Withings Pulse O2 Activity, Sleep, and Heart Rate + SPO2 Tracker for iOS and Android
The Withings Pulse O2 is an advanced activity and health tracker. Versatile, it offers all wearing options: slap it on your wrist using the wristband, attach it to your clothes with the clip or simply drop it in a pocket. It tracks your activity all through the day (including steps, elevation, distance, running and calories burned). At night, slide the Pulse O2 in its wristband and launch the sleep cycle analysis to precisely assess your sleep quality.
In addition to the daily and nightly tracking, you can also measure your heart rate and your blood oxygen level by putting your finger on the back of the device. If the screen of your Withings Pulse does not display anything after pressing the top button, this is certainly because your Pulse needs to be charged. After charging the Pulse, press & hold the button for 15 seconds and check if the Pulse displays “hello”. If not, your micro-USB cable may be the cause of this issue, please try to charge your Pulse using another cable, for instance the one provided with your Smartphone.
If you are having a problem syncing your Pulse O2, there are a few steps to take. First, make sure that your mobile device has Bluetooth switched on, and that your are logged in to the newest iteration of the Health Mate app. Next, make sure that your Pulse O2 is fully charged.
You can do this by plugging it in for two hours to ensure a full charge. Next, make sure your Pulse O2 is up to date with the latest firmware. You can check this in the Withings Health Mate app by going to My Devices, selecting your Pulse O2, then pressing the blue Update button at the bottom. Follow the steps on the screen to check if an update is available. Kindly check the video for trouble shooting steps.
It usually takes 1-2 hours to charge an empty battery. When turning on the device after charging, please press and hold the button for 15 seconds.If the device still won’t turn on after charging, there may be an issue with the micro-USB cable try charging it with another cable.
Withings Pulse O2 Activity, Sleep, and Heart Rate + SPO2 Tracker
Track. Improve.
A ‘wear it your way’ tracker to monitor your activity and sleep, read vital signs and improve your overall health.
- Activity Tracking: Steps, elevation, distance, running and calories burned.
- Wear It Your Way: Clip and wristband included.
- Vital Signs Reading: Instant heart rate and blood oxygen level.
- Sleep Monitoring: Sleep cycle analysis, wake-ups, total duration.
- Real-Time Coaching: With the free Health Mate app (iOS/ Android).
Reviews of Withings Pulse O2 Activity, Sleep, and Heart Rate + SPO2 Tracker for iOS and Android
Withings Pulse O2 Review 1:
Note: I bought an open package Amazon warehouse deal with the Pulse to cut the costs down a bit, the display on mine (not the actual device) stopped working after 14 days. My review is still 5 stars because when I e-mailed Withings (through their site support channel) they got back to me that same day to get more information. The next day (after a reply) they gave me instructions on sending my device in for inspection. Two days after I sent it out I got an e-mail with a one-time coupon code for a brand new device.
Also, I see a lot of reviews on tracking devices saying that step counts are not accurate, this was the biggest thing holding me back until I shook the irrationality of it. 1. Are these people actually counting all the steps they take during the day? And why is it that every time people say whatever device that gives them MORE steps is the one that is accurate? 2. What matters is that with more activity you are getting higher numbers.
That’s the point, to improve, not to get perfect statistics. 3. If your tracker is off by 150 steps per day (compared to others, or compared to moving the device around/wearing it differently) it’s not a big deal. When you’re aiming for 10,000 per day, you shouldn’t be worried about 150.
PROS:
- The sleep tracking is awesome, when my deep sleep is off by 30 minutes, I notice the difference. The night that the Pulse tells me I only got 3 hours of deep sleep are the mornings I feel extra tired. (Before looking at what the statistics are.) This is important for me to pay attention to so I can take note of what makes the difference in getting a good sleep.
- Comfy: If you’re used to wearing watches, this is no different, a basic rubber band that’s no different than the average digital watch. If you don’t like the watch, this comes with a belt clip which clings pretty well.
- Looks good: I got the FitBit for my mom and it’s a bit bulky compared to this and honestly hard to put on (as opposed to the normal watchband this device comes with). I was tempted to get the Basis because it tracks heart rate constantly (as opposed to this which you have to take off and put your finger on), but the thing is huge and ugly.Something that attracts attention. When the display times out on this (after a few seconds) it’s a thin and hardly noticeable wristband. (Also, for those curious about the sideways display you can change the settings via the phone app so that the time displays vertically which is easier to read from your wrist, and you can make it the default display when you turn it on.)
