If you purchase via links on our site, we may receive commissions. However, our experts carefully research and evaluate each product or service, ensuring it meets our quality standards.

Reviewing Best Heart Rate Monitors of 2025: Unlock Your Fitness Potential

Heart rate monitor devices can help you track your heart rate to improve your athletic performance or monitor your health state. Whether you are a runner, cyclist, weightlifter, swimmer, play team sports, or just occasionally go to the gym, you can find a suitable option.

There are several types of heart rate tracking products: chest straps, armbands, and, in some cases, finger monitors. All options are great, but we know it can be hard to choose with so many products available. That’s why we have made a list of the best heart rate monitors on the market.

Read on to find reviews of each product, key features, and the science behind heart rate monitoring. We also include some expert insights from our in-house researcher Linas Černiauskas, MSc, PhD candidate.

The best heart rate monitor: a shortlist

Black and white portrait of health content researcher Rimgailė Blekaitienė, MSc Black and white portrait of health content researcher Alifia Fernandes Jokubauskienė, MPharm Black and white portrait of managing health content researcher Lauryna Nelkinė, MSc Black and white portrait of health content researcher Linas Černiauskas, PhD Candidate gabija-dimsaite
Why You Can Trust Healthnews

Your well-being is our top priority. Our in-house Research team and expert fact-checkers diligently review every content piece, ensuring you receive accurate, safe, and up-to-date health information to support your health decisions. Get an inside look at our thorough testing framework.

1,500+
Expert-reviewed products and services
450+
Research-backed buyer guides
50+
In-house and contributing researchers

How we compiled our list of the best heart rate monitors

We put together our heart rate monitor shortlist, looking at several key criteria.

We wanted to make sure our recommendations are tailored and fit for a diverse group of people, from professional athletes to amateurs or even people new to cardiovascular tracking and its benefits.

Ease of useCompatibility
FDA approvalValueBattery lifePrice
From setting it up to daily use.Fit for smartphones, synced with fitness apps and other devices.The clearance from the official regulatory bodies of the device.Quality, affordability, and the overall standing in the market.Working hours rate.From $29.99 to $99.95.
  • Ease of use. One of our top priorities was to choose easy-to-use heart rate monitors, which collect data, allowing users to focus on the workout rather than the gadget strapped to them.
  • Compatibility. As heart rate monitors are rarely the sole tool used in a workout, we’ve considered compatibility with technologies, apps, phones, fitness gear, and even data exportability — all for a smoother experience.
  • FDA status. This is a quality step and a mark that cardiovascular health gadgets should be investing in, and we will look at it and the situation in the market.
  • Value. We took into consideration the affordability and value-for-money of each heart rate monitor.
  • Battery life. We have looked into the operating hours and capacity of heart rate monitors. A great battery life makes the product reliable and useful for prolonged periods of time.

Best heart rate monitor: an overview

Creating this list was no easy task, as technologies are always evolving and offering new and exciting features.

However, we’ve tried to curate a diverse shortlist, examining the technological aspects, practicality, reviews, and other aspects to provide a truly valuable overview of the heart rate monitor market.

1. Kardia — FDA-approved, unique heart rate monitoring device

KardiaMobile® EKG Monitor

Kardia Mobile is a personal smart device that, according to the manufacturer, records a medical-grade electrocardiogram (EKG) straight to your smartphone.

A single-lead ECG provides information about one's heart health and can detect atrial fibrillation, bradycardia, and tachycardia. The reading is instant and works without an internet connection.

Kardia Mobile is a clinically tested, CE-marked, and FDA-cleared gadget.

It also has the really useful feature of importing and sharing the cardiogram with your healthcare provider. Under the circumstances where there is a need to track your heart’s health, this might be really useful.

For $79 and no additional subscriptions, the device is trusted to work for 200 operational hours, and that should be enough for one full year.

This is a rather unique and different product from all our listed heart rate monitors, yet we felt that it was important to include this option on our list, as Kardia Mobile seems to be one of the most medically established technologies in its class.

2. Scosche — the best wrist heart rate monitor for all skin tones

Scosche Rhythm R+2.0

One more unique heart rate monitor is on our shortlist: the Scosche Rhythm R+2.0 Armband. The brand claims that it is just as accurate as chest straps, yet slightly more comfortable to wear and move around in. The armband is also the best value, priced at $29.99.

