Now smartwatches are not for just heart rate tracking or calorie tracking. Today’s health watches and fitness trackers can track complex health metrics (vital signs) such as ECG, Blood pressure, ECG, and much more.
Fortunately, most of these devices are clinically validated for their accuracy and effectiveness.
To help you choose suitable health watches, I have compiled a list of health tracking smartwatches to track two or more health metrics, such as
- Heart Rate: Some watches in this list even alert you in case of an irregular heart rate.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG): Take an ECG right from your wrist and alert you in case of irregular heart rhythm such as atrial fibrillation. It can share your ECG report with your doctor as a PDF document
- Blood Oxygen Level Monitoring: Most of the health tracking watches discussed here come with a blood oxygen sensor to track SpO2
- Blood Pressure: This list of best health tracking smartwatches also includes a health watch for blood pressure monitoring
- Calories burned and much more
If you are looking for clinically validated ECG smartwatches, check our top best ECG Smartwatches in 2022.
Must Read: 8 Best Smartwatches For Diabetes in 2022
Even though you cannot find a smartwatch combined with all these features, everyone can find one that best suits your needs.
7 Best Health Tracking Smartwatches in 2022
- Samsung Galaxy Watch 3
- Samsung Galaxy Watch 4
- Apple watch Series 6
- Fitbit Sense
- Fitbit Charge 5
- Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2
- Fitbit Versa 3
1. Samsung Galaxy Watch 3: (HR, ECG, SpO2, & B.P)
Since the day it was released, we have been a great fan of the Samsung Galaxy Watch3, and we included it in our list of best smartwatches. It is a complete package of essential health tracking fitness and smart features.
Back to health tracking features, you only required only this smartwatch to track all critical vital signs such as ECG, heart rate, blood oxygen (SpO2), blood pressure, sleep, calories burned, and much more.
The FDA Approved ECG app on Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 can measure ECG on-demand and spot irregularities on the ECG (irregular heart rate and atrial fibrillation).
At this point, you cannot find a smartwatch that comes with all these features. This makes it one of the top rivals of the Apple Watch Series 6 and Fitbit Sense.
Fall detection and emergency SOS are other life-saving features on this health watch. In case the wearer does not respond after a fall, it calls the Emergency department for help.
Still not finished! It can give you a deep insight into your sleep pattern and can even detect sleep apnea with the help of its SpO2 sensor.
It can track many indoor and outdoor activities with its advanced sensors when it comes to activity tracking.
As it has 5 ATM waterproof ratings, you can even swim or take a bath with this smart health watch.
If you have this fitness watch, then you can leave your phone at home. It can do almost everything that a smartphone does.
You can store and play music on the go with this smartwatch. Samsung Pay allows you to pay for a coffee on the go. If you use Galaxy Watch 3 with LTE connectivity, you can make calls or send SMS right from your smartwatch.
One more reason for our love for Samsung wearables is that it always sends updates and improvements for its watches. For example, a recent O.S. update brings a few Galaxy Watch 3 features to its older models, such as Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Active.
2. Samsung Galaxy Watch 4
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 comes with advanced health-tracking features, including FDA Approved ECG, blood oxygen level monitoring, and irregular heart rate detection.
It also boasts advanced sleep-tracking features and is combined with stress reminders and a blood pressure monitor.
In addition to all health tracking features of the Galaxy Watch 3, the Watch 4 comes with BSA Sensor to track body composition, including muscle mass, body fat percentage, and others. It is a helpful feature for weight watchers.
When it comes to fitness tracking features, the Galaxy Watch 4 comes with built-in GPS making it suitable for various outdoor activities like jogging, cycling, and hiking.
3. Apple Watch Series 6: (HR, ECG, SpO2, Fall Detection)
Apple Watch Series 6 is the most advanced health-tracking smartwatch ever built by Apple. When compared with its predecessors, Apple Watch Series 4 and 5, it got a SpO2 sensor in addition to a clinically validated ECG App.
The ECG App can detect irregularities in heart rate, such as atrial fibrillation. Like Galaxy Watch 3, fall detection and emergency SOS feature are also available in this smartwatch.
Apple Watch Series 6 can alert you in case of an irregular heart rate, and this condition needs immediate medical attention. This feature has already saved/saving people’s lives.
When it comes to the fitness tracking features, the availability of built-in GPS makes it equally suitable to track indoor and outdoor activities such as running, biking, yoga, spinning, etc. It is resistant to water up to 50 meters like the Galaxy watch 3.
The smart features in Apple Watch Series 6 include smartwatch notifications, reminders, music storage, music streaming, etc. If you are looking for a health watch for iPhone, Apple Watch Series 6 is the right watch for you.
4. Fitbit Sense: (HR, ECG, Temperature & SpO2)
Fitbit is a popular name in the world of wearable technology. Recently Fitbit launched its most advanced health-tracking smartwatch Fitbit Sense.
Even though it does not have a blood pressure monitoring feature, it has other essential features: skin temperature monitoring and SpO2. None of the smartwatches discussed here do come with a sensor for temperature monitoring.
The ECG sensor in this smartwatch is approved and validated by the FDA. The ECG app on this smartwatch analyzes ECG and can detect irregular heart rhythms such as atrial fibrillation.
