Search Amazon for a blood pressure monitor and you will find hundreds of them, nearly all with four or five stars. What the stars cannot tell you is whether the number on the screen is right. A rating means the monitor arrived and switched on. Accuracy is a separate question, and only a clinical validation study answers it.
That is why the American Heart Association tells people to choose a validated monitor, and why the US and UK each keep a public list of the ones that passed. Every monitor below is on one of those lists, and every card links to the listing so you can check it yourself. Then, and only then, it also had to be well rated by buyers on Amazon.
The short version
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Best overall
OMRON Evolv Wireless Upper Arm Blood Pressure MonitorOMRON Evolv Wireless Upper Arm Blood Pressure MonitorOne-piece and tube-free, validated in the US and UK, with Bluetooth. Full review
$64.56 on Amazon Amazon Price as of Oct 25, 5:32 PM UTC Amazon UK -
Best value with an app
iHealth Track Smart Upper Arm Blood Pressure MonitoriHealth Track Smart Upper Arm Blood Pressure MonitorValidated, Bluetooth, and a budget price for a monitor with an app. Full review
$39.99 on Amazon Amazon Price as of Oct 25, 5:32 PM UTC Amazon UK -
Best simple monitor
A&D Medical UA-651 Blood Pressure MonitorA&D Medical UA-651 Blood Pressure MonitorNo app and no fuss. Validated on both lists. Full review
$31.99 on Amazon Amazon Price as of Oct 25, 5:32 PM UTC Amazon UK -
Best from OMRON on a budget
OMRON Bronze Blood Pressure Monitor (BP5150)OMRON’s entry-level monitor, with Bluetooth and an easy D-ring cuff. Full review
$44.75 on Amazon Amazon Price as of Oct 25, 5:32 PM UTC -
Best for two people, or AFib
OMRON Platinum Blood Pressure Monitor (BP5465)Two user memories and an AFib flag. Full review
$97.19 on Amazon Amazon Price as of Oct 25, 5:32 PM UTC -
Best for a household
A&D Medical UA-767F Multi-User Blood Pressure MonitorFour user memories and a warning when the cuff is not on properly. Full review
$48.59 on Amazon Amazon Price as of Oct 25, 5:32 PM UTC -
Best automatic syncing
Withings BPM Connect Blood Pressure MonitorSends every reading to your phone over Wi-Fi. Full review
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Easiest to use
Omron M2 Basic Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor (HEM-7120-E)One button, a clear screen, nothing to set up. Full review
Each pick shows only in the country where it passed both checks, so what you see depends on where you are reading from.
Why “validated” is the only feature that matters
A validated monitor has been tested against careful readings taken by trained observers, under an international protocol (most of the picks here were tested under ISO 81060-2). If it is accurate enough, it can be listed:
- In the US, on the Validated Device Listing at validatebp.org. It was set up by the American Medical Association, and an independent review committee decides what goes on it. Its position is plain: only devices validated for clinical accuracy should be trusted for clinical decisions.
- In the UK, on the British and Irish Hypertension Society list. BIHS only lists independently validated devices, and says the monitors on it are the ones the NHS and NICE recommend for home use.
Two catches are worth knowing. First, model numbers matter. Brands sell near-identical names, and a validated model’s cousin is not validated. BIHS itself warns that two different Omron monitors are both sold as “M2 Basic”. We matched the model number on every Amazon listing below to the one on the list. Second, validation is about the model, not your arm. The validation list notes that even a listed device may not read accurately for a particular person, which is why the AHA suggests taking your monitor to your doctor about once a year to compare it with theirs.
Upper arm, not wrist
The AHA recommends an automatic, cuff-style monitor that goes on the upper arm, and says wrist and finger monitors are not recommended because they give less reliable readings. The AMA’s cuff guide says the same, and makes one exception: a wrist monitor can be used if an upper-arm cuff cannot be. Every pick here is an upper-arm monitor.
Get the cuff size right first
A cuff that is the wrong size gives the wrong reading, however good the monitor. The AMA’s method takes two minutes with a tape measure:
- Find the middle of your upper arm: measure from the bony point of your shoulder to your elbow, and halve it.
- Measure around your arm at that point.
- Choose the cuff that fits that measurement:
| Arm circumference | Cuff size |
|---|---|
| 22 to 26 cm (8.7 to 10.2 in) | Small adult |
| 27 to 34 cm (10.6 to 13.4 in) | Adult |
| 35 to 44 cm (13.8 to 17.3 in) | Large adult |
| 45 to 52 cm (17.7 to 20.5 in) | Extra-large adult |
Most picks below come with a wide-range cuff that fits 22 to 42 cm, which covers most adults. Two do not: the Omron M2 Basic and the UK box of the A&D UA-651 come with a cuff that fits only 22 to 32 cm. If your arm measures more than 42 cm, none of the standard cuffs here will fit; ask your doctor or pharmacist about a validated monitor with a larger cuff.
