General Device:
The KardiaMobile 6L is the most recent device from AliveCor Kardia. The KardiaMobile 6L features a more advanced 6-lead Electrocardiogram (EKG) instead of the single-lead EKG from their previous products. The 6-lead EKG can provide more detail as opposed to the single-lead EKG. The device is single purposed and does not provide any additional functions beyond the EKG exam.
The device has two lead sensors on the top and a single sensor on the bottom. These top sensors are intended for the user’s hands, while the bottom sensor is placed on the user’s left ankle or on top of the left knee. The device has no display or indicator lights. All the exam instructions, status indications, and visualizations are displayed through the mobile app. The mobile app is available for iOS devices and in the Google Play store.
The device is run off a CR2016 coin battery and allows for 200 hours of operational time, or 12 months of typical use. This seems to be a design choice to keep device cost low and overall form factor small. Adding a USB-charged battery would increase the device’s size, weight, and cost.
Mobile App Integration
The mobile app is the real nerve center for the KardiaMobile 6L, as it is for all the KardiaMobile products. From the app, you can complete a 30-second EKG and view your results. An AI analysis is conducted for each EKG with the option to have it reviewed by Kardia Providers. With the KardiaCare membership ($9.99/month), four of these reviews are included annually. With an advanced KardiaCare Plus membership ($299 annually) you get 12 Cardiologist annual reviews included as well as the KardiaMobile 6L and an Omron Blood Pressure cuff.
The app also allows for Blood Pressure tracking via an Omron Evolv Wireless Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor or manual entry. EKG reports can be exported to PDF and then shared with the provider of your choice. There is also the option of setting up an Inner Circle for family or caregivers who can see your test results without having to export them.
Comparison with Previous Kardia devices:
In addition to the 6-Lead EKG function, the Kardia Mobile 6L also pairs via Bluetooth to the device that has the Kardia App. This is the same for the KardiaMobile Card, but the older KardiaMobile device uses audio transmission to the microphone of the device to register the EKG limiting range of the device from the tablet/mobile phone. Both the KardiaMobile and KardiaMobile Card are limited to single-lead EKG tests, and are still available for purchase through the AliveCor website.
Product Specs:
| Model Name | KardiaMobile 6L | KardiaMobile | KardiaMobile Card |
| Manufacturer | AliveCor | AliveCor | AliveCor |
| Manufacturer Address | 189 N Bernardo Ave Ste 100, Mountain View, California, 94043 | 189 N Bernardo Ave Ste 100, Mountain View, California, 94043 | 189 N Bernardo Ave Ste 100, Mountain View, California, 94043 |
| Manufacturer Web Address | EKG Anywhere, Anytime | Kardia | EKG Anywhere, Anytime | Kardia | EKG Anywhere, Anytime | Kardia |
| Dimensions (LxWxH) | 9.0 cm x 3.0 cm x 0.72 cm | 8.2 cm x 3.2 cm x 0.35 cm | 85.6 mm x 54.0 mm x 1.2 mm |
| Electrodes | Three 3 cm x 3 cm stainless steel electrodes | Two 3 cm x 3 cm stainless steel electrodes | Two 25 mm x 15 mm electrodes |
| Weight | 24 grams | 18 grams | 7.4 grams |
| Battery Type | 3V CR2016 coin cell battery (included) | 3V CR2016 coin cell battery (included) | Non-replaceable battery |
| Battery Life | 200 hours of operational time 12 months of typical use |
200 hours of operational time 12 months of typical use |
2 years of typical use |
| Platform Device | iOS 10.3.3+ or Android 6.0+ | iOS 10.3.3+ or Android 6.0+ | iOS 10.3.3+ or Android 6.0+ |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth Low Energy technology 1m wireless range |
The KardiaMobile transmits an EKG signal directly to the microphone of your smartphone or tablet | Bluetooth Low Energy technology 1m wireless range |
| EKG Characteristics | Six Lead ECG 10 mV peak-to-peak input dynamic range 30-second to 5-minute recording duration 300 samples per second sampling rate 14-bit resolution |
Single Lead ECG 10 mV peak-to-peak input dynamic range 30-second to 5-minute recording duration 300 samples per second sampling rate 16-bit resolution |
Single Lead ECG
10 mV peak-to-peak input dynamic range |
| EKG Test leads | EKG leads I, II, III, aVL, aVR, and aVF | ||
| MSRP | $129 | $79 | $99 |
Summary:
The Kardia Mobile 6L is an improvement from the previous generation and represents a simple and convenient way of getting a highly detailed EKG from the comfort of a user’s home. This combined with the advanced review and sharing options made available through the KardiaCare membership, make this device an interesting option for those looking to track heart health remotely.
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