11 best blood pressure monitors for your home in the UK

Browse the best blood pressure monitors for your home.

woman using blood pressure monitor

by Lorna White |
Updated on

It's so important to keep a good eye on our blood pressure, so that's why you need the best blood pressure monitor to track it at home. They're one of the easiest-to-use gadgets for monitoring your health at home so if you're concerned about the levels of your blood pressure, we'd recommend having one for peace of mind.

Known as the 'silent killer', around a third of Brits in the UK suffer from high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. It is the second biggest risk factor for premature death and disability. Symptoms of high blood pressure could be due to, "stress, diet, a lack of exercise or environmental toxicity," says Rory Batt, MSc Personalised Nutritionist.

Additionally, Cheryl Lythgoe, Matron at Benenden Health says, "The real danger with blood pressure comes when we ignore it or don’t see it as important. As symptoms aren’t always easy to spot, without an accurate reading you could be in danger of missing out on a vital indication that you are at risk of a serious medical condition."

To help us keep on top of our blood pressure readings at home, there are plenty of choices on the high street and online, such as blood pressure watches and at-home blood pressure monitors. Much like a TENS machine, they're designed to be simple to use so the whole family can use them in the comfort of their own home. Take a look at our top picks below to discover the best blood pressure monitor for you and your loved ones.

Best blood pressure monitors at a glance:

• Best overall blood pressure monitor: OMRON M3 Comfort Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor – View on Argos
• Best easy-to-use blood pressure monitor: Boots Pharmaceuticals Blood Pressure Monitor – View on Boots
• Best app-enabled blood pressure monitor: QardioArm Smart Blood Pressure Monitor – View on Amazon UK

Best blood pressure monitors

Best colour-coded blood pressure monitor

Description

The colour-coded display of this Braun ExactFit 5 Connect Smart Blood Pressure Monitor makes results easier to understand and interpret while the two cuff sizes have soft inflation technology so that whatever your shape, you get a tailored, accurate fit. You'll get deeper insight too, thanks to long-term averages and even irregular heartbeat detection.

Customer review: "Very efficient product I love the fact that it is easy to use and it automatically sends daily info to your phone. I was worried about spending that much money on this item but I've seen the cheaper models go wrong when my mother used them. This is a very reliable item. Batteries last for ages very clever little machine. The data on the phone is very useful and clear for monitoring whether you need medication and you can share the data directly with your doctor if you need to."

Pros

  • Irregular heartbeat detection
  • Comes with owner's guide, storage case and batteries
  • Can be paired with an app

Cons

  • Some reviewers had difficulty pairing the monitor with their smart device

Best overall blood pressure monitor

Description

This OMRON M3 Comfort Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor wraps around the upper arm and also detects irregular heartbeat. Date and time are also shown alongside each reading to help you clearly track your results. It has easy-to-use control buttons and a clear LCD display that is easy to read.

Customer review: "Very pleased with my purchase. Having looked at quite a few other models on the market, my husband and I found this one to be good value for money and easy to use. The cuff is comfortable and doesn't slip. Would highly recommend it."

Pros

  • Easy-to-read high blood pressure colouring indicator
  • Cuff wrapping guide
  • Can store up to 60 readings

Cons

  • Requires four AA batteries to run, it would be better if it was rechargeable

Best blood pressure monitor that measures two people

Description

This Salter Automatic Arm Blood Pressure Monitor is great if you're wanting to monitor the blood pressure of you and another person, as it records two people's results and stores historical readings in case of changes. It's also able to detect irregular heartbeat and arrhythmia too.

Customer review: "This has been very useful whilst appointments with doctors not available during coronavirus for the likes of BP checks. A good brand and value for money purchase."

Pros

  • Tracks two profiles
  • Can detect irregular heartbeat
  • Can store up to 60 readings

Cons

  • Slower than others

Best smart blood pressure monitor

Omron EVOLV Smart Home Blood Pressure MonitorAmazon
Price: $280.71

Description

A clinically validated blood pressure monitor, the Omron EVOLV Smart Home Blood Pressure Monitor has no tubes or wires making it convenient for discreet or on-the-go use. It will measure your blood pressure in seconds, syncing to your phone so you can just sit back and let it do its thing.

Customer review: "Very easy to use. I have to take readings on my right arm and putting on a traditional cuff with a damaged left hand was proving to be impossible, and probably raised my blood pressure! The cuff has an arm shaped section in which you slide up your arm to the correct position and then a velcro flap to close. You don't have to get it very tight before you start taking a reading."

"It comes in a neat zip case and was very easy to set up and connect to my iPad. You can use it without a phone or iPad but obviously, it's much easier if you can see the readings on the Omron Connect app. Tested against a blood pressure monitor at the surgery it appears to be accurate."

