MF Tests: Wahoo TICKR X

The Wahoo TICKR X is an excellent value heart rate monitor with connectivity options and plenty of smart features…

Wahoo TICKR X

BUY IT NOW:

£64.99, uk.wahoo.com 

PROS:

• Running and cycling insights  
• Good connectivity  

CONS:

• Sensor can be uncomfortable 
• Not waterproof 

Comfort: 3/5
Accuracy: 4/5
Tracking features: 5/5
OVERALL: 3.5/5 

The TICKR X is Wahoo’s most capable heart rate monitor. At 48g, it’s also the lightest chest strap on test. The soft strap has a front-fastening clip that’s a little easier to put on than Garmin and Polar straps. However, the plastic of the integrated sensor pod sits right against your skin and is marginally less comfortable than the Garmin HRM-Pro Plus and the Polar H10.  

Get your heart rate up with the best skipping ropes for CrossFit and cardio

Connectivity is impressive with the option to run simultaneous ANT+ and three concurrent Bluetooth connections. That’s ideal if you want to pair multiple devices such as a watch, bike computer, training app, gym equipment and/or training platform like Peloton or Zwift. Helpful LED lights on the pod show you’re hooked up too.   

Wahoo TICKR X design

Like the Garmin HRM-Pro Plus, the TICKR X has a built-in motion sensor that provides runners and riders with extra training insights. For runners there’s form tracking including readouts for cadence, ground contact time and vertical oscillation. The motion sensor also powers an indoor mode for tracking treadmill runs. If you use the Wahoo fitness app, you also get a running smoothness score, a rating of your form efficiency.  

Want to ride faster? These are the best e-bikes for road for on and off-road riding

Indoor cyclists get cycling cadence and those running and riding dynamics can be broadcast to compatible smartwatches via ANT+. However, if you’re a Polar user, it won’t share that info with your watch.  

When it comes to accuracy, the TICKR X performs consistently well. It reliably picks up small bursts of increased effort without any rogue spikes.  

Need to view your vitals? Here are the best fitness watches

The TICKR X  stores up to 50 hours of workout data and you get 500 hours runtime on a single watch-type battery. Unlike the waterproof Polar H10 and Garmin HRM-Pro Plus, this chest strap is only IPX7 rated, so it’s sweat- and rain-proof but not waterproof. The strap can be hand washed, however.