Want to get serious about your fitness? A heart rate monitor is one of the most valuable workout tools that you can have thanks to its spot-on ability to measure your heart rate and track the intensity of your movement, regardless of how high- or low-impact your exercise routine is. This is useful because it allows you to gauge the effectiveness of your workout and determine whether you should crank up the tempo or step on the brakes a bit. If you truly want to get the most out of your workouts, wearing a heart rate monitor can help you do so. Not all heart rate monitors are created equal, though, so we've created a list with a few of our favorites on the market today to help you get the best possible product for your needs. AliveCor Kardia Mobile Personal EKG Follow Your HeartA mini, medical-grade EKG on the go, the AliveCor KardiaMobile is superior on all counts.Best OverallFind on Amazon Ready to effectively monitor your heart rate and improve your fitness once and for all? Get ready for the most efficient workouts of your life when you invest in the AliveCor Kardia Mobile Personal EKG, easily the best available tool for measuring your heart rate. Essentially a medical-grade EKG on the go, this handy device is super easy to use. All you have to do is place your fingers on the sensors to operate it (no wires or gels necessary), and after a 30-second EKG reading, you’ll know if your heart rhythm is normal. It even works with most smartphones and tablets. Better workouts – and a vastly improved fitness level – are in your future. Pros: Powerful EKG. With that said, never let this substitute professional medical care. It’s sleek and portable, so you can easily take it on the go Very easy to use; there are no wires, patches, or cords Is compatible with most smartphones and tablets Operates for 200 hours Cons: It’s just a little too noisy when in use Garmin HRM-Dual Heart Monitor If You're Having a Change of HeartFor those who'd prefer a chest-strap style over other configurations, the Garmin HRM-Dual is fully adjustable and offers a supremely comfy fit. Best Chest StrapFind on Amazon If you’d prefer a heart rate monitor that fits snugly across your chest, then you can’t go wrong with the Garmin HRM-Dual Heart Monitor. It features a comfy, adjustable strap that’s made from super-soft cotton jersey, so you’ll barely even know it’s there during your workouts. This top-grade HRM transmits real-time heart data over ANT+ connectivity and Bluetooth Low Energy Technology, so you can train indoors, outdoors, or even online. Offering the utmost in functionality and comfort, the Garmin HRM is a life-changing tool when it comes to creating the best workout routine for your body. Pros: Gives you a very accurate reading Features a soft, adjustable strap Made from ultra-comfy cotton jersey Water-resistant and sweat-proof Use it to train anywhere Cons: You have to be careful not to leave this device in the sunlight for too long, or else it may cease to function Scosche Heart Rate Monitor Wear Your Heart (Rate Monitor) On Your SleeveFiguring out the correct intensity level of your workout is a cinch with this Scosche HRM.Best Arm BandFind on Amazon As far as HRM armbands go, nobody does it better than Scosche. This company’s heart rate monitor offers extremely accurate readings so that you can really keep tabs on your intensity level and figure out how hard you’re actually working. This is excellent news for those looking to approach fitness in a scientific manner by analyzing statistics and aiming for linear improvement. Compatible with most smart devices and equipment, this monitor is the ideal tool for managing your heart rate, mapping calories burned, and accurately monitoring the intensity of your favorite workouts. Plus, this armband is made with breathable neoprene materials, so you can rest assured that it’ll fit comfortably on your arm without slipping or sliding around while you move. Pros: Hyper-accurate Super-breathable neoprene armband(s); comes with a large- and small-sized band Compatible with ANT+ watches and Bluetooth Can be submerged in water up to 1 meter; very sweat-proof Really easy to find your personal heart rate zone Has an 8-hour battery life Cons: The band doesn’t dry very fast if/when it gets wet Polar Heart Rate Monitor Train Smarter, Not HarderThe Polar Heart Rate Monitor is compatible with all your smart devices.Best Bluetooth Connectivity Find on Amazon The Polar Heart Rate Monitor provides a super-clear picture of how effective your workouts are so that you can create the best possible training goals for your fitness level – and then crush those goals accordingly. Handily, this HRM has a fantastic variety of connectivity options: you can use Bluetooth and ANT+ connectivity in tandem as well as two Bluetooth connections simultaneously. On top of that, the strap is comfortable and interference-free, thanks to the improved electrodes and an easy-to-use buckle and silicone dots. Talk about top-quality (and very tech-savvy) heart rate measurement. Pros: Boasts supreme accuracy Has a wide range of connectivity: Bluetooth, ANT+, and 5 kHz provide a variety of options Superior-quality electrodes Strap stays securely put when you’re on the move Cons: Definitely pricey Moofit Heart Rate Monitor Eat Your Heart OutEnjoy a crazy-powerful battery life (that lasts for almost a year) with the Moofit HRM.Best Battery LifeFind on Amazon It’s all about powerful, long-lasting functionality with the Moofit Heart Rate Monitor, which boasts a battery life of upwards of a year. The real-time data display offers precise monitoring of your heart rate and calorie expenditure so that you can most effectively analyze your fitness data and achieve your goals. Crucially, this HRM is comfortable to wear, too, since the fully adjustable chest strap can be adjusted anywhere from 65-95 cm. It’s even sweat- and water-resistant. Pros: Battery life lasts for a solid 10 to 12 months (and comes with a replaceable battery) Gives you exact monitoring of your heart rate (along with calorie expenditure) in real-time Comfy, breathable fabric and ergonomic design Compatible with hundreds of third-party fitness apps Excellent value Cons: The instructions that come with this device need to be clearer Frequently Asked Questions Why should I use a heart rate monitor? A heart rate monitor helps you monitor your heart rate pattern, which is a big indicator of overall health. By wearing a heart rate monitor, you can see how much you’re exerting during a workout, which can then in turn help you determine if you’re pushing your body too hard or not enough. If you want to get more serious about working out and understanding what your body needs, this is a great tool to use. What are the different types of heart rate monitors, and which one would be best for me? Heart rate monitors fall into two broad categories: those that you wear around your wrist, and those that you strap to your chest. The latter tends to provide the most accurate results, but it can be a little tricky to get into the habit of putting it on and getting used to wearing it while you work out. Wrist-based heart rate monitors, on the other hand, are a tad less accurate, but definitely more comfortable to wear. Related posts:Powered by SearchIQ The Best Dog Tracking Collars Read more The 5 Best Weighted Dog Vests For Fitness And Anxiety Read more The Best Dog Treadmills in 2024 Read more