Analysis And Test Results
While wearing our arms out testing accuracy, we tried out all the features these monitors have to offer. We found out which work well and took notes on how easy these devices are to use. Overall, we’re impressed with these monitors’ price points and quality. We highlight the top models in each key performance area below.
Greater Goods Bp Monitor: Best For Budgets
Accessible display
The large LCD screen makes this home blood pressure monitor incredibly user friendly. The numbers and buttons are big, so you wont need glasses to see your results. Most online customers rave about this monitors accuracy, so you can trust that the results will greatly assist your doctor in managing your blood pressure.
Smaller cuff than other monitors
It has a comfortable cuff thats easy to put on and fits on most arm sizes . This blood pressure machine also comes with a handy carrying bag that holds the monitor and its accessories. This is ideal for tossing in your bag for a doctor’s appointment or packing before a road trip.
Theres not much memory storage, so you wont be able to keep an in-depth log. This Greater Goods blood pressure monitor holds no more than 60 records each for two users. Still, we think this is the best blood pressure monitor for most folks.
The Greater Goods Bluetooth BP Monitor has all of the original BP monitors features but also comes with a Bluetooth connection. This means you can track your readings with a smartphone. It costs about $20 more than the non-Bluetooth edition.
How To Properly Take Blood Pressure
First of all, avoid drinking coffee, alcohol, or smoking cigarettes 30 minutes before measuring your BP. Before starting the test, sit for about 5 minutes calmly and quietly.
Then, put the pressure monitor on your upper arm and fasten it. Ideally, your arm should be supported so that your elbow rests at your heart level. Your feet should be on the floor.
For automatic BP monitors, all you need to do is press the start button and wait until the device tells you that the process is done. Do not talk or move too much while youre at it. Breathe normally.
You dont have to, but it would be ideal if you measure 3 times and take the average.
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Best Blood Pressure Monitors In 2020 For Blood Pressure Testing
There is no reason why you should not use an at-home blood pressure monitor, but there are a number reasons why you should. And the best one of them is avoiding the daily trips to doctors. They are good people, but if apples dont work out for you, then these best blood pressure monitors definitely should. And no one likes to visit hospitals again and again.
One of the significant advantages of using an at-home blood pressure monitor is the fact that you can measure blood pressure from your wrists too. Also, some of them can accommodate extra-large arms too, unlike the monitors available with doctors.
We have handpicked the six best blood pressure monitors available in the market, check them out and tell us in the comments which one you like the best.
How Do I Know Which Blood Pressure Monitor Is Best For Me
When picking out a blood pressure monitor, you’ll want to be sure the cuff fits properly before purchasing. Most devices have a fairly universal fit but some arm cuffs can be too large or too small. If the cuff is too loose or too tight, the blood pressure readings may not be accurate which will invalidate any tests.
It helps to try a few of the monitors out ahead of time to ensure that they’ll work for you and to get a sense of the other features they offer as well.
It’s also recommended that you consult with a healthcare professional about which model might be best for you.
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First Things First: What Is A Blood Pressure Monitor
It may seem simple, though its important to understand the working science of these healthcare essentials.
A blood pressure monitor consists of an inflatable cuff that is usually wrapped around the arm and a monitoring device that measures the cuffs pressure,Lama Ghazi, MD, Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow at Yale School of Medicine who specializes in inpatient hypertension, told the New York Post. The monitor provides two pressures: systolic pressure is the pressure the blood exerts on your artery walls when your heart beats and diastolic pressure is the pressure your blood is exerting on your artery walls when your heart is resting between beats .
How To Buy The Best Blood Pressure Monitor For You
Should I buy a digital or manual device?
Automatic digital devices are best for home use as theyre capable of self-inflating, which makes them much easier to use than their manual counterparts. Some automatic machines can also upload information to your smartphone or computer for easy tracking over time.
How much do I need to spend?
Some blood-pressure monitors cost over £100, but you dont need to pay top dollar for accurate, consistent results. In fact, some good ones will cost you less than £20. If you pay more than that, youre usually getting additional features.
What are the most common features?
One common feature is a risk indicator, which warns you if your blood pressure reading exceeds recommended levels. Some will also alert you to heart conditions such as arrhythmia or atrial fibrillation . These are both ailments with no obvious external symptoms, so this feature could be a lifesaver.
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A Blood Pressure Monitor That Can Store Unlimited Information
Best Buy
- Clinically validated: Clinically validated
- Key features: Cordless, syncs with app, can accommodate and store information for any number of users
You might not usually think about the aesthetics of blood pressure monitors, but the Omron Evolv is a gorgeous device. Its an all-in-one unit with the display and control mounted on the cuff. Not only are there no tubes or wires, but you can see your results without reaching for a phone. That said, the Evolv syncs with your phone via Bluetooth, giving you access to a wealth of additional features via the Omron app for iOS or Android.
