Do you experience shortness of breath? Or are you an athlete who wants to know their blood oxygen level while mountain climbing or skiing?
A pulse oximeter is a small device that can help you track oxygen saturation and your overall well-being.
Health experts use these devices when you visit for a checkup to quickly assess your health. However, because it’s a noninvasive device, many people use it at home, too.
To help you make an informed choice, we’ve done some research and outlined the best pulse oximeters available. Keep reading if you want to find out more.
Comparison Chart
Zacurate Pro Series 500DL Fingertip Pulse Oximeter Blood Oxygen Saturation Monitor with Silicon Cover, Batteries and Lanyard (Royal Black)
CHOICEMMED Sky Blue Finger Pulse Oximeter – Blood Oxygen Saturation Monitor – SPO2 Pulse Oximeter – Portable Oxygen Sensor with Included Batteries – O2 Saturation Monitor with Carry Pouch
Zacurate 500BL Fingertip Pulse Oximeter Blood Oxygen Saturation Monitor with Batteries and Lanyard Included (Navy Blue)
Best Pulse Oximeter Reviews
Zacurate Pro Series 500DL Fingertip Pulse Oximeter
Zacurate is a pulse oximeter retailer known for designing good-quality, functional medical devices. This pulse oximeter is no exception. It’s reasonably priced and used by sports enthusiasts who want to obtain SpO2 (blood oxygen saturation levels) quickly.
Product Highlights
Whether you’re a sports enthusiast or someone who wants to know their oxygen saturation, owning this affordable Zacurate device is highly recommended. Setting it up won’t be an issue as it comes with a detailed and clear instruction manual.
Because there are batteries in the package, you can measure your oxygen level within a couple of seconds. Furthermore, the silicone cover protects this pulse oximeter from physical damage. It also comes with a lanyard for extra portability.
This device is popular among customers who praise it for being extremely accurate.
According to them, this home device is able to give them almost the same readings as the model their doctor uses. This function is crucial when getting a pulse oximeter.
And the Zacurate Pro Series 500DL fingertip pulse oximeter passed that test with flying colors.
Using this device is simple. You just need to insert your finger and press the start button. Within 15 seconds, you’ll get two readings for oxygen saturation and heart rate on a large display.
Note: Children from 12 years can use this device, too. It was designed with both adults and older children in mind.
The Good
The device has a pulsing bar that shows the accuracy of your results. If there are more bars, this means your reading is accurate. This useful feature is especially suitable for anyone struggling with shortness of breath or a respiratory illness.
The Bad
This device just eats up the batteries. Therefore, always keep spares with you in case this happens, and you need to measure your blood oxygen level quickly. What’s more, the silicone cover doesn’t fit well and tends to fall off.
Pros
- Clear instructions
- Accurate readings
- A large display
- Quick results
Cons
- Eats up batteries
- Flimsy silicone cover
Mibest Silver Dual Color OLED Finger Pulse Oximeter
This elegant, sleek pulse oximeter is a reliable device. However, it’s important to keep in mind that it’s not intended for those with medical issues, just for physically active people who want to monitor oxygen levels. It comes with a 12-month warranty, so if anything should happen within that period, you’re covered.
Product Highlights
Like many pulse oximeters, this one also comes equipped with batteries. But unlike many other devices, it has an indicator that shows when the batteries are low.
For that reason, you’ll never be unprepared. It’s also got decent accuracy for its price. But there are occasional inconsistencies in the readings. Luckily, you can easily solve this by resetting the unit to the factory setting. The manual clearly explains how this is done.
But the best feature about this unit is its large display. There are four modes and 10 levels of brightness, which you can adjust based on your surroundings.
The screen also rotates depending on the direction, allowing you to see your results in any position. This feature is great for left-handed people. Plus, the screen is visible in the sunlight, which is uncommon for other devices.
This pulse oximeter is very lightweight but feels durable. Therefore, it should last for years. Users have also been satisfied with the customer support. If there were problems with the readings, the after-sales service was only too glad to help them quickly resolve the issue.
Finally, the device is also suitable for children and people with smaller fingers as it doesn’t slip off easily.
The Good
The display on this unit is top-notch. The multiple settings allow you to use it when it’s darker and see the results clearly, even if you’re left-handed. Furthermore, the finger chamber is designed so that even children can use this unit.
The Bad
If you have lung issues, you shouldn’t use this device, as it’s only intended for sports enthusiasts and those in good health. It often takes a little longer to calibrate and show the results, compared to some other units.
