Polar OH1 Review

Polar OH1 Review

I’ve been contributing to PCMag since 2011, at times as an analyst and currently as deputy managing editor for the software team. My column, Get Organized, has been running on PCMag since 2012. It gives advice on how to manage all the devices, apps, digital photos, email, and other technology that can make you feel like you’re going to have a panic attack.

Polar OH1 heart rate monitor

The Bottom Line

The Polar OH1 is an optical armband heart rate monitor rather than a chest strap, and is one of the better devices in the category.

PCMag editors select and review products independently. If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which help support our testing.

Polar OH1 Specs

Name Value
Form Factor Arm Band
ANT+ Yes
Bluetooth Yes
Rechargeable Battery Yes

Comfortable, reliable, and featherlight, the $79.95 Polar OH1 should be at the top of your list if you’re looking to buy an armband heart rate monitor (HRM) rather than a chest strap. A rechargeable battery ensures you never have to go shopping for replacement coin cells, and Bluetooth syncing means you can use the OH1 directly with supported fitness apps, including Strava. The Polar OH1 is among the best heart rate monitors we’ve tested, and an excellent alternative to a chest strap.

HRM Technology

Chest strap HRMs and armbands use two different types of technology. Chest straps use electrical pulse technology while armbands use optical, the same thing used in the Apple Watch and many fitness trackers for running. The OH1 is an optical device.

Without getting too technical, chest straps read the small electrical signal that your body creates to make your heart constrict. Optical technology sends light into the skin and reads the light that comes back. Based on that information and what we know about how light scatters when it hits bloodflow, the device figures out your pulse. Electrical technology is considered slightly more accurate, but for the purpose of everyday athletics, the differences are moot.

Another technological difference seen among HRMs is whether they sync via ANT+, Bluetooth, or both. ANT+ is often used for HRMs that are designed to connect with specific devices, such as runners’ watches and bicycle computers. Bluetooth is a better option if you want to sync directly to your phone, which you’d need for any companion apps that include real-time coaching based on your heart rate.

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MIO Link

The OH1 uses Bluetooth, as well as direct USB syncing, which is unusual but handy. You can upload data stored on the device directly to your computer while you’re recharging the battery. The OH1’s internal memory stores up to 200 hours of training data.

Speaking of batteries, it’s certainly a bonus to be able to recharge the lithium polymer one inside the OH1 so you never have to buy a specialty size coin cell, which is what most HRMs use. A full charge can last 12 hours, and it’s water resistant to 98 feet, which means you can swim with it, and heavy rain and sweat are no problem.

The Polar OH1+ is available for the same price and is otherwise identical, but it includes a small plastic swimming goggle strap clip for use in the pool.

Design and Fit

The Polar OH1 is so light, I actually worried that the sensor was missing. At 0.176 ounces (5 grams), you can hardly tell it’s there. The armband itself only weighs 0.42 ounces (12 grams).

The soft and flexible black band uses a minimal amount of plastic and metal for adjusting the fit and snapping the sensor into place. A tag that’s tucked away from your skin indicates that the band is machine washable. The strap is the same material you find on most HRM chest straps, which is world’s better than the textured strap used on the Scosche Rhythm + armband, which attracts dust bunnies like crazy.

One size fits all. The OH1 stretches to about a 24-inch circumference and works on either the upper or lower arm. No living human’s forearms are that big.

The sensor snaps into a compartment on the inside of the strap. When you remove the sensor from the chamber, helpful reminders are printed inside: 1x=On, 1x Long=Off, 2x=Rec. These are instructions for pressing the silver button on the side of the sensor. One press turns it on, a long press turns it off, and pushing it twice begins recording.

An indicator light on the opposite side of the button flashes green to let you know the sensor is on or recording, and red when changing modes. It blinks orange while charging and keeps a steady green when at 100 percent.

Compatibility and Use

The OH1 has its own onboard memory, so you can record a workout with it and leave your phone behind. Alternatively, you can connect it to Android and iOS devices to use it directly with certain fitness apps. The phone requirements are low: You need an iPhone 4S or later, or Android 4.4 and later with Bluetooth 4.0. The OH1 is also compatible with all Bluetooth-compatible Polar watches, fitness trackers, and cycling computers, such as the M430 ($148.15 at Amazon) , V800, and M600, and the M460 bicycle computer.

The Polar Beat app works with the OH1 directly, letting you record your heart rate while doing any activity in the app’s very long list. I’ve used the app before when testing Polar products while running, dancing, doing yoga, cycling, and more. It does a great job of tracking metrics, and I especially like that there are limited features behind paywalls. Everything is included for free.

If you want to use other non-Polar branded fitness apps with this HRM, just check whether they can connect to Polar Flow. Strava, for example, connects to Polar Flow, rather than connecting to the armband directly. Polar Flow is the central service used for Polar devices. It’s basically the app used to track all your activities, set up new devices, enter personal information such as height and weight, and so forth. Polar Flow collects all your Polar data in one place. There’s a web app, desktop app, and mobile apps.

