Best fitness tracker for heart rate and blood pressure

Best fitness tracker for heart rate and blood pressure

Last Updated on June 15, 2022

We updated our selection of the best blood pressure smartwatches for 2022. The Asus Vivowatch proved difficult to get in the US. We removed it from our selection. We also updated our selection to focus on devices that rely on inflatable cuffs. The Omron Heartguide is the model to consider when looking for an FDA-approved smartwatch focusing on blood pressure. The BP Doctor is cheaper than the premium Omron Heartguide and is also a good pick if blood pressure monitoring while on the go is one of your concerns. The Galaxy Watch 4 is not yet approved by the FDA in the US for blood pressure measurements but offers the best compromise when looking for a premium smartwatch combining health, fitness, and lifestyle. Unfortunately, you will need an Android smartphone to use it as it proves not compatible with iOs. Be aware that most of the watches that do not include an inflatable cuff and somehow read blood pressure rely on algorithms based on heart rate variability. If they can be useful to monitor trends, they can not be considered as accurate as standard sphygmometers. The Omron Heartguide is FDA cleared and relies on technology very similar to that used in medical-grade blood pressure monitors. Despite its price and aging interface, it somehow remains our best pick.

Blood pressure (BP) is often referred to as the “silent killer.” Why? Because even when suffering from high blood pressure, you usually do not feel it. According to the American Heart Association, high blood pressure can lead to heart attack, stroke, vision loss, heart failure, kidney failure, and sexual dysfunction.

The Center for Disease Control estimates that 47% of Americans meet the criteria of high blood pressure (systolic BP greater than 130 mmHg or diastolic BP greater than 80 mmHg.)

What are the benefits of a watch to monitor blood pressure?

If knowledge is power, checking your vitals regularly is the way to know and act appropriately. Blood pressure watches are a convenient way to get your health under control.

No need to go to the doctor’s office or the pharmacy anymore. Home blood pressure monitoring is already widely used and recommended by doctors for the effective management of hypertension. Some smartwatches are even cleared by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which guarantees the accuracy of the results.

In this article, we present what we think are the best watches to measure blood pressure. The Omron Heartguide, Yamay 023, and Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 are our favorites. All of them synchronize the readings with an iOS or Android phone (Android only for the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4) for easily sharing them with your doctor. Discover what they have to offer and why using them is a first step towards controlling hypertension.

Best for blood pressure monitoring

Best fitness tracker for heart rate and blood pressure

Omron Heartguide

Runner Up for blood pressure monitoring

Best fitness tracker for heart rate and blood pressure

YHE BP Doctor

Best for Android users

Best fitness tracker for heart rate and blood pressure

Samsung Galaxy Watch 4


SAMSUNG GALAXY WATCH 4

Best for Android Users

The SAMSUNG Galaxy Watch 4 has everything you can expect from a modern smartwatch. It provides numerous health-related information, including Blood Pressure readings, Electrocardiogram (ECG), and a new Body Composition Feature. The watch is also one of the best fitness trackers and personal assistants on the market. With two designs and sizes to choose from, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is considered the best smartwatch of 2022. Its only real downturn is that it is exclusively compatible with Android and does not support iOS. Apart from that, if you are looking for an elegant watch that comes with non-cuff blood pressure monitoring, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is the obvious choice.

Sale

Best fitness tracker for heart rate and blood pressure

Samsung Galaxy Watch 4

  • BODY COMPOSITION ANALYSIS: Galaxy Watch4 Classic is the first smartwatch to off body composition...
  • BETTER SLEEP STARTS HERE: Wake up feeling refreshed and recharged with advanced sleep tracking; When...
  • BE SMART ABOUT YOUR HEART: Take care of your heart with accurate ECG monitoring and keep an eye on...
  • MAKE EVERY WORKOUT COUNT: Get the most out of every exercise session with advanced workout tracking...
  • GO THE EXTRA MILE: Improve your runs with advanced running coaching technology; VO2 Max readings...

The Galaxy Watch 4 is among the rare smartwatch on the market to offer the possibility of an FDA-cleared EKG that detects Atrial Fibrillation and Heart rhythm abnormalities. The Apple Watch and the Fitbit ones also benefit from this clearance.

