OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Fitness trackers Methodology v3.0
Fitness trackers Methodology v3.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Fitness trackers Methodology v3.0: the technical score from the specifications is the base, and independent expert and video reviews (up to ±0.5 points), owner opinions (up to ±0.3) and best-of lists (up to +0.3) move it up or down.
Explore Fitness trackers Methodology v3.0

Withings Pulse review: 163 specs compared

Avg. price:~£45Battery life:14 daysScreen size:?Heart rate monitor:yesGPS:noWaterproof depth rating:0 m

Withings Pulse Review: Compare 163 technical specifications and 27 expert and video reviews to see how this product ranks in the Fitness trackers category and whether it is worth buying.

Withings Pulse
7.4/10

Overall score

Score
7.4/ 10
✕
What it is
Our main score for this model, 1–10. It combines specs, best-of lists, expert reviews and owners.
How we count it
Parts: Technical score 35%, List score 30%, Reviews score 25%, Sentiment score 10%
Marks: Each part gets a mark out of 10. For reviews, lists and owners, a typical model in this category gets about 8 and the best one gets 10.
No data yet: A part with no data shows "?". It counts as the mark of a weaker model in this category (4 in 5 models with data score higher). This way, models with reviews, lists and owners usually come out ahead.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 63% of models
Score components

35%

7.1

Technical score

30%

?

List scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.5, the mark of a weaker model in this category

25%

7.9

Reviews score

10%

?

Sentiment scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.1, the mark of a weaker model in this category

â–²Better than 63% of fitness trackers
8.2

Value for money

Value for money
8.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the fitness tracker's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a fitness tracker with a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 61% of models
Score components

70%

7.4

Overall score

30%

10

Price

â–²Better than 61%
7.1

Technical score

Technical score
7.1/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 35% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 53% of models
Score components

20%

7.8

Sports

20%

6.2

Battery

18%

8.1

Health

18%

6.7

Display

8%

5.0

Smart functions

8%

9.2

Wellness

4%

7.2

Connectivity

4%

5.7

Design

â–²Better than 53%
7.9

Reviews score

Reviews score
7.9/ 10
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.2 for now.
Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 64% of models

80%

7.8

Average grade

20%

8.3

Popularity

Grades by review (27)
24 reviews: 9 with a printed score, 15 estimated from the review. 3 video reviews, each counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
â–²Better than 64%
?

List score

List score
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
How we count it
Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 30% of the overall score.
Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
Lists with this model (0)
Not in any best-of list yet, so this part counts as 7.5. Models in a list get 8 to 10.
Not in any best-of list yet
  • withings-pulse
withings-pulse
Where to buy
    N/A~ £45
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.

What reviewers say about the Withings Pulse

Based on 10 · 3

Reviewers love the long battery life and compact design, but doubt the heart rate readings are accurate.
Praised
Mixed views
Criticised
Pick a topic to see who said what
Loading category ranking...

Technical Specifications of fitness tracker Withings Pulse

Technical score
Technical score
7.1/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 35% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 53% of models
Score components:

20%

7.8

Sports

20%

6.2

Battery

18%

8.1

Health

18%

6.7

Display

8%

5.0

Smart functions

8%

9.2

Wellness

4%

7.2

Connectivity

4%

5.7

Design

7.1
Reviews score
7.9
List score
?
Value for money
Value for money
8.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the fitness tracker's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a fitness tracker with a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 61% of models
Score components:

