No matter if you’re just a couch potato getting some exercise now and then or a really hardcore exercise freak, you really need an amazing heart rate monitor. It has to be of high quality – because it’s your heart rate that you need to monitor, it has to come at a great price and it must be accurate and durable. If it has some extra features, then it’s all for the best!
These were the elements that we considered when we checked out tens of heart rate monitors and chose the top 5 for you. We’ve scoured the web, checked out the offers, checked out the reviews and finally managed to create this list of what are, in our opinion, the best 5 heart rate monitors for your workout and/or running sessions. Check them out below to find your favorite!
Please note: We get commissions for purchases made through links in this article.
POLAR FT4F Heart Rate Monitor
Right now, this heart rate monitor is the most popular heart rate monitor on Amazon, with over 3,000 reviewers considering it an amazing product (therefore it’s score of 4.5 stars out of five from over 3,000 ratings!) This is really a proof of its great quality: accurate heart rate monitoring, water resistant, can be strapped around your chest, has a Calories Burned counter, connects with compatible gym equipment using GymLink and much more. In other words, the perfect product. Really, you can already stop your search and choose this one!
What the reviewers say
It’s really encouraging to read all the positive reviews for this product. “Best thing ever” and “Best Watch I Have Ever Used” are common phrases when it comes to reading the opinions of the reviewers. They praise all its functions, the fact that it can also be used underwater by swimmers (although you should not press the buttons when underwater) and it has a very accurate tracking system. Larger people praise its XXL strap as they have no problem wearing it and the watch has functions to warn you when you’re out of your zone with the heart rate. Regarding the cons, there is a number of people who say that the Polar FT4F heart rate monitor stops working after a couple of months or after you change batteries. However, their number is waaay outnumbered by those who are extremely satisfied with the products and had no problems using it.
Click here to check out the POLAR FT4F Heart Rate Monitor on Amazon
Garmin Forerunner 110
If it’s not Polar, then it has to be Garmin! This seems to be the agreement regarding the best heart rate monitors and this particular watch proves to offer some great competition to our previous product. More than just a heart monitor, this is a GPS-Enabled sport watch that also allows you to accurately track distances when you run and upload data to Garmin Connect site to view workout summaries, create goals and more. It also has a calorie counter, so you’ve got a complete set of features from Garmin.
What the reviewers say
Almost 1,000 people have reviewed this product which gets a great 4 star rating out of 5, with more than 700 people giving it 4 and 5 star reviews. It does have around 120 one star ratings from people claiming that it stops working after a while, but since the top reviews are from people who are extremely happy with the product (and they clearly outnumber the cons), we have decided to feature it on this list. To quote a reviewer, the 110 “does what it says and does it well” – in other words, exactly what you want from such a device!
Click here to check out the Garmin Forerunner 110 on Amazon
Polar RS300X Heart Rate Monitor
And we’re back to Polar! A bit less popular than the FT4F, this wireless heart rate monitor is still a great product, featuring all the goodies offered by the Polar brand: accurate heart rate monitoring, can store your latest 16 training sessions, as well as latest 16 weeks of training, target zone alarm (beeps) and it is waterproof. Of course, it also shows calories burned to know exactly the outcome of your workout/running session.
What the reviewers say
Many people have upgraded to the RS300X from previous Polar heart rate monitors and are extremely happy. The price is considered fair for the features it offers and most reviewers have found this easy to use and reliable. Among the cons, the fact that it doesn’t show what % of your calorie burn was fat is high on the list. But I am sure that this is not really a drawback, as well as the belief that it doesn’t work that well when riding bikes. But all in all, it’s considered a good basic watch available at a great price!
Click here to check out the Polar RS300X Heart Rate Monitor on Amazon
MIO Alpha I
If you have a few more dollars to spend, then our recommendation is the MIO Alpha I. It does cost more than the other heart rate monitors listed here, but it’s worth every cent! We’re talking about a strapless, continuous heart rate monitor on which the users can set up heart rate intervals with visual and audible alerts, timer, clock and a really amazing design. This really looks like something that the Pros use!
What the reviewers say
Having a product that can track your heart rate from your wrist is really a bonus noticed by most reviewers, who generally had nothing but words of praise for the product. However, this also means that the Alpha I sometimes loses the pulse and you have to reconnect it. Tightening the strap does fix the problem, but making it too tight might also make it less comfortable. Still, a reviewer calls it “almost perfect” and agrees that it does look extremely cool on one’s wrist.
Click here to check out the MIO Alpha I on Amazon
Polar FT60 Women’s Heart Rate Monitor
Sorry gents, this one’s for ladies only – because their small wrist need a product that’s created specifically for them. The Polar FT60 has some great features that will help guide you to the ideal training intensity for your age and fitness level. It offers all the features of a great heart rate monitor (reliable heart rate, calories burned, distance, time) and is also water resistant. Comes with a 2 year warranty, so you know it’s a really good product, one you can count on!
What the reviewers say
The reviewers consider it an amazing product – and that’s reflected if you look at the grades. At the moment of writing, it has 95 5 star ratings (the maximum rating), 24 4 star ones and just 8 1 star reviews. In other words, people are extremely satisfied with this product. To quote one reviewer, ” you want a HRM designed for running, biking, weight training, HIIT, Tobabda, or just about another workout routine I would highly recommend the Polar FT60. Polar has been making HRM for the Finnish Ski Team for 30+ years and they have this technology down pat.”
Click here to check out the Polar FT60 Heart Rate Monitor on Amazon
And there you have them! The top 5 best heart rate monitors for your workout sessions, in our opinion. Let us know what you think about them!