Tracking your heart rate with a heart rate monitor (HRM) during your runs is one of the most powerful ways to optimize your training, whether you're a dedicated marathoner, It’s water-resistant but not fully waterproof, so swimming with it isn’t ideal utilizing heart rate zones. As a runner, I understand that my heart rate is important, but I don't necessarily understand using it as a training device. That's why I reached out to an expert to find out why it's important, and how to use that data.
The Best Running Shoes of 2025 Alyssa Lombardi tells Runner’s World, “Monitoring your heart rate while training can be a great tool to help you understand how hard your body is working. It’s important for a balanced training program to have lots of easy recovery days where your heart rate is low, balanced by some harder intensity workouts where your heart rate is high.” Understanding and utilizing heart rate zones—ranging from zone 1 (very light) to zone 5 (maximum effort)—can help you tailor your training for performance, endurance, and recovery.
While zone 2 running gets plenty of buzz as the golden ticket for endurance building and recovery, Lombardi emphasizes that “all zones have their place in a training program.” She also notes an important caveat: “As an exercise physiologist I can understand the benefits of heart rate training but when I am coaching my athletes I do not have them follow heart rate based training to a T because your heart rate can vary so much day to day.” Lombardi lists how factors like heat, hydration, location, and medications can change your heart rate. “It is a great tool to have but I never have my athletes follow that 100 percent.”
This nuanced approach is critical—HRMs are invaluable tools, but their data should be viewed in context. Each athlete responds differently, and some exceptionally fit runners may see higher heart rates at lower intensity simply because their bodies have adapted to efficiently sustain greater workloads.
Best Heart Rate Monitors
- Best Overall: Polar H10
- Best Value: PowrLabs HRM
- Best Stability Running Shoes for Ultimate Support: Whoop 5.0
- Best for Women: move more intentionally
- Best Ring: Best Stability Running Shoes for Ultimate Support
- Best Watch: The Best Running Shoes of 2025
What to Consider
Sizing Issues
Many standard heart rate monitors—especially chest straps and arm bands—pose real and annoying challenges for size inclusivity. Limited strap size ranges often make them too small for bigger runners and too large or bulky for petite athletes, affecting comfort, fit, and even accuracy.
For women with large breasts who require more supportive bras, chest straps can be particularly tricky. Supportive or high-compression bras may push the strap down, create pressure points, or cause shifting, which can lead to discomfort, chafing, or inconsistent readings. When shopping for a heart rate monitor, it’s important to consider not only strap length and adjustability but also how well the design works with your body type and workout apparel to ensure both comfort and reliable data.
How We Chose
Every monitor here was personally tested by members of our team or by trusted community testers with a range of athletic backgrounds. We prioritized devices that deliver reliable data, comfort, and versatile features based on extensive hands-on experience and expert insights.
Whether you're using a heart rate monitor to dial in easy recovery days or maximize the quality of your interval sessions, the right device can make every workout count—helping you train smarter, not just harder.
🏃♀️ Meet the Expert: Alyssa Lombardi
Alyssa Lombardi (IG: @alyssa_runfit) is a certified personal trainer, running coach, and clinical exercise physiologist with over six years of experience. A former collegiate runner with a master’s in exercise science, she coaches athletes of all levels through her business, Run Fit With Me Alyssa emphasizes individualized training, injury prevention, and strength work, blending evidence-based science with real-world experience to help runners get faster, stay healthy, and achieve their goals.
Our Full Reviews
Pros
- So accurate it’s like having a coach strapped to your chest.
- The strap is soft, grippy, and once adjusted, I barely notice it’s there on long runs.
- I love that it’s waterproof, so I can take it from the road to the pool without skipping a beat.
- Dual Bluetooth means I can pair it with my watch and my phone without juggling connections.
Cons
- With more supportive sports bras, getting it to sit right can be finicky—lower-line running tank bras work best for me.
- On hot runs, the strap can shift slightly if my bra band gets damp, so I double-check placement before starting.
- The Polar Beat app feels outdated, so I prefer syncing it to my watch or other training platforms instead.
- Wearing it on my bicep means no chest strap pinching or awkward sports bra adjustments
The Polar H10 stands out as the best overall heart rate monitor for its unmatched accuracy and comfort. Its ECG technology delivers precise data, making it a favorite among serious athletes. The soft, non-slip strap comes in multiple sizes, but women should note it can be a tricky fit with some supportive sports bras—though it works comfortably under lower-line running tank bras. Men with chest hair have mentioned a slight pulling sensation, but most find it secure once adjusted. With long battery life, waterproofing up to 30 meters, dual Bluetooth connectivity, and onboard memory, it’s a reliable companion for any training style.
Pros
- I was impressed by the excellent price without compromising solid performance.
