Best smartwatches for ECG monitoring: Because Your Heart Likes Attention Too

Let’s be honest—nobody’s eager to get tangled up in hospital wires just to keep tabs on their heart. That’s why smartwatches with ECG (electrocardiogram) monitoring have become such lifesavers.

They let us take a quick heart reading right from our wrist, whether we’re at work or, let’s admit it, avoiding our to-do list at the gym.

Not every smartwatch is up to the job, though. Some look amazing but barely track your pulse, while others feel like you need an IT degree just to change the display.

We should pay attention to a few things: how accurate the ECG is, battery life (seriously, who wants another gadget to charge every night?), comfort, phone compatibility, and how easily we can actually see our health data.

Picking a smartwatch that works without making us want to throw it out the window? That’s trickier than expected.

So, we rounded up the top ECG smartwatches and put them through their paces to see which actually help us keep an eye on our heart—without driving us nuts.

Best Smartwatches for ECG Monitoring

Ever looked at your wrist and thought, “Maybe there’s a little superhero tech hiding in here”? With these smartwatches, checking your heart’s rhythm is almost as easy as checking the time.

Let’s jump into our favorites for ECG monitoring. Your heart deserves a little VIP treatment, doesn’t it?

Fitbit Sense 2

If you want a reliable ECG smartwatch that doesn’t scream “medical device,” the Sense 2 is definitely worth checking out.

Pros

• Doubles up on health and fitness features
• Battery lasts so long you might forget where the charger is
• So comfortable you’ll forget you’re wearing it

Cons

• Premium features hide behind a paywall
• Some health tools only work in certain countries (thanks, borders)
• Phone needs to be nearby for all notifications

When we opened the Sense 2, we got a gadget that actually looked good and felt like it had its act together. The ECG feature sits right up front.

We tried it a few times and loved how straightforward it felt—no secret codes to crack, just instant results.

Comfort and battery life really set this watch apart. We wore it day and night and only remembered it was there when it buzzed to remind us to check our stress.

With nearly a week of battery, our only real “stress” was remembering where we left the charging cable.

Some things snapped us back to reality. If you want deeper health insights, you’ll need Fitbit Premium.

Certain features depend on your location, so unlocking everything might require a move! Still, if you just want to keep tabs on your heart, sleep, and stress, the Sense 2 keeps you a step ahead—even if you’re not exactly ready to join a research lab.

Galaxy Watch4 Classic

Need a smartwatch that looks sharp, tracks ECG, and gives you more health data than you’ll ever ask for? This one fits the bill—if you can forgive the battery.

Pros

• Tracks ECG, sleep, and even your body fat (no judgment)
• Sleek design that doesn’t clash with your outfit
• Loaded with fitness tracking and fun challenges

Cons

• Battery runs out faster than snacks at a party
• Syncing to your phone can be moody
• Some features need a Samsung phone to really shine

Just wearing this watch made us feel a little fancier—and maybe a bit fitter, even if we were just checking our heart rhythm after climbing the stairs.

The ECG option is always just a tap away. There’s something oddly satisfying about seeing your heart’s data in real time, even if you’re just making sure your coffee habit hasn’t done you in.

The classic round design works for pretty much any occasion. It doesn’t scream “tech geek” at family dinners, and the stainless-steel case feels solid.

We liked that it didn’t turn into a smudgy mess after a long day of meetings and workouts.

All the health metrics it tracks are super helpful, though we could do without reminders that our “body fat percentage” is higher than we’d like.

If only the battery lasted longer! We found ourselves charging it more than we wanted, so maybe keep an extra cable handy.

Still, the Galaxy Watch4 Classic boosts our confidence and helps us keep an eye on our health—even if we use it as an excuse to order dessert.

Amazfit Active 2 Watch

Looking for a stylish watch that makes you look way fitter than you are? This one’s definitely worth a look.

