The Garmin HRM 600 is a high-end heart rate chest strap built for athletes who want precise heart rate, HRV and running dynamics inside the Garmin ecosystem.

It streams data in real time to compatible Garmin watches, Edge bike computers, supported fitness devices, the Tacx Training app and other apps via ANT and Bluetooth Low Energy. It also supports up to three simultaneous Bluetooth Low Energy connections.

Key features

• Real-time heart rate and HRV
• Rechargeable lithium-ion battery with a claimed life of up to 2 months based on one hour per day
• Charges via Garmin pin-style charger
• Running dynamics with a compatible Garmin watch, including vertical oscillation, ground contact time and speed loss on impact
• Activity recording without a watch via Garmin Connect for certain sports
• Machine-washable strap and removable module
• 5 ATM water resistance, swim compatible
• Data transmission via ANT and Bluetooth Low Energy

Sizes and weight

• XS-S: strap 56 to 72 cm, fits a chest circumference of 60 to 85 cm
• M-XL: strap 72 to 106 cm, fits a chest circumference of 80 to 119 cm
• Weight with M-XL strap: 61 g
• Module only weight: 18 g
• Module dimensions: 68 x 31.6 x 10 mm

Recommended uses

The HRM 600 is aimed primarily at multisport athletes: cycling, running, triathlon, swimming, turbo trainer, team sports or martial arts. It’s particularly compelling for those already using Garmin Connect with a compatible Garmin watch.

For bike-only use where you just need heart-rate data, a simpler strap may suffice. The HRM 600 makes more sense for its rechargeable design, multisport features and deeper integration.

Tested by GravelPassion

In our long-term testing, the HRM 600 proved stable, reliable and easy to use. With heavy use, topping it up roughly once a month was far more convenient than swapping coin cells. Its high price is still something to consider, especially for cyclists who won’t use its running features or standalone recording.