Best Heart Rate Monitor (2025), Wired Testing and Review

We tested and recommended all the heart rate monitors below, which was done impeccably. But, what do these data mean?
Heart rate area: If someone tells you that they've been doing 80/20 training, they've been doing a heart rate-based regional workout. The heart rate area is an easy way to break down your energy range during exercise. The area rises from 1 to 5, with 5 representing 90% to 100% of the maximum heart rate. Area 2 represents training at 60% to 70% of the maximum heart rate, representing light training. The 80/20 training is designed to build endurance, meaning 80% of running should be in Area 2. If your heart rate monitor doesn't tell you your area, you can calculate it using Polar's simple tools.
Maximum heart rate: Some monitors can tell you your maximum heart rate, which is the number of beatings your heart can achieve during exercise. This is useful for understanding when you are training at peak intensity and can be used to create heart rate areas. Factors like your age and fitness level can affect your maximum heart rate. You can generate an estimate of maximum heart rate by simply subtracting the age from 220 and using it at the starting point.
vo2 Maximum: The word vo2 Max represents the maximum rate of oxygen your body can consume during exercise; the higher the better. It provides useful indicators for your ability to maintain strong efforts over the long term. Accurately computed this operation is done under laboratory conditions, so heart rate monitors and watches often use their own algorithms to approximate the lab tests.
Heart rate variability: Heart rate variability measures the interval between heartbeats and is measured in milliseconds. High HRV readings are considered to be better for lower readings because it means the body is responding with a resilient pressure. However, your HRV readings can vary greatly from one person to another, as they can be affected by age, fitness level, or even when taking measurements.
Rest heart rate: This is the number of times your heart beats during rest, and it is a simple indication of your current level of cardiovascular fitness and general well-being. Usually, your heart rate should sit anywhere between 60 and 100 bpm during rest. A low resting heart rate is associated with athletes because the heart is trained to improve efficiency. However, an unusually low or high RHR may mean that something is not exactly right.
Calories Burning: The heart rate monitor studies your efforts based on your heart rate and uses the company's own algorithm to indicate how many calories you burn during your workout. Heart rate is one of the most powerful indicators of effort, which means a heart rate monitor is one of the most accurate ways to get this information.