Best Garmin Smartwatches for ECG functionality

ECG functionality Decision Dashboard

Best for ECG functionality

Garmin Venu 4

4.5 feature score

Highest scored product for this feature based on supporting review evidence.

Safest pick

Garmin Forerunner 970

4.0 feature score

Balances feature score, supporting reviews, and overall product strength.

Most evidence

Garmin Forerunner 570

9 supporting reviews

Has the broadest review evidence for this feature.

Best overall product

Garmin Lily 2 Active

4.1 overall score

Strongest overall product among items with scored evidence for this feature.

See ranked products
Narrow by brand

Showing Garmin only. Switch back to all brands anytime.

#1 Garmin Venu 4
4.5

The ECG feature received limited but positive opinionated evidence, with one reviewer saying the wrist measurement worked reliably.

Pros: activity auto-detection, style and design

Cons: LTE connectivity, charging convenience

#2 Garmin Forerunner 970
4.0

ECG was generally seen as a meaningful premium health addition, though reviewers stressed it is manual, sometimes a hassle to enable, and not continuous monitoring.

Pros: stress tracking, customization options

Cons: menu navigation, companion app quality

#3 Garmin Venu 3
3.0

ECG evidence is mixed by review timing: some reviews found it unavailable or finicky, while later evidence notes FDA-approved on-device ECG readings.

Pros: health tracking accuracy, software smoothness

Cons: LTE connectivity, mapping and navigation

#4 Garmin Instinct 3
2.1

ECG functionality is a clear omission because reviewers criticize Garmin for using the older sensor platform without ECG support.

Pros: customization options, charging speed

Cons: onboard music storage, voice assistant quality

#5 Garmin Vivoactive 5
2.0

ECG scored low because reviewers noted the watch lacks ECG eligibility or requires accepting the missing feature.

Pros: fitness tracking accuracy, wellness insights

Cons: software smoothness, ECG functionality

#6 Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2)
2.0

ECG functionality was treated as a drawback in the review evidence because the feature was built in but not available at the time of testing.

Pros: GPS accuracy, charging speed

Cons: ECG functionality, voice assistant quality

#7 Garmin Lily 2 Active
2.0

ECG is a clear limitation: a reviewer explicitly wished Garmin had included the hardware for ECG-related features.

Pros: health tracking accuracy, blood oxygen tracking

Cons: ECG functionality, onboard music storage

#8 Garmin Vivoactive 6
1.9

ECG is a clear limitation because reviewers repeatedly note that the Vivoactive 6 lacks ECG support compared with higher-end Garmin models.

Pros: software smoothness, comfort

Cons: LTE connectivity, voice assistant quality

#9 Garmin Venu X1
1.8

ECG was a repeated omission: multiple reviewers called its absence strange, frustrating, or a major gap at this price.

Pros: pairing reliability, watch face quality

Cons: ECG functionality, LTE connectivity

#10 Garmin Forerunner 570
1.6

ECG functionality was one of the most criticized omissions because the Gen 5 sensor made reviewers expect ECG at this price.

Pros: charging speed, GPS accuracy

Cons: ECG functionality, smartphone notifications

#11 Garmin Lily 2
1.5

The absence of ECG is criticized as a gap, especially given the product’s price and female-focused positioning.

Pros: pairing reliability, wellness insights

Cons: ECG functionality, body temperature tracking

#12 Garmin Venu Sq 2
1.5

Reviewers treated ECG as a missing capability rather than a strength, noting the Venu Sq 2 did not officially include ECG functionality.

Pros: charging speed, coaching features

Cons: ECG functionality, call handling

#13 Garmin Forerunner 965
1.1

ECG was a recurring missing feature and was called disappointing or expected by several reviewers.

Pros: water resistance, workout tracking variety

Cons: LTE connectivity, ECG functionality

#14 Garmin fēnix 7X Pro
1.0

ECG functionality was a clear weakness because reviewers repeatedly noted the hardware was not enabled and had no guaranteed future.

Pros: GPS accuracy, app ecosystem

Cons: ECG functionality, calorie tracking usefulness

#15 Garmin Forerunner 265
1.0

Reviewers treated ECG as a clear missing health feature rather than a working capability.

Pros: step counting accuracy, third-party app support

Cons: ECG functionality, LTE connectivity