What is the most accurate blood pressure monitor for home use

For an at-home solution to monitoring your blood pressure levels, there’s no better essential than a quality blood pressure monitor to provide instantaneous numbers for you to log.

While some conditions and symptoms may be better suited for an in-person doctor’s visit, having a blood pressure monitor on hand can help you assess your levels seamlessly.

“Blood pressure under 120/80 mmHg is considered healthy in an adult,” Rajiv Agarwal, MD, a hypertension specialist and board-certified internist and nephrologist with more than 27 years of experience, told the New York Post. “If blood pressure is low and the person is feeling dizzy or light-headed, then it might be worth talking to the physician for additional guidance.”

Interestingly, blood pressure goals in the U.S. are different from that in Europe. “The U.S. generally tries to get the blood pressure less than 130/80 mmHg with medications or lifestyle modifications,” Agarwal adds.

Click to jump to the best blood pressure monitors:

• Best Blood Pressure Monitors

First things first: What is a blood pressure monitor?

It may seem simple, though it’s 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: (1) systolic pressure is the pressure the blood exerts on your artery walls (blood vessel) when your heart beats (the upper number) and (2) diastolic pressure is the pressure your blood is exerting on your artery walls when your heart is resting between beats (lower number).”

What types of blood pressure monitors are there?

According to Ghazi, the most commonly used is a digital blood pressure monitor in which the process is automatic, aside from placing the cuff on your arm. Both Agarwal and Ghazi don’t recommend wrist or finger blood pressure monitors as these aren’t recommended by the American Heart Association.

For individuals with upper extremity disabilities, Ghazi explains how to monitor your blood pressure safely and effectively. “Unfortunately, there have been no validated devices for lower extremity blood pressure measurements,” she said. “Ankle blood pressure measurement is taken when you are supine (lying down face upward) has been found to be a viable alternative by the British and Irish Hypertension Society,” which recommends
monitoring blood pressure through the ankles for more comfortability with the cuff.

What to look for in a blood pressure monitor

According to Ghazi, it’s important to use a validated device that has been shown to provide accurate readings. Two resources include ValidateBP and StrideBP.

“I recommend selecting ‘home’ under device type for the ValidateBP site and selecting ‘adults, home, upper arm and automatic oscillometric’ when searching the StrideBP site,” she advises. Other considerations: checking that you have the appropriate cuff size and that the cuff is not snug.

“Always take your blood pressure monitor with you when you visit your primary care physician to calibrate the device, in other words, to establish a baseline between readings on your device and office blood pressure readings for future reference,” Ghazi tips off.

Who should use a blood pressure monitor

Blood pressure monitors are a quality, practical investment for anyone who’d like to monitor their levels, though Ghazi outlines those with specific health types and concerns who would especially benefit from using one.

“For adults 40 year or older and those at increased risk of hypertension (for example, persons who are overweight or obese, older age people, and people who smoke) yearly screening is recommended,” she explains. “For adults aged 18-39 years not an increased risk, screening every three to five years is recommended.”

According to the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), screening
for hypertension in adults 18 year or older with office blood pressure measurement is
recommended, too.

How can I lower my blood pressure in a healthy way?

According to Agarwal, “diet, exercise, weight loss, quitting smoking, moderating alcohol intake, and medications [if prescribed]” are healthy ways to help lower your blood pressure.

For more on exercise, check out our guides for the best rowing machines, at-home treadmills and stationary exercise bikes.

Best blood pressure monitors

All of these are validated blood pressure monitors, as outlined by ValidateBP and StrideBP.

1. Fora P30 Plus Medical Grade Blood Pressure Monitor, $40

For less than $50 on Amazon, Fora’s P30 blood pressure monitor is known for being ultra quiet and modern enough to detect an irregular heartbeat instantly. Plus, the clear LCD display is easy to read and the cuff is adjustable, for comfort.

  2. Greater Goods Blood Pressure Monitor, $40, original price: $48

With an aesthetically pleasing face that resembles a smartwatch, Greater Goods has a swift blood pressure monitor that stores information for up to two users, so it’s perfect for couples and families. Not to mention, this battery-powered device has a lengthy life before its next charge.

3. Omron Blood Pressure Monitor, $41

Omron is a top-rated brand across ValidateBP and StrideBP alike, and for a good reason — its blood pressure monitor stores 14 blood pressure readings for one user on its device and, if more are needed to store, you can always whip out your notepad.

Not only is it double-vetted, but it’s also a product registered with the FDA and has more than 21,000 reviews on Amazon.

4. Withings BPM Connect WiFi Smart Blood Pressure Monitor, $120, original price: $130

We love smart devices, but Withings’ BPM Connect is next level. This cutting-edge blood pressure monitor is WiFi-enabled; there’s only one button to press and immediate results will appear on the device’s LED screen. It also comes with a soft carrying case, which is perfect for traveling.

5. Microlife BPM2 Advanced Blood Pressure Monitor, $45

Microlife’s BPM2 is a solid choice that’s medically approved, offering a minimalistic face and easy-to-use, straightforward settings. Simply secure the cuff onto your arm and the device will do all the work for you, including sensing if there’s an irregular heartbeat.

6. Omron Evolv Wireless Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor, $103

The compact design of Omron’s Evolv blood pressure monitor is delightful, making it a splurge we stand by. Pair it with the free Omron app for unlimited readings — yes, unlimited — and enjoy how it connects with our BFF, Alexa, for voice activation.

7. A&D Medical Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor, $32, original price: $45

As one of the most affordable blood pressure monitors, A&D Medical has a no-frills device that’s battery-powered and easy to use with a simple button. It’s also FSA-eligible and backed by a five-year warranty, should anything go awry.

8. Paramed Blood Pressure Monitor, $37, original price: $40

With more than 21K positive reviews, Paramed’s Blood Pressure Monitor has an ergonomic band, an easy-to-read monitor display and a voice-broadcast capability to cater to people with different needs and preferences. Plus, it even plays soothing music while it checks your pressure to help alleviate some stress.

Check out the New York Post Shopping section for more content.

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