Heart Rate Monitor Reviews


These heart rate monitor reviews examine the different types of heart rate monitors.

Each category will review its best selling product(s).

By types we are referring to chest strap monitors, wrist monitors (strapless), and finger and forearm monitors.

There is also a reference to a monitoring device which combines GPS, pedometer and heart rate monitor technology.

The chest strap heart rate monitors are the most popular, however there are benefits to the other products as well.

It's recommended to go through all the heart rate monitor reviews so you can find the right product for you.




Chest Strap Heart Rate Monitor Reviews


The chest strap monitors are the most accurate and versatile. This is why they're the best sellers. You constantly have a reading whether you're walking, running or biking.

Essentially this makes your tracking and monitoring much more accurate. It helps you stay within your desired target heart rate zone.

For the most part, consumers like these chest strap monitors and these particular heart rate monitor reviews are very positive, however some common complaints are that chest hair may cause interference, and the chest strap may not fit larger individuals.

Also, many consumers find that a moist chest strap works much better. This can occur naturally through sweating, or you can wet it down before you attach it.

Other than these concerns, most consumers are very happy with these devices. Many of the top selling products are basic heart rate monitors sold at affordable prices.

Here are the best selling models in this category of our heart rate monitor reviews:


Timex T5G941 Heart Rate Monitor Watch Timex T5G971 Unisex Sports Personal Heart Rate Monitor Watch

This heart rate monitor is designed for both men and women.

It's a recommended product because it's affordable, durable, and very easy to use.

It comes with a stylish wrist watch and chest strap. Having the chest strap allows you to constantly track your heart rate.

This model will also let you know when you fall out of your target heart rate zones. This makes accurate tracking very easy and consistent.

The watch also supplies a workout review telling you what your average and highest heart rate was during a particular workout.

Like many other Timex watches, the T5G941 comes with a indiglo light and is water resistant up to 30 meters.


Key Features:

  • Appropriate for both men and women
  • Accurate chest strap monitoring device
  • Provides a workout review
  • Large display screen
  • 30 meters water resistant
  • Equipped with an indiglo light
  • Comes with clock and stopwatch features


Consumers liked:

  • Very easy to use with good display size
  • Fast, accurate, and continuous reading
  • Great value for money
Consumers didn't like:

  • Chest hair may interfere with monitoring
  • Chest strap may not fit larger people
  • Basic calorie counter




Omron HR 100C Heart Rate Monitor Omron HR 100C Heart Rate Monitor

This is another top selling heart rate monitor which is equipped with a wrist watch and chest strap.

Omron is well known and respected in the field of monitoring devices which gives you a little more comfort in choosing this brand from these other heart rate monitor reviews.

This specific device is a basic model which is easy to use and very accurate.

What's great about the Omron HR 100C is that as soon as you go out of your desired heart rate zone an alarm goes off. This allows you to adjust your speed in order to find the right heart rate zone.

If you have a very specific type of training schedule, this device can really help you stay on track.


Key Features:

  • Alarm option indicates high and low zones
  • Comfortable and adjustable chest strap
  • Can easily be attached to bikes and treadmills
  • Comes with clock and stopwatch features
  • Water resistant up to 30 meters


Consumers liked:

  • Easy to use and well built
  • Great value for money
  • Accurate and comfortable
Consumers didn't like:

  • Monitor did not immediately get a reading
  • May work better when the strap is moist
  • Some users found it interferes with other equipment signals




Polar FS1 Heart Rate Monitor Watch - currently unavailable Polar FS1 Heart Rate Monitor Watch

Polar is one of the leading brands in this industry and is credited for creating the first wireless heart rate monitoring device.

The Polar FS1 is a basic heart rate monitor which is a bit more stylish than some other models.

What makes this a little different from other heart rate monitors is that the display is extra large, and it operates with very few clicks of a button.

An alarm which you can hear and is displayed on the watch will tell you when you have reached your specific heart rate zone.

An issue that has received some mixed heart rate monitor reviews is that Polar advises you to have a professional replace the batteries with this model. This is covered under the warranty for the first 6 months. For some people this is seen as a service, but for others it's seen as a hassle.

Polar says that the battery should last two years if you use the heart rate monitor function for 1 hour everyday. The actual watch does not turn off, but it is said to be in low power mode when you're not using it to measure your heart rate.


Key features:

  • Very large display
  • Extremely easy to use
  • Can interact with other exercise machines
  • Acts as a watch, stopwatch, and heart rate monitor
  • Tells you once you have reached your heart rate zone
  • Gathers data on your total exercise time and average heart rate
  • 50 meters water resistant


Consumers liked:

  • Large display
  • Functions with one button
  • Stylish design
Consumers didn't like:

  • Chest strap sizes may not fit all
  • Battery needs to be replaced by Polar
  • Lack of thorough instructions


Although this is a best selling model and priced quite low, some users feel that the more advanced models are well worth the extra money.

Find more Polar heart rate monitor reviews here.




Wrist Heart Rate Monitor Reviews (Strapless)


Wrist monitors are also known as strapless heart rate monitors.

Although this section of heart rate monitor reviews is not as popular as the chest strap monitors, they do have some advantages.

With a chest strap monitor you will get a continuous reading. With wrist heart rate monitors you are required to place your fingers on the sensors to get a reading. So this may not be ideal for cyclists and more advanced athletes, but for some there's an advantage to not having to wear a chest strap.

