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Polar H10 and Garmin HRM Pro Plus both are the first choices for fitness enthusiasts, fitness-conscious millennials, and even pro athletes. Well, it’s hard to choose one of them as both are the best heart rate chest straps on the market. Let us compare Polar H10 Vs Garmin HRM Pro Plus side-by-side so that you should be able to choose one suitable for you.
In this blog post, we will go through the accuracy, comfort, battery life, and other features and analyze them side-by-side so that it can help you decide which one you should choose for your workout sessions.
Let’s begin.
| Feature | Polar H10 | Garmin HRM Pro Plus |
|---|---|---|
| For casual fitness enthusiasts, basic heart rate tracking | ECG sensor for highly accurate heart rate readings | Advanced heart rate monitoring with additional metrics |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth & ANT+ | Bluetooth & ANT+ |
| Battery Life | 400 hours | 1 year |
| Water Resistance | IPX7 (up to 1 meter for 30 minutes) | 10 ATM (suitable for swimming) |
| Additional Metrics | Running index, basic heart rate data | Running dynamics, heart rate variability (HRV), onboard memory |
| Compatibility | Works with Polar devices & third-party apps | Compatible with Garmin devices & third-party apps |
| Fit and Comfort | Soft, adjustable, breathable textile built strap | Soft, adjustable, gripped texture for secure fitting |
| Price Range | $100 – $120 | $150 – $170 |
| Best For | For casual fitness enthusiasts, fitness conscious millennials, basic heart rate tracking | For serious athletes, runners, advanced performance analysis |
| Special Feature | Best for basic tracking and endurance events | Advanced metrics, onboard storage for data |
| Checkout Price | Checkout Price |
Quick Overview: Polar H10 Vs Garmin HRM Pro Plus
Let’s start with basic knowledge of these devices.
Polar H10
Polar H10 is a premium chest strap for heart rate monitoring. Polar is a Finland-based company that manufactures health and fitness devices, including wearables. Polar H10 is known for its accuracy, comfort, and compatibility with other devices. Polar H10 comes with Bluetooth and ANT+ connectivity features that allow you to sync this device with other devices easily.
The most popular feature of Polar H10 is the real-time ECG (electrocardiogram) sensor, which provides highly accurate heart rate readings, and is very useful for running, cycling, and weight training.
Garmin HRM Pro Plus
Garmin HRM Pro Plus is another premium chest, heart rate monitoring strap that comes with advanced heart rate, tracking features that are the beauty of this gadget. The advanced metrics of this device are very useful for runners, cyclists, and gymgoers.
This device provides features like running dynamics and onboard data storage. Garmin actually designed this HRM chest strap especially for athletes who want a deep analysis of their health and activity during workouts. Garmin HRM Pro Plus also supports Bluetooth and ANT+ that makes it sync with other devices easily.
Both HRMs are great but designed for different types of audiences. Let’s compare them in detail.
Accuracy: The most Important Element of Heart Rate Monitors
Accuracy is the most important element of a heart rate monitoring device. If it’s not accurate, you cannot rely on that device. If accuracy was not important then any fitness tracker or smartwatch would have enough.
Now the point is how to compare the aqua of Polar H10 and Garmin HRM Pro Plus.
Well, let’s see.
Polar H10: Accuracy
Polar H10 uses an ECG sensor to measure heart rate. That’s why it’s highly accurate compared to the optical sensors used in fitness trackers and smartwatches. So if you are a fitness enthusiast and do regular workouts like cycling, running, and weight training then Polar H10 provides reliable data insights.
With Bluetooth and ANT+ connectivity features it can sync with several fitness apps like Polar Watch, cycling computer, etc. If you are pairing your Polar H10 with these apps, you will always get accurate data.
Garmin HRM Pro Plus
Garmin HRM Pro Plus also provides accurate data insights in real time. Garmin is known for reputable fitness tracking, and you will also see this in HRM Pro Plus. This device also supports Bluetooth and ANT+ and allows you to sync your device with several fitness apps.
Garmin HRM Pro Plus goes one step ahead with additional metrics such as heart rate variability (HRV), running dynamics, and vertical oscillation features. These metrics are useful for runners, cyclists, and other athletes who want to improve their performance with health and fitness data insights.
Winner: Polar H10 and Garmin HRM Pro Plus both are great in accuracy. Well, I decided to give them a tie. But Polar H10 is ideal for basic fitness enthusiasts and Garmin HRM Pro Plus is ideal for both basic fitness enthusiasts and professional athletes.