The picks
OMRON Evolv Wireless Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor
A one-piece monitor with no tube: the cuff and the monitor are a single unit that wraps around your arm. It is validated on both the US and UK lists, and both note that it is also validated for use in pregnancy.
- Models
- BP7000 (US), HEM-7600T-E (UK)
- Cuff
- Built in, fits 22 to 42 cm (8.7 to 16.5 in)
- Memory
- 100 readings (US listing)
- Connectivity
- Bluetooth to the OMRON connect app
- Power
- 4 AAA batteries
The proof: validatebp.org (US) BIHS (UK)
Best for
A compact, validated monitor that travels well and syncs to your phone.
Worth knowing
The built-in cuff fits arms of 22 to 42 cm only and cannot be swapped, so check your arm size first.
The Evolv has no tube and no separate cuff: the whole monitor wraps around your arm. That makes it easy to put on correctly and easy to pack. It is validated on both the US and UK lists, and both note it was also validated for home use in pregnancy. The trade-off is that the built-in cuff cannot be changed, so it only suits arms from 22 to 42 cm.
iHealth Track Smart Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor
A budget monitor that does everything the expensive ones do where it counts: validated on both lists, a wide-range cuff, a simple color-coded screen, and Bluetooth syncing to the iHealth app. It is also one of the most bought monitors on Amazon in both countries.
- Model
- KN-550BT
- Cuff
- Wide range, 22 to 42 cm
- Memory
- 99 readings (US listing), 60 (UK listing)
- Connectivity
- Bluetooth to the iHealth app
- Power
- 4 AAA batteries
The proof: validatebp.org (US) BIHS (UK)
Best for
Anyone who wants a validated, app-connected monitor for the price of a basic one.
Worth knowing
Amazon lists it as "550BT"; the validated model is the KN-550BT, the same device under its full name.
The iHealth Track is one of the least expensive ways to get a validated monitor that syncs to your phone, and one of the most bought monitors on Amazon in both countries. The screen shows a color bar alongside the numbers. Amazon calls it the “550BT”; the list calls it the KN-550BT. They are the same monitor.
A&D Medical UA-651 Blood Pressure Monitor
A plain, well-made monitor from a company that also makes clinic equipment, validated on both lists. No app, no extras: a big screen and a button.
- Model
- UA-651
- Cuff
- 22 to 42 cm (US box), 22 to 32 cm (UK box)
- Memory
- 60 readings (US listing), 30 (UK listing)
- Connectivity
- None
- Warranty
- 5 years (UK listing)
The proof: validatebp.org (US) BIHS (UK)
Best for
People who want an accurate reading and nothing else, at a budget price.
Worth knowing
The cuff in the box differs by country: wide range (22 to 42 cm) in the US, but only 22 to 32 cm in the UK, which will not fit larger arms.
A&D Medical makes monitors for clinics as well as homes, and the UA-651 is validated on both lists. There is no app and nothing to set up. In the US it comes with the wide-range cuff; UK buyers get a 22 to 32 cm cuff, so measure your arm before you buy.
OMRON Bronze Blood Pressure Monitor (BP5150)
OMRON’s entry-level upper-arm monitor, and the most popular of its US range with buyers. A D-ring cuff that is easy to put on one-handed, and Bluetooth syncing.
- Model
- BP5150
- Cuff
- D-ring, fits 9 to 17 in (22 to 42 cm)
- Memory
- 14 readings
- Connectivity
- Bluetooth to the OMRON connect app
- Power
- 4 AA batteries
The proof: validatebp.org (US)
Best for
A first validated monitor from the best-known brand, with an app.
Worth knowing
It stores only 14 readings on the device, so you will rely on the app to keep a longer history.
The Bronze is OMRON’s entry-level upper-arm monitor in the US, and the most popular of the range with buyers. The D-ring cuff is easy to put on with one hand. It only keeps 14 readings on the device, so use the app if you want a longer record.
OMRON Platinum Blood Pressure Monitor (BP5465)
OMRON’s top home model: two separate user memories of 100 readings each, a mains adapter in the box, and a feature that can flag possible atrial fibrillation (AFib) during a reading.
- Model
- BP5465
- Cuff
- D-ring, fits 9 to 17 in (22 to 42 cm)
- Memory
- 2 users, 100 readings each
- Connectivity
- Bluetooth; works with Apple Health and Google Fit
- Power
- AC adapter included, or 4 AA batteries
The proof: validatebp.org (US)
Best for
Two people sharing one monitor, and anyone whose doctor has mentioned AFib.
Worth knowing
Buyer reviews are only just over our bar, so read a few before you buy. An AFib flag is a prompt to talk to your doctor, not a diagnosis.