Pros

  • Wireless
  • Stylish design
  • Smart device compatible

Cons

  • Although the device can take readings from multiple people, the app processes this data as just one person's reading

Best app-enabled blood pressure monitor

QardioArm Smart Blood Pressure MonitorAmazon

Rrp: $99.99

Price: $88.00

Description

App-enabled, this smart QardioArm Smart Blood Pressure Monitor easily pairs with your smart device via Bluetooth in just one tap. Completely wireless which makes it easy and convenient to use at home or on the go, you can share your data automatically with family or send your results via email to the doctor.

Customer review: "While we have an excellent BP measuring home unit, I wanted a unit that allows me to monitor, record, and have the facility to send aggregate data to my GP. After a quick look around of units and reviews given, I chose the QardioArm. This has been so far one of the best purchases I have made to date. After measuring my BP a couple of times and finding the results concur with the readings from our home unit and when I had my BP taken from our practice, I knew this product will help me measure my BPs and track progress."

Pros

  • Secure data management
  • Stylish design
  • Compatible with smart devices

Cons

  • Must have a smart device

Best highly rated blood pressure monitor

Description

The CAZON Blood Pressure Monitor Upper Arm is a highly-rated device that works to give you accurate results. The easy-to-read display also indicates irregular heartbeat and colour-coded blood pressure results to show whether you're in range. It also features a double-user mode, able to support two person's readings with a memory of up to 99 readings.

Customer review: "Bought this as I felt it's good to keep an eye on your health. Given the price, I think this is a bargain! It's pretty easy to get going, plug in a couple of leads and away you go! There doesn't seem to be many things to go wrong - famous last words! But everything works fine. A recent trip to the GP confirmed it's pretty accurate. I'll continue to use it to keep an eye on things. Overall, easy and accurate, recommended!"

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Highly rated
  • Large LED display screen

Cons

  • Batteries not supplied

Best blood pressure monitor with user memory

Description

This automatic Kinetik Wellbeing Blood Pressure Monitor works at the touch of just one button to give you a fast and accurate reading. Made in association with St John Ambulance, it is BIHS & EHS approved and comes with a 90-reading user memory to help track your health.

Customer review: "Easy to set up & use. Great price. The memory function was brilliant as it had all the information for the doctor, no more writing it down & losing the readings. Extremely happy with this."

Pros

  • Clinically validated and BIHS & ESH approved
  • Can store up to 90 readings
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Batteries unreliable

Best sleek blood pressure monitor

Description

With an extra-large easy-to-read black display, this Beurer BM58 Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor has integrated memory for two users with 60 blood pressure and pulse measurements each. It will also alert you to any signs of arrhythmia and measure your vitals against the colour-coded risk indicator for easy-to-understand results.

Customer review: "This pressure gauge is very good, reliable and as accurate as you need from a home tester. Use three times per session and take the mean reading and you have a very good means to check your blood pressure regularly. A bit fiddly initially but you soon get the hang of it and you can rely on the values provided as this manufacturer is well known and has a very good reputation. Thrilled that I paid the extra for this excellent bit of tech."

Pros

  • Tracks two profiles
  • Can detect arrhythmia
  • Large screen

Cons

  • Some may prefer a monitor without touchscreen technology

Best easy-to-use blood pressure monitor

Boots Pharmaceuticals Blood Pressure MonitorBoots

Description

Are you searching for an upper arm blood pressure monitor? This little Boots Pharmaceuticals Blood Pressure Monitor bundle features an upper arm cuff, an instruction manual with a record diary, a storage case and a battery set. Remember, don't forget to relax your arm before using a blood pressure device as this can affect the reading.

Customer review: "I really like this as it's quick and easy to use, no fussy instructions and does a great job. I was very surprised to be told my blood pressure was high and to be put on tablets, I use this machine to monitor for 10 days each month to make sure the medication is doing the trick. The machine is small enough to keep in first aid box, easy to get out and test blood pressure."

Pros

  • Simple and straightforward
  • Comes with record diary, storage case and batteries
  • Two-year warranty from Boots

Cons

  • Small cuff size

Best blood pressure monitor with WHO classification

automatic upper arm blood pressure monitorcompletecareshop.co.uk
Price: £30.40 (was £37.99)

www.completecareshop.co.uk

Description

The Automatic Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor is ideal for keeping a close eye on your health at home. It uses the World Health Organisation (WHO) blood pressure classification indicator and provides data on the trends of your readings. This blood pressure monitor also comes with a five-year warranty from the brand for your peace of mind.

