The Best Blood Pressure Monitors for Home Use

A reliable home blood pressure monitor is essential for people with hypertension or anyone needing to monitor their blood pressure. After consulting medical experts, researching over 75 monitors, and testing 22 with nursing students since 2017, we recommend the Greater Goods Smart Blood Pressure Monitor 0604 for its consistency, ease of use, and comfort. For a non-Bluetooth option, the Greater Goods Blood Pressure Monitor + Kit 0602 offers the same functionality without smart features.

The Greater Goods Smart Blood Pressure Monitor 0604 offers key features for home users: it detects irregular heartbeats, averages readings, pairs easily with a Bluetooth app, and has a clear, backlit screen. It stores up to 60 readings for two users, while the app stores unlimited results.

The Greater Goods Blood Pressure Monitor + Kit 0602 lacks Bluetooth and app connectivity, so data must be logged manually. For those who don’t need this feature or prefer privacy, it’s nearly identical to the 0604 model, but without automatic averaging of readings.

The wireless Omron Evolv combines cuff and monitor, offers consistent readings, is comfortable and easy to use, and supports unlimited users. However, its on-cuff backlit display is smaller and harder to read than the Greater Goods models. Like the 0604, it connects to a companion app via Bluetooth.

For this guide, we focused on home blood pressure monitors for adults, specifically upper-arm models with automatic inflation for ease of use. We excluded wrist and fingertip monitors, as the American Heart Association doesn’t recommend them due to accuracy concerns, and many insurers don’t cover them.

The most crucial feature of a blood pressure monitor is its accuracy, affected by both the device and cuff size. Modern monitors measure pressure fluctuations as the cuff deflates, using algorithms to translate this into a digital reading. Experts recommend choosing a monitor that deviates no more than 10 mm Hg from a medical-grade machine. Testing your monitor at a doctor’s office can help ensure accurate readings, though slight differences are common due to varying algorithms.

For most people, home blood pressure monitors offer accurate enough readings, with consistency being nearly as vital as precision. Tracking blood pressure trends over time matters more than perfect accuracy in each reading.

In selecting monitors, we prioritized models listed on the US Blood Pressure Validated Device Listing (VDL), accredited by the American Medical Association, or independently tested to meet international standards. Accredited monitors are generally more reliable, though some unaccredited ones may still perform well.

Key factors considered included:

• Cuff design and sizes: We preferred adjustable, easy-to-use cuffs that fit a range of arm sizes.
• Data storage: Monitors that store weeks’ worth of readings for multiple users help track health trends.
• Irregular heartbeat detection: A useful feature for users who may need to consult a doctor.
• Readability: We looked for large, backlit screens for better visibility.
• Power options: Models with battery and AC adapter options, or USB rechargeability, were prioritized.
• Warranty: We checked coverage on both the device and the cuff.
• Data transfer: Bluetooth or USB syncing options were a plus, but we assessed the monitor’s overall performance first.

The Greater Goods Smart Blood Pressure Monitor 0604 stood out in our tests for its user-friendly features and reliable performance. It has a large, backlit display, can store up to 60 readings per user on the device, and offers unlimited storage through the Balance Health app. This monitor provided consistent readings, has a comfortable cuff that fits most arms, and can run on batteries or be plugged into the wall. It also supports Bluetooth for easy data transfer to the app.

The 0604 includes irregular pulse detection and reading averages, which are accessible in the app. Switching between users is quick and simple, and the device is ready to use straight out of the box. The monitor operates quietly, with a screen that displays results briefly before sending data to the app.

The Balance Health app is easy to use, requires an account, and allows exporting of data in .csv format. The app can integrate with Apple Health if desired. The cuff, with instructions printed on it, fits arms from 8¾ to 16½ inches in circumference. This model is also listed in the US Blood Pressure Validated Device Listing and comes with a carrying case and a two-year warranty.

One minor drawback is that, without batteries, the date and time reset when unplugged. This doesn’t affect data storage but may slightly delay setup time.

Our pick: Greater Goods Blood Pressure Monitor + Kit 0602

If you don’t need Bluetooth functionality, the Greater Goods Blood Pressure Monitor + Kit 0602 offers similar features to the 0604, including the same comfortable cuff, minimal noise levels, two-user capacity, irregular heartbeat detection, and dual power options. Its display is also large and backlit, and the monitor is ready to use right out of the box. However, switching between users is slightly less intuitive, requiring a couple of button presses.

Like the 0604, the 0602 runs quietly and displays results for about a minute. It can store up to 60 readings per user but lacks averaging capabilities and does not allow data export, so you’ll need to manually log results.

The 0602 can operate on battery (four AAA batteries included) or an AC adapter, but it resets the date and time when unplugged unless batteries are installed. When set up correctly, starting the monitor requires two clicks, compared to the 0604’s single click. It includes a carrying case and has a two-year warranty.

Also great: Omron Evolv

Among the Bluetooth-enabled smart monitors we tested, Omron’s Evolv stood out as our top all-in-one choice. Unlike many smart blood pressure monitors that require phone syncing to view readings, the Evolv displays results directly on its screen, making it convenient to use without a phone. It is listed in both the US Blood Pressure Validated Device Listing and the Stride BP Validated Devices List, and has been validated for home use by the British and Irish Hypertension Society.

The Evolv features a lightweight, all-in-one cuff and monitor design with a preformed ring for easy application. However, some users found the cuff uncomfortable if their arm circumference was on the higher end of the range (9 to 17 inches). The small on-cuff display, while backlit, can be difficult to read due to its size and position.

It detects irregular heartbeats and signals when readings may be affected by movement. The Evolv operates on four AAA batteries and includes a five-year warranty, but it cannot be charged via AC adapter and lacks a carrying case. It can store up to 100 readings, but only the most recent is viewable directly on the device. Users can connect wirelessly to the Omron Connect app (iOS, Android) for detailed trend graphs, monthly averages, and downloadable reports for healthcare providers. The app also integrates with Apple Health.