70%

7.4

Overall score

30%

10

Price

8.2
Heart rate monitor
yes
This fitness tracker supports heart rate monitoring. 36.2% of fitness trackers support heart rate monitoring.
On-demand finger reading.
Resting heart rate
yes
This fitness tracker supports Resting heart rate. 47.5% of fitness trackers support Resting heart rate.
Fast/slow heart rate alerts
no
This fitness tracker does not support high and low heart rate alerts. 36.5% of fitness trackers support high and low heart rate alerts.
Irregular heart rate alerts
no
This fitness tracker does not support irregular heart rate alerts. 13.7% of fitness trackers support irregular heart rate alerts.
Blood oxygen sensor
yes
This fitness tracker has a blood oxygen sensor. 68.2% of fitness trackers have a blood oxygen sensor.
On-demand finger reading.
Show more
What reviewers say
GPS
no
This fitness tracker does not have GPS. 12.7% of fitness trackers have GPS.
Satellite systems supported
no
This fitness tracker supports no satellite systems which is less versatile than that of 14.4% of fitness trackers and the same as that of 85.6% of fitness trackers.
no satellite positioning support.
GNSS bands supported
no
This fitness tracker does not support advanced GNSS bands. 8.4% of fitness trackers support advanced GNSS bands.
Galileo support
no
This fitness tracker does not support Galileo. 5.6% of fitness trackers support Galileo.
Acquires GPS faster
no
This fitness tracker does not support faster GPS acquisition. 8.1% of fitness trackers support faster GPS acquisition.
Show more
Notifications
no
This fitness tracker does not support notifications. 72.7% of fitness trackers support notifications.
Vibrating alerts
no
This fitness tracker does not support vibration alerts. 86.2% of fitness trackers support vibration alerts.
Call control
no
This fitness tracker does not support call controls. 40.8% of fitness trackers support call controls.
Call answering
no
This fitness tracker does not support call answering. 0.9% of fitness trackers support call answering.
Calendar sync
no
This fitness tracker does not support calendar sync. 20.5% of fitness trackers support calendar sync.
Show more
What reviewers say
Activity reports
yes
This fitness tracker supports activity reports. 5% of fitness trackers support activity reports.
Goal setting
yes
This fitness tracker supports goal setting. 2.5% of fitness trackers support goal setting.
Achievements
yes
This fitness tracker supports achievements. 23.8% of fitness trackers support achievements.
Inactivity alerts
no
This fitness tracker does not support inactivity alerts. 79.1% of fitness trackers support inactivity alerts.
Coaching
yes
This fitness tracker supports coaching. 64% of fitness trackers support coaching.
Via coaching programs in the Withings app.
Show more
Bluetooth version
4
This fitness tracker supports Bluetooth 4 which is newer than in 4.6% of fitness trackers and equal to that in 47% of fitness trackers.
Maximum Bluetooth range
10 m
Market range: <9 m – >30 m
This fitness tracker offers a Bluetooth range of 10 m which is higher than that of 14.9% of fitness trackers and equal to that of 64.5% of fitness trackers.
NFC
no
This fitness tracker does not have NFC. 11.8% of fitness trackers have NFC.
Wi-Fi connectivity
no
This fitness tracker does not support Wi-Fi. 2.5% of fitness trackers support Wi-Fi.
Wi-Fi version
no
This fitness tracker does not support modern Wi-Fi. 0.9% of fitness trackers support modern Wi-Fi.
no Wi-Fi support.
Show more
Battery life
14 days
Market range: <5 days – >180 days
This fitness tracker offers a battery life of 14 days which is longer than that of 59.7% of fitness trackers and equal to that of 14.5% of fitness trackers.
Battery life with GPS on
N/A
Battery life in training mode
?
Power-saving battery life
?
Battery capacity
?
Show more
What reviewers say
Display
yes
This fitness tracker has a display. 26.3% of fitness trackers have a display.
Screen size
?
Display type
OLED
This fitness tracker uses OLED display technology which is more advanced than that of 54.6% of fitness trackers and the same as that of 19.1% of fitness trackers.
Screen resolution
128x 32
This fitness tracker has a screen resolution of 128x32 which is lower than that of 50.5% of fitness trackers and equal to that of 8.2% of fitness trackers.
Pixel density
128 ppi
Market range: <146 ppi – >326 ppi
This fitness tracker has a pixel density of 128 ppi which is lower than that of 96.6% of fitness trackers and equal to that of 0.9% of fitness trackers.
Show more
What reviewers say
Form factor
clip-on
Hybrid design
no
This fitness tracker does not support Hybrid design. 2.1% of fitness trackers support Hybrid design.
Designed for kids
no
This fitness tracker is not designed for kids. 3.3% of fitness trackers are designed for kids.
Replaceable watch band
yes
This fitness tracker has a replaceable watch band. 23.4% of fitness trackers have a replaceable watch band.
Band width
N/A
Show more
What reviewers say

