These days, many people own a wearable device that can monitor their health, such as a smartwatch. These products are designed to be worn continually, and can measure outputs such as heart rate, stress and step count.
Of available wearables, the WHOOP and Apple Watch are extremely popular. Both offer numerous health insights, and both have recently publicised that they offer blood pressure monitoring capabilities. However, are these devices reliable? Can the Apple Watch detect hypertension? And how accurate is WHOOP for blood pressure tracking?
The Hilo Band is the first over-the-counter cuffless wearable blood pressure monitor cleared by the FDA.
This short article will compare the Hilo Band with two rivals, WHOOP and Apple Watch, and outline why continually monitoring BP with the Hilo Band, an EU- and FDA-approved medical device, supports managing hypertension.
Summary: while both Apple watch and WHOOP are formidable devices for certain other health features they are not suitable for medical blood pressure monitoring.
Hilo vs Whoop vs Apple Watch: key differences
While the WHOOP and Apple devices can collect a range of health-related metrics, they are not currently classified as medical devices. This is an important difference: the accuracy and reliability of data collected by the WHOOP and Apple devices has not been independently verified and validated.
The table below highlights how Hilo compares to WHOOP and Apple Watch across blood pressure and other core features as of September 2025:
| Hilo Band | WHOOP | Apple Watch | |
| Clinically-validated blood pressure monitoring | Yes | No | No |
| Can detect hypertension risk | Yes, with clinical accuracy | No | No, flags patterns and notifies user |
| FDA approval | Yes, cleared in July 2025 | No | Yes, cleared in Sep 2025 |
| CE mark | Yes (Class IIa, same as pharmacy cuff) | No | No |
| Resting heart rate | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Medication reminders | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Share data with your doctor | Yes | No | No |
Comparison of Hilo, WHOOP, and Apple Watch features for blood pressure monitoring and device validation.
Wearables like WHOOP and Apple Watch can estimate blood pressure, but only Hilo delivers continuous, clinically validated readings.
Stay informed on hypertension, new features, and the future of cuffless monitoring.
WHOOP
WHOOP is marketed as a fitness and health wearable – designed for athletes to aid better decisions about training, recovery and overall lifestyle. In May 2025, they added a blood pressure insights feature, which can give daily systolic and diastolic blood pressure estimations.
To enable this feature, WHOOP requires users to calibrate their baseline blood pressure by logging data in the app from an inflatable cuff. After calibration, the device provides one daily estimation of blood pressure. WHOOP describes it as a wellness feature, and customers must agree to a disclaimer confirming that it is not intended for medical purposes.
The key word here is ‘estimation’; while WHOOP has compared its results to cuff measurements, the accuracy has not been independently verified in peer-reviewed studies, so it cannot be considered a clinically validated way to measure blood pressure. It’s important to note that the WHOOP device has not received approval as a medical device in either the US or the EU, and only estimates blood pressure once per day rather than continually.
Apple Watch
The Apple Watch recently launched its blood pressure feature, which can monitor wearers for possible signs of hypertension, which the FDA has approved. At the time of writing this article, approval in the EU as a device for blood pressure monitoring was pending.
The Apple Watch uses an optical sensor to collect data that can be used to analyse how a user’s blood vessels respond as the heart beats. Over a 30- day period the algorithm continually evaluates data collected and, at the end of this time, notifies users if it detects possible signs of hypertension.
However, while the Apple Watch can flag signs of possible hypertension, it doesn’t actually measure blood pressure in a clinically validated way. If you receive an alert, it’s a good reason to follow up with a doctor or use a medical-grade device like the Hilo Band to check your heart health.
Hilo Band
The Hilo Band is a cuffless, wrist-worn blood pressure monitor with independent clinical validation. In Europe, both the Hilo Band and Hilo Lens hold CE marking. In the United States, the underlying technology has FDA clearance as a medically accurate blood pressure monitor, with consumer launch planned for 2026.
This approval is based on six clinical trials and over 20 peer-reviewed academic publications and patents, therefore the Hilo Band maintains its unique position as a trusted, wrist-worn medical-grade wearable that can continually collect blood pressure data.
This means that Hilo has received the same formal approval as a medical device as any conventional blood pressure inflatable cuff that may be purchased in a pharmacy.
Hilo is the only consumer cuffless wearable that continuously tracks blood pressure and is certified as a medical device in Europe.
What makes the Hilo Band different?
The Hilo Band continually monitors your BP throughout the day and night, through use of a medical-grade blood pressure system, and can also monitor your heart rate as well as issue medication reminders. In order to ensure that collected data continues to be reliable and accurate, monthly calibration using a traditional cuff (provided upon purchase) cross-references data collected by the bracelet.
