Today’s comparison review is titled Polar Loop Vs Amazfit: Which Tracks Heart Rate Best? In the world of wearable fitness technology, accurate heart rate tracking is one of the most important metrics for users who want to understand their health, effort and recovery. The ability to reliably measure heart rate can make a huge difference to how useful a device feels day to day and during workouts.
Two contenders that have gained attention for their focus on heart rate tracking are Polar Loop and Amazfit Band devices, most prominently the Amazfit Helio Strap. Both aim to deliver continuous heart rate data without the complexity of a full smartwatch, but each takes a different approach.
This comparison looks at how Polar Loop and the Amazfit device perform when it comes to heart rate tracking, what else they offer, and which users might benefit most from each. We will explore key features, benefits, prices in GBP, pros and cons and conclude with a summary that helps you decide which is best for your needs.
Overview Of The Devices
Before we dive into the comparison, here is a quick snapshot of the two devices being compared.
Polar Loop
• A screenless fitness band focused on health and heart rate tracking without distractions.
• Uses Polar Precision Prime optical sensor technology.
• Provides continuous heart rate, sleep and recovery insights.
• UK price around £149.50.
Amazfit Helio Strap
• Screenless heart rate and activity tracker from Amazfit.
• Uses BioTracker 6.0 sensor and includes heart rate, blood oxygen, stress and more.
• Integrates with complimentary Zepp app for health insights.
• UK price around £99.90.
How They Track Heart Rate
Polar Loop Heart Rate Technology
Polar Loop relies on Precision Prime optical heart rate technology, a tried and tested sensor from Polar that has been used in a range of fitness wearables. It tracks heart rate continuously throughout the day and night without requiring a screen or constant interaction from the user.
Loop also tracks heart rate variability (HRV) while you sleep, feeding into advanced recovery and sleep analytics such as Nightly Recharge and Daily Alertness. In practice this means you get not just raw beats per minute but contextual insight into how training and rest affect your body.
Polar Loop does not broadcast its heart rate to other devices by default. It can sync to the Polar Flow app where you can see all collected data.
Amazfit Helio Strap Heart Rate Tracking
The Amazfit Helio Strap uses BioTracker 6.0 optical heart rate sensors purpose built for continuous day and night tracking. It is designed to capture heart rate every second and work in combination with the Amazfit ecosystem and the Zepp app.
Unlike Loop, Helio Strap expands beyond heart rate to include blood oxygen (SpO2), skin temperature, stress and respiration data as part of a broader health tracking suite. This gives Helio Strap a broader picture of wellness alongside heart rate.
The Helio Strap can also broadcast real time heart rate to smartwatches and other devices, a useful feature if you want your heart rate displayed on a compatible watch during workouts.
Key Features And Benefits
Polar Loop
Features
• Continuous heart rate monitoring.
• Nightly heart rate variability for deeper recovery insights.
• Automatic heart rate based tracking.
• Up to 8 days battery life on a single charge.
• Water resistance suitable for swimming.
Benefits
• Detailed recovery data beyond simple heart rate.
• No subscription required for core features.
• Lightweight and unobtrusive design.
• Strong heart rate performance with proven optical tech.
Amazfit Helio Strap
Features
• Per second continuous heart rate tracking.
• Additional sensors for blood oxygen, stress and temperature.
• 24/7 health metrics and BioCharge energy monitoring.
• Up to 10 days battery life.
• Can broadcast heart rate to other devices.
Benefits
• Very strong value for money and broad tracking scope.
• Integrates seamlessly with the Zepp app ecosystem.
• Lightweight and comfortable for continuous wear.
• Broadcast feature useful for workout displays.
Price In The UK
Here are the typical retail prices in GBP for each device:
Device Typical UK Price:
Polar Loop £149.50 Approx
Amazfit Helio Strap £99.90 Approx
Prices vary depending on retailer and promotions, but this table reflects typical high street and online prices.
Which Tracks Heart Rate Best?
When it comes to heart rate accuracy and tracking, both devices have strengths and weaknesses.
