The 9 Best Heart Rate Monitors of 2024, Tested

Heart Rate Monitors We Also Tested

We tested 15 heart rate monitors, but only nine earned spots on our final list of recommendations. Although we liked some of these devices’ features, they ultimately didn’t meet our rigorous standards.

• Although Powr Labs’ Heart Rate Monitor Chest Strap is budget-friendly and easy to set up, we don’t like that we have to download third-party fitness apps to view the data it collects. We also wish the strap was easier to adjust.
• iFit’s SmartBeat Forearm Heart Rate Monitor was accurate and comfortable during testing. But it doesn’t have a display, so you can’t see your data or battery life on the device itself. Plus, we found it challenging to set up. 
• Wahoo’s Tickr Heart Rate Monitor Chest Strap feels comfortable to wear during various activities and has an impressive battery life of 500 hours. However, we had some connectivity issues that made it frustrating to use.
• While we liked the sleek, streamlined design of Coros’ Heart Rate Monitor, we found its straps difficult to adjust. We also wish it could track more metrics than just heart rate.

What to Look for When Shopping for Heart Rate Monitors

• Style: The choice between a chest strap, an armband, and a wristband often comes down to personal preference. Armbands and wristbands are usually more comfortable for long training sessions, but chest straps tend to provide more accurate readings. 
• Activity: Which workouts do you need a heart rate monitor for? HIIT workouts such as EMOM? If you like to swim, make sure to choose a waterproof option. Runners may need GPS navigation. Also, make sure the device is compatible with all equipment and technology you use (whether that’s your own or the gym’s), recommends certified personal trainer Chris Gagliardi.
• Accuracy: If you’re using your monitor to make sure you’re training in a specific heart rate zone, you’ll want one that’s reliable and precise. Chest straps that use electrocardiography are generally the most accurate. Optical heart rate monitors, like wristbands and armbands, can also be reliable—as long as you get a secure fit. 
• Connectivity: Some monitors use ANT+ technology, a wireless system that’s compatible with most exercise machines (like those made by Peloton). Others use Bluetooth, which makes it easy to connect them directly to your smartphone. 
• Metrics: Heart rate monitors can also track your speed, distance, stride length, breathing rate, blood pressure, and other metrics. Consider which data is most useful to you before buying. If you’d like to track your statistics over time, look for a device that can be synced to an app or collects data you can download to your computer. 

How We Tested the Heart Rate Monitors

We’ve tested 15 options from popular fitness brands to find the best heart rate monitors. When testing heart rate monitors, we evaluate each device based on these key criteria.

• Ease of Setup: After unboxing the monitor, we note how easy it is to set up. Does it come with batteries? Are the instructions clear? If the device requires an app, we download it and consider how easy it is to use. 
• Comfort: During our workouts, we evaluate how comfortable the monitor is to wear. Does it fit securely? How does the material feel? Does it cause any irritation or chafing? 
• Battery: How long does it take for the monitor to charge completely? If the battery is rechargeable, we pay attention to how long it lasts on a single charge. Does the battery last through at least one full workout? How easy is it to change the battery when it dies?
• Precision: Before working out, we take our own pulse manually while wearing the device and compare our number to the device’s reading. Is it accurate? We also check the numbers during and after exercising. Does the monitor provide real-time data, or is it delayed? 
• Connectivity: Which devices, apps, and gym equipment can the monitor connect to? Is the pairing process straightforward? We also consider how reliably the monitor transmits data to connected devices and platforms. Can we easily access and download our data? 
• Additional Features: If the monitor comes with any additional features (like GPS or sleep tracking), we test those, too. Are the settings and features customizable? 
• Value: To assess each monitor’s value, we wait to check its price until the end of the testing period, after we’ve rated it in all other categories. Then, we weigh the cost against its quality, features, and performance. Monitors that we’d gladly pay full price for earn higher value scores.

Our Experts

We consulted experts at each stage of our research, testing, and reporting process. The following experts assisted us during the testing process and helped us understand how to properly and effectively use heart monitors to supplement our workout routines. We choose products independently, but expert input influences our picks.

• Neel Chokshi, MD, MBA, director of the Penn Center for Digital Cardiology (PCDC) and medical director of the Penn Sports Cardiology and Fitness Program
• Chris Gagliardi, American Council on Exercise’s scientific education content manager and certified personal trainer, health coach, and group fitness instructor

Frequently Asked Questions

How do heart rate monitors work?

Most chest strap monitors use electrocardiography to measure your heart’s electrical activity, while armband and watch-style monitors use photoplethysmography, a process through which small LED lights measure blood flow through your skin. With both types of monitoring, the collected data is then transferred to a receiver (such as a watch or an app), so you can view your heart rate in real time.

How do you read heart rate monitor results?

Many people use a heart rate monitor while exercising to hit their target heart rate zone and get the most out of their workouts. Some basic monitors just relay your heart rate, so it’s up to you to know your target zone based on your age and fitness level. Other, more high-tech devices can alert you when you reach your target zone and send reminders when you drop below or go above it.

Which heart rate monitor is the most accurate?

Chest strap heart rate monitors detect electrical signals emitted from each heartbeat, so they usually produce the most accurate results. Optical heart rate sensors, which are usually worn on your wrist or arm, can also be reliable. Note that both monitors need full contact with your skin and should be secured in place to provide the best reading.

What’s the difference between an electrocardiogram (ECG) and an optical heart rate sensor?

An ECG is a noninvasive test performed in a hospital or doctor’s office to diagnose certain heart conditions, including irregular heartbeats and previous heart attacks. During the test, electrodes are attached to the chest, arms, and legs to measure the heart’s electrical activity (how many times your heart beats per minute). Optical heart rate sensors are wearable devices that use infrared light to track your pulse rate (how many times your arteries expand and contract per minute) and blood oxygen levels, not your heart rate.

Why Trust Verywell Fit

An avid runner, marathon running coach, and fitness writer, Christine Luff, ACE-CPT, loves researching and testing the latest and greatest fitness gear and gadgets. Her decades of running experience have helped her understand the value of using the best gear to improve comfort and performance.