Apple Watch 11 is the best ECG smartwatch for iPhone users who want the most complete heart-health experience. Galaxy Watch 8 is the natural Samsung choice, Pixel Watch 3 serves other Android users, ScanWatch 2 favours discreet continuous wear, and Huawei Watch 5 fits cross-platform buyers. Phone and regional eligibility matter most.
On this page
You can compare the shortlist, examine each watch and then match its fit, battery and phone support to your routine.
- The best ECG smartwatches at a glance
- Best for iPhone owners - 1. Apple Watch 11
- Best for Galaxy phone owners - 2. Samsung Galaxy Watch 8
- Best for minimal-screen tracking - 3. Withings ScanWatch 2
- Best for multi-day battery - 4. Huawei Watch 5
- Best for Fitbit workout tracking - 5. Google Pixel Watch 3
- Which ECG smartwatch should you choose?
- Frequently asked questions
The best ECG smartwatches at a glance
The right ECG smartwatch is the model whose heart features work with your phone, in your region, while fitting comfortably enough to stay on your wrist.
Prices below were read at the time of writing.
| Smartwatch | Best for | Deciding spec | Phone eligibility | ECG and AFib features | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Watch 11 | iPhone owners | 24 hours | iPhone only | ECG + irregular rhythm notifications | £369 |
| Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 | Galaxy phone owners | 3,000 nits | Android only; ECG region-limited | ECG | £319 |
| Withings ScanWatch 2 | Minimal-screen tracking | ECG + AFib detection | Android / iOS; ECG region-limited | ECG + AFib detection | £319 |
| Huawei Watch 5 | Multi-day battery | 4.5 days | Android / iOS | ECG | £399.99 |
| Google Pixel Watch 3 | Fitbit workout tracking | 2,000 nits | Android only | ECG | £349 |
The deciding factor: check that the ECG and irregular-rhythm functions work fully with your phone and in your country before comparing displays, styling or strap materials.
Best for iPhone owners - 1. Apple Watch 11
Apple Watch 11 is the best choice for an iPhone owner who wants ECG recording and background irregular-rhythm notifications in one familiar health system.
The key distinction is not simply that it has an ECG app. Its irregular-rhythm notifications can look for signs worth investigating between the manual recordings you choose to take, making it the most complete heart-health option here for a compatible iPhone user.
- Case sizes: 42 / 46 mm
- Case material: aluminium or titanium
- Rated battery life: up to 24 hours
- Peak display brightness: up to 2,000 nits
- Prices: £369 and £399 at the time of writing
The smaller case is the sensible place to start if your wrist is slim or you dislike a bulky watch in bed. The larger case offers a more glanceable face, but the shared battery figure means case size is primarily a fit and visibility decision rather than a way to escape daily charging.
Fit deserves as much thought as the sensor list. Our Apple Watch 11 strap range covers silicone, nylon, leather, Milanese and metal options. Silicone is practical for sweaty training, while a soft nylon strap can feel less intrusive during sleep. Leather and metal make more sense when daytime appearance matters most.
Who it suits: choose it if you use an iPhone, want irregular-rhythm notifications as well as manual ECG recordings, and can build regular charging into your day.
Best for Galaxy phone owners - 2. Samsung Galaxy Watch 8
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 is the strongest fit for a Galaxy phone owner who wants an ECG watch that also stays readable during bright outdoor workouts.
Its 3,000-nit display is the deciding hardware advantage here: running screens and health prompts remain easier to read in strong sunlight. ECG availability is region-limited, however, so phone compatibility and local approval still matter more than that bright panel.
- Case sizes: 40 / 44 mm
- Case material: Armor Aluminum
- Rated battery life: up to 40 hours
- Battery capacities: 325.0 / 435 mAh
- Prices: £319 and £349 at the time of writing
The 40 mm case should feel less dominant on a small wrist or under a sleeve. The 44 mm version gives you a larger display and the higher listed battery capacity, which is useful if workouts and overnight wear are both central to your routine.
Strap choice can turn either size into a better health tracker because a stable fit helps the sensors maintain contact as your heart rate changes. We stock silicone, nylon, leather, Milanese, metal and titanium straps for both the Galaxy Watch 8 40 mm and Galaxy Watch 8 44 mm. That titanium option is useful if you want a lighter-feeling metal style rather than a workout band.
Who it suits: it makes most sense if you already use a Samsung Galaxy phone, exercise outside regularly and have confirmed that ECG support is available where you live.
Best for minimal-screen tracking - 3. Withings ScanWatch 2
Withings ScanWatch 2 is the best option for someone who wants ECG and AFib detection in a conventional-looking watch rather than another bright screen demanding attention.
Its stainless-steel case and restrained 0.63-inch display make it easier to wear as an everyday analogue-style watch. That matters for heart trends: a technically impressive sensor is less useful if you regularly remove the watch because its shape, screen or styling does not suit normal life.
- Case sizes: 38 / 42 mm
- Case material: stainless steel
- Phone eligibility: Android / iOS; ECG region-limited
- Health subscription: Withings+ optional
- Prices: £319 and £319 at the time of writing
The 38 mm case is the smallest option in this shortlist, so it deserves particular attention if you have a narrow wrist or dislike sleeping in a large smartwatch. The 42 mm model gives the design more presence without abandoning the conventional-watch approach.
Our catalogue supports that wearability argument with silicone, nylon, leather, Milanese and metal choices for the ScanWatch 2 38 mm straps and ScanWatch 2 42 mm straps. A flexible silicone or nylon strap is the better match for training and sleep; Milanese or steel suits someone who wants the watch to pass as a conventional timepiece at work.
