When it comes to choosing the best heart rate chest strap for your workout, many of the factors in your purchasing decision will be based on personal preference and your exercise regimen. Here are some things to look for while shopping.
Belt width: Before you buy, consider whether you'll be more comfortable with a heart rate monitor that uses a thin strap or a wider one.
Module size: Some chest straps use tiny modules (a plastic package-like part) that do not extend over the edges of the strap. Others use larger heart rate monitors. Which style you choose to track your workout depends on your comfort preferences.
Internal memory: If you don't want to hold your smartphone while exercising, opt for a heart rate training monitor that can store your data in its own built-in memory. You can later transfer the heart rate reading to your phone via the companion app on your monitor.
Metrics: Think about what you want to track during your workout. Higher-end models record real-time data covering everything from running speed to stride length, as well as things like blood pressure, calorie burn and heart rate variability to help you reach your fitness goals, while the more basic models can only monitor your heart rate.
Battery: A chest strap monitor can have all kinds of power sources. Some have a rechargeable battery. Others may have super long battery life, but the battery is not user replaceable or rechargeable. Longer battery life is always convenient, but there are many options. Be sure to check the battery life description before purchasing a monitor.
Chest strap vs. wrist-worn heart rate monitors: Chest strap and wrist-worn heart rate monitors are used to measure heart rate, but they use different methods to provide readings.
Electrical heart rate sensors, commonly found in chest heart rate monitors, can detect electrical currents produced by your heart, somewhat like what is done in the doctor's office with an EKG. These are considered the most accurate heart rate readings because the electrical sensor can handle heart rate measurements even during vigorous activity.
Optical heart rate sensors use an LED light to track your pulse in the arteries as blood pumps through them. Optical heart rate sensors are found in smartwatches and are useful for reading your heart rate while you're resting or walking, but are less reliable for high-intensity activities because the readings can be distorted.
ANT Plus vs. Bluetooth: Most wrist-worn heart rate monitors, such as the Apple Watch, use Bluetooth, which allows you to connect to only one device. For example, if you're recording an outdoor run, you can just connect your Apple Watch to your iPhone.
ANT Plus technology allows you to wirelessly connect to multiple devices at once. This is a good option for athletes trying to track data from multiple sources. You can find this form of technology in devices such as chest heart rate monitors, indoor or outdoor cycling computers, and some smartwatches.
If you plan to use a device that only uses ANT Plus technology and want to connect it to your smartphone, know that some Androids have ANT Plus technology capabilities, while the iPhone does not. To find out if your device is capable of connecting to your Android, you need to find the ANT Plus Plugins app in the Google Play Store and browse its compatible device directory. If you have an iPhone or Android that can't connect to your ANT Plus device, you'll need an adapter to add it to your phone.
Most people prefer the Bluetooth option because it connects faster and is easily found on most devices. The good news is that there are many heart rate monitors that include both ANT Plus and Bluetooth to make the user experience easier.