The blood pressure monitor and the oxygen level monitor are somehow not FDA cleared. It means that the Galaxy Watch is not a medical device when measuring these parameters. Use it for information only, and when in doubt, double-check with your doctor.

With its stunning design and stellar healthcare capabilities, the Samsung Galaxy watch’s blood pressure is a serious contender and our overall favorite. With a vast catalog of watch faces to choose from, it is possible to find the one that will suit your mood or circumstances. The only drawback of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 lies in the battery life, which doesn’t last more than 40 hours. Even though, it is a huge step forward when compared to the scarce 18 hours of the Apple Watch 7.

The watch is compatible only with Android smartphones. The smartwatch market is clearly divided between Android and iOS users. Samsung and Apple have decided to rival not only in the smartphone market but also in the smartwatches one. We regret the decision of the two leading companies as users are taken hostages of their OS ecosystem. It allows for recording Blood Pressure using Pletysmophography (PPT). The YAMAY watch described below uses the same PPT technology. Even though the technological background is highly validated, the watch blood pressure sensor must be calibrated once every four weeks using a standard FDA-cleared Blood Pressure monitor.

When looking for a smartwatch offering the best for sport, fitness, health tracking, and the possibility of measuring Blood Pressure without the need for a more bulky inflatable cuff, the Galaxy Watch 4 should be on the top of your list.

More than a wearable blood pressure monitor, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 has everything you can expect from a modern health tracker.

Pros

  • Very intuitive UX
  • Different sizes
  • Numerous fitness and health tracking features
  • Stylish designs
  • Reasonably priced

Cons

  • Only for Android users
  • Blood Pressure is based on sensors
  • Limited battery life


OMRON HEARTGUIDE

Best for accuracy

The OMROM HEARTGUIDE is undoubtedly the best blood pressure watch money can buy. The technology used is similar to the one found in home blood pressure monitors. However, as a fitness tracker, the number of features is somehow limited. Therefore, the OHG should be seen as a portable medical device that happens to track your fitness. This watch has two only drawbacks: it is expensive and is quite bulky to wear daily.

HeartGuide by Omron

Best fitness tracker for heart rate and blood pressure

Omron is not new to the world of blood pressure monitors. This Japanese company is one of the leaders when it comes to medical blood pressure monitors. Since its release on the market in 2019, the OMRON HeartGuide has received numerous awards. The 2019 TIME Invention Award, the 2019 Popular Science Best of What’s a new award in the Healthcare category.

To date, the Omron HeartGuide is one of the only watches, including a traditional inflatable cuff. If it was not enough, the OHG is also FDA cleared for accuracy.

The HeartGuide smartwatch is genuinely an all-in-one device. In an interview, the developers of this fantastic piece of technology said that “the OHG is not a wearable device. It is a blood pressure monitor that happens to be worn on the wrist.” We could not agree more.

The OHG is stylish but large and bulky. It can become cumbersome when wearing it all day long. With a 4.1 oz or 115 grams weight and a watch dial of 1.9 inches in diameter, you will not forget that you are wearing it.

Once positioned on the wrist, it takes 15 seconds to get a reliable blood pressure measurement. The cuff comes in two sizes depending on your wrist size. So do not forget to measure your wrist and to buy the size that fits you best. The technology used to measure systolic and diastolic BP values include automatic oscillometric sensors and inflatable cuffs.

Best fitness tracker for heart rate and blood pressure

Cardiologists have validated the efficiency of the OHG according to the requirements of the American National Standards Institute Icnc./Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation/ISO 81060‐2:2013 guideline.

To know more about the Omron HeartGuide blood pressure watch’s medical benefits, we recommended reading the excellent article written by Dr. Anthony Pearson published in the Skeptical cardiologist and our review of this disruptive watch.

When paired to the iOS or Android app, the OHG becomes an innovative fitness tracker as well. The companion app has the potential to improve medication adherence, track fitness, monitor sleep patterns, and help you stay connected with the world. With more than 80 patents under its belt, the Omron HeartGuide is the gold standard for tracking blood pressure everywhere and at any time.

