Affairs of the Heart: 5 Best Electronic Blood Pressure Monitors

A&D UA-604

A compact tonometer that will not be difficult to take with you on a trip and use in the "field" conditions. The device has modest dimensions and weight (about 235 g together with a supercharger, cuff and batteries), which means it will not weigh down even the smallest women's handbag.

A&D UA-604 refers to semi-automatic tonometers and is designed for individual monitoring of blood pressure and pulse rate.

The pressure measurement range is from 20 to 280 mm Hg, and the pulse measurement range is from 40 to 200 beats/min. If you believe the manufacturer, the error of measuring the pressure of the device is less than + /- 3 mm Hg, pulse - + / -5%. Some buyers tried to double-check these data using a classical mechanical tonometer with a phonendoscope, the error of the indicators was less than 5 mmHg, so the measurements of this device can be trusted .

The painless cuff of the SlimFit tonometer is worn on the forearm, fixed with a textile Hook-and-loop fastener and is designed for a shoulder circumference of 22-32 cm. All that the device will require from the user is to manually inflate the cuff with a supercharger, he will do the rest himself: he will take blood pressure and pulse measurements, automatically release air from it and alternately display indicators on a monochrome display. The screen has large and clear numbers – which is important for the elderly with impaired vision – and the ability to continuously display information for 2 minutes. There is no function for storing results here.

A flashing heart icon shows the frequency of heart contractions. If the measurement conditions are violated (for example, the cuff is fixed incorrectly), the device issues an error and displays its code on the display.

The device is switched off by briefly pressing the "Start" button or automatically after a few minutes.

The device operates from a single AA finger battery, which is enough for 2000 measurements. The charge indication is displayed on the tonometer display.

Citizen CH-308B

Another basic model, which, thanks to the combination of ease of use and reasonable price, has been a very attractive choice for the buyer for several years.

From the previous participant in our review, this semi-automatic tonometer differs only in weight (the complete set of the device weighs about 400 g) and the ability to remember the data of the last blood pressure measurement. However, many buyers note that it is often not required, but the price of such devices increases immediately. Anyway, it is not so difficult to monitor the indicators on your own, if you record all measurements in a blood pressure diary every day.

Citizen CH-308B measures blood pressure and pulse rate. The pressure measurement range is from 0 to 280 mm Hg, pulse – from 40 to 200 beats/min. The error of pressure measurements here is less than + /- 3 mm Hg, pulse - +/-5%.

The device is equipped with a comfortable and pleasant to the touch cuff, the size for the circumference of the arm from 22 to 32 cm. For additional convenience, when the pressure in the cuff reaches a value of 140,170, 200, 240 mm Hg. the device emits short-term beeps.

There is also the possibility of quick air release manually using a special valve. The memory for one last measurement is displayed for about 2 seconds or when the switch of the "Power" button is pressed, the average result of the indicators here, of course, is not calculated.

The device runs on four AA batteries, which should be enough for 1000 measurements. The tonometer has an automatic shutdown system 3 minutes after use, which is a good saving for such numerous batteries. Among the advantages of the model, many buyers note a large informative instruction in Russian.

AEG BMG 5610

One of the few participants in our review, whose cuff is attached not to the forearm, but to the wrist. This type of automatic tonometer can be recommended if you are looking for a device capable of providing better tolerability of the measurement procedure at high blood pressure.

The AEG BMG 5610 automatic tonometer will be the optimal choice for joint operation by two users at the same time, as it has 2 memory blocks of 60 cells each. The features of the model also include the function of calculating the average blood pressure.

The tonometer also has a built-in function for detecting arrhythmias, it will be useful for users suffering from this type of disease. However, this device is not intended for people with severe forms of arrhythmia.

The range of blood pressure measurement here is as follows: 60-260 mmHg – systolic, 40-199 mmHg – diastolic, the pulse measurement range is 40-180 beats /min. Some users note that the tonometer shows inflated indicators, about 20-30 mmHg. The manufacturer attributes this problem to a user error and recommends solving it by correctly putting on the sleeve and repeating the measurement.

An automatic signal notifies the user about the beginning and end of the measurement. At the end of the measurement, the blood pressure and pulse rate are displayed separately on the screen. Unstable heartbeat symbol (if detected) – blinks.

The case of the device is equipped with a wear-resistant Hook-and-loop fastener with a circumference from 14 to 19.5 cm. The tonometer operates from two AA batteries. The battery life is extended due to the automatic shutdown of the device 1 minute after the measurement procedures.

If you believe the descriptions in the instructions of the device, the tonometer can maintain its technical characteristics and safety for at least 10,000 measurements or 3 years, and the sleeve – at least 1000 measurements. To attribute these indicators to the advantages or disadvantages of the model is most likely to be decided by the buyer.