Pros
- Great display with multiple setting
- Children can use it
- Good customer support
- Sleek design
Cons
- Slow readings
- Occasional inconsistencies in results
CHOICEMMED Sky Blue Finger Pulse Oximeter
Aviators, hikers, and skiers who want to check their oxygen levels on the spot can easily do it with this versatile device. It’s cheaper than many competitors and quite compact.
Product Highlights
Like many other units, this one also comes with batteries, a manual, a lanyard, but also a carrying pouch for protection.
Suitable for all ages, the whole family can use this device and track their blood oxygen levels.
In terms of use, you just need to place any finger inside the chamber and press the ‘On’ button. Simple as that. It then provides almost instantaneous results. This should put you at ease when you’re experiencing shortness of breath or irregular heartbeat.
Because of the large display, even visually impaired people won’t have problems reading the numbers. And even if you’re in an extremely bright environment, you can rest assured the results will still be visible.
Moreover, the display reads in two directions, so both you and the person sitting across from you can see the results — quite a practical feature, especially when you aren’t measuring your oxygen saturation on your own.
The Good
This at-home device is user-friendly and operating it isn’t too much of a hassle. Plus, the display is big and presents the results clearly even in bright surroundings. Finally, it comes with a small pouch for extra protection and portability.
The Bad
If you don’t want this monitor to eat up your batteries, you have to remove them every time you finish using it. This can be annoying, especially if you need to measure your oxygen level late at night.
Also, users have experienced problems with readings after a couple of weeks. The unit starts to act up and can display inconsistent numbers.
Pros
- Two-way display
- User-friendly
- Works well in well-lit places
- Cheap
Cons
- Eats up batteries if you leave them in overnight
- Can act up after a couple of weeks
Zacurate 500BL Fingertip Pulse Oximeter
This pulse oximeter is one of the cheapest by Zacurate yet has an excellent reputation for being reliable and providing good results. And unlike some other units, both those with respiratory issues and athletes can use it to monitor their health.
Product Highlights
Although on the cheaper side, this device performs surprisingly well. It comes with long-life batteries that power the unit for at least 40 hours.
What makes this device stand out is its shut-off feature, meaning if there isn’t any activity for ten seconds, the pulse oximeter just turns off. This kind of function prolongs battery life even more.
When the batteries die, you can easily replace them or purchase rechargeable ones, to reduce potential waste.
The accuracy is ± 2%, which is common with at-home pulse oximeters. However, compared to other similarly priced devices, this one gives incredibly accurate results.
To get the most precise reading, you should follow the manual that gives detailed tips on how to use this unit properly.
The body of the unit is made of sturdy materials and doesn’t feel cheap at all. Even if you knock it over, the display and the unit will remain intact.
The Good
Although inexpensive, this pulse oximeter provides results that help you monitor your blood oxygen levels accurately.
It’s got an excellent battery life, meaning it won’t die when you need it most. Finally, it comes with a 12-month warranty, so even if there are malfunctions, you’ll be able to reach customer support and resolve the issue.
The Bad
The biggest problem with this unit is its screen. If you’re outside, or inside and it’s too bright, you won’t be able to clearly see the numbers. Besides, it can often be challenging to position your fingers and get an accurate reading.
Pros
- Good value for money
- Accurate reading almost every time
- Amazing battery life
Cons
- Doesn’t work well in bright surrounds
- Can be difficult to position fingers
SantaMedical Generation 2 Finger Pulse Oximeter
Although it’s safe to use pulse oximeters, not all of them are FDA approved. But this unit by SantaMedical is and it has numerous beneficial functions.
Product Highlights
If you need a reliable pulse oximeter that gives precise results, then this is the right choice for you. It’s a bit pricier compared to some other units, but still good value for money.
The device is advertised as the one athletes use. However, since it gives accurate readings that are almost consistent with the ones you get at your doctor’s office, even people with certain lung issues can use it.
To get the results, you need to leave your finger inside the chamber from 30-60 seconds. Since the numbers can fluctuate, you shouldn’t move your finger until you get the final reading.
And although it takes more time, the results will be as precise as the first time you used it. That said, if the device is beeping, this means you’ll have to retest your oxygen level.
One thing about this device that makes it stand out is that it’s hypoallergenic. So if any family member is allergic to latex, they won’t have any issues using it.
