Omron HR-100C

Reviewers agree that with heart-rate monitors you generally get what you pay for, but the Omron HR-100C gets consistently good ratings despite its budget price. You don't get a lot of bells and whistles with this model, but owners say that makes it less complicated to use. The Omron HR-100C comes with all the basics: a watch-style readout, chest strap and an out-of-range alarm. Users say the accuracy is reasonable given the low price, and they love the fact that they can change the batteries themselves. However, unlike pricier heart-rate monitors, the Omron HR-100C doesn't use a coded transmission between the chest strap and monitor. As a result, the monitor can pick up interference from other exercisers or gym equipment, which can result in inconsistent heart-rate readings. The Omron HR-100C doesn't track calories burned; if you want that feature, the Timex Personal Trainer Heart Rate Monitor T5G971 (*Est. $60) tracks calorie expenditure in addition to heart rate.

The best review of the Omron HR-100C comes from ConsumerReports.org, which tests the heart-rate monitor along with several others in a recent review. We found the best user reviews for the Omron HR-100 heart-rate monitor at online retailer Amazon.com. More than 300 users share their opinions of how the Omron HR-100C complements their workout routines. About.com has a decent write-up as well. Both are mainly positive, but there's enough balance to make them credible. Jackie Willey's write-up at DiscoverWalking.com is based solely on her experience with the Omron HR-100C, but there's enough critical analysis to make it worth reading.