Withings Pulse vs the average fitness tracker

246810TotalHealthSportsBatteryDisplayConnectivitySmart functionsDesignWellness
  • Blood oxygen monitoring
    This fitness tracker has a blood oxygen sensor, while the average fitness tracker does not. 32.1% of fitness trackers have a blood oxygen sensor.
    On-demand finger reading.
  • Touchscreen
    This fitness tracker has a touchscreen, while the average fitness tracker does not. 46.7% of fitness trackers have a touchscreen.
  • Coaching features
    This fitness tracker supports coaching, while the average fitness tracker does not. 36.3% of fitness trackers support coaching.
    Via coaching programs in the Withings app.
  • Tracks elevation
    This fitness tracker supports elevation tracking, while the average fitness tracker does not. 24.5% of fitness trackers support elevation tracking.
  • 4 days longer battery life
    This fitness tracker has a higher battery life than the average fitness tracker (14 days vs 10 days). The average fitness tracker has 10 days of battery life.
    14 days vs 10 days
  • Low power mode
    This fitness tracker supports low power mode, while the average fitness tracker does not. 23.2% of fitness trackers support low power mode.
    Includes a power save mode.
  • Tracks menstrual cycle
    This fitness tracker supports menstrual cycle tracking, while the average fitness tracker does not. 45.2% of fitness trackers support menstrual cycle tracking.
  • Period notifications
    This fitness tracker has period notifications, while the average fitness tracker does not. 34.6% of fitness trackers have period notifications.
  • 8.2% higher review score
    Reviews score
    7.9/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
    How we count it
    Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
    Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
    Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.2 for now.
    Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    â–² Better than 64% of models

