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 this data using a classical mechanical tonometer with a phonendoscope, the error of the indicators was less than 5 mm Hg, 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.

Medisana MTS

The Medisana MTS automatic tonometer has proven itself well not only due to its excellent price-quality ratio, but also extended functionality: in addition to accurate measurements of blood pressure and pulse, the device boasts a memory function for two users of 60 cells each, automatic indication of arrhythmia, demonstration of date and time, as well as a colour scale for evaluating measurement results in accordance with with WHO standards, showing whether your indicators meet generally accepted standards or you are already at risk. At the end of the measurements, after 1 minute, the device turns off automatically. The time and date are constantly displayed on the display.

The tonometer works with standard pressure measurement ranges – 20 – 300 mmHg and pulse – 40-199 beats/min. The manufacturer warns that the device is calibrated for a period of two years.

The device is equipped with a cuff measuring the circumference of the forearm from 20 to 30 cm.Many users complain that these parameters of the cuff volume are not enough for everyone, especially those who have a full arm, and in particularly critical cases it may even break. In this case, buyers are advised not to waste time searching for a branded cuff, but to replace it with any other from an automatic tonometer, it will fit this model.

The power source here is 4 AA batteries. You can also use the device with a special power supply (unfortunately, it is often included as an option). At the same time, the batteries can remain in the device – when the plug is connected, the batteries are mechanically disconnected. By the way, based on the experience of the owners of the device, a standard 6v DC power supply or 2000 mA batteries are suitable for the tonometer.

The device also includes a convenient handbag-case, where you can store all the components of the tonometer.

Medisana MTC

The Medisana MTC automatic tonometer will require virtually no effort on the part of the user except for convenient and simple push–button control - the device takes in and drains the air in the cuff independently.

Among the features worth highlighting: memory for 60 measurements, a voice message function in Russian, as well as the ability to simultaneously display blood pressure, pulse, current time and date on the screen. By the way, in addition to the Russian language in the settings of the tonometer there are Polish, Czech, Romanian and Hungarian, as well as the ability to disable the language function as such.

The limits of blood pressure measurement here are 0-300 mm Hg, pulse measurements: 30- 180 beats/min. The measurement error of pressure and pulse here is the same as that of the previous participants in our selection.

In the memory polling mode, 60 cells with information about the latest measurements are displayed on the tonometer display. First, the number of occupied records is displayed, then the values of the last saved measurement are displayed along with a flashing pressure indicator. If the language function is enabled, the device pronounces each number of the memory cell together with the stored pressure values according to the directives of the World Health Organization.

For convenience, the two main buttons "Start" and "Mem" have a built-in backlight. Medisana MTC is equipped with a soft cuff suitable for the forearm with a circumference from 22 to 30 cm.

The device has an automatic shutdown function: if you do not press any buttons, the device automatically turns off after 1 min. The time and date are constantly displayed on the display.

In addition to the operation of standard batteries in the amount of 4 AA batteries, the possibility of connecting to the electrical network is realized here.

Based on user reviews, although Medisana MTC is equipped with a sufficient number of "bells and whistles", the principle of its management is simplified as much as possible and is quite suitable for the elderly.

Omron M2 Basic Price from 1 529 up to 2 060 ₴ →

Without false modesty, this model can be called one of the most interesting among all the participants in our review. Firstly, all Omron brand tonometers are guided not by hospital pressure standards (for example, 140/90), but by the criteria of home measurements (135/85). The manufacturer explains this feature by the fact that the values received by the user at home are often slightly lower than those he receives in the doctor's office due to the presence of the "white coat" effect.

Secondly, the tonometer implements the Intellisense intelligent control technology, which organizes the measurement process like a doctor: during one procedure, the device takes blood pressure measurements twice (when air is drawn into and out of the cuff). Experts consider this approach to be the key to greater accuracy of measurements, even with arrhythmia. Thirdly, the device is equipped with a universal fan-shaped cuff with a volume designed specifically taking into account the anatomical shape of the human hand, which has a conical shape (the circumference of the upper part of the shoulder is always larger than the lower one). This technology ensures an even distribution of pressure over the entire section of the artery located under the cuff. The cuff volume is 22-42 cm and is suitable for both medium and large hands. For the sake of objectivity, the disadvantages of the model can only be attributed to memory for only 1 dimension.

The range of pressure measurements in this model is from 0 to 299 mm Hg, pulse – 40-180 beats /min.

The device can be powered by 4 AA batteries or from the mains. According to the manufacturer, the battery life is approximately 300 measurements. In addition to the AC adapter, the device includes a journal for recording blood pressure.

A&D UB-402

One of the most compact and lightweight automatic tonometers in the review – its weight is only 82 g. In addition to its low weight, the device has a number of advantages. For example, the A&D UB-402 display is equipped with a backlight, which adds convenience to the user when it is necessary to measure blood pressure at night. In addition, the device is equipped with an arrhythmia indicator, the level of pumping of the cuff and the ability to calculate the average pressure. The Intellitronics intelligent control system is responsible for the measurement process. The pressure and pulse values are simultaneously displayed on the display, and on a special graphical indicator there is a segment showing which category of blood pressure according to the WHO classification the result belongs to.

The cuff of the tonometer is designed for a wrist circumference from 13.5 to 21.5 cm.

The device automatically stores the values of the last 30 measurements in memory and the following are stored in the device's memory: the value of blood pressure and pulse, the value of the arrhythmia indicator, the value of the indicator according to WHO parameters.

The range of pressure measurements here is from 20 to 280 mm Hg, pulse rate is 40-180 beats/min.

The device runs on 2 AA batteries, the battery life – according to the manufacturer – is 400 measurements.

The device kit includes a hard plastic storage case and a convenient handbag with a clip for transporting the device, allowing you to carry not only a tonometer, but also medicines and other necessary trifles on the road.