Withings ScanWatch 2 review

In terms of watches, French firm Withings dares to be completely different. Sometimes, it’s important to determine between the traditional design of an analogue watch or the well being and health information of a smartwatch. 

However with its ScanWatch line, Withings says: why not have each? 2020’s unique established it as one of many main hybrid watch makers, and the corporate is taking issues to the subsequent degree three years later. 

The up to date ScanWatch 2 provides a number of key options, together with 24/7 temperature monitoring, menstrual monitoring and coronary heart charge variability. However all of those are additionally obtainable on the £229.95/$249.95 ScanWatch Mild. 

Is it price paying the £90/$100 premium for a bigger face, ECGs, irregular coronary heart charge notifications and blood oxygen monitoring? And must you actually spend a lot on a health-focused watch that may’t run any apps? I spent a number of weeks with the ScanWatch 2 to search out out. 

Design & Construct

• Traditional watch design
• Tiny monochrome OLED show
• Spectacular sturdiness

The design of the ScanWatch 2 is the right fusion of outdated and new. It may simply be mistaken for a high-end analogue watch, with a mix of stainless-steel and sapphire glass that appears and feels very premium. In contrast to many smartwatches, it goes with just about any outfit. 

It actually helps that there are such a lot of methods to customize it to your liking. The 42mm model is just obtainable is out there in solely Black or Pearl White, however the 38mm model additionally helps you to choose Sand or Blue. 

Sadly, the latter will merely be too small for many individuals. Whilst somebody with comparatively small wrists, I discovered the 42mm mannequin to be nearly proper. 

A silicone band is pre-installed if you take the ScanWatch 2 out of the field, and it roughly matches the color of the watch itself. It’s a pleasant contact, although you’ll be able to simply swap it out for a distinct color or band constructed from leather-based (each bought individually). 

The traditional design of the watch means you may not even discover the show at first. However one press of the bodily crown (or elevate to wake, if enabled) and it bursts into life. 

It’s a greyscale OLED panel, which means you miss out on the vivid colors you get on many smartwatches. But it surely’s merely not obligatory on such a small show, and a formidable 282ppi means textual content all the time seems sharp it doesn’t matter what distance you’re taking a look at it from. 

On the principle display, you’ll discover solely the fundamentals: date, time and in case you have an alarm set. However twisting the crown helps you to cycle between a spread of various options – the choice will be customised through the Withings companion app in your telephone. 

Navigation feels just a little clunky, however it’s about as intuitive as you will get with no touchscreen or extra bodily buttons. Including both of those would have detracted from the ScanWatch 2’s minimalist design, so I’m pleased with the compromise. 

Whereas the display is about behind the fingers of the watch, you gained’t have to fret about them getting in the best way. If both occurs to be masking it, they’ll transfer to the normal 10 and a couple of positions both aspect. With that in thoughts, I can see why Withings determined to not embody a second hand. 

The ScanWatch 2 can be impressively sturdy. That mixture of stainless-steel and sapphire glass makes it really feel very powerful and strong, but additionally proof against beauty injury. Even after a number of weeks, it nonetheless seemed good as new, with no seen chips or scratches. 

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The watch additionally has 5 ATM water resistance, which means it will probably face up to water stress equal to a depth of round 50m. You’ll be able to go swimming with out having to fret. 

It could be constructed powerful, however the ScanWatch 2 stays comparatively light-weight. The 38mm mannequin weighs simply 34.6g, whereas the 42mm model nonetheless isn’t heavy at 52.6g.  

Health & Monitoring

• Plenty of well being measurements obtainable
• Disappointing exercise information
• Good sleep monitoring

Regardless of its traditional design, the ScanWatch 2 affords an intensive vary of well being and health options. 

All of the common monitoring is right here, together with steps, coronary heart charge and blood oxygen ranges. Every of those is easy to make use of and seems to be correct more often than not. 

But it surely’s the power to take an electrocardiogram (ECG) that intrigued me most. Withings isn’t the one firm to allow you to take ECGs utilizing a watch – you’ve been capable of on the Apple Watch since 2019. The ScanWatch 2 has obtained CE certification in Europe and approval from the FDA within the US for its skill to detect atrial fibrillation. 

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To take an ECG you merely press the highest and backside of the look ahead to 30 seconds. It’s a straightforward, painless approach to get key details about your coronary heart well being that you could really belief. 

The ScanWatch 2 additionally helps 24/7 temperature monitoring, together with whereas understanding. Over time, this can be utilized to estimate restoration time, whereas any deviations out of your ordinary baseline may very well be an early signal of sickness or different situation. However you want a big physique of information for this to work successfully, which I haven’t been capable of construct up throughout testing. 

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A complete of 30 completely different exercises are supported, although solely strolling, working and swimming are tracked mechanically. This function labored very properly once I tried, supplied the identical quantity of information as if it have been triggered manually. 

Sadly, this nonetheless isn’t as a lot as I hoped for. After a run and a stroll, all you get is an outline of length, distance coated, tempo and coronary heart charge. Key metrics equivalent to stride size, elevation acquire and VO2 Max are all lacking (but current on different smartwatches), which is a disgrace. 

And until you’re related to a telephone with location companies turned on, you gained’t be capable of see the place you’ve been. The shortage of built-in GPS is irritating at this worth. 

Plus, the information you get after a swim session is much more primary. It’s simply the full length, estimated energy burned and coronary heart charge data. The latter wasn’t even dependable – regardless of supposedly monitoring all through my 35 minutes within the pool, information was solely really recorded round a 3rd of the time. 

