We researched the best blood pressure monitors and created this guide to help you identify the best one for you. Show
Best overall Omron Platinum Greater Goods
View on Amazon Read Review Best cuff size options Life Source
View on Amazon Read Review Most portable Omron Evolv Lazle JPD-HA101
View on Amazon Read Review By Cathy Habas Staff Writer, Safety & Security December 09, 2022 Share Article
Automatic fall detection Medical Guardian Mini Guardian medical alert 4.75 $149.95 + $39.95 /mo View on Medical Guardian Omron PlatinumBest overall$84.00100 readings on device, unlimited in app 9.0–17.0 in. Lazle JPD-HA101Nurse recommended$69.90200 readings 8.0–17 in. Greater Goods BP MonitorBest for budgets$47.8860 readings per user 8.75–16.5 in. Life Source (Extra Large Cuff)Best cuff size options $162.2760 readings 16.5–23.6 in. Omron EvolvMost portable $110.00Unlimited readings in app 9.0–17.0 in. Meet our expert Our expert advisor, Sally Russell, MN, CMSRN, CNE steered us toward the best brand-name blood pressure monitors she often encounters as a nurse. She also clued us into the most important features to look for in home-use blood pressure monitors, like large, easy-to-use screens. Blood pressure monitor reviews1. Omron Platinum: Most accurate blood pressure monitorBest overall Omron Platinum $84.00 View on Amazon *Amazon.com list price as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read full disclaimer. The Omron Platinum packs accuracy and storage into one powerful device. This blood pressure monitor comes with TruRead technology for clinically accurate results, and its mobile app can store unlimited pressure readings from an equally endless number of users. Lazle JPD-HA101 $69.90 View on Amazon *Amazon.com list price as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read full disclaimer. Lazle blood pressure monitors come highly recommended from our own expert advisor, Sally Russell, as well as her other nursing colleagues. “Lazle came up in my conversations with other healthcare providers," she told us. "The two people who had patients who had gotten these lately had lots of good things to say about them,” including its large, easy-to-read display that date stamps readings, leaving you with fewer numbers to commit to memory. Sally says . . . “One thing that I looked at with all of these blood pressure monitors is how often you can take your blood pressure with them. I know people who take theirs several times a day, and that can be a problem with some products if they only have limited memory for storing readings.” —Sally Russell, MN, CMSRN, CNE Stores 200 readingsThis Lazle model can record up to 200 readings for two users. Once that space is full, it erases the oldest record. If you measure your blood pressure multiple times per day, you may get just a month's worth of history out of it. 3. Greater Goods BP Monitor: Best for budgetsBest for budgets Greater Goods BP Monitor $47.88 View on Amazon *Amazon.com list price as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read full disclaimer. The Greater Goods BP Monitor is accurate, versatile, and easy to use. We especially like its large, backlit display that’s easier to read than the screens on most other blood pressure monitors. The only real downside is low memory storage compared to other monitors on the market. And while it's not the cheapest option you'll find, we think the Greater Goods BPM offers the best mix of affordability, accuracy, and user-friendliness. There’s a Bluetooth version with a mobile app The Greater Goods Bluetooth BP Monitor has all of the original BP monitor’s 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. 4. Life Source: Best cuff size optionsBest cuff size options Life Source (Extra Large Cuff) $162.27 View on Amazon *Amazon.com list price as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read full disclaimer. The Life Source blood pressure monitor by A&D Medical stands out because its cuffs come in a wide range of sizes to fit all kinds of folks. If you have a big arm and struggle to squeeze yourself into tiny little cuffs, you’ll appreciate the size of Life Source (Extra Large Cuff). Finding the right cuff makes a big difference in accurately gauging your blood pressure levels. Sally says . . . “It's important to make sure that the cuff will fit snugly around the upper arm without you having to pull really hard to get it around. It also shouldn't be so loose that the velcro overlaps or the cuff is obviously not on snugly. "You want to be able to get a finger between the cuff without feeling like the finger is going numb, but not have it so loose that you didn't have to work at all to get the finger in that space. "When cuffs are too tight it often gives a higher-than-actual blood pressure because it constricts the blood vessels. If the cuffs are too loose, the blood pressure will be lower than it actually is as we aren't really hearing the sounds adequately.” —Sally Russell, MN, CMSRN, CNE Improved accuracy for larger armsWe like the Life Source extra large cuff because it fits arms (16.5–23.6 inches) that are too big for every other BP monitor on our list (about 9.0–16.5 inches). This is great for people with particularly muscular builds because they don’t have to settle for less accurate readings from a wrist blood pressure monitor or finger-type blood pressure monitor. Stores fewer readings than other BPMsOne big miss on this blood pressure monitor is the memory storage. It stores only up to 60 readings, which is average compared to other monitors on the market. While this is acceptable on cheaper devices, it’s not great on a single-user device that costs over $100. Ultimately, we think this is an excellent option if you don’t fit the average arm circumference of most people. Omron Evolv $105.00 View on Amazon *Amazon.com list price as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read full disclaimer. The Omron Evolv is for all the busy-bees out there who want a compact, portable, and wireless blood pressure monitor. It comes from the same company as our top-rated pick but has a sleek, all-in-one, battery-powered design. Take it with you anywhere so you never miss those twice-daily readings. Withings BPM Connect $129.95 View on Amazon *Amazon.com list price as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read full disclaimer. The Withings BPM Connect is comparable to the Omron Evolv in that it's a portable blood pressure monitor. This one actually stores a few readings (up to eight) on the device itself, whereas the Evolv stores zero. If you have other health-monitoring products in the Withings ecosystem, this blood pressure monitor is an ideal choice. Otherwise, you can save some money by choosing the Omron Evolv. The Withings BPM Connect has a futuristic display on the side of the unit that might be hard for some folks to read. We suggest relying on the mobile app or choosing another brand if you have vision problems. 