- Lots of data: This tracks not only steps and sleep but elevation and mileage. It really does know the difference between taking the stairs and the elevator. If you’re rising and not stepping, you don’t get the elevation points.
- App: The Withings app tracks and graphs everything. The graphing is more valuable with the Withings scale (unless you want to manually do weight and things) but the device automatically syncronizes with your phone via bluetooth.
CONS: (Does NOT include step accuracy.)
- Bluetooth: When I first got my device it had to update as I was setting it up. This screwed up my phone and I had to restart the setup process multiple times to get it to work right. I think it’d be better if this could plug into the computer and interact with software from there.It charges via USB, why not interact with a PC? (Seriously, I get that smart phones are popular, but they are not quite on the level of regular computers yet, let’s not go crazy.) The Bluetooth is slow and might fail if the phone is moving around too much. It takes a while to get used to, but the device will eventually sync, if it doesn’t by the end of the day do it manually and hold the phone very still over the device.
- App: The app is buggy, it crashes a lot and is generally slow to load. It’s much easier to just look at your online profile through a normal browser on a normal computer.
- The sun: You can’t see the display outdoors during the day, not even if you put your hand over it and squint. The display totally fails against the sun and it’s impossible to read with a bit of glare. If you’re inside or if it’s dark, it looks great, but don’t count on looking at your step count right after an outdoor run, wait until you get inside.
Withings Pulse O2 Review 2: Purchased Again (and Again)!
When I lost my Pulse 02 I looked around, but didn’t find a better option. Here’s what I like about this product:
- The module can be removed from the watch band so I can put it in my pocket to count steps while bicycling
- I can put the module in my pocket and wear a nice watch on my wrist when I’m at work
- The pulse and 02 sensor are very useful
- The band is wide and easily adjustable
- The sleep tracker works well
- The software for my phone and online display my data effectively
- The results can be read by other health tracking applications
- The standard micro-usb charging cable
- High build quality
What I don’t like:
- When worn 24/7, the wide plastic band can get bacteria on the back, leading to a rash (so be sure to wash the band frequently)
- It’s not waterproof, which is a problem because it’s very easy to send the module through the wash in a pants pocket
- I miss an elapsed timer with an interval steps counter
- It’s not as sleek as many other trackers
In my opinion, this is currently the most flexible activity tracker on the market.
June 2015 Update
Darn if I didn’t loose it again! Watch the bands; if the keeper slides off the end of the strap, they Pulse 02 can fall off without you knowing it. Again, I looked at others but I still could not find another activity monitor with the same (or better) capabilities. The capabilities I care about most are:
- Wear on wrist, belt or in pocket
- Accurate steps tracker
- Sleep monitor
- Works seamlessly with myfitnesspal
- Detail information on display
- Software syncs across multiple devices
- Tracks weight and steps goals
- Allows manual entry of blood pressure
Withings Pulse O2 Review 3: Absolutely Love It
I have been using this for about 2 months now and I am very surprised how much I like this thing. I have been trying to get in shape after a several years of illness and this has been a big help. It works on a rewards and rewards with badges from the app. Not for everyone I am sure but works for me.
When it arrived I ripped right into it and found there were no instructions included, like so many things these days all of the info is on their website. It came charged so turning it on and syncing to the app was easy. The app is easy to use and is reliable. The device syncs with every fitness app that I have tried so far. Other reviews talked about the belt clip being crap but I have followed the companies advice and worn the device inside my pocket always and never had a problem. Other reviews also talked about sweat/water being an issue so I have been very careful about that but as it’s in my pocket 99% of the time this isn’t an issue for me. (I am never going to be able to run or do heavy sweating exercise)
The Pros:
- Accurate step counting – yes I have walked off steps and checked, I’m nerdy that way
- Accurate sleep monitoring – not sure how it works but it does. I have a sleep disorder and always track time I go to bed, getting sleepy and waking. This does it all for me and very accurately.
- App easy to use
- Long battery life – I only charge apx once a week, only takes an hour or so to fully charge
The Cons:
- Included instructions were non-existent
- Wrist strap stretches and gets hot and sweaty but not so much I can’t sleep but I only use the wrist band at night.
- Pulse monitor isn’t super accurate but that could just be me. Even doctors have a hard time finding my pulse apparently it’s very faint compared to the rest of the world.
Not sure this would be the device for a tri-athlete or a marathoner but for someone who wants to track sleep or general activity I highly recommend it.
Belt clip according to other reviews allows the monitor to fall out. Apparently Withings agrees because they tell you multiple times to make sure the monitor is inside your pocket not out.