Are you looking for a reliable home blood pressure monitor you can trust? Whether managing your health or caring for a loved one, finding a suitable device is essential for peace of mind. We’ve done the hard work for you, and if you’re in a hurry, here are our top picks:
- The iHealthTrack Wireless Blood Pressure Monitor offers nearly the largest cuff, with Bluetooth connectivity to Samsung/Android devices and Apple devices, along with an app to help you track and manage your blood pressure. Both BIHS approved and packed with features, this blood pressure monitor costs around £30. If we sound enthusiastic, that’s because we are enthusiastic. This is a market-disrupting great piece of equipment, much like Kia, Hyundai or the new MG.
- The Omron X2+ the more established equivalent, the high-end Toyota style choice. It’s perfect to track your readings on your smartphone (it works with both Apple and Android). I personally use it, and I love how convenient it is. It’s easy to use with one button press operation, has a semi-rigid cuff that’s easy to put on your arm without asking for help, and has a five-year warranty for ultimate peace of mind.
Want to dig deeper?
If you like to make informed decisions, keep reading. We’ll walk you through the key features to look for in a blood pressure monitor and share a list of BIHS (British and Irish Hypertension Society) clinically validated and approved monitors to help you choose the best one for your needs.
Your health is important, and we’re here to help you find the right tools to manage it from the comfort of your home.
We list the best 2 or 3 blood pressure monitors that meet the criteria below.
Looking for the Best Home Blood Pressure Monitor? Here’s What You Need to Know
Taking control of your health starts with finding the right tools, and a reliable blood pressure monitor is a great place to begin. Whether you’re tracking your health or looking after a loved one, choosing the right monitor can make all the difference. Here’s a guide to help you decide what features to look for.
UK-Approved Monitors Matter
Make sure your monitor is approved for use in the UK. The NHS recommends that Blood Pressure Monitors for home use be on the British and Irish Hypertension Society (BIHS) approved list.
The BIHS tests and validates monitors to ensure they provide accurate readings.
Having an approved device means you and your doctor can trust the results—because your health deserves nothing less.
Arm or Wrist – Which One?
Arm monitors are generally the best bet for the most accurate readings.
The blood pressure monitors used in hospitals and GP surgeries often have floppy cuffs, which is fine is someone at home is putting the cuff on for you, the same way as a doctor or nurse would.
While some wrist monitors work well, they’re recommended only if an arm monitor isn’t suitable for you, e.g. due to injury.
Click Here to See Wrist-Worn Blood Pressure Monitors
Please see below some of the BIHS-approved wrist-worn blood pressure monitors.
- Clinically validated AA accuracy +/-3% – European Society for Hypertension (ESH)
- 90 memories – recall morning (AM) or afternoon (PM) measurements as well as average value
- 3 fold display via extra large LCD display
- 【Simple to use 】thanks to its screen, the iHealth View connected wrist blood pressure monitor measures blood pressure
- 【 Find the perfect position】 on your wrist with the gauge on the screen for optimal measurements and see the results dir…
- 【With iHealth MyVitals 】our free app available for Android and iOS, iHealth View provides you with complete tracking and…
- HIGH QUALITY PRODUCT YOU CAN RELY ON: Clinically validate, the OMRON range of blood pressure machines has been validated…
- FROM THE MOST RECOMMENDED BRAND BY CARDIOLOGISTS: the RS1 wrist monitor is a clinically validated wrist blood pressure m…
- GAIN ACCESS TO YOUR OWN HEALTH KNOWLEDGE: simplify monitoring your blood pressure anywhere with this compact and discree…
- HIGH QUALITY PRODUCT YOU CAN RELY ON: Clinically validated, the OMRON range of blood pressure machines has been validate…
- FROM THE MOST RECOMMENDED BRAND BY CARDIOLOGISTS: the RS2 wrist monitor is a clinically validated wrist blood pressure m…
- GAIN ACCESS TO YOUR OWN HEALTH KNOWLEDGE: simplify monitoring your blood pressure anywhere with this compact and discree…
Cuff Size and Cuff Type
This is an often-overlooked feature, but it’s crucial for comfort and accuracy. Most monitors come with a medium-sized cuff, but choose the right size if your arms are smaller or larger than average. The right fit makes the process more comfortable and ensures you get the most reliable results.
However, if you are taking blood pressure readings independently, I recommend getting a more rigid cuff, which is a lot easier to put on one-handed. Mine always goes on right the first time without fiddling, which is less stressful. This is good if you’re about to take your blood pressure.
Click Here To See Large Cuff Blood Pressure Monitors [42-45cm Upper Arm Cuff]
Costs [£20-£30 range]
Whether you’re looking for a basic model or a feature-packed monitor, there’s something for everyone. Most of our links show you the current Amazon price for a blood pressure monitor so you can choose the best balance of cost, durability and features that suit you.
