Last Updated: June 5, 2019 (Refresh Now)
Alivecor KardiaBand for Apple Watch FDA Cleared Wearable Wristband 30 Second EKG Works with Apple Watch to Evaluate EKG Helps Detect Afib Anytime Anywhere 42 MM
Last Updated: June 5, 2019 (Refresh Now)
5.4
SCORE
/10
Total Reviews
157
Old Reviews
0
Unverified
61
Spam Test
PASS
1.65 meters
SIZE
119.07 grams
WEIGHT
Review Analysis - 96 recent, verified reviews
Detailed Mode
Band
kardia, apple watch, buckle, ekg, apple
+19%
-81%
" ... The corners of the buckle dig in into the skin and are intolerable for long wear. ... "
" ... The band itself is masculine and only comes in black. ... "
" ... The seller fails to advise after paying $99 you then have to pay a monthly fee or the band is useless would like to return it but by the time you realize it it too late ... "
" ... The only thing I don’t like is the band. ... Instead of the typical Apple Watch band that fastens with the hole going over the river and then underneath one side, this is like a normal watch band. ... "
" ... This is VERY presumptuous of them after I've plopped down $200 for the band. ... I'm still waiting on their mandatory cardiologist review and in the mean time the band and the app are locked up and worthless. ... "
" ... it's a legitimate medical tool that is unnecessary for the majority of people to have on their wrist 24/7. ... "
" ... I just received my new Kardia band and I guess it was a return, because I received an open box with the band not even in the box correctly. ... "
" ... This band seems to have been designed for women. ... Even in the very fist notch, the band was way too tight to tolerate. ... When I buy a dress watch with a metal band I always have to have 4-6 links removed. ... "
Product Reliability
30, subscription, premium, kardiaband, trial
+29%
-71%
" ... I would not buy product and wish I could return it as is quit working after 2 months of use, and I paid for a 1 year subscription. ... "
" ... -2 stars: Contrary to the product description, a one month trial is NOT INCLUDED for existing customers. ... "
" ... After first month. ... "
" ... Received message "We're sorry, but something went wrong" and customer support is working ont it, but still not fixed. ... "
" ... months (I've been an AVID 'EARLY ADOPTER') -- each one $200 -- & the 3rd one AGAIN has NOW FAILED . ... And, the company just BLOWS me OFF -- re any replacements . ... "
" ... after buying and using this product for a month. ... "
" ... I recently just stopped wearing it after 2 months. ... "
" ... That was when I found out that the $200 KardiaBand would no longer work unless I paid an additional $9.99 a month for a premium membership. ... "
Software Platform
watch, kardia, ecg, apple watch, smartrhythm monitoring
+47%
-53%
" ... After installing the apps on my phone and watch, I was not able to get an ECG read. ... I called support and was asked to reinstall the apps which I did, but it did not solve the issue. ... Update 2: The product is messing up my activity on my apple watch. ... "
" ... After the trial period is gone the App on my Watch stopped working! ... "
" ... Cons - App runs all the time, even when not wearing my Apple Watch 3. ... The app takes over the watch display and it is not customizable. ... I have experienced several times when the app will not work and does not connect to the iPhone app. ... The watch display says to reboot the iPhone and the watch and try to connect again. ... Sometimes this does not work and I am forced to delete the app from my watch and iPhone and reinstall it then set everything up all over again. ... "
" ... However, that is not possible as the APP on my watch triggers a message that cannot be deleted and I am unable to activate the EKG program. ... "
" ... - App is not very intuitive. ... So what bugs me? ... **************** UPDATE: Dropping to one star. ... "
" ... All the app does is try to get you to upgrade to services that should be included. ... "
" ... But there is nothing on the Kardia web site that says what to do. ... If Kardia have actual Doctors looking at user data, I am sure they are all saying WTF. ... "
" ... Using other workout apps on your watch may halt SmartRhythm monitoring ... "
Apps
watch, ecg, kardia, smartrhythm monitoring, smartrhythm
+53%
-47%
" ... It also keeps a log of all your ekgs on the app on your iPhone. ... "
" ... Since 9/9/18 ECG has not worked but SmartRhythm app continued to work-- requested help several times but obviously customer support service did not read my comments or know anything about how the Kardia system worked. ... Currently I am using iPhone with IOS-12 and got Apple Watch 3 operating system upgraded to WOS-5. ... My normal operation is to use my old trusty EMAY ECG device to generate an ECG whenever the Kardia SystemRhythm app detects a possible AFIB issue. ... The Kardia SystemRhythm app saves the day. ... "
