Smartwatches are a great way to stay connected and in charge, and they're even more helpful for people with diabetes. A diabetic smartwatch can help you with blood glucose monitoring, alert you when it is time for insulin shots, and help you call emergency services if needed. These watches connect to your phone and send your blood glucose readings to your app.
The #1 Best Smartwatch for Diabetics
Apple Watch Series 8 GPS + Cellular
- Compatible with Dexcom Application, Medtronic Guardian via GuardianMonitor, and Freestyle CGM via DiaBox
- It weighs only 42 grams
- Water Resistant up to 50 meters
- Compatible with iOS and Android
- Up to 18 hours of battery lifetime
Quick Overview Of The Top 3 Smartwatches for Diabetics
People with diabetes dreamt of this for a long time to quickly assess their blood glucose levels. A diabetic smartwatch makes it possible to keep track of glucose levels on your wrist and keep an eye on your blood glucose data at all times.
Many models have built-in Bluetooth so that the wearer can connect them to their phone or tablet for transmitting data via an app. Some diabetics use this feature daily by doing finger pricks and inserting test strips into compatible blood glucose meters or using a continuous glucose meter (CGM).
The watch displays blood sugar results in real time. Some brands come equipped with FDA-approved glucometers, which provide highly accurate readings if you're looking for accuracy. These devices also take advantage of sensors like ECG and SpO₂ (blood oxygen level saturation) along with other valuable features, including fitness tracking, sleep tracking, blood pressure, and heart rate monitoring.
Can A Smartwatch Track Blood Glucose Levels?
A smartwatch itself can't track blood glucose levels, but it can work together with a special app to help you monitor blood glucose levels and transfer your blood sugar readings to your phone. The device will pair up with your phone and record the data from the watch's sensors when you feel an increase or decrease in your blood glucose levels. Tracking your blood glucose or blood pressure was never easier.
There are rumors that Apple Watch and Fitbit will announce direct blood glucose readings on their devices. However, there is no direct integration to get your glucose levels directly on the watch itself at this point in time. This year, Apple and Samsung introduced their most recent timepieces, but neither the Galaxy Watch 4 nor Apple Watch 7 can measure sugar levels in the blood.
Which CGM Works With a Smartwatch?
Some market-leading CGMs that pair with most smartwatches include the Dexcom G-Series, Abbott Freestyle Libre, and Medtronic MiniMed 670G. The MiniMed 670G is a hybrid closed-loop insulin pump that automatically adjusts basal rates to keep blood sugar levels in check.
1. Dexcom
The Dexcom G6 mobile software is adaptable to both Apple and Android smartwatches.
The app's main screen offers a wealth of information. It contains your current glucose number, arrow trend, and graphs for 1-, 3-, 6- and 24-hour periods.
2. Medtronic
Medtronic is the world's largest insulin pump brand, and the only one to manufacture a CGM called the Guardian Connect.
There is no official way yet to display real-time data from Medtronic on Apple or Android smartwatches yet. You can use the Medtronic mobile app on your phone to view real-time readings of your blood sugar. The 3rd party app GuardianMonitor allows you to display your blood sugar levels on the Apple Watch 7 and 8. This is currently working on my Apple Watch 8.
3. FreeStyle Libre
This system from Abbott Diabetes Care is known as a Flash Glucose Monitor.
Users must manually wave their phone or scanner over the tiny circular sensor worn on the arm to get a reading. There is no clear indication of when Abbott will release a direct connection to a smartwatch, but apps like DiaBox can help you with a connection.
If you're looking for regular devices to monitor your blood sugar levels, then look at a previous blog post about the best glucose meters.
What Is The Best Smartwatch for Diabetics?
Below you can find some of the best smartwatches for diabetics that will be sure to meet your needs!
1. Apple Watch Series 8 GPS + Cellular
The perfect watch for diabetics. Experience the next level of connectivity with the Apple Watch Series 8. Stay in touch with calls, texts, and emails, even when away from your phone. Stream music, podcasts, and audiobooks on the go. And leave your phone at home without missing a beat.
