Type
Wrist
HRV Method
PPG
Price
$400-800
Price Model
One-Time
Battery Life
18-36 hours
Water Resistant
Yes
The Verdict
Convenient if you already wear one, but not recommended as a primary HRV device. The native Health app provides basic overnight HRV data, but dedicated devices offer much better insights.
Pros
- You might already own one
- Background HRV sampling
- Deep Apple Health integration
- Many other smartwatch features
Cons
- HRV features are basic
- Daily charging required
- Not optimized for HRV tracking
- Limited third-party app support
Native HRV Tracking
Apple Watch samples HRV opportunistically during the day and more consistently during sleep. Data appears in the Health app but analysis is minimal—you'll see your numbers but get little guidance on what they mean.
Third-Party Options
Apps like HRV4Training can use the Watch's sensors for guided morning readings, providing better context than Apple's native implementation.