Review · 6 min read

Withings ScanWatch 2: Sleep Tracking Data and Specifications

Withings ScanWatch 2 review. FDA 510(k) K201456 cleared for ECG/SpO2. Schyvens (2025) kappa 0.22. Up to 35-day battery. Full specs and cost analysis.

Summary of Findings · 2025

Evidence summary: Withings ScanWatch 2

1 outcome has measured evidence in the CircaTest corpus, drawn from 1 peer-reviewed study totaling 62 participants. Each card below answers one buyer question and shows the most representative finding. Hover any certainty badge for the verbatim GRADE definition. The full per-study breakdown is in the Sources panel below.

Outcome 01 of 01

Very low

Sleep stage classification

How well does the device tell deep, light, REM, and wake apart?

Agreement

Best evidence

Not reported

From Schyvens et al., 2025 (n = 62)

The published abstract states Cohen's kappa across all six devices ranged from 0.21 to 0.53 but explicitly names only Sense (0.42), Charge 5 (0.41), and Apple Watch S8 (0.53). The per-device kappa for the Withings ScanWatch is not stated in the abstract; consult the full paper for the breakdown.

Each card answers one buyer question. The bold AGREEMENT label maps the underlying statistic to a normalized rubric (Landis & Koch 1977 cutoffs for kappa, standard percent thresholds for accuracy and per-stage agreement) so cards from different devices can be compared at a glance. The GRADE certainty rating is computed across all contributing studies for that outcome, not just the representative one shown. Methodology →

Audit · sources & method1 study · 62 participants · 2026-04-06

Every quantitative claim above traces back to one of the studies listed here. Click any study identifier to verify against the primary source. CircaTest does not own or modify any of these studies; we link out so you can audit the original.

  1. A performance validation of six commercial wrist-worn wearable sleep-tracking devices for sleep stage scoring compared to polysomnography

    Schyvens AM et al. · Sleep Advances 6(2):zpaf021 · 2025

    n = 62 · 46.0 ± 12.6 years · healthy · vs polysomnography

    Tested in this study as: Withings ScanWatch

    Reported metrics for Withings ScanWatch 2:
    • Cohen's kappa: see sourceThe published abstract states Cohen's kappa across all six devices ranged from 0.21 to 0.53 but explicitly names only Sense (0.42), Charge 5 (0.41), and Apple Watch S8 (0.53). The per-device kappa for the Withings ScanWatch is not stated in the abstract; consult the full paper for the breakdown.

    CircaTest note: Single most editorially important study in the CircaTest corpus. Six commercial wearables tested against PSG in a uniform protocol means the kappa values are directly comparable in a way most validation studies are not. Drives the head-to-head accuracy figures across CircaTest's comparison content. Limitations: tested previous-generation models (Series 8 not 10, Charge 5 not 6, original ScanWatch not 2) so the results are upper bounds for current models, not direct evidence.

    Full study record on CircaTest →

Sources retrieved from PubMed, Europe PMC, and publisher pages. Abstracts shown on individual study records are reproduced under public-domain or fair-use license per their source. Identifiers above link to the original primary source. CircaTest is the curatorial layer; we do not modify the underlying studies.

Data Sources and Methodology

This review compiles data from peer-reviewed research, manufacturer specifications, FDA regulatory filings, and aggregated user reports. No first-person testing was conducted. All sleep accuracy figures reference polysomnography (PSG) comparison data.

The primary accuracy data comes from Schyvens et al. (2025), published in Sleep Advances, which tested the ScanWatch against PSG alongside five other consumer devices. FDA clearance information comes from the public 510(k) record. Hardware specifications are from Withings' published product page. Pricing was verified as of March 31, 2026.

Sleep Tracking Accuracy

Published Accuracy (PSG Agreement)

Withings ScanWatch (kappa)
22%
Apple Watch S8 (kappa, best)
53%

Epoch-by-epoch agreement with polysomnography. Higher is closer to clinical measurement.

Schyvens et al. (2025) tested the ScanWatch against PSG, finding a Cohen's kappa of 0.22 — the lowest among six devices tested. The ScanWatch uses a three-stage classification that combines deep and REM sleep into one category, making direct four-stage comparison with other devices difficult. The study reported 94% sensitivity but 31% specificity, indicating the device is prone to classifying wake time as sleep.

The device provides a nightly sleep score, and all sleep staging data is available without a subscription. The ScanWatch 2 also includes a smart alarm feature.

Buyers who prioritize detailed four-stage sleep classification accuracy should weigh this data carefully: the ScanWatch's three-stage model is a different approach than most competitors, and in the Schyvens comparison it produced the weakest agreement with clinical measurement.

Sensor Suite

The Withings ScanWatch 2 includes seven sensor types:

  • PPG (photoplethysmography): Optical heart rate sensor for continuous monitoring
  • Accelerometer: Motion detection for sleep-wake classification
  • Temperature sensor: Wrist temperature monitoring
  • SpO2 (blood oxygen): Blood oxygen measurement, marketed as enabling detection of breathing disturbances
  • ECG (electrocardiogram): Single-lead ECG for heart rhythm recording (AFib detection)
  • Altimeter: Barometric altimeter
  • GPS: Satellite positioning

The sensor count matches the Apple Watch Series 10 as the most extensive among devices reviewed. The device does not include EDA (electrodermal activity) sensors.

