This Polar Verity Sense review covers an optical heart rate armband: ANT+ and two Bluetooth links, up to 30 hours per charge, a WR50 rating, memory for 600 hours and a swim mode with a goggle clip.
The Polar Verity Sense ranks #1 in our best heart rate monitor guide.
Polar Verity Sense Review: The Short Answer
Our verdict
FitScore 71.5/100
Polar Verity Sense
Buy it if you want a comfortable sensor for running, cycling and swimming that also records without a phone. Skip it if you want the fastest response in short sprints or never want to charge a sensor.
- Armband, optical
- ANT+ + Bluetooth (2 Bluetooth links), 30 h (rechargeable) battery
- WR50 rating, 2 years warranty
Best Usage
- Long sessions without a strap on the chest
- Pool swimming with a goggle clip
- Pairing a watch, a bike computer and an app
Best For
- Users who dislike chest straps
- Athletes who swim, bike and run
- Runners who leave the phone at home
Not For
- Athletes chasing the fastest response in sprints
- Users who forget to charge devices
- Buyers who only want step counts
Key Specs
- Type: Armband
- Sensor: Optical
- Battery: 30 h (rechargeable)
- Water rating: WR50
- Warranty: 2 years
Pros
- Light 20 g armband
- ANT+ and Bluetooth
- Water resistant to 50 m
Cons
- Optical: slower on sudden sprints
- About 30 h per charge
- Needs a watch or phone to show data
Polar Verity Sense Specs at a Glance
| Spec | Polar Verity Sense | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Armband | An armband worn on the forearm or upper arm. |
| Sensor | Optical | An optical sensor that reads blood flow under the skin. |
| Connections | ANT+ + Bluetooth (2 Bluetooth links) | ANT+ and Bluetooth LE, with two Bluetooth devices at the same time. |
| Battery | 30 h (rechargeable) | Rechargeable, up to 30 hours of training per charge. |
| Water rating | WR50 | WR50: water resistant to 50 m, with a swimming mode. |
| Weight | 20 g | About 20 g with the armband. |
| Memory | Yes | 16 MB, up to 600 hours of training. |
| Extras | Internal memory, swim mode | Swim mode and a clip for goggle straps. |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years from the maker. |
Check Amazon for current pricing and availability.
Check the warranty terms before you order: the FTC explains how to read a product warranty.
The CDC recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity a week for adults.
Polar Verity Sense FitScore
FitScore rates each heart rate monitor on its published specs, weighted for one buying intent (how we score). This review uses the weights of our best heart rate monitor guide, where the Polar Verity Sense ranks #1 with the same score. Performance (30%) counts most, then durability and comfort (20% each), practicality (15%), affordability (10%) and features (5%). A heart rate monitor buyer wants good data first, then durability and comfort, with battery, extras and price behind.
FitScore for Heart Rate Monitors
How this FitScore was calculated
This FitScore combines 6 category scores using the weights of the buying intent above.
- Comfort (100): armband and 20 g.
- Practicality (80): 30 h (rechargeable) of battery and ANT+ + Bluetooth (2 Bluetooth links).
- Durability (79.46): 2 years warranty, WR50 rating and the brand reliability score.
- Features (70): and internal memory, swim mode.
- Performance (55): optical and ANT+ + Bluetooth (2 Bluetooth links).
- Affordability (36): one of the lower affordability scores in the guide.
Polar Verity Sense Review: Sensor and Data
An optical sensor follows steady efforts well; on sudden sprints it reacts a little later than chest electrodes.
Two Bluetooth links plus ANT+ let it feed a watch, an app and gym equipment.
Bottom line: versatile links, optical limits.
Comfort and Weight
At about 20 g on a soft armband, it is the most comfortable form in our pool for long sessions.
It sits on the forearm or upper arm; keep it off bones and snug enough not to slide.
Bottom line: easy to forget you wear it.
Memory and Extras
Memory stores up to 600 hours, so you can train without a phone and sync later.
Swim mode and a goggle clip make it one of the few sensors in our pool for the pool.
Bottom line: the best extras here.
Build and Warranty
WR50 and a 2-year warranty are the best durability figures in our pool.
The battery lasts about 30 hours, so charge it every few sessions.
Bottom line: durable, needs charging.
Polar Verity Sense vs Rivals
Here is how the Polar Verity Sense compares with three other heart rate monitors from our best heart rate monitor guide, using the same FitScore weights.
| Comparehead to head | THIS REVIEW | Alternative 1 | Alternative 2 | Alternative 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sensor | Optical | Chest electrodes | Chest electrodes | Chest electrodes |
| Connections | ANT+ + Bluetooth (2 Bluetooth links) | ANT+ + Bluetooth (3 Bluetooth links) | ANT+ + Bluetooth | ANT+ + Bluetooth (2 Bluetooth links) |
| Battery | 30 h (rechargeable) | 100 h (rechargeable) | 300 h (coin cell) | 400 h (coin cell) |
| Water rating | WR50 | IPX7 | IP67 | WR30 |
| Weight | 20 g | 39 g | 46 g | 60 g |
| Warranty | 2 years | 1 year | 1 year | 2 years |
| Check Price | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon |
Alternatives to the Polar Verity Sense
More Bluetooth links: Choose the Wahoo TRACKR Heart Rate if you want 3 Bluetooth connections at once and HRV output for recovery apps. It ranks #2 in our best heart rate monitor guide.
HRV output: Choose the COOSPO H808S if you want HRV output for recovery apps and 300 h of battery. It ranks #3 in our best heart rate monitor guide.
Longer battery: Choose the Polar H10 if you want 400 h of battery. It ranks #4 in our best heart rate monitor guide.
Final Verdict
The Polar Verity Sense is an optical armband with two Bluetooth links, ANT+, memory and a swim mode. Comfort, versatility and durability are the draw; the trade-offs are a regular charge and a slightly slower response than chest electrodes in sprints. If you would rather have 3 Bluetooth connections at once, the Wahoo TRACKR Heart Rate is the closer fit.
Polar Verity Sense FAQ
It ranks in 1 of our heart rate monitor guides: #1 in best heart rate monitor. With the weights of our best heart rate monitor guide it scores 71.5 out of 100, with performance 55, durability 79.46, comfort 100, practicality 80, features 70.
Up to 30 h (rechargeable), according to the maker.
It is rated WR50; it has a swim mode.
The warranty is 2 years.
On the forearm or the upper arm, snug and away from bones; for swimming, on the goggle strap at the temple with the clip.
Yes: it records sessions in its memory and syncs them later.
For steady efforts it is close; for sudden intervals, chest electrodes react faster.
Explore More Heart Rate Monitor Guides
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