Best Smartwatches for Blood Pressure Monitoring

Having blood pressure that’s too low or too high isn’t healthy for our bodies. That’s why smartwatches with blood pressure monitors are becoming increasingly popular. You can easily keep track of your blood pressure. In this blog, we review the top 4 smartwatches that measure blood pressure.

Why Measure Blood Pressure with a Smartwatch?

First, it’s important to understand why measuring your blood pressure with a smartwatch is beneficial. Typically, you’d need to visit a doctor for a blood pressure check, which is just a snapshot. With a smartwatch, you can continuously monitor your blood pressure, providing accurate readings at any time.

Top 4 Best Smartwatches for Blood Pressure Measurements

Not every smartwatch has a blood pressure monitor. That’s why we’ve compiled the top 4 best smartwatches for blood pressure. Besides measuring blood pressure, most smartwatches can also track your heart rate. Advanced models offer even more health insights, including ECGs (heart monitors).

1. Samsung Galaxy Watch 5

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 can do much more than measure blood pressure. It also allows you to take an ECG, measure your SpO2 (blood oxygen level), and monitor your heart rate. The Galaxy Watch 5 is the latest in Samsung’s series, and all versions can measure blood pressure.

To measure your blood pressure, the Galaxy Watch 5 must be calibrated with a blood pressure monitor. For accurate results, recalibrate every 4 weeks. Once calibrated, you can check and monitor your blood pressure anytime.

The Galaxy Watch 5 is one of the best smartwatches available, offering numerous features and solid performance at an average price. You can choose from a variety of Galaxy Watch 5 straps to personalise your smartwatch.

Galaxy Watch 5 price: From £299.00

2. Huawei Watch D

The new Huawei Watch D is the best smartwatch for measuring blood pressure. It features a unique function: the strap of the Huawei Watch D inflates to measure your blood pressure. No calibration is needed, ensuring highly accurate readings at any time.

The Huawei Watch D isn’t available yet but is expected to hit Dutch shelves by late 2022. The price is likely to be high, but you’ll get the unique inflatable strap feature in return. Besides blood pressure, it measures heart rate and skin temperature, and includes GPS and a gyroscope.

Huawei Watch D price: From £399.00 (expected)

3. Samsung Galaxy Watch 4

The most affordable option for a smartwatch that measures blood pressure is the older Galaxy Watches. Starting with the Galaxy Watch 3, these watches can monitor blood pressure, regardless of the version. The Galaxy Watch 4, now somewhat dated, is available at a lower price than the Watch 5 or Watch 5 Pro.

Consider whether you’ll miss features available on the Watch 5 before opting for the older Watch 4. Overall, the Watch 4 is a highly capable smartwatch with many features and sensors.

Galaxy Watch 4 price: From £139.00

4. Omron HeartGuide

The lesser-known entry in this list is the Omron HeartGuide, a smartwatch-like device from the Japanese healthcare giant Omron. Unlike the others, the Omron HeartGuide offers a clinically validated blood pressure measurement.

The main drawback is that the Omron HeartGuide is not available in the Netherlands. You’d need to import it from a country where it’s sold, making the price high and uncertain. For this reason, we don’t recommend purchasing it.

Omron HeartGuide price: Available only via import

What to Consider?

The key thing to realise is that a smartwatch is never a substitute for a proper blood pressure measurement. It’s only an alternative and monitor for tracking your health. A standalone blood pressure monitor might be a better choice if you need accurate readings.

Many cheap Chinese smartwatches on the market claim to measure blood pressure, but these are often false claims. Few smartwatches can genuinely measure it. Buy from a reputable brand and always check if the model includes a blood pressure monitor when purchasing.

How Does a Smartwatch Measure Blood Pressure?

When a smartwatch (from a reputable brand) claims to measure blood pressure, it must be medically substantiated. This makes blood pressure-capable smartwatches rare, as it’s challenging to achieve accurate readings with a smartwatch sensor.

Most smartwatches, like Samsung’s, estimate blood pressure by processing sensor data through an algorithm. It’s wise to calibrate your blood pressure monitor as often as possible for the best results.

Can You Measure Blood Pressure with an Apple Watch?

Apple has been working for years to develop a way to measure the wearer’s blood pressure. Rumours suggested the feature would debut with the Apple Watch Series 8, but that didn’t happen. Currently, the Apple Watch cannot measure blood pressure.

Apple, along with other smartwatch makers like Fitbit, is actively developing this feature. It won’t be long before Apple or another manufacturer introduces a reliable blood pressure monitor on a smartwatch.

Conclusion

Finding a smartwatch with a blood pressure monitor remains challenging. For now, you can rely on the Samsung Galaxy Watch series or the upcoming Huawei Watch D. Measuring blood pressure with a smartwatch is an alternative, not a replacement for a proper medical device, whether at home or with a doctor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Garmin measure blood pressure?
Garmin smartwatches currently have no capability to measure blood pressure.

Which Fitbit has a blood pressure monitor?
Fitbit has not yet released a smartwatch with a blood pressure monitor. This may come in the future.

How reliable is a smartwatch blood pressure monitor?
A smartwatch blood pressure monitor isn’t equivalent to a medical device. Always calibrate your smartwatch properly for the most accurate readings.