We picked the FitBit Versa as best overall heart rate monitoring watch after assessing features, functionality, and price. But we’ve taken the pulse of other top options.
You might love the motivating tempo for workouts or a cadent call for calm a smartwatch heart rate monitor provides. But when it’s time for an upgrade, what perks or features make it the best for you?
It’s important to note that watch-style heart rate monitors aren’t medical devices and
We’ve broken down our top picks for you, plus what specs to pay attention to.
Best overall: Fitbit Versa 4|Skip to review
Best for general health: Fitbit Sense 2|Skip to review
Best for small wrists: Garmin Vivosmart 5|Skip to review
Best for people with heart conditions: Google Pixel Watch|Skip to review
Best for runners: Garmin Forerunner 55|Skip to review
Best for working out: Amazfit GTR4|Skip to review
Best under $100: Willful Smart Watch|Skip to review
Best splurge: Apple Watch Series 8|Skip to review
Best with a chest strap: Polar Vantage V2|Skip to review
Best for cyclists: Samsung Galaxy Watch 5|Skip to review
A note on price
- $ = under $100
- $$ = $100 to $200
- $$$ = over $200
Here’s a quick look at how our top picks compare:
Heart rate monitor watch | Price | Battery life | Waterproof rating | Primary metrics | Other features |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fitbit Versa 4 | $$ | up to 6 days | up to 164 ft (50 m) | • heart rate • sleep • pace • steps • distance • calories | • GPS • voice assistant • phone notifications |
Fitbit Sense 2 | $$$ | 6+ days | up to 164 ft (50 m) | • heart rate • activity • distance • calories • sleep • blood oxygen • temperature • menstrual cycle | • phone notifications • GPS • guided breathing exercises • voice assistant • stress monitoring |
Garmin Vivosmart 5 | $$ | up to 7 days | up to 164 ft (50 m) | • heart rate • oxygen saturation • steps • calories • distance | • stress monitoring • phone notifications • relaxation breathing timer |
Google Pixel | $$$ | up to 24 hours | up to 164 ft (50 m) | • heart rate • activity • distance • sleep • calories • steps | • phone notifications • guided meditations • music control • EKG • cellular capabilities • GPS • voice assistant |
Garmin Forerunner 55 | $$ | up to 14 days | up to 164 ft (50 m) | • heart rate • pace • distance • intervals • calories | • GPS • incident detection • music control |
Amazfit GTR4 | $$ | up to 14 days | up to 164 ft (50 m) | • heart rate • blood oxygen • activity • distance • sleep • calories • steps • temperature | • phone notifications • stress monitoring • GPS • voice assistant • music control |
Willful Waterproof Smart Watch IP68 | $ | up to 10 days | water-resistant up to 3 ft (1 m) | • heart rate • blood oxygen • activity • distance • sleep • calories • steps • menstrual cycle | • music control • phone notifications • deep breathing guide |
Omron HeartGuide | $$$ | 2 to 3 days | not water-resistant | • heart rate • blood pressure • sleep • activity | phone notifications |
Apple Watch Series 8 | $$$ | up to 18 hours | up to 164 ft (50 m) | • heart rate • blood oxygen • activity • distance • sleep • calories • steps | • phone notifications • music control • guided meditations • fall detection • EKG • cellular capabilities • GPS • voice assistant • crash detection |
Polar Vantage V2 | $$$ | up to 40 hours | up to 328 ft (100 m) | • heart rate • pace • distance • calories • sleep • activity | • GPS • phone notifications • music control • guided breathing exercises • recovery tests • training feedback |
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 | $$$ | up to 40 hours | up to 164 ft (50 m) | • heart rate • pace • distance • calories • sleep • activity | • LTE capabilities • phone notifications • voice assistant • music control |
Healthline assembled this list based on the following criteria:
- Functionality: We included watches that measure heart rate while offering other valuable features, such as sleep tracking and fitness tracking.
- Reviews: The watches on this list have mostly positive customer reviews.
- Suitability for specific needs: We considered watches designed for certain populations, such as athletes and people with heart conditions.