Pros

• Crisp, bright screen—even in sunlight
• Battery lasts so long you’ll almost forget to charge it
• Accurate heart rate and sleep tracking

Cons

• The app likes to nag you a bit too much
• Fitness features can feel overwhelming at first
• No third-party app store for extra watch faces

Wearing the Amazfit Active 2 made us feel like the kind of person who might actually use 160+ workout modes—even if “power nap champion” isn’t included.

The slim case and stainless steel look sharp, so you won’t feel out of place walking into a meeting right after the gym.

The display is bright and easy to read, even if you always forget your sunglasses on morning runs.

We loved not needing to charge it every night—the battery just keeps going. The BioTracker tech did a solid job with heart rate and sleep, though sadly it can’t force us to get more rest.

There’s a setting or feature for almost everything, so getting used to it might take a little patience. The Zepp app tries to help, but sometimes it feels like a nosy personal trainer.

Still, for the price, the Amazfit Active 2 checks most boxes for fitness, style, and that “hey, look at my watch” vibe.

Samsung Galaxy Watch4

Want a smart ECG watch loaded with health features and don’t mind a few quirks? The Galaxy Watch4 should be on your radar.

Pros

• Simple ECG monitor plus a bunch of health tricks
• Slick, lightweight design for workouts or naps
• Connects easily with Android phones for calls, messages, and even coffee runs

Cons

• Battery sometimes gives up early
• Not all features play nice with iPhones
• Refurbished models might arrive with some wear or missing parts

We felt like we leveled up when we strapped on the Galaxy Watch4. Using the ECG feature was a breeze, and the health tracking didn’t bury us in confusing charts.

Unlike some watches that squeeze your wrist, this one is lightweight and comfy—even after a step challenge with the neighbor.

It tracks fitness automatically, so we didn’t have to poke at it every time we started a run or picked up a kettlebell.

Group workouts got us a little competitive, even if we still finished last. Messages and calls come through easily, and tapping our wrist to pay for snacks? That’s just cool.

The battery doesn’t last forever, though. After a day and a half, we always had to hunt down the charger.

Refurbished versions sometimes show up with cosmetic scuffs or missing accessories, so if you want it shiny and new, it’s a bit of a gamble.

But for a powerful smartwatch that checks our heart and our to-do list, the Samsung Galaxy Watch4 is a solid pick—especially for Android fans.

Fitbit Sense 2 Smartwatch

If you’re aiming to be the health nerd in your circle—or just want to skip surprise trips to the doctor—the Fitbit Sense 2 might be your new favorite wrist buddy.

Pros

• Handy ECG monitoring for real peace of mind
• Battery lasts all week, even if you forget the charger
• Sleep tracking that actually makes you want to go to bed

Cons

• Stress tracker pep talks can get a bit much
• Doesn’t always play well with third-party fitness apps
• Sometimes interrupts workouts like an overeager gym buddy

Unboxing the Sense 2, we felt like we’d finally graduated from just counting steps to actually caring about our heart’s health.

The ECG feature works smoothly. Sit still, touch the corners, and almost feel like you know what you’re doing.

It’s comforting to have a little heart-to-wrist chat throughout the day—even if the watch sometimes counts a fridge run as exercise.

Wearing it around town, we barely noticed it thanks to the slim design. It’s not flashy, but it blends in with pretty much anything (unless you’re rocking a neon tracksuit, then all bets are off).

Battery life? Solid. One charge lasted well into the next week, even with GPS and sleep tracking running.

Using the wellness features made us more mindful. Sleep scores finally convinced us to stop doom-scrolling at night.

Stress notifications kept us in check, though we wish they’d chill during game night. The quirks with fitness app connections are a little annoying, but the built-in tracking is solid enough that we didn’t really miss our old badge-collecting days.

Fitbit Sense Smartwatch

If you want to know whether your heart is behaving or plotting something sneaky, this is the watch you should probably consider.

Pros

• Effortlessly checks your heart for rhythm drama (ECG)
• Battery lasts longer than your attention span
• Stays comfy and looks stylish on your wrist

Cons

• Some features hide behind a paywall (boo)
• Not all countries get ECG features (major “why not us?” vibes)
• Needs a Google account—like we needed more passwords

Right away, we strapped on the Fitbit Sense and jumped straight into heart monitoring mode.