This watch combines innovation and practicality. It redefines what wearable medical devices will be. Its only drawback, its price! At $499, the OHG does not come cheap. Yet, it is somehow an investment that you will not regret anytime soon. If you are serious about using a smartwatch to monitor your blood pressure, the Omron blood pressure flagship watch is a no-brainer.

Pros

  • Very accurate
  • Easy to use
  • FDA cleared
  • Only smartwatch with an inflatable cuff
  • Built quality

Cons

  • Quite bulky for everyday use
  • Pricey
  • Limited fitness tracking features
  • Battery life of 48 hours
  • App. only available in the US


YAWAY 023

Best for price

The YAWAY 023 has a lot to offer. All of that for a very reasonable price. The technology used to measure blood pressure may not be as reliable as with the OHG, though. This smartwatch is an entry-level product, but when regularly calibrated, the YAWAY will not disappoint.

YAWAT 023 by YAWAY

Best fitness tracker for heart rate and blood pressure

Unlike the Omron HeartGuide, the YAWAY 023 smartwatch does not use an inflatable cuff to measure blood pressure. Instead, it relies on Pulse Transit time technology (PTT).

Without entering too much into the technical details, Blood Pressure is estimated by combining the heart rate and the blood flow at the fingertip. PTT relates to arterial stiffness and estimates the systolic and diastolic blood pressure. To ensure the reliability of the results, the watch must be regularly calibrated using a blood pressure reading coming from an FDA-cleared monitor.

Best fitness tracker for heart rate and blood pressure

This PTT technology is not yet cleared by the FDA but has received significant attention in recent years. When correctly set, the YAWAY 023 offers a full range of health data. For example, it records the blood pressure, blood oxygen level (blood saturation), heart rhythm and stress levels.

The Yamay is a reliable watch that will not disappoint fitness enthusiasts. The battery life is respectable. You can expect up to one week between charges. As for the design, it reminds me of the Apple Watch. In a nutshell, the YAMAY 023 could be seen as an entry-level product to more prestigious brands.

The Yamay 023 is also waterproof, offers the ability to control the music playing on your smartphone, and notifies you when receiving calls or text messages. Despite its low price, it is a watch that has been well designed. Its blood pressure capability is the cherry on the cake.

The YAMAI 023 is a budget watch, of course, but for less than $50, it is hard to beat. Yet, the health analyses such as Blood Pressure, blood oxygen saturation, and heart rate will not be as reliable as what you may expect from a more pricey device. Still, they provide a good picture of numerous critical health parameters, blood pressure included.

Pros

  • Numerous health features
  • Stylish
  • Very good price
  • Long battery life

Cons

  • Needs to be calibrated regularly
  • Budget watch

BEST OVERALL: YHE BP Doctor Smartwatch

The YHE BP Doctor is a newcomer on the market of the blood pressure smartwatch, but we are convinced that it will quickly become famous. The watch relies on an inflatable cuff, like the HeartGuide, and delivers very accurate results. Stylish and comfortable, it also comes with numerous applications to track your heart rate, calorie consumption, and sleep quality. Most of all, it comes at a fraction of the price of the HeartGuide. A new wearable that needs to be considered very seriously.

Best fitness tracker for heart rate and blood pressure

Best fitness tracker for heart rate and blood pressure

We extensively reviewed the YHE BPDoctor and can not say enough good things about it. The BPDoctor watch relies on the same principles as the Omron HeartGuiode and includes an inflatable cuff. We compared the results of the readings using an Omron standard blood pressure monitor and were very impressed. The results of this watch were very close to a standard medical device.

This new wearable started initially as an Indigogo project and has very recently hit the market. We do not doubt that it will become a great success even though the market is still not as renowned as the more established brand.

We appreciated the watch’s design, making it elegant and comfortable to wear. Nobody will suspect that you are wearing a blood pressure watch. The cuff inflates silently, and the measurement takes only a couple of seconds.

The BPDoctor also allows recording your activity level, sleep cycles, and Heart Rate Variability. Made in China, like most of its competitors, the YHE BP Doctor app. is very close to the one developed by Huawei, which is intuitive and functional.

