Heart-rate monitors

The Omron HR-500U Strapless is part of the heart-rate monitor test program at Consumer Reports. In our lab tests, heart-rate monitor models like the HR-500U Strapless are rated on multiple criteria, such as those listed below.

Type:

Indicates whether the model employs a chest strap mounted sensor that transmitts to a watch, a chest strap mounted sensor that transmits to an iPhone app, a watch that requires the user to touch the rim or button to take an intermittent reading or a watch that takes continuous heart rates from the user's wrist.

Accuracy:

Accuracy was measured against a highly accurate electrocardiograph; the higher the accuracy score, the more often the monitor displayed the same heart rate as the reference did.

Ease of use and features:

Ease of use includes features, clarity of instructions, and convenience as judged by panelists who used the devices.