With clinically validated ECG and PPG sensors, this is one of the most health-focused wearable devices we’ve ever used. This is our Withings ScanWatch test.
Withings ScanWatch
A few years ago, I was lucky if my smartwatch was tracking more than basic activity metrics. But lately companies like Apple, Fitbit, Garmin, Withings and others are taking risks. Cliché Sounds: Pushing the limits of the possibilities of wearable technology. The Withings ScanWatch embodies this idea. It provides a medical ECG and pulse oximeter to help users track their daily health status and alert them to AFib and possible warning signs of sleep apnea. It may be too early to think of the Withings ScanWatch as a “special wearable device”, but it’s a good idea to rethink the concept. It’s one of my favorite portable devices in recent years, and it’s an essential device for people with severe illness. Read the entire Withings ScanWatch review to find out why.
We have updated the Withings ScanWatch review with US pricing details and software update details.
Why should you care about ScanWatch?
Sleep apnea and atrial fibrillation (AFib) affect millions of people every year. These silent killers often go undiagnosed. Symptoms of these issues have proven difficult for consumers with traditional wearable devices to identify, especially if they are not present at the time of the doctor’s visit.
If you are concerned about breathing problems or atrial fibrillation, see your doctor first. So consider buying a Withings connected watch. Inform users of AFib and signs of respiratory distress at night. It is CE certified in Europe for AFib detection (via ECG and PPG sensors) and SpO2 measurement. EU approval for sleep apnea screening is expected to be granted in 2020, but appears to be delayed. In October 2021, FDA approval was obtained for the detection of sleep apnea by ECG.
TL; DR is more than your average hybrid smartwatch. This is a notable advance over previous Withings products like Steel HR. Add a medical ECG monitor, pulse oximeter, 24/7 heart rate monitor and 1 month battery life. Design: This build quality is second to none. Hybrid smartwatches have the advantage of being able to integrate more features than traditional smartwatches. If you don’t light up the screen every now and then, most people think it’s an ordinary analog clock.
Withings ScanWatch is awesome. The included FKM bracelet, stainless steel case, and minimalist design language are all incredibly high quality. It is the most important Withings device I have ever used and the most comfortable hybrid smartwatch I can remember.
Withings is on the right track. Some of the older hybrid watches look great even though they are made of cheap materials. However, the ScanWatch is made of 316L stainless steel and has a sapphire crystal display, which makes it scratch resistant. Material, I was not too afraid to crack or scratch my ScanWatch during exercise like my previous Withings device.
There are two sizes, 38mm and 42mm. I use a 42mm model which fits perfectly on a medium sized wrist. It’s a lot harder than I expected. At first I got used to the 83g weight, but now I barely notice the watch on my wrist. Compared to other devices such as the Steel HR, ScanWatch has a bigger and brighter PMOLED screen. Monochrome and low resolution, but good enough for simple notifications and real-time verification of ECG measurements. I would have liked it to be a little lighter. It can be difficult to see in direct sunlight. There is an ambient light sensor on board and the screen has an alarm function. But I wish I could increase the sensitivity. I like that the screen disappears every now and then if I don’t move my wrists firmly during exercise or on my desk.
The ScanWatch also has a rotating head on the right side of the case. It is pleasant to the touch and is a good replacement for a missing touchscreen. Withings claims that the battery life of the ScanWatch is 30 days. You can use it for 30 days on a single charge, but be careful what features you activate. Turn it on, set up automatic breath scans, and do 6 more workouts, and you’ll have around 11 pounds left after 10 days. Of course, this was my first week of using the device, so I checked the settings and improved the device a lot more than usual. Hopefully the battery life will improve slightly over time. However, we are still far from the announced autonomy of one month. Fortunately, sleep mode is activated when the battery is low. After that, you can use the ScanWatch for 20 days.