Best Smartwatches For Diabetes Patients On 2024

Smartwatches offer significant advantages for individuals living with diabetes, empowering them to proactively manage their well-being. These versatile devices can be harnessed to regulate dietary choices, track heart rate, monitor caloric intake, and even gauge blood oxygen levels, all of which are pivotal in aiding those with diabetes to maintain optimal blood glucose control.

While it’s important to note that smartwatches do not have the inherent capability to directly measure blood glucose levels, they can be seamlessly integrated with external Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) systems to present real-time blood sugar data. This integration provides diabetics with invaluable insights into their glucose levels, enabling them to make informed decisions about their health.

Devices such as Dexcom analyze the patient’s glucose levels and subsequently transmit this information to their smartwatch or smartphone. The world of smartwatches offers a plethora of choices, presenting people with diabetes with a challenge when selecting the most suitable option to support their health management.

To simplify this decision-making process, we’ve compiled a list of the top smartwatches tailored for diabetes management. Our selection is the result of extensive research and addresses common questions regarding the use of smartwatches in diabetes care. Our comprehensive shopping guide also outlines the key features diabetics should consider when evaluating smartwatches for their specific needs.

How Do Smartwatches Assist Individuals Managing Diabetes?

Smartwatches hold great potential for enhancing the well-being of individuals dealing with diabetes. They serve as versatile health companions, capable of tracking various essential metrics, such as sleep quality, step count, and calorie expenditure. Moreover, they provide valuable insights into heart rate, offer ECG monitoring, and commonly include the widely utilized feature of blood oxygen tracking.

For many diabetics, the regular monitoring of blood glucose levels is a crucial routine. While smartwatches cannot autonomously measure blood sugar levels, they can seamlessly relay this information from compatible Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems (CGMSs). This functionality empowers users to conveniently access their glucose data, track trends, and review historical records, all from the convenience of their wrist.

Furthermore, some smartwatches enable users to share their health data in the form of PDF reports with healthcare professionals. The competition among tech giants like Apple, Fitbit, and Garmin to introduce non-invasive blood sugar monitoring into smartwatches is intensifying, and it’s possible that many of their models will offer this capability by 2022.

Are Smartwatch Readings Accurate?

When it comes to blood sugar data, the question of accuracy is moot, as no smartwatch can directly measure it. As previously mentioned, most of them rely on external CGMs to relay glucose data.

In contrast, smartwatches tend to provide reasonably precise readings for heart rate and blood oxygen levels. However, it’s important to approach wrist-based sensors with some skepticism, as they may not surpass the accuracy of traditional medical devices. Consequently, data related to stress and sleep should be interpreted with caution.

The accuracy of smartwatch readings also varies depending on the price point. Inexpensive smartwatches typically offer less precision, while models from reputable brands like Apple, Garmin, and Fitbit tend to deliver accuracy comparable to that of conventional medical equipment.

Best Smartwatches For Diabetes Patients Reviews

1. Fitbit Sense For Diabetes Patients

The Fitbit Sense stands out as one of Fitbit’s high-performing fitness watches. It offers compatibility with third-party Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) systems, enabling users to access blood glucose information on their device.

Moreover, a variety of watch faces are available, displaying blood sugar readings and trends over time, which can be useful for sharing with your healthcare provider via a PDF report generated from your Fitbit Sense’s health data. The watch boasts an impressive battery life of up to six days between charges, coupled with an intuitive and speedy software interface.

Monitoring Diabetes with Your Smartwatch – Fitbit Sense:
The Fitbit Sense equips users with the tools to design and track dietary regimens and monitor calorie expenditure. Additionally, it features built-in GPS to provide in-depth insights into outdoor activities and offers multiple sports profiles, allowing you to meticulously monitor your training progress.

2. Apple Watch Series 7 For Diabetes Patients

Apple offers a wide range of apps designed to aid individuals managing diabetes, including notable options like Sugar Sense, Grab Manager, and Diabetes Tracker. Moreover, when your Apple Watch is linked to your iPhone, you can conveniently access your blood sugar readings through a Dexcom Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) system.

The Apple Series 7 is a versatile health companion, capable of addressing key health parameters such as blood oxygen levels, heart rate, and oxygen consumption during physical activity. Its ECG functionality is notably accurate and can promptly alert you to any irregularities in your heart rate.

For individuals with diabetes, the Series 7 acknowledges the significance of stress management and quality sleep. It incorporates tools for monitoring stress levels and sleep patterns, both of which are pivotal aspects of diabetes care.

Despite its extensive features, the Series 7 boasts a battery life of approximately 18 hours and can fully recharge in just 2.5 hours. Additionally, with 32 GB of storage capacity, the watch offers access to a wealth of apps, music, and even films, enhancing its functionality as a comprehensive smartwatch.

3. SAMSUNG Galaxy Watch 4 For Diabetes Patients

The Samsung Galaxy 4 boasts a robust sapphire crystal glass front, ensuring long-lasting durability. This smartwatch provides users with the capability to conveniently access their Dexcom blood sugar readings and historical trends.

