The Withings BeamO combines four health-monitoring functions in a compact, handheld device, offering families a portable way to track their wellbeing. Available for £229.95 through Amazon, it includes a contactless thermometer, a single-lead electrocardiogram (ECG), a pulse oximeter, and a digital stethoscope.
Design and Setup
The BeamO is small enough to slip into a bag or keep in a bedside drawer. Its slim, elongated design resembles a modern digital thermometer, with a colour display that provides access to its different functions.
Getting started involves connecting the device to the Withings app on a smartphone and following the setup instructions. The setup process is seamless, and users can be up and running in minutes.
Features and Performance
The interface is designed to make individual checks relatively straightforward, with on-screen guidance helping users understand how to position the device. Its rechargeable battery is rated for up to eight months of use under the manufacturer's stated conditions, so it should not need frequent charging.
As a parent, the contactless thermometer is the most immediately useful feature, measuring forehead temperature without requiring skin contact. The digital stethoscope records heart and lung sounds, which can be shared with a healthcare professional, potentially providing additional information during a remote consultation.
Subscription and Value
To get the most out of the device, a Withings+ subscription is required. Users are offered three months free, and the subscription includes clinical health reviews, personalised daily AI plans, and third-party app data synchronisation for less than a tenner a month.
The subscription also provides access to a feature called StethO Sense, which analyses heart and lung recordings and delivers insights to BeamO in seconds. This allows users to track colds and flu day to day, better manage asthma, and spot early respiratory symptoms before an urgent doctor's appointment.
One user said: "This device genuinely impressed me with how much functionality is packed into such a sleek and modern design." Another noted: "Given the price tag and the hefty annual subscription - and the fact that the Beamo only offers the stethoscope function on top of included features already available in an Apple Watch, there is a major question about value-for-money."
