Fitness Gadgets Wearables for your connected health 
We reviewed numerous sports watches and heart rate monitors without chest straps, which are trendy in 2017. Based on these review reports we know many current devices with heart rate monitors well and know how to measure with them well. At this point we put together the best heart rate monitors without a chest strap for sports and daily use. A comparison table provides a clear comparison of the devices and illustrates their differences.
In this heart rate monitor without chest strap review, we concentrate exclusively on heart rate monitors and sports watches with heart rate monitors, which support everyday and sporting activities and are worn like a classic watch.
Sports Watches & Heart Rate Monitors Without Chest Straps in Review
The following table lists the best heart rate monitors without chest straps and heart rate monitor from our point of view. In the review report below you will also find other models that might be of interest to you.
| Allrounder | Exact Heart Rate Measurement | Price Performance | Running | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feature/Model | Garmin Vivoactive HR | Polar M430 | TomTom Spark Cardio | Garmin Forerunner 235 |
| Image |  |  |  |  |
| Battery life in GPS Mode | 13 hours | 8 to 30 hours | 11 hours | 16 hours |
| Activity Tracker (steps, sleep, calories) | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Waterproof | yes (5 ATM) | yes (WR30) | yes (5 ATM) | yes (5 ATM) |
| Wrist heart rate measurement | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Measures the heart rate over the wrist all day long. | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Resting pulse measurement | yes | yes | no | yes |
| Connectable with HR strap | yes (via ANT+) | yes (via Bluetooth Smart) | yes (via Bluetooth Smart) | yes (via ANT+) |
| Build-in GPS | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Speed, pace & distance | GPS & Accelerometer | GPS & Accelerometer | GPS & Accelerometer | GPS & Accelerometer |
| Lap counting | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Running workout plans | no | yes | no | yes |
| Recovery guide | no | yes | no | yes |
| Comparison with other athletes | yes | yes | no | yes |
| Alarm alerts when leaving HR zone | Visual Vibration | Visual Vibration | Visual Vibration | Acoustic Visual Vibration |
| Smart Notifications | yes | yes | no, but announced | yes |
| Compatibility | ||||
| Further pros |
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Buy at | Product Page | Product Page | Product Page | Product Page |
Heart Rate Monitors Without Chest Straps – Guide
Learn everything you need to know to choose a suitable heart rate monitor without a chest strap and what advantages smart sports watches have over other watches.
Requirements: On gadget.fitness we usually look at modern activity trackers, fitness trackers, sports bands, GPS watches and so on. This means that the devices can be connected to the smartphone and are therefore enriched by one or more app(s.) This allows you to evaluate activities and personal workout statistics using a smartphone or current browser. The device is connected to a mobile phone, computer or app, but can be worn independently on the wrist. A smartphone, tablet or computer is therefore necessary for optimal functionality. The collected fitness data usually ends up on the servers of the manufacturers or app vendors.
The activity trackers featured here with heart rate monitors usually have more than the above features, like other helpful features such as a sports mode or automatic activity detection. Automated sleep monitoring and smartphone notifications.
Optical Heart Rate Monitors – Questions/Answers
Heart rate monitors without chest straps and heart rate monitors, which have a built-in heart rate sensor, are designed to help the user record his or her training sessions and lifestyle, and to motivate him or her to engage in more activities and exercise in everyday life. They are not medical devices and the data should not be used to make medical decisions (e. g. to prevent, diagnose, monitor or treat diseases or injuries) or to replace the advice of a healthcare professional.
This is also one of the reasons why manufacturers equate heart frequency and heart rate as a term, even if they are two different pairs of shoes. As a rule, manufacturers advertise the devices as heart rate monitors/sensors. Manufacturers also rule out any suitability of the equipment for medical use.
In case of doubt, always consult a doctor if you are not sure. Especially if you want to use the device in combination with a pacemaker or other medical devices.