Health Features

The Withings ScanWatch 2 tracks:

  • Heart rate variability (HRV): Overnight measurement
  • Resting heart rate: Continuous monitoring
  • Respiratory rate: Estimated from overnight sensor data
  • Blood oxygen: Overnight SpO2 monitoring
  • Body temperature: Wrist temperature tracking
  • ECG and AFib detection: FDA 510(k) cleared

The ScanWatch 2 holds FDA 510(k) clearance K201456 (October 2021), which clears the device for ECG-based AFib detection and SpO2 measurement. Important nuance: K201456 is not specifically a sleep apnea screening clearance. Withings markets the SpO2 function as enabling detection of nighttime breathing disturbances, but the FDA clearance language covers ECG for AFib and SpO2 measurement, not a dedicated sleep apnea screening indication. Buyers who specifically want an FDA clearance scoped to sleep apnea screening should note this distinction (the Apple Watch received De Novo authorization specifically for sleep apnea notification in September 2024).

The device does not offer menstrual cycle tracking, stress tracking, readiness scores, strain tracking, or recovery scores.

Hardware and Form Factor

SpecWithings ScanWatch 2
Weight52.6g (42mm)
BatteryUp to 35 days
Water Resistance50m (5ATM)
MaterialStainless steel/sapphire
DisplayAlways-on hybrid
FDA 510(k)K201456 (ECG/SpO2)

The Withings ScanWatch 2 weighs 52.6 grams (42mm case, without band). Key specifications:

  • Battery life: Up to 35 days per charge
  • Water resistance: 50 meters (5ATM)
  • Material: Stainless steel case with sapphire glass crystal
  • Display: Always-on hybrid analog/digital display

The up-to-35-day battery life is the longest among devices reviewed by a wide margin. This eliminates the daily charging requirement and provides uninterrupted continuous tracking for over a month.

The traditional watch design with analog hands and a small digital sub-dial gives the ScanWatch 2 a conventional appearance that differs from typical fitness tracker aesthetics. The stainless steel and sapphire glass construction is more premium than polymer-based alternatives but contributes to the 52.6-gram weight, which is still substantially heavier than ring-form competitors.

Cost of Ownership

The Withings ScanWatch 2 uses a one-time purchase model:

  • Hardware: $350
  • Subscription: None required. All features included.

All health features, including ECG and SpO2, are available without ongoing fees.

Two-year cost: $350 (no additional fees)

Pricing verified as of March 31, 2026.

Compatibility

The Withings ScanWatch 2 has broad platform compatibility:

  • iOS: Supported
  • Android: Supported
  • Apple Health: Syncs
  • Google Fit: Syncs
  • Strava: Syncs

No platform lock-in. The device works with all major mobile platforms and health data ecosystems.

Limitations

Several data points are worth noting:

  • Lowest PSG agreement in independent testing: Cohen's kappa of 0.22 (Schyvens 2025) was the weakest of six devices tested. For users who prioritize sleep stage accuracy, this is a significant consideration.
  • Three-stage sleep model: The device combines deep and REM sleep into a single category, unlike the four-stage breakdown most competitors use
  • FDA clearance scope: K201456 covers ECG (AFib) and SpO2, not a dedicated sleep apnea screening indication. Marketing language and clearance language should not be conflated.
  • No menstrual cycle tracking: Despite having a temperature sensor, the device does not offer cycle prediction
  • No readiness, strain, or recovery metrics: The ScanWatch 2 does not contextualize sleep data within an activity or recovery framework
  • No stress tracking: Does not offer daytime or nighttime stress metrics
  • Weight: At 52.6 grams, substantially heavier than ring alternatives (2.3-6 grams)

Who the Data Profile Suggests This Fits

Based on the specifications and available data, the Withings ScanWatch 2's data profile aligns with:

  • Users who want the longest possible battery life to avoid charging interruptions
  • Users who prefer a traditional watch appearance rather than a fitness tracker or tech-forward design
  • Users who want ECG-based AFib detection and continuous SpO2 measurement
  • Users who value full cross-platform compatibility (iOS and Android, all major health platforms)
  • Users who want all features included with no subscription

The device's data profile is less aligned with users who prioritize four-stage sleep classification accuracy, users who specifically want an FDA sleep apnea screening clearance (consider Apple Watch's De Novo authorization instead), or users who need a readiness/recovery framework integrated with their sleep data.

Products Mentioned

Withings ScanWatch 2$350

FDA 510(k) K201456 for ECG/SpO2. Up to 35-day battery. Cohen's kappa 0.22 vs PSG (Schyvens 2025). No subscription. Stainless steel, 52.6g.

Not medical advice. This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consumer device FDA clearances are for screening, not diagnosis. If you have health concerns, consult a qualified healthcare provider.