The ECG app checks your heart at any suspicious thump and makes you feel like a responsible adult (finally).

You get alerts about heart rate highs and lows, which is perfect for anyone whose heart loves to keep them guessing.

Besides the super useful ECG tool, the sleep insights and skin temperature trends left us feeling like minor health detectives.

The battery just keeps going—after nearly a week, we were honestly surprised it was still alive.

Even when we forgot to charge it, a quick power-up saved us in minutes.

There are a few gripes.

Needing Fitbit Premium for some features felt like being handed homework after buying the textbook.

We wish the ECG worked everywhere, but it’s not available in every country.

And yeah, we stared blankly at our never-ending list of email accounts when Google made us sign in.

The Fitbit Sense gave us peace of mind and more reasons than ever to show off our fancy wristwear during awkward Zoom calls.

If you want sleek health tracking with a dash of “wow, you seem responsible,” this is a worthy pick.

Galaxy Watch 4 (Renewed)

If you want an ECG smartwatch that doesn’t break the bank but still feels high-tech, this one makes a strong case—even if it’s refurbished.

Pros

• Affordable compared to new models
• Accurate ECG monitoring and health tracking
• Looks almost brand new out of the box

Cons

• Battery needs charging more than we’d like
• Occasional minor scuffs from previous owners
• Straps and charger sometimes aren’t original

We slipped on this Galaxy Watch 4 and almost forgot it was renewed.

The face and body passed the “stare at it from all angles” test, and the ECG feature kicked in without any drama.

Fitness tracking felt smooth, and linking it to our Android phones was way easier than we expected.

The health tracking impressed us—it’s detailed but not overwhelming.

Switching between heart rate, SpO2, and our last sad attempt at a jog was quick.

We liked the easy-to-read screen and customizable watch faces, and we even pretended we were on a spy mission with the LTE features.

Now, all jokes aside, we charged the battery more than we’d prefer.

Charging daily is just reality with this one.

While the main device looked new, the strap and charger felt more “let’s just get the job done.”

Not a dealbreaker, but if you want that all-original feel, it might not be your thing.

For the price, the renewed Galaxy Watch 4 (Renewed) makes us wonder: Why pay full price when you can get all these smart features and keep a little extra cash for pizza?

Galaxy Watch 4 Classic

If you want a good-looking smartwatch that keeps an eye on your heart without making you look like you’re wearing a spaceship, this watch is worth a try.

Pros

• Slick, classic design makes you look sharp, not like you stole your kid’s toy watch
• ECG readings take just a minute, and you can actually send results to your doctor if needed
• Easy to reply to texts and take calls when your phone is lost in the couch cushions (again)

Cons

• Battery life isn’t breaking any records—you’ll be charging it often
• Must own a Samsung phone for some health features (sorry, iPhone crowd)
• It’s not waterproof enough for deep-sea diving, just a swim

Wearing the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic makes us feel classier, like we’re about to give a TED Talk instead of forgetting our grocery list again.

Navigating the menus feels quick, thanks to the rotating bezel, which we secretly spin just for fun sometimes.

Setting up the ECG was pretty simple, and the results were easy to read—not filled with confusing doctor words.

We left our phones at home while jogging and still streamed our “pump up” playlist.

It’s handy being able to glance at your wrist for messages during meetings and pretend to be professional.

The watch tracks a bunch of fitness activities automatically, so you don’t have to fiddle with buttons before every walk or run.

We wish we didn’t need to charge it so often, and it definitely works best when paired with a Samsung phone.

If keeping tabs on your heart while looking sharp matters, this watch is a solid pick.

If only it could remind us where we left our keys, too.

Galaxy Watch4 Classic

If you want a smartwatch that looks sharp and keeps an eye on your heart (without making you feel ancient), this is a solid pick.

