When evaluating the quality of photoplethysmography (PPG) signal (52) measured from a patient monitor (e.g., a finger sensor or the like), multiple features of the PPG signal are extracted and analyzed to facilitate assigning a score to the PPG signal or portions (e.g., heartbeats) thereof. Heartbeats in the PPG signal are segmented out using concurrently captured electrocardiograph (ECG) signal (50), and for each heartbeat, a plurality of extracted features are analyzed. If all extracted features satisfy one or more predetermined criteria for each feature, then the heartbeat waveform is compared to a predefined heartbeat template. If the waveform matches the template (e.g., within a predetermined match percentage or the like), then the heartbeat is classified as “clean.” If the heartbeat does not patch the template, or if one or more of the extracted features fails to satisfy its one or more pre-determined criteria, the heartbeat is classified as “noisy.”