What they have in common
Both a smartwatch ECG and a personal EKG like the SonoHealth EKGraph record a single-lead trace and can prompt you about a possibly irregular rhythm such as atrial fibrillation. Both are designed for awareness and for capturing a recording to share with your doctor — not for diagnosis.Strengths of a smartwatch
A smartwatch is always on your wrist, can nudge you about an irregular rhythm in the background, and tracks continuous heart-rate trends over time. That convenience means it may catch episodes you didn’t notice.Strengths of a dedicated personal EKG
A purpose-built device is focused on one job: capturing a clean trace on demand when you feel symptoms. Many people find a dedicated grip-style device easy to use deliberately, and recordings export as a PDF to bring to a cardiologist. It also doesn’t depend on a charged smartwatch or a particular phone ecosystem.What neither can do
Neither is a 12-lead EKG, so neither reliably detects a heart attack or localizes a problem. Readings can also be affected by movement and poor contact — learn how to capture a good reading.How to choose
If you already wear a smartwatch and value passive monitoring, it may be enough. If you want a dedicated tool for deliberately recording symptoms — or you don’t want to rely on a watch — a personal EKG is a strong fit. Either way, share recordings with your doctor and follow up symptoms in person.Related: Home EKG Overview · Single-Lead vs 12-Lead · Heart Palpitations · How to Capture a Good Reading