Pros

• ECG feature is simple enough to use even after too much coffee
• Tracks runs, sleep, and your overall attempt at healthy living
• Calls, texts, and streaming music make you feel like you live in the future

Cons

• Battery life keeps you reaching for the charger more often than you’d like
• Band may be a little snug if your wrists aren’t exactly tiny
• Only shares its ECG talents with Samsung Galaxy phone fans

Slipping the Galaxy Watch4 Classic onto our wrists instantly gave us a style upgrade—think James Bond but with more walking reminders.

It’s comfortable, and the stainless steel case looks way too fancy for sweatpants, though we wear them anyway.

Setting up the ECG was painless, and checking our results almost made us feel like doctors (except we still avoid math).

Jogging without our phone felt freeing, and streaming music directly on the watch kept us pumped up long enough to pretend we liked running.

The workout and body comp features gave us useful info to brag about in the group chat.

We didn’t need an extra app to count steps or track sleep.

We pressed one button, and it felt like our fitness attempts and our daily stress levels were finally working together.

Of course, nothing is perfect.

Forgetting to charge this thing is risky because the battery taps out faster than our motivation to meal prep.

The watch band could use some extra wiggle room, and the ECG feature only plays nice with Samsung Galaxy phones.

But for us, it’s a wearable win—both for our health and our style.

KECECO Gold Smartwatch 43mm

If you want solid ECG monitoring and loads of fitness features without making your wallet cry, this KECECO smartwatch is worth a look.

Pros

• Impressive health tracking options in a small package
• Built-in Alexa is much smarter than our dog
• AMOLED screen looks great, even under blinding sunlight

Cons

• Wrist-raise to wake works about as often as our teenager does chores
• Watchband can stretch out faster than our favorite sweatpants
• The app experience could be smoother

Let’s be honest—we all want our wrists to look cool while secretly watching our heart’s every move.

We wore this gold KECECO smartwatch to the gym (and, fine, the couch) and loved how the ECG and HRV features kept us both informed and slightly less paranoid about our heart health.

The blood oxygen tracking was also handy, especially during those rare occasions when we remembered to go running.

The built-in Alexa is way friendlier than we are before coffee.

Setting reminders, checking the weather, and even controlling smart home stuff all worked smoothly.

Syncing notifications from our phone made us feel a little too connected—sometimes it’s hard to ignore that many pings, but at least the custom reminders helped us remember when to hydrate (and when to stand up and stretch).

We have to admit, the screen is beautiful and stays clear even outside.

It’s easy to customize with free watch faces, which was more fun than it should be.

On the flip side, the wrist-raise to wake feature needs work—sometimes it felt like playing charades with our arm.

The band was comfortable, but it started to get loose faster than we’d hoped.

Still, for this price, we’re happy to forgive most quirks.

Summary Table

Feature	Our Take
ECG Monitoring	Reliable for daily check-ins
Battery Life	Long-lasting, no daily charging stress
Smart Features	Handy with Alexa, music, reminders
Comfort	Mostly comfy—watchband could improve
Display	Bright and colorful, even outdoors

Buying Guide

When you’re picking a smartwatch for ECG monitoring, start by checking if health organizations in your country actually approve it. If you’re going to track your heartbeat, you want a watch that’s more reliable than your most forgetful aunt, right?

Comfort matters, too. Even if it’s the fanciest watch around, you’ll probably ditch it if it feels like a medieval torture device. Try to find something light, comfy, and adjustable. Extra points if it doesn’t leave you with a weird tan line.

Battery life? Yeah, that’s a big deal. Nobody wants their watch to quit before their late-night snack. If you’re charging it more than wearing it, what’s the point?

Don’t forget about compatibility. Some smartwatches only work with certain phones. Unless you want to swap out your phone just for a new watch, double-check this before buying.

Here’s a quick table with features worth looking at:

Feature	Why It Matters
ECG Accuracy	Trustworthy health data
Comfort & Fit	You’ll actually want to wear it
Battery Life	Fewer charging breaks
Smartphone Compatibility	Works with what you already have
Extra Health Features	More than just ECG, if you want it

And honestly, you want a watch that’s easy to use. If you need a PhD to get a reading, just walk away. Look for straightforward controls and a clear display—your health should get the attention, not the user manual.