    80%

    7.8

    Average grade

    20%

    8.3

    Popularity

    Grades by review (27)
    24 reviews: 9 with a printed score, 15 estimated from the review. 3 video reviews, each counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
    7.9 vs 7.3
  • Blood oxygen monitoring
    This fitness tracker has a blood oxygen sensor, while the average fitness tracker does not. 32.1% of fitness trackers have a blood oxygen sensor.
    On-demand finger reading.
  • Tracks menstrual cycle
    This fitness tracker supports menstrual cycle tracking, while the average fitness tracker does not. 45.2% of fitness trackers support menstrual cycle tracking.
  • Period notifications
    This fitness tracker has period notifications, while the average fitness tracker does not. 34.6% of fitness trackers have period notifications.
  • Ovulation prediction
    This fitness tracker predicts ovulation, while the average fitness tracker does not. 44.1% of fitness trackers predict ovulation.
  • Cycle start prediction
    This fitness tracker predicts the start date, while the average fitness tracker does not. 45.8% of fitness trackers predict the start date.
  • Tracks elevation
    This fitness tracker supports elevation tracking, while the average fitness tracker does not. 24.5% of fitness trackers support elevation tracking.
  • Built-in barometer
    This fitness tracker has a barometer, while the average fitness tracker does not. 10.4% of fitness trackers have a barometer.
  • 4 days longer battery life
    This fitness tracker has a higher battery life than the average fitness tracker (14 days vs 10 days). The average fitness tracker has 10 days of battery life.
    14 days vs 10 days
  • Low power mode
    This fitness tracker supports low power mode, while the average fitness tracker does not. 23.2% of fitness trackers support low power mode.
    Includes a power save mode.
  • Touchscreen
    This fitness tracker has a touchscreen, while the average fitness tracker does not. 46.7% of fitness trackers have a touchscreen.
  • 1 more physical buttons
    This fitness tracker has a higher physical buttons than the average fitness tracker (1 vs 0). The average fitness tracker has 0 of physical buttons.
    1 vs 0
  • 3 mm thinner design
    This fitness tracker is thinner than the average fitness tracker (8 mm vs 11 mm). The average fitness tracker has a thickness of 11 mm.
    8 mm vs 11 mm
  • Coaching features
    This fitness tracker supports coaching, while the average fitness tracker does not. 36.3% of fitness trackers support coaching.
    Via coaching programs in the Withings app.
  • Available on PC
    This fitness tracker is available on PC, while the average fitness tracker is not. 17.2% of fitness trackers are available on PC.
    Web dashboard available.
  • Lower screen resolution
    This fitness tracker has a lower screen resolution than the average fitness tracker (128x32 vs 194x368). The average fitness tracker has a screen resolution of 194x368.
    128x32 vs 194x368
  • No notifications
    This fitness tracker does not support notifications, while the average fitness tracker does. 72.3% of fitness trackers support notifications.
  • No shock resistance standard
    This fitness tracker meets a weaker shock resistance standard than the average fitness tracker (none vs MIL-STD-810H). The average fitness tracker meets the MIL-STD-810H shock resistance standard.
    none vs MIL-STD-810H
  • No phone finder
    This fitness tracker does not support phone finding, while the average fitness tracker does. 50.9% of fitness trackers support phone finding.
  • 0.5 hours longer charging time
    This fitness tracker has a higher charging time than the average fitness tracker (2 hours vs 1.5 hours). The average fitness tracker needs 1.5 hours to charge.
    2 hours vs 1.5 hours
  • 48.2% lower pixel density
    This fitness tracker has a lower pixel density than the average fitness tracker (128 ppi vs 247 ppi). The average fitness tracker has a pixel density of 247 ppi.
    128 ppi vs 247 ppi
  • 50 m lower waterproof depth rating
    This fitness tracker has a lower waterproof depth rating than the average fitness tracker (0 m vs 50 m). The average fitness tracker has a waterproof depth rating of 50 m.
    Not waterproof.
    0 m vs 50 m
  • 5 ATM lower water resistance rating
    This fitness tracker has a lower ATM rating than the average fitness tracker (0 ATM vs 5 ATM). The average fitness tracker has an ATM rating of 5 ATM.
    Not waterproof.
    0 ATM vs 5 ATM
  • 4 years older release date
    This fitness tracker was released earlier than the average fitness tracker (2013 vs 2017). The average fitness tracker was released in 2017.
    2013 vs 2017
  • No route tracker
    This fitness tracker does not support route tracking, while the average fitness tracker does. 52.3% of fitness trackers support route tracking.
  • 0.5 hours longer charging time
    This fitness tracker has a higher charging time than the average fitness tracker (2 hours vs 1.5 hours). The average fitness tracker needs 1.5 hours to charge.
    2 hours vs 1.5 hours
  • Lower screen resolution
    This fitness tracker has a lower screen resolution than the average fitness tracker (128x32 vs 194x368). The average fitness tracker has a screen resolution of 194x368.
    128x32 vs 194x368
  • 48.2% lower pixel density
    This fitness tracker has a lower pixel density than the average fitness tracker (128 ppi vs 247 ppi). The average fitness tracker has a pixel density of 247 ppi.
    128 ppi vs 247 ppi
  • Basic display glass
    This fitness tracker uses less durable display glass than the average fitness tracker (plastic vs glass). The average fitness tracker uses glass display glass.
    plastic vs glass
  • Old Bluetooth version
    This fitness tracker supports an older Bluetooth version than the average fitness tracker (4 vs 4.1). The average fitness tracker supports Bluetooth 4.1.
    4 vs 4.1
  • No notifications
    This fitness tracker does not support notifications, while the average fitness tracker does. 72.3% of fitness trackers support notifications.
  • No phone finder
    This fitness tracker does not support phone finding, while the average fitness tracker does. 50.9% of fitness trackers support phone finding.
  • No vibrating alerts
    This fitness tracker does not support vibration alerts, while the average fitness tracker does. 85.8% of fitness trackers support vibration alerts.
  • No stopwatch
    This fitness tracker does not have a stopwatch, while the average fitness tracker does. 60.5% of fitness trackers have a stopwatch.
  • No shock resistance standard
    This fitness tracker meets a weaker shock resistance standard than the average fitness tracker (none vs MIL-STD-810H). The average fitness tracker meets the MIL-STD-810H shock resistance standard.
    none vs MIL-STD-810H
  • 50 m lower waterproof depth rating
    This fitness tracker has a lower waterproof depth rating than the average fitness tracker (0 m vs 50 m). The average fitness tracker has a waterproof depth rating of 50 m.
    Not waterproof.
    0 m vs 50 m
  • 5 ATM lower water resistance rating
    This fitness tracker has a lower ATM rating than the average fitness tracker (0 ATM vs 5 ATM). The average fitness tracker has an ATM rating of 5 ATM.
    Not waterproof.
    0 ATM vs 5 ATM
  • Low water resistance
    This fitness tracker is not water-resistant, while the average fitness tracker is. 99.1% of fitness trackers are water-resistant.
  • No inactivity alerts
    This fitness tracker does not support inactivity alerts, while the average fitness tracker does. 78.7% of fitness trackers support inactivity alerts.

