These are the best heart rate monitors and watches I've tested in 2024

Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission. Learn more.

Published onOctober 24, 2024

Heart rate is an essential metric for monitoring health and improving fitness. Fortunately, with more and more fitness trackers and smartwatches offering built-in heart rate sensors, keeping tabs on your heart has never been easier. But which device is right for you? As Android Authority‘s wearables expert, I’ve reviewed countless heart rate tracking devices over the course of many years, including chest straps and wrist-based options, and compared everything from accuracy to comfort. Some dedicated devices offer fantastic data focused solely on heart rate. Others provide a more complex, well-rounded tool and much more convenient tracking. Below are the top devices I recommend to anyone shopping for a heart rate monitor.

Wrist-based wearables offer a convenient way to monitor your heart health passively. With loaded feature sets and a broad range of unrelated functionality, they already have plenty of reason to be on your wrist. The key is choosing one that boasts a reliable sensor, powerful analysis, and useful features like irregular heart rate notifications.

The Google Pixel Watch 3, now available in two sizes, is the best Wear OS smartwatch available. More importantly, Google made some big claims regarding heart rate accuracy when launching the device. In fact, the company assured shoppers that the device would be Google’s most accurate heart rate running watch to date. After reviewing it myself, I absolutely believe it. At rest and during activity, the Pixel Watch 3 recorded virtually identical heart rate data to my most reliable chest strap. This is extremely impressive for a smartwatch as chest straps are unanimously considered more accurate devices.

In addition to a powerful heart rate sensor, the Pixel Watch 3 also features an ECG app for taking on-demand readings and monitoring for signs of AFib. It delivers high and low heart rate notifications to users’ wrists and even offers loss of pulse detection, though that feature is not yet available in the US. The watch is also a reliable workout companion and provides real-time heart rate zone data during workouts to help athletes train more efficiently.

Though less convenient than a wrist-based wearable, chest straps offer the best accuracy for detailed heart rate monitoring. These devices rely on an electrocardiogram (ECG) to track your heart rate, meaning they record the heart’s electrical signals rather than changes in the size of blood vessels. This is why chest straps are close to my heart (physically and emotionally). Here at Android Authority, the go-to pick for myself and our other wearables testers when slipping on a chest strap is Polar’s H10. It’s simple, comfortable, and highly reliable. I’ve personally tested the device against countless wearables and armbands and couldn’t be happier with the user experience.

Without any buttons or controls, the strap is extremely simple to equip. Though you’ll need to pair it to Polar’s app during setup, it can then pair directly with most wearables for more immediate data access. Most often, I use mine paired with a Garmin Venu 3. It packs a replaceable battery that offers up to 400 hours of battery life and comes in a range of sizes from XS to XXL for a comfortable fit. The interior of the waterproof band (up to 30 meters) even features silicone dots to help with slippage and a strong clip for securing in place. I’ve never had a problem with mine falling off during a workout, whether running, lifting, doing yoga, or any other variety of exercise.

With that said, the band isn’t new to the market, and in fact, it’s definitely an aging product. There is a chance Polar will release an upgraded chest strap down the line, and I’ll gladly test the new model to potentially update my pick. Until then, though, the Polar H10 is my top choice for tracking off the wrist.

Of course, there are plenty more options for monitoring your heart, both from the wrist or via a chest strap. Below are other devices I’ve tested and wholeheartedly recommend.

Wahoo’s latest track won me back to the brand with equal parts innovation and refinement. Not only does the Wahoo Trackr Heart Rate deliver truly reliable heart rate monitoring, it also packs a rechargeable battery for more convenience. The device can record up to 100 hours of data before needing to plug in. It’s also comfortable, easy to use, and offers diverse pairing options with support for up to three Bluetooth connections and unlimited ANT+ connections. It can even broadcast to a variety of fitness equipment, trackers, smartwatches, and popular workout apps. The only reason not to consider the Trackr is if you are a swimmer. The monitor does not offer onboard storage, which makes it a poor companion for clocking laps.

If you’re an iOS user looking for wrist-based heart rate monitoring, it’s hard to go wrong with an Apple Watch. In testing the latest Watch Series 10 against the Polar H10 heart rate strap, it largely kept up, which is, again, very impressive for wrist-based tracking. The smartwatch also features medically validated ECG functionality, high and low heart rate alerts, body temperature monitoring, and irregular heart rate rhythm notifications. Unfortunately, due to an ongoing legal dispute, the device’s blood oxygen sensor is currently disabled in the US. Beyond heart health, Apple Watches offers the best smartwatch experience available to anyone with an iPhone, including unmatched third-party app support, seamless phone integration, and an extensive fitness tracking kit.