" ... great concept and after several weeks when it did not work due to lack of app store update to current appleWatch iOS. ... "
" ... It can be used freely with the iphone App (but less practical as you need to record it from iphone App) or with the Apple watch app (with a yearly subscription). ... "
" ... I think the change I need (want) is a software update. ... "
" ... The app worked very well and I recommend it unless you have an implant. ... "
" ... To toggle the SmartRhythm monitoring off, "hard-press" on the watch within the app, which will bring up a settings menu where you can enable/disable SmartRhythm monitoring, toggle voice input for symptoms and change Smarthythm sensitivity thresholds for alerts. ... "
" ... The capper is that when you do your first ECG, they apparently lock out your app and forward the info to their cardiologist to review before letting you go any further. ... I have a $4.99 HeartWatch app that gives me all but the ECG and it's WAY more intuitive. ... It has now been six days since I put this on, activated the app and took my first ECG. ... I can get reasonably equivalent feedback from a $4.99 app called HeartWatch (and I am not affiliated or getting a kickback from them for saying this). ... "
Device Compatibility
ekg, kardia mobile, watch, new apple watch, kardiaband
+27%
-73%
" ... On the flipside, Apple is partly to blame for this. ... "
" ... The first one did not recognize or pair with my apple Xmax. ... "
" ... Received email notifying me that their report is ready, but I can't access it. ... "
" ... I have experienced several times when the app will not work and does not connect to the iPhone app. ... The watch display says to reboot the iPhone and the watch and try to connect again. ... "
" ... The KardiaMobile does not require the premium membership and costs $100 less, but is separate from the device (your iPhone) requiring you to carry it around in a case. ... "
" ... It would not connect so it was returned ... "
" ... First I had issues getting the EKG to show up on my phone. ... "
" ... We returned it and got the Kardia Mobile. ... "
Battery Life
watch, life, replace the battery, drain, charge
+8%
-92%
" ... c. SmartRhythm monitoring will significantly affect battery life ... "
" ... Works great but turning on SmartRythm monitoring drains the battery. ... I have a series 1 watch and it will only last 6 hours. ... "
" ... Kills battery life on my watch. ... "
" ... A few downsides: 1) I've already had to replace the battery, after 2 months of usage. ... "
" ... This worked great until I had to replace the battery. ... I've actually now gone through two of these devices and encountered battery change issues with both. ... The first time the battery died in less than a month. ... I could always hear the high-pitched sound that it uses to communicate with the watch, so I think this drained the battery faster. ... I had issues getting it to work after replacing the the battery, so they did accept it as a return. ... The second one I had lasted longer with the battery, but again when it came time to replace the battery, I can't get it to work with the replacement battery. ... There seems to be a fundamental issue with the battery making good contact with the terminals inside the device. ... "
" ... The battery life sucks. ... It is nearly impossible to replace the battery. ... It took three hours to replace the battery. ... No jeweler in our area would replace the battery ... "
" ... Nice product but it eats your watch battery. ... "
" ... Had the second one for two months and the battery is dead already and is advertised as 2 years of life. ... "
Heartrate
heart rate, readings, monitor, heart condition, sleep
+33%
-67%
" ... * The biggest limitation: the captured heart rate data is interesting but can only be examined in the Kardia app ... "
" ... Not unreasonable for someone who's heart rate was jacked while they were a sleep, but that wasn't me. ... Also I see "yellow" heart rate readings in the history that didn't trigger a real time alert. ... "
" ... I bought this to monitor my heart rate and ekg and it just raises my blood pressure. ... "
" ... However, it's not worth the $200 price tag unless you have a heart condition that requires frequent monitoring for atrial fibrillation (in which case your medical insurance should have to cover something similar to this.) ... "
