For athletes who want more than just heart rate data, yes. The HRM 600 provides running dynamics (cadence, stride length, vertical oscillation, ground contact time, step speed loss), standalone activity recording to Garmin Connect without a watch, indoor pace and distance for treadmill running, swim HR caching, 3 simultaneous Bluetooth connections (vs 2 on the H10), and encrypted Bluetooth for upcoming EU compliance. The Polar H10 counters with a lower price (~$89 vs $170), longer per-charge battery life (400 hours vs ~2 months), and 30-meter swim depth. Both use ECG sensors and deliver excellent accuracy. If you’re in the Garmin ecosystem and want comprehensive data, the HRM 600 is the superior choice. If you just want accurate HR at a lower price, the H10 remains a gold-standard option.

These are fundamentally different products. The HRM 600 is an ECG chest strap — the gold standard for HR accuracy. The COROS HRM is an optical armband worn on the bicep. The HRM 600 provides running dynamics, standalone recording, swim HR caching, ANT+ connectivity, and HRV data — none of which the COROS offers. The COROS is more comfortable for people who dislike chest straps, lighter (19 g vs 61 g), and cheaper ($79.99 vs $169.99), but lacks ANT+, cannot record activities independently, and optical sensors may lag behind ECG during rapid HR changes such as hard interval sessions. For serious, data-driven athletes, the HRM 600 is the better tool. For casual exercisers who prioritize comfort over completeness, the COROS armband is a solid alternative.

Both deliver accurate ECG-based heart rate and HRV data via ANT+ and Bluetooth. The HRM 600 ($169.99) adds running dynamics (7 metrics including step speed loss), standalone activity recording to Garmin Connect without a watch, indoor treadmill pace and distance, swim HR caching, daily activity tracking (steps, calories, intensity minutes), a rechargeable battery (~2 months), higher 5 ATM water rating (vs 3 ATM), and a tri-color status LED. The HRM 200 ($79.99) uses a replaceable CR2032 battery lasting up to 12 months and is the better choice if you only need reliable HR data for zone training.

Yes. The HRM 600 can record full activities — including heart rate, pace, distance, steps, and calories — directly to the Garmin Connect app on your phone, with no smartwatch required. You start the activity from Garmin Connect. The strap also caches HR data when your phone leaves Bluetooth range during the session. This makes it ideal for team sports (football, soccer, rugby, lacrosse), combat sports (MMA, boxing), swimming, and gym sessions where wearing a watch is impractical or prohibited.

Yes, in Open Bluetooth mode. The HRM 600 broadcasts standard heart rate data that any Bluetooth-compatible watch or app can receive. ANT+ connections also work with any ANT+-enabled device regardless of brand (Wahoo, Stages, Zwift, Peloton, gym equipment). However, running dynamics and secure encrypted BLE features require a compatible Garmin device.

The Polar H9 (~$59.95) is a basic chest strap that provides accurate heart rate data with a 400-hour battery. It has no running dynamics, no onboard recording, no HRV data output, only 1 Bluetooth connection, and no activity tracking. The HRM 600 adds running dynamics (7 metrics), standalone activity recording, HRV, 3 Bluetooth connections, ANT+, treadmill pace/distance, swim HR caching, and daily activity tracking. If you only need heart rate for zone training, the H9 is exceptional value. If you want to understand and improve your running form, record training without a watch, or need multi-device connectivity, the HRM 600 delivers far more for the additional investment.

Yes. The HRM 600 is rated 5 ATM (50 meters). It records and stores heart rate data during swimming, then syncs the data to your compatible Garmin watch or Garmin Connect after you save the swim session. Note: Bluetooth and ANT+ signals cannot travel through water, so live HR display is not available while submerged. Wear the strap snugly under a swimsuit or wetsuit for best results.

The rechargeable lithium-ion battery lasts up to 2 months based on 1 hour of daily use. Charging is done via the included Garmin proprietary USB cable. Unlike the HRM 200 (CR2032 coin cell, ~12 months), the Polar H10 and H9 (CR2025, ~400 hours), and the COROS HRM (rechargeable, ~38 hours active), the HRM 600 eliminates the need to buy replacement batteries while still lasting significantly longer per charge than the COROS armband.

Chest straps (Garmin HRM 600, HRM 200, Polar H10, Polar H9) use ECG sensors that measure the heart’s electrical signals — this is the most accurate method, especially during high-intensity intervals where heart rate changes rapidly. Armbands (COROS HRM) use optical sensors that measure blood flow via LED light. Optical sensors are more comfortable and easier to put on, but can lag during rapid HR spikes and may be affected by movement, skin tone, or tattoos. For competitive athletes, structured training, and data-critical applications, a chest strap is the better choice. For casual exercisers who prioritize comfort over peak accuracy, an armband is a reasonable trade-off.