Which Smartwatch Is Best For Blood Pressure?

Blood Pressure Smartwatches Compared

• Omron HeartGuide: clinical accuracy; oscillometric cuff; FDA-cleared, medically validated, high accuracy.
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 8: BP measurement: pulse wave analysis; size: 40mm and 44mm; weight: 28.8 and 33.8 grams; power source: rechargeable lithium-ion battery; battery life: 40 hours; app: Galaxy Wearable.
• Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra: BP measurement: pulse wave analysis; size: 47mm; weight: 60.5 grams; power source: rechargeable lithium-ion battery; battery life: three days on a single charge; app: Galaxy Wearable.
• Amazfit Balance 2: BP measurement: pulse wave analysis; size: 47mm; weight: 43 grams; power source: rechargeable lithium-ion battery; battery life: 21 days; app: Zepp.
• Apple Watch Series 11: BP measurement: notification only with manual blood pressure log; battery life: 24 hours; app: iPhone only.
• YHE BP Doctor Fit: BP measurement: inflatable cuff; size: 48 x 39 x 13 mm; weight: 60 g; power source: rechargeable lithium-ion battery; battery life: 10 days; app: for both iPhone and Android.

Blood pressure watches offer a convenient, non-invasive way to keep track of your cardiovascular health on the go so you can consult with your healthcare provider.

There are not as many options today for blood pressure watches as there are for smartwatches, but with the release of Apple's latest Apple Watch models, we are starting to see a focus on hypertension detection.

Blood pressure smartwatches vs. traditional monitors: the primary difference between blood pressure smartwatches and traditional monitors is convenience and frequency of measurement.

Traditional cuff-based monitors typically provide more accurate readings but are cumbersome to use throughout the day.

Smartwatches, while potentially less accurate, allow for frequent, on-demand measurements that can reveal patterns and triggers affecting blood pressure.

Inflatable Air Cuff Technology

YHE BP Doctor Fit

The YHE BP Doctor Fit promises medical-grade accuracy in measuring blood pressure, and after testing it for a few weeks, we can confirm that is a valid promise.

Measurement method

The key is the watch's patented inflatable air cuff, which detects blood pressure fluctuations.

On-demand readings

You can measure your blood pressure at any time, and the watch has a host of other features, including typical activity tracking and sleep tracking.

Accuracy

Results within 6-8 mmHg of a standard blood pressure arm cuff.

Compatibility

You can sync your data to the Android or iOS app and create a health management plan that includes your whole family.

If you need to capture your blood pressure easily throughout the day, the BP Doctor Fit is a great option.

The watch's heart rate monitor tracks your heart rate continuously, 24 hours a day.

The YHE BP Doctor Fit is a full-range smartwatch with sleep, activity, and health tracking, along with alarms, messages, and weather.

We were surprised by the low price given the solid build quality, vibrant AMOLED display, long battery life, blood pressure monitoring capability, and functional smartphone application.

There is no support for third-party apps, but all of the basics you need are there to function as a daily wear smartwatch.

If you are looking for a watch that provides GPS activity tracking and extensive app support, you should consider an Apple Watch or a Galaxy Watch.

However, if you want the most accurate blood pressure readings in a watch form factor, then this is the one for you.

The YHE BP Doctor Fit delivered exceptional accuracy in our tests, with readings consistently within ±8mmHg of our reference medical-grade blood pressure monitor.

The measurement process is straightforward: press the button, position your wrist at heart level, and the watch automatically inflates and deflates its built-in cuff to complete a measurement.

While the YHE BP Doctor Fit excels in accuracy, the inflatable cuff technology makes the watch bulkier than standard smartwatches.

Although there are no ongoing subscription fees to use it, the YHE BP Doctor Fit is more expensive than budget options.

Clinically Validated Portable Monitor

• HeartGuide is the premiere, clinically validated, portable blood pressure monitor.
• HeartGuide is a wearable blood pressure monitor in the innovative form of a smartwatch.
• Designed with your heart in mind, HeartGuide is a clinically validated blood pressure monitor.
• Take clinically accurate blood pressure readings with Omron breakthrough technology.
• Wear HeartGuide to bed to track your sleep patterns.
• Use HeartGuide to set personal daily reminders and get notifications when you receive calls, texts or emails on your smartphone.

The design of HeartGuide involved more than 80 new patents that miniaturize the components for traditional oscillometric measurement, using an inflatable cuff within the watch band to take a blood pressure reading.

Over the course of a normal day, your blood pressure fluctuates.

Monitor these fluctuations with the clinically validated HeartGuide.

Save, review and store your fluctuations as detailed, usable data, and develop a more thorough understanding of how your lifestyle directly impacts your heart.

The HeartAdvisor app was designed to help you understand how your lifestyle impacts your heart with.

Save meaningful data which you can share with your doctor.

• Monitor blood pressure, activity and sleep quality.
• Track trends over time with color-coded graphs.
• Easy access to dashboard, health history, reminders and settings.

