Top 10 Best Professional Sphygmomanometers in 2024

To help you choose the best sphygmomanometers for measuring pressure, we will explain some basic points to consider before purchasing, talking precisely how to measure pressure accurately, and then move on to a list of products that, have the best value for money.

The sphygmomanometers are the medical accessory that is used to measure pressure. It is an ancient instrument, used above all by those suffering from “high blood pressure,” which is also called a sphygmoscope but which in common language is more commonly known as a pressure machine.

In the market, there are several sphygmomanometers for measuring blood pressure, and choosing the model that best suits your needs could be a more complex than it seems.

Below you will find the list of best sphygmomanometers in the market.

Everything You Need to Know About Sphygmomanometers

Having a sphygmomanometer can be very comfortable, even if you don’t have any particular pathologies related to blood pressure, or if you live with the elderly. In short, it is an indispensable tool to keep at home, which could be considered as a real investment for the whole family and which, let’s face it, is also quite cheap.

How Does the Sphygmomanometers Work?

The pressure meter, or sphygmomanometers, are the devices used to measure blood pressure, which is of great importance in subjects tending to diseases such as hypertension and is still an excellent ally to monitor your health even if you do not have special problems.
It is a very old tool that every doctor has and that, thanks to modern technological developments, it is now possible to buy for home use and to check the pressure in the comfort of your own home, whenever you wish.

The traditional sphygmomanometers are made up of a cuff that is inserted into the left arm, wrapped around the upper part of it, and inflated to create pressure. When the cuff is inflated, it is able to exert pressure on the arm artery and interrupt blood flow for an instant. The pressure is thus measured when air is gradually released from the cuff, allowing blood to flow again. Through an integrated stethoscope, the doctor is able to identify the first pulse, which corresponds to the systolic pressure; the diastolic pressure is instead noticed when the beats disappear.

What Is High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure, defined in technical terms hypertension, is a widespread disorder. This is not a real disease, but it is still a risk factor that favors the onset of other more serious cardiovascular problems because it forces the heart to pump the blood with more effort throughout the body. We properly speak of hypertension when the minimum or diastolic pressure is greater than 90 mmHg, and the maximum or systolic pressure exceeds 140 mmHg (mmHg stands for a millimetre of mercury). It is, therefore, very important to always keep the pressure values under control and, in case of hypertension, to act promptly by changing diet and lifestyle.

Typology

In the purchase of a sphygmomanometers, the type factor is decisive since it will depend on how the device operates and also how it will be positioned on the patient. Below we analyze the main types of blood pressure meter.

Electronic or Analog Sphygmomanometers?

The analog sphygmomanometer is the traditional instrument used by the doctor, which uses a pressure pump to be activated manually. The use of this type of blood pressure monitor is not immediate and simple for those who are not experts, which is why over time, digital or electronic models have been developed, which greatly simplify the operation and which, in fact, are currently much more widespread.

This type of sphygmomanometers, in fact, simply requires the insertion of the limb into the instrument and the activation of the operation through simple and intuitive buttons, therefore lending itself to use by anyone, even without any experience in the medical field.

Electronic Sphygmomanometers

Another advantage of electronic sphygmomanometers lies in the fact that these devices allow functions that analog models cannot offer for obvious reasons. We speak, for example, of the possibility of recording your measurements so that you can monitor your health and progress, and of many other operating characteristics that we will see specifically in the dedicated paragraph.

Upper Arm Sphygmomanometers

This is the second distinction that it is possible to operate within the pressure meters currently on the market: that is, you can choose to opt for a model where the user must insert the arm into a sleeve and measure the blood pressure from there, or a model that instead provides a smaller sleeve that is positioned around the wrist.

Reliable Sphygmomanometers

Many will wonder what difference exists between the types listed above and whether they are all equally reliable.
As for the difference between analog and digital meters in terms of reliability, although digital models are now the most popular, analog ones are still preferred by doctors precisely because they are unsurpassed in terms of precision. Nevertheless, as we have explained above, the ease of use and reading of the blood pressure values of the electronic models makes the latter preferable for normal measurements to be taken at home.

