We Use CookiesWe use cookies to enhance the security, performance, functionality and for analytical and promotional activities. By continuing to browse this site you are agreeing to our privacy policy

10 Best Heart Rate Watches 2026 in the United States

#1

Winner

10.0 score

Apple Watch Series 10 [GPS 46mm case] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Fitness Tracker, ECG App, Always-On Retina Display, Water Resistant

The Apple Watch Series 10 is a strong choice for anyone looking for a heart-rate watch that combines fitness tracking with smart features. It offers precise heart rate monitoring, including ECG and irregular rhythm alerts, which can help users keep a close eye on their heart health. The built-in GPS supports a broad range of outdoor workouts like running, hiking, and swimming, making it suitable for active lifestyles. Its water resistance up to 50 meters and dust resistance make it durable enough for most environments. The display is bright, large, and always on, which improves usability, especially during workouts.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,354
Comfort and Design
Battery Life
Display and Interface

Most important from
15861 reviews

Comfort and Design
The Apple Watch Series 10 offers a remarkably comfortable and balanced fit, especially noticeable for larger wrists.
Battery Life
Battery life has significantly improved, allowing up to two days of use under typical conditions before needing a recharge.
Display and Interface
The bright, sharp screen delivers excellent visibility and durability with scratch resistance, enhancing everyday usability.
Heart Rate Monitoring
Health and fitness tracking features are comprehensive and reliable, including precise heart rate monitoring and improved sleep tracking.
Smart Features
Seamless integration with the iPhone ecosystem ensures smooth operation for notifications, workout tracking, and music control.
#2
9.7 score

Garmin Instinct® E 45mm, Rugged Outdoor GPS Smartwatch, 24/7 Health Monitoring, Wrist-Based Heart Rate, Up to 16 Days of Battery Life, Charcoal

The Garmin Instinct E 45mm is a rugged outdoor GPS smartwatch designed for users who want reliable health and activity tracking in tough conditions. It offers wrist-based heart rate monitoring that works around the clock, along with advanced sleep tracking and Pulse Ox measurement, which provides a good estimate of your body's oxygen levels (though it’s not a medical device). Its built-in GPS and multiple satellite systems help you navigate accurately, complemented by a compass and barometric altimeter, making it particularly useful for hiking or outdoor adventures. The watch stands out with a strong battery life of up to 16 days, so you won’t need to recharge it frequently, which is great for long trips or busy days.

Rating
9.7
Battery Life
Comfort and Design
GPS Tracking

Most important from
1700 reviews

Battery Life
The watch delivers outstanding battery life, lasting around two weeks or more on a single charge, reducing the need for frequent recharging during extended activities.
Comfort and Design
Its rugged construction makes it tough enough to handle hiking, gym sessions, and various outdoor adventures without worry.
GPS Tracking
The GPS accuracy stands out as a game-changer, with multi-band positioning providing precise tracking that outperforms even premium smartwatches.
Heart Rate Monitoring
Heart rate and activity tracking metrics are reliable and comparable to other popular devices, while advanced sleep tracking offers detailed insights.
Display and Interface
The display is bright and easy to read in different conditions, supporting effortless monitoring during workouts or daily use.
Smart Features
Customization options for watch faces and data metrics allow users to tailor the experience to their preferences.
#3
9.1 score

Fitbit Versa 4 Fitness Smartwatch with Daily Readiness, GPS, 24/7 Heart Rate, 40+ Exercise Modes, Sleep Tracking and more, Black/Graphite, One Size (S & L Bands Included)

The Fitbit Versa 4 is a solid choice for anyone looking for a heart-rate watch that also covers a wide range of fitness and health features. It offers continuous 24/7 heart rate monitoring and built-in GPS, which is great for tracking outdoor activities accurately without needing your phone nearby. The battery life lasts more than six days, making it convenient for daily use without frequent charging. With water resistance up to 50 meters, you can wear it while swimming or in the rain without worry.

