At a Glance: The Verdict
| Garmin HRM 600 | Garmin HRM-Pro Plus |
|---|---|
|
Best For: Data-driven runners who want HRV tracking and the newest metrics The newer, pricier strap. Adds heart rate variability, upgraded running dynamics, and stand-alone recording, but you charge it every couple of months. $169.99. |
Best For: Runners who want a proven strap and a battery they can forget about The value pick. Dual ANT+/Bluetooth broadcasting, running dynamics, and store-and-forward recording on a coin cell that lasts a full year. $129.99. |
Quick Buy Path
Check today’s pricing before you go deeper.
If these are already your two finalists, compare current pricing now, then keep reading for the full verdict.
Both of these are Garmin chest straps aimed at the same runner, but they are not the same tool. The HRM 600 is the newer flagship built around heart rate variability and richer running data. The HRM-Pro Plus is the reliable workhorse that costs less and runs for a year on a swappable battery.
Key Differences
- HRV tracking: The HRM 600 measures heart rate variability. The HRM-Pro Plus does not — its sensor suite is heart rate plus an accelerometer for running dynamics.
- Battery style: The HRM 600 uses a rechargeable battery good for about 2 months per charge. The HRM-Pro Plus uses a replaceable coin cell that lasts roughly a year.
- Recording: The HRM 600 does stand-alone activity recording, so it can capture a workout without a watch. The Pro Plus uses store-and-forward to catch HR when you swim or break Bluetooth range, then syncs it back.
- Price: The HRM 600 is $169.99. The HRM-Pro Plus is $129.99 — a $40 gap.
Deep Dive Comparison
Design & Comfort
Both are soft, adjustable chest straps with a snap-on pod and no screen — you never look at them, you just wear them. The HRM-Pro Plus weighs 52 grams and carries a 5 ATM water rating, so it survives pool sessions and sweaty long runs without complaint. Garmin has not published a separate weight or water spec for the HRM 600, but it is the same category of strap and wears the same way against your sternum. Fit and comfort are close to a wash here; neither strap is going to bother you once it warms up.
Battery Life
This is the clearest trade-off between the two. The HRM 600 runs up to 2 months — roughly 60 days — on a rechargeable battery, so you plug it in every so often. The HRM-Pro Plus runs about 365 days on a CR2032-style coin cell you swap once a year and forget. If you hate charging things, the Pro Plus wins outright. If you would rather top up over USB than fumble with a tiny battery door, the HRM 600 suits you.
Health & Fitness Features
Neither strap has GPS — they are heart rate sensors, not trackers, and they lean on your watch or phone for location. The real gap is HRV. The HRM 600 reads heart rate variability, which feeds recovery and training-readiness metrics on compatible Garmin devices. The HRM-Pro Plus tracks heart rate and running dynamics (cadence, ground contact time, vertical oscillation) through its accelerometer, but it does not do HRV. Both give you the accurate chest-based heart rate that wrist sensors still miss during intervals and cold-weather runs.
Smart Features
Keep expectations grounded: no music, no payments, no notifications on either one. There is no NFC and no speaker. Where they differ is broadcasting. The HRM-Pro Plus sends heart rate over both ANT+ and Bluetooth Low Energy at the same time, so it pairs with Garmin watches, Zwift, Peloton, and gym equipment simultaneously. The HRM 600 focuses on richer data capture and stand-alone recording rather than adding gadget tricks.
Price & Value
The HRM-Pro Plus lists at $129.99 and often sells for less on the street, which makes it the better value for most runners. The HRM 600 asks $169.99 — that extra $40 buys you HRV and the newest running metrics. If those two things matter to your training, the premium is fair. If they don’t, you are paying more for data you won’t open.
Technical Specs
| Spec | Garmin HRM 600 | Garmin HRM-Pro Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $169.99 | $129.99 |
| Battery | Up to 60 days (rechargeable) | Up to 365 days (replaceable coin cell) |
| Weight | Not published by Garmin | 52 g |
| Water Rating | Not published by Garmin | 5 ATM |
| Sensors / Metrics | Heart Rate, HRV, Running Dynamics | Heart Rate, Accelerometer (Running Dynamics) |
| Recording | Stand-alone activity recording | Store-and-forward |
| Connectivity | ANT+, Bluetooth Low Energy | ANT+, Bluetooth Low Energy |
| Display | None | None |
The Verdict
Buy the Garmin HRM 600 if you train by the numbers and want HRV, upgraded running dynamics, and the ability to record a workout without a watch. It costs $40 more and needs recharging every couple of months, but for runners chasing recovery and readiness data, that is the strap to get.
Buy the Garmin HRM-Pro Plus if you want an accurate, no-fuss chest strap at a lower price. At $129.99 it broadcasts to everything over ANT+ and Bluetooth, handles running dynamics, catches your pool laps with store-and-forward, and runs a full year before you touch the battery. For most runners who just want reliable heart rate, the Pro Plus is the smarter spend — the HRM 600 is for the data nerds who will actually use HRV.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Garmin strap should I actually buy?
Get the HRM-Pro Plus if you want accurate heart rate at the best price and a battery you can ignore for a year. Step up to the HRM 600 only if HRV tracking and the newest running metrics matter to your training. Most runners are well served by the Pro Plus.
Does the HRM-Pro Plus track heart rate variability?
No. The HRM-Pro Plus measures heart rate and running dynamics through its accelerometer, but it does not report HRV. If you specifically want heart rate variability for recovery and training-readiness scores, that is the HRM 600’s headline feature.
Is the HRM 600 worth the extra $40?
It is worth it only if you will use HRV, the expanded running dynamics, and stand-alone recording. Those features justify the $169.99 price for serious runners. If you just want dependable heart rate for workouts, the $129.99 HRM-Pro Plus gives you that for less.
Will these straps work with my phone and non-Garmin apps?
Yes. Both broadcast over ANT+ and Bluetooth Low Energy, so they pair with Garmin watches, iPhones, Android phones, and apps like Zwift, Peloton, and Strava-connected trainers. The Pro Plus can hold both connection types at once, which is handy if you use a watch and a bike computer together.
How often do I have to deal with the battery?
The HRM-Pro Plus runs about 365 days on a replaceable coin cell, so you swap it roughly once a year. The HRM 600 uses a rechargeable battery that lasts up to 60 days per charge, meaning you plug it in every couple of months. Pick based on whether you’d rather recharge or replace.
“`
🏆 Ready to Decide?
Check the latest deals to see which one fits your budget.
Need a broader starting point first? Read Best Fitness Tracker (2026) for the fastest shortlist.
*We earn a commission if you make a purchase.
Specs and features may change. Always verify details on the manufacturer’s official site before purchasing.
