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A smartwatch heart rate monitor not only tracks your pulse but also often serves as the motivating tempo for workouts or a cadent call for calm.
You may want to check your heart rate regularly for a variety of reasons, such as:
improving your athletic performance
managing your stress levels
tracking your heart health
It’s important to note that watch-style heart rate monitors aren’t medical devices and may not always be accurate, especially during exercise or if they don’t fit well (1).
Still, the sheer number of smartwatches — all with different features and price points — can be overwhelming.
Healthline assembled this list based on the following criteria:
Functionality: We included watches that measure heart rate while offering other valuable features, such as sleep tracking and fitness tracking.
Reviews: The watches on this list have mostly positive customer reviews.
Suitability for specific needs: We considered watches specifically designed for certain populations, such as athletes and people with heart conditions.
Price: We included watches at a variety of price points to suit different budgets.
Vetting: The watches on our list have been vetted to ensure that they align with Healthline’s brand integrity standards and approach to well-being. You can read more about our vetting process.
Here are the 11 best heart rate monitor watches of 2023.
A note on price
General price ranges with dollar signs ($–$$$) are indicated below. One dollar sign means the product is rather affordable, whereas three dollar signs indicate a higher cost.
Generally, list prices range from $38 to $500, though this may vary depending on discounts and where you shop.
With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to choose a reliable heart rate monitor watch.
The Fitbit Versa 4 is our top pick because it features 24/7 heart rate monitoring. It tracks your heart health over time and always displays your current heart rate, whether you’re resting or exercising.
Furthermore, it shows your metrics on the main screen so you don’t have to navigate elsewhere.
Still, you may want to consider other factors such as:
cost
customer reviews
features
Very few smartwatches only measure heart rate. Most connect to your phone, and many offer features for athletes, such as GPS and activity tracking, or for people with heart or lung conditions, such as blood pressure and oxygen saturation monitoring.
Alternatively, if you’re looking for the most accurate heart rate readings possible — for example, to help manage your heart condition — consider a chest monitor. This device straps around your chest and is much more precise than a smartwatch (1, 3).
Though many factors can affect your heart rate, your resting heart rate can be a good indicator of your overall health and physical fitness level.
In fact, some research has found that having a low resting heart rate is associated with health and longevity, while having a higher heart rate at rest may be linked to an increased risk of chronic disease (5, 6).
In particular, an elevated heart rate can be a risk factor for future health issues, including heart disease and stroke (7).
In addition to telling you how your body is responding to your exercise routine, keeping tabs on your resting heart rate can help you detect heart issues early to ensure the best possible outcomes.
Dr. Dia Smiley, a cardiologist, notes that “monitoring your heart rate can detect issues, such as irregular heart rhythm, and fast and slow heart rates, even if symptoms are not obvious or present yet.”
Smiley also says that if you have a history of heart issues such as AFib, checking your heart rate can help identify an arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat.
Some heart rate monitoring watches, including those from the following brands, have technology that can detect irregular heart rhythms:
Fitbit
Apple
Google
Garmin
Using a heart rate monitor during exercise can also be beneficial. Keeping track of your heart rate can help you monitor your exercise intensity (8, 9).
Plus, knowing how often and how long you’re exercising at a heart rate close to your maximum heart rate can help you avoid overtraining (8, 9).
When to talk with a doctor
There are several instances when you should talk with a doctor about your heart rate, especially if it’s too low or high.
“Anytime you have a low heart rate (less than 60) and feel dizzy, tired, or pass out, you should definitely see a doctor,” Smiley says. “If the heart rate is 50 beats or lower, even without symptoms, you should seek medical help.”
She also notes that you should talk with a doctor if your heart rate is over 100 beats per minute when you’re at rest or if it’s over 100 beats per minute and you’re experiencing symptoms such as dizziness, anxiety, or heart palpitations.
Several factors can affect the accuracy of heart rate monitoring watches, including the specific brand, your activity level, and the position of the sensors on your skin (10).
Though heart rate monitoring watches aren’t as precise as medical devices such as electrode-containing chest monitors, they’re generally accurate and can be a useful tool to help track your heart rate (1, 10).
Can a smartwatch detect heart issues?
Smartwatches can be beneficial for identifying certain heart issues.
Dr. Nick West, chief medical officer and divisional vice president at Abbott’s vascular business, notes that heart rate monitoring watches may help detect abnormally fast or irregular heart rhythms, including AFib.
According to West, “There are early reports of smartwatches picking up early signs of heart attack from analyzed changes in electrical activity.” However, he also says this technology is still being developed.
What is a “normal” heart rate?
According to the American Heart Association, a typical resting heart rate for healthy adults ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute (11).
However, your resting heart rate can vary based on many factors, such as (12):
age
sex
physical fitness level
health status
What is the best smartwatch for detecting irregular heartbeat?
If AFib or an irregular heart rate is your primary concern, you’ll want to pick a smartwatch that can specifically detect an irregular heartbeat.
Some devices, such as the following models, can be more reliable since they have FDA clearance for AFib notifications:
Heart rate monitor watches are available to fit every budget and need.
In addition to price, you’ll want to factor in:
available features
battery life
customer reviews
While the options in this article are one place to start, if your main priority is the accuracy of your heart rate reading, you may want to consider a chest strap monitor instead.
Regardless of which device you choose, it’s important to alert a healthcare professional to any concerns you may have about your heart rate data.
Last medically reviewed on April 25, 2023
How we reviewed this article:
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
