For many of us, heart health can be confusing with big words like Electrocardiogram (ECG) or Atrial Fibrillation (AFib). But now you don’t need to be an expert. You just need to put on a smartwatch that can listen to your heartbeat. If your heart rhythm looks irregular or if something feels wrong, the watch can alert you. It can even create a report that you can show your doctor.
When it comes to your heart, not all watches are the same. You need a device you can trust, as accuracy is more important than looks.
I have put together a list of the best smartwatches for ECG and heart monitoring available in the market. These aren’t just fitness trackers, they prioritize your safety. I chose these smartwatches because they use trusted technology and have an effective notification system.
Best Smartwatches for ECG and Heart Monitoring
Apple Watch Series 11
Features
- ECG (FDA cleared)
- Irregular rhythm / FDA-cleared AFib Alerts
- HRV (Heart Rate Variability)
- Sleep stage
- Temperature sensing
- Emergency SOS
- Fall Detection
- Crash Detection
- Menstrual Cycle tracking
- Up to 24-hour battery life
- Water resistant up to 50 m
If you are in the Apple ecosystem, then using this smartwatch for ECG is going to be the best option for you. Apple Watch Series 11 starts at $399 USD. This watch also comes with an FDA-cleared ECG function and is capable of detecting signs of Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) and even irregular heart rhythm with high clinical validation.
It works by placing your finger gently on the Digital Crown and holding it there for 30 seconds. The Apple Health app also allows you to export this report and others like heart rhythm history, as a PDF to share instantly with your doctor.
I prefer this watch as it has a sleep tracking feature and also a fast charging option, which I can say is a critical feature. All I have to do is connect it to the charger while taking a shower and it will charge enough to get me through the whole day and the night.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
Features
- ECG
- Irregular heart rhythm alerts (FDA cleared)
- HRV
- VO2 Max
- Blood pressure feature
- Up to 100-hour battery life (with power saving mode)
- BioActive Sensor
I personally think that for Android users, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is one of the best smartwatches for ECG and heart monitoring. This watch is priced at $649 USD and has important medical features like an FDA-cleared ECG and irregular heart rhythm notifications, Sleep Apnea detection (region dependent) and even HRV.
It also comes with a Samsung Health Monitor app, through which we can generate our reports. However, the ECG feature can only be used with a Samsung phone and the Samsung Health Monitor app.
Fitbit Sense 2
Features
- ECG (FDA cleared)
- Irregular rhythm alerts
- HRV
- Daily Readiness Score
- AMOLED Display
- 6+ days battery life
- cEDA Sensor (continuous electrodermal activity) for stress
- SpO2
If you are the one who finds smartwatches complicated or stressful, I recommend you to go with this watch, as this watch purely focuses on health. This watch is priced at $249 USD and is the most affordable smartwatch with FDA-cleared ECG, which also gives reliable AFib alerts. The ECG is also available on the Fitbit Charge 6.
It uses Fitbit’s PurePulse technology for 24/7 heart rate tracking and background irregular heart rhythm alerts. It also has a dedicated cEDA sensor to detect stress events in real time. Even Fitbit’s sleep algorithms are often considered the gold standard for non-medical wearables, which provide a detailed sleep profile analysis.
Note: The Fitbit app’s free membership provides basic health and fitness data. To unlock more detailed analysis and personalized guidance, which will help you understand your health information better, you need to get a paid Fitbit Premium membership.
Garmin Fenix 8
Features
- ECG (FDA cleared)
- Irregular rhythm alerts (Region dependent)
- HRV Status
- Training Readiness
- VO2 Max
- Up to 16-29 days of battery life, depending on mode
- 40 m dive-rated with built-in flashlight
If you are someone who is into fitness and likes to track their heart health, then this watch is truly made for you. It is priced at $999 USD, which is expensive, but the battery life is truly insane as it can go up to weeks without needing a charge.
Garmin Fenix 8 also offers an FDA-cleared ECG app to detect AFib, now expanding to Venu and Forerunner models. However, ECG availability depends on the region. It also has continuous heart rate tracking. It also comes up with a Pulse Ox sensor, which helps to check SpO2 continuously, even during sleep.
Garmin comes with its app, known as Garmin Connect, which gives us extremely detailed data.
Withings ScanWatch 2
Features
- ECG (FDA cleared)
- Irregular rhythm alerts
- HRV
- Sleep readiness (Vitality Indicator)
- VO2 Max
- 30-35 days battery life
This Withings ScanWatch 2 is for the person who wants heart monitoring but does not like the look of a smartwatch on their wrist. It is priced at $349 USD and has an FDA-cleared ECG for AFib detection (available in supported regions). It scans heart rate regularly every 10 minutes, not every second to save battery, but switches to continuous mode during workouts.
Because it runs background heart rhythm checks, if it detects something off, it will prompt you to take an ECG. It also supports FDA-approved Blood Oxygen Monitoring. This watch comes with proactive scans for irregular rhythms and it prompts you to take an ECG if something feels wrong.
It comes with the Withings App that is designed specifically for health sharing and the ECG algorithm has improved, giving more detailed classifications than before. This app is also capable of generating easy-to-read health reports that can be read by doctors.
What Is ECG in a Smartwatch?
It wasn’t too long ago when our only option to get our heart checked if something felt off was to visit the ER. Now, with the addition of an electrocardiogram (ECG) in a smartwatch, this process is much easier.
ECG in a smartwatch is one of those features that measures heart activity directly through the wrist. This is different from when we say a smartwatch monitors heart rate because that includes metrics such as heart rate, resting heart rate and heart rate variability. With ECG, it monitors the electrical activity of the heart rather than just the pulse. Thus, the ECG feature gives a more detailed picture of how your heart is functioning, particularly its rhythm and timing.
