Not so long ago, the only thing a watch could tell was the time. Today, watches, particularly smartwatches, can do so much more, including answer phone calls and send text messages. They even have health tracking features such as heart rate monitoring and a blood oxygen level sensor.
Many might ask why a blood oxygen sensor would be helpful on a smartwatch. Blood oxygen sensors have been featured in smartwatches for many years. This feature is called a SpO2 sensor or pulse oximeter, which uses pulses of light to measure your pulse and oxygen saturation levels in your blood.
Oxygen is vital to life. The human body requires certain oxygen levels to function correctly. When your oxygen level is where it should be, your cells can create energy more efficiently, which is used for all bodily functions, from digestion to cognitive processing.
Blood oxygen level monitoring can be handy for athletes or those seeking to get in shape. A higher blood oxygen level can give your body better performance during exercise.
Some professional athletes have even used artificial means to increase their blood oxygen level through “blood doping” to gain an edge during competition.
Are Health Monitoring Smartwatches with Blood Oxygen Sensor Technology Dependable for Blood Oxygen Monitoring?
A smartwatch blood oxygen monitoring sensor isn’t as accurate as the ones used by healthcare professionals. A smartwatch SpO2 oxygen sensor offers a noninvasive and relatively inexpensive way to estimate your blood oxygen level and can catch early signs of health issues.
It’s especially beneficial for people who need to monitor their blood oxygen levels regularly, such as patients with sleep apnea.
However, SpO2 monitoring technology in smartwatches can give unreliable results, which is why it’s always best to coordinate with a healthcare professional who can give you a clear picture of your overall blood saturation levels. These sensors are not approved for medical use, but they can be dependable for sports and fitness applications.
Top Smartwatches with SpO2 Oxygen Monitoring
There are plenty to choose from when it comes to smartwatches with blood oxygen or SpO2 sensor technology. Below, we list the best health monitoring smartwatches with SpO2 sensor technology to help you choose the best smartwatches with blood oxygen sensors.
Fitbit Versa Lite Edition
The Fitbit versa lite edition is a highly versatile smartwatch with many unique features. In addition to an SpO2 sensor, it has a heart rate monitor and fitness tracker. It uses Bluetooth and has GPS and a 1.34-inch touchscreen interface.
This watch is also available in assorted colors and is one of the more affordable options on this list.
Garmin Fenix 6X Pro Premium Watch
The Garmin Fenix 6X Pro Premium Watch is solar-powered and has features that track your overall fitness and health. It even has built-in GPS and preloaded maps to help you navigate outdoor environments easier.
Its pulse oximeter and health features measure your blood oxygen level and monitor your heart rate, sleep stress, workout, and workload. You can also download the PacePro app to get training guides which can assist in setting up features such as music, payment, fitness exercises, notifications, texts, and more.
It also includes an altitude acclimation feature, and in normal mode, the Li battery can work for up to 21 days; with solar energy, you can add three extra days.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is designed for people with an active lifestyle and has a fantastic SpO2 monitor. It also features sleep monitoring, step tracking, a heart rate monitor, NFC, GPS, ECG, and more.
The watch also has a stylish and vibrant full-color touchscreen with a trendy design. It has a high-capacity battery that can work up to 3 days and a durable, water-resistant body that works to 50 meters or 164 feet.
Fitbit Charge 5
If you’re looking for a smartwatch with a sleek, futuristic design, check out the Fitbit Charge 5. This watch features an SpO2 monitor, sleep tracking, step counting, and calories burned estimator. It has built-in GPS, skin temperature monitoring, and fitness tracking features. The multi-day battery can work up to 7 days and is one of the more economically priced models.
GARMIN Forerunner 945
The Garmin Forerunner 945 is a great sports watch for riders, runners, swimmers, and short-triathlon athletes. It features advanced features, such as training load balance maintenance and performance history analysis.
Plus, it has standard features, such as a blood oxygen monitor, steps counter, heart rate monitor, and GPS that uses three satellites for stable and fast spotting. It also comes with a fast-dial SOS emergency service that allows you to set a predefined number to call for emergencies.
You can also listen to music as it stores up to 1,000 songs and can connect to streaming music services such as Deezer and Spotify.
Realme Watch S
The Realme Watch S is a fitness-centric wearable with SpO2 and health sensors that monitors blood oxygen levels, counts steps, and measures heart rate. The battery life can last up to 2 weeks with a single charge.
It’s also water-resistant and has an IP68 rating and a durable body protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3.
Plus, it features 16 sports modes that allow you to diversify your health goals daily. It even takes pictures and plays music and will let you access messages and call alerts.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic is packed with convenient fitness features, including an accurate SpO2 monitor and an advanced heart rate monitor. It can even track your lung and heart conditions and connect with the Samsung Health app on your smartphone.
It has an automatic workout tracker that measures your calories and activities and features a stylish design.
Another excellent feature is advancing the coaching that includes group challenges. Finally, it has an exclusive sleep monitoring system to help you achieve sound sleep.
OnePlus Smart Band
The OnePlus Smart Band is a sleek wearable with all the significant sensors, such as a heart rate monitor, SpO2, sleep monitor, and much more.
It’s compatible with Android and iOS devices and has 13 sports modes, such as cycling, running, swimming, and workout.
You can also receive call alerts and customize the watch’s face to match your mood. Plus, it offers a 14-day battery life.
Noise ColorFit Ultra
The Noise ColorFit Ultra is a unique budget wearable with a classic 1.75-inch HD display with 60 sports modes, SpO2 monitoring, and a lightweight aluminum alloy body.
You can also monitor stress, heart rate, and REM sleep with it. It’s IP68 water resistant and has camera control and a built-in flashlight. For a budget smartwatch, this wearable packs many features.
Amazfit GTR 3 Pro
Amazfit GTR 3 Pro features a classic watch face design with tons of fitness features, including an SpO2 monitor, advanced heart rate monitoring, built-in GPS, and 5ATM durability, including water resistance. It also has Bluetooth support that allows you to receive voice calls.
Amazfit also has a solid and stylish brown leather strap, a circular AMOLED display that’s sharp and bright, and over 150 modes to keep you busy.
Apple Watch 7
The Apple Watch 7 is the best wearable for people looking to connect to their iPhones. It’s also among the most evolved smartwatches that feature a larger ecosystem of applications and an onscreen keyboard.
Plus, it has an expanded screen with even more functionality, such as an SpO2, heart rate, and sleep monitor. Also, the Apple Watch 7’s ECG sensor is one of the most dependable on any wearable.
Is Fitbit Accurate?
When it comes to SpO2 monitoring, no smartwatch will be as accurate as FDA-approved medical equipment used by healthcare professionals. However, when it comes to heart rate monitoring and other activities such as steps taken and calories burned, they are relatively accurate and perfectly suitable for sports and fitness applications.
How Accurate Is Apple Watch SpO2?
According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine (NIH), the Apple watch’s SpO2 sensor “is not yet up to the medical standard of pulse oximetry; too large a proportion of the measurements remain either unsuccessful or incorrect.”
The Verdict: The Best SpO2 Smartwatch
We have three models for the best SpO2 Smartwatch. First, for Apple users, the Apple 7 watch. And for Android fans, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic and the Amazfit GTR 3 Pro stand out.