Review: Withings BeamO

We have probably all dreamed at some point of Star Trek’s “tricorder” gadget – a small, sleek device that scans the body and immediately tells you if something is wrong. The French health tech giant Withings, which we have tested extensively here at senses, has taken a significant step in that very direction with its new multi-sensor BeamO. On paper, this is a revolution for the home medicine cabinet: a 4-in-1 device that combines a non-contact thermometer, an ECG, a pulse oximeter (SpO2), and a digital stethoscope. But how well does it all work in practice? We at senses.se have put the device through its paces.

Design and usability

BeamO does not look like traditional medical equipment. With its 13.6 x 3.7 x 1.9 cm dimensions and a light weight of 80 grams, it is more reminiscent of a slightly thicker Apple TV remote. The chassis is made of hard plastic, which feels a bit uninspiring considering the price tag, but there is nothing wrong with the build quality. On the front, there is a clear 1.9-inch LCD color screen and a small joystick/button that makes it incredibly easy to navigate between the family’s different user profiles (the device supports up to eight users).

A huge advantage is that BeamO runs via Wi-Fi. After the initial setup, you don’t even need to have your phone nearby. You can quickly and easily take the temperature of a feverish child in the middle of the night in just a few seconds, and the results are silently synced to the cloud and wait for you in the Withings app. Furthermore, the battery life is phenomenal; Withings promises up to eight months on a single charge via USB-C.

Sensors in practice: Lightning fast but finicky

By far the most used function in most homes will be the thermometer. It uses Withings’ second-generation infrared technology (HotSpot Gen2) and is lightning fast. By moving the device across the forehead, you get an accurate and color-coded temperature in a couple of seconds, outclassing traditional pharmacy thermometers. Fast, smooth, painless, and contact-free – no more thermometer probes to be inserted into the mouth, ear, or other less pleasant body openings.

When it comes to the ECG (1-lead) and oxygen saturation (SpO2), BeamO performs on par with high-end smartwatches, though not quite as well as dedicated medical equipment. You place your index fingers on the stainless steel electrodes on the sides and get a reading in about 30 seconds. However, due to strict medical regulations, the ECG function is age-restricted and only available to adult users.

The most ambitious and simultaneously most problematic feature is the digital stethoscope. The app displays stylish guides for exactly where on the chest and back to place the device to record heart and lung sounds. The problem is that the plastic chassis itself is very sensitive to friction. If you move your fingers on the device during the recording, the piezoelectric sensor picks it up as a scratching noise that can easily drown out your heartbeat. Additionally, it is recommended that you connect wired headphones (via an included USB-C adapter) to hear anything in real-time and ensure you have placed it correctly. Beyond that, there is a measurement point on the back where you need someone to help you, unless you are a limber contortionist. It becomes a bit of a hassle for a device otherwise marketed as completely “seamless.” However, this is still better and more accurate than the measurements obtained with BPM Core, for example.

Software and data management – completely without subscription requirements

My impression that the Withings app is one of the market’s most attractive and best health platforms remains firm. It is always seamless to pair the device with the app, and seeing a long list of health parameters from multiple Withings devices is gold for a health enthusiast like myself. Here, BeamO also shines by being genuinely user-friendly without hidden fees, which was my biggest pet peeve with U-scan, which still nags me to subscribe today (at the very top of the app too – please make it possible to turn this off, Withings!)..

You get lifetime, free storage of all your data (temperature, ECG curves, SpO2, and stethoscope recordings). A core function of the system is the ability to create “HealthLinks” for free or export professional PDF reports directly to your doctor. This can be invaluable for the chronically ill or parents of young children who often have video consultations with healthcare providers and need to convey objective data.

For those who want even more, Withings offers an optional add-on service, Withings+ (approx. 100 SEK per month). This provides access to AI-driven insights (“Withings Intelligence”), a daily “health score” (which, frankly, says very little), and the ability to send your ECG for review directly to Withings’ own connected cardiologists within the app. That these deeper, integrated medical services cost extra is understandable, and it is good to see that the vital raw data and sharing functions remain completely open to those who only purchase the hardware.

Conclusion

Withings BeamO is a technically impressive piece of engineering and a truly great fever thermometer on steroids. For families with specific medical needs, frequent remote doctor visits, or health and gadget geeks who want all their data gathered seamlessly in a single app, it is a strong addition. The fact that you have full access to measurements and sharing without having to unlock a subscription is a big plus. But for the average person who just wants to check their temperature occasionally, the price tag of around 2,500 SEK remains a bit on the steep side, and the stethoscope requires some effort to achieve perfect recordings.

Withings sent a review unit for this test. Senders of material have no editorial influence on our tests; we always write independently with our readers and consumers in focus.