So, whereas the ScanWatch 2 can observe your exercises, it’s in no way a terrific health watch.  

Sleep monitoring is extra spectacular. Every morning you’ll get a complete overview of if you have been in gentle sleep, deep sleep and awake, plus complete time asleep and if there have been any interruptions. For every of those, you’ll be advised whether or not that is good or wants enchancment. 

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Coronary heart charge information can be collected, alongside blood oxygen ranges for those who select to allow it. The latter can be utilized to detect any respiratory disturbances throughout the night time.  

All of this contributes to an general ‘Sleep High quality Rating’ out of 100. The one factor lacking is REM sleep which is tracked by fairly a number of different smartwatches and health bands: Withings simply reviews deep and lightweight sleep. 

That’s not the top of the well being options, although. The ScanWatch 2 can be utilized for respiratory workout routines and menstrual monitoring, with the latter making use of a wide range of on-device sensors. I can’t touch upon its effectiveness, although. 

Smartwatch options

• Alarm, timer & stopwatch instruments
• Help for calls and notifications
• No third-party app help

With such a small monochrome show, the ScanWatch 2’s non-health options are very restricted.  

In truth, the one different display you’ll be able to entry direct from the watch is ‘Clock’, which incorporates an alarm, timer and stopwatch.  

However whereas there’s no built-in speaker, a delicate vibration can nonetheless be used to inform you of incoming calls and notifications. It’s far more efficient for the previous, with the title of the caller proven clearly on the display. 

Nonetheless, there’s merely not sufficient area to comfortably show notifications. It might take a number of seconds for the complete message to look, and a few longer notifications don’t totally show. In lots of instances, it’s only a immediate to select up your telephone. 

Calls and notifications depend on you being related to a telephone through the Withings app. In contrast to some smartphones, this works on each the iPhone and Android telephones, with no options reserved for one or the opposite. 

There’s lots occurring within the app, however I discovered it comparatively simple to make use of. The ScanWatch 2 mechanically syncs information each time it’s related, with data cut up into three principal tabs: Dwelling, Measure and Obtain.

Measure would be the most helpful for most individuals, permitting you to take a deep dive into key well being metrics. 

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However the Obtain tab is sort of completely reserved for Withings+ members, and consists of additional well being insights and packages to information your day-to-day well being. After a three-month free trial, a subscription prices £8.95/$9.95 monthly or £89.50/$99.50 per yr. 

It’s additionally price noting a number of key options that the ScanWatch 2 lacks in comparison with different smartwatches. There’s no help for third-party apps, cell funds and even altering watch faces, however this comes with the territory as a hybrid watch.

Battery Life & Charging

• As much as 30 days claimed battery life
• 7-10 days extra lifelike for most individuals
• Approx. 2 hours for full cost

Battery life is among the ScanWatch 2’s largest strengths. Withings says you’ll be able to stand up to 30 days on a single cost, however that’s with respiratory charge scanning turned off and restricted exercise monitoring. 

As an alternative, a extra lifelike determine is lower than half of that. Even for those who work out each day and put on it in mattress at night time, you’ll be capable of get at the least a full week of battery life – Fitbit territory.

That’s consistent with the extra reasonably priced ScanWatch Mild, however much better than you’ll get on most smartwatches. Not having to fret always about how a lot battery was left is among the finest issues in regards to the ScanWatch 2. 

While you do finally have to cost, it’s solely potential through a proprietary USB-C to USB-A dock. It’s just a little fiddly to make use of, however charging speeds are respectable. Withings declare of a full cost in 2 hours is roughly correct, which isn’t unhealthy in any respect when you think about how lengthy it lasts. 

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Worth & Availability

At launch, the ScanWatch 2 price £319.95/$349.95. Each the 38mm and 42mm sizes price the identical worth. 

You should buy one from Withings UK, Withings US and a number of other third-party retailers.

That’s considerably dearer than each 2020’s unique ScanWatch (from £249/$279) and the ScanWatch Mild (£229.95/$249.95). 

In truth, that worth places the ScanWatch 2 proper consistent with a number of the finest smartwatches you should buy, together with the Google Pixel Watch 2 (from £349/$349), the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Traditional (from £369/$399.99) and the Apple Watch 9 (from £399/$399). 

Must you purchase the Withings ScanWatch 2?

Probably, however provided that you’re in search of a really particular sort of smartwatch.  

The ScanWatch 2 is a horny, premium wearable that cleverly incorporates a spread of well being and health monitoring. A wide range of sensors allows an in depth overview of your well being, whereas sleep monitoring is spectacular.  

Nonetheless, information from exercises is comparatively primary and infrequently incomplete. Should you’re severe about health, this isn’t the look ahead to you. And the shortage of built-in GPS and most different smartwatch options is more durable to justify at this premium worth.  

The ScanWatch 2 strikes a pleasant stability between traditional design and fashionable options, however it’s nonetheless too restricted for most individuals. And if a hybrid watch appeals to you, the ScanWatch Mild affords many of the similar performance at a extra reasonably priced worth. 

Specs 

• Electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor 
• Photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor 
• Pores and skin temperature sensor 
• SpO2 sensor 
• AFib detection 
• Respiratory disturbance detection 
• Bluetooth Low Power 
• Silent alarm 
• Heartrate, steps, distance, calorie, and elevation monitoring 
• 30+ exercises 
• Sleep monitoring 
• Water-proof as much as 50m (5 ATM) 
• As much as 30-day battery life 
• Requires iOS 15 or Android 9 or later 
• 34.6g (38mm) or 52.6g (42mm)