Oxygen is the most important element on earth, without it, life could not have happened here. It is also the most abundant element in the human body so it’s your duty to keep track of your oxygen consumption in order to live a healthy life.
Monitoring your daily oxygen intake allows you to know a lot about your health and well-being. However, visiting a doctor regularly for a pulse oximetry test to check your oxygen levels is not feasible either.
How about if you could track your oxygen saturation levels every day without going out of your house and using any fancy medical equipment? It may sound a bit exaggerated but it’s true. These days you can find a smartwatch with oximeter or pulse oximeter as some call it, which can help you know the amount of oxygen flowing in your blood.
However, a SpO2 watch is not super accurate and can’t be compared with an FDA-approved pulse oximeter but it can surely provide you an overview of your oxygen saturation levels.
So here I provide you with a list of the best smartwatches with oxygen sensors combined with fitness trackers with oxygen monitor that are up for grabs on Amazon. So here we go!
Quick Navigation
- Best Smartwatch With Blood Oxygen Sensor Comparison Table
- Best SpO2 Smartwatches Video
- Best Smartwatches With Oxygen Sensor
- Best Fitness Trackers With Oxygen Monitor
- What Is A SpO2 Sensor?
- How Does The Oxygen Sensor On A Watch Work?
- Factors That May Affect The SpO2 Readings
- FAQs
Best Smartwatch With Blood Oxygen Sensor Comparison Table
IMAGE | PRODUCT | SPECIFICATIONS | VIEW ON AMAZON |
Best Smartwatch With Oxygen Sensor | Apple Watch Series 8 |
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Cheapest Smartwatch With SpO2 Sensor | Amazfit GTR 3 |
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Best Fitness Tracker With Oximeter | Fitbit Charge 5 |
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Garmin Smartwatch With Blood Oxygen Sensor | Garmin Forerunner 245 Music |
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Best SpO2 Smartwatches Video
Best Smartwatches With Oxygen Sensor
1) Apple Watch Series 8
The first smartwatch with an oxygen sensor on my list is Apple Watch Series 8. Apple first provided an oxygen sensor on the Apple Watch Series 6. Before Series 6 this feature was not available on any of its watches. And like Series 6 and 7, you get a SpO2 monitor on Series 8 as well. As a result, I was able to measure my blood saturation levels whenever I wanted while using the Apple Watch Series 8.
However, it should not be used for medical purposes because it’s not 100% accurate, but it’s not that offbeat too. It’s good for occasional checkups and I did not find much difference in readings shown by the oximeter in Apple Watch and the medically certified oximeters.
However, the thing that I have noticed while exploring this Apple Watch is that its readings are not continuous like you would see on pulse oximeters. If you have respiratory issues & want to measure your blood oxygen level continuously then I will not recommend this watch.
The thing I liked about Watch Series 8 is that it takes a screenshot of the reading for later viewing and analyzing your oxygen levels. This really helped me in keeping track of my SpO2 levels.
Along with an oxygen sensor, it also has heart rate and ECG monitoring, which makes it a great fitness-tracking device. Besides fitness and health tracking what makes this watch a great investment according to me is that it has a fast processor. Its processor makes everything on this watch work faster. Moreover, it features a great always-on display and comes in a sturdy metal build. It is also available in a cellular version which is great if you want to use it as a standalone smartwatch.
Overall, if you are looking for the best smartwatch with an oxygen sensor and ECG then this pulse oximeter Apple Watch is a great deal for you.
2) Fitbit Sense 2
If you have sleep apnea or asthma then we have this cool Fitbit oxygen monitor watch for you. It can help you monitor your blood oxygen saturation levels while you sleep. It shows you the reading that it gathered in the night on the next day and helps you analyze the SpO2 percentage in your blood.
You will need to download a watch face to see your readings on the watch screen. Or you can see the detailed insights on your connected smartphone.
The readings it shows are also quite reliable, well not as accurate as a professional oximeter. But yes it does give satisfactory results, which is enough to be aware of your oxygen consumption during sleep.