With its always-on Retina display, you'll have more screen area to see everything at a glance. Plus, it features the most crack-resistant front crystal yet on an Apple Watch. The Series 8 is also IP6X dust resistant and swim-proof, so you can take it anywhere life takes you. And for added peace of mind, measure your blood oxygen levels, stress levels, sleep, and diet with the powerful sensors and apps.
Specs and Features:
- Diabetes Compatibility: Dexcom Application, Medtronic Guardian via GuardianMonitor, and Freestyle CGM via DiaBox
- Weight: 42 g
- Water Resistance: Up to 50 meters
- Display: Always-On Retina LTPO OLED 41 Millimeters
- Storage: 32GB
- Connectivity: 2.4GHz and 5GHz 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 5.0
- Compatibility: Android, IOS
- Battery Life: Up to 18 hours
- Sensors & Applications: Fitness Tracker, Messages, GPS, Pedometer, Time Display, Weather, Sleep Monitor, Find My Phone, Reminders, Voice Assistant, Phone, Alarm, Multisport Tracker, Elevation Tracker, Heart Rate Monitor, Music Player, Activity Tracker, Blood Oxygen
2. Fitbit Sense Advanced Smartwatch with Tools for Heart Health
The Fitbit Sense Advanced Smartwatch is the perfect choice for anyone looking to improve their heart health. The EDA Scan app detects electrodermal activity, which may indicate your body's response to stress. The built-in skin temperature sensor logs your nightly sleep data to see how it varies.
This watch was built for people who are always on the go and need a battery that can keep up. With a 6-plus day battery life, this watch is perfect for the busy person who wants to stay connected without worrying about their battery life. The fast charging capabilities give you a full day's charge in just 12 minutes to get back to your busy schedule as soon as possible.
You can also use the watch to assess your heart health for atrial fibrillation and easily share results with your doctor. And finally, with the collection of clock faces that show your blood oxygen levels at a glance, you'll have all the information you need to keep an eye on your heart health!
Specs and Features:
- Diabetes Compatibility: No application but connection via Clock Face settings (Dexcom)
- Weight: 45.9 g
- Water Resistance: Up to 50 meters
- Display: Crystal 41 Millimeters
- Storage: 4GB
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, NFC, WiFi
- Compatibility: Android, IOS
- Battery Life: 3 to 6 days
- Sensors & Applications: Weather, Sleep Monitor, Reminders, Voice Assistant, Alexa, Phone, GPS, Heart Rate Monitor, Blood Oxygen, Activity Tracker
3. Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 is the perfect device to help you reach your fitness goals. Its advanced sensors keep track of your pace and help you achieve your run goals better, while the comfortably sleek design makes it light enough to wear anywhere.
With the built-in heart rate monitor, you can see if your heart rate is where you want it and get automatically alerted if your watch detects a high or low heart rate. The integrated sleep tracker offers valuable insights on how to get a better night's sleep, and the watch also monitors your stress level. The long-lasting battery means you can stay powered up all day long.
Specs and Features
- Diabetes Compatibility: Dexcom, One Drop, or third-party applications
- Weight: 42 g
- Water Resistance: 5 ATM
- Display: 44 Millimeters AMOLED Gorilla Glass
- Storage: 4GB
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, WiFi, 4G, NFC
- Compatibility: Android, IOS
- Battery Life: Up to 6 days
- Sensors & Applications: Weather, Sleep Monitor, Reminders, Voice Assistant, Alexa, Phone, GPS, Heart Rate Monitor, Blood Oxygen, Activity Tracker
4. Fossil Gen 6 Touchscreen Smartwatch
The Fossil Men's Gen 6 Touchscreen Smartwatch has all the features you need to keep your life on track. It uses Wear OS by Google, which is compatible with phones running the latest version of Android or iOS. Plus, it has a Qualcomm 4100+ chipset for a 30% enhanced performance.
You'll love how this smartwatch automatically tracks your activity goals, steps, sleep, heart rate, cardio, and SpO2 (blood oxygen). And with GPS tracking capabilities, you can accurately monitor your distance and path during workouts. Plus, its advanced sensors provide data that can power all of your health and fitness tracker apps.