A 24-hour battery life seems to be okay for most physical activities, and a 100-foot wireless range is a great feature, improving the promised comfort.

It is also the only device on our shortlist with a rechargeable battery. Scosche claims their green/yellow optical sensor array is accurate for all skin tones.

Of course, as fit for sports equipment, the armband is water and dustproof and pairs well with more than 200 fitness apps. However, there is a lack of information about FDA status.

3. CooSpo — the best for starting out on a budget

Coospo H808S Chest Strap Heart Rate Monitor

Unlike the others, the CooSpo H808S chest strap stands out with its simplicity. Instead of a rechargeable battery, it uses a replaceable battery (CR2032) that should deliver 300 working hours.

Setting up this chest strap seems to be straighforward. CooSpo included sound and visual guides to know when the strap is working and when it is connected to ANT+ or Bluetooth.

At the price of $35, the H808S chest strap could be the perfect first chest strap if your physical performance tracking needs that extra kick.

However, there is no information on FDA approval or compatibility with smart devices; as of now, they only mention several of the most popular apps and gadgets.

4. Polar — praised by the pro-athletes

Polar H10 Heart Rate Monitor Chest Strap

The Polar H10 Sensor stands out as one of the most praised chest strap monitors in the sports world. It seemingly gets such praise for valid reasons.

The Polar H10 comes in two sizes for better fit: MXXL and XSS. It proudly promises to be waterproof up to 30 meters underwater, making it the most suitable for water activities on our shortlist.

Polar measures heart rate during electrocardiogram measurement instead of the usual optical heart rate technology mostly used in sports watches. This approach is considered to be more accurate than optical measurement.

The chest strap should work for 400 operational hours before the CR2025 battery needs a change.

For those who need to dig deeper to know a brand, Polar has a Research Center. It consists of in-house technology experts in physiology and data science. Experts work on innovative studies in the fields of sport sciences. They contribute greatly to global research collaborations.

At $99.95, the Polar H10 Sensor might be the most expensive on our shortlist, yet it promises to deliver high-end accuracy and an overall user experience.

5. Garmin — the longest operating hours

Garmin 010-12883-00 HRM-Dual Heart Rate Monitor

HRM-Dual heart rate monitor by Garmin elevated the working hours from the usual one battery a year to a whopping 3,5 years of operating hours.

This is due to a technology that consumes low amounts of energy and transmits real-time heart rate data over ANT+ connectivity or Bluetooth.

Garmin promises great results, whether working outside, indoors, or even online. Yet, the 3-meter range seems rather constricting, and there is little information about compatibility with products outside of the Garmin brand.

Water resistance stands at 1 ATM, or the equivalent of a depth of 10 meters.

A dual heart rate monitor comes at a price of $69.99, making it a smart choice for those who look for a longer-lasting investment in heart monitors.

Comparing the best heart rate monitors

BrandBattery lifeWaterproofTypeFDA-clearedPrice
Kardia200 hours-Fingers readerYes$79
Scosche24 hours / rechargeableYes, but not recommendedArmbandNo$29.99
CooSpo300 hours0.5 metersChest strapNo$35
Polar400 hours30 metersChest strapNo$99.95
Garmin3.5 years10 metersChest strapNo $69.99

What is a heart rate monitor, and how does it work?

A heart rate monitor measures and displays heart rate in real-time. It is commonly used in fitness to track cardiovascular performance.

By detecting electrical signals from the heart and/or measuring blood flow, they create data that can be analyzed to learn about heart capacity, recovery time and aid in the prevention of exhaustion due to overtraining, and gather valuable information for trainers or medical teams.

Chest strap monitors use ECG sensors for higher accuracy, making them a go-to for serious athletes.

Wristbands and smartwatches use optical sensors to measure heart rate via blood flow changes. Being lightweight and convenient, they're great products for general fitness enthusiasts.

In general, heart rate monitors help optimize workouts, aiding in achieving the best performance and safety in sports routines.

Researcher's insights on choosing the best heart rate monitor

With so many different options to choose from, it can get confusing what to look for when choosing a heart rate monitor. We turned to our research team for some advice, specifically Linas Černiauskas, who holds a master’s degree in medical biology and is a PhD candidate in medicine, with his research mostly focusing on cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.

