The best hrv monitors are:
Why do people measure their HRV? Being able to measure your heart rate variability trend can help give you another insight into your current or future health status that you might not have realised; another way to look at how robust your nervous system is handling different types of stress.
I was interested to find out what are some of the best heart rate variability (HRV) devices on the market for me to review.
So, I went out researching online for what are the highest rated & most recommended HRV measuring devices from brands who make good heart rate monitor products to help measure your heart rate variability score that are available to buy online.
The Best Heart Rate Variability Monitors in 2024
Here is a list of HRV trackers on the market I reviewed for you to compare.
1. Polar H10 Heart Rate Sensor
- Transmitter Battery Life: Up to 400 hours
- Type of Sensor: Chest strap sensor
- Strap Length Sizing: 51–116 cm (20–46 in)
- Bluetooth Smart Compatible: Yes
- Ant+ Compatible: Yes
- HRV Apps: Connects to the free Polar Beat app and other iOS and Android apps
- Water Resistant: Yes
- Compatible with GoPro, so you can overlay your heart rate onto your video
- The device can store data from one training session, so you don’t have to keep your phone with you
- Chest strap is comfortable to wear, even after sweating
- Available in two sizes
- The product is made by an established company that specializes in exercise and heart rate products
- The H10 is waterproof and can be used while swimming
- According to reviews, the device tends to have trouble connecting to the Polar Beat app and may cut the connection mid-workout
- The company is reported to have poor customer service
The Polar H10 Bluetooth Heart Rate Sensor available on Amazon is the latest HR model available.
The H10 integrates to the Polar Beat app, and can be used while swimming. You can use the H10 sensor to perform the 4-min daily orthostatic test through the Polar Vantage V watch to track your HRV average and recovery status each day.
2. Polar H7 Bluetooth Heart Rate Sensor
- Transmitter Battery Life: Up to 200 hours
- Type of Sensor: Chest strap sensor
- Strap Length Sizing: 51–116 cm (20–46 in)
- Bluetooth Smart Compatible: Yes
- Ant+ Compatible: No
- HRV Apps: Connects to the free Polar Beat plus other iOS and Android apps
- Water Resistant: Yes
- Chest strap is comfortable to wear, even after sweating
- Available in two sizes
- The product is made by an established company that specializes in exercise and heart rate products
- According to reviews, the device tends to have trouble connecting to the Polar Beat app and may cut the connection mid-workout
- The company is reported to have poor customer service
The Polar H7 Bluetooth Heart Rate Sensor available on Amazon is still a recommended HR sensor by all HRV app developers.
Polar has been producing world-class heart rate monitors for exercise for more than 30 years since 1979. The H7 model integrates to the Polar Beat app, and tracks calories burned as well as heart rate. You can use the H7 sensor to perform the 4-min daily orthostatic test through the Polar Vantage V watch to track your HRV average and recovery status each day.
3. Garmin Premium Heart Rate Monitor
- Transmitter Battery Life: Up to four and half years (based on one hour of use per day)
- Type of Sensor: Chest strap sensor
- Bluetooth Smart Compatible: No
- Ant+ Compatible: Yes
- HRV Apps: Connects with any Garmin fitness tracker, as well as other Garmin devices and iOS and Android apps
- Water Resistant: Yes
- The H10 is waterproof and can be used while swimming
- The chest strap is made of soft elastic fabric for comfort
- Garmin is a trusted, global company with a broad range of tracking devices
- The battery is difficult to replace, as the screws are tiny and tightly fitted
- According to reviews, the device breaks easily and has trouble giving an accurate reading
The Garmin Premium Heart Rate Monitor available on Amazon is great alternative to the popular Polar models.
In addition to making accurate health wearables, Garmin manufacture tracking and GPS devices for aviation, automobiles, and marine activities. Like the Garmin fitness trackers, the Garmin heart rate monitor uses a battery and does not require regular charging. It is on the less expensive side and may be a practical option for more casual users.
