20 Best Health Smartwatches in 2024
In today's fast-paced world, maintaining optimal health is more important than ever. Whether you're a fitness enthusiast, a professional athlete, or someone simply aiming to stay active, a smartwatch with health-tracking capabilities can be a game-changer. These versatile wearables offer much more than just timekeeping; they provide insights into your heart health, monitor your workouts, and even alert you to potential health concerns.
The best smartwatches for health monitoring combine advanced technology with sleek design, offering features like heart rate tracking, electrocardiograms (ECGs), sleep analysis, and stress detection. Some models even come equipped with emergency services alerts, making them indispensable tools for your health journey.
In this article, we explore the top smartwatches designed to help you stay on track with your health goals. From Apple's latest Series 9 with its powerful S9 SiP chip, to Samsung's Galaxy Watch 6 with its bioactive sensor, we break down the key features and benefits of each model. Join us as we delve into the world of health-focused smartwatches and discover which one is best for you.
Best Health Smartwatches
Apple Watch Series 9
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Review: The Apple Watch Series 9 is a powerful smartwatch offering significant improvements over its predecessor, thanks to the Apple S9 SiP chip. The double-tap gesture simplifies interactions, and the always-on Retina display is twice as bright as before. This watch is a versatile health and fitness companion, with features like ECG, blood oxygen monitoring, and an updated Mindfulness app. Its emergency features, like Crash Detection and Emergency SOS, provide additional safety. The battery life, while improved, might still require daily charging. The inclusion of Apple Fitness+ is a welcome bonus, offering guided workouts and tracking.
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Overall, the Apple Watch Series 9 is an excellent choice for those looking for a premium smartwatch with a strong focus on health and fitness. Its improved speed, versatility, and unique features make it a top contender in the smartwatch market.
Apple Watch Series 8
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Review: The Apple Watch Series 8 delivers a solid health-focused experience, with advanced features like ECG, blood oxygen monitoring, and a new body temperature sensor. The always-on Retina display provides clarity and ease of use, while the Series 8's durability ensures it's swim-proof, dust-proof, and crack-resistant. The built-in safety features, including Emergency SOS and Crash Detection, offer additional peace of mind. Though it supports many fitness and health apps, the watch's 18-hour battery life might require frequent charging. Overall, it's a versatile and robust smartwatch for health and fitness tracking.
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The Apple Watch Series 8 stands out for its comprehensive health monitoring and safety features. It's ideal for users who want a versatile smartwatch with robust health tracking capabilities and are willing to work within the Apple ecosystem.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6
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Review: The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 offers a comprehensive health monitoring experience with a focus on heart health and fitness tracking. Its advanced bioactive sensor provides accurate data collection, and the ECG functionality allows for in-depth heart rhythm analysis when paired with a compatible Samsung Galaxy smartphone. The watch features continuous heart rate monitoring and alerts for irregular rhythms like atrial fibrillation. It also excels in workout tracking with personalized heart rate zones. Despite its robust features, users may find the watch's compatibility limited to the Samsung ecosystem for full functionality.
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The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 stands out for its health-focused features, particularly in heart rate monitoring and ECG capabilities. Its robust design and long battery life make it a strong choice for those in the Samsung ecosystem looking for a high-quality smartwatch.
Google Pixel Watch 2
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Review: The Google Pixel Watch 2 builds upon its predecessor with a tougher design and a lighter frame, crafted from recycled aluminum. It features enhanced health and fitness tools, including high and low heart rate alerts, ECG tracking, and Continuous ElectroDermal Activity (cEDA) for stress measurement. The watch is adept at providing health insights and automatic exercise detection, making it a versatile choice for health-conscious users. It seamlessly integrates with Android devices, offering a cohesive experience. Despite its robust health features, some users might find its battery life limited compared to other smartwatches.
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The Google Pixel Watch 2 offers a robust health monitoring suite with seamless integration for Android users. Its upgraded design and comprehensive sensors make it a solid choice for those seeking a versatile smartwatch with an emphasis on health and fitness tracking.
