How Accurate Is Your Apple Watch? A New Study Suggests It Might Not Be as Precise as You Think
How accurate is your Apple Watch, really? A new meta-analysis by researchers at the University of Mississippi suggests that while it performs well in some areas, it might be a little off when it comes to others — especially calories burned.
The team reviewed data from 56 previous studies that tested the Apple Watch’s health tracking features. They compared the device’s readings with trusted reference tools across three common metrics: heart rate, step counts, and energy expenditure (or calories burned). Their findings? The Apple Watch did quite well for heart rate and steps, but significantly missed the mark on calorie estimates.
According to the study, the Apple Watch showed an average error of just 4.43% for heart rate and 8.17% for step counts. But for energy expenditure, the error jumped to 27.96%. This gap was consistent across various activities, including walking, running, cycling, and mixed workouts.
Still, the researchers don’t think you need to throw your Apple Watch aside. “These devices are great for keeping track of habits and staying motivated,” said Professor Minsoo Kang. “But do not take every number as 100% truth, especially the calories. Think of it as a helpful guide, not a diagnostic tool.”
Doctoral student and co-researcher Ju-Pil Choe added that newer models appear to be getting better over time. “While we cannot say every update is a big leap forward, there is a noticeable trend of gradual improvements over time,” he said.
Beyond everyday use, the researchers hope the study provides valuable input for developers. “By showing where the weaknesses are, we can help developers get real feedback,” Professor Kang explained. “If they know what needs to be fixed, they can design better sensors or algorithms. Our findings can guide improvements and help make these devices more useful for both everyday users and health care providers.”
Source: [1] University of Mississippi, [2] CNET