4. Garmin Forerunner
The Garmin Forerunner 245 model is a good choice if you want a watch that can measure your HRV. This smart watch wearable has a lot more built-in functions so is useful if you for a lot more needs too. I personally like the design being more chunky.
5. Whoop
Whoop 4.0 band is a good wrist HRV monitor if you don’t want a watch and want some more features that come with the Whoop app. This wearable is more likely to be one of the Oura ring alternatives for people.
6. 4iiii Viiiiva Heart Rate Monitor
- Transmitter Battery Life: Up to 200 hours
- Type of Sensor: Chest strap sensor
- Strap Length Sizing: 57 – 132 cm (23 – 52 in)
- Bluetooth Smart Compatible: Yes
- Ant+ Compatible: Yes
- HRV Apps: Connects to the 4iiii app and other iOS and Android apps
- Water Resistant: Yes
- This heart rate monitor is very sensitive and takes accurate measurements
- 4iiii has good customer service and will refund or replace defective products
- The ANT+ bridge allows it to connect to other ANT+ sensors, allowing more flexibility in integrations
- According to reviews, the chest strap is comfortable
- Has a poor connection with certain apps
- The chest strap wears out quickly and may need to be replaced
The 4iiii Viiiiva Heart Rate Monitor available on Amazon is another good choice especially for swimmers as it is waterproof up to 3 m deep water.
4iiii Innovations is a company run by athletes, for athletes. They are committed to improving sports performance and creating a safer world for athletes. Like the Garmin monitor mentioned above, the Viiiiva Heart Rate Monitor uses a replaceable battery and does not need to be charged. Its most notable feature is its ability to integrate with any ANT+ sensor.
7. SUUNTO Smart Heart Rate Sensor
- Transmitter Battery Life: 500 hours
- Type of Sensor: Chest strap sensor
- Strap Length Sizing: 56–160 cm (20–63 in)
- Bluetooth Smart Compatible: Yes
- Ant+ Compatible: No
- HRV Apps: Connects to the Elite HRV app and other iOS apps
- Water Resistant: Yes
The Suunto smart heart rate monitor is a sensor that you can monitor your HRV status using their ‘Recovery Status’ option built into the Suunto Ambit3 watch.
The companies manual says this is the smallest Bluetooth Smart compatible heart rate sensor on the market. It is originally designed to pair with the Suunto Ambit3 Peak GPS watch and Suunto Movescount App to show you your HRV recovery status, heart rate, speed and GPS tracking. However, it can be used with other HRV apps, but only on iOS devices and not on Android.
8. Oura Ring
Oura Ring are the best option if you are looking for a way to measure your HRV overnight whilst you sleep. I have been wearing the ring since gen 1 version and they currently have gen 3 rings on the market now. You do not need to pay the monthly subscription in order to get your HRV score whilst you sleep.
Top Rated HRV Devices Compared
| Brand | Battery Life | iOS & Android App | Sensor Placement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polar H10 | 400 hours | Yes | Chest strap |
| Polar H7 | 200 hours | Yes | Chest strap |
| Garmin Premium Heart Rate Monitor Strap | 4.5 years (1 hour per day) | Yes | Chest strap |
| 4iiii Viiiiva Heart Rate Monitor | 160 hours | Yes | Chest strap |
| Suunto Smart Sensor | 500 hours | iOS only | Chest Strap |
HRV Monitor Buyers Guide
I know you were looking for what are the best options, but here is some more detail as to why we need to monitor our heart rate variability.
What is Heart Rate Variability?
Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is a measure of beat-to-beat variation over a period of time e.g., the heart’s ability to accelerate and decelerate quickly and efficiently to meet the body’s immediate needs.
HRV is considered to be a more insightful measure of heart health than your basic Resting Heart Rate (RHR), which only measures the number of beats per minute. HRV can also be used to determine other health factors like mood, body recovery, stress level, and fatigue.
