Heart Rate Monitor Price

[Kayla Munl]

Themost common use for a heart rate monitor is to record intervals. Interval training means riding short efforts at high intensity, interspersed with rest intervals of easy pedalling. In time, this forces the body to adapt so that the intensity can be held for longer or can be increased.

Intervals can be ridden based on RPE (rate of perceived exertion), power (which measures the actual output of the body in watts) or heart rate (which measures the effect that the effort has on the body).

In an ideal world, power and heart rate are combined to show how much stress is required for the body to produce a given output - but the best power meters are expensive and heart rate monitors allow a rider to know that they're riding the efforts hard enough and the recoveries easy enough.

The intensity required during each interval will vary depending upon its length, but will usually be expressed in a 'zone' which is based on a calculation of the rider's max or threshold heart rate. So when training with a heart rate monitor, the rider just needs to know what BPM they need to hold for each interval to have the best chance at completing the training correctly.

Essentially, there's two types of heart rate monitors.

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\nElectrical-detection devices only monitor your 'true' heart rate by monitoring the electrical activity of your heart itself.

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\nWhereas optical detection devices just detect your pulse rate and are usually worn on the wrist or arm.

Bluetooth Smart and ANT+ are common wireless protocols in cycling technology and most heart rate monitors support both.

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\nCompared to ANT+, Bluetooth operates at a higher bitrate to ANT+. This is great for audio streaming but it does have a higher power consumption which has obvious drawbacks for cycling, especially those training for long-duration rides and endurance.

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\nThe advantage of ANT+ is that it's much more power efficient and therefore an excellent choice for longer cycling sessions. Plus, ANT+ can be picked up by multiple devices. In theory, you could connect your heart rate monitor to your cycling computer and smartphone simultaneously.

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\nFun fact: ANT+ is actually owned by Garmin.

Heart rate monitors are indispensable for any cyclist who is serious about their fitness or cycling training plans. Heart rate monitors ensure that structured intervals are ridden at the correct intensity, to chart training volume and intensity over time, as well as indicating rest times.

Ultimately, the best heart rate monitor is the one that matches your individual training needs. But there's a multiplicity of factors to consider such as battery life, ergonomics and connectivity with your cycling computer, smartwatch or phone.

To simplify things, we've outlined the key considerations for choosing the best heart rate monitor, followed by our top recommendations across various price points based on our testing. Here's Cycling Weekly's picks for 2024's Best Heart Rate Monitors...

Reliable connectivity, long-lasting battery life and a washable strap make the HRM-Dual very easy to live with. Data seemed reliable and connecting it to head units via ANT+ or Bluetooth was straightforward.

The Tickr X adds an internal memory to the usual chest strap features, so it can be used alone for activities where a head unit isn't convenient. Connectivity was straightforward when required and the washable strap was very comfortable during activities.

The Viiiiva's party piece is that it can act as a bridge between ANT+ and Bluetooth devices, making it very handy if you need that. It also has onboard memory for stand-alone use and proved reliable during testing, although the chest strap poppers might prove to be a weak point.

Garmin's HRM-Pro performed very well on test but was marked down as it is higher priced than the competition due to the extra features that it offers. However, if these features are of use to you then it is a very worthy option - other riders might be better served elsewhere though.

Essentially, there's two types of heart rate monitors.

Electrical-detection devices only monitor your 'true' heart rate by monitoring the electrical activity of your heart itself.

Whereas optical detection devices just detect your pulse rate and are usually worn on the wrist or arm.

Bluetooth Smart and ANT+ are common wireless protocols in cycling technology and most heart rate monitors support both.

Compared to ANT+, Bluetooth operates at a higher bitrate to ANT+. This is great for audio streaming but it does have a higher power consumption which has obvious drawbacks for cycling, especially those training for long-duration rides and endurance.

The advantage of ANT+ is that it's much more power efficient and therefore an excellent choice for longer cycling sessions. Plus, ANT+ can be picked up by multiple devices. In theory, you could connect your heart rate monitor to your cycling computer and smartphone simultaneously.

Fun fact: ANT+ is actually owned by Garmin.

After early loss in April 2021, having my son had been the best thing to ever happen to me. However, I knew my anxiety about his well-being would not subside once he was here. I wanted the Owlet Dream Duo because I thought it would help me when he was sleeping. I knew that the dream sock displayed his heart rate and average o2 sats. And it had more than largely served its purpose. All of the other features - sleep quality indicators and sleep tracking- have made it that much more worth it.

One of the most accurate ways to track your beats per minute during a workout is with a heart rate monitor, whether you wear it on your chest, arm, wrist or somewhere else. There are tons of options to choose from that work in different ways.

Featuring an IP67 rating, it endures moisture for the sweatiest of sessions without interfering with heart rate tracking. The band is also breathable, helping reduce sweat build-up and irritated skin. The battery provides up to 25 hours on a single charge.

With a single-charge battery life of up to 38 hours (rechargeable via a magnetic cable), you can possibly get away with charging a couple of times a month, depending on your average running times. The wear-detection feature removes the fuss of syncing to devices as it automatically powers on and pairs when worn. On that note, the sensor works with Coros watches and the app, plus it can sync with up to three devices at one time. This includes Bluetooth-compatible indoor trainers and bike computers if you want to throw other workouts into your mix.

Fitbit released its first product, the Fitbit Tracker, back in 2009 as a clip-on for tracking motion, calorie burn and sleep. Fast-forward to 2014 and the brand launched its first smartwatch (the Fitbit Surge) that, among other features, tracked heart rate.

The machine-washable strap is fitted with silicone dots to keep it in place, whether running, cycling, lifting or swimming. It comes in two size ranges; XS to S and M to XXL. Something to consider is its internal memory. It can only store information for one training session, so make sure to sync to your chosen app or watch post-workout.

We made our selections based on our own expertise and experience with heart rate monitors. We also incorporated knowledge and results from an expert and published academic studies. We researched each option online to make sure real user reviews aligned with our impressions.

With the option of a wristband, arm band, chest strap, watch and more, you have to decide what product is most suited to your comfort and workout. Additionally, each wearable heart rate monitor offers different features and compatibilities. Here are a few things to keep an eye out for.

Our featured heart rate monitors range from around $40 to over $200, but price is not necessarily a direct indicator of quality. It may simply reflect what features and advanced technology each product is equipped with. A budget buy may miss out on all the extras compared to a product three times its price, but it might provide you with everything you need from a heart monitor.

Looking for a simple heart rate monitor or a more advanced piece of technology that captures a spectrum of other stats? This depends on a few factors, including your workout style (avid runners may want a monitor that gives audible alerts) whereas cardio enthusiasts may want a monitor that graphs your progress for better tracking of your optimum heart rate zone.

Each heart rate monitor has different connection capabilities, such as Bluetooth connectivity, and devices it syncs with. Consider this if you favor one brand over another of smart watches or health apps. A GPS tracking device for your long runs and a waterproof monitor for your swim sessions might also be worth taking into account.

Based on research, chest straps appear to be the most accurate indicators of heart rate. The Cardiovascular Diagnosis and Therapy journal conducted research in 2019 on the accuracy of heart rate monitors in four watches across six treadmill speeds with 50 healthy, athletic adults. Each participant wore a three-lead ECG and the Polar H7 chest strap monitor alongside two wrist-worn heart rate monitors. The Polar H7 strap was found to be the most accurate measurement of heart rate compared to the watches. Echoing the finding, a 2021 study in the Sensors (Basel) journal measuring heart rate accuracy with a chest strap versus a heart rate sport vest confirmed the chest strap to be the most reliable of the two.

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