When it comes to health-focused smartwatches, the Withings ScanWatch Vitals is hard to overlook. Having long been a fan of Withings’ offerings, I was eager to see how their latest entry, the ScanWatch Vitals, would compare. After using it as my daily watch for the past two weeks, I feel confident that it blends style, useful features, and health tracking effectively, even if it forgoes the typical smartwatch concept. While it may not be perfect, the Withings ScanWatch Vitals is definitely worth considering if you’re looking for a stylish smartwatch with a wide range of features.
For those who appreciate the look of classic timepieces, the Withings ScanWatch Vitals is sure to impress. One of the first things I noticed when unboxing it was its elegant design. The watch combines a simple, classic aesthetic with modern technology, featuring a stainless steel case and sapphire glass screen that feel both sturdy and premium. It’s suitable for daily wear as well as special occasions. There’s something timeless about traditional dials and a watch face that, no matter how advanced a screen may be, can’t replicate the authentic charm of real materials working together to tell time.
The watch is available in two sizes, 38mm and 42mm, catering to different wrist sizes and preferences while delivering the same sleek design. I received the 38mm version in white, and despite the band being a bit on the smaller side, I really liked the look Withings achieved with this colourway. It features a comfortable fluoroelastomer (FKM) strap, and for those who enjoy customizing their watches, the strap is easy to change thanks to quick-release pins. This feature allows you to personalize your watch to suit your style.
“…the Withings ScanWatch Vitals is definitely worth considering if you’re looking for a stylish smartwatch with a wide range of features.”
This is where the biggest difference between modern smartwatches from brands like OnePlus, Apple, and Samsung becomes clear: the limited display features on the ScanWatch Vitals. At the top of the watch face, there’s a small black-and-white screen where you can access settings, display modes, and use basic smart features. Beyond that, you’d be forgiven for mistaking the ScanWatch Vitals for a traditional analog timepiece.
Even though it’s not as flashy, the ScanWatch Vitals is no less capable. It excels in health and fitness tracking, offering features like heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen tracking, sleep tracking, and activity tracking. The watch’s sensors perform well, providing valuable insights to help you maintain your health and wellness. The level of tracking Withings has packed into the ScanWatch Vitals smartwatch is impressive, delivering accurate and useful details for all aspects of your physical well-being.
While the ScanWatch Vitals is impressive in its capabilities, it does lack some features found in the ScanWatch 2. This is because the ScanWatch Vitals is a region-specific version of the ScanWatch 2 and does not include the FDA-approved ECG feature, nor can it detect atrial fibrillation (AFib). Although this is a minor difference, it’s something to consider when purchasing. However, the ScanWatch Vitals does monitor for breathing issues during sleep, which can indicate a risk of sleep apnea. Despite these differences, I’m genuinely impressed by the level of technology packed into this watch, especially given its classic appearance.
“The level of tracking Withings has packed into the ScanWatch Vitals smartwatch is impressive, delivering accurate and useful details for all aspects of your physical well-being.”
The ScanWatch Vitals closely monitors your sleep and provides clear insights, showing your sleep stages, duration, and quality. However, I did encounter a few issues with its tracking—it occasionally confused naps with sleep. Despite that, the sleep data helped me better understand my patterns. I’ll admit I didn’t wear the ScanWatch Vitals to bed as often as I could have, as it felt a bit tight on my wrist, but when I did, I was impressed by the level of detail it provided.
Even though the ScanWatch Vitals focuses on health and fitness, it also offers some useful smartwatch features, making the most of its small display. The watch displays notifications from your smartphone, allowing you to stay connected without constantly picking up your phone. You can easily read notifications on the watch’s clear, small PMOLED screen. While it may seem like you’re sacrificing a lot by not having a large OLED display, Withings has managed to deliver most of what you’d expect from other smartwatches, all while keeping things simple when you just need a watch.
I haven’t even touched on the best part of the ScanWatch Vitals yet—its battery life. The watch can last up to 30 days on a single charge, depending on usage. This is impressive compared to many other smartwatches that require charging daily or weekly. With such a long battery life, you can wear the watch continuously without missing any health updates or sleep-tracking data. Charging is simple, thanks to the USB-C charging cable and docking station, and the watch charges quickly, so you won’t have to wait long to put it back on.
The ScanWatch Vitals connects to the Withings HealthMate app, which is available on both iOS and Android. The app clearly displays your health and fitness data, allowing you to easily track your progress over time. However, the app might feel a bit confusing at first, especially if you have other Withings devices.
One downside is the optional Withings+ subscription, which offers additional features and insights within the app. While it isn’t required, some users may feel the watch is lacking without it. The subscription costs $10 per month or $100 per year, which could be steep for some. Additionally, the watch itself isn’t cheap, costing over $100 more than the OnePlus Watch 2R and about the price of the OnePlus Watch 2, all without offering an edge-to-edge OLED screen—a feature many smartwatch buyers look for.
If you haven’t guessed yet, I’m a fan of this watch. The Withings ScanWatch Vitals is a smart, stylish device that focuses on health—and to put it bluntly, it does exactly what I want from a watch without unnecessary extras complicating things. It looks great, has a long battery life, and offers excellent health-tracking features, making it a solid choice for those who prioritize wellness.
If you’re looking for a stylish smartwatch with a strong focus on health, the Withings ScanWatch Vitals is a great option. While it’s not perfect and may not meet everyone’s needs in a smartwatch, it offers a well-rounded set of tools for health-conscious individuals who appreciate the look of classic timepieces.
