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 US Blood Pressure Validated Device Listing (VDL™). U.S. Blood Pressure Validated Device Listing. Accessed 9/23/2021. Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Accessed 9/13/2023. As our buying guide video above explains, there are two types of blood pressure monitors: those with a cuff on your upper arm, or those with a cuff on the wrist. But what's the difference between the two? Maintaining a relaxed composure and good posture can also help when taking a blood pressure reading, as can ensuring you’ve used the bathroom recently. Additionally, the American Heart Association notes that some fluctuation in blood pressure readings is normal. What Is the Most Accurate At-Home Blood Pressure Monitor?

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. Usability For more details on blood pressure ranges, have a look at our guide – Blood pressure ranges explained - and how to measure yours. Blood pressure monitors that store past readings What’s more, read and follow all product instructions when using an at-home blood pressure monitor to avoid unnecessary errors and inaccurate readings. Can At-Home Blood Pressure Monitors Give False Readings?

FDA cleared: The Food and Drug Administration determines the device meets its criteria for blood pressure cuff devices. Superdrug offers blood pressure monitors from Braun, Kinetik Medical, Lifemax, Superdrug and Terraillon. Wrist blood pressure monitors tend to be lighter and therefore more portable when travelling. These models also take up less storage space in your home. However, they are more prone to giving inaccurate readings as your wrist isn't naturally at heart height. 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. Special Features

Not all blood pressure monitors are equal when it comes to accuracy, and comparing models in the shop won’t be enough to know which will report your data correctly every time. 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: Blood pressure is a crucial metric that can assist you in determining your risk of a variety of health concerns. However, the often unnoticeable side effects of high blood pressure (or hypertension) make it tough to know when intervention is needed, which is why this condition is commonly called “the silent killer.” An at-home blood pressure monitor can help you keep a closer eye on this crucial health metric. By taking your own blood pressure readings regularly and documenting changes over time, you can be better equipped to manage your health for the long haul. User error can also impact accuracy significantly, so be sure to follow the product instructions exactly as they are written. Data Storage

Some blood pressure monitors have a data averaging function – this usually means the machine will average the last three or so readings for you. There are variations on this – for example, showing data on a graph rather than, or as well as, numerically or averaging data over a longer period. Most digital blood pressure monitors are reliable for at-home use, and the one that is most accurate for you will be one that you can use correctly, comfortably and consistently at home. It’s also important to consider whether the monitor is clinically validated and cleared by the FDA, which confirms it meets all the necessary requirements for accuracy. Stergiou G, Alpert B, Mieke S, et al. A Universal Standard for the Validation of Blood Pressure Measuring Devices: Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation/European Society of Hypertension/International Organization for Standardization (AAMI/ESH/ISO) Collaboration Statement. J Hypertens. 2018;36(3):472–478. This alerts you to whether your blood pressure reading falls within recommended levels, which could be useful if you’re not having your blood pressure regularly monitored by a health professional or if you don't always remember the recommended limits.

This is a useful extra that will tell you whether you have an arrhythmia: a problem with the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat. During an arrhythmia, the heart can beat too fast, too slow, or with an irregular rhythm. There are two main types of blood pressure monitors available for home use: aneroid (manual) blood pressure monitors and digital blood pressure monitors. Arrhythmia doesn't usually have symptoms, so this may be a feature you'd value in keeping an eye out for potential problems and flagging them with your GP. Blood pressure risk indicator Rest your arm on a table if you have one and just make sure your hand and arm are relaxed on the table. It’s important that you don’t clench your fist when you’re taking your blood pressure. But if you are a dab hand at Microsoft Excel, you could equally summarise your data with a spreadsheet or even using an old-fashioned pen and paper. Irregular heartbeat detectorDiscover which retailers are trusted by Which? members with our expert guide on the best and worst shops. Blood pressure monitors in the Which? test lab You’ll feel the cuff inflate quite rapidly. It may temporarily be a bit tender or uncomfortable for, as the cuff inflates and deflates automatically, but this will only be for a short period of time. If it is too tender/uncomfortable you can just press the ‘Stop’ button and the cuff will instantly deflate. The ability to store readings can be useful if you have more than one person with hypertension in your household or want to pool your money for a model with fancier features, rather than have two basic monitors. 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. When considering buying a blood pressure monitor for home use, look into the following factors. Accuracy