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The top smartwatches and wearables that can take an ECG in 2024
These smart health devices take readings on your heart rhythm and can even send the results right to your doctor.
Smartwatches have grown from obscure gadgets and fashion accessories to comprehensive health and fitness trackers in just a few short years. As of early 2024, the market has devices with a wide range of sensors that track daily activity, exercise, sleep, and general health. They can even alert wearers to the signs of potential heart problems and call for help if they take a heavy fall and can't get up. Some can even monitor ovulation for women.
One of the best health features of today's smartwatches is their ECG capability. Standing for electrocardiogram and sometimes shortened to EKG, an ECG is a medical-grade process for measuring heart activity and checking for abnormalities. An ECG performed in the hospital takes a more detailed reading. Still, the beauty of fitting similar hardware to a smartwatch is that the owner can take an ECG whenever they want and then provide that data to their doctor instead of only capturing data when at the hospital.
Smartwatches take an ECG by completing an electrical circuit across the wearer's body. The watch has two contact points to do this: via the heart rate monitor of the back of the case pressed against the wrist and when the wearer touches the front or side of the case with a finger from the opposite hand. The ECG usually takes around 30 seconds to complete, and the data collected is sent to a companion smartphone app, where it can be viewed, stored, and forwarded to a doctor if required.
The Apple Watch Series 4 from 2018 was the first smartwatch to feature an ECG app. But because government health departments must authorize a medical function like this, Apple's ECG app wasn't available in every country. Instead, it arrived in the US once the FDA approved the app, but it didn't work in the UK and Europe until the European Union's equivalent to the FDA approved its use months later.
Each manufacturer of devices with ECG functionality has to pass through these steps. As a result, the ECG app often arrives gradually. When we first wrote this article, Withings was waiting for FDA approval of its ECG app in the US (but it is available in Europe), and Samsung had also experienced its own delays. We are happy to report this update, Withings has gotten FDA Cleared approval for ECG and Samsung devices with ECG are working.
Atrial fibrillation
The main point of smartwatches with ECG functionality is to check for signs of atrial fibrillation, also known as Afib. This condition can cause an irregular or abnormally fast heartbeat. It is common but potentially deadly and often goes undiagnosed due to a lack of ECG testing outside of a medical environment. Smartwatches with ECG hardware stress that they cannot detect other heart conditions, like a potential heart attack, but the data they collect and warnings they give can give owners the information they need to seek help.
Below are some of the most popular smartwatches and fitness trackers with an ECG app. Not all are available internationally just yet, but we will update this article as the situation changes and when new products are announced.
Apple Watch Series 9 come with ECG Readings
Apple Watch 9 comes with many of the same features found in the Apple Watch 8AppleThe Apple Watch Series 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 all have an ECG app. The first model arrived in the fall of 2018, and the most recent Series 9 landed in the fall of 2023. The ECG app works in most countries, takes around 30 seconds to complete, and sends the data it collects to the user's iPhone health app. From there, it can be sent to a doctor if required.
An ECG is taken by completing an electrical circuit across the wearer's body. In the case of the Apple Watch, this means the heart rate monitor sits on your wrist as normal. Then, you touch the Digital Crown with the index finger of your opposite hand to complete the circuit. The watch then tells you if your heart rate is normal or shows signs of AFib.
The lower-priced Apple Watch SE has a heart rate monitor but cannot take an ECG.
Buy - Amazon
Samsung Galaxy Watches and Watch Active 2 with ECG
Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2 comes with ECG functionality.
SamsungMost Samsung smartwatches now offer ECG functionality, having been approved in the US, Europe, and Samsung's native South Korea. These are the Galaxy Active2, Watch3, Watch4 series, Galaxy Watch5 series, and Galaxy Watch6 series. These smartwatches perform an ECG using the heart rate monitor and when the wearer places a finger of their opposite hand on the case.
As with other ECG wearables, you need to place your forearm on a flat surface and relax as best you can, without moving, while the 30-second ECG takes place. After the recording, you can save the data on your Galaxy phone and, if necessary, share it with your doctors. Explore our tips and guidelines on how to make the most of this valuable tool.
Buy Samsung Galaxy Watch 6
Buy Samsung Galaxy Active 2
See Pricing for Samsung Galaxy Watches on Amazon
Withings ScanWatch: Nova, ScanWatch 2, and Horizon with ECG
The Withings ScanWatch is available in two sizes
WithingsFrench technology firm Withings offers three pairs of smartwatches with ECG functionality: the ScanWatch Nova, ScanWatch 2, and ScanWatch Horizon. These smartwatches go beyond basic tracking by incorporating irregular rhythm detection and on-demand ECG recording technology, specifically designed to identify signs of atrial fibrillation (AFib), a common heart condition. This allows users to take proactive steps in managing their heart health efficiently.
