The number of people dying of heart problems is increasing. As per a report, in the U.S., someone has a heart issue every 40 seconds and spotting the signs early can save many lives. In recent times, there is a rise in smartwatches that can check your heart. Few of the best smartwatches have ECG feature to detect problems like off heartbeats, AFib.
These smartwatches with ECG feature is like having a tiny physician around your wrist. The top fitness smartwatches with ECG alerts you if something is not quite right with your heartbeat and help with detecting AFib. There has been a tremendous upgrade in smartwatches from the earlier ones that were just for counting steps and message alerts. The evolution sees health monitors, with ECG as a standout feature.
ECG monitoring in smartwatch
With heart rate monitors now standard in smartwatches and fitness trackers, electrocardiograms (ECG/EKG) have rapidly become a common feature in health wearables.
The technology aims to assist individuals in monitoring their heart health more effectively, primarily by detecting atrial fibrillation, which is a major cause of stroke.
ECG technology gained prominence through the Apple Watch Series 4 in 2018, but today many smartwatches have this feature. Devices from all major brands Samsung, Google, Fitbit, Huawei, and Garmin have watches with ECG.
Important features in an ECG Smartwatch
- Accuracy: Make sure the smartwatch provides exact and reliable ECG readings.
- Battery life: Minimum of a day or two on a single charge is important.
- Data export: Ability to export ECG readings to share with healthcare professionals.
- Instant alerts: Immediate notifications for irregular heart rhythms or abnormalities.
- Comfort: It should be comfortable to wear throughout the day and night.
- Data storage: Saves past ECG readings for tracking over time.
- Integration: Combining ECG data with other health stats like sleep, steps, and oxygen levels.
- User-friendly interface: Navigating the watch and its features should be intuitive and straightforward.
- Connectivity: Seamless pairing with smartphones for notifications and data syncing.
- Regular updates: To keep the ECG feature updated with the latest algorithms and improvements.
Best ECG smartwatches
The following is the list of current-gen smartwatches that include an ECG function. While ECG was once a premium feature reserved for flagship wearables, it’s now present across brands. Let’s delve into the top and best smartwatches with ECG feature:
Apple Watch Series 4-10 | Ultra 1-2
The latest Apple Watch Series 10 and Ultra 2 is a gold standard for ECG in wearable. Notification shall pop showing signs of AFib, and an EKG graph that can be logged in the Apple Health smartwatch app. Apple has FDA approval for its ECG and clearance in the European Economic Area, and more than 20 countries now have the ability to use the health feature.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is especially ideal for outdoor athletes and tech-savvy users with its extra battery and rugged body.
Samsung Galaxy Watch (all models)
The Galaxy Watch 8 is the latest and greatest Samsung smartwatch in town, and ECG measurement is still a big part of its appeal. However, like with previous generations (listed just below), you will need a Samsung smartphone to use the feature.
The ECG app is available on the Galaxy Watch 8 series, Galaxy Watch Ultra, Galaxy Watch 7, Watch 6 Classic, Watch 5, Watch 5 Pro, Watch 4, and Watch 4 Classic.
When you place your finger on the sensor built into the top physical button, it takes a 30-second reading. You’ll also need to remain still with your forearm resting on a flat surface.
Garmin Fenix 8 | Venu 3 | Forerunner 970
There are many Garmin smartwatches with ECG feature. This includes the Fenix 8, Fenix 7 Pro, Forerunner 970, Epix Pro (Gen 2), Enduro 3, Venu 3, and Venu 2 Plus. The feature works by having the user place their index finger and thumb on the metal edge of the device’s bezel or on the top-right button for 30 seconds to obtain a reading. The watch will display the heart rate rhythm and indicate whether it is sinus (normal) or Afib.
You’ll need to set it up in Garmin Connect first, which will also serve as a hub for historical data and a place where you can export individual readings as PDFs.
Fitbit Sense 2 | Charge 6
The Fitbit Sense 2 stands as the sole health watch from the company, equipped with various sensors, such as ECG. However, it’s also available on the Charge 6 fitness tracker.
It’s the only fitness tracker form factor capable of taking an ECG reading, making it a great option for people who prefer not to wear a smartwatch. To take the reading, you pinch the sides of the case, and the data is sent to the Fitbit app.
With the Sense 2, users can perform ECG spot checks by opening the app, touching their fingers to the aluminum case, and holding as instructed on the watch for an ECG to be taken. Again, this can be exported via a PDF.
The PPG sensor also continuously scans for abnormal rhythms, including high and low heart rates. That means it can alert you to possible issues without taking manual scans, and if you suffer from a condition, you can better understand potential triggers.
The Fitbit ECG sensor has FDA and CE approval for use in the US and Europe.
Google Pixel Watch 1-3
The Google Pixel Watch 3 also offering ECG. The reading is taken through the crown on the outer edge of the watch through a 30-second scan. Results are then sent to the Fitbit or android as it has beautiful integration with both.
Huawei Watch 5 | Watch GT 5 Pro
Huawei has received regulatory approval for its ECG feature in Europe, allowing users to perform heart rate rhythm spot checks on its newer smartwatches.
It’s been added to the current flagship, the Huawei Watch 5, and is also available on the newer upper mid-range Watch GT 5 Pro and the Watch D2 (below).
The heart rate measurement will show whether the heart rhythm is normal or Afib on the watch, and save a result to Huawei Health.
The app also has a facility to log any accompanying symptoms and see an ECG graph, which can be shown to the doctor for further assessment.
Huawei Watch D2
This is Huawei’s dedicated health watch, which offers blood pressure monitoring and ECG detection, making it a serious health device. Though not a comfortable smartwatch it’s practical and health-focused smartwatch. This device is designed for medical-grade surveillance of your vital signs, and it’s likely suited for those with a pre-existing condition.
As with all things Huawei, we are unlikely to see a release for this one in the US.
Withings ScanWatch 2 | ScanWatch Light | ScanWatch Nova
The Withings ScanWatch 2 and ScanWatch Light are the company’s current-gen hybrids, along with the more premium Nova and Nova Brilliant models. These are among the top hybrid watches on the market, with a focus on health and wellness monitoring rather than fitness tracking.
The ECG feature works for all smartwatches and one of the most proactive. You can take off-the-cuff ECG readings to check for AFib. It will also look for irregular heart rhythms.
Importance of ECG tech for smartwatch
An ECG performed by a medical professional can detect various heart issues. However, ECG devices intended for home use are not quite fully developed yet. Unlike getting an ECG at the hospital, you can monitor your heart throughout the day. “Irregularities in heart rate can be episodic, and difficult to capture,” explains Dr. Grimes, “So a personal ECG that you carry with you can help clinicians record when palpitations happen and help with diagnosis.”
This means you can take a 30-second ECG whenever you feel symptoms and also better understand the context of what may have brought them on.
These are few of the best smartwatches with ECG feature that are FDA-approved. No matter what your preferred platform or style, there’s a trusted ECG smartwatch ready to monitor your heart health in 2025.
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