Accuracy in Readings

As for the differences between arm and wrist sphygmomanometers, an important premise must be made: the accuracy is equivalent in both blood pressure monitors, and the choice of one rather than another is linked to the needs of different types. For example, care must be taken to position the meter so that it is at heart level and this could be a little more difficult with the wrist meter which, by the way, can be more affected by the movements that could cause error messages from the instrument, for this reason, care must be taken not to move the hand during measurement with a wrist instrument much more than with an arm instrument.

Wrist sphygmomanometers

An advantage of the wrist measure, however, lies in its simplicity and practicality of use, which makes it the ideal instrument for a frequent blood pressure measurement during the day, even to be carried out outside the home. Finally, people with a very large arm may have problems with an arm meter, and therefore opting for a wrist one might be the best solution for them.

Are There Sphygmomanometers for Children?

On the market, it is not easy to find pediatric blood pressure monitors that are specific for children. But even the little ones can be affected by hypertension, and in this case, it is important to keep their blood pressure monitored. The most well-known brands offer not so much a specific model for children but rather bracelets of smaller sizes, suitable for a smaller arm circumference. Already a cuff ranging from 17 to 22 cm might be enough to allow a child’s blood pressure to be measured. The measuring methods are the same for measuring the pressure of an adult.

Positioning the Blood Pressure Monitor

In this regard, below, we show you how to measure blood pressure and how to position the pressure meter in order to obtain reliable values.

Tighten the Sleeve

The first step before starting a measurement is to uncover the arm at least up to the shoulders and tighten the sleeve. The air hose connected to the device must face upwards along the arm line. Be careful to position the sleeve 2-3 centimetres from the elbow and leave the space of a finger between the sleeve and the arm, so as not to exert too high pressure and thus obtain erroneous results.

In the case of wrist gauges, the positioning procedure is very similar. Just take care to position the meter with the sleeve about a centimetre away from the point where the palm begins and with the screen facing up. The sleeve should not be tightened too much, in order to prevent too high pressure from distorting the measurement.

How to Position the Arm?

The position of the arm itself also affects the accuracy of the detection results. With the arm meters, you can decide to stand or sit, and the important thing is to stretch the arm on a shelf, making sure that the sleeve is at the same height as the heart.
The same thing applies to the wrist measures: the elbow will be placed on a shelf while the hand must remain suspended in midair.

In addition to positioning the sleeve and arm, it is useful to pay attention to further precautions. Before each measurement, it is advisable to rest 5-10 minutes, avoid drinking alcohol, smoking, and exercise. All these factors, in fact, could alter the results of the survey.
In general, at the moment of measurement, it is always better to try to stay relaxed and without speaking. Especially in the case of arm meters, it is advisable not to keep any muscles in tension, relax, and comfortably stretch the arm on a shelf.

Information Provided by Sphygmomanometers

The information provided is certainly the most important and decisive factor for the purchase of a sphygmomanometers, be it arm or wrist. This factor refers to the quantity and type of information that is provided to the user from a “medical” point of view, i.e., on blood pressure and heart rate. This, of course, does not mean that the device is able to replace the opinion of expert medical personnel, but only that it is able to provide a series of useful data to report to the doctor to check his health.

The range of information that a device can provide is obviously exclusive to electronic blood pressure monitors, which, in fact, unlike analog ones, can provide a series of data that a user without medical skills could not easily obtain and interpret differently. This information is important, especially if people at risk of certain pathologies related to blood pressure are using the product. However, in general, they are still useful for anyone who wants to keep their health under control by taking measurements from time to time.

It is, therefore, necessary to verify that the chosen pressure meter can provide the desired information, of which we list the main ones here:

WHO Indicator

Indicates that the information is validated and calibrated according to the guidelines of the World Health Organization, therefore reliable and truthful.

Arrhythmia Detection

Devices equipped with this possibility not only detect the heart rhythm but also report any anomalies in the beat.

Average of All Values

Some pressure meters allow you to calculate an average of the measurements, usually of the last three. Some more sophisticated models also allow you to memorize the morning or evening pressure detected in the last few days.

How to Read the Blood Pressure Monitor

Still speaking of the pressure values, it is important to know how to read and decipher the information that is shown on the screen of the device when the pressure is detected.

