If you’re looking for the best bluetooth heart rate monitor that you can wear while you exercise, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re a runner, cyclist, or endurance athlete, having a heart rate monitor can help keep you in the zone.
Depending on how high and for how long you increase your heart rate, exercise has quite distinct impacts on the body. Using heart rate data to direct your workouts is what intelligent training is all about. You may want to keep your heart rate lower to burn fat or pace yourself for a longer workout, but you may also want to raise it for different health benefits, such as increasing stamina. A HRM can automatically record your resting heart rate, making it easier to track.
In this post, we’ll help you find the best fitness tracker for your needs. We’ll cover key features, types of heart rate monitors, and how to find the best tracker for you.
The Best Bluetooth Heart Rate Monitors
The best bluetooth heart rate monitors that are in the market all have Bluetooth features in them. It is the only way to relay your data to your phone, or you would have to carry your phone as you work out.
You can purchase whichever you want, depending on the purpose you want to achieve. Some heart rate monitors are for fitness tracking; athletes mostly use these. Other heart rate monitors are used to track your health and fitness. Those used for health track things like calories, and they are helpful to those who are undergoing weight loss programs.
Garmin HRM-Pro
The best Bluetooth heart monitor would be the Garmin HRM-Pro. It is arguably the best heart rate monitor out there because of the features it offers. It could be a little bit pricey, going for approximately $114, but it is worth purchasing.
The Garmin HRM has other models with different features, but this latest version has an added advantage. The HRM-Pro can track the progress of swimmers, which was an added feature borrowed from the HRM-Swim. The HRM-Pro can track your advanced running metrics with the added feature added from the HRM-Run.
The advanced running metrics in the HRM-Pro can also measure your lactic acid tolerance levels. This is when your lactic acid accumulates to a level that it cannot circulate. This is just a perfect solution for those who want to run at a particular pace for 10 kilometers. All this information is relayed to a linked compatible smartwatch through a Bluetooth connection.
The HRM-Pro can also relay information to multiple devices. It can send your statistics to other mobile apps at the same time. This is a good feature because you can watch the error margins.
The HRM-Pro strap can be used without the watch. As long as you have the strap on, the data will be relayed to the smart app. The HRM-Pro is the best heart rate monitor for cycling, swimming, and running.
Polar H10 Heart Rate Sensor
The Polar H10 monitor improves the H7 model; it currently goes for approximately $88. The H10 has added features to the H7. The H10 has a longer operating time, the strap is more comfortable, and it has a built-in memory. The H10 might be the better, but the H7 is more pocket-friendly.
The built-in memory offered by the H10 allows you to work out without your phone. The data is stored, and you can go back later and sync it with your phone.
The Polar H10 uses Bluetooth and ANT+ connection to connect to other fitness apps. The ANT+ is a wireless connection that allows your devices to communicate with each other. The H10 can also accommodate both connections at the same time.
The H10 is also suitable for swimming, just like the Garmin HRM-Pro. The sensors have to be pressed tightly to your skin, which means you need to wear extra swimsuits to maximize that feature.
The H10 model records your heart rate fluctuations. This information will equip you with the knowledge you need to train efficiently and observe your health closely. The H10 strap has more traction because of the non-slip dots fitted inside the belt. This is why it is more comfortable than the H7.
Wahoo Tickr X
The Wahoo updated the Tickr X version to a more recent 2020 model. The new model goes for approximately $80. The Wahoo Tickr has almost similar features to the Polar H10. It uses the ANT+ wireless connection and Bluetooth to connect to other devices.
The Tickr X has built-in memory that would last up to 50 hours and then later synced to the app. The Wahoo X has real-time feedback as you run. The data is relayed to your Wahoo app as you are doing your training. This feature helps tracks your performances in training.
The Tickr X is thinner and lighter than the older version, making it even more convenient for runners. Runners also benefit from the capturing of three running metrics by the chest strap. It captures your total steps taken per minute. This is a useful metric for those who do walking exercises.
The Tickr X measures the number of times your upper body moves with each step. The less it moves, the less energy you use while running. This is a useful metric for runners who are in competitive sports.
The Tickr X measures the amount of time your foot is in contact with the ground. Experienced runners have less contact time on the ground. You have to float while running to achieve world record speeds.
The only downside of the Tickr X is that it cannot record your heart rate while in water. The non-feature eliminates swimmers from flooding the market for Tickr X. However, it is a very good investment if you are a runner or a cyclist.
Garmin HRM-Run
This is the best bluetooth heart rate monitor option for runners because it produces more accurate readings on land. The HRM-Run is also waterproof; it’s useful in that respect because runners sweat a lot.
The HRM-Run can also measure your lactation, just like the HRM-Pro. The HRM-run measures the stride length, vertical ratio, ground contact time, balance, cadence, and vertical oscillation.
The ground contact time balance checks how your left and right leg coordinate while running. This statistic will show how your feet move as they run, which is very important for sprinters. A 50/50 split assures a balanced run, while an imbalanced symmetry will put you at risk of injury.
The HRM-Run is relatively cheaper, going for $65. It, however, cannot connect directly to the Garmin app even though it supports both Bluetooth and ANT+ connectivity.
Polar Verity Sense
The Polar Verity Sense goes for $79, and it’s in range with the other monitors. The heart rate monitor can be used for running, swimming, and cycling. This monitor is the best heart rate monitor that uses an optical sensor.
The Verity Sense doesn’t have a chest wrap. It goes on your arm. This feature is deemed convenient by many users, and it is preferred even though it has lower accuracy than electrical sensors.
The unique thing about it is that you can attach it to your swimming goggles and read your heart rate from your forehead. The Verity Sense doesn’t synch well with the Polar flow app should correct that.
Best Bluetooth Heart Rate Monitor: Final Thoughts
And that’s it! That concludes our review of the top 5 bluetooth HR monitors. Whilst it’s difficult to crown one as the definitive ‘best bluetooth heart rate monitor’ as they all have varying strengths and weaknesses, we hope that you now have all the information that you need to find the best one for you. The main goal is to keep up with your fitness. There are many options out there, so be sure to do thorough research & choose a monitor that suits your needs.
Christian Scott is the founder and director of MindBodyFit, a website dedicated to providing the latest information on fitness, health, and mental well-being technology. With over six years of experience in the health and fitness industry, Christian is a passionate fitness enthusiast who combines his love for technology and wellness to help others achieve their best selves.