HeartGuide is currently available only in M size. This fits a wrist circumference of 160 to 190 mm.

It is really important that you make sure that HeartGuide is the right size for you, so that your readings are accurate.

Pulse Wave Analysis And Calibration

1. The Samsung Galaxy Watch models, and other select Amazfit watches, require that you measure and baseline your blood pressure readings with a certified external monitor and enter that data into the app.
2. The watch then measures the incremental changes from that baseline and provides your blood pressure reading.
3. The Galaxy Watch Ultra allows you to calibrate the watch with a blood pressure cuff, then monitor your blood pressure throughout the day for about a month before calibrating again.
4. Regular measuring will help inform you of trends in your blood pressure and provide you, and your doctor, with indications of whether or not this is an issue for concern.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 represents the pinnacle of mainstream smartwatch technology with blood pressure monitoring capabilities.

Using pulse wave analysis technology, this watch has been clinically validated for accuracy in blood pressure monitoring, although it’s important to note that this feature hasn’t yet received FDA clearance in the United States and is available in select markets.

In our testing, the Galaxy Watch 8 delivered consistent blood pressure readings compared to a traditional cuff after proper calibration.

The watch requires calibration with a traditional blood pressure cuff every 28 days to maintain accuracy, which might be a drawback for some seniors but ensures more reliable readings over time.

The blood pressure function “cannot diagnose hypertension, other conditions, or check for signs of a heart attack. It is not meant to replace traditional methods of diagnosis or treatment by a qualified healthcare professional.”

Similar to the Galaxy Watch Ultra and Watch 8, you calibrate the Balance 2 with a blood pressure cuff and then use the Zepp app and the watch to measure your blood pressure on demand.

You must select a compatible region; we suggest Brazil when setting up your account, so that the blood pressure functionality appears in the Zepp app.

Setting the watch up for the Brazil region doesn't seem to impact any other functionality of the watch, but understand that US government agencies have not approved the watch for blood pressure tracking in the US.

While the Amazfit Balance 2 is a powerful health and fitness watch, it has limited support for third-party apps, so if you are looking for a phone replacement, then this is not the model for you.

Hypertension Detection

• Hypertension detection is designed to detect whether or not there are possible signs of hypertension from your wrist-based heart rate readings.
• You must wear your Apple Watch for at least 30 days before any possible notification will appear.
• The Apple Watch won't provide you with your actual blood pressure reading, but it will inform you if you should start taking readings.
• The new feature also offers quick access to a manual blood pressure log so you can check it and discuss with your doctor.

If you are over the age of 22, are not pregnant, and have never been diagnosed with hypertension, then this functionality is for you.

The Apple Watch is one tool for possible detection, but not all people with hypertension will receive a notification, so checking your blood pressure is still something you should do on a regular basis to confirm your health status.

Hypertension detection is not designed for those who have already been diagnosed with hypertension, so if you have high blood pressure, the Apple Watch will not take your measurements automatically or manually.

You can use the Apple Health blood pressure log to record and track your high blood pressure, assuming you take readings with your blood pressure cuff.

If you are not an iPhone user, then don't even consider an Apple Watch Series 11 since it doesn't connect to an iPad or macOS computer.

There are great options from Google and Samsung if you own an Android smartphone.

The most significant update for this article, which also applies to Series 9 and 10 Apple Watch models, is the addition of the hypertension detection feature to watchOS 26.

Factors To Consider When Choosing

Capability

The YHE BP Doctor Fit uses an inflatable cuff to measure your blood pressure directly or advanced algorithms in combination with wrist-based heart rate monitoring to detect anomalies that may indicate hypertension.

Other functions

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 and Ultra are full-blown smartwatches that run Google's Wear OS while the Apple Watch 11 runs watchOS 26, but other watches in this list focus primarily on capturing your blood pressure and providing you with the time and data.

Fit and comfort

The watch you use for your blood pressure should also fit well and be comfortable as you capture your readings.

Accuracy

We looked at evidence of accuracy from studies and medical research when choosing what blood pressure watches to consider.

Data privacy

Health information is extremely important to keep secure with wearables, so we looked into each brand and device's privacy protocols to ensure consumers' health data is safe.

Anyone who has captured their blood pressure reading knows that placement of the blood pressure monitor is important in capturing accurate readings.

A blood pressure watch is used primarily for convenience and the ability to easily capture your readings throughout the day so comfort and fit are vital to success.

Measurement method: cuff-based systems generally provide more accurate readings than optical sensor systems.

Display size and clarity: seniors with vision impairments need large, high-contrast displays that are easy to read.

Battery life: longer battery life means less frequent charging, which is important for consistent monitoring.

Ease of use: intuitive interfaces with simple buttons are preferable to complex touchscreen-only controls.

Companion app: the smartphone app should be user-friendly and allow for easy data sharing with health care providers.

Water resistance: water resistance is important for seniors who might forget to remove the watch before showering.