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Testing the Garmin HRM 200 and Polar H10 convinced me I was (mostly) too harsh on chest straps

I'm softening on my heart rate monitor chest strap ban after seeing how accurate the Polar H10 and Garmin HRM 200 are.

(Image credit: Michael Hicks / Android Central)My more fundamental Polar H10 issue was how it produced bizarrely erratic results across several runs in 2024, no matter how well I adjusted the fit or wet the contact sensors. I was using the option to track workouts directly in the Polar Beat app, and for whatever reason, the wonky phone-strap Bluetooth connection would sub in deflated readings at odd moments that badly skewed the results. The Garmin HRM 200 vs. Polar H10 heart rate results ( click the square for full-screen) (Image credit: Android Central)Typically, wrist-based optical sensors fall 1–3 bpm short in my tests, with a noticeable delay when I change my pace or climb hills.

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