Apple Watch is most accurate at measuring heart rate, calorie tracking

A new study has found that the Apple Watch is one of the most accurate trackers. The results were procured in a study conducted by researchers at Stanford University regarding the accuracy of modern fitness trackers, including the Apple Watch. The study consisted of 60 participants and they have looked at how accurate fitness trackers are at measuring heart and calories burned.

Furthermore to the Apple Watch, the study also encompassed data from other wearables such as the Samsung Gear S2, the MIO Alpha 2, the Microsoft Band, the FitBit Surge, and more. The 60 participants each wore these fitness trackers during exercise such as running, biking, and walking.

The fitness trackers were compared to what is known as the “gold standard” of tracking, including the electrocardiograph for measuring the heart rate and indirect calorimeter for tracking calories burned.

With the results, Apple Watch came out on top with an average error rate of 2 per cent. The Samsung Gear S2 was the least accurate with a media error rate of 6.8 per cent. In layman terms, the study found that the highest error rates were generally observed during walking, whereas the lower error rates were observed during cycling.

The study also observed, “For the walking task, three of the devices achieved a median error rate below 5%: the Apple Watch, 2.5% (1.1%–3.9%); the PulseOn, 4.9% (1.4%–8.6%); and the Microsoft Band, 5.6% (4.9%–6.3%). The remaining four devices had median error between 6.5% and 8.8%.

Across devices and modes of activities, the Apple Watch achieved the lowest error in HR, 2.0% (1.2%–2.8%), while the Samsung Gear S2 had the highest HR error, 6.8% (4.6%–9.0%).”

This isn’t the first study to observe the Apple Watch to be accurate in terms of heart rate tracking. However, the energy expenditure tracking needs more work and is clearly an area where improvement is needed.