Review: Find the Best Blood Pressure Monitor

Before buying a blood pressure monitor, it's important to inform yourself and weighing their costs and benefits. In our review, we tested eight different devices to find the best blood pressure monitor available in the UK. Find out which device is the right one for you.

The following devices have been closely examined in our blood pressure monitor review:

• Omron EVOLV
• Omron M7 Intelli IT
• Braun iCheck 7
• Omron RS3 Intelli IT
• Beurer BM 85
• Sanitas SBM 22
• Omron M6
• Boso Medicus Family

Best Blood Pressure Monitors of 2023

In total we tested eight different devices available in the UK. After a thorough consideration of their features, measurement accuracy and price, we found that the best blood pressure monitor is the Omron EVOLV. Rank two and our value-for-money pick is the Omron M7 Intelli IT.

The following table provides an overview of the tested blood pressure monitors.

1. Omron EVOLV

The Omron EVOLV all-in-one is an absolute eye-catcher and just right for design lovers and technology enthusiasts.

The wireless blood pressure monitor did not only impressed us with its innovative design, but also with its high measurement accuracy, ease of use and great functionality. The Omron EVOLV lacks nothing compared to a conventional one and has many additional, practical features such as a Bluetooth interface and the IntelliWrap cuff seat control which ensure that the cuff is always attached correctly.

All of this makes the Omron EVOLV the best blood pressure monitor in our review.

Pros:

• ✅ High accuracy
• ✅ Portable and easy to use
• ✅ Colour classification of the measured values
• ✅ cuff seat control
• ✅ Bluetooth and Apple Health interface
• ✅ Data import to the Cora Health app possible

Cons:

• ❌ High price
• ❌ Mediocre app

Price: ⁓£115

Buy Omron EVOLV

2. Omron M7 Intelli IT

The Omron M7 Intelli IT is the successor to the popular Omron M6 (ranked #7 in our blood pressure monitor review). The Omron M7 Intelli IT boasts a wide range of features, Bluetooth transmission of blood pressure measurements to the iPhone and very accurate readings.

Our biggest criticism is the Omron Connect app, which tends to be a bit difficult to use. In some cases there are also Bluetooth connection problems.

Overall, we consider the Omron M7 Intelli IT the best value blood pressure monitor in our review.

Pros:

• ✅ High accuracy (±3 mmHg)
• ✅ WHO categorisation, arrythmia detection & display of average values
• ✅ Bluetooth and Apple Health interface
• ✅ Data import to the Cora Health app possible
• ✅ Great value for money

Cons:

• ❌ Mediocre app

Price: ⁓£60

Buy Omron M7 Intelli IT

3. Braun iCheck 7

The Braun iCheck 7 is the best wrist blood pressure monitor in our review.

The monitor impresses with its sleek and elegant design, a Bluetooth interface and useful features such as colour coding of the blood pressure values from green to red. The the "ball in the hole" system makes is also very easy to attach the cuff on the right place on your wrist.

What we didn't like was the fact that the Braun Heart Health app cannot share readings data with third-pary apps using Apple Health.

Pros:

• ✅ High accuracy
• ✅ Colour classification of measurement results
• ✅ Gentle readings
• ✅ "Ball in the hole" system
• ✅ Bluetooth interface
• ✅ Good value for money

Cons:

• ❌ Mediocre app
• ❌ No Apple Health interface
• ❌ Wrist monitors are less reliable than upper arm monitors

Price: ⁓£50

Buy Braun iCheck 7

4. Omron RS3 Intelli IT

The Omron RS3 Intelli IT is the successor to the popular and affordable Omron RS3 Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor.

We especially liked the pleasantly gentle measurement of on the wrist. In addition, the blood pressure monitor detects usage errors thanks to its cuff seat control. With its small size, the Omron RS3 Intelli IT is extremely portable, making it the ideal blood pressure monitor for frequent and business travelers.

Pros:

• ✅ Certified accuracy (± 5 mmHg)
• ✅ WHO classification, arrhythmia detection
• ✅ Gentle readings
• ✅ Cuff seat control
• ✅ Bluetooth and Apple Health interface
• ✅ Data import to the Cora Health App possible
• ✅ Good value

Disadvantage:

• ❌ Mediocre app
• ❌ Wrist monitors are less reliable than upper arm monitors

Price: ⁓£70

Buy Omron RS3 Intelli IT

5. Beurer BM 85

The Beurer BM 85 convinces in our review by a comprehensive range of functions. The improvements compared to its "little brother" BM 58 include a resting indicator and a Bluetooth interface for transferring readings to smartphones.

However, the large cuff of the Beurer BM 85 can lead to measurement errors in patients with small upper arm circumference. Furthermore, the battery life of the Beurer BM 85 is rather short.

Pros:

• ✅ High accuracy
• ✅ WHO classification, arrhythmia detection & display of average values
• ✅ Bluetooth and Apple Health interface
• ✅ Data import to the Cora Health App possible

Cons:

• ❌ Low battery life
• ❌ Inaccurate measurements when used with small upper arms
• ❌ High price

** Price:** ⁓£85

Buy Beurer BM 85

6. Sanitas SBM 22

The upper arm gauge Sanitas SBM 22 is the cheapest in our blood pressure monitor in our test. For this reason, it lacks many features of its competitors, such as a Bluetooth interface.

