Withings

Overview

Withings stands as the pioneer of the hybrid smartwatch category, proving that advanced health monitoring doesn’t require sacrificing traditional watch aesthetics or battery life. This French company, founded in 2008, has masterfully balanced the elegance of analog timepieces with FDA-cleared medical technology, creating watches that look at home in a boardroom while quietly monitoring your ECG, blood oxygen, and sleep patterns. Their unique approach—hiding powerful health sensors behind classic watch faces—has earned them a devoted following among health-conscious professionals who refuse to wear something that looks like a computer on their wrist.

The company’s journey through acquisition by Nokia and subsequent independence has only strengthened their focus on what they do best: creating beautiful, medically-accurate health monitoring devices that don’t scream “fitness tracker.” With 30-day battery life and clinical-grade sensors, Withings has carved out a unique niche where traditional horology meets cutting-edge health technology.

Why Choose Withings

Medical-Grade Health Monitoring in Disguise: Withings doesn’t just track steps—they offer FDA-cleared ECG for atrial fibrillation detection, medical-grade SpO2 monitoring for respiratory health, and clinically validated sleep apnea detection. The ScanWatch series can identify irregular heart rhythms, monitor blood oxygen levels throughout the night, and detect breathing disturbances that might indicate sleep disorders. All this happens automatically while wearing what looks like a classic French timepiece. No other hybrid watch offers this level of medical credibility.

Phenomenal 30-Day Battery Life: While Apple Watch users charge nightly and even Garmin users plug in weekly, Withings owners go a full month between charges. This isn’t achieved through compromise—all sensors run continuously, tracking heart rate 24/7, monitoring sleep automatically, and recording workouts without you having to remember to start them. The combination of an efficient hybrid display and optimized sensors means you can travel for weeks without a charger, making it perfect for professionals who can’t afford dead batteries during important trips.

Elegant French Design That Ages Gracefully: Withings watches are designed in France with premium materials including 316L stainless steel cases, sapphire glass, and genuine leather straps. The ScanWatch Nova features a ceramic bezel and Super-LumiNova indexes that wouldn’t look out of place on a luxury Swiss watch. Unlike fully digital smartwatches that look dated after a year, these timeless designs will still look sophisticated years from now. The subtle OLED display only appears when needed, preserving the clean aesthetic while providing smart notifications and health data on demand.

Trade-offs to Consider

The hybrid approach means accepting limitations in smart features. There’s no color touchscreen for navigating apps, no ability to respond to messages from your wrist, and no mobile payments. The small OLED display shows notifications and health metrics clearly but won’t display photos or detailed information. If you want a wrist computer that runs apps and handles calls, this isn’t it.

Fitness tracking, while comprehensive, lacks the depth serious athletes expect. There’s no built-in GPS (it uses connected GPS from your phone), limited sports modes compared to dedicated fitness watches, and no advanced training metrics like VO2 max or recovery recommendations. Runners accustomed to Garmin’s training plans or cyclists wanting power meter support will find Withings too basic for performance training.

The ecosystem is health-focused but limited. The Withings Health Mate app is excellent for health tracking and integrates well with Apple Health and Google Fit, but there’s no app store, no watch faces to download, and minimal customization options. The watches work independently of Withings’ other products (scales, sleep mats, blood pressure monitors), but the ecosystem isn’t as comprehensive as Apple’s or Samsung’s.

Current Lineup Highlights

The 2024 lineup showcases three distinct approaches to hybrid health monitoring. The ScanWatch Nova ($599) represents the premium option with a luxurious diver-style design, ceramic bezel, and Oyster metal bracelet, appealing to those who want medical-grade health tracking in a statement timepiece. The ScanWatch 2 ($369) offers the full suite of health features including temperature tracking, ECG, and SpO2 in a more understated design available in 38mm and 42mm sizes.

For those seeking essential health monitoring without the premium features, the ScanWatch Light ($249) provides continuous heart rate tracking, sleep analysis, and activity monitoring in a slimmer, lighter package that sacrifices ECG and SpO2 for a more accessible price point and even more minimalist aesthetic.

All models share core strengths: 30-day battery life, 5ATM water resistance (10ATM for Nova), automatic activity detection for 40+ sports, and seamless smartphone integration for iOS and Android. The optional Withings+ subscription ($9.95/month) adds advanced health insights and personalized programs but isn’t required for core functionality.

For Consumers

Withings watches excel for health-conscious professionals who want comprehensive health monitoring without advertising they’re wearing a fitness device. They’re ideal for anyone concerned about heart health, sleep quality, or respiratory issues who values FDA-cleared accuracy over consumer-grade estimates. The elegant design appeals to those who appreciate traditional watches but want modern health insights, while the month-long battery life suits frequent travelers and busy professionals who forget to charge devices.

These aren’t the right choice for fitness enthusiasts needing GPS tracking and detailed training metrics—serious runners and cyclists should look at Garmin or Polar. Tech enthusiasts wanting extensive smart features, apps, and customization will be disappointed by the limited digital capabilities. Those deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem seeking seamless integration and app support should consider Apple Watch despite its daily charging needs.

The sweet spot for Withings is the health-aware professional who sees their watch as a health guardian first and a timepiece second, but still wants something that looks appropriate with business attire. Whether monitoring atrial fibrillation risk, tracking sleep apnea symptoms, or simply maintaining awareness of daily health metrics, Withings offers unmatched medical credibility in a package that whispers rather than shouts its capabilities. With prices from $249 to $599, there’s a Withings hybrid for every health-conscious individual who refuses to compromise on style or battery life.