Heart-rate monitors

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What's behind our heart-rate monitor Ratings?

Experts at our National Testing and Research Center tested 12 models in heart-rate monitors to see which ones perform best.

We look for:

Overall score
Overall score is based on accuracy and ease of use.
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.
Sport versatility
Sports versatility indicates whether a model is difficult or easy to use for all or most sports.

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Recommended heart-rate monitors

Recommended heart-rate monitors are standout choices with high scores. They include CR Best Buys, which offer exceptional value. When narrowing your choices, weigh features, price, and attributes that matter to you.

Recommended heart-rate monitors

Heart-rate monitor buying guide

To find the heart-rate monitor that is right for you, read our expert advice on which features to consider and how to find the best value.

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Vigorous exercise might yield greater health benefits than moderate workouts. A heart-rate monitor can help you track the intensity and make sure you don't go too far outside your target zone. If you're looking for information about heart-rate monitors, Consumer Reports is your best resource. Consumer Reports’ heart-rate monitor reviews will give you honest buying advice that you can trust. Use our heart-rate monitor buying guide to discover which features are most important to consider. We also provide unbiased Ratings and heart-rate monitor reviews to help you choose the best heart-rate monitor for your needs.

Ratings & recommended heart-rate monitors

Heart-rate monitors (12)

The Ratings rank heart-rate monitors by overall performance.

Heart-rate monitor buying guide

Vigorous exercise might yield greater health benefits than moderate workouts. A heart-rate monitor can help you track the intensity and make sure you don't go too far outside your target zone. We tested 13 models, from $35 to $110, and found that most had excellent accuracy. But depending on your style of exercise, a chest-strap model might offer advantages over a wrist monitor.

Our test included eight chest-strap models, three wrist models, and one that can be used either way, plus a model worn on your finger. Our volunteers wore each monitor while exercising on a treadmill at various intensities. To assess accuracy, we compared heart rates on the monitors with those measured by an electrocardiograph, an accurate device that doctors use. We also sent staffers home with the monitors to see how easy they were to use.

Most will provide a consistently accurate heart-rate reading. The chest-strap models allow you to move freely, since you can get your heart-rate reading without touching anything. The wrist-only models require you to touch the device to get a reading. We don't recommend them for cyclists, and runners or swimmers might find them distracting.