Nowadays, smartwatches have become an indispensable tool in our daily lives. They help us to improve our productivity all the while keeping track of our health and fitness. In this day and age, almost every smartwatch can measure basic health metrics like heart rate and SpO2, but only a few smartwatches come with an ECG monitor. So, if you were wondering what is the best ECG smartwatch in 2024 then you have clicked on the right article. I’ve done the research and listed 5 of the best smartwatches with ECG monitor. And before you ask, Apple, Samsung, Fitbit, Withings, etc. are the brands that I have included in my list. So without any delay, let’s get to it.
Quick Navigation
- What Is An ECG? How Does It Work On Wrist?
- Top Picks
- Best ECG Smartwatches
- How Accurate Is It?
- Check out our Video
What Is An ECG? How Does It Work On Wrist?
ECG, also known as EKG or electrocardiogram is the measurement of the heart’s electrical signals. With every heartbeat, an electrical signal is generated within the heart. ECG records those impulses and shows the recorded data in the form of a graph which can be later examined to look for signs of irregular heart rhythm also known as arrhythmia. Irregular heart rhythm can be an indication of Atrial Fibrillation, which is a chronic disease that can cause poor blood flow.
Smartwatches measure ECG by flashing LEDs on your skin to measure blood flow and the two electrodes to measure electrical activity. One is present at the case back and the other at the crown or the side button where your finger is placed. After that, they use their algorithms to access heart rhythm from the recorded data.
Top Picks
IMAGE | PRODUCT | SPECIFICATIONS | VIEW ON AMAZON |
Best ECG Smartwatch For Android  | Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 |
| |
Best Smartwatch With ECG Monitor For iPhone  | Apple Watch Series 9 |
| |
Cheapest Smartwatch With ECG Tracker  | Fitbit Sense 2 |
| |
Best Fitness Band With ECG Function  | Fitbit Charge 6 |
|
Best ECG Smartwatches
Now that we know what is an ECG and how it works, let us now look at the best smartwatches with ECG monitors that are available in the market right now.
1) Samsung Galaxy Watch 6
The Galaxy Watch 6 is the latest wearable offering by Samsung. Apart from basic health and activity tracking, like heart rate, SpO2, and stress tracking it can also measure advanced health metrics such as ECG and Blood pressure. It is one of the best Android smartwatch with an ECG and heart rate monitor. Moreover, the Galaxy Watch 6 has numerous other useful features like, autodetect workouts and making & receiving calls directly from your Galaxy Watch. Since Galaxy Watches are now running on Wear OS by Google, you can download apps like Google Assistant, YouTube, and WhatsApp on the Galaxy Watch.
It also features LTE connectivity that lets you connect to the Internet without connecting to your phone. Galaxy Watch 6 is also one of the few smartwatches that come with a fall detection feature that can be life-saving for elderly people.
To know about more about Galaxy Watch 6, check out our in-depth review video.
Note: The ECG function will only work on Galaxy Watches that are paired with a Samsung smartphone. Also, this feature is only available in selected regions.
How To Use ECG On Samsung Galaxy Watch 6?
Step 1: Swipe left on the watch face until you see the ECG monitor.
Step 2: If you have not set up the ECG monitor before then you will be asked to set it up on the Samsung Health Monitor app on your smartphone. It is very easy and you just have to follow the onscreen procedure.
Step 3: Once it is set up, swipe left on the watch face until you see the ECG monitor on the screen.
Step 4: Press the Record button to start monitoring.
Step 5: Place a finger of the other hand on the upper button of the watch. Remember you do not have to press the button but instead, you just have to rest your finger on the button for 30 seconds. You will be able to see the 30-second timer on your watch face.
Step 6: Once the 30 seconds get over you will be able to see the analysis on the watch as well as on your cell phone.
2) Apple Watch Series 9
The Apple Watch Series 9 is one of the best smart watch with ECG tracking for iPhone users. Series 9 is the latest smartwatch by Apple that excels at both health and activity tracking. This watch can measure your blood oxygen, heart rate, stress level, and ECG with remarkable accuracy. Moreover, it can also track your activities, workouts, and sleep with great accuracy. I measured my health metrics using Series 9 and got accurate results every time. It offers many useful features such as double-tap gestures and offline Siri support.
Just like the Galaxy Watch 6, the Apple Watch Series 9 also has a long list of features which include autodetection of workouts, double-tap gestures, offline Siri support, fall detection, crash detection, and many more. To learn more about other useful features of the Apple Watch Series 9, check out this video on our YouTube channel.
How To Use ECG On Apple Watch Series 9?
Step 1: Press the crown button to open the menu on the watch.
Step 2: Locate the ECG monitor and click on it.
Step 3: Press the OK button.
Step 4: Keep your finger on the crown and hold it for 30 seconds. Remember you just have to keep the finger on the crown and do not have to press it. You will be able to see the 30-second timer on the screen.
Step 5: Once the 30 seconds are over then you will be able to see the results on the screen of the watch.
