How to choose a home blood pressure monitor

If you do decide to measure your blood pressure at home, you will need to get a home blood pressure monitor. There is a wide range of home blood pressure monitors available, but it is important to be sure that the monitor you choose is the right one for you.

Choose the right blood pressure monitor for you

There are many different kinds of home blood pressure monitor, but it is easiest to use a monitor that is fully automatic. Choose one that measures your blood pressure at your upper arm, rather than at your wrist or finger. Upper-arm blood pressure monitors usually give the most accurate and consistent results.

Make sure your monitor is accurate

Make sure that the home blood pressure monitor you choose has been “clinically validated” for accuracy by the British Hypertension Society. This means that the digital monitor has gone through a series of tests to make sure it gives results that you and your doctor can trust.

Please fill in the form at the end of this page for a list of clinically-validated home blood pressure monitors.

Make sure you have the right cuff size

An upper-arm blood pressure monitor will come with a cuff that you need to wrap around your arm. If you use a cuff that is the wrong size for you, your blood pressure reading will not be correct. Measure around your upper arm at the midpoint between your shoulder and elbow, and choose your cuff size from the chart below.

Most home blood pressure monitors will come with a medium-sized cuff. You may have to order a different-sized cuff separately.

Choose an automatic monitor to suit your budget

Blood pressure monitors can vary in price. This usually depends on the number of extra features that the digital monitor has, like a built-in memory for example.

All you need to measure your blood pressure correctly is a clinically validated monitor, and a pen and paper to record your readings. Extra features can be helpful but they are not necessary. Choose a home blood pressure monitor that you can afford.

Keep your home blood pressure monitor calibrated

Because your blood pressure monitor works automatically, it will need to be re-calibrated at least once every two years to be sure it is giving you accurate results. To have your automatic home monitor re-calibrated, you will need to send it back to the manufacturer. There will probably be a fee for this service.

Clinically validated home monitors

Below is the full list of home blood pressure monitors that have been clinically validated for use in the UK by the British Hypertension Society, and which are available from UK home blood pressure monitor suppliers:

If you have very large or very small arms you may need a smaller or larger sized cuff – ask your doctor or nurse for advice. If different sizes are available for any models they are listed as: S (small)  St (standard)  L (large)

BPA/Microlife home monitor

• BPA/Microlife BP3AG1 monitor - £34.25 Buy online 

We are working with blood pressure monitor company Microlife to offer the clinically validated BP3AG1 blood pressure monitor. Buy online 

Peace of mind guaranteed

The Blood Pressure Association /Microlife BP-3AG1 comes with a 3-year guarantee and is featured in the British Hypertension Society's list of clinically validated blood pressure monitors for home use. It's also easy to use, with a one-touch operation. Standard and large cuffs are available.

Help the work of the Blood Pressure Association

For every monitor sold, £5 will be donated to the Blood Pressure Association

How to order our validated home blood pressure monitor

To order your monitor, go to http://www.promotionbpa.com/ 

Other clinically validated monitors

A and D Instruments home blood pressure monitors (S, St and L cuffs available to buy)

• A and D Instruments UA-704 monitor - £40
• A and D Instruments UA-705 monitor - £40
• A and D Instruments UA-774 monitor - £60
• A and D Instruments UA-767 monitor - £70
• A and D Instruments UA-779 monitor - £70
• A and D Instruments UA-787 monitor - £83
• A and D Instruments UA-767 Plus monitor - £80
• A and D Instruments UA-767 Plus Memory monitor - £85
• A and D Instruments UA-767PC monitor - £120
• A and D Instruments UA-767V monitor - £150
• A and D Instruments UA-767P-BT monitor - £176

Boots the Chemist home blood pressure monitors (S, St and L cuffs available to buy)

• Boots Upper Arm (Omron HEM-742-UK) monitor - £30
• Boots Upper Arm Intellisense (Omron HEM-757-UK) monitor - £79

Braun home blood pressure monitor (Wrist monitor, fits wrist 13-21cm)

• Braun BP VitalScan Plus 1650 monitor - £45
• Braun BP 3550 monitor – details awaited

Citizen home blood pressure monitors (St cuff only available, while wrist monitor fits wrist 13.5-19.5cm)

• Citizen CH-432B monitor - £23
• Citizen CH-656C (Wrist monitor) - £30

Kinetik home blood pressure monitors (also branded as Guardian and Mannings)

• Kinetik BPM 1 Series monitor - £30

Microlife home blood pressure monitors (St and L cuffs available to buy)

• BPA/Microlife BP3AG1 monitor - £34.25 - Order your BPA/Microlife monitor here 
• Microlife 3AG1 monitor - £40
• Microlife - As easy as 123 monitor - £45
• Microlife BP 3BTO-A monitor - £50
• Microlife BP A100 monitor - £60
• Microlife 3BTO-A (2) monitor - £70 – with two different sized cuffs provided that can also be used during pregnancy
• Microlife BP A100 Plus monitor - £69
• Microlife BP 3AC1-1 monitor - £70
• Microlife BP 3AC1-1PC monitor - £88
• Microlife WatchBP monitor – £89

Omron home blood pressure monitors (S, St and L upper arm cuffs available to buy, while wrist monitor cuffs fit wrists 13.5-21.5cm)

• Omron MX3 Plus monitor - £26
• Omron M1 Plus monitor – £50
• Omron M2 Compact monitor - £40
• Omron MX2 Basic monitor - £45
• Omron M4-I monitor - £80
• Omron M6 monitor - £80
• Omron M6 Comfort monitor - £100
• Omron M7 monitor - £100
• Omron M10-IT monitor - £100
• Omron R5-I (Wrist monitor) - £100
• Omron R6 (Wrist monitor) - £100 
• Omron R7 (Wrist monitor) - £120
• Omron 705CP-II monitor - £150
• Omron 637-IT (Wrist monitor) - £150
• Omron 705IT monitor - £170

Oregon Scientific home blood pressure monitor (fits wrists 13.5-21.5cm)

• Oregon Scientific BPW810 (Wrist monitor) - £100

Seinex home blood pressure monitor (S, St and L cuffs available to buy)

• Seinex (Fore-Care) SE-9400 monitor - £40

Stabil-O-Graph home blood pressure monitor (St, L and XL cuffs available to buy)

• Stabil-O-Graph monitor – £70