A blood pressure meter allows you to monitor your blood pressure at home or when travelling. It does not replace regular medical check-up, but can help you maintain your blood pressure within the acceptable range.
Most home blood pressure meters still have the old cuff and tubes design. There are also newer monitors that incorporate an all-in-one design, fancier OLED screens and wireless connectivity.
In this buying guide, we recommend five blood pressure meters that are great for home use or on the go.
Key Considerations When Buying a Blood Pressure Meter
A. Accuracy
Accuracy is the most important factor when it comes to using a blood pressure meter. Accurate blood pressure readings are, literally, a matter of life and death.
Customer reviews can help you determine how accurate a particular meter is. Look for customers who have compared blood pressure readings taken at their doctor’s office to those taken at home using the meter.
Once you buy a blood pressure meter, you can also do this comparison yourself. If the meter readings are significantly different from those you get at the hospital, return the blood pressure meter and find another one.
Tip: For the best accuracy, look for a blood pressure meter that goes around the upper arm rather than the wrist. The upper arm provides readings that are more accurate because there’s a larger artery there.
B. Display
Next, check what kind of display the blood pressure meter has. Traditional style meters have an LCD or LED screen.
LED displays are brighter, crispier and easier to see in different levels of lighting. If you are on a budget, a blood pressure meter with an LCD display is likely to be cheaper.
Some modern all-in-one blood pressure meters come with an OLED display that provide excellent viewing in any kind of lighting.
Regardless of the kind of display used, make sure the numbers are big and easy to read. This is especially important if you have visual problems.
Most blood pressure meters show the systolic and diastolic in extra-large numbers. The pulse rate will typically be shown in smaller numbers at the bottom.
Read also: How To Choose The Best Ketone Meter?
C. Wireless Connectivity
Some modern blood pressure meters have wireless connectivity, usually Bluetooth. You can link your smartphone to the monitor and see your readings on an app.
The app provides additional features such as unlimited history of past readings, easy sharing of readings with your doctor and basic analysis of blood pressure measurements.
On the downside, wireless blood pressure meters tend to be pricier.
D. Software Compatible
If you don’t want a wireless blood pressure monitor but would still like to transfer data to an external device, look for a software-compatible meter.
You can use a cable to transfer measurements from the meter to a computer and then use software to analyse and share your readings.
E. Memory
Most blood pressure monitors have internal memory. Check how many readings the meter can store. Some meters can store up to 200 readings while cheaper meters may store only a couple dozen measurements.
F. Multiple User Profiles
If you want to use the blood pressure meter with another family member like your partner, look for a meter that offers at least two user profiles.
The meter will store each person’s readings separately.
Best Blood Pressure Meters: Top 5 Reviews
1. OMRON EVOLV All-In-One, Wireless, Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor
The OMRON EVOLV is one of new all-in-one blood pressure meters we mentioned. It ditches tubing and hand pump for a sleek and compact design.
Everything, including the display, is integrated into a single part that wraps around your upper arm.
Once you press a button, the cuff self-inflates and begins to take measurements. This is great for someone with reduced hand strength or a disabled user since you don’t have to operate a pump.
Readings are shown on a crisp OLED display that’s easy to see even in bright sunlight. The screen shows your systolic and diastolic BP readings as well as your pulse rate.
OMRON EVOLV can store up to 100 readings. If you want to store more readings, connect it to your smartphone via Bluetooth. Using the OMRON Connect app, you can view readings, track measurements over time and share data with your doctor or family members.
The wireless feature has mixed reviews, with some people saying they could not connect their phone. Luckily, the blood pressure meter works perfectly on its own. If it does not connect to your phone, just check the readings on the built-in OLED screen.
Another complaint is the lack of multiple user profiles. If you plan to share OMRON EVOLV with your partner, it’ll mix both your measurements, which can make it harder for each person to track their own BP.
Overall, we think the OMRON EVOLV is worth the slightly higher price. It’s less messy and much easier to use compared to other blood pressure meters.
Accessories include a carry case and batteries.
What we like about it:
- Easy to use – no tubes or pump.
- Wireless connectivity.
- Alerts you if you put the cuff on wrong – prevents inaccurate measurements.
- Bright and easy to read OLED screen.
2. Beurer BM55 Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor
If you prefer an old-fashioned blood pressure meter, get the Beurer BM55. But the BM55 is a level higher from traditional tube and pump blood pressure meters. It has a larger and brighter display, stores more readings and can be connected to a computer for data transfer.
