Let’s be honest: sometimes it feels like heart rate monitors are more complicated than the workouts we’re trying to improve. One minute you’re sprinting on a track, the next you’re fiddling with Bluetooth settings. And that’s exactly why this comparison matters. Between the chest-bound precision of the Polar H10 and H9 and the flexible, lightweight vibe of the Verity Sense, the way you track your training can feel totally different.
The Polar H10, H9, and Verity Sense might all wear the same Polar badge, but they play different games. And we know because we’ve worn them through sweat, frustration, personal bests, and some less-than-glorious Sunday jogs. It’s not just about numbers on a screen—it’s about comfort, accuracy, ease of use, and how each device fits into your workout life.
So, let’s break it down—strap by strap, sensor by sensor, and wirelessly connected detail by wirelessly connected detail. Because what you wear to measure your heart rate might just change the way you feel while pushing it.
Fit check: how they feel and where they sit
Here’s where the contrast is immediate. The H10 and H9 share the same exact size—65 x 34 x 10 mm—and they weigh 60 grams, which you notice as soon as you clip them on. That classic chest strap fit doesn’t try to hide itself—it hugs you, especially once you start sweating. Not necessarily in a bad way, but it’s there. The H10 includes silicone grip dots that keep it steady on your ribcage, even during wild sets of burpees or sprints. That tiny detail? It changes everything when your shirt’s soaked.
The H9 skips those dots and sticks with a simpler elastic strap. Comfortable, sure, but it slides more. Especially if you’ve got a short torso or lean build. It’s the little annoyances that grow during long runs.
Then comes the Verity Sense—just 19 grams, worn on your upper arm or even on your temple with a swim goggle clip. And we have to say, it’s like slipping on a wristband. No chest strap, no compression, just a lightweight sensor strapped to your bicep. We barely remember it’s there during sessions. In terms of freedom of movement, it’s a game changer, especially for yoga, rowing, or lifting where chest bands feel… well, wrong.
Sensing tech: ECG versus optical—and why it matters
Now we’re getting into it. Both the H10 and H9 use ECG (electrocardiogram) technology to track your heart rate. That’s the serious stuff—it’s measuring the actual electrical activity of your heart. When you’re doing intervals, threshold runs, or anything where second-by-second accuracy matters, ECG is the gold standard.
The Verity Sense, on the other hand, uses optical sensing—those little LEDs under the surface read blood flow under your skin. It’s more comfortable, sure, but optical sensors are more susceptible to movement artifacts, especially if you wear it loose or during high-intensity work. That said, worn properly on the upper arm, it can perform surprisingly well.
If you’re training based on precise zones or heart rate variability, ECG wins—no contest. But if you just want to track trends over time or get a reliable average during workouts, optical might be all you need.
Power game: coin-cell longevity or USB recharging?
We’re split here—and you might be too.
The H10 and H9 each give you about 400 hours of battery life with a simple CR2025 coin cell battery. That’s months of use. Zero charging cables, but yes, you’ll need a screwdriver (or at least a coin) when it dies. And, naturally, you’ll have to keep spare batteries around.
The Verity Sense flips the logic. It only lasts about 30 hours, but it’s rechargeable via USB. For those who train every day, especially with shorter sessions, plugging it in every couple of weeks is no big deal. No need to fumble with compartments—just a cable and a port.
If you value long hauls with zero maintenance? Chest straps win. But if you hate dealing with disposable batteries, Verity Sense gets the nod.
Memory lane: who stores what?
This is one of those sneaky important features that nobody talks about until it’s too late. You’re halfway through a trail run and realize your phone’s dead. Now what?
The H9 doesn’t have any internal memory at all. You need your phone or watch connected during the whole workout. Disconnect it and you lose the data.
The H10 has internal memory—but only for one session. So it’s a solid fallback if your phone dies mid-run. Just sync it later. Useful, but not game-changing.
Then you look at the Verity Sense, and things get interesting. It stores up to 600 hours of training sessions internally. That’s a lot. Like, months of workouts. Perfect if you train phone-free or travel often without your whole setup.