The devices presented in this review usually measure the heart rate at the wrist with the help of an opto-electric sensor without additional devices and are currently conquering the market for fitness trackers and activity trackers. Several LEDs and an opto-electrical sensor are installed on the back of the device housing, which makes heart rate detection possible and eliminates the need for a chest strap. There are also running watches without a chest strap as well as devices with GPS receivers or multi-sport capabilities, so that many sportsmen and health-conscious people have an interesting device to choose from.
When is a Sports Watch or Heart Rate Monitor without a Chest Strap the Right Choice for Me?
The heart rate monitor without a chest strap is the right choice for you if one or more of the following conditions are important to you.
- Recording of heart rate during workouts (usually every second), especially during running training
- Training by heart rate zones
- Record heart rate all day long
- Determining the resting heart rate
- More precise calculation of calorie consumption or daily activities
- A chest strap is a bothersome experience
You can also expect a heart rate monitor without a chest strap to evaluate your activities and sleep phases, calculate calories burned based on your personal daily activity, or record fitness workouts of various kinds in a special sport mode. All data can be digitally stored and read out via app. In the app, motivating trends can then be identified over several days and weeks, enabling you to build on successes or counteract them if you notice that you are not moving enough.
The devices include an activity tracker that motivates you to exercise more in your daily life or allows you to collect points and rewards. Some of them even adorn the wrist to match the outfit.
If you are focusing on the above-mentioned and other health-related functions during training, a heart rate monitor without chest strap is the right device for you. The devices are available in the form of a GPS training watch, smartwatch or as a smaller fitness band.
Here you can see the outer differences between a fitness band (center) and a sports watch (left) and a sports watch / GPS watch (right):
All three wearables offer activity tracking and smart features. The sports watch / Watch with heart rate monitor, however, is the device of your choice, for training and everyday life. It has a large, easy-to-read display, good battery life and delivers data via app.
Activity Tracker with heart rate monitor
If the above-mentioned aspects are not so important to you, but you don’t want to do without the heart rate monitor, we recommend our Activity Tracker Heart Rate Monitor Guide and Comparison.
If you need fewer functions, we advise you to consult our step trackers review and advice. These devices usually offer a little less functionality, but are smaller and easier to use.
Heart Rate Monitors Without Chest Strap For running
Activity trackers and heart rate monitors without a chest strap are presented here, which are especially suitable for running. This means that the sports watches have separate functions that can evaluate running activities in a targeted manner. They can also often integrate external sensors and have a GPS receiver that provides additional functions (such as distance recording).
Garmin Forerunner 35
For the Garmin Forerunner 35 we put together only the most important features of the versatile GPS watch for beginners.
The Forerunner 35 is particularly suitable for sports enthusiasts – especially runners – as well as active people and those who want to become one. The heart rate sensor and the good adjustment possibilities and running options such as virtual pacer and interval training are also suitable for advanced runners. The 24/7 Activity-Tracker helps you to assess your own level of activity and motivates you to do more. The good display, long battery life, appealing design and smart features make Garmin’s watch more than just a daily routine.
FR35: Other Special Features of the Beginner’s Running Activity Tracker
- GPS receiver
- Smartphone notifications
- Activity Tracker: 24×7 Activity: steps taken, distance traveled, sleep activities, calories burned. Also during (GPS) activities.
- Heart rate tracking: dynamic (in watch mode), running (every second)
- Resting heart rate tracking
- Many setting options and configurable data fields
- Broadcast of the heart rate data to ANT+ devices (like sports watches and cycle computers)
- Integrated acceleration sensor: Determines step frequency and saves distance data during training in the building (no running sensor required)
- Waterproof up to 5 ATM (50 meters), suitable for swimming, snorkeling in shallow water and similar activities according to the manufacturer
- Very light: 37.3 gram
FR35: How are heart rate zones (change) indicated?