If you are sharing this monitor with others, the app is at the ready with the ability to accommodate any number of users and an unlimited history of readings for each user. Omron goes above and beyond here. Most blood pressure monitors, if they support saving data for multiple users at all, generally allow for just two users some can handle four. With the Evolv, theres no limit.
The Evolv is clinically validated, and Omron claims to achieve better accuracy than most other monitors by assessing more data points, which allows it to eliminate the routine interference that occurs through incidental arm movements.
Automatic Versus Manual Blood Pressure Monitors
Upper arm blood pressure monitors can be either automatic or manual.
- An automatic blood pressure monitor will inflate the cuff at the touch of a button. It will also automatically measure blood pressure and deflate the cuff.
- A manual blood pressure machine, or an aneroid monitor, requires the user to pump a rubber bulb to inflate the upper arm cuff.
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Blood Pressure Monitors In The Which Test Lab
Not all blood pressure monitors are equal when it comes to accuracy, and comparing models in the shop wont be enough to know which will report your data correctly every time.
We know how serious the wrong blood pressure reading could prove and we simply cant recommend an inaccurate tracker we make them Which? Don’t Buys automatically.
Learn about the blood pressure monitors that always give accurate readings by comparing our tested blood pressure monitors.
Features To Look For In A Blood Pressure Monitor
Cuff size
Upper arm style monitors generally come with a medium sized cuff as standard. While this will be suitable for the majority of users, if you’ve got exceptionally large or small arms then look for one which has different sized cuffs available. To find the right size cuff for you, measure your arm’s circumference halfway between your shoulder and elbow while standing with your arm hanging at your side. A circumference of 1822cm requires a small cuff, 2232cm requires a medium cuff, and above 32cm you’ll need a large cuff but check the measurements against the manufacturer’s instructions on the product you intend to buy.
Wrist cuff monitors are usually one size fits all.
Display
Make sure the monitor’s buttons and display are easy for you to read and use. Upper arm cuff style monitors will generally have larger, easier to read displays than their wrist cuff counterparts. If your vision isn’t the best then you may even want to consider the Pharmacy Care monitor which speaks your results out loud, but it does become tiresome after a few uses.
Adjustable inflation level
The cuff has to be inflated to a level above the systolic blood pressure, but the automatic inflation setting might be a lot higher and it could be uncomfortable. Some models have an adjustable inflation level so you can program the pressure.
Memory with date and time stamps
Blood pressure data averaging
Mains power adapter
Irregular heart rate display
Hypertension indicator
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Best Digital Arm Monitor
The Beurer BM47 is easy to use thanks to its digital screen, adjustable cuff, and ability to track four patients’ blood pressure over time.
Pros: Accurate, simple, multi-user support for up to four people, large LED screen
Cons: Only saves historical data for seven days
Inexpensive, easy to use, and feature-packed, the Beurer BM47 upper arm blood pressure monitor will suit the needs of most people. The compact device includes a soft, adjustable cuff designed to fit small and large arms. The monitor supports up to four users.
One of the BM47’s best features is its simplicity. Once the cuff is securely in place, all you need to do is tap a single button to activate the device. Within a matter of seconds, the cuff will constrict and measure systolic and diastolic blood pressure. A series of colored lights along the edge of the unit serves as an indicator of a patient’s current danger level, making it easy to tell at a glance if their blood pressure is too high.
The BM47 is lauded for its accuracy and it has the ability to save up to 30 blood pressure measurements for four unique users in its onboard memory. When checking an individual’s current blood pressure, the device can then compare the results to the readings that have been taken over the previous seven days.
Because the BM47 tracks a user’s pulse, it also has the ability to identify unusual heart rhythms. This is yet another safety feature that could give users a warning if the device detects arrhythmia.
Are Wrist Blood Pressure Monitors Accurate
Yes, they can be, although theyre very sensitive to the body position. Ideally, your arm should be at the heart level to get a fairly accurate wrist monitor measurement. Even if your arm is perfectly still and at the ideal position, you still might get less accurate BP measurements.
So, wrist BP monitors arent very accurate, although they are good for casual readings.
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Validation Of Blood Pressure Monitors To International Standards
Because of the proliferation of blood pressure monitors, there has been an effort by some organisations to develop a validation criterion that amalgamates the British Hypertension criteria with others around the world into a single source. When shopping for a blood pressure monitor, you should check to see if the model has passed these international standard clinical tests.
We’ve started to list these in our test criteria and don’t recommend any blood pressure monitors that have not been validated, though we may still test some that aren’t. Regardless of whether your new blood pressure monitor is validated, we recommend you get it checked by your GP prior to use.
Who This Is For
Nearly half of Americans have high blood pressure , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. High blood pressure forces your heart to work harder, putting a burden on the rest of your body. A home blood pressure monitor is not a diagnostic device, but a tool to help you keep track of your blood pressure between checkups.