We only regret that the associated app doesn’t allow yet to synchronize the results with Apple Health and that it is not possible to merge the workout data collected from other apps. The software still has room for some improvements, but overall, the YHE BPDoctor is an amazing BP smartwatch that can shake the current ranking of our favorite devices.

Pros

  • Inflatable cuff technology
  • Precise for measuring Blood Pressure
  • Comfortable to wear
  • Good battery life
  • Measure sleep cycles and HRV

Cons

  • Not possible to share the data with Apple Health
  • The strap may be too short for strong men
  • The app could be better

What you should know

Are these really the best blood pressure watches?

The best blood pressure monitor will always be an FDA-approved or cleared medical device. A smartwatch will always be an alternative. When considering all the fitness watches offer, a balance must be found between your budget and expectations.

Wearable blood pressure watches have a lot to offer. However, always consider them to quickly obtain information about your blood pressure and not as a clinical device.

In case of doubts, the data will still have to be taken with a grain of salt. Always consult your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare professionals if your blood pressure needs extra monitoring.

What should you consider when buying a blood pressure watch?

Just as for any blood pressure monitoring device, there are various elements to consider when choosing the perfect device:

  • Accuracy: Accuracy is one of the key points to consider, but not only. Don’t forget to calibrate the PPG watches regularly. When in doubt, the Cleveland Clinic advises taking three measurements at 30 to 60 seconds intervals. By averaging the readings, you will get close to the real value.
  • Extra features: A smartwatch opens the doors to plenty of applications such as fitness or calorie tracking, heart monitoring, sleep tracking, and more. Balance the features and choose the smartwatch that is the most in line with your expectations and lifestyle.
  • Price: A FDA-cleared blood pressure monitor costs between $50 and $100 depending on the design, built quality, and associated apps. Except for the Omron, all the smartwatches are not designed mainly for blood pressure monitoring. Therefore, do not consider them as medical devices, and no need to break the bank for an additional function.

FAQs

Are these watches accurate?

Most smartwatches rely on Photoplethysmography to estimate Blood Pressure. Once regularly calibrated, the algorithms will calculate the blood pressure using the heart rhythm variations. FDA clearance guarantees that the devices are as good as the current gold standards. Fitbit is currently conducting a study using a new technology called Pulse Arrival Time.

What are the pros and cons of Blood Pressure Watches?

We live in the age of the quantified self. Such devices offer a convenient way to track various health and fitness parameters at once. In addition, they can detect warning sins that need to be investigated in a proper clinical setting. The main drawback of these watches is that they are not FDA-cleared except for the Omron HeartGuide. Therefore, the reading should always be seen as indicative. Never change your medications based on the results provided.

Why measuring Blood Pressure is essential?

High blood pressure is often seen as a behavioral disease. The modern lifestyle and diet are mainly responsible. Patients often do not know that they suffer from such pathology that can be controlled using efficient medications. Checking Blood Pressure is critical to avoid severe health consequences such as strokes or heart attacks.

What is the best fitness tracker with blood pressure?

There are a few different fitness trackers on the market that have the ability to measure blood pressure, but the one that is considered the best is the Fitbit Ionic. This device not only monitors your heart rate and blood pressure, but also tracks your steps, calories burned, and sleep quality.

Which Fitbit does blood pressure and heart rate?

The Fitbit Charge 3: A Fitness Tracker With A Heart Rate Monitor And A Blood Pressure Monitor. The Fitbit Charge 3 is a fitness tracker that has many features, including a heart rate monitor and a blood pressure monitor.

Can a fitness tracker check blood pressure?

The best fitness trackers measure many health metrics, including blood pressure and heart rate, and track a wide range of sports.

Which fitness tracker is best for heart rate?

Healthline's picks for the best heart rate monitors.
Fitbit Luxe..
Scosche Rhythm24 Waterproof Armband Heart Rate Monitor..
Polar Verity Sense Optical Heart Rate Sensor..
Garmin HRM-Pro Heart Rate Monitor..
CooSpo H808S Chest Strap Heart Rate Monitor..
Suunto Smart Heart Rate Belt..
Fitbit Versa 3..
Wahoo TICKR X Heart Rate Monitor..