Blood Pressure Monitor costs do drop annually during the different Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday sales. They also seem to drop during international weeks for blood pressure, heart disease, and #KnowYourNumbersWeek, an annual health awareness week organised by Blood Pressure UK.
Click Here to View Some Best Value Blood Pressure Monitors
When writing this article [October 2024], the best-value Blood Pressure Monitor appears to be the Andon iHealth Track KN-550BT with a generous 42cm cuff.
- Measurement of blood pressure (systolic, diastolic) and heart rate (number of beats per minute)
- View results directly on the backlit LCD screen
- Colour coded backlit results show green, yellow and red and allow you to monitor your blood pressure as recommended by t…
Best Value BIHS Approved Blood Pressure Monitor without Blue Tooth.
The best value monitor without Blue Tooth appears to be the A&D 767 Blood Pressure Monitor
- Clinically validated for accuracy – British and Irish Hypertension Society (BIHS) and European Society for Hypertension …
- One button operation with 22-32 cm cuff
- 30 memories and average reading function
Blood Pressure Monitors Compatible with iPhones and Android Phones
If you like keeping everything in one place, consider a Bluetooth-enabled monitor. These models sync with popular apps like Apple Health, Google Fit, or Samsung Health, making it easy to track your readings over time and share them with your doctor.
There have been big changes in what’s available over the past five years. What was considered a luxury product for the worried well is now much cheaper. Because of the legacy of these being expensive and complicated devices, you won’t find many families in the UK taking advantage of iPhone and Android-connected blood pressure monitors. DigitalHealthCoach believes this market will take off as the population ages and older people naturally become more tech-savvy.
You can now buy an IHealthBT550 for only around £30. This device will link with Apple Health or GoogleFit to help provide a holistic view of your health and fitness. If you are using Samsung Health, the slightly more expensive Omron range will also link to Samsung’s app.
Also, both Omron and A&D provide their free download apps if you want to manually enter your blood pressure from any other manufacturer’s blood pressure monitor.
Lastly, Omron claims surprisingly good benefits from users who follow the lifestyle advice on the Omron Connect App, claiming to support blood pressure improvements over six months.
Click Here to see a range of SmartPhone Compatible Blood Pressure Monitors
| Blood Pressure Monitor | Apple Health | Samsung Health | Google Health | Notes |
| Omron Omron X2 https://amzn.to/4c6W6NQ Omron X4 https://amzn.to/4fmBQuE | Connect via Omron Connect App | Connect via Omron Connect App | Connect via Omron Connect App | https://www.omron-healthcare.co.uk/omronconnect Omron’s Connect app (available on both iOS and Android) can sync readings to both Apple and Google Health apps. Samsung Health compatibility is limited; third-party apps may help. Compatibility iPhone – Requires iOS 13.0 or later. iPad – Requires iPadOS 13.0 or later. |
| iHealth 550BT | Yes | Limited | Yes | https://ihealthlabs.com/pages/track-connected-blood-pressure-monitor Apple iOS devices (requires iOS version 8.0 or higher) Android devices (requires operating system 4.0 or later) MyVitals App https://ihealthlabs.com/pages/mobile-apps *query about intrusive adds in free version |
| A&D Medical Series A&D Medical UA-651BLE Connected Blood Pressure Monitor with AFib Screening | Yes, via A&D Heart Track App | Limited | Yes, via A&D Heart Track App | Via A&D Heart Track App https://medical.andonline.com/heart-track-app/ How to use video: https://youtu.be/ggX8Pf717uY Works on iOS 10.0 and above Works on Android 6.0 and above Compatibility with Samsung Health is limited; third-party sync apps may be needed. *Multingual App, App access restricted to purchasers of A&D devices. |
Warranty
A good warranty can give you peace of mind. Some brands, like Omron, A&D, and Microlife, offer warranties that can last up to 5 years—so you can focus on your health without worrying about your device breaking down.
Multiple Measurements (MAM)
Top monitors use a method that takes three readings and calculates the average, giving you the most accurate result. This is especially helpful if your readings tend to fluctuate.
Ease of Use
You don’t want a monitor that’s a headache to operate! Look for one with a clear display, easy-to-use buttons, and smooth syncing with your phone if you’re using a Bluetooth model. The goal is to make it as stress-free as possible.
Memory and User Profiles
Do you share your monitor with someone else? Many devices allow multiple users to store their readings directly on the monitor or through an app. This is handy for keeping track of your health without mixing up results.
Irregular Heartbeat Detection
Some monitors can even detect irregular heartbeats, such as atrial fibrillation (AFib). If this feature is important to you, many BIHS approved models offer it, helping you stay on top of any potential heart health issues.
Taking control of your health doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right monitor, you’ll be well-equipped to keep track of your blood pressure and stay informed about your well-being. Ready to choose the best one for you?
Sources
- https://ihealthlabs.com/pages/mobile-apps
- https://www.omron-healthcare.co.uk/omronconnect
- https://medical.andonline.com/heart-track-app/