Rating
9.1
Heart Rate Monitoring
GPS Tracking
Battery Life

Most important from
18031 reviews

Heart Rate Monitoring
The watch delivers reliable 24/7 heart rate monitoring that helps track health conditions effectively, even during pregnancy.
GPS Tracking
Built-in GPS accurately tracks outdoor activities without needing to carry a phone.
Battery Life
Battery life easily lasts over six days, supporting continuous use without frequent recharging.
Water Resistance
Water resistance up to 50 meters allows for worry-free use while swimming or in the rain.
Smart Features
On-wrist calls and texts work well, with clear audio during phone conversations.
Display and Interface
Customizable clock faces, especially third-party ones, significantly enhance the display by showing multiple health stats and battery status at a glance.
Comfort and Design
Some users find the fit and finish a bit cheap, and the screen can appear washed out in bright sunlight.

Top 10 Best Heart Rate Watches 2026 in the United States

#1

Winner

10.0  score

Apple Watch Series 10 [GPS 46mm case] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Fitness Tracker, ECG App, Always-On Retina Display, Water Resistant

Heart Rate Monitoring: Electrical and optical sensors, ECG, alerts
GPS Tracking: Built-in L1 GPS, GNSS, Galileo, BeiDou
Battery Life: 18h normal, 36h low power, fast charge
Water Resistance: Water resistant 50m, swimproof
Smart Features: Calls, texts, Siri, SOS, fall, crash detection
Display and Interface: Always-On Retina OLED, 2000 nits, Digital Crown
Comfort and Design: Thinner, lighter, customizable bands, 42x36x9.7mm

Chosen by 1354 this week

Garmin Instinct® E 45mm, Rugged Outdoor GPS Smartwatch, 24/7 Health Monitoring, Wrist-Based Heart Rate, Up to 16 Days of Battery Life, Charcoal

Heart Rate Monitoring: wrist-based heart rate monitoring
GPS Tracking: Built-in GPS, multiple satellite systems
Battery Life: up to 16 days
Water Resistance: up to 10 ATM
Smart Features: notifications, customizable apps, watch faces
Display and Interface: 0.9-inch round screen
Comfort and Design: 48 grams, fits most wrists

Fitbit Versa 4 Fitness Smartwatch with Daily Readiness, GPS, 24/7 Heart Rate, 40+ Exercise Modes, Sleep Tracking and more, Black/Graphite, One Size (S & L Bands Included)

Heart Rate Monitoring: 24/7 continuous heart rate monitoring
GPS Tracking: Built-in GPS
Battery Life: Over six days battery life
Water Resistance: Up to 50 meters water resistant
Smart Features: Calls, texts, Fitbit Pay, Alexa
Display and Interface: 1.58-inch touchscreen, customizable faces
Comfort and Design: Two band sizes

Garmin Vívoactive 5, Health and Fitness GPS Smartwatch, AMOLED Display, Up to 11 Days of Battery, Slate Aluminum Bezel with Black Case and Silicone Band

Heart Rate Monitoring: Yes
GPS Tracking: Built-in GPS
Battery Life: Up to 11 days
Water Resistance: Yes
Smart Features: Music storage, Bluetooth, Android & iOS
Display and Interface: 1.2-inch AMOLED, touchscreen, buttons
Comfort and Design: Sleek and lightweight

Fitbit Inspire 3 Health &-Fitness-Tracker with Stress Management, Workout Intensity, Sleep Tracking, 24/7 Heart Rate and more, Midnight Zen/Black One Size (S & L Bands Included)

Heart Rate Monitoring: 24/7 monitoring
GPS Tracking: GPS via smartphone
Battery Life: 10-day life
Water Resistance: up to 50 meters
Smart Features: stress management, sleep tracking, notifications
Display and Interface: 0.76 inches, touchscreen
Comfort and Design: lightweight design

Garmin Forerunner 165, Running Smartwatch, Colorful AMOLED Display, Training Metrics and Recovery Insights, Black