Health Content Researcher

Linas’ advice for individuals with medical conditions that require careful and consistent heart rate monitoring is to “choose an FDA-approved heart rate monitor. These devices have usually been approved for specific purposes, e.g., detecting arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat or rate). FDA-approved devices have been evaluated by professionals and have sufficient backing for the indicated purpose.” You can double-check if the device is FDA-approved for your health condition on the FDA webpage or ask your healthcare provider to help you choose.

You have a few more options if you are interested in getting a heart rate monitor for general wellness or fitness purposes. While you can still opt for FDA-approved devices due to their accuracy, you can also opt for simpler heart rate monitors. Linas says that these devices “are useful in tracking your heart rate during the day or exercise and may complement your wellness journey.” Many active individuals choose to track their heart rate during cardio-based exercise to monitor their exertion.

Linas has done the research for you: “The American Heart Association recommends a targeted heart rate of about 50–70% for moderate-intensity activity and about 70–85% of your maximum heart rate for vigorous physical activity.” The maximum heart rate varies by age and is about 220 minus your age. For example, the maximum heart rate for a 45-year-old would be 175 bpm, and the recommended training zones would fall between 85 to 149 bpm. A heart rate monitor would be helpful to see if you have reached and are not exceeding your recommended heart rate range

Benefits of using a heart rate monitor regularly

A heart rate monitor may help enhance a fitness routine and devise the safest training approach for the best progress toward health goals.

Motivation

Real-time feedback and progress tracking can be a motivational lift to push further while staying safe on the track.

Recovery Monitoring

Heart rate variability (HRV) indicates stress and fatigue levels, aiding in effective recovery. Recovery is as important to progress as any other subject.

Performance tracking

Training programs are ever evolving and adjusting. Analyzing heart rate may provide the needed information to improve training routine.

Optimized training

Heart rate monitors allow tracking of specific heart rate zones while training, making it possible to use this information for better endurance, speed, and overall cardiovascular health.

Health monitoring

Continuously monitoring your heart rate can help detect irregularities and potential health issues early on, giving you the opportunity to seek medical consultation.

How to use a heart rate monitor effectively

When talking about the correct way to use a heart rate monitor, there are two main factors to consider.

Placement

Firstly, the placement and fitting of the heart rate monitor. Chest straps should be placed snugly around the chest, just below the pectoral muscles. Sensors have to be in contact with the skin for accurate readings.

The same close contact should be conducted with armbands and smartwatches. ECG or optical sensors need clear access to the measurement zone to record your heart rate.

Understanding of data

Second, comes the interpretation of heart rate data. What good is the data without a proper understanding of it?

The focus should mainly be on resting heart rate (RHR). RHR should be measured in the morning before getting out of bed, and the goal is to have a lower RHR, indicating better cardiovascular function.

Common mistakes to avoid when using a heart rate monitor

Reading so far, you might have guessed that some of the most common mistakes are wrong positioning and incorrect reading of bodily signals.

Also, ignoring calibration can lead to inaccurate data, so manufacturers' instructions should always be followed. It would be advisable to check with a professional trainer to ensure the fit is right and the data is accurate, just so you would know that the device is used properly.

A heart rate monitor is a very valuable asset to one's fitness routine, but if it is used or interpreted at fault, it might be at risk of severe injury or overworking.

Heart rate monitor care and maintenance

Since the device is constantly in contact with the skin, it should be cleaned quite often for accuracy and hygiene. After some time using a heart rate monitor, it would be advisable to check on battery life.

A spare battery might come in handy after the initial working hours are up. A regular calibration should be executed as advised, and even though most devices are dust- and waterproofed, they are still precision measuring tools and should be cared for properly.

Best heart rate monitor — conclusion

Choosing the best heart rate monitor might be a tough task, but we hope our shortlist makes it just a bit easier.

For pro-athletes, we definitely suggest choosing chest straps, as they usually measure heart rate based on ECG measurement, making the data real-time and more accurate than other options.

This is also why the aspects of accuracy, professional approach and quality we would conclude that Polar H10 Sensor is the best choice overall.

It has great reviews from both pro-athletes and amateur fitness enthusiasts highlighting that Polar is 30 meter water resistant and works for staggering 400 hours.

FAQ


Leave a reply

Your email will not be published. All fields are required.