10 Best Heart Monitor Watches 2026 in the United States

The Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) is a strong choice if you want a heart monitor watch packed with health and fitness tools. It offers advanced heart rate monitoring, including ECG readings and notifications for abnormal heart rhythms, which is great for keeping track of your heart health. It also tracks blood oxygen levels, sleep quality with a sleep score, and even alerts for hypertension and possible sleep apnea, providing a broad view of your wellness. Its built-in GPS is precise, useful for outdoor workouts and route tracking without needing your phone. The watch is water resistant up to 50 meters, so it's safe for swimming and daily use.

Battery life lets you go about a full day on a charge, with quick charging available to get you back up fast, though if you want multiple days without charging, it may require some power-saving adjustments. The design is lightweight and comfortable, making it easy to wear all day and night for continuous monitoring. It works best with iPhones, so if you’re an iPhone user, compatibility is seamless, but it won’t pair fully with Android phones. The watch also includes handy safety features like fall and crash detection and emergency SOS. The battery life isn’t the longest compared to some competitors that last several days, and to get the most from its features, an iPhone is needed. If you prioritize comprehensive health insights alongside fitness tracking and prefer a stylish, durable watch, the Apple Watch Series 11 fits well. However, for those wanting multi-day battery life or Android compatibility, other options might suit better.

The Garmin vívoactive 6 is a versatile health and fitness smartwatch that suits those looking for a reliable heart-monitoring device with added lifestyle features. Its bright 1.2-inch AMOLED display makes it easy to read stats, and the watch offers continuous heart rate monitoring along with advanced health insights like Body Battery energy levels, stress tracking, and sleep analysis including a sleep score and personalized coaching. It supports built-in GPS for accurate workout tracking outdoors and includes over 80 sports apps for a variety of activities.

Battery life is impressive, lasting up to 11 days in smartwatch mode, so you won’t have to charge it frequently. The watch is lightweight and comfortable for daily wear, with a water-resistant design that’s suitable for swimming and other water activities. Compatibility with smartphones via Bluetooth allows easy syncing of data and notifications. It also provides features like menstrual cycle tracking, pregnancy tracking, and animated workouts, making it a good fit for users interested in overall wellness, not just fitness.

One limitation is that the data provided for health metrics is an approximation rather than medical-grade accuracy, so it’s best for general fitness and health awareness rather than clinical use. Also, while rich in features, some users might find the 1.2-inch screen small, and the Garmin OS may take a short time to get used to if you’re new to smartwatches. The vívoactive 6 delivers a comprehensive package for those wanting a solid heart-monitor watch that doubles as a daily activity companion with long battery life and plenty of health tracking tools.

The Fitbit Versa 4 Fitness Smartwatch offers a robust set of features, making it a strong contender in the heart-monitor-watches category. It excels with its 24/7 heart rate monitoring, which is crucial for effective fitness tracking and health monitoring. The battery life is impressive, lasting over 6 days on a single charge, reducing the need for frequent recharging. Water resistance up to 50 meters makes it suitable for swimming and showering, adding to its versatility. Connectivity options are ample with Bluetooth 5.0 and USB, ensuring seamless syncing with other devices.

The 1.58-inch touchscreen display is user-friendly, though it might feel small for some users who prefer larger screens for better readability. Additional features like built-in GPS, sleep tracking, stress management, and a wide range of exercise modes (40+) provide comprehensive health and fitness insights, making it a well-rounded choice for fitness enthusiasts. However, it lacks some advanced smartwatch features like standalone music streaming and a larger app ecosystem, which could be a drawback for users looking for an all-in-one device.

The included 6-month Premium membership adds value by offering personalized insights and advanced analytics, although it is a temporary benefit. In conclusion, the Fitbit Versa 4 is ideal for users focused on fitness and health monitoring with its reliable heart rate accuracy, long battery life, and extensive exercise tracking capabilities.