Best BP Monitor in India - Reviews and Comparison 2021

• Manual: The typical blood pressure machine used in the hospitals where doctor pumps a rubber bulb is the classic example of a manual bp monitor. Besides, inflatable cuff, manual bp monitors use auscultation principle, mercury-filled vertical vessel, and the air inflating rubber ball. Slowly the air pressure is put in the inflated cuff, and with the release of air pressure, you can see the mercury in the tube drops and ultimately readings for systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) are taken. Mostly, trained medical practitioners use this type of bp machine. This is also known as “Mercury Sphygmomanometer.”

• Aneroid Sphygmomanometer: A gauge is used to measure the SBP and DBP. It isn’t easy to interpret the reading language in this type of monitor. Therefore, doctors use this the most. This type is the least expensive options amongst all; however, Aneroid Sphygmomanometer is easily prone to damage.

• Automatic or digital: The principle used in the digital BP monitors is called- Oscillometric method. It also has an inflatable cuff, but that can be inflated either manually or automatically using a battery operating device. This is usually portable and easy to use even for an average person.

• App-based monitors: This is the advanced version of bp monitors. There is no pipe or wire, and a simple mobile application is used. The cuff is connected to Bluetooth of a smartphone. You have to download the application associated with the device, activate it, and the cuff will automatically measure the SBP and DBP. They are simple to set up and use. Also, they are more portable than digital monitors, are clinically validated, display a range of evaluated data and give an accurate reading.

The wrist cuff BP monitors are fully automatic, but the readings given by wrist cuff bp monitor may not be as accurate as generated by an arm cuff. It is challenging to keep this type of cuff at the heart level, and therefore, this model works relatively fine for patients who are below 50 years.

Wrist cuff monitors are compact, portable, and light. Also, it is way more comfortable than an arm cuff monitor.

Accuracy is one of the essential features when buying a bp monitor. The best way to know if your monitor works fine or not is to take it to your doctor and get it verified.

If the systolic blood pressure on the cuff is less than 10 mmHg than that of the doctor’s monitor, it means your monitor is giving accurate data.

If you notice that the readings are incorrect and the product is still under warranty, you can contact the manufacturer and get a refund for it.

Cuff is the band which is wrapped on the arm to measure the blood pressure. There are two factors under this which you must check- size and pumping pressure.

The standard cuff size is 22 to 42cm, and it is recommended to buy this until and unless the patient’s arm is too small or large. In that case, you can buy monitors specially designed for unique sizes.

The pumping pressure should also be at the optimal level as the low pumping pressure can give inaccurate results while over-pumping may cause discomfort. Therefore, the BP monitor must be designed with a pumping technology that balances the pumping pressure.

A blood pressure monitor needs to be clinically approved before it is made available for the public in the market. Such approvals ensure that the product is safe to use, and the FDA is the most common approval. AHA (American Heart Association) and AMA (American Medical Association) are a few other organizations whose consent can also be relied upon.

It is best if a regular electronic device is user-friendly and easy to use. For a digital BP monitor, the screen is the feature that makes it convenient to use. The numbers on the screen should be big enough for older people to see them clearly. For example, a monitor with a black LCD screen displaying bright white digits will be easy to read for anyone. Moreover, the buttons should also be large and intuitive.

Memory is that feature of a bp monitor which saves you from the hassle of noting down the readings on a paper. Different models have different memories. Some models have the memory only to keep the last reading. There a few models that can store even close to 100 readings. For example, HealthSense can store up to 120 readings, and Dr. Morepen can hold up to 90 readings.

Models like Omron HEM 7130L helps in keeping detailed reading, and therefore, it can also store the date and time as well of the readings.

One bp monitor can be used for more than one patient as well, and that depends on the user function. Few models are designed for single-user like Omron HEM 7120. However, there are models which can support two or more users such as Dr. Morepen BP One BP09 supports four users and 30 readings per user.

Arrhythmia is a problem associated with the rate of your heartbeat. If you are a patient of arrhythmia, your heart will either beat too fast or too slow. This indicator notifies you whether you are suffering from arrhythmia or not. Precisely, bp monitor not only throws the light on your blood pressure level but also heartbeats.

Reading time means time taken by bp monitor to access the test and display the result. The reading time varies from one model to another. The model takes 20 seconds to 1 minute time. This feature matters because at times you need to redo the process thrice for accurate result and faster the reading time the better it is. Also, if you check bp more than once in a day, do consider the reading time feature.

USB port let you plug an adaptor and charge the device from any power source. It comes handy as you don’t need a battery to operate the monitor. Also, you can charge it like any other smart device of yours.

There are BP monitors available that can be connected to other smart devices via an app and makes the monitoring & tracking task easier.

The date & time feature helps you record the date and time of each reading. It facilitates more precise tracking of the data.

An ideal display is one which is around 3 inches and has a sharp font giving precise reading. Touch screen display models are also available in the market. A display which shows your systolic/diastolic levels along with the pulse reading is worth buying.

BP risk indicator notifies you if the bp reading is within the acceptable level. This feature is helpful if you don’t get your BP checked by a medical practitioner regularly or you don’t remember the recommended BP level.