Polar Loop Heart Rate Accuracy
The Polar Loop has long heritage from a brand known for heart rate technology. Precision Prime sensors coupled with detailed HRV and recovery features offer valuable context and accuracy for day to day heart rate trends. Some reviewers and early tests suggest it performs well in varied conditions and during energy and sleep tracking.
However, a key limitation is that it does not broadcast heart rate data to other devices and lacks some modern sensors like blood oxygen and skin temperature which can enrich the context around heart rate variations.
Amazfit Helio Strap Heart Rate Accuracy
The Amazfit Helio Strap uses advanced BioTracker sensors that provide continuous per second heart rate data. This is generally considered more detailed than older sensor platforms. Real world comparisons suggest it may be “excellent” for continuous heart rate readings at a price point much lower than premium wearables.
Additionally, its ability to broadcast heart rate to compatible displays during exercise makes it a more versatile tracker in training contexts.
Overall Verdict
Both devices track heart rate continuously and without subscriptions. Amazfit Helio Strap typically offers a broader picture of health and more features at a lower price. Polar Loop offers deeper analytics around recovery and sleep due to its HRV integration, but lacks newer sensor data and wider connectivity.
If pure heart rate tracking accuracy in the context of training and daily metrics is your priority, the Amazfit Helio Strap appears to have the edge, especially given its broader sensor suite and heart rate broadcasting feature.
Pros And Cons
Polar Loop
Pros
• Strong recovery and HRV based insights.
• Subscription free with full access included.
• Comfortable and unobtrusive design.
• Good battery life.
Cons
• No heart rate broadcast feature.
• No blood oxygen or stress sensors in app.
• App experience may feel dated.
• Higher price than Amazfit alternative.
Amazfit Helio Strap
Pros
• Excellent value for continuous heart rate tracking.
• Broad health tracking including blood oxygen stress and temperature.
• Can broadcast heart rate to other devices.
• Longer battery life than Polar Loop.
• Works with free Zepp app.
Cons
• Fewer recovery analytics than Polar Flow segments.
• Reliant on smartphone GPS for route tracking summary.
• Some advanced metrics require Zepp ecosystem engagement.
Who Each Is Best Suited For
Polar Loop is best for:
• Users who want deeper recovery and HRV based training insights.
• People who prefer subscription free tracking with full core features.
• Those who prioritise sleep and recovery context in their heart rate data.
Amazfit Helio Strap is best for:
• Users focused on continuous heart rate accuracy in workouts.
• Those who want broader health metrics like blood oxygen and stress.
• People who want to broadcast heart rate during activity.
• Users seeking stronger value for money.
Conclusion
When comparing Polar Loop and the Amazfit Helio Strap for heart rate tracking, both offer continuous monitoring without subscriptions. Polar Loop is strong in recovery based insights, sleep context and a comfortable unobtrusive design but is held back by its lack of newer sensor data and poorer connectivity to external devices. Amazfit Helio Strap is a more affordable option that brings broad health metrics including blood oxygen and stress alongside heart rate, with the useful ability to broadcast heart rate to other devices and a longer battery life.
For users who want the broadest heart rate insight with modern sensors and strong value, Amazfit Helio Strap emerges as the better choice for heart rate tracking. For those who are deeply invested in recovery metrics and want a more traditional wellness analytic suite, Polar Loop still holds appeal, especially if you are already engaged with the Polar Flow ecosystem.
Thankyou!
Thankyou for reading this comparison Polar Loop Vs Amazfit: Which Tracks Heart Rate Best? I hope it has given you the information you need to consider if making a purchase of either of these wearables. For further reading, take a look at these related articles:
Top 4 Heart Rate Monitors For Seniors – Best 5 Wearable Heart Rate Monitors
Smart Rings Vs Smartwatches: What’s Best For Fitness? – Amazfit Vs Fitbit For Casual Users
Please let us know which type and brand wearable health tech you’re using or considering buying in the comments section below and which activity you would be using it for?
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All the best!
Eamon