In the event of a range alarm, the user is notified when the device detects a value above or below a certain (also configured) range of values. For example, the device can issue an alarm if the heart rate falls below 90 beats per minute or rises above 180 beats per minute. Each time the user exceeds or falls below the specified range, a message is displayed. The unit also emits a beep or vibrates when sounds are activated.
FR35: Application Scenarios and Operating Modes
- Watch/Activity Tracker Mode: The heart rate is dynamically recorded 24×7. How often depends on how active you are. The more active the user is, the more often the heart rate is measured for a short time. If you move less, the heart rate is measured less often, which also saves battery power.
- Workout/training mode: The heart rate is recorded every second and allows a detailed display of the heart rate values. For example, the following sports profiles can be selected:
- Running indoor & outdoor (ANT+ running sensors connectable)
- Cycling
- Cardio
- Walking
Garmin Connect App/Web Platform
The data can be synchronized wirelessly with the smartphone or via USB cable with the computer (PC, Mac). They are then available in the app (Garmin Connect) or in the web browser for more precise data analysis. Garmin offers apps for Android, iOS and Windows Phone. The browser also provides even more convenient and detailed access to the data.
Garmin FR35 Reviewing, Experience, Buying, Special Features
- Specially designed for running
- GPS receiver
- Integrated activity tracker for footsteps, distance, calories burned, active minutes, daily targets, fully automatic sleep tracking
- Resting heart rate
- Smartphone notifications, weather data
- Integrated acceleration sensor for indoor running
- Can be optionally coupled with ANT+ running sensors
- Very good software
- Waterproof up to 5 ATM (50 meters)
- Very light: 37.3 g
Garmin Forerunner 235
The Garmin Forerunner 235 fitness watch has been extensively reviewed in the Forerunner 235 review. Here we put together only the most important features of the versatile GPS running watch without chest strap.
The Forerunner 235 is very different from its predecessor, the Forerunner 225. Common features include an optical heart rate sensor, a GPS receiver and an integrated 24×7 activity tracker. However, the integrated heart rate sensor is this time from their own company. Furthermore, Smartwatch features (calls, messages, calendar appointments of the smartphone, weather), a higher resolution colour display and a new bicycle mode have been added. ANT+ speed/cadence sensors for the bicycle can also be coupled. In addition, the FR235 can be customized via Connect IQ and extended with Apps/Widgets and the music player of the smartphone can be controlled. In addition, the FR235 offers more fitness functions such as a Vo2max estimate or a recovery guide.
FR235: Additional Features of the GPS Running Fitness Tracker
- Training plans: user-defined training plans with targets for each training session and for different distances, times and calories can be created and transferred to the device via Garmin Connect.
- GPS/GLONASS receiver
- Activity Tracker: 24×7 Activity: steps taken, distance traveled, sleep activities, calories burned. Also during (GPS) activities.
- Heart Rate Tracking: In watch mode when needed. Durable during running activities
- Permanent resting heart rate tracking
- Comprehensive configuration options and configurable data fields
- Broadcast of the heart rate data to ANT+ devices (like sports watches and cycle computers)
- Integrated acceleration sensor: Determines step frequency and saves distance data during training in the building (no running sensor required)
- Waterproof up to 5 ATM (50 meters), suitable for swimming, snorkeling in shallow water and similar activities according to the manufacturer
- Very light: 41 grams
FR235: How are Heart Rate Zones (Change) Indicated?
In the event of a range alarm, the user is notified when the device detects a value above or below a certain (also configured) range of values. For example, the device can issue an alarm if the heart rate falls below 90 beats per minute or rises above 180 beats per minute. Each time the user exceeds or falls below the specified range, a message is displayed. The unit also emits a beep or vibrates when sounds are activated. A new feature of software version 4.10 is the possibility to be warned acoustically by speech via headphones connected to the smartphone.
FR235: Application Scenarios and Operating Modes
- Watch/Activity Tracker Mode: The heart rate is dynamically recorded 24×7. How often depends on how active you are. The more active the user is, the more often the heart rate is measured for a short time. If you move less, the heart rate is measured less often, which also saves battery power.