Heart Rate Monitoring: wrist-based heart rate monitoring
GPS Tracking: Built-in GPS
Battery Life: up to 11 days smartwatch mode
Smart Features: Garmin Pay, smart notifications, safety
Display and Interface: 1.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen, buttons
Comfort and Design: lightweight 43 mm, all-day wear

Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) [GPS 44mm] Smartwatch with Midnight Aluminum Case with Midnight Sport Band M/L. Fitness and Sleep Trackers, Crash Detection, Heart Rate Monitor, Retina Display

Heart Rate Monitoring: Monitor, notifications for irregular rhythms
GPS Tracking: Built-in GPS
Battery Life: About a day with regular use
Water Resistance: Up to 50 meters
Smart Features: Text, calls, music, Siri, Apple Pay
Display and Interface: Retina display, intuitive interface
Comfort and Design: Customizable bands, lightweight
How do we rank products for you?

Our technology thoroughly searches through the online shopping world, reviewing hundreds of sites. We then process and analyze this information, updating in real-time to bring you the latest top-rated products. This way, you always get the best and most current options available.

headphones-stars

Buying Guide for the Best Heart Rate Watches

Choosing the right heart-rate watch can significantly enhance your fitness journey by providing valuable insights into your heart health and workout intensity. To make an informed decision, it's essential to understand the key specifications and how they align with your personal fitness goals and lifestyle. Here are the main features to consider when selecting a heart-rate watch.
Heart Rate MonitoringHeart rate monitoring is the primary function of these watches, allowing you to track your heart rate in real-time. This feature is crucial for understanding your cardiovascular health and ensuring you're exercising within your target heart rate zone. Basic models offer continuous heart rate monitoring, while advanced ones provide more detailed metrics like resting heart rate, heart rate variability, and recovery time. If you're a casual user, a basic model might suffice, but for serious athletes or those with specific health goals, a more advanced model would be beneficial.
GPS TrackingGPS tracking allows you to monitor your routes, distance, and pace during outdoor activities like running, cycling, or hiking. This feature is important for those who want to keep track of their performance and progress over time. Basic models may not include GPS, relying instead on your smartphone's GPS, while more advanced models have built-in GPS. If you frequently engage in outdoor activities, a watch with built-in GPS is a better choice for accurate tracking.
Battery LifeBattery life determines how long your watch can function before needing a recharge. This is important for ensuring your watch can last through long workouts or multi-day activities. Basic models may offer a few days of battery life, while advanced models can last up to several weeks, especially in power-saving modes. Consider your usage patterns; if you plan to use the watch for extended periods without access to a charger, opt for a model with longer battery life.
Water ResistanceWater resistance indicates how well the watch can withstand exposure to water, which is crucial for swimmers or those who sweat heavily during workouts. Basic models might be splash-proof, suitable for light rain or sweat, while advanced models can be fully waterproof, allowing for swimming and diving. Choose a watch with the appropriate level of water resistance based on your activities.
Smart FeaturesSmart features include notifications, music control, contactless payments, and compatibility with fitness apps. These features enhance the overall functionality of the watch, making it more than just a fitness tracker. Basic models might offer limited smart features, while advanced models provide a wide range of functionalities. If you want a watch that can also serve as a smartwatch, look for models with comprehensive smart features.
Display and InterfaceThe display and interface determine how easy it is to read and interact with your watch. This is important for quickly accessing information during workouts. Basic models may have simple, monochrome displays, while advanced models offer high-resolution, color touchscreens. If you prefer a more user-friendly and visually appealing interface, opt for a watch with a high-quality display.
Comfort and DesignComfort and design affect how the watch feels on your wrist and how it looks. This is important for ensuring you can wear the watch comfortably throughout the day. Basic models might have simpler designs and materials, while advanced models offer more ergonomic designs and premium materials. Consider your personal style and comfort preferences when choosing a watch.

FAQ