Nevertheless, for as little as 35 punds, the Sanitas SBM 22 covers all the basics that can be expected by a modern blood pressure monitor such as arrhythmia detection, WHO classification, and a display of average values. In addition, the device features a cuff seat control.

The Sanitas SBM 22 is therefore a solid device that is great value for money.

Pros:

• ✅ High accuracy
• ✅ WHO classification, arrhythmia detection & display of average values
• ✅ Cuff seat control
• ✅ Great value for money

Cons:

• ❌ No USB or Bluetooth interface
• ❌ Cuff not suitable for wide upper arms

Price: ⁓£35

Buy Sanitas SBM 22

7. Omron M6

The Omron M6 is the predecessor of the second-best blood pressure monitor in our review, the Omron M Intelli IT.

We found that the Omron M6 is nearly identical in many of its features to its successor. However, it lacks a Bluetooth interface to transmit readings to computers or smartphones.

While the Omron M6 is a reliable device with satisfactory functionality, we strongly recommend the purchase of its [Bluetooth-enabled successor] (# 2omronm700intelliit) which typically is only about £3 to £4 more expensive.

Pros:

• ✅ High accuracy
• ✅ WHO classification, arrhythmia detection & display of average values
• ✅ Cuff seat control

Cons:

• ❌ No USB or Bluetooth interface
• ❌ Poor value for money in comparison to its successor

Price: ⁓£60

Buy Omron M6

8. Boso Medicus Family

The Boso Medicus Family is one of the most popular blood pressure monitors for couples with high blood pressure. Featuring two separate memories, the Boso Medicus Family is a suitable partner device. Its universal cuff also ensures a good fit and accurate reading results for all users.

However, the device lacks many features of modern blood pressure monitors and is somewhat outdated today. Therefore, it can not justify its relativly high price compared to more modern blood pressure monitors.

Pros:

• ✅ High accuracy
• ✅ WHO classification, arrhythmia detection & display of average values
• ✅ Big buttons

Cons:

• ❌ No USB or Bluetooth interface
• ❌ Already over 10 years on the market
• ❌ Poor value for money

Price: ⁓£85

Buy Boso Medicus Family

Testing Criteria

Our 2023 review of the best blood pressure monitors is based on the following testing criteria: reading accuracy, features, user friendliness and price.

Reading accuracy

The reading accuracy of blood pressure monitors is crucial in supporting a therapy for high blood pressure. Devices that obtained certifications for their reading accuracy by the European Society of Hypertension or the German Hochdruckliga were labelled as "high accuracy" in our review.

Features

Among the listed features within our review are the following:

• WHO classification: Optical classification of measurement results in hypertension grade according to WHO
• Arrhythmia detection: detection of heart rate irregularities; In addition to heart disease, arrhythmia can be triggered by stress, lack of sleep and other factors.
• Sleep Indicator: Increased measurement accuracy by detecting physical and mental rest
• Display of average values: Displays the average of past measurements
• Bluetooth interface: Possibility to transmit measured values to computers and smartphones via Bluetooth and USB
• Apple Health interface: Apple Health interface support for data sharing with 3rd party apps like Cora Health

User friendliness

A device you use on a daily basis should be easy and pleasant to use. Therefore, the user friendliness of the tested blood pressure monitors were a factor in our assessment. This includes the ease of use as well as the size and universal usability of the cuff.

The cuff size is especially important for upper arm monitors. If a cuff is fitting properly, reading results are falsified. While most blood pressure monitors have a universal size cuff, there are still devices featuring relatively narrow or wide cuff sizes.

Cuff size:

• Universal size: 22 to 42 cm
• Tight cuff: up to 35 cm
• Wide cuff: from 36 cm

General information on blood pressure monitors

A blood pressure monitor measures the arterial pressure of the blood. The measurement unit is millimeters of mercury (mmHg). The two different values indicate the upper (systolic) and lower (diastolic) blood pressure, with optimal blood pressure values being 120 mmHg systolic and 80 mmHg diastolic.

There are two distinguishable types of blood pressure monitors: Upper arm monitors and Wrist monitors.

Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitors

Upper arm monitors have a sleeve, which is connected via a hose to the device. While reading, the cuff is attached to the upper arm and thus at heart level, which facilitates the correct positioning of the arm.

Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor

Wrist monitors are usually very compact and portable. The cuff is attached directly to the device and fastened to the wrist. However, especial care must be taken towards the right arm position during measurement: wrist monitrs must be kept at heart level.

Read more about blood pressure monitors here

Why you should own a blood pressure monitor

Hypertension is one of the most common conditions. In Europe alone, one in four adults is affected by high blood pressure. Hypertension is a dangerous condition and a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack, stroke or kidney failure. Therefore, you should regularly read and document their blood pressure.

Read more: Why reading blood pressure via app does not work

Where can I buy a blood pressure monitor?

All blood pressure monitors featured in our review can easily be purchased online through Amazon. Alternatively, you can buy sphygmomanometers in pharmacies, electronics stores, medical supply stores, medical technology shops and occasionally also in drugstores and supermarkets.

If you are looking for an analog blood pressure monitor, it is best to visit a specialist medical technology shop.

How much does a blood pressure monitor cost?

Depending on the type, brand, and set of features, prices for modern blood pressure monitors range between £25 and £125. More expensive devices are usually more accurate and offer a wider set of features such as a Bluetooth interface or a completely wireless experience.

Click here for a list of some of the best blood pressure monitors available in the UK which were featured in our review.