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

9.0
SpikedStudio
≈ estimated
13/11/2013
Hands-on review · app, sleep and heart rate tests
Verdict
Withings Pulse is a well-built activity tracker with a useful app, lacking only built-in food tracking.
9.0
CNET
≈ estimated
16/07/2013
Hands-on review · a week and a half of daily use
Verdict
Withings Pulse is a sleek, well-designed pedometer with heart rate reading and an outstanding app.
Overview video

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

7.1
theverge.com
✓ explicit
09/08/2013
Hands-on test · Sleep and heart rate
Verdict
The Withings Pulse tracks more than most rivals, but its sluggish touchscreen, shaky heart readings and fixed goals hold it back.
8.0
gizmodo.com
≈ estimated
18/07/2013
Hands-on test · Pocket tracker
Verdict
The Withings Pulse is a neat little tracker with more metrics than most rivals, but its screen struggles in daylight and it needs a newer phone.
8.0
engadget.com
≈ estimated
29/07/2013
Hands-on review · Accuracy checks
Verdict
The Withings Pulse is a solid addition to the Withings health ecosystem, but it undercounted stairs and dropped steps twice during testing.
8.0
cnet.com
✓ explicit
17/07/2013
Hands-on review · Pedometer design
Verdict
The Withings Pulse is one of the best small wireless pedometers, but its screen washes out in sunlight and it cannot sync with a computer.
9.0
uk.pcmag.com
✓ explicit
06/03/2014
Hands-on test · Heart rate tracker
Verdict
The Withings Pulse has a heart rate sensor and touch screen that stand out, but its clip is clunky and syncing can be fussy.
9.0
dcrainmaker.com
≈ estimated
21/11/2013
In-depth review · Clip-on tracker
Verdict
The Withings Pulse is a long-lasting clip-on tracker with a clear display, suited to everyday activity, though heart rate is only checked on demand.
6.6
livescience.com
✓ explicit
02/10/2013
One-week test · Beginner-friendly tracker
Verdict
The Withings Pulse suits beginners, with clear targets such as 150 weekly minutes of activity, though it lacks an alarm and friend comparisons.
7.0
appleinsider.com
✓ explicit
05/11/2013
Hands-on test · Heart rate pedometer
Verdict
The Withings Pulse is an accurate pedometer and sleep tracker, but its heart rate readings are unreliable and it works best carried in a pocket.
8.0
weartested.org
≈ estimated
04/05/2017
Hands-on test · Clip-on tracker
Verdict
The Withings Pulse is a simple, pocket-sized tracker with a capable app, but you must start sleep tracking yourself and running distances read high.
9.0
pcmag.com
✓ explicit
02/07/2013
Hands-on test · Slim clip tracker
Verdict
The Withings Pulse is a slim tracker whose touchscreen shows 14 days of history, but its thick clip and a battery short of its claims hold it back.
phonearena.com
01/10/2013
Not graded yet
7.0
futurezone.at
≈ estimated
19/07/2013
Hands-on test · Pulse-sensor tracker
Verdict
The Withings Pulse is a small, light tracker with decent step and distance counts, but its heart rate readings are often unreliable.
5.0
newgadgets.de
≈ estimated
03/10/2013
Hands-on test · Pocket tracker
Verdict
The Withings Pulse lasts about two weeks per charge and tracks daily activity, but setup can freeze and it offers little motivation to move more.
9.0
macerkopf.de
≈ estimated
31/07/2013
Hands-on test · Heart rate clip
Verdict
The Withings Pulse is a light clip-on tracker whose built-in heart rate sensor sets it apart from Jawbone Up and Fitbit Flex.
8.0
technikblog.ch
≈ estimated
18/09/2013
Hands-on test · Belt clip tracker
Verdict
The Withings Pulse is a compact clip-on tracker that suits belt wearers, but it is easy to lose and counts fewer steps than a wristband.
7.8
01net.com
✓ explicit
29/07/2013
Hands-on test · Step accuracy
Verdict
The Withings Pulse is the most accurate tracker in its category, with a full feature set, but the Android connection is still unreliable.
8.0
belgium-iphone.lesoir.be
≈ estimated
11/07/2013
Hands-on test · Two-week trial
Verdict
The Withings Pulse is a tiny tracker whose two-week battery held up, but its wristband often slips off during sleep.
8.0
iphon.fr
≈ estimated
02/02/2014
Hands-on test · Pocket step tracker
Verdict
The Withings Pulse is a light, discreet pocket tracker that counts steps and sleep well, though its readings are best used to spot trends.
9.0
frandroid.com
✓ explicit
24/06/2013
Hands-on test · Three-month trial
Verdict
The Withings Pulse is a small, accurate tracker with a two-week battery and reward badges, but its sleep wristband looks cheap and it has no smart alarm.
8.0
endomorfun.fr
≈ estimated
04/12/2013
Hands-on test · Activity and sleep tracker
Verdict
The Withings Pulse is a small, light tracker whose app and web dashboard make trends easy to follow, but its distance and height readings are rough estimates.

