speedy GPS, great swim tracking, and third-party app support. If you’re willing to shell out good money in exchange for an excellent all-in-one device when it comes to health-tracking features, you really cannot go wrong with Apple.

Pros

  • Accurate readings
  • Smart functionalities
  • Aesthetically-appealing

Cons

  • Pricey

#4 – Scosche Rhythm24 – Best Armband Heart Rate Monitor

Many athletes don’t dig having to wear chest straps to monitor their heart rate, neither do they like wearing watches. That’s why middle-ground solutions, such as armband heart rate monitors, exist.

The Scosche Rhythm24, which is the successor of the infamous Rhythm+ heart rate monitor, can sit comfortably around the forearm to indicate the BPM range in two ways. First, the LED lights show which heart rate range you’re in (along with how much battery juice you have left), and second, the device transmits the accurate reading to your smartphone through Bluetooth and ANT+ connectivity technologies. The device is compatible with over 200 fitness apps, so you needn’t worry about getting and storing your readings.

This heart rate monitor doesn’t stop at measuring your heart rate, as it can also measure the Heart Rate Variability, which is an equally-important metric in terms of overall heart health, both when resting or training. The durability that this device offers is also quite impressive. It’s IP68-certified, which means that you can use it as a swimming heart rate monitor.

Pros

  • Excellent battery life
  • Accurate HR and HRV measurements
  • Compatible with over 200 fitness apps

Cons

  • Doesn’t store heart rate recordings

#5 – Garmin vívosport Smart Activity Tracker – Best Heart Rate Monitor for Runners

The Garmin vívosport is an activity tracker, which means that its primary use is to track all of your activities outside using the built-in GPS, and that’s why we’re giving it the title of the best heart rate monitor for runners.

Despite its compact, lightweight construction, it packs several features, including an optical heart rate sensor that’s suitable for all-day HR monitoring, but that’s not so good for high-intensity training sessions. Through the recorded heart rate, this fitness tracker can estimate other metrics, such as the VO2 max, fitness age, and HRV, all of which can be really beneficial for gym trainees and runners.

The readings recorded by the vívosport tracker are transmitted to the Garmin Connect Companion app, which is available for Android, iOS, and Windows. The wrist band itself is extremely easy to use as it boasts a real touchscreen that allows you to check the different tracked metrics along with the stress level with ease.

Pros

  • Accurate HR
  • Features a touch screen
  • Can monitor different metrics, such as the VO2 max

Cons

  • Flimsy feel

Verdict – Which Is the Best Heart Rate Monitor?

Fitness is mainstream today, and if you want to keep ahead of the pack and achieve success in this field, you’ll have to keep everything in check, including your heart rate. The gym’s just a few steps out, what’s stopping you from getting there? Choose the best heart rate monitor for you and get going!