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Clinical / medical-grade · Other · by AliveCor
KardiaMobile (1-lead)
The original, inexpensive FDA-cleared single-lead personal ECG — free PDF export, no prescription, deep validation.
2017KardiaMobile (orig. 2012)
Late in cycle9 yr 5 mo old
API access: No Raw data access: Yes — restricted Open source: No public repo
Clinical value
74/100
FDA-cleared single-lead ECG
Empowerment
84/100
Own it, free PDF export
Everyday value
46/100
Carried, not worn; on-demand
The original, low-cost single-lead personal ECG — FDA-cleared, deeply validated, and patient-owned, with a free clinician-shareable PDF and no prescription. A simpler, cheaper sibling to the 6-lead KardiaMobile 6L.
What it measures
A 30-second single-lead (Lead I) ECG via two finger pads, with instant determinations: Normal, Possible AFib, Bradycardia, Tachycardia, or Unclassified.
Regulatory status
FDA-cleared across multiple 510(k)s since 2012 (AFib/normal sinus rhythm; on-device AFib notification in 2015; later algorithm expansions). A long, solid clearance track record.
Validation & accuracy
Extensively clinically validated and published; widely used in cardiology research and accepted as a reliable single-lead AFib screening tool.
Data control & export
Raw data: restricted — the Kardia app exports recordings as clinician-shareable PDFs (the core feature) with Apple Health sync, but no open raw-waveform API.
Wearability & battery
A small pad you hold with two fingers for 30 seconds; coin-cell battery lasts about a year. On-demand, not worn.
Cost & access
One-time ~$79–$99, over-the-counter. Core ECG and determinations are free; optional KardiaCare (~$99/yr) adds advanced detections, cloud history, and clinician reviews.
Who it serves
High patient agency — self-record anytime and export a clinician-grade PDF for free, with no prescription.
Who is left out or burdened
Single-lead and spot-check only; some advanced detections sit behind the KardiaCare subscription.
✓ Strengths
- FDA-cleared, deeply validated single-lead ECG
- Inexpensive (~$79–$99), no prescription
- Free clinician-shareable PDF export
- Year-long battery; instant on-device determinations
✕ Weaknesses
- Single-lead and spot-check only (vs the 6L)
- Advanced detections gated behind KardiaCare
- No open raw-waveform API
- Carried, not worn — no continuous data
74
Why this clinical score. A cleared, deeply validated single-lead ECG that clinicians read — high on the clinical axis, just below the 6-lead 6L for arrhythmia breadth.
84
Why this empowerment score. Patient-owned, no prescription, and a free clinician-grade PDF export — among the most empowering devices here; advanced detections are the only paywall.
46
Why this everyday score. Scores low by design: carried not worn, single on-demand job, though the year-long battery is effortless.
Latest news
Reviews & coverage
Reviewers see the single-lead card as an affordable, pocketable way to capture a medical-grade rhythm strip on demand. Limitations are one lead (less detail than 6L) and that some history features need a subscription.
Summary is a draft synthesis of public coverage, not an endorsement. Links open a search of each outlet.
Reddit communities
Independent user communities where this device (or its category) is discussed.
Get it · manuals & support
Draft profile · public-source review, June 2026 · scores describe direction and degree, not buying advice. News, links, and prices change — verify with the manufacturer. Image is representative.