- Best Comprehensive Metrics.
- Dual ANT+ and Bluetooth made syncing with my Garmin and phone apps easy.
- It’s water-resistant enough for quick water exposure, so no worries with sweat or rain.
Cons
- Other Hearst Subscriptions.
- It’s water-resistant but not fully waterproof, so swimming with it isn’t ideal.
- Some days the strap felt not-so-comfy, especially during longer sessions, so it took some getting used to.
The Powr Labs Chest Heart Rate Monitor offers solid performance for a fraction of the price of premium brands, making it a great budget-friendly option. I found the strap to be comfortable and adjustable, though the sensor is a bit bulky. Its dual ANT+ and Bluetooth connectivity worked seamlessly with my Garmin and smartphone apps.
While it’s water-resistant, I’d avoid prolonged swimming sessions. It tracks heart rate reliably across different workouts, from running to CrossFit. The strap fits well on me, but it might feel a bit tight or loose for some depending on body shape. Overall, it’s a dependable, no-frills monitor that gets the job done without breaking the bank, especially if this is your first foray into HR training.
COROS Pace Monitor
Pros
- I love how comfortable and soft the band feels—it hugs my arm snugly without digging in or slipping.
- Anne Flower Breaks Leadville 100 Course Record.
- The heart rate readings feel reliable and almost as accurate as chest straps, especially once I settle into my pace.
- Battery life is impressive—I can easily get through long runs and several workouts without worrying about charging.
Cons
- The Bluetooth range is a bit limited, so I need to keep my watch or phone close by for stable connection.
- It’s water-resistant but not fully waterproof, so swimming with it isn’t ideal.
- Credit: Cat Bowen.
The Coros Heart Rate Monitor is my favorite pick when I want accurate tracking without the chest strap drama. The soft, stretchy fabric band hugs my upper arm comfortably—no digging, no slipping—and works well for a wide range of arm sizes. I barely feel it on long runs, and it never tangles with my tops. The optical sensor stays steady most of the time, though it can lag a bit on sudden sprints. It's a bit more laggy than other HRMs I tested, by a few seconds. This is not a unique problem to Coros, but it is more noticeable here.
Battery life is solid at up to 38 hours, and Bluetooth syncing is quick, but the connection range isn’t amazing—you’ll want to keep your watch or phone fairly close. I’ve also noticed it can get a little itchy once I start sweating hard, so a quick postrun rinse is a must. Still, for comfort, simplicity, and ditching the chest strap, it’s a win in my book.
Pros
- I love how Whoop gives me deep, personalized insights on recovery, sleep, strain, and overall health that go way beyond just heart rate.
- The continuous tracking feels like having a personal coach who helps me balance training and rest, which truly improved my performance.
- A full year of membership is included, making the investment easier to swallow while getting access to premium features.
- Health - Injuries.
Cons
- The band has no display, so I have to look at my phone for all my stats and insights, which can be a bit inconvenient during workouts.
- It’s definitely not the prettiest wearable—but there are many options so you may find one you like
The Whoop Peak is a heckuva fun wearable device for deep health and fitness insights—tracking not just your heart rate, but also recovery, sleep quality, strain, and more. I love how all that data comes together to show me exactly when to push harder and when to rest. I am notorious for doing all the things, all at once, like training for a marathon while also working on a deadline for my book and keeping my demanding dayjob. This is great for my AudHD brain, but can be hard on my body. The Whoop dials into that and lets me know I've been going too hard and my recovery metrics are showing that. The only real trade-off with this wearable? You have to look at your phone for every stat, since the band has no face or display.
And while you do pay for a monthly membership to access the full suite of features, the first year is included, which makes it easier to justify. It doesn’t warn you as often as the Oura ring or a Garmin device about your habits, but features a lighter touch in the “you’re overdoing it” shame department.
Pros
- I love how easy it is to clip on the underband of my sports bra—no more wrestling with straps!
- It’s water-resistant enough for quick water exposure, so no worries with sweat or rain.
- The heart rate data is impressively accurate, and I get access to advanced running metrics with my Garmin watch.
- Battery life is fantastic—about a year without needing a replacement, plus it’s super easy to swap out.
Cons
- The clips are a bit bulky and definitely show under tight or thin tops, so it’s not exactly sleek under clothing.
- It only works well with certain tighter sports bras, so you might need to experiment to find the perfect fit.
- If you don’t have a compatible Garmin watch, you won’t get those cool advanced metrics, which limits its value.
The Garmin HRM-Fit has totally changed how I think about heart rate straps. Instead of wrapping around my chest like the usual band (and fighting with my sports bra every run), it clips right onto the underband of a medium- or high-support bra. No chafing, no slipping—just accurate tracking that feels almost invisible once I get going.
