HRV Wearables | Hrvinfo Com

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Wearable Devices

Track HRV with these wearable devices

Optimal HRV Reader

This device is a game changer in the HRV space, it is the first device to hit the market that finds the sweet spot with an ideal price point under $50 ($49) high quality data and easy to use. The device is an armband PPG reader and can transmit heart rate and heart rate variability information. It is an open source Bluetooth device, so it can connect to any app. The device is very simple with one button for on/off and its comfortable to wear.. The charge lasts for weeks if just using it for morning readings or multiple days if using it for longer biofeedback sessions per day.

Oura ring

The Oura ring is a breakthrough product. It is a very accurate sleep tracker and tracks several other metrics including HRV, HR, Activity, Temperature, SpO2 and respiratory rate is coming soon. A couple of things to be cautious of. Oura takes HRV measures while asleep, typically in the early morning hours. This is different than a conscious morning readings and the two results cannot be compared. Oura does not share its' data with outside apps, so you can only view data on the Oura app or the Oura cloud which allows you to see deeper insights to your own data. Oura measures HRV in RMSSD and that is the only accessible HRV data to my knowledge. An HRV measure can also be cued at any time by selecting to "take a moment" with your ring on. The ring costs around $299 for the base model and up the price goes up from there for different styles. The app requires a monthly use fee of $5.99 to use the app.

Apple Watch

The Apple Watch does measure HRV to many owners surprise. The watch has a large array of other things it can do as well, far beyond health. The watch has some great features around health, such as HRV, live EKG, activity tracking, SpO2 and emergency alert detection. There are a few issues with the way the watch reads HRV though. Apple does not share data with outside apps and only shows HRV data in the SDNN form. SDNN is far less common and may not be as reliable for short term measures of HRV. Apple does another unique thing in taking random HRV measures throughout the day. One could argue this is to get a sample of HRV throguhout the day and that may represent a good picture of average, but this is up for debate. Users can cue an HRV reading at anytime they wish by doing a "Breathe" session. But this data gets lost in the other random readings. The device costs around $250 and it's yours with the free Health app from Apple.

Biostrap Armband

The Biostrap is a great, simple device. It is worn on the forearm and is an open source device. The device easily connects and seems to accurately read HRV. Being open source means whatever app you connect it to can pick up any and all HRV data; all time and frequency domain data can be available depending on what you connect it to. The device costs about $95. This company has several other health and performance related products too, each seems intriguing.

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Whoop

Whoop has made a large splash in the HRV world, and we are thankful for the attention they have brought to HRV. Similar to Oura, Whoop takes readings while you are asleep. The readings are in RMSSD and that is all the availble HRV information Whoop allows you to see, to my knowledge. The device tracks several other things too including sleep and activity. The device is "free" with a monthly membership of $30 per month.

Kyto

Kyto can be used as a finger reader or an ear clip. It is an open source HRV device. Being open source means whatever app you connect it to can pick up any and all HRV data; all time and frequency domain data can be available depending on what you connect it to. Unfortunately I and many others have had trouble with accuracy and usability of this device. I would not recommend it, despite it's attractive pricepoint of $40.

HeartMath

This is one of the original HRV devices and an original HRV company. Heartmath deserves a big "Thank you!" for all they have done to bring attention to HRV. Their device is about $160 and you own it. It is an open source, ear clip device and is very accurate. Being open source means whatever app you connect it to can pick up any and all HRV data; all time and frequency domain data can be available depending on what you connect it to. Heartmath offers many trainings and does "Coherence" for users. This is a way of estimating resonance frequency. The unique thing is they have hundreds of people all do this globally to help raise the consciousness of the planet. Thank you.

Polar

Polar has been a leader in the field since they first invented the "mobile ekg", the chest strap heart rate monitor. The Polar H9 and H10 can both transmit HRV data and are open source, meaning they can send all HRV data to any app. Polar has several watches too, some which transmit HRV data. Whatever Polar does, they tend to do it well and they are typically priced very fair.

Phone camera PPG reader

This is one of the original HRV devices and an original HRV company. Heartmath deserves a big "Thank you!" for all they have done to bring attention to HRV. Their device is about $160 and you own it. It is an open source, ear clip device and is very accurate. Being open source means whatever app you connect it to can pick up any and all HRV data; all time and frequency domain data can be available depending on what you connect it to. Heartmath offers many trainings and does "Coherence" for users. This is a way of estimating resonance frequency. The unique thing is they have hundreds of people all do this globally to help raise the consciousness of the planet. Thank you.

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