Arrhythmia Detection Smartwatch Comparison – Apple vs Fitbit vs Withings

Choosing your next health tracker is probably as difficult as choosing a boyfriend. They’re with you all the time, their opinions matter and most of all, they affect your health. Between subscriptions, battery lives and varying accuracy, it gets even more difficult if you are specifically looking for a smartwatch to help with arrhythmia detection.

It all comes down to what you need and which one fits your lifestyle. In this guide, we compare the three most popular brands and their star products- Apple vs Fitbit vs Withings.

Let’s get you your new health buddy!

Specifications and Features

Specifications and Features	Withings ScanWatch 2	Apple Watch Series 11	Fitbit Sense 2
Price	~$349	~$399	~$299
Battery	Up to 35 days	Approximately 18 hours	Up to a week
GPS	Connected GPS (needs phone)	Built-in GPS	Built-in GPS
Material	Sapphire glassStainless steel	Sapphire glass Aluminium/Stainless steel	Aluminum
Sizes	38 and 42mm cases	42 and 46mm cases	40.5mm
Connectivity	iOS & Android compatible	iOS compatible	iOS & Android compatible
ECG / AFib	Yes	Yes	Yes
Heart Rate	Yes	Yes	Yes
SpO₂	Yes	Yes	Yes
Activity tracking	✅	✅	✅
Sleep tracking	✅	✅	✅
Temperature tracking	✅ (continuous)	✅	✅
Advanced health tracking	✅	✅	✅
Menstrual cycle tracking	✅	✅	✅
Stress Monitoring	Basic HRV	Advanced metrics	Skin Temperature + EDA
Voice Assistants	No	Siri	Google Assistant
Phone Calls	No	Yes	Yes
Music Control	Limited	Full	Full
Subscription Affects Core Health Data	No	No	Yes (Fitbit Premium)

Design & Comfort

If you prefer something that doesn’t look “techy”, Withings ScanWatch 2 gives the classic-watch aesthetic. It works with both casual as well as formal outfits. The best part is that it won’t look like your watch is out of battery and display a big black screen; it will keep looking like a regular watch.

The Apple Watch Series 11 is as feature-rich as it can get. It looks great, especially the titanium version and is tightly integrated if you are in the Apple ecosystem. The battery life (more discussed below) is a huge turn-off, though. If you use your watch to measure your sleep, it will need to be charged every night before you hit the bed.

Fitbit Sense 2 is a good middle ground for those who want a smartwatch but lighter and more comfortable. It provides health tracking along with all smartwatch features, but feels less bulky.

Since I am in the Apple ecosystem, I do prefer the Apple Watch Series 11 because it has the smoothest UI of any smartwatch I have ever tried.

Heart Rate Monitoring, ECG and AFib Detection Accuracy

As a hybrid with smaller sensors, the Withings ScanWatch 2 is a little less accurate during high movement, but it is very accurate at rest. It has an FDA-cleared ECG and a very strong AFib detection for regular monitoring.

I wouldn’t recommend this watch for serious athletes or people who are focused on monitoring their activity and fitness, but for a regular consumer or a senior citizen who wants to keep a check on their heart function, the ScanWatch is a great option to consider.

The Apple Watch Series 11 also has its ECG FDA-cleared and is among the most accurate wrist-based AFib detection systems. Its large display makes it easy to record your ECG and is great for monitoring heart rate even during workouts. 

If you’re looking for a smartwatch that can do it all, the Apple Watch Series 11 is it! It performs extremely well during walks, running, cycling, HIIT and more such activities and is not just for wellness or general maintenance of health, but can be used by people who give fitness a serious thought as well.

The Fitbit Sense 2 stands somewhere in the middle, wherein it is accurate for daily use, but it can be inconsistent during high-intensity workouts. I found it to have a better heart rate accuracy than Withings, but not as great as Apple. Comes with an FDA-cleared ECG and a reliable AFbit detection, but personally, I didn’t find it as appealing as the Apple Watch.

Other Main Features

The Withings ScanWatch 2, besides looking like a regular watch, also has continuous temperature tracking and respiratory tracking during sleep. With a very clean health dashboard and minimal notifications, I like how the ScanWatch does not overwhelm me with data overload. It also has no apps, no music and no voice assistant, making it great for people who want health tracking but also don’t want to be obsessed with it.

When it comes to the Apple Watch Series 11, it is the one with the most advanced fitness modes, fall and crash detecting, blood oxygen and many more features. Because I am in the Apple ecosystem, it was also the most user-friendly and best interface I have used that has Siri and Apple Pay. The biggest drawback is the battery life, though.

The Fitbit Sense 2 has EDA sensors for stress, which the other two watches don’t have. It has a built-in GPS for walks, runs and hikes where you don’t want to carry your phone. It is a wellness-focused smartwatch with great sleep insights, Google Maps and Wallet integration, but the Fitbit Premium paywall does limit these insights.

Battery Life

Now this is an area where the three smartwatches we’re pitting against each other differ massively. 

A watch that has won me over in all aspects of heart, activity and general health monitoring- the Apple Watch Series 11 has the lowest rating in my books when it comes to battery life. If I use it to monitor my sleep, it requires charging every single night before bed. The battery lasts up to 18 hours only, which is a very big drawback of the Apple Watch.

The Fitbit Sense 2 has a battery life of up to 7 days, which is decent, while the Withings ScanWatch 2 wins the battle with a 30-35 day battery life. 

This is because the ScanWatch does not have a digital display, always on screen or multiple notifications buzzing at your wrist all day.

Price & Availability

The Withings ScanWatch 2 starts at $349, depending on the size you choose and is available worldwide.

The Apple Watch Series 11 starts at $399, depending on the size and material. It is available worldwide via official Apple stores, online and offline or via authorized retailers such as Best Buy, Walmart, Target, etc.

The Fitbit Sense 2, also available worldwide, starts at $299, making it the best budget-friendly option out of the three.

Final Verdict

If you’ve made it through to this point, you know what my ultimate pick is- the Apple Watch Series 11. Barring the battery life, there’s a reason why I always come back to my Apple Watch despite trying so many other wearables. It’s impeccable AFib, ECG and crash/fall detection also make it ideal for senior citizens.

However, if you’re someone who wants a smartwatch without the look of a smartwatch, a huge battery life and no subscription to access basic health metrics, the ScanWatch 2 is a great buy. I wouldn’t recommend it for people who want to focus on their fitness and activity, though.

The Fitbit Sense 2 is a good option for those looking for a budget health and wellness tracker with an in-built GPS, but I wouldn’t recommend it for someone who needs perfect heart rate accuracy during workouts or for people who don’t like to pay for subscriptions to access their data. It also does not have fall detection, which can be a very useful feature.

Also read:

• How To Connect Fitbit To Apple Health App
• Fitbit Sense On-Wrist Calls Not Working – Easy Fixes
• How To Set Exercise Goals On Fitbit Charge

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