Which chest strap delivers lab-grade accuracy with seamless Bluetooth and ANT+ connectivity — Garmin’s newest tweaks or Polar’s proven H10 — and which will actually sharpen your training?
Train smarter with the Garmin HRM 600 vs Polar H10 showdown: this concise primer compares accuracy, HRV performance, connectivity, comfort, and which strap suits different athlete needs and training, to help you choose the best heart-rate monitor for your goals.
Performance Ready
Premium build and strong data fidelity make this an excellent choice for athletes who need advanced metrics and occasional standalone recording. The strap comfort, rechargeable battery and consistent measurements suit multi-sport training, especially when paired with compatible devices.
Accuracy Champion
A top pick when absolute heart-rate accuracy and wide device compatibility are priorities. Robust strap hardware and reliable connectivity make it ideal for athletes who use varied equipment, though battery maintenance should be considered for heavy users.
Garmin HRM600
Polar H10
Garmin HRM600
Polar H10
Garmin HRM600
Polar H10
EP22: Garmin HRM 600 – Thorough Review, Scientific Accuracy & AI Insights
Key Specs & Design: What's in the Box and Build Differences
Garmin HRM 600 — what’s included & physical design
The HRM 600 ships with the HRM module, an adjustable textile chest strap (XS–S model here), and a charge/data cable. The detachable plastic module houses a rechargeable battery (rated up to ~2 months per charge) and supports on-device, stand-alone activity recording (stores HR, calories, speed/distance). The strap is machine‑washable, elastic and adjustable for a snug fit; this SKU covers XS–S body sizes. Item weight is listed at 2.2 oz (module + strap combined). Build focuses on a lightweight plastic module and washable fabric strap for repeated use.
Polar H10 — what’s included & physical design
Polar includes the H10 sensor, a pro chest strap sized M–XXL, a quick guide and information note. The strap composition is specified (38% polyamide, 29% polyurethane, 20% elastane, 13% polyester) with silicone print areas to reduce slip and rolling. The H10 sensor uses a replaceable coin-cell battery, and the unit is explicitly waterproof and designed for multi-sport use (including swimming). Item weight ~60 g. The connector uses ABS/PC materials and stainless-steel contacts for durability.
Packaging, warranty, and price positioning
Accuracy & HRV: Which Delivers More Reliable Heart Data?
Rest and steady-state accuracy
Both chest straps outperform wrist optical sensors at rest. Polar H10 is widely used in labs and coaching for near-reference beat-to-beat R‑R capture, so expect very tight agreement with ECG during calm conditions. Garmin HRM 600 also delivers high-fidelity HR and HRV to compatible Garmin devices and records on‑device, giving excellent steady-state fits when paired or when used standalone.
Intervals, sprints and rapid changes
Chest straps measure electrical activity directly, so they track rapid heart-rate changes far better than optical watches. In high‑intensity intervals both units hold up well, but practical differences appear:
Sampling, electrodes and signal stability
Both sensors use high internal sampling rates and conductive electrodes to detect R‑R intervals (much higher resolution than optical PPG). Polar explicitly uses stainless-steel contacts and a pro strap engineered to resist rolling, which helps signal stability. Garmin’s washable strap and snug fit design also maintain consistent contact; the detachable rechargeable module reduces connector wear.
Artifact filtering, latency, dropouts
Both devices apply filtering to remove electrical noise and false beats; this can slightly smooth instantaneous heart-rate traces (minor latency) but preserves HRV metrics better than unfiltered raw streams. Expect occasional dropouts if the strap is loose, wet with salt residue, or if Bluetooth pairing is interrupted. Garmin’s standalone logging reduces data loss risk during connectivity issues.
Who should use which for HRV?
Limitations to expect:
Connectivity & Compatibility: Pairing, Multi-Device Use, and App Support
Wireless protocols & simultaneous connections
Both straps support Bluetooth Low Energy and ANT+. Polar H10 is explicitly dual‑mode and widely documented to broadcast to ANT+ receivers and two simultaneous Bluetooth connections. Garmin HRM 600 also uses ANT+ and BLE, and—like other premium Garmin straps—lets ANT+ head units receive the signal concurrently while offering limited simultaneous Bluetooth pairings (commonly two devices).
Pairing & ease of use
Third‑party apps & platforms
Both work with Zwift, TrainerRoad, Peloton (via Bluetooth), many gym machines, and export pathways to Strava via their respective apps.
Stand‑alone recording, sync, and firmware
Garmin HRM 600 can record workouts on the module itself and later sync heart rate, calories, speed and distance to Garmin Connect when you open the app and connect the module—handy if you train without a head unit. Polar H10 has no onboard logging; it requires a paired device/app for storage.
Firmware updates typically happen through the vendor app (Garmin Connect for HRM 600; Polar Flow/Beat or Flow web for H10). Updates require close proximity, an active Bluetooth connection, and sometimes the strap to be charging.
