Do you get the heebie-jeebies whenever the doctor goes to test your blood pressure? If so, that anxiety could be affecting the result. A study by the University of Oxford recently found that patients who took their own blood pressure before getting checked by their GP almost always have a more accurate reading.
What’s more, measuring your own blood pressure can help you track changes over time. It could even save your life: high blood pressure is by far the biggest cause of cardiovascular disease, but it doesn’t always have obvious symptoms.
But with so many different types of home blood pressure monitors available, how do you know which one to buy? Read on for our top recommendations, as well as what to look out for when buying one.
How to buy the best blood pressure monitor for you
Should I buy a digital or manual device?
Automatic digital devices are best for home use, as they are capable of self-inflating, which makes them much easier to use than their manual counterparts. Some automatic machines can also upload information to your smartphone or computer, for easy tracking over time.
How much do I need to spend?
Some blood-pressure monitors cost over £100, but you don’t need to pay top dollar for accurate, consistent results. In fact, some good ones will cost you less than £20. If you pay more than that, you’re usually paying for additional features, as we discuss below.
What are the most common features?
One common feature is a risk indicator, which warns you if your blood pressure reading exceeds recommended levels. Some will also alert you to heart conditions such as arrhythmia or atrial fibrillation (AFIB). These are both ailments with no obvious external symptoms, so this feature could be a life saver.
The ability to collect and store readings can be helpful if you want to share your day to day results with your doctor. Some machines can store readings for multiple people – handy if there’s more than one person in your house who needs to monitor their blood pressure. The smartest devices use Bluetooth to connect wirelessly to your smartphone or tablet, where your blood-pressure readings can be combined with other health data, such as calorie intake, weight, activity levels and so forth.
Anything else to consider?
Make sure the cuff is comfortable and fits correctly or you won’t get an accurate reading – most blood-pressure monitors come with an average fitting, but if you’re extra-large or on the very slim side, you may need a non-standard size.
It’s also worth noting that some machines are much faster than others – depending on which model you’re using, getting a reading can take anything from a few seconds to a few minutes. Aside from the convenience factor, this is worth bearing in mind if you hate having their blood pressure taken.
Finally, check if your blood-pressure monitor uses batteries or requires mains electricity: most models use batteries, but a mains-powered model means you don’t have to worry about running out of juice.
The best blood-pressure monitors to buy
1. Nokia BPM+: Best high-tech blood-pressure monitor
Price:£110
If you’re into whizzy features, this is the blood-pressure monitor for you. It connects to both Android and iOS devices via Bluetooth, uploading your readings and tracking your measurements in the companion app. You can combine this information with other health data too, so you can see how you’re doing overall and over time - and you can share this information easily with others, including your GP. It’s even possible to upgrade to receive personalised coaching. It supports multiple users and we found it accurate and consistent, as well as quick. And because it’s soft and portable, it’s handy for travel.
Key specs – Weight: 318g (without batteries); For use on: Upper arm; Power source: Battery; Bluetooth: Yes; Compatible with: Android and iOS; Warranty: 2 years
2. Omron Evolv: Best luxury monitor
Price:£128
The Evolv is pricey, but then Omron is one of the most established brands in the world of blood-pressure monitors - and one highly respected by most doctors. The unit is lightweight and compact, and there’s no annoying tubes or wires because the screen is directly attached to the wide, comfy cuff: you simply wrap this around your upper arm, then press Start and wait for your reading. The only other button is for Bluetooth connection, which enables you to use the Omron app to track your measurements and sync them with other health data. Even if you don’t use the app, we think this fast, silent, accurate and intuitive machine is still worth the investment - and if ever a blood pressure monitor could look stylish, this is it.
Key specs – Weight: 140g (without batteries); For use on: Upper arm; Power source: Battery; Bluetooth: Yes; Compatible with: Apple and Android; Warranty: 3 years
3. Omron MIT Precision 5: Best wrist monitor
Price:£60
Wrist-based blood pressure monitors are much easier to put on and take off than armband models. The problem is that, since your wrist isn’t generally at the same height as your heart, it can be tricky to position your arm correctly to get accurate results. This small and light machine gets around that with a clever sensor that ensures that your wrist is in the right place before it takes a blood-pressure reading. Other plus points include a memory facility that can store 90 readings (good for tracking your measurements), a clear, user-friendly design, a high-quality feel and a smart storage box. Many people will find the hypertension and arrhythmia warning alerts reassuring too.
Key specs – Weight: 123g (without batteries); For use on: Wrist; Power source: Battery; Bluetooth: No; Compatible with: n/a; Warranty: 3 years
4. Beurer BM55: Best easy-to-read blood-pressure monitor
Price:£52
This well-made machine is compact, yet its display is big, well-illuminated and superbly easy to read - a godsend for older folk. And because it stores up to 60 readings for two people, it’s good for couples who want to see how they’re doing over time. It’s easy to set up and measures both your blood pressure and your pulse rate; you can connect it to your PC or smartphone using the Beurer HealthManager app or via the USB cable provided. It takes a bit of time to get your head round that side of things, but once you’re all set up, you can get graphs and charts galore. The cuff inflates quickly and easily and gives accurate results, and it has the added bonus of an irregular heartbeat warning alert.
Key specs – Weight: 570g (without batteries); For use on: Upper arm; Power source: Battery; Bluetooth: Yes; Compatible with: n/a; Warranty: 3 years
5. Lloyds Pharmacy Blood Pressure Monitor and Cuff: Best budget buy
Price:£16
You don’t need to spend hundreds of pounds on a blood-pressure monitor: this machine does the basics at a great price. We found it accurate and simple to use (you put the cuff on your arm; ensure the cuff is level with your heart; and press start to inflate the cuff and wait for the results), and it can store up to 60 readings. It will also measure your pulse and detect an irregular heartbeat, and you can buy an extra-large cuff separately if you have larger arms. Just make sure the tube isn’t kinked, as this can lead to incorrect readings.
Key specs – Weight: 260g (without batteries); For use on: Upper arm; Power source: Battery; Bluetooth: No; Compatible with: n/a; Warranty: 3 year
6. Boots Advanced Monitor with Atrial Fibrillation Alert: Best for irregular pulse warnings
Price:£99 – Buy now from Boots
This monitor isn’t as modern-looking as some of the other machines in our roundup, but it does a great job of checking blood pressure accurately and consistently. On top of that, it automatically checks for atrial fibrillation (AFIB) by detecting pulse irregularity. This really could save a life: the condition - a leading cause of stroke - has no common symptoms, and can particularly affect older people with hypertension (which could well be the reason you’re using a blood pressure monitor in the first place). But once identified, AFIB can be easily treated, dramatically reducing the risk. As with most monitors, the cuff fits round the upper arm and there is a tube connecting it to the monitor, which has a nice clear display. Never mind the slightly dated design, this monitor is well worth a look.
Key specs – Weight: 402g (without batteries); For use on: Upper arm; Power source: Battery; Bluetooth: No; Compatible with: n/a; Warranty: 5 years