Smart monitoring by Hilo
Smart monitoring means that blood pressure measurements are automatically collected when the accelerometer notes that you have been still for long enough – regardless of how data is collected, blood pressure should only be taken after a period of rest. On average, around 25 measurements are taken over a 24-hour period, without user intervention. This is key, as it empowers you to monitor the impact of health interventions, as well as identify points or events that cause your BP to increase.
Why blood pressure monitoring matters for heart health
Measuring BP is important as it can be an indicator, or even cause, of other underlying health conditions. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and is often referred to as the ‘silent killer’.
What is hypertension?
Hypertension is a disease where the force of blood against artery walls is consistently too high, causing the heart to work harder. This excessive pressure over a sustained period can damage your blood vessels, including the heart, as well as other organs. Constant strain on arteries makes them stiff and narrow, leading to blockages or ruptures, which can have life-threatening consequences. If hypertension is left untreated, the risk of severe health issues, including heart attacks, stroke, heart failure and kidney disease is significantly raised.
Hypertension: the silent killer
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that the number of adults with hypertension has doubled from 650 million in 1990 to 1.3 billion in 2019, with projections suggesting that 1.5 billion people worldwide will be affected by 2025. However, of those with hypertension, up to 50% of sufferers are unaware of their condition and therefore cannot take steps towards controlling it. As a consequence, their risk of other cardiovascular events, such as stroke or heart attack, is elevated.
Up to 50% of people with high blood pressure don’t know they have it. That’s why a device that tracks BP continuously can make a big difference.
Measuring the changes in blood pressure using inflatable cuff-based devices can be inconvenient. In addition, measurements can be inaccurate for various reasons, including white coat syndrome, incorrect cuff sizing, incorrect body or cuff positioning, impact of meals, or movement during measurement. The ability to measure BP continuously and discreetly, both day and night, can give a much more accurate insight into overall heart health.
ContinualContinuous BP monitoring: a window into your health
Continually collecting data can provide a window into your health, rather than the snapshot provided when having a check-up. For example, if you’re looking to control BP through lifestyle choices, ongoing data shows the benefits more quickly.
And, because the Hilo Band is a medically approved device within the EU and US, data can be trusted by medical professionals.
Hilo Band: accessible, comfortable, and convenient
The Hilo Band from the Aktiia team offers an accessible, comfortable, and convenient method for long-term BP monitoring, providing reliable data that are automatically visualised in the app and are easily interpreted. This makes it the clear choice for those wanting more in-depth information about their heart health, or those who have been advised to control their BP by a medical professional.
If you’re interested in the accuracy of the Hilo Band when compared to a cuff, or the scientific tests on accuracy that were required for the Hilo Band to receive approval as a medical device in the EU, then our Scientific Reports article provides additional information.
FAQ
Can the Apple Watch track blood pressure and detect hypertension?
The Apple Watch can monitor wearers for possible signs of hypertension but doesn’t actually measure blood pressure in a clinically validated way. If possible signs of hypertension are detected, the Apple Watch will signpost wearers to a medical professional. If you get an alert, it’s a good reason to follow up with a doctor or use a medical-grade device like Hilo.
What should I do if my Apple Watch shows high blood pressure?
If your Apple Watch alerts you about possible high blood pressure, book an appointment with your doctor to confirm. The Apple Watch does not measure blood pressure in a clinically validated way. For accurate readings you and your doctor can trust, consider using a medical-grade device like the Hilo Band, which continually tracks blood pressure and allows you to share your data directly with your physician.
How accurate is WHOOP blood pressure tracking?
The WHOOP has a blood pressure insights feature, but this only gives daily systolic and diastolic blood pressure estimations. Data have not been independently verified and validated by external teams, therefore the device cannot claim to accurately measure blood pressure. It has not received approval as a medical device in either the US or EU and is not clinically validated.
Why is continualcontinuous blood pressure monitoring important?
ContinualContinuous blood pressure monitoring can give you a window into your health, rather than the snapshot provided when having a check-up. This empowers both you and your physician to make better decisions relating to your heart health.
In addition, the Hilo app presents data in a simple way, allowing quick visualisation of any patterns and trends. For example, if you’re taking any medication that’s impacting your blood pressure you can see long-term what effect it’s having and adjust doses as necessary. Or if you’re looking to control blood pressure through lifestyle choices, ongoing data can show you the benefits more quickly.
Do I need a medical device to measure my blood pressure at home?
While it’s not strictly necessary to monitor your blood pressure at home, it’s a good idea. Regular blood pressure readings can be extremely useful for maintaining good health, especially if you have borderline high blood pressure (prehypertension), have been diagnosed with hypertension, or there is a history of hypertension in your family. While cuff-based devices are easy to find, they’re not necessarily easy to use. The Hilo Band is the only wearable with FDA clearance for continualcontinuous blood pressure monitoring that’s user-friendly and discrete.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not contain, nor replace, medical advice. Consult your physician before making any changes to your diet or lifestyle.
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