The Platinum keeps two separate memories of 100 readings each, so a couple can share it without mixing up their readings. It can also flag possible atrial fibrillation (AFib) during a reading. Treat that flag as a reason to talk to your doctor rather than a diagnosis. Note the model number: OMRON’s older Platinum, the BP5450, is also on the validation list, but the one sold on Amazon now is the BP5465 linked here.
A&D Medical UA-767F Multi-User Blood Pressure Monitor
The multi-user version of A&D’s validated monitor: four people get their own memory, and the screen warns you if the cuff is not on properly.
- Model
- UA-767F
- Cuff
- Wide range, 22 to 42 cm
- Memory
- 4 users, 60 readings each
- Extras
- Cuff-fit alert
- Power
- Batteries; AC adapter sold separately
The proof: validatebp.org (US)
Best for
Households where three or four people check their blood pressure.
Worth knowing
No Bluetooth. If you want readings in an app, you type them in yourself.
If three or four people in a home are checking their blood pressure, the UA-767F gives each of them their own memory. The screen also tells you when the cuff is not on properly, which helps avoid one of the most common causes of a misleading reading. There is no Bluetooth.
Withings BPM Connect Blood Pressure Monitor
A sleek one-piece monitor that sends every reading to your phone over Wi-Fi, without needing the phone nearby. Rechargeable by USB, and validated on both the US and UK lists.
- Model
- WPM05
- Cuff
- Built in, fits 22 to 42 cm
- Connectivity
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- Power
- Rechargeable via USB; about 6 months a charge (manufacturer figure)
- Memory
- 8 readings offline
The proof: BIHS (UK) validatebp.org (US)
Best for
People who want their readings logged automatically, with nothing to remember.
Worth knowing
It holds only 8 readings offline. US buyers rate it below our bar, so we only recommend it to UK readers.
The Withings sends each reading over Wi-Fi to the app on your phone, so you end up with a complete log without lifting a finger. It is rechargeable rather than battery powered. It is on both validation lists, but US buyers rate it below our bar, so we only recommend it to UK readers.
Omron M2 Basic Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor (HEM-7120-E)
The simplest validated monitor on Amazon UK, and one of the best loved by buyers. One button, a clear screen and an indicator for an irregular heartbeat.
- Model
- HEM-7120-E
- Cuff
- Medium, 22 to 32 cm
- Memory
- Last reading only
- Connectivity
- None
- Power
- 4 AA batteries
The proof: BIHS (UK)
Best for
Someone who wants the easiest possible monitor, often an older relative.
Worth knowing
It remembers only the last reading, and the cuff fits 22 to 32 cm. Another model, the HEM-7116-E, is also sold as "M2 Basic"; check for HEM-7120-E.
The M2 Basic is as simple as monitors get: put on the cuff, press the button, read the number. That makes it a good choice for an older relative. It only remembers the last reading, so keep a notebook beside it. Check the model number when you buy: you want the HEM-7120-E, the one on the BIHS list.
Taking a reading your doctor can use
An accurate monitor still gives a misleading number if the reading is rushed. The AHA’s routine, with a few details from the British Heart Foundation:
- For 30 minutes before, do not smoke, have caffeine or exercise. Empty your bladder first.
- Sit quietly for at least 5 minutes without talking. Sit upright with your back against the chair and your feet flat on the floor (BHF).
- Rest your arm on a table at heart level, with the cuff on bare skin, not over a sleeve. The bottom of the cuff goes just above the bend of your elbow.
- Take two readings, one minute apart, and write both down. Measure at the same time each day.
- If your doctor has asked you to monitor, the NHS suggests doing this morning and evening, for as many days as your doctor asks.
The NHS notes that home readings run a little lower than readings in a clinic, so the threshold it gives for high blood pressure at home is 135/85 rather than 140/90. What your own numbers mean, and what to do about them, is a conversation for your doctor. Take your log, and ideally the monitor, to the appointment.
How long a monitor lasts
Accuracy drifts as monitors age, especially the cuff. BIHS cites research suggesting a home monitor should be replaced after four years at most, or sooner if it is damaged. The BHF suggests having it checked at least every two years. Comparing it with your doctor’s monitor once a year, as the AHA suggests, is the easiest check of all.
What did not make the list
Several popular monitors are missing on purpose:
- Wrist monitors, including well-rated ones, because the AHA does not recommend them.
- Monitors that are not on a validation list. That includes some of the bestsellers on Amazon. Several newer Omron models sold in the UK were not on the current BIHS list when we checked; we will add them if that changes.
- Validated monitors with weaker ratings. OMRON’s Complete and the Withings BPM Connect in the US are validated, but buyers rated them just under our bar of 4.2 out of 5.
The best monitor is a validated one, in the right cuff size, used the same way every day. Get those three right, and your readings will be worth taking to your doctor.