Also, Fitbit is known for its fitness tracking abilities so rest assured that you will get good accuracy with a Fitbit watch. Moreover, the Fitbit Sense 2 is the latest smartwatch from the Fitbit brand that is dedicated mostly to fitness tracking, so it is definitely worth a try.
It hosts a lot of other health-tracking features that make this smartwatch a must for people who are concerned about their health and fitness. However, the only downside that we see is that it can only monitor oxygen saturation at night time when you sleep. This may be a deal-breaker for many but many would still love to use this watch, especially for people who face breathing issues when they sleep. Overall, it’s the best SpO2 watch you can buy as of now.
3) Garmin Forerunner 245 Music
The next smartwatch with a SpO2 sensor on my list is Garmin Forerunner 245 Music. This watch can monitor your blood oxygen levels, and I found its SpO2 monitoring to be very accurate. You can watch my Forerunner 245M SpO2 accuracy test video below. In this video, I have compared the watch’s accuracy with a professional Pulse Ox monitor.
Other than this, I also find the heart rate monitor of Forerunner 245M to be accurate during my usage. And since it is made for runners, therefore, it also measured my running sessions accurately too.
Like Apple Watch Series 7 and Fitbit Sense, this smartwatch comes with an inbuilt GPS. As a result, it accurately measured the distance covered, calories burned, pace, etc. during each of my runs.
Moreover, I could also measure my stress levels with Forerunner 245 Music. It even notified me if my stress level rose.
The smartwatch also has 3.5GB of internal storage, which I use to store my favorite tracks on the watch. I even enjoy listening to the songs during my runs by connecting wireless headphones to it.
Coming to its battery life, the Forerunner 245M easily lasts for 7 days with normal usage on a single charge for me.
If you are a runner who is looking for a smartwatch with an oximeter then Garmin Forerunner 245 Music is the best watch for you. You can also check out my review video of this running watch for women and men below. I have made this video after using the Forerunner 245M for months.
4) Samsung Galaxy Watch 5
If you are looking for a premium Samsung smartwatch with an oximeter that can work well with Android devices then Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 is the right option for you. It has a SpO2 monitor that lets you see your blood oxygen consumption levels.
While doing Galaxy Watch 5 SpO2 accuracy test I found out that it shows readings that are quite similar to a medical-grade oximeter. You can check it out yourself in this video below.
To use this function on your Samsung Watch 5, you should go to Samsung Health settings on your watch. You can also set this feature as a widget on your watch if you are going to use it regularly. This will save you some time and make oxygen level tracking a straightforward task.
The reading shown depends on various factors like exercise, breathing problems, and elevations. For more accurate reading Samsung asks you to wait for at least 5 minutes after a workout.
Moreover, like the Apple Watch Series 8, this smartwatch can measure ECG and can track a lot of other health parameters that include:
- Heart rate
- Sleep
- Stress
- Blood pressure, etc
You can also track your workout with this watch as the exercise list of the Samsung Watch has more than 90 workouts. If you like to listen to music while working out then you will like this, as this smartwatch supports Spotify.
Overall, if you are looking for the best smartwatch with a SpO2 sensor and own an Android smartphone then Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 is the best option for you. To learn more about this smartwatch you can watch my detailed Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 review below:
5) Amazfit GTR 3
Another smartwatch with a SpO2 sensor that I have for you is Amazfit GTR 3. This smartwatch can give all the costliest smartwatches a run for their money when it comes to measuring blood oxygen saturation levels. During my usage, I found the GTR 3’s SpO2 accuracy to be very good. I even tested it with the professional oximeter and it showed similar results during my test. You can check this test video below.
Other than its SpO2 tracking, I am also very impressed with GTR 3’s activity tracking. It managed to track my steps accurately. When I took it for running along with my Garmin Forerunner 245 Music, I was surprised to see the results. It showed me similar results to the Forerunner 245M. Considering the price point and the reputation of Garmin, I was pretty amazed at how GTR 3 could manage to do so.
GTR 3 also has a pretty accurate heart rate monitor. Needless to say, I tested its heart rate accuracy with an oximeter. Amazfit GTR 3 managed to surprise me in the heart rate accuracy too. It returned similar results to that of an oximeter. You can watch the heart rate accuracy test of GTR 3 below.