Specs and Features
- Diabetes Compatibility: Tracking via third-party applications
- Weight: N/A
- Water Resistance: 3 ATM
- Display: Gorilla Glass Protection
- Storage: 8 GB
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0 LE, GPS, NFC SE, WiFi
- Compatibility: Android, IOS
- Battery Life: Approx 24+ hours
- Sensors & Applications: Sleep Monitor, Calendar, GPS, Heart Rate Monitor, Email, Sedentary Reminder, Activity Tracker, Pedometer, Time Display, Distance Tracker, Text Messaging, Phone Call, Notifications, Music Player
5. TicWatch Pro 3 GPS Smart Watch
If you’re looking for a top-of-the-line smartwatch with extended battery life, look no further than the TicWatch Pro 3. This innovative device features dual-layer display technology that allows you to use it in Smart Mode for up to 3 days or switch to Enhanced Essential Mode for up to 45 days of battery life.
The watch also monitors your health and fitness with multiple sports modes, built-in GPS, barometer, and 24-hour heart rate monitoring. And for added functionality, the TicWatch Pro 3 now includes Sleep Tracking, Stress Monitoring, Noise Detection, and more.
Specs and Features
- Diabetes Compatibility: Dexcom, Freestyle Libre, and Medtronic CGM via xDrip+ and Glimp
- Weight: 41.9g
- Water Resistance: IP68 + Pool swimming suitable
- Display: Gorilla Glass Protection
- Storage: 8 GB
- Connectivity: Bluetooth and GPS, 4G LTE
- Compatibility: Android, IOS
- Battery Life: 3-45 Days Battery Life
- Sensors: Sleep Tracking, GPS, Blood Oxygen, Glonass+Galileo, Stress Monitoring, PPG Heart Rate Sensor, Accelerator, Gyroscope, Ambient Light Sensor, Barometer
6. Garmin Venu 2 Smartwatch with Advanced Health Monitoring
The Garmin Venu 2 Smartwatch is perfect for keeping track of your health and fitness. With extensive health monitoring features, you can see detailed information on your Body Battery energy levels, sleep score, fitness age, and more. You can also find new ways to get moving with the built-in sports apps. And when paired with a compatible smartphone, you'll have access to safety and tracking features like incident detection and assistance.
Burn calories, monitor your health, and stay connected with the latest fitness tracking features on the Garmin Venu 2 Smartwatch. With more than 25 built-in sports apps, you can find a way to get moving that fits your lifestyle. And with incident detection and assistance features, you can feel safe and secure while enjoying your favorite outdoor activities.
Specs and Features
- Diabetes Compatibility: Dexcom and Freestyle Libre via watch face setup
- Weight: 49 g
- Water Resistance: 5ATM
- Display: Corning Gorilla Glass 3
- Storage: 650 songs
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi-Fi
- Compatibility: Android, iOS
- Battery Life: 12 days
- Sensors: Health Snapshot™ Feature, Body Battery™ Energy Monitoring, Pulse Ox Sensor, Stress Tracking, Hydration Tracking, Respiration Tracking, Sleep Score and Advanced Sleep Monitoring, Wrist-Based Heart Rate, Mindful Breathing, Fitness Age, On-Screen Workouts, Built-In Sports Apps, Advanced Strength Training
Which Smartwatch Can Monitor Blood Sugar Levels?
In 2001 we had the first diabetes watch introduced by GlucoWatch. They tried non-invasive glucose monitoring without the need to penetrate the skin. Unfortunately, they never got FDA approval and had to stop their product in 2007.
Other brands like K'Watch tried to create a non-invasive glucose monitor, but none of them really took off.
Today we are grateful that smartwatches can just display the glucose readings on a mainstream watch. The most common models compatible with CGM devices include the Apple Watch, Android Wear, Fitbit, and Samsung.
The phone app receives the data from your CGM sensor/transmitter through Bluetooth. So it's not the smartwatch monitoring your blood sugar levels, but it's more like they act as a conduit to show you what is happening with your blood sugar level.
The below video will guide you through other smartwatches for people with diabetes and their essentials.
How Smartwatches Help in Diabetes Management
A smartwatch is a fantastic device that can help diabetics in several ways. For example, they can be alerted when their blood sugar reaches high or low levels and take the appropriate action to correct it. In addition, they can track food intake, physical activity, and insulin doses to manage diabetes better.