- Workout/training mode: The heart rate is recorded every second and allows a detailed display of the heart rate values. For example, the following sports profiles can be selected:
- Running (ANT+ running sensors can be coupled)
- Indoor Running
- Cycling (ANT+ speed/cadence sensors connectable)
- Miscellaneous
Garmin Connect App/Web Platform
The data can be synchronized wirelessly with the smartphone or via USB cable with the computer (PC, Mac). They are then available in the app (Garmin Connect) or in the web browser for more precise data analysis. Garmin offers apps for Android, iOS and Windows Phone. The browser also provides even more convenient and detailed access to the data.
Garmin FR235 Reviewing, Experience, Buying, Features
- Specially designed for running
- Cycling also possible
- GPS/GLONASS receiver
- Integrated activity tracker for footsteps, distance, calories burned, active minutes, daily targets, fully automatic sleep tracking
- Resting heart rate
- Smartphone notifications, weather data
- Integrated acceleration sensor for indoor running
- Can be optionally coupled with ANT+ running and bike sensors
- Very good software
- Waterproof up to 5 ATM (50 meters)
- Very light: 41 g
Heart Rate Monitors Without Chest Straps For Multi-Sport
Here activity trackers and heart rate monitors without chest straps are presented, which are suitable for several sports. This means that the sports watches have separate functions and sensors which can evaluate various sports. They can also often integrate external sensors and have a GPS receiver that records more accurate workout data outdoors and provides other functions (such as track recordings).
Fitbit Blaze
Fitbit Blaze – this section contains all important information about the device. Fitbit currently offers the popular Activity-Tracker Surge as well as the smaller HR Charge, which also come with a heart rate sensor. The Blaze is similar to the Surge, but smarter and has a color touch screen. However, in comparison to the Surge it lacks a GPS receiver. To record tracks, the Blaze can tap the GPS receiver of your smartphone. This saves battery power, but leads to the fact that you have to have the smartphone with you in such cases.
Among the supported sports are running, cycling, cross-training, strength training and other types of training.
Fitbit Blaze: Special features of the Fitness Tracker
- Sports: 24×7 activity and heart rate recording and heart rate measurement during various sports such as running, cycling, workouts and strength exercises
- 24×7 Activity-Tracker: heart rate, resting heart rate, fully automatic sleep analysis, steps, calories, distance, floors, daily goals
- Smartwatch features: incoming calls, various messages, calendar entries, control of the music player of the smartphone
- Battery life: up to 5 days (depending on features and training frequency)
- Display and operation: Colour display with support for typing and swiping gestures. Additional three buttons
- Alarms: vibration and visual alarms via display
- Integrated acceleration sensor: Determines distance data during training in the building (no running sensor required)
- Very light: 44 grams (size L)
Fitbit Blaze: How are Heart Rate Zones (Change) Indicated?
The user is visually notified on the Blaze’s display via various heart symbols about the current HR zone area. There are symbols for “Out of zone” (below 50% of the max. heart rate),”Fat burn” (between 50% and 69% of the max. heart rate),”Cardio” (between 70% and 84% of the max. heart rate) and “Peak” (above 85% of the max. heart rate.)
Fitbit Blaze: Application Scenarios and Operating Modes
- Watch/Activity Tracker mode: the heart rate is recorded 24×7, approximately every 5th second
- Workout/training mode: The heart rate is recorded every second and allows a detailed display of the heart rate values. For example, the following sports profiles can be selected:
- Running
- Treadmill
- Cycling
- Yoga
- Workout
- Weights
- More can be transferred from the app
Fitbit Fitness App/Web Platform
The data can be synchronized wirelessly with the smartphone or via USB cable with the computer (PC, Mac). Afterwards, they are available in the app or web browser for more detailed data analysis. Fitbit offers apps for Android, iOS and Windows Phone. The browser also provides even more convenient and detailed access to the data.
