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In this report

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Heart Rate Monitors: Ratings of Sources
Total of 12 Sources

For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.

1. Amazon.com
As of July 2008
Heart Monitors
by Contributors to Amazon.com
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

Normally, user reviews would not be relied upon so heavily, but because of the scarcity of professional heart rate monitor reviews, we compared expert reviews with user assessments, many of which are… detailed and make comparisons with other heart rate monitors. Amazon.com's editorial reviews provide excellent technical specifications and product descriptions, as well as pros and cons of most heart rate monitors. Owner-written reviews present opinions of either basic models (with functionality and price as criteria), or advanced models for amateur athletes, in which function and features prove more important than price.

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2. Runner's World
Dec. 3, 2007
Review: Running Watches
by Matthew Honan
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Matthew Honan tests and compares four high-end heart rate monitors, including the Polar RS800 and Suunto t4. A brief overview of each is given, followed by a more detailed look at each of their GPS pods, foot pods, heart rate monitor functions, and what type of runners they are best suited for. Each review also includes a video showing how to operate the monitors from initial setup.
3. Outside Online
Jan. 9, 2007
Today's Question
by Douglas Gantenbein, aka "the Gear Guy"
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

An Outside Online editor suggests a good budget heart rate monitor in response to a reader's question. Based on his personal experience, he makes three suggestions. He ends up suggesting the Nike C6 as a… balance of features and price, warning that the Polar FS1 may be too "bare bones for some people," and stating that the Polar CS300 would be "great" for people who know how to use its advanced features.

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4. ConsumerReports.org
June 2003
Heart Rate Monitors
by Editors of Consumer Reports
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Nine Consumer Reports staffers (five men and four women) worked out with each of the tested heart rate monitors at least once. Accuracy is given the greatest weight in the ratings, and models are tested by comparing each heart rate monitor to a portable electrocardiograph for each user during a 15-minute workout. Most of the products in this report are no longer available, however.
5. Runner's World
Dec. 21, 2006
Running Shoes & Gear: Electronics
by Christine Fennessy
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment In three separate Shoes & Gear reviews, Christine Fennessy gives a brief rundown of product features and at least one tester's likes or dislikes regarding the heart rate monitor. Though the reviews are from 2006, they include the updated Garmin Forerunner 305 and the Polar RS800sd Running Computer. A clear recommendation or preference isn't given for any of the products.
6. Business Week
Sept. 11, 2006
Train With Gizmos the Pros Use
by Jay Greene
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment As a cyclist training for a two-day, 150-mile bike race, Business Week's Seattle Bureau Chief reviews three high-tech heart rate monitors used by amateur to elite riders. His review is mainly of his first choice, the Garmin Edge 305, and he gives a small amount of space to two comparable devices, one a Polar and one a Suunto heart rate monitor.
7. REI.com
As of July 2008
Heart Rate Monitors
by Contributors to REI.com
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Nearly 40 heart rate monitors are sold by this retailer of outdoor products. Most of them are reviewed by users, although most only have a couple of comments. The Garmin Forerunner 305 receives nearly 30 reviews, and the Garmin Forerunner 405 HRM has nearly 20 ratings. However, all of the heart rate monitors here earn a similar average rating, so it's hard to tell which might be favorites.
8. The Wall Street Journal
July 5, 2007
Tools to Boost the Workout
by Anjali Athavaley
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Anjali Athavaley chooses the four newest high-tech heart rate monitors, providing basic product information, pros and cons. This article provides a starting point from which to pursue cross-reference reviews, but gives no testing data or critical evaluation of any of the devices.
9. About.com
June 21, 2007
Top 5 Heart Rate Monitors
by Paige Waehner
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Five heart rate monitors are reviewed here by Paige Waehner, About.com's Guide to Exercise, ranging in cost from $39 to $400. The only one to get a long, detailed review is the LifeSource XC300, which Waehner uses herself. The other four monitors are all Polar products, and there is no indication as to how she arrived at these choices. (Note that ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com.)
10. About.com
June 21, 2007
Top 10 Heart Rate Monitors Under $100
by Wendy Bumgardner
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Wendy Bumgardner, About.com's Guide to Walking, lists her top ten choices for heart rate monitors under $100. A brief overview of each is given, but there are no criteria, other than the price, as to why these particular monitors were chosen for inclusion. (Note that ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com.)
11. Outside Magazine
2007
2007 Buyer's Guide: Gear of the Year
by Justin Nyberg
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment In Outside magazine's annual buyer's guide, the Oregon Scientific SE102 wins a Killer Value rating among heart rate monitors, but little information is given as to the method of selection or review. Four other heart rate monitors also get brief descriptions.
12. Specialty News
March 3, 2008
Oregon Scientific Heart Rate Monitor with Speed and Distance
by Editors of Snewsnet.com
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

This review of the Oregon Scientific SE300 includes the various features of the monitor, and lists some pros and cons, but focuses mainly on its small size, ease of use and reasonable price. The editors… recommend the Oregon Scientific for beginner and intermediate runners. There is no comparison to any other heart rate monitor, and there is no indication as to why the editors chose to review this one.

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