Latency & reliability for live training
Comparative Features
Comfort, Durability & Battery: Real-World Wearability and Maintenance
Strap comfort & fit
Garmin HRM 600: adjustable, offered in XS–S and M–XL; soft, machine‑washable strap and detachable module make it easy to get a snug fit for smaller and mid‑sized torsos without bunching.
Polar H10: wider pro strap (M–XXL) with silicone prints resists rolling and stays put on larger chests. Both straps minimize chafing when fitted correctly; tighter fit reduces movement but may increase heat on long rides.
Durability & water resistance
Polar H10: explicitly marketed as waterproof and regularly used for swimming, heavy sweat, and multisport training. Strap materials are robust and resist stretching.
Garmin HRM 600: built for heavy use—machine‑washable strap and detachable module reduce wear from sweat. Both units have solid build quality for repeated wash cycles; remove modules before washing and let straps air‑dry.
Battery approach & real‑world life
Garmin HRM 600: rechargeable battery with manufacturer claim of up to 2 months per charge. Routine: charge with included cable after multi‑week use; expect slightly shorter life with very frequent recording or standalone logging.
Polar H10: replaceable coin‑cell battery (user‑replaceable). Battery life varies by use and pairings; plan to carry a spare cell and replace when connection drops or battery indicator appears in companion app.
Maintenance tips & replacement parts
Final Verdict: Which Chest Strap Should You Choose?
Garmin HRM 600 brings onboard recording, advanced HRV metrics and running dynamics, ideal for solo workouts and detailed physiological tracking; trade-offs include a slightly bulkier fit and a narrower app ecosystem. Polar H10 offers proven chest-strap accuracy, broad ANT+/Bluetooth compatibility and superior comfort, but lacks onboard storage. Overall winner: Polar H10 — best balance of accuracy, comfort and ecosystem for most athletes.
Pick the Garmin HRM 600 if you want onboard recording, detailed HRV analytics and running dynamics for solo or long sessions. Choose the Polar H10 if you prioritize gold-standard accuracy, multi-device pairing and broad app/coach compatibility. Buyer checklist: onboard recording? Garmin; absolute accuracy & device pairing? Polar; size/fit and waterproofing? confirm strap size; budget tolerance for premium features? weigh Garmin’s extras. Decide now and start training smarter tomorrow with confidence.
Okay, small rant: I paired the H10 with my phone and it kept dropping on long rides. Switched to HRM 600 and the connection was much more stable. Could be my phone tho 🤷♂️
Good plan — also try keeping the strap firmware up to date and closing background apps that access Bluetooth.
I had the same with older Android phones. Newer iPhones seem better with Bluetooth stability.
Also remember to remove old paired devices from phone’s Bluetooth list — that helped me a lot.
Thanks for sharing, Ben. Dropouts can be due to phone Bluetooth stacks, app behavior, or distance/placement. We saw fewer Bluetooth drops with HRM 600 in our field tests, but results vary by phone model. Which phone were you using?
Using a Pixel 4a. Might be the phone or an app cache issue. Will try clearing and retesting.
Pixel devices have had intermittent Bluetooth issues historically. Not the strap every time.
Price vs features: is paying extra for the Garmin worth it if you only care about raw HR accuracy? I’m cheap and just want something that doesn’t lie during hard intervals.
If raw instantaneous HR accuracy during intervals is your only priority, Polar H10 is slightly more cost-effective. Garmin adds running dynamics, HRV recording, and standalone storage — useful if you want those extras. So: H10 = best value for pure HR; HRM 600 = more features if you need them.
I’d pick H10 if you’re not into fancy metrics. Save cash and get rock-solid HR data.
I like data — does the HRM 600 give better HRV metrics than H10? I use HRV to guide my recovery.
Both devices provide high-quality R-R interval data suitable for HRV analysis. HRV quality is more about consistent R-R capture and processing in your app. HRM 600’s stable recording and dedicated session memory can be advantageous if you sometimes forget to connect your watch, but H10’s raw data is also excellent for HRV apps.
If anyone’s wondering about sizes: Polar H10 has replaceable straps and comes in many sizes (M-XXL) while Garmin included XS-S in the model we tested. Make sure you choose the right strap size — tightness affects signal.
Right — strap fit is crucial. Garmin sells different strap sizes separately; Polar’s modular strap is nice if you plan to share or need a replacement.
Same. Sizing saved me from weird data artifacts.
I had to order a different strap for my husband — Polar’s replacement was easy to find.
Also pro tip: moisten the electrodes on the strap before use — it improves contact and reduces noise.
Quick question: does the HRM 600 pair with third-party apps over ANT+ and Bluetooth simultaneously? I’m tired of straps that refuse to stream to my trainer and watch at the same time.
Also, is the Polar H10 still king for Bluetooth connectivity with multiple devices?