Fitbit Blaze Reviewing, Experiences, Buying, Features
- Multisport capable (including running, cycling and cardio training)
- GPS receiver of the smartphone can be used
- Integrated activity tracker for footsteps, distance, calories, active minutes, sleep
- Automatically detects certain activities (such as running)
- Display can be customized
- Smartphone Notifications
- Music control
- Colour touch display
- Good battery life
- Very good software
Garmin Vivoactive HR
Our extensive Garmin Vivoactive HR review provides a detailed presentation of the fitness tracker with an integrated activity tracker and optical heart rate sensor. This section contains all important information about the device. The Vivoactive can be coupled with numerous fitness sensors, so that you can record your sports activities with a wealth of data and scope if required. The Garmin Vivoactive HR is now available with similar features to its predecessor and comes with additional features.
Among the sports supported are 24×7 activity and heart rate monitoring, numerous sports such as running, cycling, swimming, cardio, golf, stand-up paddling and skiing. The resting heart rate, which can be an indicator of the state of fitness, is also continuously recorded.
Garmin Vivoactive HR: Special Features of the Fitness Watch
Garmin’s GPS Sports Smartwatch is supposed to be an all-rounder and combine numerous features such as a GPS sports watch, Smartwatch and activity tracker. The list of features shows promise, multi-sport athletes should listen attentively.
- An integrated GPS receiver informs runners, cyclists and swimmers about distances and speeds and gives helpful recommendations for breaks and rest periods.
- In ski and snowboard mode, the multifunction smartwatch records speed and other data on the individual departures. Lift trips and breaks are automatically deducted.
- Rowers and stand-up paddlers can track the speed, time and distance of the waterway, as well as the number of strokes, rudder frequency and distance covered per rowing stroke.
- Golfers, on the other hand, benefit from useful information about the golf course and their own playing behavior.
- Sports: 24×7 activity and heart rate recording and heart rate measurement during various sports such as running, cycling, swimming, golf, rowing, skiing and cardio training
- 24×7 Activity-Tracker: heart rate, resting heart rate, fully automatic sleep analysis, steps, calories, distance, floors, daily goals
- Smartwatch features: incoming calls, various messages, calendar entries, control of the music player of the smartphone
- Battery life: approx. 8 days (depending on features and training frequency)
- Display and operation: Colour display with support for typing and swiping gestures. Very good readability even in sunlight. Two additional buttons
- Alarms: vibration and visual alarms via display
- Broadcast of the heart rate data to ANT+ devices (like sports watches and cycle computers)
- Integrated acceleration sensor: Determines distance data during training in the building (no running sensor required)
- Very light: 47.6 g (standard), 48.2 g (XL)
Garmin Vivoactive HR: How are Heart Rate Zones (Change) Indicated?
The user is visually notified on the display of the Vivoactive HR or vibration signals about the current heart rate or HR zone range. The fitness watch is very well configurable and exemplary with regard to the alarms, the user can set many things himself.
Vivoactive HR: Application Scenarios and Operating Modes
- Watch/Activity Tracker Mode: The heart rate and resting heart rate is dynamically recorded 24×7. How often depends on how active you are. The more active the user is, the more often the heart rate is measured for a short time. If you move less, the heart rate is measured less often, which also saves battery power.
- Workout/training mode: For example, the following sports profiles can be selected:
- Running (ANT+ running sensors can be coupled)
- Cycling (ANT+ speed/cadence sensors connectable)
- Swimming pool (draws swimming metrics such as swim trains, SWOLF, covered lanes)
- skiing
- walking
- rowing
- long-running track
Garmin Connect App/ Web Platform
The data can be synchronized wirelessly with the smartphone or via USB cable with the computer (PC, Mac). They are then available in the app (Garmin Connect) or in the web browser for more precise data analysis. Garmin offers apps for Android, iOS and Windows Phone. The browser also provides even more convenient and detailed access to the data.
