Garmin Fenix HRV vs Polar H10 HRV – study shows the winner

Science: ResearchGate via @DrSianAllen

Thanks: @Rui

A recent study using Bland Altman plots visually shows how much more accurate a Polar H10 is at measuring RR beats during sub-maximal exercise compared to the optical OHR (Elevate Sensor, previous generation) on a Garmin Fenix 6. It would be interesting to see if the figures for the ECG-capable Fenix 7 Pro’s Gen 5 Elevate sensor are better.

Unsurprisingly the medical-grade device appears to be the best (OMNI). A second conclusion might be that chest straps are more accurate than optical HR on the wrist…but you already knew that.

More Info

RR Beats are the timing from one heartbeat to the next. HRV refers to a multitude of statistical calculations that can be applied to such RR data. SDNN and rMSSD are two HRV calculations you might know. These charts indicate HOW inaccurate your HRV MIGHT be at a sub-maximal level of effort but inaccuracy/accuracy whilst at rest faces different issues, ie we can’t infer the performance of RR recording at lower levels from thse results.

• Zephyr – here
• Equivital – here
• Infinium Medical (OMNI) – here
• Empatica E4 – here
• Polar H10 – here (valid ECG as of Dec 2022)
• Garmin Fenix 6 has an oHR that is NOT ECG-capable (the wording on the chart implies to the contrary)

Parody: Garmin Fenix, Forerunner and Edge Messages – What they really mean