Who it suits: pick ScanWatch 2 if continuous, low-distraction wear matters more than apps and a large touchscreen, but confirm regional ECG eligibility before ordering.
Best for multi-day battery - 4. Huawei Watch 5
Huawei Watch 5 is the best cross-platform option for a health-focused buyer who wants more breathing room between charges.
Its 4.5-day deciding battery figure makes overnight wear easier to sustain than on a watch rated for 24 hours. That extra margin is particularly valuable when sleep, workouts and heart trends all matter, because you have more freedom to charge when it suits you rather than removing the watch each night.
- Case sizes: 42 / 46 mm
- Phone eligibility: Android / iOS
- Peak display brightness: 3,000 nits
- Navigation: GPS + GLONASS + GALILEO + BeiDou + QZSS
- Prices: £399.99 and £399.99 at the time of writing
The 42 mm version is the safer fit for a small wrist or anyone sensitive to bulk in bed. Choose the 46 mm case when a larger, more glanceable watch matters more than keeping the footprint restrained.
Both sizes can be adapted around the way you wear the watch. We stock silicone, nylon, leather, Milanese and metal across the Huawei Watch 5 42 mm strap range and the Huawei Watch 5 46 mm strap range. A washable silicone strap is practical after hard sessions; nylon can be more forgiving when you plan to keep the watch on overnight.
Who it suits: Huawei Watch 5 fits Android and iPhone users who prioritise multi-day wear, a bright outdoor display and a health-first design over deep integration with Apple Health or Samsung’s watch ecosystem.
Best for Fitbit workout tracking - 5. Google Pixel Watch 3
Google Pixel Watch 3 is the best fit for an Android user who wants ECG alongside Fitbit-centred workout and health tracking.
It is the natural alternative when you do not use an iPhone and a Galaxy-first experience is not your priority. Its 2,000-nit display remains practical for outdoor glances, while the listed 24-hour battery means charging habits deserve careful thought if you want both overnight data and tracked training sessions.
- Case sizes: 41 / 45 mm
- Case material: 100% recycled aluminium
- Rated battery life: up to 24 hours
- Health subscription: Fitbit Premium optional
- Prices: £349 and £399 at the time of writing
The 41 mm case keeps the rounded watch compact, making it more appealing for smaller wrists and sleep. The 45 mm version is easier to glance at during exercise, but it will feel more noticeable under a sleeve or against a pillow.
We also have a large assortment good fitting Pixel Watch 3 41 mm straps and Pixel Watch 3 45 mm straps. If you train several times a week, start with a sweat-tolerant material and reserve leather or metal for less active days.
Who it suits: choose Pixel Watch 3 if you use Android, value Fitbit workout tracking and are comfortable planning charging around sleep and exercise.
Which ECG smartwatch should you choose?
You should choose by phone support and regional ECG eligibility first, then by whether the case, strap and battery fit your real wearing routine.
- If you use an iPhone: Apple Watch 11 gives you the fullest combination of ECG and irregular-rhythm notifications, unless a conventional design or multi-day battery matters more.
- If you already use a Samsung Galaxy phone: Galaxy Watch 8 is the natural match, especially for bright outdoor training.
- If you use another Android phone: Pixel Watch 3 suits Fitbit-led exercise tracking, while Huawei Watch 5 is stronger when longer gaps between charges are the priority.
- If you want a classic-looking watch: ScanWatch 2 keeps the display deliberately small and offers the shortlist’s most discreet case option.
- If your wrist is small: begin with ScanWatch 2 at 38 mm, Galaxy Watch 8 at 40 mm or Pixel Watch 3 at 41 mm rather than assuming a larger display will be more useful.
- If you run or train with rapidly changing effort: prioritise a secure, sweat-friendly strap. The case should remain stable without feeling painfully tight.
- If you want to track sleep consistently: consider both charging and comfort. Huawei Watch 5 offers the largest stated battery margin here, while a soft nylon strap can make any compatible case less intrusive overnight.
A manual smartwatch ECG usually takes 30 seconds, so good contact matters. Movement, sweat, water and a loose strap can spoil the recording; clean and dry the watch and your wrist, then settle the case firmly before you begin.
Do not let the presence of an ECG label settle the purchase by itself. Apple Watch 11 remains the best overall heart-health watch for a compatible iPhone, but Galaxy Watch 8, Pixel Watch 3, ScanWatch 2 and Huawei Watch 5 each become the better answer when your phone, charging routine or preferred wrist fit changes.
Frequently asked questions
These answers cover the medical and practical edge cases that can affect how you use a smartwatch ECG.
Can a smartwatch ECG detect a heart attack?
Short answer: No. A smartwatch ECG cannot detect a heart attack, so chest pain, pressure or tightness needs urgent medical help rather than a watch check.
Can I export an ECG recording to show my doctor?
Short answer: Yes. Apple Watch, Galaxy Watch and Pixel Watch can create a PDF report, while ScanWatch 2 and Huawei Watch sync ECG results to their phone apps for sharing with a clinician.
Why does a watch ECG sometimes return an inconclusive result?
Short answer: The recording may be outside the app's recognised heart-rate or rhythm ranges, or the signal may be too poor to classify. Movement, poor skin contact, a loose strap, sweat, water and electrical interference can all spoil the signal.
Can I use the same ECG smartwatch when travelling to another country?
Short answer: Usually, provided the ECG feature is already set up and supported where you are travelling. ECG availability is controlled by local medical approvals, and Samsung warns that resetting a phone or reinstalling its health app in an unsupported location can restrict the feature.
