Wahoo TICKR Heart Rate Monitor Review Pros and Cons: Best Heart Rate Monitor for Simplicity and Connectivity

Having introduced the first Bluetooth 4.0 heart rate monitor, Wahoo Fitness then developed an advanced, easy-to-use heart rate monitor. The Wahoo TICKR heart rate monitor is one of the three heart rate monitors in the Wahoo line up, with the others being TICKR Fit, TICKR X, and TICKR Run. TICKR is known for simplicity, accuracy, and reliability, offering athletes and fitness enthusiasts a way to connect heart rate to their training platforms and apps.

This news is welcomed by many, and I’m happy to share information about this device with you. Below is a comprehensive Wahoo TICKR heart rate monitor review, including its features, pros, and cons.

Product Details

Wahoo TICKR heart rate monitor is a heart rate chest strap that monitors your heart rate and calories burned during training or any workout activity. The heart rate sensor connects to several fitness apps, allowing users to train with their favorite workout apps. Users can also use the monitor for a variety of sports.

It is an ideal monitor for athletes and fitness enthusiasts who want to optimize their training. The monitor uses a Burn & Burst training program created to allow users to determine their correct training zone. Burn & Burst is an 8-week training program that helps to burn fat and improve performance. Burn plans help users shed some unwanted pounds while Burst plans help shed minutes off your performance.

What does it come with?

The Wahoo TICKR monitor comes in a package containing:

• Heart Rate Monitor
• CR 2032 Battery
• Adjustable Soft Strap
• Quick Start Guide
• Important Product Info Guide

Price

The Wahoo TICKR is a considerably cheap option considering that similar heart rate monitors are quite expensive. It is a good value for your money as it gives accurate heart rate results, while it easily connects with a wide variety of training apps.

Functioning and Compatibility

The Wahoo TICKR allows athletes and fitness enthusiasts to connect to over 50 apps and platforms including Apple Health, Runkeeper, Nike+ Running, Strava, Cyclemeter, MapMyFitness, and more. Equipped with ANT+ and Bluetooth 4.0 technology, the heart rate monitor connects to tablets, bike computers, smartphones, as well as GPS watches by Polar, Garmin, and more. It’s compatible with iPhone (4S and newer), iPad (3rd gen and newer), iPad Mini, iPad Air, iPod Touch (5th gen) and Android (4.3 or newer) that are compliant with the Bluetooth 4.0.

The monitor snaps onto the strap securely and users can change the chest strap if they want to wear it with athletic attire designed for HRMs or if it becomes worn out. The monitor has two LED lights, whereby the red one alerts you when the device detects heart rate and the blue one shows connection to the device.

Connection Type

The ANT+ and Bluetooth Smart capabilities enable a wireless connection to GPS devices and smartphone either simultaneously or separately.

Features

• Dual Band technology

The monitor uses ANT+ and Bluetooth technology which allows for a simultaneous wireless connection to other devices such as smartphones, tablets, GPS watches, and bike computers. This enables you to get real-time data.

• Third-party app compatibility

You can use other applications with this monitor. It works seamlessly with more than 50 apps including TrainerRoad, Zwift, Strava, Nike+ Running, and Wahoo RunFit.

• Real-time heart rate and calorie tracking

The device monitors your heart rate and calories burned as well as the distance and pace when connected to an ANT+ device or a smartphone.

• Visible connection

It has 2 LED lights that show heart rate detection (red) and device connection (blue). Therefore, you will be able to know if you have a strong connection between the heart rate monitor and your smartphone. You also can see if the device is collecting the heart rate data.

• Device compatibility

It’s compatible with iPhone (4S and newer), iPod Touch (5th gen+), iPad (3rd gen+), Apple Watch, GPS Watches, cycling computers, and more.

• Wahoo RunFit App

The app enables you to bring heart rate training into all your workout activities including walking, running, and other cardio workouts.

• Burn & Burst Training Program

The Wahoo Fitness App comes with a free 8-week training program designed by Wahoo physiologist to burn fat and enhance performance.

• Waterproof and Sweat Proof

The monitor is waterproof up to 5 ft. Its waterproof rating is IPX7.

• Replaceable Battery

The coin cell battery can last up to 12 months, after which you can replace it.

Pros

• Reliable chest trap

Wahoo uses snap to secure the monitor to the strap and allows you to change the strap if it’s worn out. The strap is also adjustable in length, from 23-48 inches.

• Compatible with several fitness trackers and apps

The Wahoo Fitness TICKR allows users to send heart rate data to over 50 different apps, including popular ones like Strava, Runtastic, and MapMyRide.

• Transmits on both Bluetooth Smart and ANT+

Unlike Polar and Garmin which only transmit on either ANT+ or Bluetooth Smart, Wahoo TICKR transmits on both.

• Accurate heart rate reading

Chest straps generally provide better heart rate result and pinpoint accuracy. Wahoo TICKR provides accurate heart rate reading hence makes your stats more accurate and consistent.  This also enables heart rate training in specific zones.

• Easy to set up and use

The monitor is all about simplicity and convenience. It also has a quick start guide to help you set up and operate

Cons

• The Wahoo TICKR does not have advanced features that give more feedback.
• The monitor’s waterproof is just up to 5 ft. while Garmin’s and Polar’s is up to 100 ft.
• It lacks built-in storage

Bottom Line

It’s time to sum up our Wahoo TICKR heart rate monitor review. The Wahoo TICKR Heart Rate Monitor is an accurate, reliable and effective heart rate monitor that comes with Wahoo’s Burn & Burst Training Program to improve and maximize your workout. It is quite comfortable and offers excellent connectivity with third-party applications. Its great connectivity makes it a standout heart rate monitor and a good buy for that price. However, it lacks advanced features hence ideal for someone who just wants to monitor the heart rate.  It may also be a bit advanced for a person new to using heart rate monitors.

With two heart rate programs personalized to your body and goals, the Wahoo TICKR is a great device for training. Therefore, if you wish to track your heart rate with high accuracy, Wahoo TICKR is the ideal heart rate monitor for the task. If you are looking for an app that will support your workouts with personalized challenges, social connections and a reward program that motivates you, then check out the Myzone MZ-3.