The majority of BP monitors work on battery – four AAA or AA batteries- or they have the rechargeable system built-in.

A wall-powered model is beneficial if you use the BP monitor several times a day. In such a case, you can pick models which can be used when the unit is connected to the charger. We say so, because replacing or charging batteries, again and again, can be cumbersome.

Most of the bp monitors are battery-operated, but not all monitors come with a “low battery indicator,” indicating battery life. Monitor with this feature shows the battery level and connect it to a power supply. If the batteries are rechargeable, recharge them beforehand, so that it doesn’t die during the time of emergency.

BP monitors are usually bought by homeowners to check the blood pressure at their convenience. But there is quite a chance that the user might be travelling a lot. Therefore, bp monitor has to be portable. Usually, this monitor is very compact and lightweight so that you can carry it anywhere easily.

This is an advantage over and above large LCD screen display. Under this, the reading is announced loud, mostly in English. So, if it is difficult to read the numbers on the screen, talking function is for you.

In our list, HealthSense Heart-Mate BP 100 comes with this feature.

WHO indicator is a unique feature; it gives a flag on the reading as per WHO’s restriction. If the blood pressure reading is average, then the indicator line will rise to the green zone. Whereas, if BP reading is more than average, which means hypertension, the line will rise to the yellow zone. In the case of middle to massive hypertension, the indicator will lie between the orange to the red zone. It is beneficial as it keeps you aware of the risk level of your BP.

HealthSense Heart-Mate BP 100 has the WHO indicator.

Doctors often suggest taking more than two reading and average them to get a more accurate result. A BP monitor with averaging data function can lift your burden of using a calculator every time to average the numbers and find a mean value. From our list, both the bp monitors from Dr. Morepen has the feature of averaging last three readings.

The price of a BP monitor varies from model to model and the features it comes with. You can get a decent bp monitor between Rs.1000 and Rs.2000. However, the cost can go as high as Rs. 3500, again, depending upon the features and benefits.

As far as warranty is concerned, you get one year warranty to five years warranty, varying brand to brand.

Normal is- highest reading at noon and the lowest reading at night. If you have high BP in the early morning or at night, it is abnormal. You must consult a doctor in a peculiar situation.

Staying awake over-night, use of tobacco, excess caffeinated beverages or nicotine, too much stress and anxiety are a few factors due to which you can have an abnormal BP pattern.

Moreover, if you are on medication for mild hypertension and that don’t last for twenty-four hours, your BP pattern can be abnormal with the decreasing effect of the medicine.

A few tips to get accurate results.

• Take some time after you wake up, prepare yourself for the day and then measure your BP.

• Eat your breakfast after measuring the blood pressure.

• Reading first. Exercise second.

• No bathing, drinking caffeinated/alcoholic drinks, smoking, exercising or eating before 30 minutes of the test.

• Before you take the test, relax in a sitting posture for 5 to 10 minutes.

• For correct results, keep the elbow at the same level as your heart.

• Wrap the cuff directly on your arm’s bare skin.

• Do not talk while measuring the bp.

• Take at least three readings with a gap of two to three minutes between them and average them.

• Try to measure your bp at the same time every day.

General

• Do not use bp monitor on an injured arm or an arm under medical treatment.

• Do not put the cuff on an arm while being on an intravenous drip or blood transfusion.

• Always consult your doctor as self-diagnosis of measurement results and self-treatment can be dangerous.

• People with blood flow problems or blood disorders must consult their doctor before using a bp machine as cuff inflation can cause internal bleeding.

• In the case of abnormalities during the measurement, remove the arm cuff.

• Never inflate the arm cuff more than necessary.

• Use a bp monitor only for measuring blood pressure and not for any other purpose.

• Do not disassemble the bp monitor or the arm cuff.

AC Adapter Usage

• Avoid using the AC adapter if the unit or the power cord is damaged.

• Plug the AC adapter into an appropriate voltage outlet.

• Dry your hands before plug-in or unplug the power cord from the electric outlet.

• Insert the power plug fully.

• Disconnect the power plug by holding the power plug and not by pulling the power cord.

• When handling the power cord- do not damage, break, tamper or twist it.

• Keep the power plug clean.

• Disconnect the power plug when the product is not in use for a long time.

• Do not use unsupported adapters as that can damage the unit.

Battery Usage

• Insert batteries with their polarities correctly aligned.

• Use only those batteries, as mentioned in manual and not other types of batteries.

• Never use new and used batteries together.

• Do not keep the batteries in the monitor if it will not be used for three months or more.

General Precautions

• Never forcibly bend an arm cuff or the air tube excessively.

• To unplug the air plug, do not pull the tube but pull on the air plug at the connection with the main unit.

• Do not apply strong shocks to or drop the unit and arm cuff.

• Never inflate the arm cuff when it is not wrapped around an arm.

At the time of measurement, you need to be relaxed and comfortably seated under moderate room temperature.

• Ensure that your feet are flat on the floor while sitting on the chair.

• Always, keep the back straight.

• The arm cuff should be at the equal level of your heart.