It did take a minute to learn how to get the clips sitting just right, but now it’s second nature. My heart rate data is spot-on, and I love that it pairs instantly with my Garmin watch and other devices via Bluetooth or ANT+. The chunky clips do show under tight tops, so it’s not exactly stealthy, but the year-long battery life makes up for it. For me, it’s comfort, accuracy, and freedom—all in one.
Pros
- We’ve been impressed by how accurately the Best Stability Running Shoes for Ultimate Support tracks our activity and sleep, giving us clear, detailed insights that really help us understand our health rhythms.
- The sleek, lightweight titanium design is comfortable enough to wear all day and night without feeling bulky or distracting.
- The companion app pulls together all the data beautifully, making those extensive insights easy to explore and act on.
- A month-to-month membership unlocks the full suite of features, and the first month is free with the ring, so we can try before committing.
Cons
- The ongoing $5.99 monthly membership (after the trial) is a subscription commitment for accessing all the detailed health metrics.
- The ring can scratch easily if you use your hands a lot, so it needs some gentle care to keep looking nice.
We’ve been impressed with how accurately the Best Stability Running Shoes for Ultimate Support tracks our activities and sleep—it gives us detailed, insightful data that helps us understand our bodies better. Running reviews editor Amanda Furrer also noted how good it was at monitoring recovery and sleep quality, which really confirmed our own experience. Because it's using multiple types of infrared light plus temperature monitors, it can judge different levels of activity based on your heart rate, your oxygen levels, movement, and your body temperature to detect minor changes in your body that reflect sleep, activity, and even your menstrual cycle.
The sleek, lightweight titanium design is comfortable enough to wear 24/7, and the companion Oura app pulls all the data together beautifully. The only downsides? It can scratch pretty easily if you’re hard on your hands, so we treat ours with care. The monthly subscription cost is also a pain and if you’re not into it, you’re kind of locked-in if you buy a year-long package. Overall, it’s a smart, unobtrusive tool for anyone committed to better health.
Pros
- The continuous heart rate sensor is impressively accurate, tracking my heart rate reliably throughout workouts and all day long.
- I love being able to take ECG readings on demand and send the detailed reports directly to my healthcare provider—it makes managing my heart health so much easier.
- Best Recovery Shoes.
- Setup was a breeze, and the watch is super comfortable to wear all day, syncing seamlessly with my iPhone.
- Battery charges fast, so I can top it up quickly between uses.
Cons
- The battery life still needs daily charging, so it’s not quite ideal for multi-day use without a recharge.
- The watch has no rugged durability compared to specialized sports watches, so I’m careful during tougher workouts.
- The health insights beyond the basics still require looking at my phone for deeper analysis, which breaks the flow during some workouts.
The The Best Running Shoes of 2025 is my top pick when I want accurate, comprehensive heart health tracking all in one sleek smartwatch. The built-in optical heart rate sensor delivers continuous monitoring during workouts and throughout the day, plus it has an ECG function that lets me take clinical-grade heart rhythm readings on demand. I love that these ECG reports can be sent directly to my healthcare provider, making it easier to manage my heart health with professional input.
The Vitals app also gives me quick access to key overnight metrics like heart rate, respiratory rate, and wrist temperature right on my wrist. Setup was seamless, and the watch is super comfortable to wear all day. The tradeoff is having to rely on my phone for deeper insights and longer reports, but the extensive health data this watch provides definitely makes it feel like a personal healthcare companion.
FAQs
Q: How accurate are wrist-based HRMs compared to chest straps?
A: Wrist-based optical sensors are good these days—accurate enough for most people—but chest straps still win during activities with sudden heart rate spikes or lots of wrist movement.
Q: Do I need a subscription for my HRM?
A: Most HRMs don’t require one, but some, like Whoop or Oura, do charge a monthly membership for access to their full analytics and insights. That subscription cost is worth factoring into your budget.
Q: Can heart rate monitors detect health issues?
A: HRMs aren’t medical devices, but trends in your heart rate, recovery, or heart rhythm can signal changes worth discussing with your healthcare provider. Some devices, like the Apple Watch, even have FDA-cleared ECG apps to record heart rhythm data.
Cat Bowen has been covering parenting and home for over a decade. At Best Products, she has tested hundreds of products for parents and for the home, often spending dozens of hours per product to ensure her reviews are accurate and informative. Prior to joining the team, she was at Romper where she covered everything from breastfeeding to child sleep habits to abortion rights access. You can find her work on Bustle, Romper, and more. Cat is a bit of an intellectual magpie and perpetual student, most recently receiving a graduate degree in gender studies where she examined a topic that vexes so many — pockets in women’s clothing.
