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With clinically validated ECG and PPG sensors, this is one of the most health-focused wearables we’ve ever used. This is our Withings ScanWatch review.
Withings ScanWatch
A few years ago, I was lucky if my smartwatch was tracking more than just basic activity indicators. But lately, companies like Apple, Fitbit, Garmin, Withings and others are taking risks. Cliché Sounds: Pushing the boundaries of the possibilities of wearable technology. The Withings ScanWatch embodies this idea. It provides a medical EKG and pulse oximeter to help users track their daily health and alert them to AFib and possible warning signs of sleep apnea. It may be too early to dismiss the Withings ScanWatch as a “special portable device,” but it’s a good idea to rethink the concept. It has been one of my favorite portable devices in the last few years and is an essential device for people suffering from a serious illness. Read the entire Withings ScanWatch review to find out why.
We’ve updated the Withings ScanWatch review with US pricing details and software update details.
Why do you need to care about ScanWatch?
Sleep apnea and atrial fibrillation (AFib) affect millions of people each year. These silent killer are often not diagnosed. Symptoms of these problems have proven difficult for consumers to identify with traditional handheld devices, especially if they are not present at the time of a doctor’s visit.
If you are worried about breathing problems or atrial fibrillation, see your doctor first. Then consider buying a Withings smartwatch. Notify users of AFib and signs of respiratory distress at night. It is CE certified in Europe for AFib detection (via EKG 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 using EKG.
TL; DR, this is much more than your average smartwatch hybrid. This is a notable step from previous Withings products like Steel HR. Add a medical EKG 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 regular smartwatches. If you don’t illuminate the screen once in a while, most people think it’s a regular analog clock.
Withings ScanWatch is great. The included FKM bracelet, stainless steel case and minimalist design language all look incredibly high quality. This is the most important Withings device I’ve ever used and the most comfortable hybrid smartwatch I can remember.
Withings is on track. Some of the older hybrid watches look great even if 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 wasn’t too worried about cracking or scratching my ScanWatch while exercising like my previous Withings device.
There are two sizes, 38mm and 42mm. I am using a 42mm model that fits perfectly on a medium-sized wrist. It’s much harder than I expected. At first, I got used to the weight of 83g, but now I hardly notice the watch on my wrist. Compared to other devices such as the Steel HR, ScanWatch has a larger and brighter PMOLED display. Monochrome and low resolution, but good enough for simple notifications and real-time checking of EKG measurements. I wish it was a little lighter. It may be difficult to see in direct sunlight. There is an ambient light sensor on board and the display has an alarm function. But I wish I could increase the sensitivity. I like the screen to disappear from time to time if I don’t move my wrists firmly while exercising or on my desk.
The ScanWatch also has a rotating head on the right side of the case. It feels good to the touch and is a good replacement for a missing touchscreen. Withings claims the ScanWatch battery life is 30 days. You can use it for 30 days on a single charge, but be careful which features you activate. Turn it on, set up automatic breathing scans, and do 6 extra workouts, and you’ll have about 11 pounds left after 10 days. Of course, it 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, this is still a long way from the stated battery life of one month. Fortunately, sleep mode is activated when the battery is low. After that, you can use the ScanWatch for 20 days.