The Omron HEM 7120 is a pack of accuracy into a powerful device. This blood pressure monitor comes with IntelliSense technology for precise results, and the easy one-touch operation detects accurate and reliable blood pressure measurement.

The monitor is equipped with tracking reading of only one user, and it saves you from the hassle of manually recording by memorizing the last reading. It has both the irregular heartbeat detection feature and hypertension indicator. If your systolic or diastolic pressure is abnormal, the heartbeat symbol on the machine will start blinking on the display of the measurement result. In other words, while measuring the systolic and diastolic blood pressure, it will show the irregular heartbeat.

HEM 7120 also has body movement detection function which prompts you to retake measurement when an error is detected due to the body movement during measurement. Therefore, it ensures you get an accurate result.

HealthSense Heart-Mate BP is a compact blood pressure monitor that has been strategically designed to provide optimal results and the utmost comfort to the user.

It has a large clear LCD screen. The numbers and buttons are big enough that you won’t need your glasses to see the results. To make this bp monitor incredibly user-friendly, HealthSense has incorporated talking function as well. The feature read the pulse rate, readings and BP level compliance out loud in English in a pleasant voice.

The bp monitor comes with a USB port which makes it easier for you to recharge the batteries. You can recharge them simply just like you charge your smartphone or other devices. The traditional Oscillometric technology used in it provides a reliable and accurate result.

The monitor can track readings for two users, so another family member can also use it. It has enough storage space for 180 readings, 90 readings each. Additionally, it is equipped with a few indicators as well, namely, bp level, irregular heartbeat, body movement, and low battery.

Dr. Morepen is a brand that has immense experience in the healthcare devices manufacturing suitable to be used at home. Its BP 02 monitor is known for optimal results and the utmost comfort. It is entirely automatic and extremely lightweight, making it one of the best bp monitor to carry along while travelling.

This automatic monitor is fully capable of calculating systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Furthermore, it can determine pulse frequencies and give you an indication in case of irregular heartbeat. It has room for two users and 60 readings per user. And based on the normality of the result, it indicates three colours, red, yellow, and green. Also, the bp monitor features an average of the last three readings.

The BP machine comes with 4 AAA batteries and a warranty of 12 months. Also, it is equipped with a convenient inflation technology monitoring the inflation rate. Thereby, it ensures that inflation is neither less nor more and ultimately eliminates the chances of faulty readings.

Dr. Morepen BP One BP09 is versatile, easy to use, and our best value bp monitor. There isn’t much difference in the price when compared to BP02, and yet we chose this purely because of the number of users. The monitor tracks readings for four users, so three other family members can use it if required. It has enough storage space for 120 readings (30 for each user). This high memory storage feature tracks your history longer and lets your doctor know if your medication works properly.

One BP09 gives a precise result as it uses smart inflation and advanced averaging technology. On the one hand, the former technology helps in avoiding the pain during inflation; the latter technology averages the results of your last three consecutive tests for more consistent results.

Dr. Morepen’s monitor is an extremely lightweight build and is handy enough for daily usage. It can measure systolic and diastolic blood pressures and determine pulse frequencies indicating if there is an irregularity in the heartbeat.

Omron is a trustworthy brand, and HEM-8712 is its another product of calibre. The brand manufactures a wide range of home healthcare products. They have immense experience in the respective industry, and therefore, they give exceptional quality products.

HEM-8712 is a portable bp monitor made with IntelliSense technology allowing the machine to regulate the inflation rate consistently. Also, it has an irregular heartbeat and body movement detector which leaves no room for error and incorrect testing. With 22 to 32 cm cuff size, it is suitable for all sizes of an arm but a larger arm. It is feasible for a single user and stores last reading only.

If you hesitate to spend upwards of Rs.1,000 on a blood pressure monitor, you might like Rossmax GB102. This inexpensive blood pressure monitor is manual and extremely light in nature. It has an ergonomic and simple design.

The bp monitor has a latex-free cuff, and four layers of insulation on either side ensure 100% comfort and safety. It is simple to use, simply press the pump to measure the blood pressure levels and a beep indication will notify if the BP is high or low. The LED display shows the number clearly. The black enamel 300 mm Hg manometer is a non-stop pin reliable device which helps in finding out the systolic and diastolic pressure readings. Furthermore, the in-built twin thermostat ensures complete safety.

Our last bp monitor is also a manual monitor and the only aneroid bp measurement monitor on our list. Newnik SP501 Sphygmomanometer is the blood pressure monitor which people have been using since generations.

The monitor and cuff have been made using metal and fabric. Also, the air bulb and the pipe attached are made out of high-quality rubber. The cuff is latex-free and is of 22 cm to 32 cm circumference, thereby, it is suitable for all size of arms from small to big. The analog gauge provided is of high precision and accuracy.

It is a complete package including 300 mmHg no-pin stop manometer, stethoscope, chrome-plated brass air release valve, carrying case, and calibration key to adjust needle move. And just to make it is easy for you to take them to places, a small nylon bag also comes along with it. Checkout buying guide, reviews and comparison of best glucometer in India.