Diastolic and Systolic Pressure

The basic information that each blood pressure monitor must show is the minimum or diastolic pressure and the maximum or systolic pressure. We can speak of hypertension when the minimum pressure is above 90 mmHg, and the maximum pressure exceeds 140 mmHg. Usually, you can recognize these two values thanks to two small words placed on the side of the meter display: DIA for diastolic pressure and SYS for systolic pressure.

Even too low blood pressure can be a health risk factor. There is talk of hypotension when the minimum pressure is below 60 mmHg, and the maximum pressure, on the other hand, is less than 90 mmHg.

Traffic Light Indication

Most blood pressure monitors on the market also have a traffic light indication, i.e., a green to red colored bar that helps you understand your blood pressure status more intuitively. The value corresponding to green is considered optimal, while from yellow to red, we enter the risk range of hypertension.
Some models do not have a colored bar on the side of the screen, but use LED lights that light up green in case of normal pressure and orange in case of hypertension.

Heart Rate and Arrhythmia

All blood pressure monitors also show the heart rate or the number of beats that the heart performs in one minute (also called bpm ). This value can vary based on age, the volume of physical activity that takes place, the level of stress, and sex. In general, the following values can be considered normal:

• 80 to 100 bpm for children;
• 70 to 120 bpm for teenagers;
• 60 to 90 bpm for adults.

Regarding sex, the average heart rate of a man is around 70 bpm and around 75 bpm in women. It should also be added that highly trained people will have a lower heart rate.

When the heart rate is lower than the minimum values that we have listed above, it is called bradycardia, while tachycardia occurs in the event that the values are above the maximum ones.

While heart rate is a data that is shown by all blood pressure monitors, only the most advanced models also show any irregularities in the heartbeat, defined with the term arrhythmia. Normally the latter is shown by means of “quotes” around the little heart symbol. In this case, we advise you to consult without hesitation the doctor or a cardiologist for a more authoritative opinion.

Usage Errors

When using a blood pressure monitor, it can happen that strange codes appear on the screen if there are problems in the detection. In most cases, these error codes, which usually begin with an ” E, “is shown in the event of too high a pressure in the sleeve or when the batteries are discharged. In any case, it is very useful to know the meaning of these codes in order to use the appliance in the most correct way. The instruction booklet supplied should contain a list of all the error codes that may occur and their corresponding meaning.

Ease of Use

The ease of use factor is very important to evaluate because it is indicative of the real practicality and simplicity of the appliance, two fundamental elements to consider, especially in relation to the type of user who will then have to use the blood pressure monitor. In fact, this factor refers to a series of features that, especially where an elderly person or with little manual dexterity and familiarity with electronic devices make use of the instrument, make the pressure meter more or less easy to handle and to position correctly, and can simplify the visualization and understanding of the data collected.

Therefore, the elements that make up the ease of use factor are:

Width and clarity of the display: it allows you to see the settings to be selected and the results recorded by the appliance.

Touch screen controls: they are easier to manage, especially for elderly people, compared to small buttons to be pressed.

Fully automatic operation: the user only has to insert the arm and press a button.

“Talking” function: this is a voice that guides the use and reads the results. It will certainly be the ideal choice for elderly people or maybe with vision problems.

Functions

The functions allow an easier and certainly more practical and faster use of the appliance. Some of these features are very important and are not just comfortable extras; this is the case, for example, of those functions that allow regular and precise monitoring of their measurements, a fundamental element for those who must keep the pressure under control and report their statistics to the doctor.

As with many products, also for the sphygmomanometers, the rule applies that “the more functions there are, the more the product is expensive” and, specifically, some functions are an absolute exclusive of the most sophisticated and more expensive models.

Here is a list of the functions that a sphygmomanometers, both arm, and wrist, can offer:

Memory

This function is very important for monitoring the status of your pressure on different days or at different times of the day. The cheapest and most essential products are not always equipped with them, while the others, based on how sophisticated they are, offer a storage function for more than one user. Furthermore, each user has a number of memorization’s available, which varies from 20 to an unlimited number. Furthermore, this function can also be used to store the measurements of a single user but at different times of the day.

