Polar H10 Heart Rate Sensor - Review 2022

Polar has fix a pretty high bar in the heart rate monitor section, and then it'south no surprise that information technology isn't trying to reinvent the bike with its latest chest strap, the H10 Heart Rate Sensor ($89.95). It'due south more of a refinement on the popular H7, which is considered a gold standard past many (and our go-to device for comparison testing). The H10 maintains that accuracy, while improving battery life and calculation onboard memory, making it more convenient for athletes who hate working out with their phone in tow. Information technology falls just shy of earning our Editors' Choice, however, as the outstanding Wahoo Fitness Tickr X offers a wider range of compatible devices and apps, as well as physical feedback features for $ten less. However, the H10 is an splendid choice that deserves a spot at the summit of your short list.

New and Improved

The H10 strongly resembles the Polar H7 from a design perspective, albeit with some central improvements. The snap-on sensor is smaller and thinner; the strap has a new buckle that'south easier to adjust and put on; and the inside features electrodes and silicone dots to prevent slippage (more on these in the next section). Only where the H7 is available in a few different color choices, the H7 only comes in blackness. That's not a major drawback, every bit you're probably not going to be spending much time showing it off (unless yous exercise shirtless).

Most of the other improvements aren't visible. The H10 can receive software updates wirelessly, for i. It also has double the bombardment life of the H7, 400 hours, which should translate to months of usage. And since information technology uses a regular coin cell battery, you never take to charge it. I've been exercising regularly with the H10 for almost four months, and it still registers as having a full battery. Another bonus: the back of the sensor has an updated pattern that makes replacing the battery easier. Similar the H7, you can apply the H10 while swimming, which is something you can't practice with the Tickr X.

But the biggest update is that the H10 has built-in memory, so information technology tin can store i training session earlier syncing. That's not much compared with a traditional fitness tracker, but information technology adds some flexibility. Whereas the H7 needs to exist constantly continued to your phone in lodge to transmit data, with the H10 you only demand your phone to get-go recording, but then yous tin can leave it at dwelling house, in the locker room, or anywhere else that'south out of range, and it volition sync later on.

The H10 doesn't have a screen, and so unless your telephone is available, you won't get any existent-time feedback unless you employ it with compatible gym equipment via Polar's proprietary GymLink connection.

Comfortably Invisible

The H10 is comfy enough that y'all can wear information technology all twenty-four hours long. It comes in 2 sizes: XS-S (xx-26 inches) and M-XXL (26-36 inches). I wore the strap during indoor and outdoor runs, as well every bit at the office. I never experienced chafing, and within a few seconds, it was piece of cake to forget I was fifty-fifty wearing it. It did ride up under my sports bra on occasion, simply the sensor's slim profile never caused enough discomfort to require readjustment. And unless you're wearing skin-tight clothes, no ane volition exist able to tell you're wearing it.

That said, it'southward not quite equally elementary as buckling the H10 into place. Kickoff, you lot have to dampen the electrodes with some water to ensure you get a reading. After that, you tin snap the sensor into place on the front end. Later any strenuous action you'll want to briefly clean the strap and detach the sensor. According to Polar, this helps preserve bombardment life, as the electrodes may go along to record data mistakenly. You can also throw the strap itself in the washing machine.

The App Experience

You tin utilize the H10 with third-political party fitness apps like Cardio Mapper, Endomondo, iSmooth Run, and Runtastic, just it's optimized to piece of work with Polar's own Beat and Period apps. Both are free, though you'll have to pay if you want to unlock all of Beat's features.

Beat is substantially for recording preparation sessions. It's also the app yous use to pair the H10 over Bluetooth. In the free version, you can see your heart charge per unit and view simplified statistics such as elapsing, average heart rate, and calories burned. You can select from an extensive range of activities to rails that run the gamut from running, to Latin dancing, to wakeboarding, but otherwise it's really the blank minimum.

If you lot want more insight into preparation intensity, or how you've progressed, y'all'll have to pay for it. There are four upgrades: Do good Target, Free energy Pointer, Fitness Test, and Running Index. Do good Target and Energy Pointer give you real-time guidance for your conditioning, while Running Alphabetize lets you lot runway your run operation over time. Fitness Examination lets y'all measure your VO2 Max score in about five minutes as you lie downward and relax. Individually, these features cost $2.99, simply you can get them all in a packet for $seven.99. It'due south non expensive, but like features don't toll extra with apps from Fitbit, Garmin, and Jabra, for instance.

The Polar Flow app is a more holistic look at your activeness, and functions more than like your typical fettle tracker app. You can track sleep, view your daily activity level, and see how many steps you've taken in a day. Nevertheless, the H10 doesn't track these metrics, and unless you plan on using it with another Polar tracker, like the M430, you don't actually need it. But if you lot do pair it with a Polar tracker, your recorded sessions sync automatically and seamlessly.

Accuracy

Wrist-based trackers, like the Fitbit Accuse 2, typically use optical LEDs that measure blood catamenia based on lite reflecting off your skin. They're pretty accurate, especially in contempo years, but readings tin can exist off if you don't clothing them correctly.

Yous're much less probable to get skewed readings with a chest strap. For starters, they're unlikely to skid and are placed much closer to the eye. Also, they use electric signals, rather than lite, to measure your center beat. And amidst breast straps, Polar has a stellar reputation for accuracy. In fact, nosotros used the H7 every bit a benchmark in testing the accuracy of other wearables with heart charge per unit monitoring.

I conducted iii one-minute pulse tests to check the H10'southward accurateness. To do this, I set a timer and counted my pulse while simultaneously wearing the H10. Each fourth dimension, the reading was accurate within two to three beats per minute. For context, near trackers I've tested tend to vary closer to five to ten beats. If you want to seriously incorporate center rate zone training into your routine, it's hard to outdo the H10 for reliable accuracy.

I did notice, all the same, that there is a slight lag when using the GymLink feature on intense workouts. Every bit my heart charge per unit climbed above 170bpm, the treadmill I was on would regularly written report it as 140 to 150bpm. Y'all frequently see a similar lag with wrist-based wearables. For the most accurate results, you lot're better off sticking with existent-time monitoring via the app or viewing your data later on.

What HRM Is Right for Yous?

If your current H7 chest strap is showing some clothing and tear, you might want to remember about upgrading to the H10. The extended bombardment life and built-in memory make information technology a solid investment, especially if you have or are thinking of getting a Polar fettle tracker.

That said, if yous're buying your offset centre rate monitor and you lot aren't a Polar user, the Wahoo Fettle Tickr Ten costs less and offers some features you might prefer. Information technology includes vibration and LED feedback, which tin be customized to let you command your music or inform you when you reached a milestone in your workout. And in addition to being highly authentic, you can use it with a wider range of devices and apps, including Strava and RunKeeper. For these reasons the Tickr X remains our Editors' Selection, but depending on your needs the H10 could be the right option for you.

Source: https://sea.pcmag.com/review/16996/polar-h10-heart-rate-sensor

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