Vivoactive HR Reviewing, Experience, Buying, Features
- Multisport capable (including running, cycling, swimming, golf, rowing, skiing and cardio training)
- GPS/GLONASS receiver
- Integrated activity tracker for 24×7 heart rate and resting heart rate, steps, sleep,…
- Automatically detects activities (like running)
- Display/data fields very good customizable
- Smartphone Notifications
- Extendable with many ANT+ fitness sensors (such as bike, running, HR or temperature sensors)
- Floor counter
- Music control
- Color touch display
- Up to 8 days battery life
- Very good software
Polar M600
Our detailed Polar M600 review contains almost everything you need to know about the particularly smart sports watch. The M600 is a real Smartwatch, because it runs on its Android Wear, which gives the M600 many smart functions.
The Polar M600 offers many features of the popular GPS watches M400 and M430. In addition, there is a newly designed optical HR sensor with 6 LEDs.
Android Wear takes care of many features so that Polar can concentrate on activity tracking. While Polar, for example, had to develop many software features in its activity tracker Polar A360, Android Wear handles phone calls, smartphone notifications and calendar notifications. In addition, Polar receives free apps such as voice control, music control or Google Maps.
M600: Application Scenarios and Operating Modes
The Polar M600 can be operated in two modes:
- Normal mode: the activity tracker and all smart functions are active, but not the heart rate sensor.
- Training mode: Heart rate recording during various training sessions, for example
- Running
- Group fitness
- Cardio
- Strength training
- Cycling
- Swimming
In normal mode, the M600 records activities all day long. In training mode, the device is set to a workout mode in which the heart rate sensor performs its work. Numerous sports profiles are available for training and workouts, which allow a more precise calorie calculation.
M600: Additional Features
One of the reasons why users buy the TomTom Spark is the local 4GB memory and the possibility to connect Bluetooth headphones directly with the activity tracker. This often saves you the trouble of carrying your smartphone along during training sessions. The M600 also has this option. This means that you can download music to the 4GB of local memory, pair the M600 with headphones and use it as a music player. Alternatively, the M600 can also be used to control the music player of your smartphone, if you prefer.
Polar M600 Reviewing, Buying, Special Features
- Multisport capable (including running, cycling, swimming, group and strength training modes)
- GPS/GLONASS receiver
- True Smartwatch (based on Android Wear)
- Colour touch display
- Waterproof (IPX8)
- Integrated activity tracker for steps, distances, sleep, daily goals
- Local 4GB memory for music
- Connectable with wireless Bluetooth headphones
- Many smart functions and extensible with apps
- Lots of other options
TomTom Spark Cardio (Runner 2)
We have put together only the most important features of the versatile GPS multisport watch.
TomTom has replaced the Mio/Philips optical heart rate sensor used in its predecessors with a model from another manufacturer. In the Spark Cardio, a sensor from LifeQ/Osram is now being used, which should open up more possibilities. It has three green, one red and one infrared LED as well as a photodiode. In this combination, the sensor should be able to read not only heart rate measurement but also data on blood oxygen content, maximum oxygen uptake, RR intervals and thus heart rate variability (HRV). In addition, more skin types are to be better supported, as red light can penetrate darker skin types better.
The red LED is not active at this time because it is not being used. So some features are not yet available, but software updates are supposed to change this in the future, according to TomTom.
Spark Cardio: The Special Features of the GPS Multisport Fitness Tracker are:
- Multisport capable (including running, cycling, swimming, fitness, freestyle and treadmill mode)
- GPS (Quick-GPS) and GLONASS receivers
- Direct audio feedback: real-time information about HR (in the range, over range, below range), target (such as 50%, 90% 100%, 110%), race (front, back, lost, won) via wireless Bluetooth headphones during workouts.
