If you are diagnosed with hypertension, monitoring your blood pressure at home is a good way to determine whether your treatments are working. You may also benefit from home blood pressure monitoring if you meet risk factors for hypertension or if you are pregnant.
Given the many different types of blood pressure monitors available, it can be difficult to determine which one will benefit you the most.
Here are five of the best blood pressure monitors on the market if you want the convenience of tracking your blood pressure levels at home.
1. Omron Upper Arm Gold Blood Pressure Monitor
You should consider several factors when choosing a blood pressure monitor, including setup, ease of use, fit, display, and portability. Fortunately, the Upper Arm Gold Blood Pressure Monitor by Omron is highly rated in every one of these categories.
This device has a large, clear display and stores 100 data sets, or readings, for each of the two users it supports. It shows indicators for low, normal, and high blood pressure, which is incredibly useful if you can’t always remember how blood pressure levels are categorized. Your blood pressure results are usually available in under 30 seconds.
The only cons reported with the Omron Upper Arm Gold Blood Pressure Monitor are that its cuff may be difficult to position on your own without help, and its Bluetooth feature may be confusing for some users.
2. Welch Allyn Home Blood Pressure Monitor
This home blood pressure monitor by Welch Allyn is ready to use right out of the box, which makes it a convenient device if you want to start monitoring right away without reading the manual. It stores 99 data sets for one user and quickly uploads data to an app that is easy to navigate.
The main con reported with the Welch Allyn Home Blood Pressure Monitor is that it doesn’t come with a carrying case. This factor could make using it a hassle if you travel frequently or need to use it at work for regular monitoring.
3. LifeSource Blood Pressure Monitor With Extra Large Cuff
If you have larger upper arms that result in blood pressure cuffs fitting too tightly, you may want to try the LifeSource Blood Pressure Monitor With Extra Large Cuff. The cuff on this monitor supports an arm circumference of between 16.5 and 23.6 inches, so if you have large arms, you can check your blood pressure more comfortably as often as needed.
Other highlights of this blood pressure monitor by LifeSource are that it stores 60 data sets, has a large, easy-to-read screen, and also detects irregular heart rates. You may not want to consider this blood pressure monitor if your upper arm measures under 16.5 inches, as it won’t fit snugly enough around your arm to provide accurate readings.
4. Vaunn Medical vB100A Automatic Digital Blood Pressure Monitor
With the ability to store 99 data sets for two users, the Vaunn Medical vB100A Automatic Digital Blood Pressure Monitor may be your best option if you want a compact device. It comes with a small carrying case that can easily be stowed away in the nightstand next to your bed or in a suitcase or carry-on bag when you travel.
Highlights of this blood pressure monitor by Vaunn are that it can detect an irregular heart rate and uses SmartCheck technology to display the average of three consecutive readings for more accurate results. Its large LCD screen is easy to read, and readings are displayed in three colors to help you determine your blood pressure level.
5. A&D Talking Blood Pressure Monitor
If you have impaired vision, you may want to consider a device that reads your results out loud, such as the Talking Blood Pressure Monitor by A&D. This device can be programmed to read your blood pressure in English, Spanish, or French. It has a loud, clear speaker and comes with a convenient carrying case if you need to check your blood pressure when traveling or at work.
The cuff on this talking monitor fits on upper arms that have a diameter of between nine and 14.6 inches. When announcing your results, this blood pressure monitor is easy to understand without delivering confusing medical jargon. The main con reported with the A&D Talking Blood Pressure Monitor is that its screen is dimly lit and hard to see, but that feature may not be problematic if you mostly rely on its talking feature.
When shopping for a blood pressure monitor, ask your healthcare provider for a recommendation. Your provider can make a sound recommendation based on personal experience and feedback provided by coworkers and other patients.
Resource Links
- “Monitoring Your Blood Pressure at Home” via American Heart Association
- “Gold Wireless Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor” via Omron
- “Welch Allyn Home™ Blood Pressure Monitors” via Hillrom