What is best brand of blood pressure monitor?

Why We Like It: This monitor is quick and easy to set up and provides clear results, with indicators for low, normal, and high readings

It’s Worth Noting: The cuff may be difficult for some users to attach on their own

After our lab test, the Omron Gold Upper Arm was our pick for best overall blood pressure monitor thanks to its right out of the box setup and clear readings. It scored a 5 in all of our top categories: setup, fit, ease of use, and data display.

Our tester also noted that the monitor fit well, but it may not be an ideal pick for everyone. “Its cuff is comfortable and relatively easy to put on yourself, though some users with limited mobility may have trouble getting it positioned,” they said.

The data display is easy to read, with indicators for low, normal, and high blood pressure, so patients have an idea of where their numbers fall if they’re less familiar with symptoms of high blood pressure. It’s also a great option for tracking trends in blood pressure over time, storing 100 readings for each of its two users.

The Omron brand is a favorite of Drs. Gerlis and Mysore, who singled out the manufacturer for devices that are reliable and easy to use.

When we looked at our most important attributes: ease of use, fit, and data display, the Omron Upper Arm Gold Blood Pressure Monitor received a five out of five in every category. We found that it was not only easy to fit and position on your arm, but it gave extremely clear, straightforward data in less than a minute.

The Omron Gold only requires two steps to set up: insert the four included AA batteries and attach the cuff to the monitor. The cuff itself is large enough to accommodate a range of arm sizes, but the most impressive feature of this device is how straightforward its instructions are. Once the cuff is around your arm, press the start button and wait for about 30 seconds until your blood pressure and heart rate reading appear on the screen.

While this monitor is great for quick readings and taking on the go (it comes with its own carrying case), its Bluetooth feature is a bit clunky and difficult to navigate easily. We ultimately found that was a fair trade off for a device so versatile and easy to use, thus receiving our vote for ‘Best Overall’ blood pressure monitor.

Average Standard DeviationsSystolic: 4.61Diastolic: 2.01

Price at time of publish: $78

One of the most important aspects of a blood pressure monitor is its ability to provide consistently accurate readings. Look for the following three phrases in product descriptions when trying to determine the accuracy of the monitor:

Many blood pressure monitors offer an averaging feature as well with the goal of providing an accurate depiction of your blood pressure. The devices often take three consecutive readings and average them together, accounting for any variability and giving you a single, more accurate data set.

User error can also impact accuracy significantly, so be sure to follow the product instructions exactly as they are written.

Many people use blood pressure monitor devices to track their blood pressure readings over time, in which case data storage of previous readings comes in handy. Some devices only store around 30 readings while others can store as many as 2,000, so think about your storage needs before purchasing a monitor.

What’s more, lots of monitors sync with smartphone apps that can then provide additional data storage outside of the device itself. If you’re tech savvy and like the idea of having your blood pressure information at your fingertips to share with your physician, consider a Bluetooth-compatible monitor with app-based data storage.

Lastly, some blood pressure monitors only store data for one user while others support data storage for multiple users. If you plan on sharing your blood pressure monitor with another member of your household, look into the number of users the device can support.

Display is another important factor, especially for older adults with vision impairments. Look for a blood pressure monitor device with a clear, simple and easy-to-read display screen to prevent misunderstanding your blood pressure readings. If your vision is highly compromised, some devices offer audio readouts as well.

A blood pressure monitor won’t be helpful (and you probably won’t use it very often) if it doesn’t feel intuitive. Consider the way the monitor lays out information, where buttons are placed, how easy it is to place the cuff correctly on your arm and whether those details feel natural to you.

Beyond the basics listed above, some blood pressure monitors include special features, such as:

• PARAMED Professional Aneroid Sphygmomanometer Blood Pressure Cuff.
• GreaterGoods Sphygmomanometer Manual Blood Pressure Monitor.
• ADC Diagnostix 703 Palm Style Aneroid Sphygmomanometer.
• ADC Diagnostix 700 Pocket Aneroid Sphygmomanometer.