Use
Simply by placing this on your wrist, the Fenix 3 has the capability of measuring your heart rate. As such, an additional chest strap is not necessary.

This is far from a heart rate-only device. It has GPS functionality and in conjunction with the altimeter, barometer and 3-axis compass, it has excellent outdoor navigation. Also, it has fitness training features with running metrics.

Battery Life
In “watch mode”, the batter on the Fenix 3 will last up to three weeks. However, this is reduced to 40 hours and 16 hours in UltraTrac mode and GPS training mode, respectively.

Materials
With a black silicone band which is both appealing and resistant to discoloration, a water rating of up to 100 meters, and a 1.2-inch chroma display, this has all the goods.

Connectivity
This utilizes wireless technology, which has specific advantages over Bluetooth, and you can use one or more hot spots to sync your data with Garmin Connect.

Overall
As a heart rate monitor, the Fenix 3 is good enough to sell itself as is. But, when you combine all the other functionality and superb design, it becomes a no-brainer to invest in this GPS watch.

Use
Through the power of Bluetooth technology, this device provides a live feed of your heart rate (and does so with super accuracy) in conjunction with certain compatible training applications.

Past its ability to operate as a heart rate monitor, this also has software that can count your calories. As simple as it seems, it is handy for many to monitor how many calories they are burning.

Battery Life
Polar advises that you detach the transmitter from the chest strap to enhance the battery life. If you do so, the integrated coin battery should last you several months.

Materials
To adapt to many sizes, this device comes in extra-small through small or medium through XX-large. As long as you have the strap secured in place, no irritation or discomfort should be present.

Connectivity
As mentioned earlier, this utilizes Bluetooth technology. This makes it compatible with devices such as the iPhone 4S, iPhone 5 and the 5th generation of the iPod Touch, among others.

Overall
About the only minor complaint that is present with the Polar H7 Fitness Tracker is that the back-access panel to access the battery is difficult to unscrew. However, in terms of its performance, it is worth it alone.

Use
Not only does this have a built-in heart rate monitor but it also has PerformTek sensor technology. Both of which combine to make a more than suitable heart rate device.

Clearly, these are wireless headphones and as such, they can be used to listen to your audio devices. But, this can also be used in conjunction with several popular fitness apps.

Battery Life
Per a single charge, you can expect around five hours of battery life. While this is not the most impressive battery life, it should suffice for most who only utilize them moderately.

Materials
Being both sweat and weather-resistant, these are truly feasible in any kind of conditions you can think of. Also, a gentle seal is created when you insert them in your ears to increase the audio performance.

Connectivity
With both Bluetooth and NFC pairing, connecting your device to these headphones is an absolute breeze; granted the device you are attempting to sync has the proper technology.

Overall
It is pretty obvious that you live in an intuitive world when you become witnessed to Bluetooth headphones that can measure your heart rate. While it seems like something that only Jimmy Neutron could concoct, it is a reality at the forefront.

Use
Besides the basic ability to measure your heart rate, which Fitbit warns the accuracy will be affected by certain variables such as the location of the device, the Charge 2 has personalized breathing sessions that are based directly on your current heart rate.

While this does not have a standalone GPS, when using a connected GPS, you can view real-time statistics on metrics such as your distance and pace. In addition, the ability is there to track your sleeping patterns.

Battery Life
Clearly, one of the best aspects of this wristband is its superb battery life. With normal use, you should be able to crank out up to five days of battery before needing to recharge it.

Materials
For some people, a fitness band represents a sense of style. As such, multiple color selections are available for you to choose from. Also, this band is rated to operate in temperatures as low as 14 degrees and as high as 113 degrees (both in Fahrenheit).

Connectivity
Integrated modern technology allows the Fitbit Charge 2 to sync wirelessly to over 200 compatible devices; ranging from iOS devices to Windows.

Overall
A standalone GPS would have been a nice addition and the notifications do leave a lot to be desired. However, these two minor drawbacks should not stop you from highly considering this excellent device.

Use
To ensure that this device is as accurate as possible so you get your money’s worth, Scosche has implemented patented optical sensor technology.

With the ability to act as a fitness tracker, you can monitor important metrics such as your calories burned, total distance and pace. Plus, this is compatible to work with several health and fitness apps for further functionality.

Battery Life
Without allowing it to charge, and running it on a fully charged battery, you can get a maximum of eight hours. This is not too bad and for most, should be an adequate-enough amount.

Materials
This armband is rated per IP67 standards of waterproofness. It is also claimed that it is sweatproof; however, as one user noted the band can become drenched with sweat. Also, there are multiple color options available.

Connectivity
Thanks to the built-in dual-mode processor, this is both ANT+ and Bluetooth compatible. So, you can actually transmit data to multiple ANT+ displays and Bluetooth devices.

Overall
The battery life can leave a little to be desired for fitness junkies but its work as a heart rate monitor is fantastic thanks to its optical sensor technology for improved accuracy.