The Fitbit Sense also has a built-in fall GPS to track the real-time location. However, it does not have a fall detection feature like Apple Watches and Samsung Galaxy wearables.
Fall detection is an essential feature on a smartwatch that costs more than $300. This is the main reason why it falls behind its rivals.
It has 20+ sports modes to track your various day-to-day activities, such as walking, running, cycling, treadmill, and many more.
5. Fitbit Charge 5
Fitbit Charge 5 is an advanced health and fitness tracking device packed in the case of a fitness tracker and possesses most of the features of advanced smartwatches.
It also comes with an FDA Approved ECG sensor for ECG monitoring, EDA(electrodermal activity sensor) for stress monitoring like the Fitbit Sense Series.
If you already own a Galaxy Watch 3, I don’t suggest you upgrade to Galaxy Watch 4. On the other hand, if you are a Fitbit Charge 4 or Versa 3 owner, Charge 5 is really a massive upgrade.
The Fitbit Charge 5 is less expensive than other Fitbit models. Yet, it offers the most sophisticated functions accessible on high-end health-tracking smartwatches like the Apple Watch Series 6, Galaxy Watch 3, or Galaxy Watch 4.
It also has a built-in GPS that allows you to track outdoor activities accurately even when away from your smartphone.
The smart features on Fitbit Charge 5 include heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, exercise/sports modes, etc. In short, the essential functions of a smartwatch.
6. Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2: (HR, ECG, SpO2, & B.P)
Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 is one of the best health tracking smartwatches. With more than a couple of software updates, the Galaxy Watch Active 2 has many Galaxy Watch 3 features.
Now both Galaxy Watch3 and Galaxy Watch Active 2 have the ECG and SpO2 monitoring features. This update makes it one of the top rivals to the Apple Watch Series 5.
Along with the SpO2 sensor, it tracks your sleep right from your wrist. Each morning you get detailed sleep data on your Samsung Health App.
In addition to advanced running analysis, it can track your location, pace, and distance with the help of its GPS sensors.
The activity tracking feature tracks many other activities such as swimming, walking, running, treadmill, and many more.
The smart features are similar to the Galaxy Watch 3 except for music storage capacity. The storage space for Active 2 is only 4 G.B. which is a bit less for a hard-core music lover.
But it supports music streaming apps such as Spotify. On the other hand, the Galaxy Watch 3 has an enormous storage space of 8 G.B.
It also has an LTE enables smartwatch that allows you to make calls, send SMS, etc.
7. Fitbit Versa 3: (HR and SpO2)
If you are looking for a Fitbit health watch at an affordable price, then the Fitbit Versa 3 is one of the best fitness trackers for you. It comes with many health tracking features such as real-time heart rate monitoring, active zone minute tracking, SpO2, sleep monitoring, and much more.
Fitbit Versa 2 also has these features, but it does not have a built-in GPS. The built-in GPS in Versa 3 makes it one of the best health monitor watches that equally track indoor and outdoor activities.
Female health tracking and calorie tracking are other vital features available on Versa 3. When it comes to activity tracking, it tracks more than 20+ activities, including step count, walking, running, biking, etc. The built-in GPS gives you more accurate insights into your outdoor activities.
Both Fitbit Versa 2 and Versa 3 are waterproof up to 50 meters. So, you take this smartwatch while going for a swim.
The smart features are similar to the Fitbit Sense and Fitbit Versa 3. It allows you to get smartwatch notifications on your wrist without grabbing your smartphone. The reminder, alarm clock, music app, and Fitbit Pay are a few other features to mention on this fitness watch.
Which smartwatch is best for health monitoring?
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 3 are the best smartwatches for health and fitness tracking. If you’re on a budget and want to cut corners, the Fitbit Charge 5 is a fine choice that costs around $180 and includes an FDA-approved ECG, stress tracking, and more. Go for Apple Watch Series 6 if you own an iPhone.
Can a smartwatch detect heart problems?
Smartwatches are not designed for medical use. Advanced smartwatches, such as Apple Watch Series6, Galaxy Watch 4, Watch 3, and Fitbit Sense, can identify health issues, including an abnormal heart rate or atrial fibrillation.
What is the most accurate health tracker?
Latest Apple Watches and Samsung watches are equally accurate in health tracking. However, if you want sports tracking smartwatch with exceptional accuracy, go for Garmin wearables like the Garmin Fenix 6 Series, Forerunner 945, or similar.
Which is the best smartwatch for B.P. monitoring?
Omron HeartGuide is the best B.P. monitor watch available on the market today. It’s an FDA-approved blood pressure monitor with accurate readings every time. We have an article dedicated to B.P. monitoring smartwatches. Feel free to check it out.
Conclusion
These are some of the best health tracking smartwatches available in the market today. The ECG watches mentioned here are clinically tested by the FDA and thus more reliable than other smartwatches available on the market.
The SpO2 features on the smartwatches are accurate even if not validated by a health authority like the FDA. Likewise, if you are looking for an FDA Approved smartwatch, you should go for the Omron heart guide, the only wrist-based FDA-approved B.P monitoring watch.
Even if you cannot replace any medical-grade equipment, these best health tracking watches will give you an overall idea about your overall health and fitness.
