The American Heart Association recommends regular blood pressure tracking for people with hypertension or heart conditions. At‑home monitors allow you to establish a baseline, track changes and share data with your doctor. CNET spoke with cardiologists to identify the best FDA‑approved monitors. Top picks include the Withings BPM Connect (best smart monitor), Omron Complete with EKG (best for additional heart metrics), LifeSource Upper Arm with Extra Large Cuff (best for larger arms) and the Omron 3 Series (most affordable). This review covers the key features, clinical validation, cuff sizes, storage capacity and tips for accurate home measurement.
How To Choose A Blood Pressure Monitor
Cardiologists recommend considering the following factors before purchasing a blood pressure monitor.
Clinical validation
The device must be clinically validated. The easiest way to check is to look for the monitor, a site that lists devices that have passed independent accuracy testing.
Cuff size
Measure your upper arm circumference before buying. A cuff that is too small will give falsely high readings. A cuff that is too large will give falsely low readings. Most standard cuffs fit arms 9‑13 inches. Extra‑large cuffs (LifeSource) fit up to 23.6 inches.
Avoid wrist monitors
The American Heart Association does not recommend wrist blood pressure monitors. Cardiologists say wrist cuffs tend to be inaccurate and often exaggerate readings. Always choose an upper arm monitor.
Extra features
Some monitors offer EKG, irregular heartbeat detection, Bluetooth sync, multiple user profiles and app storage. Decide which features are necessary for your situation.
Best Smart Blood Pressure Monitor: Withings BPM Connect
The Withings BPM Connect is a Wi‑Fi smart blood pressure monitor. It provides consistent, accurate results and syncs automatically to the Withings Health Mate app. The cuff fits comfortably, and the device remembers up to eight readings between syncs. The app offers unlimited storage and supports multiple user profiles, making it ideal for households with more than one person tracking their blood pressure.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type | Upper arm cuff |
| Connectivity | Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth |
| App | Withings Health Mate (unlimited storage) |
| Multiple Users | Yes |
| Clinically Validated | Yes |
| FDA Approved | Yes |
| Price Range | Higher (premium smart monitor) |
Pros
- Allows for multiple users.
- Clinically validated and FDA approved.
- Wi‑Fi sync (no need to open app for each reading).
- Unlimited cloud storage.
Cons
- More expensive than basic monitors.
- The device only stores eight readings between syncs.
Best Blood Pressure Monitor With EKG: Omron Complete Wireless
The Omron Complete was the first FDA‑approved combination EKG‑blood pressure device in the United States. It measures systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse, atrial fibrillation, tachycardia, bradycardia and sinus rhythm simultaneously. The monitor is produced in partnership with AliveCor, which powers many FDA‑approved consumer EKG devices.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type | Upper arm cuff |
| Additional Metrics | EKG, pulse, AFib detection, tachycardia, bradycardia |
| App | Omron Connect (unlimited storage) |
| Multiple Users | No (single user per device) |
| Clinically Validated | Yes |
| FDA Approved | Yes |
| Price Range | Expensive (premium medical device) |
Pros
- Very consistent readings (most consistent during testing).
- Tracks pulse, atrial fibrillation and other heart rhythms.
- Unlimited app storage.
- Comfortable, flexible cuff.
Cons
- Bulkier than other models.
- Expensive.
- Not ideal for multiple users.
Best Blood Pressure Monitor For Larger Arms: LifeSource Upper Arm With Extra Large Cuff
The LifeSource Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor is designed for people with larger upper arms. The extra‑large cuff accommodates arm circumferences up to 23.6 inches. LifeSource is a brand of A&D Medical, which has been manufacturing at‑home medical devices for nearly 50 years. The monitor stores up to 60 readings, which is better than many cheaper models.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type | Upper arm cuff (extra large) |
| Cuff Size | Up to 23.6 inches |
| Storage | 60 readings |
| Multiple Users | Not specified |
| Clinically Validated | Not specified (brand is established) |
| FDA Approved | Not specified |
| Price Range | Mid‑range |
Pros
- Accommodates arm circumference up to 23.6 inches.
- Stores 60 readings.
- Made by A&D Medical (established brand).
Cons
- May give inaccurate results for smaller arms (tested with smaller arm gave wrong readings).
- More expensive than basic monitors.
Most Affordable Blood Pressure Monitor: Omron 3 Series
The Omron 3 Series is one of the most affordable clinically validated blood pressure monitors. Cardiologists recommend the Omron brand, as it has many models listed. The 3 Series is an older, simpler model with fewer frills. It stores up to 14 readings, which you can transfer to the Omron Connect app. Users who need to share a monitor with another household member or require more memory should choose a different Omron model.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type | Upper arm cuff |
| Storage | 14 readings |
| Multiple Users | No (single user recommended) |
| Clinically Validated | Yes (brand is cardiologist recommended) |
| FDA Approved | Not specified (brand is FDA approved) |
| Price Range | Affordable (budget pick) |
Pros
- One of the most affordable clinically validated monitors.
- Fewer frills (simple setup, easy to use).
- Omron is a cardiologist‑recommended brand.
Cons
- Less storage for reading history (14 readings).
- Not ideal for multiple users.
Blood Pressure Monitors Comparison Table
| Monitor | Type | Key Feature | Storage | Multiple Users | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Withings BPM Connect | Upper arm | Wi‑Fi sync, app unlimited storage | 8 local, unlimited cloud | Yes | Premium |
| Omron Complete | Upper arm | EKG, AFib detection, pulse | Unlimited (app) | No | Expensive |
| LifeSource XL | Upper arm (XL cuff) | Fits arms up to 23.6 inches | 60 readings | Not specified | Mid‑range |
| Omron 3 Series | Upper arm | Affordable, clinically validated | 14 readings | No | Affordable |
How To Take Accurate Blood Pressure Readings At Home
The American Heart Association recommends the following steps for accurate readings:
Before measuring
- Avoid caffeine, smoking or exercising for 30 minutes before.
- Empty your bladder.
- Rest for 5 minutes.
During measurement
- Sit with feet flat on the floor, back straight and supported.
- Rest your arm on a flat surface (table) at heart level.
- Do not measure over clothing (remove shirtsleeves).
- Secure the cuff directly above the bend of the elbow.
- Do not talk or carry on a conversation.
Additional tips
- Measure at the same time every day.
- Take two readings, one minute apart.
- Bring your monitor to your doctor‘s office to compare readings against their equipment.
What To Watch For While Monitoring
Blood pressure is read as two numbers: systolic (top) and diastolic (bottom).
- Normal: Less than 120 / less than 80
- Elevated: 120‑129 / less than 80
- Hypertension Stage 1: 130‑139 / 80‑89
- Hypertension Stage 2: 140 or higher / 90 or higher
- Hypertensive crisis: 180 or higher / 120 or higher (seek medical care immediately)
Erratic readings (significantly lower or higher morning to night) can indicate irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation). Some monitors have irregular heartbeat detection or built‑in EKG.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the best blood pressure monitor for home use?
The best monitor depends on your needs. The Withings BPM Connect is best for smart features and multiple users. The Omron Complete is best if you need EKG and AFib detection. The LifeSource XL is best for larger arms. The Omron 3 Series is best for budget‑conscious buyers.
Are wrist blood pressure monitors accurate?
No. The American Heart Association does not recommend wrist monitors. Cardiologists say wrist cuffs tend to be inaccurate and often exaggerate readings. Always choose an upper arm monitor.