Moreover, this watch can track more than 15o workout modes. This is again amazing and no other watch on this list can measure this many sports. Also, the GTR 3 smartwatch is waterproof up to 50M, so you can take it to your swimming sessions.
Amazfit GTR 3 is overall a very good watch that offers almost all the features that costly smartwatches offer. And the accuracy of its SpO2 sensor can put watches from big brands to shame. Therefore, if you are looking to buy a cheap smartwatch with SpO2 monitoring then you will not get a better option than this. However, when I say cheap, it does not mean that this smartwatch is under 100 dollars.
You can check out my Amazfit GTR 3 review below to know more about its features. I have made this video after using GTR 3 for more than a month.
6) Garmin Vivoactive 4
The vivoactive series of smartwatches from Garmin is dedicated to its users who prefer to track their daily activities. This Garmin smartwatch has heart rate monitoring and all other basic health tracking features like sleep tracking, steps, calorie counter, etc.
However, on Vivoactive 4, you also get a pulse OX sensor that will help you detect the oxygen saturation in your blood. You can either set it to track your oxygen all time or you can set it to track your oxygen levels when you sleep. This is helpful to track your oxygen consumption during sleep and if you have sleep apnea then it’s even more important to track your oxygen levels at night.
To set the timing of the pulse OX sensor you need to go to the Garmin Connect app on the connected mobile device and change the settings from there.
It also shows you an estimated reading of VO2 max which is crucial if you train for sports like running, cycling, or swimming. By knowing the VO2 max readings you can know how hard you are training and your thresholds to prevent injuries.
Overall it is the best watch with a pulse oximeter that has all the necessary fitness tracking sensors for tracking your daily sports and other activities. It can even track menstrual cycles so it’s a great smartwatch for women too.
7) TicWatch Pro 5
The next watch with an oxygen sensor that I have for you is TicWatch Pro 5. Like other SpO2 watches on this list, TicWatch Pro 5 can measure your blood oxygen saturation levels.
Other than this, you can also monitor the following health metrics with this watch:
- 24/7 heart rate
- Sleep
- Stress, and much more.
This watch has an inbuilt GPS and a barometer as well. You can also track multiple sports profiles with it.
Moreover, this watch has an AMOLED display, which is measured at 1.4”. It displays bright and vibrant colors. You can also make NFC payments through this smartwatch as it comes enabled with Google Pay.
Not only this, but you can listen to your favorite music right from this watch because it has an inbuilt speaker. Combine it with a built-in microphone and you get a watch that you use to talk on calls.
If you want a feature-rich smartwatch that can also measure blood oxygen levels accurately then TicWatch Pro 5 is the right pulse oximeter watch for you.
If you don’t want to go with the best Spo2 watches that we have shared above then we have the best fitness bands with oxygen sensors for you. In case you don’t like wearing bulky smartwatches and want to go with something slim and lightweight.
Best Fitness Trackers With Oxygen Monitor
8) Garmin vivosmart 5
Garmin Vivosmart 5 is a sleek and lightweight fitness tracker band that you can wear all day long without feeling it even there. Besides that, it also looks stylish so it even adds elegance to your look. It’s a fitness tracker and therefore comes with all basic fitness and activity tracking features such as heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, calorie, and step counter, etc.
However, the reason why it’s here on this list is that it comes with an O2 sensor that calculates the amount of oxygen flowing through your blood and gives an estimated SpO2 percentage. With this SpO2 fitness tracker, you can check your blood oxygen saturation level at any time of the day. It also tracks your oxygen level automatically while you are sleeping and provides you with detailed data the next morning.
Besides oxygen saturation levels, it also estimates your VO2 max and tells you how much oxygen your body is consuming during workouts. And like a smartwatch you also get phone notifications on your fitness band which keeps you connected with the world.
So it is a complete package and a great alternative to a smartwatch for people who don’t like wearing a watch all day long. Overall, if you want to go with the best fitness tracker with an oximeter then you should not look any further than this.