Garmin Vivoactive 4S
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Review: The Garmin Vivoactive 4S is a versatile smartwatch with a strong focus on fitness and health tracking. It uses Garmin's Pulse Ox technology to monitor energy levels, respiration, stress, and sleep, among other health metrics. This watch also includes advanced sports features, offering more than 20 preloaded GPS and indoor sports apps. The Vivoactive 4S provides an excellent battery life of up to 7 days, making it ideal for those who need a reliable watch for extended use. The music streaming capability from Spotify and Amazon Music adds to its versatility. However, its design may seem less sleek compared to some competitors.
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The Garmin Vivoactive 4S offers robust fitness tracking features and extensive health monitoring, catering to users who prioritize health and wellness. Its long battery life and preloaded sports apps make it a reliable choice for fitness enthusiasts.
Fitbit Charge 5
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Review: The Fitbit Charge 5 is a sleek and versatile health and activity tracker, ideal for those who want a compact device with comprehensive health monitoring features. It offers continuous heart rate monitoring and high/low heart rate alerts. With its built-in ECG and ElectroDermal Activity (EDA) sensors, it provides advanced stress-tracking capabilities and allows users to log their emotions and participate in guided breathing sessions when needed. The Fitbit Charge 5 is compatible with both Android and iOS devices, making it a flexible option. Its 7-day battery life and water resistance add to its practicality.
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The Fitbit Charge 5 is a solid choice for users seeking a comprehensive health and activity tracker with advanced stress-tracking capabilities and a slim design. Its 7-day battery life and water resistance are great for users with active lifestyles, but some features require a subscription.
Apple Watch SE
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Review: The Apple Watch SE is a budget-friendly smartwatch that offers many of the core features found in the more expensive Apple Watch models. It comes with a dual-core S5 processor and Retina LTPO OLED display, providing smooth performance and vibrant visuals. The watch offers continuous heart rate monitoring and activity tracking, and it can alert you if your heart rate is too high or too low. Emergency SOS and fall detection are included for safety. The Apple Watch SE works seamlessly with iPhones, allowing users to receive notifications, make calls, and use a variety of apps.
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The Apple Watch SE is a solid choice for those seeking an entry-level smartwatch with reliable health and fitness tracking features. While it lacks some advanced features found in more premium models, it offers a great balance of functionality and affordability, making it a popular choice for budget-conscious users.
Apple Watch Ultra
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Review: The Apple Watch Ultra is the most rugged and capable smartwatch in the Apple Watch lineup. It's designed for extreme conditions and demanding users, featuring a robust 49mm case with sapphire crystal and a dual-core Apple S8 processor. It includes advanced health monitoring with ECG, blood oxygen, and temperature sensors. The Ultra has a 36-hour battery life, making it ideal for long excursions. It also features specialized apps for diving, hiking, and other extreme activities, along with safety features like fall detection, crash detection, and international emergency calling. The Ultra is a top choice for adventure seekers and fitness enthusiasts.
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The Apple Watch Ultra is perfect for those who need a smartwatch that can withstand harsh conditions while providing comprehensive health and fitness tracking. Its durability and advanced features make it a standout option for outdoor enthusiasts and professionals who require a robust and reliable smartwatch.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5
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Review: The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 is a well-rounded smartwatch that offers a range of health and fitness tracking features. It sports a vibrant AMOLED display and comes in two sizes, 40mm and 44mm. The Watch 5 runs on Wear OS with Samsung's One UI, providing a familiar and customizable interface. It includes advanced sensors like ECG, blood oxygen monitoring, and a Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) sensor for body composition tracking. The watch is water-resistant up to 5 ATM and has a battery life of up to 40 hours. Its compatibility with Android devices, especially Samsung smartphones, ensures seamless integration with the broader ecosystem.