Use
No doubt, the HRM-Run lives and breathes through its functionality as a heart rate monitor. Thankfully, it does so very well and as one reviewer reported, it has a rapid fast response time when measuring your heart rate.

This device is highly noted for its capability of providing you with six different, advanced running dynamics that can be used with Garmin Forerunner watches. Some of which include ground contact time, vertical oscillation and stride length.

Battery Life
If you were to use this for approximately one hour per day, according to Garmin, then the battery in the HRM-Run should last for up to one year.

Materials
In case you were not aware, this is a chest strap. Some may be fearful that this will cause discomfort and irritation but with its combination of thin plastic and nylon fabric, it is both soft and flexible.

Connectivity
One of the HRM-Run’s shortcomings is the fact that it does not have an integrated Bluetooth chip. Instead, it only utilizes ANT+ which is a bit limited with the modern technology.

Overall
Wristwatches, fitness bands, and headphones are great, but sometimes a good old-fashioned chest strap will do the trick just fine. The Garmin HRM-Run is a terrific consideration thanks to its supreme comfort, heart rate accuracy and fast response time.

Use
Moov claims that their team of experts were able to discover the best combination of placement and technology to deliver the most precise heart rate reading they could with their HR Sweat.

What is super convenient about the HR Sweat is, in conjunction with the Moov App, you can receive real-time audio coaching that will guide you through your workouts.

Battery Life
First off, this is a rechargeable battery. Now, unfortunately, its six-hour battery life is not that spectacular. But, it is also not as if you will need to re-charge your battery every day (unless you are a gym rat).

Materials
Moov designed this sweatband, which does go on your forehead, for athletes. As such, the material is highly-breathable, sweat-absorbing, quick-drying, comfortable, and lightweight.

Connectivity
The Moov HR Sweat can be used as a heart rate monitoring device with several applications with the power of Bluetooth technology. However, it is worth noting the audio coaching is only possible through the Moov app.

Overall
Could this be labeled as tacky? One could see it that way but hey, wearing a headband is not the worst thing in the world. Besides its clear functionality as a heart rate monitor, it will also absorb the sweat coming down your face which is a bonus.

Use
Wahoo has designed personalized heart rate training into their TICKR X and this allows you to view your real-time heart rate to work out more efficiently. As a cool tidbit of information, this is actually the official heart rate monitor of Team Sky.

The TICKR X seconds as a fitness tracker and can deliver you with some important dynamics including the calories that you burn, various running analytics, indoor spin cadence, and rep counting.

Battery Life
Included with this device is a standard coin-cell battery and if used in moderation, it should last you a good year. Obviously, this will vary depending on use.

Materials
Because this is adjustable from 23 inches to 48 inches, it is suitable for a wide range of body sizes. In addition to this, it has an IPX7 water rating which means it is waterproof up to five feet.

Connectivity
The devices you can sync this heart rate monitor to are nearly endless thanks to ANT+ and Bluetooth functionality. Such devices include smartphones, tablets, and GPS watches. But, due to its internal memory, it is not mandatory to sync to such devices to use it.

Overall
There is a reason this is the official heart rate monitor for Team Sky. The impressive combination of its software, waterproof design and various forms of connectivity make it suitable for any athlete around the world.

Use
With your connected device, during an activity, this chest strap will transmit your heart rate data directly to it. Thus, providing you with instant feedback so you can monitor how much effort you are outputting.

This is as cut and dry as it gets. It does not have much functionality past its use as a heart rate monitor. For those only seeking this, it could not be a better match.

Battery Life
Much like other heart rate monitors that do not run off a rechargeable battery, you should be able to get around a year of use out of this; if used in moderation.

Materials
Being crafted from a very soft fabric, irritation and discomfort should not be an issue with this device strapped to your chest. Also, it is adjustable so you can tailor it to properly fit.

Connectivity
As soon as you connect to a device, which must be ANT+ compatible, it will automatically be recognized in the future. It is even optimized to be used in highly-crowded areas, guaranteeing signal interference will not be an issue. But, it does not have Bluetooth technology.

Overall
Simplicity is certainly not always a bad thing and that is apparent with this heart rate monitor from Garmin. The lack of Bluetooth and diverse functionality could be seen as drawbacks, but that is looking at the glass half empty.

Use
On the screen, there is a daily heart rate that you can monitor that displays your minimum heart rate. In addition, while you sleep, you can monitor your average heart rate.

Yes, this is a GPS watch. It has the ability to track your speed, pace, distance, altitude and various other metrics because of it. In addition to this, an unprecedented 80 sports modes have been pre-installed.

Battery Life
As you can see the percentage of the battery, you will know at all times when it needs to be recharged. On average, you can expect around three to four days on a single charge.

Materials
With an improved slimmer fit and several color options to choose from, everyone should be satisfied with the appeal and fit.

Connectivity
As this is basically a smartwatch, you can receive smart notifications from your smartphone.

Overall
For the price, an interface that was more profound would have been nice. It is a bit sluggish but besides that, there is too much to like to not consider an investment.