The American Heart Association defines hypertension as having either a systolic reading over 130, or a diastolic reading over 80 mm Hg for adults over the age of 20, and prehypertension as 120/80 mm Hg or above. These numbers refer to the pressure of blood against your blood-vessel walls. The first number is the systolic pressure, measured when the heart beats the second number is the diastolic pressure, measured when the heart rests between beats.
The American Heart Association and many doctors recommend a blood pressure monitor for home use to help people with high blood pressure manage the condition. The daily use of a monitor can help a person track their blood pressure and prompt them to seek emergency care. At-home monitoring is also useful for patients who experience white coat syndrome, where the stress of visiting the doctors office causes blood pressure to spike. Still, keep in mind that home monitoring is meant to accompanynot replaceregular monitoring by a physician.
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Best Basic Blood Pressure Monitor
The Paramed Professional Manual Blood Pressure Cuff is a traditional monitor that uses a cuff and a small air pump to measure blood pressure on an analog gauge.
Pros: Traditional analog design may appeal to some, easy to use, affordable price, accurate readings, comes with a case
Cons: Analog dial not as easy to read as a digital screen, no alerts or digital monitoring system
Some would describe the Paramed Professional Manual Blood Pressure Cuff as an old-school method for monitoring your blood pressure, but we prefer to think of it as a tried-and-true approach instead. This monitor resembles the ones that were used by doctors for decades before high-tech, digital devices came along. The traditional method continues to work well, particularly for those who just want as simple a monitor as possible.
Technically defined as a sphygmomanometer, this monitor features a traditional cuff that wraps around the upper arm. The user then squeezes a small air pump that causes the cuff to inflate and constrict. As pressure releases, it equalizes at approximately the same level as the current systolic pressure in the body. It then provides a blood pressure reading on its built-in analog screen.
Lakmus Pro Blood Pressure Monitor Wrist Cuff
Unlike other monitors on this list, the Lakmus Pro is a wrist cuff blood pressure monitor. It is a compact portable design with a large LCD screen on the front and a wrist cuff behind it. It comes with a carrying case for safe storage.
The Lakmus Pro can store 90 sets of readings with dates and times for 1 user profile. It also has an irregular heartbeat indicator that picks up on unusual cardiac activity. The monitor should always be placed on the skin and there should be no other ornaments on the wrist during BP measurement. When not in use, the auto power-off feature will be activated to save battery power.
Recommended for: Anyone with unique reasons that make using an upper arm monitor challenge.
Important to note:
Wrist blood pressure monitors tend to give less accurate readings than upper arm BP monitors. The arteries in your wrist are thinner and nearer to the skin which makes readings from the area unsteady. Consider having your doctor check your wrist BP monitor and possibly calibrate it using a professional automatic blood pressure machine.
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Ozeri Bp3t Blood Pressure Monitor
This is a smart blood pressure monitor from Ozeri.
Product Highlights
This blood pressure monitor brings tradition and smart technology together. To an extent, its very akin to the blood pressure monitors that you find in hospitals.
On the other hand, its a solid piece of smart technology. It actually packs a variety of features that you wont find in other blood pressure monitors.
For instance, the BP3T can diagnose hypertension. Not only that, but it can do it on the spot. It would be an understatement to say that this is both useful and practical. Then, theres the smartphone connectivity thats increasingly necessary in this day and age.
In terms of comfort, lets just say that you wont find a blood pressure monitor that is more comfortable than this one. If you do, feel free to let us know.
No matter how high-tech, comfortable, and advanced a blood pressure monitor is, theres still one main thing that counts the most accuracy. You dont need to worry about that here as the Ozeri BP3T is very precise in making measurements.
Durability is yet another thing that you dont have to worry about with this monitor. Not only is the digital side of things pretty much failsafe, but the physical durability of the device is also more than admirable. Its apparent from the monitors construction.
The Good
Plus, you get to store 120 readings per person .
The Bad
Also, for such a high-tech device, custom deletion wouldve been helpful.
Pros
Product Highlights
The Good
The Bad
A Note About Accuracy
Because blood pressure can fluctuate greatly in response to movement, medication, and other factors, we decided we did not have the resources to give a valid accuracy rating. Instead, we determined each devices reading consistency.
We calculated the standard deviation of the back-to-back systolic and diastolic readings on each device. We did this for both the morning and afternoon tests we’ve included the average standard deviations for each device listed above. Dr. Sheikh advised that devices with standard deviation readings of 10 or less would be considered consistent. Devices with standard deviations greater than 10 did not make our list.
Throughout both tests, the testers took thorough notes on how the cuff fit around their arm, how easy the results were to access and understand, whether or not the device was easily portable, any other features that would either lessen or enhance the devices value. They then scored the product for these attributes on a scale of one to five .
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