Best heart rate monitors 2023: best models and what to look for

The best heart rate monitors are a near-essential piece of kit for any rider who wants to track their cycling fitness or follow a cycling training plan.

A heart rate monitor can be used to ensure that structured intervals are ridden at the correct intensity, to chart training volume and intensity over time, and the data can also indicate when it's time to take a break.

When choosing the best heart rate monitor for cycling, the key things to consider are where you want to wear it and how it talks to the device recording your rides (cycling computer, smartwatch or phone). We've detailed all you need to know when deciding what's best for you below, but first, we’ve listed a few of the best heart rate monitors at different prices based on our testing.

The Quick List

The best heart rate monitors for cycling

Best Reliability

The Garmin HRM-Dual gets its name from its compatibility with Bluetooth as well as ANT+, and transmits over a 3m range - although that's a trick that pretty much every HRM has these days - we had no problems with connectivity or reliability. Like Garmin's premium HRM-Pro heart rate monitor the unit takes a CR2032 battery that can be replaced by the user - although this needs a screwdriver rather than using the side of a coin, it only needs to be done roughly every 3.5 years.

The monitor comes fitted to an adjustable strap, with a length range of 63.5cm to 132cm, so this should provide a secure, close fit for the majority of riders. It hooks up on the side of your chest. 

As you are likely to get hot and sweaty while wearing a heart rate monitor, it'll come as a relief that the strap on the HRM-Dual is also easily detachable from the electronics and is washable.

Read more: Garmin HRM Dual review

Best Multisport

There are two chest strap heart rate monitors in Wahoo's lineup: the Tickr and Tickr X.

It was the Tickr X that we had on test here. In addition to tracking your heart rate, this unit is also able to measure additional extra metrics, such as indoor cycling cadence and running analytics. 

The TickrX hear rate monitor is also able to record all this data itself, so I was able to just chuck it on and complete my workouts without thinking about – or connecting to – anything else. All my data was then simply just one quick sync away.

Admittedly, this function was only really useful when cross-training with running, bouldering and yoga – and shorter rides at HR zone 2 or below. For longer rides and high-intensity sessions, I'd be connecting it up to a head unit anyway – either for the routing functionality or to track my power data.

Rather than having a separate hook in the strap to fix it around your body, the Tickr uses the poppers that connect to the electronic pod, which makes getting it on and off slightly easier and eliminates the possibility of irritation that a hook might cause (although I personally don't tend to have an issue with that).

It's a neat design feature – and the strap certainly is comfortable – however, with previous generation devices, I have had those poppers wear to the point of breaking before. That's not to say that this model will suffer the same fate (I haven't used it for the years+ required to find out) – and I've had other HRMs die in a similar period for other reasons – but it's still something that's worth bearing in mind.

Read more: Wahoo Tickr X full review 

Best connectivity

4iiii might be best known for making some of the best power meters, but it also offers a line of heart rate monitors for this other mainstay of performance tracking.

Similar to other top-end heart rate monitors, such as those from Wahoo and Garmin, the Viiiiva is able to record up to 65 hours of data directly onto the device - so you don't need to pair up a device when cross-training in different sports. 

Again similar to Wahoo, the Viiiiva forgoes a 'hook and loop' system of attachment in favour of using poppers. This means eliminates a potential source of irritation – and, sure enough, the Viiiiva does feel very comfortable – but it does introduce a potential point of failure, as poppers do wear faster than a simple hook. Still, I've had no troubles so far.

Where the Viiiiva does stand out from the crowd is that it can act as a 'data bridge', connecting with your ANT+ only devices and then transmitting that data to your phone, computer or other Bluetooth-only device. It's not a feature I found especially useful, as pretty much all my devices also transmit over Bluetooth – but if that's not your situation, then this does stand to be an incredibly helpful feature. 

The battery life isn't as long as the Wahoo Tickr X, though, and it doesn't have the same range of extra tracking features. So, although the Viiiiva has proved a robust, reliable and reasonably priced unit itself, unless you really need the bridge function or have found it on a very good discount, you might be better off going for the Wahoo Tickr X instead.

Best premium

Garmin Edge cycling computers are some of the most widely used, with even the most basic models providing heart rate data. The HRM-Pro is Garmin's pinnacle heart rate monitor, rolling all of its sport-specific models into one, as well as linking to Garmin Connect IQ, making it compatible with a large range of, currently free, data-specific tracking apps on the Garmin Connect website, Garmin's equivalent of Strava.

It delivers all your heart rate data needs and adds other functionality like counting steps and analysing gait as you run. It can store data when it's not possible to use a wearable and then automatically download, which is useful for swimming and running, but less so for all except track cycling, as you'll usually have a bike computer with you when riding. Either way, we found data recording reliable and seemingly accurate.

Like the HRM-Dual, see below, the Pro also uses ANT+ and Bluetooth transmission, meaning it's perfect for indoor and outdoor use, as well as at the gym.

The Garmin HRM-Pro takes a standard CR2032 battery, which going on our experience should last about a year. You can check the battery status over Garmin Connect. But it's twice the price of the HRM-Dual, so if you're just interested in cycling stats you're paying a premium for features you don't need.

Read more: Garmin HRM Pro review

Best Budget

The LifeLine HRM strap doesn't offer the internal memory or the fancy connectivity features that the likes of Wahoo, Garmin and 4iiii can boast.

But if you're after an inexpensive heart rate monitor that simply monitors your heart rate, the LifeLine HRM ticks the bill. Although it uses a hook-and-loop fasting system, I've found it perfectly comfortable and haven't had a problem with connectivity – however, a quick glance on Wiggle's website shows that the connectivity is an area that some other people have had issues with.

The 'up to 900 hours' of battery life does sound more aspirational than indicative of its real-world performance – although I'm still yet to put in a tenth of that duration into this monitor, so I can't say that it definitely won't last that long.

It's worth bearing in mind that although the water rating is that the strap is 'resistant up to 30m', it's not rated for swimming. But as a basic heart rate monitor for riding, and maybe a little running, LifeLine HRM has displayed a solid performance at a reasonable price.

Information

What is a heart rate monitor?

Your heart is your body's blood delivery agent: it pumps oxygenated blood full of nutrients to your limbs, and when you exercise it has to work harder and faster to meet the needs of the body.

A heart rate monitor measures how fast your heart is beating in BPM: beats per minute, and provides an insight into how hard your body is working. That's usually partitioned into heart rate training zones, letting you analyse the different ways in which your exercise is improving your cardiovascular fitness.

Heart rate 'zones' are very individual. The baseline starting point for one rider might be a threshold heart rate of 180bpm whilst it could be 160bpm for another.

However, training forces the heart muscle to become stronger. A well-trained athlete will see their resting heart rate (which is usually measured in the morning on waking up) drop, so tracking this can show your fitness improvements during the year.

Not only that, your resting heart rate often increases during periods of overtraining, or when you're sick. An increased resting heart rate is therefore a red flag which can indicate it's time to take a few days off training.

How we test

When testing these heart rate monitors, the Cycling Weekly testers considered functionality, comfort and connectivity, but most important of all was reliable accuracy - you can't effectively base a training program or ride effort on inaccurate data.