Wahoo Trackr Heart Rate Monitor Review: A Rechargeable Chest Strap That Finally Makes Sense

Introduction

Wahoo has not made a chest strap since 2020, when the second-generation TICKR and TICKR X arrived. The new Wahoo Trackr strips things back and focuses on accuracy and comfort, while making one significant change: it moves to a rechargeable battery.

At $79.99 in the UK or $89.99 in the US, it undercuts the Polar H10 while costing more than the Polar H9 or the still-available Wahoo TICKR. With Bluetooth and ANT+ connectivity, support for up to three simultaneous Bluetooth devices, and broad app compatibility, it aims squarely at runners who want a dependable strap without fuss.

Who This Product Is For

The Trackr is for runners who want an accurate, comfortable chest strap with a long-lasting rechargeable battery and no interest in advanced running metrics. There is no onboard memory and none of the running dynamics the TICKR X offered, so swimmers and data-focused athletes may want to look elsewhere.

Design and Comfort

Wahoo has ditched the integrated design and front-facing clasp of the TICKR monitors in favour of a clip-on sensor and side clasp, much like Polar and Garmin rivals. The sensor includes an LED to indicate pairing status and a charging port at the base. Handily, it uses the same charging cable as the latest Shokz headphones, so many people will already have a spare.

The strap is hand washable, and unlike Garmin straps, the sensor detaches completely so you can replace the strap once it wears out. You can also rename the strap in the app, which makes pairing your own sensor in a crowded gym far easier.

In testing across multiple wearers, comfort has been excellent. Long runs of over two and a half hours in the heat produced no chafing or irritation, and the strap did not slip. The strap is a shade softer and more pliable than the Polar H10, particularly at the sensor pads, and flexes nicely with body movement. It even fits on a Polar H10 strap. If anything, the main criticism is the hook fastening: the Polar H10’s clasp is easier to use.

Accuracy and Connectivity

Worn simultaneously against the Polar H10 during steady runs, track intervals, sauna heat training and progression workouts, the Trackr matched the H10 beat for beat for the vast majority of sessions. There were brief instances where it read four to five beats per minute lower, but they were fleeting.

Connectivity proved solid as well. Testers paired it with an Apple Watch Ultra 2, Garmin and Coros watches, phones, the Strava app and the Wahoo companion app, with easy connections and no dropouts in readings. One tester reported a single connectivity hiccup with an indoor rower, but nothing recurring. Against the Garmin HRM Pro Plus, the data largely matched across steady and high-intensity sessions, including races.

Battery Life and Charging

The rechargeable battery is the headline change. Wahoo claims over 100 hours, and early testing supports it: roughly eight to ten hours of tracking barely moved the battery, with drops of around 1% per hour of running and only 2 to 3% lost in the first weeks of use. That is well ahead of the Coros HR9z’s 50 hours, and long enough that the convenience of not fiddling with a coin cell outweighs the shorter runtime. Wahoo also confirmed you can leave the sensor on the strap to dry without meaningfully draining the battery.

The main caveat is the proprietary magnetic USB cable. Lose it and you are stuck, though Shokz headphone owners have a spare. The magnetic connection itself charges securely.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The Polar H10 offers onboard memory, swim support, and generally stronger water resistance for a little more money, and its clasp is easier to use. The Polar H9 delivers similar accuracy without the memory for less money if you do not mind changing a coin battery. Garmin’s HRM Pro and Pro Plus add running dynamics, running power and indoor speed and distance. None of these extras are essential for most runners, but if you rely on them, the Trackr does not have them.

Buying Advice

If you want a comfortable, accurate chest strap and are happy to forgo extra running tracking smarts, the Wahoo Trackr is a very viable, cheaper alternative to the Garmin HRM Pro Plus and a genuine rival to the Polar H10. The rechargeable battery with long runtime is the killer feature: one less thing to worry about. If maximum features matter more, spend a little more on the H10; if maximum value matters, the H9 or Coros HR9z are worth a look.

Conclusion

Wahoo has built a very good chest strap. It is accurate, comfortable, well connected, sensibly priced, and its rechargeable battery finally offers staying power close to coin-cell rivals. It is a thumbs-up overall, and a very easy recommendation for runners who value simplicity and reliability.