Good question. HRM 600 supports both ANT+ and Bluetooth and can broadcast to multiple ANT+ devices and one Bluetooth connection at a time for some setups. Polar H10 is excellent for multiple simultaneous Bluetooth connections (it allows dual Bluetooth pairing), but if your trainer uses ANT+, HRM 600 might be more flexible. Check your device pairing workflows before choosing.
Right — app behavior matters. For multi-device streaming, ANT+ tends to be friendlier. The HRM 600’s dual-protocol support gives it an edge in mixed ecosystems.
Heads up: some apps only accept one Bluetooth HR concurrently. Depends on app, not just the strap.
I’ve had the HRM 600 streaming to my watch via ANT+ and to Zwift via Bluetooth — worked fine for me last month.
Polar H10 -> two Bluetooth devices worked great for me during indoor sessions. No ANT+ though.
Small PSA: firmware updates fixed a pairing bug on my H10. Always check for firmware before you blame the strap. 😉
Absolutely — firmware can resolve many connectivity and stability issues. Good reminder to update both strap firmware and companion apps.
Deep dive was helpful. Final thought: for coaches — which would you recommend if you need consistent live data for multiple athletes during a session? I’m running group intervals and need reliability.
Good to know — thanks! Thinking about switching for group sessions.
If budget’s tight, a mix (some H10, some HRM 600) can work depending on each athlete’s devices.
Exactly — match each athlete’s strap to their device setup when possible to avoid compatibility headaches.
For multi-athlete setups, ANT+ (HRM 600) can be advantageous because many hubs and bike computers support multiple ANT+ channels reliably. Polar H10’s dual Bluetooth pairing is helpful for two devices per strap, but scaling to many athletes is easier with ANT+ ecosystems. So, HRM 600 likely scales better in group training contexts.
Minor nit: the HRM 600’s strap buckle felt a bit bulky while I was trying to tuck it under my jersey. Not a dealbreaker, but worth noting.
Polar’s strap is sleeker but older bands show wear faster.
Good point. Small things like that become annoying on long rides/runs.
I wrap mine differently to avoid the buckle pressing on my ribs. Takes practice 😂
Haha, share the technique? I end up looking like a mummy.
Thanks — we noted similar ergonomics in the hands-on. Strap hardware differs; if you run tight kits and aero positions, try to test fit before buying.
Honestly, comfort matters more to me than a 1% accuracy difference. The H10 strap chafed me after an hour, whereas Garmin’s band felt less annoying. YMMV.
I run with multiple devices (watch + bike computer). The ANT+ support on the Garmin made setup painless. If you’re in a mixed ecosystem, consider HRM 600.
Also lol @ the people who think optical watches are as accurate as a strap for interval spikes 😅
Agreed, optical is convenient but chest strap = gold standard for high-intensity accuracy.
Optical works for steady-state runs, though. Depends on what you do.
Great point — ANT+ excels in multi-device environments. Optical sensors have improved but still lag for rapid HR changes.
I’ve been using a Polar H10 for a couple of years and recently tried the Garmin HRM 600 during a 10K. Garmin’s running dynamics are neat, and the standalone recording is really handy if you forget your watch.
That said, the H10 still feels more accurate on sprints for me — chest straps just pick up quick changes better. Battery life on the HRM 600 is solid tho.
Would love to see more long-run HRV comparisons between these two.
Standalone recording is a game changer if you forget your phone/watch. Good tip!
Totally agree about sprints. Chest straps are just ruthless for fast spikes. I prefer Polar for interval training.
Thanks Emily — great real-world take. We measured similar sprint responsiveness in lab tests: H10 edges out slightly for rapid HR changes, while HRM 600 shines for dynamics and built-in memory. If you can, try both on interval sessions and steady long runs to compare HRV stability.
I hate chest straps but want the accuracy. Any tips for making them less annoying? Also, any thoughts on battery replacement — is HRM 600 rechargeable or replaceable battery?
Base layer trick is life-changing. No chafe and stays put.
Comfort hacks: wear a thin base layer under the strap, shift strap slightly lower on the ribcage, and dampen electrodes. Regarding battery: HRM 600 uses a user-replaceable battery (CR2032-style in many Garmin straps) — check the manual for specifics. Polar H10 also uses a replaceable battery. Neither requires frequent recharging like some smart devices.
Long read — appreciated the bench tests. One thought: waterproofing matters for triathletes. Both are waterproof, but anyone tried swimming with HRM 600? How does it compare to H10 in open water?
Both straps are waterproof, but chest straps in general can be finicky in open water due to antenna orientation and head movement. In our tests, Polar H10 was slightly more consistent in pools; HRM 600 performed well but had occasional dropouts in rough open water. For triathlon use, real-world testing is recommended.
I used HRM 600 in a river swim once and lost a few minutes of data during choppy bits. Might just be orientation tho.
Swam with H10 last summer — worked fine in a calm lake. Open ocean might be a different story.