Additionally, these devices are equipped with sleep disturbance detection and blood oxygen recording capabilities, providing a holistic overview of your well-being. By leveraging these features, users can gain deeper insights into their health, enabling them to make informed decisions and potentially prevent serious health issues. Whether you're monitoring your heart, assessing your sleep quality, or monitoring your blood oxygen levels, the Withings ScanWatches empower you to maximize your health data for a healthier lifestyle.
Withings ScanWatches are FDA-cleared devices. They received approval from the FDA in October 2021.
Buy-Withings SmartWatches on Amazon
Fitbit Sense 2 Smartwatch with ECG
The Fitbit Sense smartwatch can take an ECG reading
Fitbit
Google-owned Fitbit is best known for its fitness trackers, but it also sells a smartwatch with ECG feature. The Sense 2 is a fully-fledged wearable with all the health and fitness features you would expect from an Apple Watch, plus notifications, water resistance, the ability to handle calls, stream music, make contactless payments, and more.
The Fitbit Sense 2 is a cutting-edge smartwatch that embodies the pinnacle of health and fitness technology. Designed to cater to the modern user's wellness journey, it offers an array of features to monitor and enhance your well-being. Its most notable feature is the ECG app, which allows users to assess their heart rhythm for atrial fibrillation (AFib) signs. This condition can lead to serious heart complications. With a simple touch, the Sense 2 provides real-time feedback on your heart's health, enabling you to make informed decisions about your lifestyle. Beyond its ECG capabilities, the Fitbit Sense 2 boasts comprehensive health tracking, including stress management, sleep analysis, and activity tracking, all wrapped in a sleek, durable design. Whether you're a fitness enthusiast or want to take a proactive approach to your health, the Fitbit Sense 2 is your perfect companion for a healthier future.
The Fitbit Sense 2 lists $299.95 but is on sale for a lot less on Amazon.
Buy - Amazon
Garmin Smartwatches have ECG
Garmin Venu 2 smartwatchGarminGarmin is a newcomer to our list of smartwatches and wearables that offer ECG readings. They have innovatively integrated an ECG app across a wide array of its smartwatch models, enhancing the health monitoring capabilities of its users. This feature is available in models including the D2 Mach 1 Pro, epix Pro (Gen 2) in both Standard and Sapphire Editions, the entire fēnix 7 Pro series including Solar and Sapphire Solar Editions, quatix 7 Pro, tactix 7 - AMOLED Edition, Venu 2 Plus, and Venu 3 | Venu 3S, provided they are updated to their respective required software versions (14.68 or newer for most models, 11.21 for Venu 2 Plus, and 7.07 for Venu 3 series).
This ECG app allows wearers to perform on-demand ECG recordings to detect signs of atrial fibrillation (AFib), a leading cause of stroke and other heart-related complications. This feature is pivotal in offering users a more in-depth analysis of their heart health, enabling early detection and management of potential issues. In addition to ECG functionality, these Garmin watches offer a suite of health and fitness tracking features, ensuring a comprehensive approach to wellness. With this implementation, Garmin reinforces its commitment to providing cutting-edge technology that supports proactive health and fitness management in everyday life.
Garmin's ECG App is not available worldwide. You must check here to see if the Garmin ECG App is compatible with your country.
See Pricing on Garmin SmartWatches with ECG on Amazon
AliveCor KardiaMobile 6L with ECG
The KardiaMobile 6L ECG device by AliveCore
AliveCore
Now for something a little different. The AliveCore KardiaMobile 6L is not a smartwatch or a wearable of any kind; instead, it is a portable, pocket-sized ECG device. Where the smartwatches listed above perform the equivalent of a single-lead ECG, the KardiaMobile 6L, as its name suggests, takes a six-lead ECG.
The device has two electrodes on the top for your index fingers and a third underneath to rest on the skin of your left leg. That way, it can perform a more detailed, multi-lead ECG without gels and wires. The ECG reading is sent over Bluetooth to a smartphone app. AliveCore also sells a single-lead version called the KardiaMobile. It only costs $99 and is available on Amazon.
Buy - Amazon
Fitbit Sense 2 Advanced Health and Fitness Smartwatch with Tools to Manage Stress and Sleep, ECG App, SpO2, 24/7 Heart Rate and GPS, Lunar White/Platinum, One Size (S & L Bands Included)
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