Garmin HRM 600
Best for
Best for running dynamics and watch-free recording
Amazon rating
Amazon aggregate, one input among many in the Verdict Score
Based on 1 trusted source
Updated May 17, 2026 · 1 min read
Sources behind this verdict
10 reviewers weighted by source trust
The consensus
What reviewers found
Synthesized across the trust-weighted source mix below.
Across the reviewers we read, the Garmin HRM 600 is positioned as the new top of Garmin's HRM line, with the5krunner.com calling it a significant technical upgrade — particularly for watch-free recording — and road.cc describing it as well-built, accurate and comfortable with a modernised rechargeable pod and removable strap. r/Garmin threads specifically highlight the rechargeable battery and removable strap as the main improvements over the HRM Pro Plus, which had a longstanding odor and washing problem. The disagreement is real and worth naming.
What reviewers liked
- road.cc rates it well-built, accurate and comfortable
- Rechargeable battery and removable washable strap, addressing the HRM Pro Plus odor complaint
- Watch-free recording for activities where you don't want to wear the watch
- r/Garmin users praise live HR, steps and metric breadth
Where it falls short
- r/the5krunner thread flags early-unit accuracy problems with over-recording at activity start
- Most expensive option in this roundup
- Maximum benefit only with Garmin ecosystem watches
- One Facebook user group post called it the "worst HRM" they'd owned, indicating quality-control variance
Across the reviewers we read, the Garmin HRM 600 is positioned as the new top of Garmin's HRM line, with the5krunner.com calling it a significant technical upgrade — particularly for watch-free recording — and road.cc describing it as well-built, accurate and comfortable with a modernised rechargeable pod and removable strap. r/Garmin threads specifically highlight the rechargeable battery and removable strap as the main improvements over the HRM Pro Plus, which had a longstanding odor and washing problem.
The disagreement is real and worth naming. A r/the5krunner thread flags accuracy issues on early units, with one replacement-unit review citing extended periods of over-recording at the start of activities. A user post on Facebook also reports the unit as worse than older budget straps when paired to a Fenix 6. Set against that, multiple r/Garmin posts say it works well in practice and adds genuinely useful metrics for serious training. Treat this as the strap to buy if you're deep in the Garmin ecosystem and want running dynamics and ECG data — but expect early-firmware variance.
For athletes who don't need Garmin-specific metrics, the Polar H10 or Wahoo TRACKR are cleaner picks at lower prices.
- Highlight 1
- Sends accurate real-time heart rate and HRV data to compatible Garmin smartwatches and cycling computers, fitness equipment, and apps
- Highlight 2
- Comfortable machine-washable strap is available in two sizes (XS–S and M–XL) for the most ideal fit for your body type
- Highlight 3
- Understand how much you slow down when your foot hits the ground with step speed loss, and improve your running form with additional running dynamics, including stride length, vertical oscillation and ground contact time balance (requires compatible smartwatch)
- Highlight 4
- During activities where you can’t wear a watch, such as team sports, HRM 600 will record the workout and sync data, including heart rate, calories, speed, distance and more, directly to the Garmin Connect smartphone app
- Highlight 5
- Tracks daily metrics, including estimated steps, heart rate, calories burned and more, and syncs that data directly to the Garmin Connect smartphone app
- Highlight 6
- For indoor track and treadmill runs, HRM 600 sends pace and distance to your compatible smartwatch
- Highlight 7
- Provides and stores accurate heart rate data during swim activities and syncs it to your compatible smartwatch after you save your workout
- Highlight 8
- Up to 2 months of battery life with a rechargeable battery
It shows live heart rate, steps, and all the other basics you'd get on a watch. It's been pretty cool testing that part out and it works extremely well.
The HRM 600 has a rechargeable battery and a removable chest strap, which the HRM Pro Plus lacks. That's about it.
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