Customer review: "I feel like it's really accurate as the readings are consistent (I try and do three at once to check and it's pretty consistent). I needed this machine for my health when they lowered my blood pressure medication and it helped prove that I needed to be on the dose I was on for another medication as it made my blood pressure drop dramatically, therefore it helped both me and my medical professionals."

Pros

  • Clinically validated by World Health Organisation
  • Latex and metal-free cuff
  • Five-year warranty from the brand

Cons

  • Instructions could be larger print

Best affordable blood pressure monitor

Digital Blood Pressure Meter BP Monitor Automatic Cuff UKEbay

Description

This Digital Blood Pressure Meter BP Monitor Automatic Cuff UK has a large digital LCD display that can help you to read the measurements, date and time clearly and correctly. Not only that, but it can also store up to 180 historical measurements so that you can record and monitor any blood pressure changes with ease.

Customer review: "Firstly, it is very simple to use, the instructions are very clear and helpful for first-time users. I bought it for my great-grandad who has heart problems and instead of constantly going to the doctors to check his blood pressure we use this portable one instead."

"We can now see that his lifestyle changes have drastically reduced his blood pressure, and now we can keep track of it using this machine. The screen is colour coded, (green for good pressure, red for high bp) which is great for him as he's a lot older and doesn't understand it very much. It takes around 40 seconds to read and can be stored very tidily after use. Would hugely recommend this for others with similar issues. Or who just want to measure bp!"

Pros

  • Portable
  • Will indicate when it's running low on battery
  • Can be charged using a USB cable

Cons

  • USB cable not included

FAQs

Why is checking your blood pressure so important?

One in three people in the UK has high blood pressure or hypertension, but many aren't aware of it. Most people with high blood pressure have no symptoms and the only way to find out is to be measured.

Cheryl Lythgoe, Matron at Benenden Health, says, "Checking – and understanding - your blood pressure can be a really simple, yet hugely important activity in monitoring and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

People shouldn’t be afraid to get checked out as it is simple to do and even if your reading is outside of the normal threshold, blood pressure can be managed to minimise the threat of associated health risks."

"We shouldn’t ignore our wider health and would encourage people to find out their reading either by visiting their GP or pharmacy or by purchasing a machine themselves at a very reasonable price," continues Cheryl, "Therefore, we highly recommend regular monitoring and if you do have any concerns, that you visit your GP and have a test.”

Checking your blood pressure with a BP monitor device can help reduce your risk of heart attacks and strokes. You can also use an NHS-approved oximeter to measure the oxygen levels in your blood.

You can seek advice from your GP if you find your blood pressure is too high. Additionally, you can find out more about high blood pressure at the British and Irish Hypertension Society.

How to read your blood pressure at home

Nutritionist Rory Batt MSc, BSc from The Meal Prep Market advises, "Don't drink caffeine, alcohol, smoke or exercise within half an hour of measuring. Make sure your bladder is empty before you measure, and relax and sit still for five minutes beforehand.

"Use a cuff that correctly fits your arm, as one that is too small will skew the reading. Sit upright, with your feet on the floor and keep your arm at heart level. Finally, measure your blood pressure at the same time each day to keep readings consistent with your lifestyle."

You may have heard your GP reading out your blood pressure before with two figures. Both of these numbers are really important when it comes to your blood pressure. A blood pressure monitor will give you two readings.

Systolic pressure is the pressure when your heart pushes blood out

Diastolic pressure is the pressure when your heart rests between beats

As a general guide, use the below for reference:

Normal blood pressure is considered to be between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg

High blood pressure is considered to be 140/90mmHg or higher

Low blood pressure is considered to be 90/60mmHg or lower

Can I use apps to monitor my blood pressure?

You can track your blood pressure with ease with these handy apps for your smartphone and other devices. These apps are fantastic for tracking your blood pressure history, for doctor's appointments or emailing results to your GP.

If you're concerned about your blood pressure, contact your GP or visit the NHS website for more information.

Meet The Experts

Cheryl Lythgoe, Matron at Benenden Health is an Advanced Nurse Practitioner who has a wealth of experience in diagnosing and managing many health conditions. Cheryl Lythgoe MSc joined Benenden Health in December 2018 following 15 years working in primary care.

Nutritionist, Rory Batt MSc, BSc from Marvin's Den is a nutritionist who uses functional medicine to establish the root cause of illness to achieve optimal health. He enjoys using his skills to develop products, services and systems that can help individuals achieve lasting health in a targeted and personalised way.

Lorna White is a Senior Digital Writer at Yours.co.uk. She was previously a writer at Yours Magazine writing features and news stories before joining the digital team. Lorna loves the great British countryside and likes to spend her spare time out and about in her home of Nottinghamshire walking her dog, Pippin.

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