The Center for Disease Control estimates that some 70 million people in the United States alone have high blood pressure. This makes up for close to a third of the country’s population and the disease doesn’t just stop at America’s borders either.
On average, most other industrial nations have similarly dismal statistics for this deadly precursor to heart disease. Around 25 – 30% of most men and women in developed countries have this health problem to contend with. High BP is a deadly, global epidemic that will only get worse until everyone learns to make the sacrifices necessary to cure what ails them.
The only way to cure high blood pressure is to eat a proper diet and exercise on a daily basis for more than 30 minutes. And the only way to ensure the changes you’re making are working is to monitor your own blood pressure in between visits to your doctor.
Read Our Guide on Choosing the Perfect Blood Pressure Monitor!
You’ll find a list of our 7 most recommended home blood pressure monitors, ranked with accuracy, affordability, and overall value in mind.
Top 7 Blood Pressure Monitors
#1.Balance Professional Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor
First up is this simple yet effective, FDA approved BP monitor from Greater Goods. The monitor has built in memory for up to two users at 60 readings each. It comes with a one-size-fits all cuff that will work for anyone with regular size arms. The Balance Professional meter has a clear, bright display and simple three button operation – no muss, no fuss.
The Balance Professional uses 4 AAAs, but has no wall adapter for battery-free usage. Greater Goods offers a 2-year warranty against defects and donates a portion of the profit from your purchase to Love146; an organization working to end child trafficking in the United States and abroad.
#2.Slight Touch FDA Approved Fully Automatic Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor Large Cuff
This FDA approved blood pressure monitor from Slight Touch is designed primarily for men or women with larger than average arms. This unit accommodates up to 4 users and stores 30 readings for each, while also providing an average for the last 3 readings of each user.
The extra large Slight Touch display includes systolic/diastolic and pulse. An irregular heart beat warning is included, along with a color-coded WHO meter that tells you whether you’re in the safe zone or not. This meter runs on 4 AAAs, while offering the extra advantage of using an AC adapter too (sold separately).
#3.Panasonic EW3109W Portable Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor
The really nice thing about his affordable BP monitor from Panasonic is that it’s ultra portable. Though it’s not listed as such, this unit very much resembles what heart specialists use for 24-hour blood pressure tests. The display is elongated and streamlined in such a way that it could easily fit into the average pant’s pocket.
The EW3109W is easy to use, with two button operation and digital filter technology that eliminates inaccurate readings caused by body movement while testing (another reason this would make it great for testing walking, running BP). It also measures pulse, has a 100 reading memory, and a hypertension alarm. This monitor comes with a generous 2-year warranty.
#4.Omron 7 Series Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor
Omron claims to be the #1 recommended blood pressure monitoring system on the market, for the last 40 years. They’re a brand known for quality and the 7 Series BP monitor is no exception. The extra large, easy to read display features all the variables you want to see: blood pressure, pulse, safe/danger warning, irregular heart beat indicator, and has a 100 reading memory.
In order to get the most accurate reading, it’s recommended that your wrist/hand be at heart level when testing is done. This Omron 7 Series monitor won’t take a reading until you’ve completed this requirement. Keep in mind that this is a wrist monitor, making it great for a second monitoring device, but you’ll want a separate cuff style monitor to verify your results if you’ve been diagnosed with BP issues.
#5.Omron 10 Series Wireless Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor
The 10 series monitor, also from Omron, takes blood pressure readings to a whole different level. This unit has a very elegant gloss black display with white font readout for taking easy measurements. It’s also the first on the recommended list that features bluetooth connectivity, so you can sync your readings with your favorite smartphone and web based apps.
The 10 series also has an irregular heart beat indicator, in addition to blood pressure and pulse, and includes an upgraded memory that allows for up to 200 readings. The multi-range cuff is made for sizes ranging from 9 – 17 inches and runs either on batteries or from a separately sold AC adapter unit.
#6.LifeSource Blood Pressure Monitor with AccuFit Extra Large Cuff
This unit is made for people with large to very large arms – however you can attach a regular cuff to it without issues. LifeSource is one of the oldest names in home health monitoring. On the surface, this blood pressure monitor looks pretty plain and boring next to the Omron 10 Series recommended above. However, there’s much more going on under the hood than just a mere home blood pressure monitor.
This LifeSource monitor features irregular heart beat sensing and an ambient noise filter to prevent inaccurate readings from moving about while testing. The display is easy to use and both the display and power on button are illuminated for easy testing under any lighting conditions.
#7.Withings Wireless Blood Pressure Monitor for Apple and Android
One of the most advanced recommendations on this list, the Withings Wireless monitor has made quite a name for itself over the last few years. This device is entirely portable, requiring a smart phone or smart device to read your results. However, that’s where the real value is. You can leave the cuff attached with you wherever you go and test whenever is most convenient.
The smart bluetooth reader will also hold your results in storage when you don’t have your phone around. The Health Mate app, which works with the monitor, is 100% free and the app will store as many readings as you like, making this perhaps the most versatile blood pressure monitor available on the market today.
Blood Pressure Monitor Comparison Chart
Part I
| Accuracy | Affordability | Overall Value | |
| Balance Professional |
★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Slight Touch |
★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Panasonic EW3109W |
★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Omron 7 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Omron 10 | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| LifeSource | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Withings | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ |
Part II
| Memory | Advanced Averaging |
Irregular heartbeat detection |
Hypertension Indicator |
Number of Users |
Years of Warranty |
|
| Balance Professional |
60 per user |
N/A | N/A | N/A | 2 | 2 |
| Slight Touch |
30 per user |
 |
|
N/A | 4 | 2 |
| Panasonic EW3109W |
100 | |
|
N/A | 1 | 2 |
| Omron 7 | 100 | |
|
N/A | 1 | 5 |
| Omron 10 | 200 | |
|
|
2 | 5 |
| LifeSource | 60 | |
|
N/A | 1 | lifetime warranty |
| Withings | 100 | |
|
|
2 | 5 |
Part III
| Wireless Bluetooth |
iOS Connectivity |
Android Connectivity | AC Adapter Included |
Battery Included |
Cuff Size |
|
| Balance Professional |
N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
8 3/4″ to 16 1/2″ |
| Slight Touch |
N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
11.8 to 16.5 inches |
| Panasonic EW3109W |
N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
7.8 to 15.8 inches |
| Omron 7 | |
|
|
N/A | |
5 1/4 to 8 1/2 inches |
| Omron 10 | |
|
|
|
N/A | 9 to 17 inches |
| LifeSource | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
N/A | 16-1/2 to 23-3/5 inches |
| Withings | |
|
|
|
|
9 to 17 inches |
Conclusion
Hopefully you now understand the importance of checking your BP from home on a regular basis. In fact, doing so is at the top of nearly every single list you’ll find out there detailing how to prevent or reverse this serious health problem and the many complications that can follow you around in life if you don’t.
Ways to reduce your risk factor for high blood pressure and heart disease include:
• Get your blood pressure checked regularly.
• Eat a healthy diet.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Be physically active.
• Limit alcohol use.
• Don’t smoke.
• Prevent or treat diabetes.
A quality blood pressure monitor will pay for itself in many ways, and can last for years to come if taken care of properly. When you adhere to the above recommendations, which include checking your own blood pressure on a regular basis, you’ll feel better knowing that you’ll be around long enough to see your children, and hopefully your grandchildren, grow and thrive well into their adult lives.