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Withings Pulse

  • Sleek and slim design with a lightweight form factor that is comfortable for 24/7 wear
  • Highly versatile wearing options, including a belt clip, wristband, or simply keeping it in a pocket
  • Excellent battery life, typically lasting between 10 to 20 days on a single charge
  • Accurate heart rate monitoring and pedometer readings compared to industry standards
  • Comprehensive health app (Health Mate) that provides clear visual progress and integrates well with other Withings devices
  • Charging via standard micro-USB, eliminating the need for proprietary cables

What customers don't like about Withings Pulse

  • OLED display is notoriously difficult to read in bright daylight and can appear blurry due to the matte finish
  • Earlier models lack water resistance, making them vulnerable to moisture and unsuitable for showers or swimming
  • Manual input often required to start sleep tracking or heart rate measurements, which can be unintuitive
  • Durability issues reported, such as the silicon clip casing wearing out or the plastic strap anchors cracking over time
  • No built-in silent alarm or vibration motor for idle alerts in original Pulse models
  • The 'lift-to-wake' screen feature is sometimes unreliable, requiring a physical button press to see the time or stats

Verdict

The Withings Pulse is an ultra-lightweight (8g) and compact (43 x 22 x 8 mm) fitness tracker featuring a 128 x 32 pixel monochrome OLED touchscreen and a high-precision 3-axis accelerometer. It tracks core metrics including steps, elevation (feet climbed), distance, calories burned, and sleep cycles, while uniquely offering an integrated optical sensor to measure heart rate and blood oxygen levels via fingertip contact. Main pros include its versatile 'wear-it-anywhere' design—allowing it to be clipped to clothing, slipped into a pocket, or worn on a wristband—and its ability to store and display up to 14 days of historical data directly on the device. However, notable cons include its lack of water resistance, the absence of a vibration motor for silent alarms or inactivity alerts, and a display that can be difficult to read in direct sunlight.

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