The cuff is designed to fit arms with a circumference between 22cm and 42cm. This range covers most arm sizes, so don’t worry if you have a muscled profile or dainty arms.
Once you fit the cuff onto your arm, it’ll automatically inflate; no pumping required.
The LCD screen shows three main readings: systolic BP, diastolic BP and pulse rate. It also has a colour-coded risk indicator that’s based on WHO recommendations. An arrow shows whether you are in the green, yellow or red zone, making it easier to quickly interpret your results.
The Beurer BM55 has two user profiles. For each person, it stores up to 60 readings. You can access past readings on the screen and even get a calculation of the average value of the last one week’s morning measurements, evening measurements and all measurements.
For additional analysis, the Beurer BM55 has a port at the rear for transferring data to a computer. Using the free Beurer HealthManager software, you can analyse your readings further.
Accessories include a USB cable for data transfer, batteries and storage bag.
What we like about it:
- Easy to use.
- Alert for wrong cuff placement and irregular heart rhythm.
- Compatible with computer software for data transfer and analysis.
- Resting Indicator improves measurement accuracy.
3. HYLOGY Blood Pressure Monitor
HYLOGY’s blood pressure monitor is also the tube kind. But it’s self-inflating, so you don’t need to operate a pump.
What we like most about the HYLOGY meter is the large and bright LED touchscreen. It shows, in large numbers, your systolic and diastolic BP readings plus a pulse reading at the bottom.
A colour-coded indicator will alert you if your readings are in the danger zone. The indicator includes green, yellow and red zones.
The HYLOGY blood pressure monitor has a large internal memory that can store up to 180 readings. These readings are split into two user profiles. If you are using the meter with your partner or another family member, you can each store and access up to 90 past measurements.
Unfortunately, the HYLOGY blood pressure monitor doesn’t give you the option of transferring data to an external device like a computer for storage and analysis. If you want to track your blood pressure over a long period, we recommend using a blood pressure tracker app. All you need to do is log your daily readings.
The display also includes an irregular heartbeat alert and a voice broadcast option (handy for user with visual problems).
The cuff itself is easy to put on. It fits arms between 22cm and 42cm.
For power, the HYLOGY blood pressure monitor has two options. You can insert batteries (included) or power it with a USB-C cable (not included).
What we like about it:
- Easy to use.
- Large and bright display with easy to use touchscreen technology.
- Alert for irregular heartbeat.
- Two power options.
4. Omron Basic M2 Blood Pressure Measuring Device
If you want an affordable blood pressure meter, the Omron Basic M2 is a great choice. It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of other meters, but it’s just as accurate, which is what matters most.
The display is very basic; it’s not even backlit, which can be a problem when taking readings in a low-light environment. But it shows the three most important readings: systolic BP, diastolic BP and pulse.
Memory function is also very basic. It stores only the last reading and does not provide an average value. If you want to track your BP over time, either get a blood pressure meter with bigger memory or use a blood pressure tracker app to log your daily measurements.
The cuff is easy to put on and comfortable. An integrated sensor keeps the cuff from over-inflating and causing discomfort.
Note that the cuff fit arms between 22cm and 32cm in circumference.
Overall, the Omron Basic M2 is a great choice for anyone looking for a cheap no-frills blood pressure monitor.
What we like about it:
- Cheap but accurate.
- Easy to use – no pumping needed.
- Sensor prevents too much cuff pressure.
5. A&D Medical UA-611 Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor
If you want an even cheaper blood pressure monitor, get the A&D Medical UA-611. Surprisingly, it has more features than the Omron Basic M2 (better value for your money).
The screen is basic and, unfortunately, has no backlight. It shows the usual three readings: upper and lower BP plus pulse.
A colour-coded risk indicator tells you whether you are in a safe or danger zone. The UA-611 also has an irregular heart beat indicator to warn you of possible arrhythmia.
The A&D Medical UA-611 can store up to 30 readings, but it has no user profiles nor can you transfer data to a smartphone or computer.
The self-inflating latex cuff is easy to use and feels comfortable around your upper arm. It fits arm circumferences between 22cm and 32cm. You can order a larger cuff if you have bigger arms.
Overall, we think the A&D Medical UA-611 has the best value for money out of our top picks.
What we like about it:
- Easy to use.
- Includes risk indicator and irregular heart beat alert.
- Good value for money.