9) Honor Band 6
Honor Band 6 is a cheap fitness tracker with an oxygen monitor. This fitness tracker offers almost the same features as Garmin Vivosmart 4 and costs less than half of its price. With Honor Band 6 you can keep track of your health and fitness without spending hundreds of dollars on expensive smartwatches and fitness trackers.
The SpO2 readings it provides are within ± 1 to 2% accuracy which can be considered good at its price. It’s good for casually checking your blood saturation levels but you should not use it for medical diagnoses.
Honor Band 6 can detect your heartbeats and also monitor your sleep. It provides tips on how you can sleep better as well. The sleep monitoring data it provides is quite accurate and you can expect an accuracy rate of up to 95% which is great for such an affordable fitness tracker.
Overall, if you want an affordable fitness tracker that comes with a SpO2 sensor then you cannot get anything better than Honor Band 6.
10) Fitbit Charge 5
Another fitness tracker with an oxygen sensor that I have for you is Fitbit Charge 5. This is the latest fitness tracker by Fitbit and is probably the smartest fitness tracker available in the market.
Fitbit Charge 5 not only comes with a SpO2 monitor but is also one of the few fitness trackers that can monitor ECG. Other than this, this fitness band can also track:
- 24/7 Heart rate
- Sleep
- Stress, etc.
Moreover, you can track 20 workouts with Charge 5. This fitness tracker can track your steps while pushing a stroller or shopping cart too. So if you just had a baby or like to shop a lot then you are going to like this fitness band with a SpO2 sensor. It comes with a 1.04” vibrant color display that displays crisp text. You can also pair this fitness tracker to your smartphone and get all the important notifications on your wrist.
With the help of its built-in GPS, you can track your running and cycling sessions more accurately.
Other than this, Charge 5 comes with a 50M water-resistant rating. As a result, you can wear it to your swimming sessions as well. This fitness tracker offers a 7 days battery life therefore you will have to charge it only 4 times a month.
If you want a feature-rich fitness tracker that can monitor blood oxygen saturation levels too then Fitbit Charge 5 is the best option for you.
What Is A SpO2 Sensor?
An oxygen or SpO2 sensor is an electronic device that measures the amount of oxygen present in gas or liquids. In this case, the oxygen sensor on your watch determines the amount of oxygen flowing through your blood vessels and helps you determine your oxygen consumption.
How Does Oxygen Sensor On Watch Work?
The oxygen sensor is built on the backside of the watch. It uses an array of LEDs containing red, green, and infrared lights. The light emitted by these LEDs passes through your skin onto the blood vessels carrying oxygenated and deoxygenated blood. Some of the light is absorbed by the blood while some light is reflected back to the watch.
The reflected light is then caught by the 4 photodiodes on the watch, which converts the light into an electrical signal and shows you the amount of oxygen in your blood in the SpO2 percentage.
Factors That May Affect The SpO2 Readings
There are many factors that may affect the readings of your blood oxygen levels. For example, if you have tattoos on your wrist then the ink of the tattoo can make it harder for the light to penetrate through your skin and reach the blood vessels.
The temperature can also affect the reading as in winter the blood vessels get a bit narrow, which slows down the blood flow. So the readings may vary from place to place and person to person.
For most accurate readings you must stay still, if you are moving or even talking then the sensor may show you false readings. Also, if the watch is not perfectly fit on your wrist then the readings will not be very accurate.
FAQs
Can A Pulse Oximeter Detect Heart Attack?
Yes, a pulse oximeter can detect heart attack and any other medical condition that affects the oxygen levels in the blood of a person.
What should be the pulse rate in the Oximeter?
A pulse rate of anything above 95% is considered a good pulse rate.
Are Pulse Oximeters On Smartwatch Accurate?
They are not always 100% accurate. If you want accurate readings you should buy a medically certified oximeter.
Can Smartwatch Replace Oximeter?
Smartwatches do provide accurate readings and are best for keeping track of your blood oxygen levels. But when it comes to the medical diagnosis they cannot replace a medical grade oximiter.