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Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 offers a versatile and attractive smartwatch experience, particularly for Android users. Its robust health tracking capabilities, customizable interface, and compatibility with various apps make it a strong contender in the smartwatch market. However, its battery life could be longer, and some features require specific Samsung devices to fully utilize.
Garmin Venu 2
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Review: The Garmin Venu 2 impresses with its vibrant AMOLED display and comprehensive health tracking features. It boasts advanced sensors for heart rate monitoring, Pulse Ox, stress tracking, and sleep monitoring. The watch's Body Battery feature helps users optimize their energy levels throughout the day. With built-in GPS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth connectivity, it offers seamless tracking for various activities. The Venu 2's water resistance and long battery life make it suitable for all-day wear, even during intense workouts. However, its reliance on Garmin OS may limit app availability compared to other platforms.
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领英推荐
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Garmin Forerunner 255
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Review: The Garmin Forerunner 255 is a reliable GPS smartwatch designed for runners and fitness enthusiasts. Its rugged build and water resistance make it suitable for outdoor activities. With advanced sensors for heart rate monitoring, Pulse Ox, and stress tracking, it provides comprehensive health insights. The transflective display ensures excellent visibility even in bright sunlight. The Forerunner 255 offers long battery life, ideal for extended workouts or outdoor adventures. However, its limited smart features and basic design may not appeal to users looking for more versatility and style.
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Fitbit Versa 4
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Review: The Fitbit Versa 4 is a versatile smartwatch with an emphasis on health and fitness tracking. It features an AMOLED touchscreen for vibrant visuals and an intuitive interface. The smartwatch offers continuous heart rate monitoring, SpO2 tracking, built-in GPS, and various fitness modes. Its compatibility with Fitbit's app ecosystem allows for detailed health insights and integration with other Fitbit devices. The Versa 4 boasts a battery life of up to 6 days, making it suitable for extended use. Despite its comprehensive fitness features, it lacks advanced smartwatch functionalities, which may be a drawback for users seeking a more versatile device.
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Amazfit GTR 3
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Review: The Amazfit GTR 3 is a smartwatch designed for those who seek a balance between style, functionality, and fitness tracking. With a 1.39-inch AMOLED display, it offers vibrant visuals and a sleek design with an aluminum alloy case. Its long battery life, lasting up to 21 days, is a significant advantage, reducing the need for frequent charging. The GTR 3 comes with multiple sensors, including heart rate, blood oxygen monitoring, and GPS, catering to fitness enthusiasts. It also features built-in Alexa for voice commands. While it offers many fitness and health features, its app ecosystem is limited compared to other popular smartwatches.
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Amazfit GTS 4
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Review: The Amazfit GTS 4 offers a blend of sleek design and comprehensive health tracking features. Its large 1.75-inch AMOLED display is vibrant and clear, making it easy to read in various lighting conditions. The smartwatch uses an aluminum alloy case, adding durability without being too heavy. With a battery life of up to 8 days, it offers a decent balance between functionality and longevity. The GTS 4 includes a range of sensors for health and fitness tracking, including a BioTracker PPG 4.0 for heart rate monitoring and built-in GPS for outdoor activities. It also has Alexa built-in and an offline voice assistant for hands-free control.
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Withings ScanWatch
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Review: The Withings ScanWatch is a unique hybrid smartwatch that combines the classic look of an analog watch with smart health monitoring capabilities. Its standout feature is the built-in electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor, allowing users to take ECG readings and detect irregular heart rhythms. It also has a heart rate sensor and SpO2 monitoring for blood oxygen levels. The watch's PMOLED display provides a simple yet clear interface for viewing health data and notifications. With up to 30 days of battery life in basic mode, the ScanWatch is known for its longevity. It is compatible with both iOS and Android devices, offering sleep and activity tracking features.