Most smartwatches for ECG have two contact points to record the heart activity. One is at the base of the watch, where it touches your wrist and the other is where you touch your finger in order to get the ECG reading, like the Digital Crown on the Apple Watch. It takes about 30 seconds for the watch to record a reading and the result is displayed through a report in your corresponding app.
How Accurate Are ECG Smartwatches?
While the ECG recorded by a smartwatch is single-led and not as thorough as the 12-lead ECG used in hospitals and clinics, it is still useful enough to detect certain irregularities such as AFib. It is a convenient way to keep track of your heart, especially if you are diagnosed with an illness.
Let’s look at what the research on smartwatches for ECG says:
- A study published in May 2025 in the Journal of Arrhythmia shows that the sensitivity of smartwatch ECGs in AFib diagnosis is about 86-94% and the specificity ranges between 94-95%, whether done by an algorithm or by a doctor.
- A 2025 study in JACC Advances indicated that the use of smartwatches to detect AFib had 94.81% sensitivity and 96.12% specificity, depending on the device used.
- Another study published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology reported that although the Apple Watch ECG was able to detect AFib, 1 in 5 readings were inconclusive for patients with other heart conditions.
That being said, it is best to use these smartwatches for ECG and heart monitoring, not as a total replacement of your doctor.
Can a Smartwatch Detect Heart Problems?
Yes, a smartwatch can detect heart problems but there is a catch. Smartwatches have a limited scope and they can only detect certain types of heart problems. For example, the Apple Watch, Fitbit, Garmin and Withings smartwatches have sensors that measure heart rhythm and record ECG. With these sensors, problems such as Atrial Fibriillation (AFib) can be detected.
Smartwatches for ECG and heart monitoring use single-led ECG or optical sensors and therefore, cannot cover all types of heart related problems. There are certain issues that will be diagnosed by your doctor with a proper check in a hospital. Also, these ECG features are on-demand and don’t run in the background, which means they can miss out on some abnormalities if you don’t check them yourself.
The best way to go about it is to keep your data in check and if it’s telling you that something is off or if you feel unwell, best to get it checked with a doctor. The best part about these smartwatches for heart monitoring is the on-demand ECG reading, which can be taken anytime you feel something is wrong, within 30 seconds. And when your report shows the same, it can easily be shared in a PDF format with your doctor for a quick consultation.
How to Choose a Smartwatch for Heart Monitoring
When choosing amongst the best smartwatches for ECG and heart monitoring, keep these factors in mind:
- You have a heart condition– If you are diagnosed with a heart condition or are aging and looking for something that will monitor your heart health, look for devices with ECG functionality and ones that notify you of irregular heart rhythm or high/low heart rate.
- Usability- Consider how often you will actually be using the ECG features since it is on-demand and needs to be manually checked.
- Battery Life- If you don’t want constant interruptions in your data tracking, look for something that you won’t need to charge every single day.
- Compatibility- before you purchase a smartwatch for heart monitoring, make sure it is compatible with the phone you have. An Apple Watch will not work with an Android device and it is very important to consider before you swipe your credit card.
Who Should Buy an ECG Smartwatch
Investing in an ECG smartwatch is only worth it if you’ll actually get use out of it. You should buy one if:
- You have a history of AFib or irregular heart rhythms.
- You are suggested by your doctor to monitor your heart health.
- You are aging and want to monitor your heart closely.
- You want early warning signs.
- You are actively working on improving your cardiovascular health.
As long as this doesn’t turn into obsessive monitoring of your data, having a smartwatch for heart monitoring can be a very useful tool. Just make sure you know when to take a break and not have your data backfire and stress you out.
Who Should Avoid It
Buying even the best smartwatches for ECG can be money down the drain if:
- You tend to overthink about your data
- You want a diagnostic tool
- You don’t want to use the ECG feature regularly
- You want a distraction free device
If you don’t want to consult your doctor after your data looks a bit off, there is no use, even if you have the best smartwatch for ECG. These are meant to be tools for managing your health, not diagnosing your conditions.
Wrap Up
Honestly, if I have to choose between the best smartwatches for ECG, then I would prefer the Apple Watch Series 11 for its accuracy and the Garmin Fenix 8 for the best battery life, as it also comes with a solar charging option.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is also a great option for Android users, as it measures things like cardio vascular load and even antioxidant index to see if you are eating enough veggies. It is also a comfortable watch, which is great for sleep tracking.
What I personally feel is that Withings ScanWatch 2 is made for people who like a classic analog watch with real mechanical hands, but it hides a tiny screen inside, which can take a medical-grade ECG and also helps to track your temperature 24/7 to spot if you are getting sick or not.
Ultimately, there is no single perfect watch for everyone. It really depends on what matters most to you. So, which one of these smartwatches for ECG and heart monitoring would you pick? Let me know in the comments.
Wrap Up
Honestly, if I have to choose between the best smartwatches for ECG and heart monitoring, then I would prefer the Apple Watch Series 11 for its accuracy and the Garmin Fenix 8 for the best battery life, as it also comes with a solar charging option.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra is also a great option for Android users, as it measures things like vascular load and even antioxidant index to see if you are eating enough veggies. It is also a comfortable watch, which is great for sleep tracking.
What I personally feel is that Withings ScanWatch 2 is made for people who like a classic analog watch with real mechanical hands, but it hides a tiny screen inside, which can take a medical-grade ECG and also helps to track your temperature 24/7 to spot if you are getting sick or not.
Ultimately, there is no single perfect best smartwatch for heart monitoring. It really depends on what matters most to you. So, which one would you pick? Let me know in the comments.
