The H10 has been around for quite a few years now and has built up a solid reputation for the accuracy of its heart rate data.
Polar H10 heart rate monitor review
In several months of testing, we saw nothing to suggest otherwise.
You need to moisten the electrodes before starting your session but once done, pickup is quick and painless, while the heart rate data stayed accurate through both low and high intensity sessions.
As we’ve come to expect, there’s Bluetooth and ANT connectivity so you can use the H10 with brands other than Polar, including bike computers and Zwift, while we had no issues with pairing.
The H10 is also waterproof up to 30m, which means you can use it for swimming, however, it’ll need to be used with Polar watches or the Polar Flow/Beat app for you to see the data.
Speaking of the apps, you can use these to track activities when paired with the H10, with a range of info available to review afterward. Though, chances are you won’t need this if the monitor is paired with your watch.
Battery life is a very reasonable 400 hours, according to the brand, and once it’s out of juice you can simply pop a new battery in.
Comfort is also high, with the strap sitting comfortably against the skin and staying in place well thanks to the silicone grips on the back.
Priced at £76.50, there are certainly cheaper (and more expensive) straps out there, some of which will offer additional data such as running dynamics, cadence and so on. However, if you just want an ultra reliable HR monitor, this is a great choice.
Verdict: Excellent accuracy and quick to connect, but extra data would be useful.
Score: 86%
Also consider...
Polar H9 heart rate monitor
- £51.50
For a little less money you can also get Polar's H9 heart rate monitor and chest strap. In doing so, you should still get Polar's reliable heart rate data, roughly 400hrs of battery life and a waterproof protection down to 30m.
Like the H10, you also get ANT+ and Bluetooth connectivity, but unlike its bigger brother, the H9 can only connect to one device at a time.
Other differences include a lack of internal memory (the H10 has space to store one workout), a slightly different chest strap and a cheaper price!