HRV is used by medical professionals to diagnose and treat patients, as well as high performance athletes looking to improve their athletic endurance and efficiency. (ref)
What Are the Benefits of HRV Biofeedback Training?
HRV biofeedback training is a method used to control your breathing and heart rhythm in order to keep a consistent HRV. It shows results similar to those of meditation or yoga. (ref)
Knowing your HRV can help you better understand your body and how it responds to physical overload, which can help you optimize your lifestyle and training regimen. (ref)
List of some benefits of HRV biofeedback training include:
- Reduced anxiety
- Lower blood pressure
- Improved mood
- Improved memory and cognitive performance
- Better physical stability
- Knowledge of optimal activity level
- Faster workout recovery
What Types of HRV Devices Are Available?
Most HRV devices use similar techniques and technology to give you an accurate measurement.
Most of the devices reviewed here are portable wearables that measure HRV using a sensor. There are, however, some differences in sensor placement on the body, device type, and if waterproof.
Below is a list of some different types of HRV equipment:
- Chest sensor
- Wrist watch sensor
- Finger sensor
- Ankle sensor
When To Use HRV Training?
For Medical Use Testing your autonomic nervous system to assess stress management, risk of diabetes and more. (ref) For Athletic Training Use To monitor how hard you can train on a day or how your recovery days are going. (ref)
Check Device Compatibility with Your HRV App
Not all heart rate monitors are compatible with all HRV apps on either Android or iOS phones. It is always a good idea to double check with your favorite HRV app developer to see what devices they recommend.
One very popular HRV app is called Elite HRV, which is free for personal use, and offers a paid upgrade for access to more features.
Elite HRV App Recommended Devices
Elite HRV is available on iOS (iPhone, iPad, etc.) and Android (Samsung, Nexus, etc.) devices and is compatible with ten different heart rate monitors, including:
- CorSense
- Polar H10
- Polar H7
- Wahoo TICKR
- BlueLeza HRM Blue
- 4iiii Viiiiva
- Zephyr HxM
- Cardiosport TP3
- Suunto Smart Belt
- Garmin Premium
Download on the Apple Store Here | Download on Google Play Store Here
HRV4Training App
- Phone Camera
- iOS device needs to be an iPhone 5 or later models.
- Android devices tested on Samsung S5, Samsung S6, Samsung Galaxy S7, Galaxy S3 Neo, Galaxy J7, Samsung Galaxy Note 4, Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 Plus, Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 PRO, HTC A9, LG Nexus 5, LG Nexus 5X, Motorola Nexus 6, Alcatel Pixi, Moto G 3rd Gen Turbo Edition XT1557, LG G2, Samsung Galaxy A3 (Android 5, 6, 7).
- Polar H7
Download on the Apple Store Here | Download on Google Play Store Here
SweetBeat HRV App Recommended Devices
- Polar H7 & H10
- 4iiii Viiiiva Heart Rate Monitor
- Zephyr HxM Smart
- Under Armour Heart Rate Monitor
- Wahoo Tickr
- 60 Beat BLUE
- Suunto Smart Sensor
Download on the Apple Store Here | Not Available to Download on Google Play Store Here
ithlete HRV App Recommended Devices
- ithlete Finger Sensor
- Cardiosport Heart Rate Monitor Chest Strap
- ithlete ECG Receiver to use with a Polar heart rate monitor strap
Download on the Apple Store Here | Download on Google Play Store Here
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Heart Rate Variability Decrease With Age?
Yes, heart rate variability appears to decrease as we age as part of the normal aging process according to research.
When Is the Best Time to Measure Your Heart Rate Variability?
The best time to actively measure your HRV is first thing in the morning upon waking, or let a wearable like your Oura Ring measure it whilst you sleep at night.
Can You Increase Your Heart Rate Variability?
Yes, you can do interventions to help improve your HRV scores since they are things that can also lower your HRV scores.