3) Fitbit Sense 2
Fitbit Sense 2 is one of the best wearable ECG monitor smartwatch by Fitbit. It comes with an AMOLED display that produces bright and sharp colors. This smartwatch by Fitbit can measure your heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, electrodermal activity, and ECG. It can also track your sleep and features basic fitness tracking. You can wear this watch during rain or swimming, as it is water resistant for up to 50 meters. The Fitbit Sense 2 also boasts other useful features such as built-in Alexa, NFC payments through Fitbit Pay, and more. This smartwatch comes with fast charging and has a long battery life of about 6 days in normal use, so you won’t have to charge it every other day.
How To Use ECG On Fitbit Sense 2?
Step 1: Swipe left till you find the ECG app on your smartwatch.
Step 2: If you are using the app for the first time then you will be asked to set it up on the phone. It shows you all the steps that you need to follow to set it up for the first time.
Step 3: Once you have set up the app, swipe left to find the ECG app on the smartwatch and click on it.
Step 4: Click on the Ready button.
Step 5: Choose the wrist you are wearing the watch on.
Step 6: It will then ask you to sit and to keep your hand steady. Once you do that you can click on the I’m Sitting button.
Step 7: Put your index finger and thumb on the metal edges of the watch diagonally and hold for 30 seconds. It will show you the 30-second timer on the watch.
Step 8: Once the 30 seconds are over, then it will show you the results on the watch screen.
4) Withings Scanwatch
Withings Scanwatch is one of the fewest hybrid watches that comes with an ECG tracker. If you like the old-school charm of conventional watches but also like to have modern features on them, most importantly the ECG tracker, then this is the best option for you.
This timepiece has an hour’s hand, a minute hand, and a small circular digital display that shows all the necessary information. The feature list of this watch includes smart notifications, heart rate monitor, sleep tracker, SpO2 monitor, activity tracker, etc.
The watch comes with a 30-day battery life, which is the highest among all the smartwatches on this list.
How To Use ECG On Withings Scanwatch?
Step 1: Press the crown to go to the menu on the watch’s digital display.
Step 2: Scroll using the crown until you see the ECG option on the display.
Step 3: Press the crown to start the ECG monitoring.
Step 4: Place your finger on the metal bezel of the watch and hold for 30 seconds. You will be able to see the timer on the watch display.
Step 5: Once the 30-seconds are over you will be able to see the results on the watch screen and more details on your smartphone app.
5) Fitbit Charge 6
It is one of the best wearable ECG monitors by Fitbit. The Fitbit Charge 6 is a smart fitness tracker with an ECG monitor and the most accurate heart rate ever on a Fitbit. Moreover, it can measure your Blood oxygen saturation and track your sleep accurately.
With the Smart Wake feature, the Fitbit Charge 6 monitors your sleep stages and tries to wake you up at the best time within the 30-minute window before the set alarm time, so that you wake up feeling refreshed without disturbing your deep sleep.
Apart from this, it also comes with NFC support, so you can use Google Wallet to make contactless payments. Other than that, the Fitbit Charge 6 comes with 50 meters of water resistance, 40+ exercise modes, and a super long 7-day battery life. Overall, the Fitbit Charge 6 is one of the best budget ECG watch in the market.
How To Use ECG On Fitbit Charge 6?
Step 1: Swipe right till you find the ECG app on your smartwatch.
Step 2: If you are measuring the ECG for the very first time then the band will ask you to set the app on your cell phone. It will show you all the steps to follow to set up the app for the first time.
Step 3: Once you are finished setting up the app, swipe right until you find the ECG app on the band and click on it.
Step 4: Press the Ready button.
Step 5: Choose the wrist you are wearing the watch on.
Step 6: The band will then ask you to sit and keep your hand steady. Once you do that you can press the I’m Sitting button on the band screen.
Step 7: Put your index finger and thumb on the metal edges on the side of the band and hold for 30 seconds. It will show you the 30-seconds timer on the band screen.
Step 8: Once the 30 seconds are over, then the band will show you the results on the watch screen and you can look for more details on the cell phone app.
How Accurate Is It?
As discussed earlier in this article, clinical ECG measuring requires 12-lead electrodes to capture the tiny electrical pulses that are generated when our heart beats. And a smartwatch makes use of just one lead electrode to do the same. Therefore it cannot capture as much data as a standard ECG machine and hence it should not be considered as the replacement of clinical ECGs. Every smartwatch manufacturer says and mentions the same thing if you look at the mentioned feature in their brochure or box. That being said, if you face any issue related to your heart then you should not risk it and should immediately contact a doctor.
However, it does not mean that a smartwatch with ECG is of no use. A study done by Harvard shows that an Apple watch had 93 to 95% accuracy in identifying and detecting different types of heart attacks.
That said, smartwatches cannot perfectly detect a heart attack or any major problem with your heart but they can detect atrial fibrillation or any other abnormal heart rhythm. And if you face frequent heart problems then it is a very good option to keep an eye on your heart through the smartwatch’s ECG. Because you never know, a small help could be life-saving. There are cases where smartwatches were able to detect a possible heart attack thereby saving the life of the users. So you should buy a smartwatch with an ECG feature if you face any such issues.
