Withings Move vs Withings Move ECG: Which should you buy?

After selling Withings to Nokia Health in 2016, the French-based company is once again in the hands of its founder. The Move and Move ECG fitness watches are two of the first products from the reimagined Withings company. They are each nearly identifical except for the latter's built-in electrocardiogram.

Comparing the watches

The Move is now available on the market, with the Move ECG set for arrival later this year. Initially, each will be available in five color combinations, although this will change in the coming months. Both watches keep track of key activity and sleeping metrics. Perhaps best of all, each offers a long battery life.

Unless you're specifically looking for the ECG feature, we recommend buying the Withings Move. Not only is this product already on the market, but it's nearly half the price of the Move ECG. Besides, both products track the same information as we first mentioned in our Withings Move review.

Because the watches both feature an analog face, the only way to review the collected data is through the wonderful Health Mate app for iOS and Android. With this free app, you can review your steps and exercise routines, and daily sleep information. With this information as a starting point, you can use the app to find wellness programs, and keep track of data collected from other Withings products including scales, blood pressure monitors, and sleep devices. You can also access your Health Mate data through a web dashboard, which adds another layer of convenience.

Both products have a plastic case, stainless steel bottom, and silicone wristband. Both use Bluetooth Low Energy to connect to your iOS or Android device.

Each watch includes a replaceable CR battery. The Move's battery will run up to 18 months before it needs to be replaced, while the one in the Move ECG should perform successfully for up to 12 months.

Initially, Withings is shipping both watches in five color combinations including black/yellow, white/blue, white/coral, black/green, and white/green. Other color combinations will arrive later this year. By the end of 2019, you'll also be able to customize your Withings Move to match your taste.Both watches keep track of key activity and sleeping metrics. Perhaps best of all, each offers a long battery life.

What about the watch face? Besides telling time, the Withing Move and Move ECG also show how far you've gone to reach your daily steps as a percentage. The watch also includes a side button that, when long-pressed, launches a workout session. With the button pushed, the wristwatch activates a built-in chronograph (which replaces the time on your watch during the exercise routine) and connects to GPS to keep track of your duration, distance, elevation, and your path. Once the workout is finished and you push the side button again, your watch will once again show the time.

Yes, but about that ECG?. The Move ECG watch hasn't been released. For now, the only information about the ECG feature comes from publicly available information released by Withings. Based on this information, we understand that to activate ECG on the device requires places a finger on the side button for 20 seconds. Shareable test results are stored in the Health Mate app.