7. Paramed: Best for audio confirmationBest audio confirmation Paramed Blood Pressure Monitor $46.95 View on Amazon *Amazon.com list price as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read full disclaimer. The Paramed Blood Pressure Monitor has a large digital display that is easy to read. It also stores up to 120 readings. If you have more than one person that needs to save readings it will save two profiles for two different users. You can also switch between AC power and battery power. The Paramed BPM's stand-out feature is voice confirmation. The device will audibly tell you whether you have high, low, or normal blood pressure. How to use a blood pressure monitorTake an accurate in-home blood pressure reading using digital blood pressure monitors by following the steps below:
Sally says . . . "If you are manually inflating the cuff (not having the machine doing it), not inflating it far enough will give an incorrect reading. "That's why using automatic blood pressure monitors is best if you're not used to taking blood pressure or can't squeeze the bulb enough to get it adequately inflated." —Sally Russell, MN, CMSRN, CNE Blood pressure basics There are five levels of blood pressure according to the American Heart Association:
Remember, according to the Mayo Clinic, home monitoring your blood pressure isn't a substitute for a visit to a medical professional. Consistent blood pressure monitoring is keyStaying on top of your blood pressure is important, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. With the right home blood pressure monitor, it’s easy to keep your health in check. By partnering with your doctor to keep an ongoing record of your blood pressure between appointments, you’re more likely to get the right recommendations and medications. Final WordWe recommend the Omron Platinum automatic home blood pressure monitor thanks to its clinical accuracy and advanced features:
Using a blood pressure monitor is just one way to improve your health so you can live a safer, more active life. Find more ways to look after your wellness and keep your household safe with our extensive safety resources covering everything from medical alert devices to carbon monoxide detectors. Blood pressure monitor FAQWhat are the different types of blood pressure monitors? There are three methods for measuring blood pressure:
That said, you should pick the best type for your needs that also meets your doctor’s recommendations. What's the connection between low blood pressure and fainting or falling? "The body has to adjust from a lying-down position to push blood against gravity up to the brain. So when the pressure is low, it takes more effort to increase blood flow to the brain," explains our health advisor Sally Russell, MN, CMSRN, CNE. "When you quickly sit up or stand up and you have low blood pressure, the brain isn't getting enough oxygen. This makes you faint." Read more about how to prevent falls. Qualified expenses You can usually use a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to pay for blood pressure monitors without paying a sales tax. Written by Cathy Habas With over seven years of experience as a content writer, Cathy has a knack for untangling complex information. Her natural curiosity and ability to empathize help Cathy offer insightful, friendly advice. She believes in empowering readers who may not feel confident about a purchase, project, or topic. Cathy earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Indiana University Southeast and began her professional writing career immediately after graduation. She has contributed to sites like Safety.com, Reviews.com, Hunker, and Thumbtack. Cathy’s pride and joy is her Appaloosa “Chacos.” She also likes to crochet while watching stand-up comedy specials on Netflix. Read More By Alina Bradford12/12/2022 10 Best Home Security Systems of 2023After hundreds of hours of tests and research, plus a combined 50+ years of experience,... By Rebecca Edwards12/09/2022 The Best Home Security Systems in CanadaFind the best home alarm system to protect your house. We looked at price, features,... By John Carlsen12/09/2022 Best DIY Home Security Systems of 2023SimpliSafe is the best DIY home security system because it's cost-efficient, effective, and easy to... By Cathy Habas12/09/2022 2022 Best Home Security Systems for RentersThese renter-friendly home security systems keep your house or apartment safe and require less commitment... What size blood pressure cuff do I need for large arms?For an arm circumference of 22 to 26 cm, the cuff should be a “small adult” size or 12 x 22 cm. For an arm circumference of 27 to 34 cm, the cuff should be an “adult” size or 16 x 30 cm. For an arm circumference of 35 to 44 cm, the cuff should be a “large adult” size or 16 x 36 cm.
Do large arms affect blood pressure readings?Muscular Patients
Upper arm muscle mass index tends to overestimate systolic blood pressure and underestimate diastolic blood pressure. One study found that an upper arm cuff cannot exert uniform pressure on patients with muscular arms—a potential source of misleading measurements.
Where do you put the blood pressure cuff on a large arm?Stretch out your arm, palm upward. Place the cuff on your bare upper arm one inch above the bend of your elbow. Make sure the tubing falls over the front center of your arm so that the sensor is correctly placed. Pull the end of the cuff so that it's evenly tight around your arm.
Which blood pressure monitor has the largest cuff?The A&D Medical 789AC is the largest Blood Pressure Cuff on the Market. Our #1 Seller in the Blood Pressure Monitors for patients looking for large cuff blood pressure machines.
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