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When it comes to training, recovery, and tracking your overall health, heart rate data needs to be spot on. If your monitor's off, your whole routine can suffer. Whether you’re chasing a new PB, managing stress, or just want to know your body better, having a reliable heart rate monitor makes all the difference. With stacks of options out there, we’ve pulled together the best and most accurate monitors worth your attention.
Why heart rate accuracy matters
Heart rate drives everything from training zones to recovery windows. If your readings are sketchy, you're either training too hard without realising it, or pulling back when you could be pushing. Precision matters. Especially if you're using apps like Garmin Connect to track progress over time. One dodgy data stream can throw the whole picture out.
Chest strap or wrist-based? It depends on how you train
Chest straps are still king when it comes to raw accuracy. Devices like the Garmin HRM-Pro Plus or Polar H10 sit right over your heart, using electrical signals for high-precision data. They shine in interval sessions, long rides, and workouts where movement and sweat can trip up other sensors.
Wrist-based monitors have come a long way though. Garmin’s Forerunner and Fenix range both deliver solid optical readings and are far more comfortable for daily wear. Great for tracking sleep, casual runs, or when you don’t want to strap something to your chest. But if you're chasing split-second accuracy during high-intensity sessions, chest straps still take the win.
The most accurate heart rate monitors right now
Garmin HRM-600 – Built for endurance work, this strap captures advanced metrics whether you're on land or in the water. It even stores your sessions if you're not wearing a connected watch.
Polar H10 – Known for reliability and trusted by coaches everywhere. Dual Bluetooth and ANT+ make it easy to sync across multiple devices.
Coros Heart Rate Monitor – Lightweight and comfortable with quick-connect design, delivering accurate readings via Bluetooth and ANT+ for seamless compatibility with training platforms.
Garmin Forerunner 970 – One of the top wrist-based options. AMOLED screen, long battery, and very consistent readings even when the pace picks up.
Garmin Forerunner Fenix 8 – Built tough with a durable design and accurate optical tracking. Perfect for multi-sport athletes who train across all kinds of terrain
Browse our full heart rate monitor collection to find a match that suits your setup and style.
What can mess with heart rate accuracy?
A loose strap, sweaty wrist, cold skin, dodgy battery, and even outdated firmware can throw your readings off. Make sure your strap is snug, your device is in the right spot, and your software is up to date. These small tweaks can make a big difference in data quality.
How to choose the right monitor
Think about what you’ll use it for. Long-distance running? Chest strap. Gym sessions or casual health tracking? Go wrist-based. If you’re already using Garmin gear, keeping everything in the same ecosystem makes syncing easier and your data cleaner.
Still deciding?
No stress. If you're not sure which model suits you best, contact us and we’ll help you pick the right one for your goals, your training, and your tech.