For anyone who likes to disconnect or trains in environments where Bluetooth gets sketchy, the Verity Sense takes the prize.
Connections and compatibility: who talks to who?
All three offer Bluetooth and ANT+, so you’re covered whether you’re linking to a Garmin, Zwift, Polar Flow, or gym bike. Compatibility isn’t the issue—it’s simultaneous pairing.
The H10 and Verity Sense both allow dual Bluetooth connections. That means you can link to your watch and app at once, no sweat. That sounds minor, but for tech-heavy training sessions, it’s a blessing.
The H9 sticks to one connection at a time, which can be a pain if you switch devices mid-workout or want data on multiple screens.
Oh, and if you use older gym equipment or an older Polar watch, you’ll want to know this: GymLink is available on the H10 and H9 but not the Verity Sense. So check your treadmill or spin bike first.
Pool time: water resistance and swim features
If you swim, read this twice.
The H10 and H9 both have a WR30 rating—up to 30 meters of depth. Fine for lap swimming, but a little iffy for prolonged use in open water or dive-heavy sessions.
The Verity Sense is rated WR50—up to 50 meters—and includes a swim goggle clip to wear on your temple. Combine that with its optical sensor (which works better on the head or arm in water than a chest strap ever will), and you’ve got a swimmer’s dream.
If water workouts are your thing, Verity Sense isn’t just better—it’s built for it.
Performance speed: the small details under the hood
We’ll admit it: this one almost flew under our radar. But we noticed.
The H10 runs on a 64 MHz processor, and the H9 lags just slightly at 63 MHz. Not a huge deal, but you might catch the delay when syncing or starting sessions.
The Verity Sense goes faster with an 80 MHz chip. Syncing feels quicker. Transferring sessions? Smoother. It’s subtle but real—especially if you’re constantly starting, stopping, or jumping between apps.
Strap talk: comfort, grip, and staying put
This one hits you the second you start sweating.
The H10 uses the Polar Pro Strap with silicone grip dots. Those dots matter. They keep everything in place, even when you’re a sweaty mess. They also make the strap feel just a bit more premium.
The H9 opts for the simpler Soft Strap. No grip dots, slightly lighter feel. It’s comfy but shifts around if you’re doing dynamic stuff like CrossFit or trail running.
And then there’s the Verity Sense. An armband with a clip system that adjusts quickly and never feels too tight. It’s almost like it belongs on a completely different product—but in a good way.
Bonus features: accelerometers and what they do
Beyond heart rate tracking, only the H10 and Verity Sense include an accelerometer. It’s used in some apps to better understand movement or to help track swimming strokes or cadence.
The H9 doesn’t include it, which limits its data output to strictly heart rate.
None of the three have built-in GPS or timers. You’ll need your connected watch or phone for that. But for purists who just want accurate heart rate data, that’s all you need anyway.
What surprised us, what didn’t—and what makes the H10 worth it
We weren’t expecting this to be such a clear split. Going in, we figured these would feel like slight variations of the same product. They’re not.
The H10 feels like the pro-level tool. From the grip on the strap to the dual Bluetooth and backup memory, everything on it feels built to go the distance and deliver the cleanest data possible. We didn’t love changing batteries, but the 400-hour lifespan softens the blow.
The H9, honestly, feels like a watered-down H10. It’s accurate, yes, but you lose too many extras—no memory, no dual connection, no grip dots. For some, that won’t matter. But once you’ve used the H10, it’s hard to go back.
And the Verity Sense? It surprised us. Not for elite training, no. But for comfort, for swimming, and for quick, easy use—it’s kind of addictive. The freedom of no chest strap combined with USB charging and massive memory makes it feel like a breath of fresh air, even if the optical readings can be a bit touchy.
Still, when it came down to raw precision, ease of use in pro-level settings, and reliability across workouts, we found ourselves going back to the H10. Again and again. Because when the sweat’s pouring and your heart’s racing, you just want to know that what you’re seeing on screen is real.