This type of device is ideal for walkers, low intensity joggers, and those who want to wear the watch at all times. Also, many people who are larger than normal will find the chest strap to either not fit, or be very uncomfortable and inaccurate. Therefore this type of device is a good alternative.


Mio Classic Select Heart Rate Monitor Watch Mio Classic Select Heart Rate Monitor Watch

Mio strapless monitors are some of the best rated products in this category.

Mio created the first strapless device which really allows you to check your heart rate whenever you want. They call it the "On Demand" heart rate monitor.

Like all of these types of devices, its main advantage is that you don't have to use a chest strap. If you've had trouble using the chest strap in the past, or you're looking for an overall more comfortable way to measure your heart rate, this type of monitor is for you.

This wrist monitor accurately measures your heart rate by applying two fingers to the sensors located on the face of the watch. It takes about 5 to 10 seconds to get an accurate reading.


Key Features:

  • No chest strap needed
  • Tracks heart by touching the watch face with two fingers
  • Option to track calories in and out
  • Comes with bonus nutrition information
  • Comes with standard watch features


Consumers liked:

  • No chest strap required
  • More extra features than other models
  • Can measure your heart rate anytime
Consumers didn't like:

  • Some women find it unattractive
  • Hard to measure while you're exercising
  • Doesn't work quick enough for some people




Finger and Forearm Heart Rate Monitor Reviews


If you decided that you don't want a chest strap, but you dislike the fact that you can't get a continuous reading with a strapless wrist monitor, then these heart rate monitor reviews might interest you.

But before you get really excited remember that there are pros and cons with most varying options out there.

In this specific case, a finger or forearm monitoring device will give you a continuous reading without a chest strap, however some consumers feel they aren't as accurate, especially the finger monitors. Apart from the accuracy issue, there are a few other complaints that users have reported as well.



Mark of Fitness MF 180 Exercise Heart Rate Monitor - currently unavailable Mark of Fitness MF 180 Exercise Heart Rate Monitor

The MF 180 from Mark of Fitness is one of the better finger heart rate monitors available.

It comes with many functions and of course requires no strap. This device is good for walking or jogging. But as soon as you put a device on your hand and finger you limit the amount of things you can do.

A device like this is going to inhibit you from lifting weights or doing other forms of cardio that require you to hold or touch anything. Also, if you have large hands then you might find it uncomfortable.

Users have reported that the device is quite delicate and requires your finger to be in the right position. Some users mentioned that slightly off center on the finger gives the best reading. Obviously if you're moving your hands a lot or picking things up, a continuous and accurate reading might not be achievable all the time.

Consumers who made sure the device was set up properly before using it found that walking and using an exercise bike were activities that worked well with this finger monitor.

Overall, if you don't require your hands for the activity you're doing to measure your heart rate, and you like the idea of not having to wear a chest strap, the MF 180 might be a good monitor for you.



ePulse2 Strapless Heart Rate Monitor Watch and Calorie Counter ePulse2 Strapless Heart Rate Monitor Watch

With this section of heart rate monitor reviews, this specific product gets the most positive consumer reviews.

This forearm heart rate monitor seems to offer the advantages of a strapless monitor without some of the problems we discussed with the finger monitors.

For the most part, consumers really like the ePulse2. Those who really dislike having to wear a chest strap were very pleased with being able to wear this device on their upper forearm.

Some users stated that it needed to be placed in a specific spot, where others said they can put it almost anywhere on their forearm. Most people felt it gave a very accurate and consistent reading.

If you're training in cold weather you might have to lift up your sleeve to see a reading which can be a hassle, but overall consumers were much more comfortable using this over a chest strap.

One common complaint is the life of the battery. It is supposed to last for up to 6 hours, however many people stated that after 2 hours you run the risk of having the battery die on you and you lose all your data. The recharging time is not very fast either.

If you're training for a longer period of time you can turn the unit to on demand mode. When you want to see your heart rate you will need to switch off this mode. So if you're going for a long bike ride it might be dangerous to have to make this switch while biking as opposed to just glancing down at your forearm.

Apart from these minor complaints, those looking for a reliable alternative to a chest strap heart rate monitor will be happy with the ePulse2.



Combination Products: GPS, Pedometer and Heart Rate Monitor


Garmin 
Forerunner 305 The last section of our heart rate monitor reviews looks at a very high tech monitoring device that is equipped with so many extra features.

Many athletes following a marathon training schedule will find that this device can help improve their training. Using a marathon training schedule along with the Garmin Forerunner 305 can greatly improve results.

It's actually quite impressive that they can get all these features into a device that fits on your wrist.

If you want a much more high tech monitoring device than some of the examples in the above heart rate monitor reviews, then you should check out the Garmin Forerunner 305.

For anyone that wants to take their tracking to the next level, this product is for them.





Heart Rate Monitor Related Articles

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Here we will examine the devices which have received the highest consumer reviews. It's always a safe approach to purchase a product that others have already seen success with.
Best Strapless Heart Rate Monitor
Are you looking for an alternative to a chest strap monitor? There are some recommended strapless monitors which will accurately measure your heart rate without having to wear a chest strap.
Baby Heart Rate Monitor Baby Heart Rate Monitor
A fetal heart beat doppler can measure a baby's heart beat and give some great peace of mind. However, they should not replace your doctor, and cheap products should be avoided.



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