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Want to learn to drop into a hyper-focused flow state on command? To tame stress without losing your edge?
To stay centered and maintain your composure in the most unruly environments?
Heart rate variability (HRV) training gives you control over subconscious roadblocks. Real-time biofeedback coaching keeps you performing at your peak. Only then can you shift into the brain state of elite performance.
Or maybe you just want to better understand how your heart rate fluctuates throughout the day.
Either way, I researched the top-rated and recommended heart rate variability tracking devices so that you don’t have to. In this review, I’ll share everything you should know to pick your best HRV training system.
Each wearable in this list is backed by large contingents of raving fans. Your ideal choice depends on your lifestyle:
To make comparison easier, I’ll break down the following for each device:
Since it will come up…
ANT+ is an old wireless protocol commonly used in wearables before BlueTooth. Few modern phones support it, so you’ll need to either:
Before we get started, there’s one final thing you must know.
Devices fall into two distinct categories. Based upon how they work.
HRV monitoring is more popular, but it doesn’t work as well (passive). HRV trainers are far more effective (active). In other words:
This tiny detail makes a serious difference.
Training shows you in real-time how lifestyle habits (breathing, moving, thinking, etc) impact your HRV scores. Only trainers help you spot the cause and effect so that you can visualize and unlearn bad habits.
That’s what makes these the next generation of HRV monitors. I listed the best of each category separately below.
Sensor type: Ear
Data transmission: Bluetooth or Lightning cable
App compatibility: HeartMath app
Water resistant: No
Battery: Rechargeable, 80-hours of usage (Bluetooth model)
For many years, HeartMath’s emWave 2 has been the best HRV device. Now, HeartMath has released another upgrade that is InnerBalance. It features the same high-tech sensors, but with two advantages: portability and price.
Instead of a built-in breath and heart rate gauge, InnerBalance displays the information on your phone. Which is a double-edged sword. The device is more compact, but requires a phone connection.
They offer both a Bluetooth and a wired version of the product.
If you’re new to active HRV biofeedback training or want the best value, this is your product. It’s even used by NASA, Kaiser, Intel, Stanford, and medical researchers everywhere.
Specialty: Continuous HRV & personal coaching
Sensor type: Adhesive patch
Data transmission: Bluetooth
App compatibility: Lief app
Water resistant: No
Battery: Rechargeable, 1-6 days depending on usage
Lief Therapeutics is a newcomer that’s rapidly becoming the choice of clinicians, researchers, coaches, and health professionals. Lief is one of the few companies whose products use true HRV biofeedback.
But instead of a cumbersome wearable or wired sensors, Lief gathers data via sensors embedded into minimalist adhesive patches. These sensors can hide under clothing and provide continuous medical-grade ECG monitoring.
Unlike other devices, Lief logs HRV trends throughout the day and vibrates in real-time to help you discover and reverse triggers. They’re also the only company to offer personal HRV coaches that help turn your data into value.
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Specialty: Standalone unit
Sensor type: Ear
Data transmission: Wifi, USB
App compatibility: Not required. Windows & Mac apps available.
Water resistant: No
Battery: Rechargeable lithium-ion
EmWave2 is a state-of-the-art HRV at an affordable price. It generates clear feedback via color and tone. It has a breathing coach built-in that automatically tracks your sessions and provides feedback along the way.
Difference levels continue to challenge you as you improve. Perfect for getting into the zone, falling asleep quickly, or before stressful meetings. Until October 2022, for many years this was the best overall device. Granted, it’s also still the best value device you can get today.
If that’s not enough, emWave2 is scientifically validated by decades of research and thousands of glowing customer reviews.
Sensor type: Finger sensor
Data transmission: Bluetooth LE
App compatibility: Most popular apps
Water resistant: No
Battery: Rechargeable, 6 months of use
CorSense is a product built by the folks at EliteHRV (who make one of the original and most widely used HRV tracking apps). I used EliteHRV for two years as I tested different devices and wanted to keep all my data in one place.
CorSense is basically a convenient mini finger clamp. Like the others, it can capture live biofeedback as well as resting HRV measurements. Their claim to fame is that their HRV accuracy is equivalent to that of hospital-grade 5-lead EKG.
Unfortunately, as of 2022, the CorSense is nno longer available. The next best monitor compatible with EliteHRV is the Polar H10 mentioned a few sections below.
Specialty: Accurate & continuous HRV
Sensor type: Chest strap
Data transmission: BlueTooth
App compatibility: iOS, Android (planned)
Water resistant: Yes
Battery: CR2025, lasts 400-hours
Hanu Health was the result of a collaboration between tech entrepreneur V. Chris Holbrook and heart rate variability biofeedback expert Dr. Jay T Wiles. These two combined forces to introduce the latest and continuous HRV system on Earth.
Hanu is the only system I’ve come across that actually helps you translate your scores into actionable steps to improve. It’s an all-in-one platform, with built-in assessments as well as training sessions customized to your physiology.
Their platform currently utilizes the Polar H10 chest strap (listed below). Hanu’s app, however, unlocks it to provide continuous, around-the-clock HRV measurements. In addition to HRV, it measures heart rate, respiratory rate, and more.
In 2024, however, Hanu Health is now only offered to businesses and not individual consumers. Business owners and employers looking to have better insights on their team’s stress and biofeedback can still benefit greatly from this technology.
This Hanu Health HRV system review article details my experience. If you’re planning to use Hanu Health for your company, my review covers the Hanu HRV operating system, benefits, and more.
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