Alarm Clock

This function allows you to set a real alarm that sounds at the desired time, reminding the user that it is time to measure the pressure. This function is especially useful for those who, for medical reasons, have to monitor the pressure daily or several times on the same day.

Automatic Shutdown

After a couple of minutes of inactivity, some appliances automatically turn off in order to avoid unnecessary battery consumption.

Usage Error Warning

If an incorrect recording is committed, the device will signal that the data obtained are the result of an error and not indicative of the patient’s actual pressure status.

Battery Replacement Indication

Useful for a correct and timely maintenance, so as not to find yourself with the device discharged just when you need it.

Motion Sensor

Detects any movement that can invalidate the result and shows an icon on the screen to report it to the user.

Wireless and Connectivity

Some more advanced models can connect via Bluetooth connection to the tablet, smartphone, or PC, sending the data collected from the measurements to these devices.

Accessories

The accessory factor is certainly not the primary factor in choosing which pressure meter to buy, but the fact remains that having a good kit of accessories is always a point in favor of a product, not only because in this way it is “embellished,” but also because in this way the user will not have any additional expenses to be made at a later time. In general, however, the sphygmomanometers are not distinguished by a wide range of existing accessories supplied, and some are usable only for the arm models and others, on the other hand, only for the wrist ones.

Here is a list of the add-ons that you may find included in your blood pressure monitor package:

Additional Sleeves

Concern the arm blood pressure monitors, which usually include only one sleeve with standard dimensions. Some models, however, are equipped with smaller (suitable for children) and larger (for particularly large arms) down sleeves included in the package.

Case

This can be included with both the arm and wrist models and can consist of a soft case or a sort of hard case.

Optional Power Supply

Many arm models can also be used with power supply instead of stylus batteries or batteries. Some blood pressure monitors already include the optional power supply.

Diary

It is a paper support to keep a written record of your blood pressure measurements.

Batteries

Very often, the batteries are included in the package, although sometimes in very cheap models, this does not happen. Some more expensive devices also include extra batteries and spare batteries in addition to the standard ones already supplied.

Other factors to keep in mind when choosing a blood pressure monitor.

Is the Material Important?

As for the materials used, we can say that there is not a huge variety of materials to choose from for the production of a sphygmomanometers, whether it is an analog or an electronic model. Therefore, almost all brands have products that are actually made using the same materials: resistant plastic for the base and various fabrics for the arm or wrist cuff. For this reason, it is not very important to favor one alloy over another, but it is always advisable to rely on well-known brands to be sure that the materials used are of high quality, anti-allergic, and non-toxic.

Another aspect to consider is the quality of the plastic used, which, if poor, can turn yellow and ruin with few uses, just as the fabrics for the sleeve should preferably be in easily washable fabric and with Velcro closures. So be careful not to give in to the temptation of “easy savings”; otherwise, you will regret owning a product with reduced longevity.

Is the Brand Important?

There are numerous manufacturers on the market that deal with the production and sale of pressure meters of different quality and price range. Why is it important to choose a brand that is known and reliable? Certainly, to be sure of buying a pressure meter that is not only efficient but that can be above all precise and reliable, calibrated on the parameters established by the World Health Organization.

In addition, it reflects on the fact that relying on a known company is also an advantage for the after-sales service, both to find any spare parts and to contact the customer service if necessary. The optimal choice would, therefore, be to avoid giving in to the temptation to buy a totally unknown product but always referring to renowned brands, some of which are distinguished by the production of quality instruments, often chosen by the medical staff itself, and by the attention paid to its consumers.

Is the Price Important?

On the market, it is possible to find blood pressure monitors with a price ranging from less than 20 $ to more than 100 $. How can such a change in cost be explained? It should be noted that a cheaper model is not necessarily a worse product than others or a poor and unreliable one. Very often, in fact, the price is indicative of the functions that the blood pressure monitor can offer, both in terms of information provided to the user and ease of use and practical performance.

The models of the medium-low and low price range are, in fact, characterized by a very essential operation and reduced versatility; the price is, therefore, important to consider as an indicator of the possibilities that the appliance can offer and to understand if these are compatible and sufficient to meet your needs.