After trying on the OH 1 in a few different ways, I chose to wear it on my upper left arm. That’s information you need to know in advance, as you have to enter it during setup (you can always change this setting later). You also need a computer with a USB port and the Polar Flow desktop app to set up this particular device; you cannot do it from a mobile device.

On the arm, the OH1 feels as weightless as it did in my hands. I loosened the strap a few times while getting used to it, as I realized it doesn’t need to be so tight as to make an imprint, just snug enough to stay in place and have good contact with my skin.

One of the first time I wore an armband HRM was back in 2014 when the Mio Link ( at Amazon)debuted, and I have been waiting ever since for more companies to copy one excellent feature from that device. The Link has an indicator light that changes color based on your current heart rate zone. It’s so simple and yet so beneficial. Unfortunately, the Polar OH1 does not have a color-changing indicator light for heart rate zones.

You can still buy the Mio Link, although the company is now pushing instead its wrist-based fitness tracker with optical heart rate, the Mio Slice ($20.00 at Amazon) . It’s a nice tracker, but it also lacks those color-coded lights that I love so much.

Accuracy

To get a sense of accuracy, I wore the Polar OH1 and Wahoo Fitness Tickr X ($73.99 at Walmart)at the same time both at rest and while working out. I connected each HRM to a different phone and used an app that shows my heart rate in real time for both of them, Polar Beat and Wahoo Fitness.

It took 30 to 45 seconds for the HRMs to connect and get a stable heart rate reading. From there on out, my heart rate was never more than about five beats per minute different between the two readings, and usually the difference only lasted a few seconds. The two readings were always within the same range.

Price and Comparisons

The Polar OH1 costs $79.95. There are two things to keep in mind when comparing its price with those of other HRMs. First, the OH1 only reads heart rate, whereas a few other HRMs in the same price range include internal motion sensors that can read other data, too. Second, the OH1 is an arm band, not a chest strap, which some people prefer for comfort and ease of use. Women in particular will find that adjusting an armband during a workout is much more convenient than reaching under their shirt and possibly also under their bra band to futz with a chest strap.

Most top-of-the-line HRMs also have a sticker price around $79. Our Editors’ Choice, the Wahoo Fitness Tickr X, retails for $99.99, but you can usually find it for $79.99. The Tickr X can track advanced workout metrics, such as reps during strength training and ground contact time during runs, so it packs a lot of value.

Budget-conscious shoppers can save money and still get a reliable device by opting for a standard chest strap that only reads heart rate. Two solid options are Garmin’s Soft Strap Premium Heart Rate Sensor ($69.99) or a slightly older model simply called Garmin Heart Rate Monitor ($49.99).

Conclusions

If you’re in the market for an armband HRM rather than a chest strap, the Polar OH1 should definitely be in your list of consideration. It works well and is convenient to wear. Make sure it or the Polar Flow service can connect to the devices and apps you want to use with it, however.

If you’re undecided about the form factor, the Wahoo Fitness Tickr X and Garmin HRM-Run come with added value because they each have an internal motion sensor. And the Polar H10 is a reliable and option if you already own Polar devices.

Garmin HRM-Dual Review

I’ve been contributing to PCMag since 2011, at times as an analyst and currently as deputy managing editor for the software team. My column, Get Organized, has been running on PCMag since 2012. It gives advice on how to manage all the devices, apps, digital photos, email, and other technology that can make you feel like you’re going to have a panic attack.

Garmin HRM-Dual

The Bottom Line

Garmin’s HRM-Dual chest strap heart rate monitor can connect to just about any device or app. It’s reliable, accurate, long-lasting, and comfortable, although it doesn’t include any special features.

PCMag editors select and review products independently. If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which help support our testing.

Garmin HRM-Dual Specs

Name Value
Form Factor Chest Strap
ANT+ Yes
Bluetooth Yes
Rechargeable Battery No

What do you look for in a heart rate monitor? For most people, accuracy is the key reason to buy a dedicated HRM rather than use one built into a fitness tracker or smartwatch. Another reason is to track heart rate for hours without worrying about the battery dying. With that in mind, Garmin’s $69.99 HRM-Dual is accurate, comfortable, and has a battery designed to last years. It also has both ANT+ and Bluetooth technology, meaning it can connect to just about any device or app you might use. If a reliable chest strap is what you need, it’s a solid buy. If you’re looking for something with more in the way of special features, our Editors’ Choice, the Wahoo Tickr X, can count reps during workouts, has LEDs and a vibration alert, and doubles as a run-tracker.

Design, Fit, and Battery

The Garmin HRM-Dual has two parts: a sensor and a strap. The sensor connects to two metal snaps on the strap. The part of the HRM that actually reads your heart rate is built into the strap itself. The strap then transmits the information to the sensor, which sends it to a connected device via ANT+ or Bluetooth.

