"The Withings ScanWatch is a comprehensive health and wellness tracker that is also a classy, high-quality watch that you will be proud of."
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Clinically approved ECG and SpO2 monitoring
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High quality materials and workmanship
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Easy to use, informative app
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Long battery life
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No sleep apnea monitoring yet
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Clock hands often obscure the screen
You will see a lot of hype about the Withings ScanWatch's health monitoring credentials which are undeniably impressive, but don't let Tit fool you into thinking they are only for those with health issues. The classic design and high-quality materials avoid any stigma of "medical devices" and make the ScanWatch an excellent everyday watch for anyone interested in tracking and improving their general wellbeing.
design
The Withings ScanWatch is one of the best looking hybrid smartwatches you can buy today. Not sure what makes it a hybrid? Hybrid is used to describe when a traditional watch meets a smartwatch. The ScanWatch has a conventional analog dial with a small secondary screen showing relevant data. It's not a touchscreen, the watch doesn't have an operating system like Google's WearOS and doesn't need to be charged every day.
Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
The ScanWatch made of stainless steel with domed sapphire crystal above the dial is effortlessly elegant, minimalist and yet visually interesting and extremely high quality. I wear the 42mm model, but a 38mm model with redesigned lugs and a less chunky bezel is also available for smaller wrists. You can also choose one with a black watch face instead of the white watch face shown here, which will make the display look less obvious.
Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
At 83 grams and 13.7 mm thick, you'll find that the ScanWatch is on your wrist first and then quickly gets used to it. I was able to wear the watch 24 hours a day without any discomfort. The bracelet is made of fluoroelastomer and is very long. It's almost too long on my 6.5-inch wrists, but the generous number of holes makes it suitable for all wrist sizes.
Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
While fluoroelastomer is recognized to be less likely to cause skin irritation than some other materials, it can cause a reaction in some. I wore the watch day and night to test all of its properties, and by the end of the first week I had developed a rash with the bracelet sitting on my wrist. This is not something I personally experience normally, but an online search shows that this is not uncommon and almost certainly related to the heat, sweat and other environmental factors associated with wearing a watch all the time. If you have sensitive skin, it may be worthwhile to change the strap. Fortunately, it's easy as the 20mm strap attaches with quick release pins.
Apart from that, the design of the ScanWatch is well made and attractive. It goes with everything, looks pleasantly expensive, is made of high quality materials and if the strap is not for you, it is easy to change.
Screen and controls
When you examine the face, you'll see a simple complication that shows your steps as well as the little PMOLED screen above it. This is activated via the digital crown button on the side of the case. Press to wake up the screen and rotate to navigate through menu options. Then press again to select it. It's simple, accurate, and there's a tiny haptic tap to confirm your actions.
Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
It's bright enough to be displayed in all situations, aided by the monochrome tone and automatic brightness adjustment. However, it's unfortunate that the watch's hands don't get out of the way when the screen is activated. This means that data is often obscured. There is a lift-to-wake function, but it only shows the time that is not really needed. It would have been more useful if a configurable data item or prior notification had been displayed immediately.
ScanWatch requires the Withings Health Mate app to be installed on your phone. Although I used it connected to iOS, it is also available for Android. The connection is easy and only takes a few moments. It has also remained stable. Data syncs when you open the app and is quick and seamless with no input required.
The hands do not move out of the way to better view the ScanWatch's screen. Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
You can choose to have ScanWatch display notifications. These are displayed with an icon for the app as well as a brief preview of the message and a subtle haptic warning. In the Health Mate app, you can choose which apps you want to receive notifications from, or you can just turn the feature off completely. I found it useful, but with no way to remember one if you miss it, it can't keep up with the notification system on an Apple Watch or WearOS smartwatch.
The ScanWatch quietly tracks your health and fitness. Unlike many smartwatches, it is not required. There are no activity notifications letting you know it is time to move or wash your hands. You can turn off notifications or customize them to your liking, and there is no battery fear either. If you want a health-conscious smartwatch to wear and forget, you will really love the Withings ScanWatch.
Health monitoring tools
The ScanWatch has an impressive array of sensors that provide comprehensive tracking of critical health data. The heart rate sensor on the back of the watch connects to two electrodes and a third on the front of the watch to record an electrocardiogram (EKG) to detect atrial fibrillation. It's the first hybrid smartwatch to be clinically approved to detect both these and breathing problems that can occur overnight. The ScanWatch also measures the SpO2 oxygen saturation level, and other sensors detect altitude and movement. GPS is also on board.
Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
All of this means that the ScanWatch monitors heart rate and respiration and provides warnings in the event of heart rate irregularities and breathing disorders. It also reports blood oxygen levels, steps, distance traveled, altitude, and pace while running and swimming. All sensors work at night so sleep problems can be detected. A future update will enable sleep apnea alerts, but this vacation will not be available at startup. The heart rate, your ECG value and the SpO2 values are displayed on the watch screen. However, for more detailed data, you need to open the Health Mate app.
The heart rate monitor is easy to use. It takes regular measurements without prompting you to do so and sends alerts when the heart rate is too high or too low, or when it detects irregularities. At this point the use of the EKG is suggested. An EKG measurement takes 30 seconds, is performed on the watch and just involves touching the side of the case. Upon completion, you will receive a message indicating whether further action should be taken. Fortunately, mine just kept saying "normal" which I take as good news and proof that the sensor is doing its job.
Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
You take an SpO2 reading in a similar way, but your hand is either more difficult to position or the system is more volatile than with an EKG. It is common to get “inconclusive” results and the results can vary widely. Blood oxygen levels have recently attracted attention as an indicator of the severity of a COVID-19 infection. Is the ScanWatch an indispensable tool in 2020?
The UK's National Health Service (NHS) Council instructs patients with COVID-19 who have been advised to monitor blood oxygen levels to take measurements three times a day to see changes more clearly. The use of a medical-grade pulse oximeter is also recommended. Although Withings says the meter on the ScanWatch is medical grade, my many inconclusive and disparate results show how complex the process is and the importance of proper positioning to get accurate data. A recent Wired report also warns against relying on consumer technology as an early warning system for severe COVID-19 infection.
Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
What does it do if it is not really suitable for it? A wrist-worn SpO2 sensor is better suited for checking blood oxygen levels at altitude, e.g. B. when hiking in the mountains or while sleeping. Understanding blood oxygen levels in sleep is a key component in identifying health problems. The ScanWatch's Respiratory Scan mode detects blood oxygen levels, heart rate and breathing during the night for a complete picture of your rest. Sleep tracking is one of my favorite features in ScanWatch as it breaks down all of the data it collects in a clear manner and provides a simple sleep score for your night. This makes it easy to see where improvements can be made and to keep you informed of ongoing issues.
Fitness tracking and app
Fitness tracking on this watch is relatively straightforward outside of a welcome VO2 Max indicator to better gauge the effectiveness of your workout. It's not as comprehensive or hardcore as the Suunto 7 or Garmin's single-sport watches, but more like a Fitbit. Activating workouts on the watch is easy, and the Withings made good sense of adding long presses to start and stop workouts so that this doesn't happen accidentally.
The data collected for an activity such as walking is limited to duration, distance and calories burned. Don't expect data like cadence while running or stroke length while swimming. While it has automatic detection for training, it is not very accurate. During a few hours of cleaning an apartment, the ScanWatch thought I swim and ride my bike and I assure you I haven't done either.
Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
The Health Mate app is a great way to present all of your data. Even when it comes to helping you understand improvements, don't expect the guide to come right away. Getting insights and advice takes time and effort and is possibly the most user-intensive aspect of ownership. The app has a virtual assistant that initiates a conversation about your goals and lifestyle. Through these daily interactions, the app gives advice. Not enough information was gathered in my first week to give me anything substantial. As with all lifestyle changes, it will take time to take full advantage of wearing the ScanWatch.
The ScanWatch is not a fitness-oriented smartwatch, but measures the most important aspects of a workout and daily exercise in order to get a clearer picture of your general health and your lifestyle, which complements the detailed data collected by the sensors. This makes it less relevant to the marathon runner or Iron Man trainee, but more relevant to the health conscious person interested in understanding and improving overall wellbeing.
Battery life and charging
Withings claims a battery life of 30 days between charges, depending on the features you use. I haven't tested the ScanWatch that long, but it should be reachable. After seven days of use with day and night tracking, the battery is 63% discharged. It's worth noting that the expanded use of the SpO2 and EKG functions drains the battery much faster, as does the Respiratory Scan function used at night. Charging takes two hours and is done by placing the watch on the included magnetic wireless charging disc.
Price and availability
The Withings ScanWatch is available now in the UK for £ 280 if you opt for the 42mm model or £ 250 for the 38mm model. The ScanWatch will be released in the US later this year once the Food and Drug Administration approval process is completed. It costs $ 299 for the 42mm model and $ 279 for the 38mm ScanWatch and is sold through Withings' own online store, Amazon and Best Buy.
Our opinion
The Withings ScanWatch is a comprehensive health and wellness tracker as well as an elegant, high-quality wristwatch. Despite the medical nature of multiple functions, it never feels inaccessible or like it was only designed for people with conditions that require constant monitoring. The ease of use and continuous tracking of day and night, clinical approval that inspires confidence, and a reliable and informative app make the ScanWatch a helpful part of anyone's efforts to improve their health or change their lifestyle.
Is there a better alternative?
The Withings ScanWatch is a comprehensive health tracker with general smartwatch functions. The alternative is to change those aspects and go for the $ 400 Apple Watch, the best smartwatch you can buy with very powerful everyday fitness tracking capabilities, including an EKG. If you don't own an iPhone, the $ 270 Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 is a great choice for Android phone owners.
If you want SpO2 monitoring for exercise purposes, the $ 300 Garmin Forerunner 245 is a good choice, or if you prefer the EKG feature, the $ 130 Withings Move EKG is a cheaper alternative with a similar one Style like the ScanWatch.
How long it will take?
The Withings ScanWatch is waterproof to 30 meters and can be worn while swimming. The stainless steel case and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal should keep it looking good for a while.
When ScanWatch starts, sleep apnea detection is not activated. This is a feature that Withings was promoting when the watch was unveiled at CES 2020. The company announces that it will arrive in Europe and the US later this year once the feature has been approved for use. No timeframe was given.
The watch's battery and the support of the Withings app are the main factors that limit the life of the ScanWatch. However, it is unlikely that any of these factors will soon become a factor. You can wear and use the ScanWatch with confidence that it will last for years.
Should you buy it?
Yes. The Withings ScanWatch is a desirable mix of stylish, classic design that goes with everything, as well as extensive, user-friendly and clinically recognized features for health and wellbeing.
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