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Coros Pace 2
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Review: The Coros Pace 2 is a lightweight and versatile smartwatch designed for athletes, especially runners. With a 1.2-inch LCD screen, the Pace 2 offers a straightforward display that is easy to read outdoors. It comes with an extensive set of fitness tracking features, including GPS, heart rate monitoring, and a variety of workout modes. The watch is capable of advanced running metrics like stride length, ground contact time, and running power. With up to 30 hours of battery life with GPS on, it’s ideal for long workouts and endurance events. The fiber-reinforced polymer case makes it durable and light, contributing to its athletic focus.
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Polar Vantage V2
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Review: The Polar Vantage V2 is a premium multisport smartwatch designed for athletes and fitness enthusiasts. It features a 1.2-inch transflective LCD that is easy to read in various lighting conditions, especially outdoors. With a robust aluminum case, the watch is durable and lightweight. It offers advanced metrics such as running power and heart rate variability. The watch also includes built-in recovery tests to help athletes manage training and avoid overtraining. Its water resistance of 10 ATM makes it suitable for swimming and other water sports. The battery life is impressive, with up to 40 hours of continuous GPS and heart rate tracking.
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Suunto 7
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Review: The Suunto 7 is a feature-packed smartwatch designed for outdoor enthusiasts and athletes. Its vibrant 1.39-inch AMOLED touchscreen display offers clear visibility in various lighting conditions. With robust build quality featuring stainless steel bezel and glass fiber reinforced polyamide casing, it's built to withstand rugged environments. The watch boasts comprehensive fitness tracking capabilities, including GPS, heart rate monitoring, and over 70 sport modes. Wear OS by Google integration provides access to Google Assistant, Google Pay, and music streaming apps. However, its battery life may be a drawback for users requiring extended GPS usage.
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Fossil Gen 6 Wellness Edition
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Review: The Fossil Gen 6 Wellness Edition offers a blend of style and health-focused features. Its 1.28-inch AMOLED touchscreen provides clear visibility for notifications and health data. With a stainless steel case, it offers durability for everyday wear. The watch includes comprehensive health tracking features such as heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and stress tracking. Guided breathing exercises help users manage stress levels effectively. While the battery life is decent, some users may find it lacking compared to other smartwatches. Overall, it's a solid choice for those seeking a stylish wearable with essential wellness features.
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Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra
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Review
The Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra is a rugged smartwatch that offers a smooth user experience with Google's Wear OS 2. Its performance is driven by the Snapdragon Wear 4100, providing snappy and responsive interactions. The software is easy to navigate, with an intuitive app drawer, well-presented notifications, and access to Google Assistant, weather, and more. Despite its fluidity, Wear OS 2 does lack some features compared to Wear OS 3, which is limited to a select number of devices. If you're using an iPhone, some features are not supported.
For fitness tracking, the TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra comes equipped with a heart rate monitor, blood oxygen monitoring, heart rate variability, and a comprehensive set of workout tracking options. It includes built-in GPS, allowing you to track outdoor workouts with accuracy. While it offers solid performance and durability, some features feel basic compared to other smartwatches in its class.
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Conclusion
When it comes to choosing the best health smartwatch, the market offers a diverse range of options, each with unique features designed to meet the varying needs of users. From comprehensive fitness tracking to advanced health monitoring, the smartwatches discussed demonstrate the incredible versatility and functionality that technology brings to personal health and wellness.
Brands like Apple, Samsung, Garmin, Fitbit, and others have all made significant strides in creating smartwatches that cater to different preferences and lifestyles. Whether you're seeking a device to monitor your heart rate, track workouts, or simply stay connected on the go, there's a smartwatch that can meet your requirements.
The choice ultimately depends on your individual priorities, such as the ecosystem you're already invested in, the level of health tracking you need, and your budget. In reviewing the top health smartwatches, it's clear that the right watch can enhance your fitness journey, provide valuable insights into your health, and seamlessly integrate into your daily routine.
By considering the features, specifications, and pros and cons of each smartwatch, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your health goals and lifestyle preferences. Whether you're an athlete, a fitness enthusiast, or someone who values health and wellness, there's a health smartwatch designed for you.