The sensor weighs 1.9 ounces. The strap stretches from 25 to 52 inches using two adjusters that prevent the band from loosening during activity, which is a nice touch. The strap hooks around your chest using a small fastener that slips into a fabric loop at the opposite end. It’s super comfortable and soft. I had to adjust it a few times before finding the ideal size, but once I did, I was set. Garmin recommends washing the strap roughly every seven uses, though it depends how much you sweat. The strap is machine-washable —just b e sure to remove the sensor before washing.

The HRM-Dual comes with a CR2032 coin cell battery already installed. It’s tucked inside the sensor behind a panel that’s secured into place with four tiny Phillips-head screws. In other words, you need a screwdriver to change the battery, the same kind used for the screws in eyeglasses. Garmin estimates 3.5 years of battery life from the included battery, based on an hour per day of use. Because it has such a long life, you can use it for very long workouts, too, whether an ultramarathon or a full day of golf. The HRM-Dual won’t quit on you.

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If you can’t stand the thought of changing a battery (even once every few years), you can certainly find a HRM with a rechargeable battery instead. All the ones that come to mind are armbands, however, and they all use optical technology to read heart rate rather than electrical signals. https://jiji.ng/ Optical is what you find in armbands, some running watches, and smartwatches that read heart rate. Electrical is the technology found in chest straps. In any event, the Wahoo Tickr X, the Polar OH1, and the Scosche Rhythm24 all have rechargeable batteries.

Compatibility, Apps, and Use

With both ANT+ and Bluetooth, the Garmin HRM-Dual can connect to a wide range of devices, including apps, fitness trackers, bike computers, gym equipment, and more. If you have a Garmin device that you plan to use with it, I highly recommend checking whether it’s supported (Opens in a new window) . The HRM-Dual works with a long list of Garmin’s watches in the Forerunner, Vivo, Fenix, Edge, D2, Instinct, MARQ, and other series, but do check to avoid disappointment.

As for apps, you can connect with nearly any fitness-tracking app that has a heart rate function. I successfully connected to Apple Health, Runtastic (Pro), UnderArmour Record, and Wahoo RunFit. In all cases, the strap connected without a hitch. At the gym, I connected effortlessly to a Bluetooth-enabled treadmill.

One app it doesn’t connect to directly is Garmin’s own Garmin Connect. If you want to track heart rate using Garmin Connect, you need to daisy-chain the HRM-Dual to another supported device, and then the device to the app. For example, I used the HRM with a Garmin Vivoactive. Once I connect the strap to the watch, I don’t need to have my phone on me at all, as the watch will sync my stored heart rate data to the app the next time they’re in contact.

As with any chest strap, the heart rate readers in the strap must be damp to conduct a signal well. For many people, the HRM-Dual will work directly upon making contact with your skin. If you don’t see the device show up when you’re trying to connect it, moisten your finger and run it along the straps. That should do the trick.

Accuracy

First, I wore the HRM-Dual at the same time as a Wahoo Tickr X and a Fitbit Charge 3 for a treadmill run to get a sense of how the readings from the three devices compared. To be frank, I was pleasantly surprised that all three were never out of sync by more than two beats per minute, and it never lasted more than a minute when they were off. I had high expectations for the HRM-Dual, as chest strap monitors tend to be the most accurate. It was more surprising to see the numbers from the other devices lining up so neatly.

I also put on the HRM-Dual while walking and working, and the readings seemed accurate based on what I know about my heart rate generally. A brisk walk put me in the 90-96bpm range. When I sat and typed, my pulse hung out around 60-66bpm. Those numbers are what I expected.

The HRM-Dual has a range of three meters, so you don’t want to be too far from the connected device. Don’t enable tracking via an app on your phone and then march all the way across the room to a stationary bike. You can comfortablly put your device to the side, but try to stay near to it. During my testing, I never saw a dropped connection.

Comparions and Conclusions

The Garmin HRM-Dual lists for $69.99. Hunt around online, and you may be able to find it for closer to $59. Compared with other top-of-the-line heart rate monitors, it’s about average for a chest strap model that doesn’t come loaded with extra features. Most chest straps cost in the range of $49 to $99, depending on how new they are and what else they offer.

The Wahoo Tickr X (a PCMag Editors’ Choice and a personal favorite) has a list price of $99, but sells for about $75 now because it’s not the latest model. It doubles as a run tracker and can count reps during strength training. Garmin has a chest strap that doubles as a run tracker, too, the HRM-Run. It lists for $99.99, and you can similarly find it discounted at some retailers.

The Wahoo Tickr FIT is an armband HRM that has ANT+ and Bluetooth, and it costs $79.99. The Polar OH1, another armband with the same connectivity, also sells for $79.99. The same goes for the Scosche Rhythm+.

If you want a basic HRM with no additional features, they sell for around $45. The cheapest ones can be stiff and scratchy, though, so be sure to take materials into consideration.

With that in mind, the Garmin HRM-Dual is a comfortable and affordable chest strap. Because it has both ANT+ and Bluetooth, it can connect to a wide range of trackers, devices, and apps. It doesn’t have anything special, such as an on-board gyroscope for run-tracking or rep-counting, but if you’re looking for a reliable chest strap that won’t quit, it’s a worthy option.

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