Furthermore, the Galaxy 4 offers an array of customizable watch faces and incorporates features like sleep coaching and the Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis Sensor (BIA), which facilitates the measurement of body fat, skeletal muscle, body water, and basal metabolic rate.

The watch’s functionality extends to seamlessly detecting various common activities, including swimming and running, while also utilizing GPS to track outdoor sports. Additional features of the Galaxy 4 include voice navigation and enhanced GPS capabilities directly on your wrist, enhancing the overall user experience.

4. Ticwatch Pro 3 For Diabetes Patients

The TicWatch Pro 3 SmartWatch is an ideal companion for individuals seeking a healthier lifestyle. It is particularly well-suited for those aiming to become more physically active, featuring a multitude of sports modes and continuous 24-hour heart rate monitoring.

With a substantial internal memory of 8GB, this device offers ample space for various apps and music files. Moreover, its battery can be configured into one of two modes, with the primary option providing an impressive 45 days of battery life.

For those seeking to manage their diabetes, this model seamlessly integrates with Dexcom Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGMs) via the XDrip app. It offers comprehensive health monitoring, encompassing caloric intake, heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and sleep quality assessment. Additionally, the watch can sync with applications like MapMyRun and MyFitnessPal to track exercise and calorie consumption.

5. Garmin Forerunner 245 For Diabetes Patients

The budget-friendly Garmin Forerunner 245 Music is an excellent choice for runners embarking on a diabetes care routine. However, if you’re into triathlon training, the Forerunner 945 proves to be a more suitable alternative.

This watch excels in helping you monitor crucial health metrics, including heart rate and pulse oxygen levels. It offers comprehensive 24/7 activity tracking, allowing you to keep tabs on your daily calorie expenditure, sleep quality, step count, intensity minutes, and intensity hours.

While the Forerunner 245 delivers all the fitness functionalities found in the Venu 2, it lags in the display department due to its less impressive MIP technology. To access blood glucose data from a Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) system, you’ll need to install apps like Nightscout.

This watch actively promotes your daily activity through customizable heart rate zones and the option to monitor heart rate with a chest strap, alongside the typical wrist-based optical sensors. It also incorporates features like a sedentary reminder to encourage regular movement and all-day stress tracking, fostering a comprehensive approach to both physical and mental well-being.

Key Considerations When Selecting Smartwatches for Diabetes Patients

Prior to investing in a smartwatch, individuals with diabetes should take into account several important factors in addition to their choice of Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) system. Explore the rest of our informative buyer’s guide below for valuable insights.

1. Accuracy:
   • While CGMs measure blood glucose levels, accuracy is paramount. Precision also matters when considering other metrics like heart rate and blood oxygen levels.
   • Reliable data is essential for users to gain a comprehensive understanding of their health, enabling them to identify areas for improvement and track their progress. Such data is crucial for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, particularly for individuals managing diabetes.
2. Features:
   • In addition to CGM connectivity, your smartwatch should offer a range of health-related functions to support your overall well-being.
   • Features such as heart rate monitoring and calorie tracking are crucial for maintaining fitness and managing diabetes. The necessity of advanced functions like blood oxygen measurement will depend on your specific requirements and budget.
3. Design:
   • Ensure that the chosen smartwatch is comfortable and doesn’t feel overly bulky on your wrist.
   • Select a size that suits you – not too big or too small. The choice depends on your body type and lifestyle. Working professionals may prefer a sleek design, while athletes and active individuals might opt for a more rugged look.
   • Pay attention to the watch face; readability is essential. If you struggle to view your smartwatch, it defeats the purpose of having one.
4. Battery Life:
   • Diabetics who rely on their smartwatches for CGM readings should prioritize devices with extended battery life.
   • A respectable battery lifespan ensures that you don’t need to charge your smartwatch too frequently. Additionally, consider the recharging time; your model shouldn’t require a full day to recharge.
5. Water Resistance:
   • A reliable smartwatch should be water-resistant, capable of withstanding everyday activities such as handwashing or swimming.
   • Individuals with diabetes may find it beneficial to wear their smartwatch in the shower to receive CGM alerts.
   • Seek models that can endure immersion in water up to 5 feet deep, ensuring they can handle showering, handwashing, and even swimming. While smartwatches may not be entirely waterproof, their water resistance is a valuable feature.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a Smartwatch Replace a Glucose Meter?

• While some smartwatches can track blood glucose levels, it’s important to recognize that their accuracy may not match that of traditional glucose meters. Consult with a healthcare professional before making any changes to your diabetes management strategy.

Are Heart Rate-Monitoring Fitness Trackers Suitable for Diabetics?

• Yes, heart rate monitors in fitness trackers are valuable tools for diabetics. They help individuals with diabetes monitor their cardiovascular health and detect any irregularities or fluctuations in heart rate.

Do Smartwatches Have Limitations in Managing Diabetes?

• Traditional finger-prick methods for measuring blood sugar can be time-consuming and occasionally painful. However, they provide real-time blood glucose levels.
• Smartwatches connect to Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs), which display subcutaneous glucose levels. Interstitial fluid glucose levels, the basis of CGM data, may exhibit a delay compared to blood glucose levels. Therefore, CGMs might not offer an immediate blood glucose reading.