Comfort and Fit
As we use chest heart rate monitors over the chest during workouts, comfort is one of the important factors when choosing these devices. If your heart rate monitor is uncomfortable on your chest, then you cannot work out as usual.
Let’s see which one is more comfortable heart rate, or monitoring chest strap.
Polar H10 Comfort and Fit
Polar H10 comes with a soft and adjustable textile strap, which is very comfortable when worn over your chest. This strap is built with breathable and flexible material, which is perfect for long workouts and activity sessions.
Whether you are cycling, running,g or doing intense workouts Polar H10 does not let you feel uncomfortable for long periods. This securely fits on your chest and does not make you feel irritated. It is fully waterproof, so you can easily wash it to prevent germs.
Garmin HRM Pro Plus Comfort and Fit
Garmi HRM Pro Plus is also very comfortable on your chest. However, it’s Lecture is a little gripped. Which may make you more secure during intense workouts. However, it’s a lightweight and machine washable strap, so you can wash it easily to prevent germs.
Winner: Both HRMs are comfortable enough for workouts and activities but if you want a more snug and secure fit, then you can go for Garmin HRM Pro Plus. So, in my opinion, Garmin HRM Pro Plus is the winner in comfort and fit.
Battery Life
Battery life is an important factor for wearable devices because you don’t want to change the battery frequently if you do regular fitness activities like cycling, running, weight training, etc. Let’s see which one will give you more battery backup.
Polar H10 Battery Life
Polar H10 is compatible with CR2025 button-type battery and runs up to 400 hours of battery life. This is very long-lasting, and you do not require a chargeable battery, which needs daily charging.
If you do regular workout sessions, then Polar H10 provides you with reliable performance over time.
Garmin HRM Pro Plus Battery Life
Garmin HRM Pro Plus runs on a CR2032 button-type battery, which is slightly smaller than the CR2025. Garmin HRM Pro Plus provides a battery life of up to 1 year. Well, its battery life sounds like 1 year is more, but when you calculate workout sessions in hours, Polar H10 gives you more battery life.
This is because of the onboard memory of Garmin HRM Pro Plus.
Winner: With more battery life Polar H10 is the clear winner in this section. It provides longer battery life compared to Garmin HRM Pro Plus.
Advanced Features
If we talk about some more features, Garmin HRM Pro Plus beats Polar H10. It offers some advanced features over Polar H10 wish her specially built for athletes.
Let’s compare the features of both heart rate monitors one by one.
First off,
Features of Polar H10
- Polar H10 comes with highly accurate ECG sensor.
- It also offers Running Index which measures your running efficiency.
- You will get to connect connectivity options, Bluetooth aur ANT+ support.
- Polar H10 is compatible with third-party apps like Strava and Zwift.
- With IPX7 water resistance rating you can use it underwater up to 1 meter for 30 minutes.
Features of Garmin HRM Pro Plus
- You will get some Advanced Metrics like unning dynamics, cadence, stride length, etc.
- Heart Rate Variability (HRV) which gives the insights of recovery and training.
- This HRM comes with Onboard Memory which allows you to store data, even it’s disconnected from your synced device.
- It’s a water resistant heart rate monitor with 5ATM rating, which means you can use it for open water swimming.
- A Battery Life Indicator is given to get signal when battery is low.
Winner: With advanced features like running dynamics and on board memory Garmin HRM Pro Plus is the clear winner in this category. If you want deep analysis of your performance, then this one is best for you.
Price Comparison
Price is always an important factor before any purchase. So in this section, let us compare both heart rate monitors according to the price point.
Polar H10 Price
Polar H10 comes under $120 to $140 depending upon promotional offers and other marketplace offers. The pricing of Polar H10 is very affordable in comparison to its features and durability.
Garmin HRM Pro Plus Price
One the other hand, Garmin HRM Pro Plus offers the price range between $150 $170 which is one and a half times more than Polar H10. However, the advanced features justify its price.
Winner: if you want, adjust heart rate monitor under budget than Polar H10 is a perfect choice for you. Well, if you want advanced features, then you have to spend some more dollars to get Garmin HRM Pro Plus. So the winner is Polar H10.
My Verdict
This comparison provides different aspects of both the devices. Both heart rate monitors are great and offer different features for different perspectives and users.
- If you are a casual fitness enthusiast and want a reliable heart rate tracking then Polar H10 is perfect for you.
- On the other hand, if you are a professional athlete or runner then Garmin HRM Pro Plus is ideal for you. Its advanced performance analysis will help you to get best out of your fitness insights.
It’s upon you and your preference which one suits your needs.
That’s it.
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