The 6 Best Heart Rate Monitors of 2019

Fitness trackers are popular for good reason: They give you an around-the-clock look at your health, from how much you’re exercising to how well you’re sleeping. The Fitbit Charge 3 is a fan favorite thanks to its do-it-all features.

Not only does it continuously measure your heart rate via pulse points on the wrist, but it also tracks all-day activity (like how many steps you walk and calories you burn), provides feedback on sleep, gives you reminders to move if you’ve been spending a little too much time on the sofa, and even walks you through breathing exercises when you’re feeling frazzled. You can choose from more than 15 exercise modes like running, biking, and swimming.

The tracker comes in multiple colors and the bands are interchangeable so that you can match them to your outfits.

Looking for more options? Read our roundup of the best fitness trackers.

Although some heart rate monitors can cost you hundreds of dollars, upping your workout game doesn’t need to mean emptying your wallet. The Letsfit fitness trackers comes with all the bells and whistles usually found on pricier trackers (like activity and sleep tracking) and also measures heart rate via sensors on the wrist. It also hooks up to your phone so you can see any calls or text messages so you'll never miss a beat while you are working up a sweat.

Reviewers love that this is comparable to other higher name brand fitness trackers but still gets the same measurements at a much lower cost. Some have mentioned the tracking isn't always accurate and a few of said it has stopped charging after a few months. 

With so many gadgets geared toward runners available, picking just one can be difficult, but the Garmin Forerunner 235 is a great choice whether you’re training for your first 5K or are a regular marathoner. Not only does it continuously monitor heart rate at the wrist, but it also uses GPS to track distance and pace so that you know exactly how many miles you logged.

The gadget also measures activity (such as steps walked and calories burned) as well as smart notifications, allowing you to view e-mails, text messages, and more without having to reach for your phone. You can even use the app’s wireless connectivity to view the weather forecast (schedule that run for after the rain!). But don’t be intimidated by the numerous features. People who own the Garmin Forerunner 235 say that it’s easy to use and that it finds a GPS signal quickly.

Take a peek at our roundup of the best treadmills you can buy today.

Heart rate monitors worn around the chest are more accurate than wrist-worn trackers, but they can sometimes be a bit more difficult to use (they can slip and slide around). Luckily, many reviews of the Polar H7 say that the adjustable, soft fabric strap is comfortable and that slipping isn’t an issue, especially if you wet it slightly before exercising.

The monitor transmits to compatible devices (like iPhones, Polar watches, and certain gym equipment) via Bluetooth, allowing users to track their heart rate in the moment and also analyze their workouts after. The gadget comes in both black and blue and includes a limited two-year manufacturer's warranty.

If you can’t leave the house without a watch on, then it’s worth considering investing in a timepiece that pulls double-duty as a heart rate monitor. The Bowflex watch does just that. A traditional digital clock face lets you keep track of time during the day (it can also be used as a stopwatch and a timer). Then, when you exercise, quick touch technology allows you to easily pull up your heart rate reading.

One reviewer says that the watch looks great with workout or casual clothing. It comes in black, khaki, red, teal and white, and is water-resistant up to 30 meters.

Need more ideas? Check out our article on the best GPS running watches.

Earbuds that track your ticker? Yes, it’s a thing! The secret is technology that measures your heart rate via the inner ear. For people who love listening to music while they work out, the Jabra Sport Pulse Special Edition is a great pick. Not only do the earbuds have passive noise cancellation to shut out surrounding noise (the noisy guy next to you at the gym, say), but they also have enhanced bass to help bring your playlist to life.

Users say that the earbuds stay snugly in the ear while exercising, which means that you won’t have to interrupt a run or set of pushups to push an earpiece back into place. And because they’re sweat resistant, they’ll withstand even your toughest, most drenched workouts.