- Local memory for music that can be listened to via wireless Bluetooth headphones while workouts without a smartphone
- 24×7 activity tracker
- Good battery life
Spark Cardio: Application scenarios and operating modes
The TomTom Spark Cardio has two modes of operation:
- Normal mode: The standard mode in which the activity tracker is active 24×7. Heart rate measurement round the watch is also possible since version 1.20
- Training mode for different sports: mode for recording fitness activities and heart rate data:
- Running Outdoor (GPS active)
- Leaving indoor (GPS off)
- Cycling Outdoor (GPS active)
- Swimming (only swimming pool, GPS off)
- Studio (GPS off)
- Freestyle (GPS active)
- Stopwatch
As a rule, the Spark Cardio only takes a few seconds to detect the heart rate (4-7 seconds). The Spark can also be coupled with an HR chest strap, if configured this way. GPS satellites are also found quickly (10-15 seconds) because the activity tracker has Quick-GPS. The GPS accuracy was very good in our Spark Cardio review.
There are a variety of training and adjustment options available for the workouts. These range from configurable data fields to be displayed on the good display of the TomTom Spark, to configurable distance, time, calorie, lap, HR area targets and much, much more.
For cycling, it also supports the integration of speed and cadence sensors (Bluetooth Smart) for the bicycle to record even more and more precise data. This can be the Wahoo BlueSCv2, which supports ANT+ as well as Bluetooth Smart.
During swim units, the following metrics can be tracked: SWOLF, laps, lap time, lap time, lap distance, lap speed, lap speed, lap speed, tracks, time, duration, distance, distance, average speed, moves, calories and, depending on whether, for example, certain targets have been configured, vibration warnings, for example, about completed tracks or timer warnings.
Spark Cardio: How is Information about HR Zones (change) Communicated?
The TomTom Spark has a very noticeable vibration alarm, which informs the user about changes in HR zones. In addition, coupled in-ears allow you to be informed acoustically about HR areas (in the area, in the area, under Area). Last but not least, HR information can also be read off the display.
Spark Cardio: TomTom MySports App/Web Platform
After synchronisation with TomTom MySport, the data is available there for further analysis.
The heart rate ranges can be broken down further:
TomTom Spark Cardio + Music features
As one of the few GPS sports watches on the market, TomTom Spark offers a local memory for music files. So you can store music on the TomTom GPS watch and play it during activities, for example. You can connect your own Bluetooth In-Ears directly to the Spark Cardio or order the Spark model with the included In-Ears.
The Spark is now available for sale, even without heart rate sensor and in various other variants. It is well received due to its versatility and unique selling proposition.
TomTom Spark Cardio Reviewing, Experience, Buying, Special features
- Multisport capable (including running, cycling, swimming, fitness, freestyle and treadmill mode)
- GPS/GLONASS receiver
- Integrated activity tracker for steps, distances, sleep, daily goals
- Direct audio feedback: real-time information about various fitness data via wireless Bluetooth headphones during workouts
- Local storage for music
- Connectable with wireless Bluetooth headphones
- Good battery life
Heart Rate Monitors without Chest Straps – Conclusion
These were some of the best sports watches and heart rate monitors without a chest strap that we know from our reviews. We hope that with this advice we have assisted you in your decision. As you can see, there is something for everyone. Unfortunately, in our opinion, the perfect device does not yet exist. If you are not sure, you can go into yourself again and think about what is really important to you and decide accordingly. The content of this page will be updated when new heart rate watches are discovered.
The following is an overview of the reviewed devices:
| Product | Categorisation | Compatibility | |
| Garmin Forerunner 35 |
| | Product Page |
| Garmin Forerunner 235 |
| | Product Page |
| Garmin Vivoactive HR |
| | Product Page |
| Fitbit Blaze |
| | Product Page |
| Polar M430 |
| | Product Page |
| Polar M600 |
| | Product Page |
| TomTom Spark Cardio |
| | Product Page |
Reviews for further reading
If you are not sure yet whether you have the right device for you or are looking for a device with more or less functions, we recommend the following articles for further reading:
