GoKawiilWhy we like it: The Polar H10 is ideal for outdoor activities. You'll need to download the Polar Beat app to get the most out of it. The app is available for both iOS and Android and uses Bluetooth and ANT Plus connectivity to pair with various devices. The Polar H10 can connect to two Bluetooth devices at once, so you can pair it with both your smartwatch and a compatible piece of fitness equipment, such as a treadmill or exercise bike. The heart-rate monitor is easy to clip on and adjust, and comes in a variety of sizes to fit most users.
Once you're in the app, it's easy to go into settings and connect to the heart rate monitor as long as your phone's Bluetooth is on. In the app, you'll see you can select from 19 different activities to measure your heart rate, including some that don't use GPS, such as strength training, treadmill running, tennis, badminton, indoor cycling and other indoor activities. This heart rate monitor can also be used for swimming, as it's waterproof.
Denise Chakoian, owner and founder of CORE Cycle.Fitness.Lagree, a certified master-level personal trainer, also recommends a Polar chest strap heart-rate monitor with GPS, explaining, "Polar has always been the best at monitoring heart-rate training using a strap at the chest line. It picks up the most accurate data from your heart and gives out the best output for your overall heart-rate training, caloric output and can help when someone is looking to really keep track of their daily intake and output."
Nic Wilson, one of the F45 Training Athletes, agrees, stating, "When it comes to chest strap heart-rate monitors, the Polar H10 is widely regarded as the gold standard for accuracy and reliability."
And yet another expert supports this choice. Tara De Leon, CSCS, NSCA Personal Trainer of the Year, says, "I love a Polar heart rate monitor. Polar was one of the first companies to develop wireless heart-rate monitoring technology, and they have stayed at the front of the pack. Their monitors (like the H10) are comparable to ECG-level accuracy. Plus their whole ecosystem of training, HRV and sleep tracking is really good and user-friendly."
Who is it best for: I tested this heart rate monitor during my Future app strength training sessions and during a couple of walks. Since Future automatically connects to my Apple Watch too, I was able to compare my Apple readings against Polar's. I found that I didn't get much information recorded during strength training in the Polar app, except for how long the workout was. But when I dove into the Apple Fitness app, I saw that the Polar H10 captured my average heart rate and matched the data my Apple Watch collected.
However, for my walks, both indoors and outdoors, the Polar H10 showed me detailed readings of the distance I walked, my average heart rate, calories burned, max heart rate, pace and the percentage of calories burned as fat. A line graph is also included, showing your heart rate over time during the activity.
If you plan on using it mainly outdoors for activities like running, jogging, hiking, skating, skiing or rowing, you can't go wrong with this heart rate monitor. In fact, if you already own a Polar watch, you may get even more out of it when paired with this monitor.
"It features a comfortable, secure fit with silicone grippers, dual Bluetooth/ANT Plus connectivity, onboard memory and waterproofing -- making it ideal for everything from HIIT to swimming," adds Wilson.
"The polar device would be for anyone looking to improve their fitness level or keep track of their workouts, heart rate training improvement or an athlete who is closely monitoring their daily exertion level," says Chakoian. De Leon agrees, adding that this monitor would also be great for anyone curious to explore more data while exercising.
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