One of my favorite picks for undercover tracking is the Withings ScanWatch 2. As a hybrid smartwatch, the watch won’t advertise that you’re tracking anything, let alone your heart rate data. It offers a beautiful design and a build quality that is all class. Meanwhile, it secretly packs a medical-grade ECG monitor, a pulse oximeter, and accurate 24/7 heart rate monitoring. While you sleep, the watch automatically tracks blood oxygen levels and uses heart rate and heart variability data to detect signs of sleep apnea. It also keeps tabs on your beats in the background and will notify you if your heart rate regularly seems too high or too low. This translates to early detection of the warning signs of bradycardia or tachycardia. As a hybrid, it won’t provide a full smartwatch experience or a detailed fitness tracking suit, but it’s a beautiful accessory that may be great for your heart.

A final form factor worth considering is a heart rate tracking armband. Designed to be worn around the bicep, these focused trackers offer a similar experience to a chest strap but can be more comfortable if you don’t like the compression around your torso. For the most accurate option on the market that I’ve tested, I turn again to Polar. The Polar Verity Sense is highly reliable and comfortable, and like the Wahoo Trackr, it packs a rechargeable battery. The band itself provides a snug fit that doesn’t get in the way, no matter what workout type you are monitoring. It also comes in three colorways in case you’re trying to make a good impression at the gym.

There are plenty of reasons to shop for a heart rate monitor. Some individuals simply need to keep an eye on their resting heart rate throughout the day. Others need heart rate monitoring for sleep-tracking purposes. Some people need the most accurate heart rate data possible. However, not all heart rate sensors are created equally. There’s also no guarantee that the latest version of a device will have a more reliable heart rate sensor than older devices, at least in our experience.

For heart rate accuracy, consider a heart rate monitor chest strap above all else. Chest straps are more precise than wrist-worn wearables and can quickly pick up on important and telling nuances when working out. However, for a device with more utility, choose a wrist-worn tracker or fitness watch with a reliable sensor. These accessories offer plenty of data for the average user, plus more tools and features beyond heart rate tracking. I recommend you always consider the factors below when shopping:

I’ve been professionally testing and reviewing wearables for over three years, dating back to before Samsung teamed up with Google for the Wear OS we now know and love, and before Apple launched its first-generation, massive Ultra. I’ve reviewed dozens of smartwatches, fitness trackers, dedicated heart rate monitors, smart rings, sleep trackers, exercise equipment, and health and fitness apps and platforms. In other words, I’ve sweat my way through a ton of products to learn what makes them valuable and what features matter most.

At the start of every review, my focus is two-fold: user experience and value. First, I approach each product as a typical user, noting everything from comfort and design to performance and features. I fire off texts, download apps, and tap into everything from timers to gesture controls. To dig even deeper, I bring expertise and comparable metrics to the conversation, using tools like heart rate monitors, pedometers, pulse oximeters, and trusted sleep trackers and GPS devices. I create varied workout plans to test fitness tracking accuracy and closely monitor my stress and sleep to review recovery metrics. Above all, I wear the device consistently to garner a thorough understanding of what it offers and what it’s like to own. I also simultaneously use competitors’ products to compare differences and collect comparative data.

When all that is done, I sit down with the wearable and all the details I’ve collected to evaluate its value. This means establishing its place in the larger market and evaluating whether its price is fair for what it offers. If a product boasts a large feature set but doesn’t deliver accuracy, it may not be worth its price. Conversely, if a wearable successfully executes more tools than competitors of equal price, I value it higher.

Typically, my review period lasts at least a week, giving me time to explore the product fully. For some launches, this process can extend to weeks or months. I also revisit the devices I test regularly to check in on software updates and feature drops and to make sure my original findings stand the test of time.

The three major options for a wearable heart rate monitor are chest straps, watches, and fitness trackers.

While fitness watches are more convenient for everyday wear if you truly value accuracy, you will often record the most accurate heart rate data by using a dedicated chest strap.

The majority of flagship smartwatches have adequately accurate heart rate monitoring equipment. However, we’d recommend using the latest devices from Google, Apple, Garmin, or Withings for their reliability. If you value accuracy over convenience, consider purchasing a chest strap.

In short, nothing. ECG and EKG are two names for the same technology that samples the heart’s electrical impulses.

According to Harvard, a normal resting heart rate for adults ranges between 60-100 beats per minute. Those with a resting heart rate below 60 may have better cardio fitness.

Yes, heart rate monitors can be beneficial to all who choose to use one. A heart rate monitor will allow you to view your heart rate trends over time. Whether you’re fit or unfit, you can then act upon this information and change your lifestyle accordingly.