- Price: We included watches at various price points to suit different budgets.
- Vetting: The watches on our list have been vetted to ensure they align with Healthline’s brand integrity standards and approach to well-being. You can read more about our vetting process.
With so many options available, choosing a reliable heart rate monitor watch can be overwhelming.
The Fitbit Versa 4 is our top pick because it features 24/7 heart rate monitoring. It tracks your heart health over time and displays your current heart rate, whether resting or exercising.
Furthermore, it shows your metrics on the main screen, so you don’t have to navigate elsewhere.
Still, you may want to consider other factors, such as:
- cost
- customer reviews
- features
Very few smartwatches only measure heart rate. Most connect to your phone, and many offer features for athletes, such as GPS and activity tracking, or for people with heart or lung conditions, such as blood pressure and oxygen saturation monitoring.
Alternatively, if you’re looking for the most accurate heart rate readings possible — for example, to help
Though many factors can affect your heart rate, your resting heart rate can indicate your overall health and physical fitness level.
Some research has found that having a low resting heart rate is
In particular, an elevated heart rate
In addition to telling you how your body responds to your exercise routine, keeping tabs on your resting heart rate can help you detect heart issues early to ensure the best possible outcomes.
Dr. Dia Smiley, a cardiologist in New York City, notes that “monitoring your heart rate can detect issues, such as irregular heart rhythm and fast and slow heart rates, even if symptoms are not obvious or present yet.”
Smiley also says that if you have a history of heart issues such as AFib (atrial fibrillation), checking your heart rate can help identify an arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat.
Some heart rate monitoring watches, including those from the following brands, have technology that can detect irregular heart rhythms:
- Fitbit
- Apple
- Garmin
Using a heart rate monitor during exercise
Plus, knowing how often and how long you’re exercising at a heart rate close to your maximum heart rate can help you
When to talk with a doctor
There are several instances when you should talk with a doctor about your heart rate, especially if it’s too low or high.
“Anytime you have a low heart rate (less than 60) and feel dizzy, tired, or pass out, you should definitely see a doctor,” Smiley says. “If the heart rate is 50 beats or lower, even without symptoms, you should seek medical help.”
She also notes that you should talk with a doctor if your heart rate is over 100 beats per minute when you’re at rest or if it’s over 100 beats per minute and you’re experiencing symptoms such as dizziness, anxiety, or heart palpitations.
Several factors can affect the accuracy of heart rate monitoring watches, including the:
- specific brand
- your activity level
- the position of the sensors on your skin
Though heart rate monitoring watches aren’t as precise as medical devices such as electrode-containing chest monitors, they’re generally accurate and can be a useful tool to help track your heart rate.
Smartwatches can be helpful for identifying certain heart issues.
Dr. Nick West, chief medical officer and divisional vice president atAbbott’s vascular business, notes that heart rate monitoring watches may help detect abnormally fast or irregular heart rhythms, including AFib.
According to West, “There are early reports of smartwatches picking up early signs of heart attack from analyzed changes in electrical activity.” However, he also says this technology is still being developed.
According to the American Heart Association, a typical resting heart rate for healthy adults is in the range of 60 to 100 beats per minute.
However, your resting heart rate can vary based on many factors, such as:
- age
- sex
- physical fitness level
- health status
If AFib or an irregular heart rate is your primary concern, you’ll want to pick a smartwatch that can specifically detect an irregular heartbeat.
Some devices, such as the following models, can be more reliable since they have FDA clearance for AFib notifications:
- Apple Watch
- Fitbit
- Google Pixel Watch (which uses Fitbit technology)
Heart rate monitor watches are available to fit every budget and need.
In addition to price, you’ll want to factor in:
- available features
- battery life
- customer reviews
While the options in this article are one place to start, if your main priority is the accuracy of your heart rate reading, you may want to consider a chest strap monitor — if that works for your body type — instead.
Regardless of which device you choose, it’s important to alert a healthcare professional to any concerns you may have about your heart rate data.