" ... I got the worst case of anxiety from the watch and seeing my heart rate that high again. ... "
" ... Also, when the band (& constant heart monitor) is used -- constantly -- I'm getting only 1/3-1/2 day -- before it DIES -- & needs to be recharged. ... "
" ... I would only recommend this to people whose doctor recommends it due to existing heart issues. ... "
Price
year, work, waste of money, spend, 99
+25%
-75%
" ... Waste of money ... "
" ... Don't waste your money. ... "
" ... Crazy to spend $199 and not be able to use occasionaly without paying extra $120 per year. ... "
" ... Not worth it in my opinion. ... "
" ... That was when I found out that the $200 KardiaBand would no longer work unless I paid an additional $9.99 a month for a premium membership. ... "
" ... I wanted it to work you but my reward has been a waste of money. ... "
Marketplace
thing, thank, review, returning, arrived
+75%
-25%
" ... Amazon, and Zappos. ... "
" ... Thank you AliveCor! ... "
" ... Love it Amazon. ... "
" ... Can’t wait for it to arrive! ... "
" ... This is a pre arrival review. ... "
Ease of Use
easy to set, ekg, easy, use, read
+100%
" ... It is easy to use and I love getting an ekg whenever I want. ... "
" ... It does what is says, easy to figure out and use. ... "
" ... Was easy to set up. ... Easy to set up. ... "
" ... It is extremely easy to use and can be sent to my cardiologist Literally in seconds. ... "
" ... Excellent product, very easy to read reports and take EKGs. ... "
" ... Pros - Easy to use and acquire an EKG. ... "
Returns
returned, would, use, thing, return
+14%
-86%
" ... The replacement did the same thing. ... "
" ... It would not connect so it was returned ... "
" ... I will be returning this item and never purchasing another product from this company again, absolutely trash. ... "
" ... I would not buy product and wish I could return it as is quit working after 2 months of use, and I paid for a 1 year subscription. ... "
" ... I have had it for almost a week and will be returning it. ... "
" ... I'm returning the thing to Amazon. ... "
Comfort
hand held, buckle, kardia, watch, uncomfortable
+71%
-29%
" ... I gave it four stars because, though it is comfortable, it is not too attractive. ... "
" ... After having my first ever A-Fib event, I find comfort in having this in my toolbox. ... "
" ... hands down this is a life saver!!! ... "
" ... Much quicker than fumbling for the pads and using two hands. ... "
" ... I purchased the kardia hand-held unit a few years ago. ... it's worth it despite the growing pains. ... "
Accuracy
readings, like, use
+83%
-17%
" ... It doesn't require the monthly fee for monitoring this one does and it a lot more accurate. ... "
" ... The ECG's seem accurate. ... "
" ... First I would like to say that the KardiaBand itself works very well and seems to be consistently accurate. ... "
" ... so you'll have things like 500 minutes of exercise and thousands of calories burned. ... "
Pedometer
like
+67%
-33%
" ... I think that Kardia is a GREAT STEP FORWARD . ... "
" ... so you'll have things like 500 minutes of exercise and thousands of calories burned. ... "
Call quality
phone, message, customer, support, messages
-100%
" ... I have never recorded a voice message, and these messages do not make any sense. ... "
" ... Customer support has not responded to emails or phone calls . ... "
" ... When I tried to call the customer service phone number I repeatedly got a recorded message telling me to leave a message and they would get back to me. ... "
Network
+33%
-67%
" ... 2) Occasionally when I try to take an EKG, I find it difficult to acquire a signal. ... This is annoying, but following some of the recommendations for acquiring a signal will often work. ... "
" ... You will get extremely annoyed and frustrated with “waiting for signal” ... "
Size
loose, large, big
+33%
-67%
" ... But the small is too small and the large is too large, so the loose end always gets in the way. ... "
" ... If I'm at my desk / computer, this is not such a BIG DEAL -- but, when I'm on the road, it just means that I don't have a (usable) monitor (or watch, because BOTH are DISCHARGED) -- until the next time (usually day) that I can get to a charging station . ... "
Build Quality
buckle
-100%
" ... But the band doesnt fit right on the wrist and the piece that holds the extra band down keeps sliding and the band wont stay where it supposed to. ... "
" ... The corners of the buckle dig in into the skin and are intolerable for long wear. ... "
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Specifications
Body
Size: 1.65 meters
Weight: 119.07 grams