Real-time glucose readings
Some diabetes watches offer continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) integration, providing users with real-time glucose readings. This feature helps diabetic patients to review their blood sugar levels and to make informed decisions about insulin administration, food intake, and exercise, ultimately leading to better blood sugar control and diabetes management.
Glucose trend analysis
These smartwatches provide real-time glucose readings and analyze blood glucose data and trends over time. This analysis enables users to identify patterns and adjust their lifestyle, medication, and overall diabetes management plan.
High/low glucose alerts
Diabetic smartwatches come with customizable alerts and notifications for high or low glucose levels, allowing users to take prompt action to prevent hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. This early warning system helps to avoid potential complications and maintain a healthy blood sugar balance.
Medication reminders
These smartwatches also offer medication reminders, ensuring that users never miss a dose of their diabetes medications. This feature is especially helpful for those who take multiple medications or have a busy lifestyle.
Physical activity tracking
Diabetic smartwatches have built-in health and fitness features to monitor physical activity levels. This helps users stay active and manage their weight, essential for maintaining optimal blood sugar levels and overall health.
Sleep monitoring
Sleep plays a significant role in diabetes management, as poor sleep can affect blood sugar levels. Smartwatches offer advanced sleep tracking, providing insights into sleep patterns and quality, enabling users to make necessary adjustments for better sleep and improved diabetes
If you're looking for a way to help keep tabs on your diabetes while staying connected with the world, a smartwatch is a perfect device for you! Do your research before purchasing one to get the watch that best suits your needs.
What to Look for When Buying a Smartwatch
1. Battery Life
One of the most important things to consider when buying a smartwatch is its battery life since you'll often only get one full charge per night, and it's not always reliable for all brands. But if your watch can last up to several days without charging, this will undoubtedly help with diabetes management since you don't have to worry about plugging in every night or two as some watches require.
2. Water Resistance
Before buying a smartwatch, it's essential to check if it is water-resistant or not because you don't want your watch to stop working when you're swimming or taking a shower.
Most smartwatches are waterproof up to a certain depth, but some can be submerged in water without any damage, so make sure to double-check before purchasing one.
3. Compatible Devices
Some smartwatches might only work on specific devices, so it's important to check that your phone or tablet is compatible with the watch you're considering.
This isn't as big of an issue as it used to be since most smartwatches now have cross-platform compatibility, but double-check just in case.
4. Sensor Used
The sensor or device you use to measure your blood sugar isn't always compatible with all smartwatches. So if you're using a CGM (continuous glucose monitor), make sure the watch you buy is compatible with that sensor type.
Otherwise, you might be limited to specific brands or models of smartwatches that will work best for your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Apple Watch detect blood sugar?
No, Apple Watch does not have the ability to detect blood sugar (they are working on a solution that hopefully comes with the newest versions of the Apple Watch). However, you can use third-party apps like GuardianMonitor (Medtronic) to track your glucose levels on an Apple watch.
Is there a Fitbit for diabetics?
Yes, Fitbit is great for diabetics. The Fitbit Sense is designed to monitor stress, heart rate, and sleep patterns which are all important factors in managing diabetes. It also has advanced sensors that can detect glucose levels using compatible apps like Glucose Buddy and Dexcom G-Series.
Do Smartwatches Show Accurate Blood Glucose Readings?
Since smartwatches can't do direct blood glucose readings, they can't do this accurately. A smartwatch can only read your blood glucose by tracking blood glucose levels via specific apps of your CGM brand, like Dexcom and GuardianMonitor for Medtronic.
Conclusion
With the right smartwatch, you can stay connected to your diabetes management while enjoying your whole life. Be sure to research before purchasing one to get the most appropriate watch for your needs and lifestyle. For me, the Apple watch is the best smartwatch to use when you have diabetes to track your blood glucose.
Last update on 2023-02-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Sources
To ensure that we give you correct, accurate, and relevant information, all articles on Diabetic & Me are backed by verified information from academic research papers, well-known organizations, research institutions, and medical associations.
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