The Good
The display on this unit is clear, so reading instructions and results isn’t an issue. The bright LED screen allows you to measure your blood oxygen level even in low-light. In addition, it’s very accurate, and FDA approved.
The Bad
To get as accurate results as possible, you must remain completely still. This means you can’t even vibrate your finger. Moreover, although it gives precise readings, it tends to stop working after a couple of months.
Pros
- FDA approved
- Precise readings
- LED screen for clarity
- Hypoallergenic
Cons
- You must be completely still to get the results
- Tends to stop working after a couple of months
Buyer’s Guide
When thinking about getting the best pulse oximeter, there are some factors you should consider.
Since you can use many of these units at home, the results, as mentioned above, should be as precise as the ones you get at your doctor’s.
For that reason, here’s what you should keep in mind when choosing the best pulse oximeter:
Types of Pulse Oximeters
There are two types of pulse oximeter: the finger pulse oximeters and the device with a probe. If you get a finger pulse oximeter, you just have to put your finger in a chamber, press the button, and wait for the results.
However, a pulse oximeter with a probe can be attached either to your finger or earlobe. You can use either of these to measure your oxygen saturation and heart rate. Just choose your preference.
Accuracy
The primary purpose of a pulse oximeter is to measure your blood oxygen level. There can be occasional inaccuracies, but as a rule of thumb, ± 2% for a home unit is considered fine.
Anything above that means your device isn’t working properly. If this is the case, the best thing would be to check reviews from customers and get a unit from reputable vendors.
That way, you can be sure you’re getting an accurate pulse oximeter that won’t give you the wrong results when you need them the most.
Bonus tip: To get as precise results as possible, your finger should be warm and perfectly still. Otherwise, the unit won’t be able to give you a correct reading. If you have cold hands, rub them together before putting a finger inside the pulse oximeter.
Size
Most people want their pulse oximeter to be small so that it can easily fit in the pocket. They need to carry it with them at all times. Therefore, size really matters. It also needs to be portable and lightweight enough so that you can wear it around your neck, or on a belt.
Furthermore, best pulse oximeters have finger compartments designed to fit both bigger hands, and children’s hands.
Display
When you’re choosing a pulse oximeter, you should pay attention to its display. Firstly, it should be large enough so that the elderly or those with sight issues can see the numbers.
Secondly, it should be backlit. This means you should be able to see the numbers in any environment, from too bright to too dark.
Finally, some of the best pulse oximeters can display results in two directions. With this function, both the person measuring your oxygen saturation level, and you can see the numbers.
Battery Life
Battery life is another major feature of a pulse oximeter. If it doesn’t have a long battery life, you risk your device dying at a critical moment. Most units come pre-packed with batteries, so you can use them until it’s time to get new ones. Plus, if you get rechargeable batteries, you can save money and reduce waste.
Some of the best pulse oximeters have a 40-hour battery life, which is amazing. To prolong the battery life and make sure the unit doesn’t eat batteries overnight, make sure you remove them after you finish measuring your blood oxygen level.
FAQs
What is a Pulse Oximeter?
A pulse oximeter is a small, portable, and non-invasive device that measures your oxygen saturation and heart rate.
There are two different kinds. If you get a probe pulse oximeter, you’ll have to attach it to your earlobe or a finger. Alternatively, if you buy a finger pulse oximeter, you just need to place your finger inside the chamber to start measuring oxygen levels.
Once you turn on the device, it measures your blood oxygen level and heart rate by sending signals of light to your finger. The results are then displayed on the screen.
Having a pulse oximeter is beneficial because you can always be aware of your overall wellbeing and keep track of oxygen saturation. Oxygen saturation between 95%-99% is considered good, but anything below 90% is alarming.
Who Needs a Pulse Oximeter?
Doctors recommend using a pulse oximeter if you have lung and respiratory-related issues, cardiovascular problems, or if you’re a sports enthusiast.
This means that if you have asthma, anemia, lung cancer, chronic obtrusive pulmonary disease, and other similar illnesses, you need a pulse oximeter.
With it, you can always be aware of your oxygen saturation and monitor it so that it doesn’t become too low. Furthermore, if you’re an avid athlete, this device can give you an insight into your overall fitness preparedness.
Additionally, you can use a pulse oximeter to check if new medications are working properly, if a person needs a ventilator to help them breathe, and to pay attention to oxygen levels during surgery. Moreover, it can show if some physical activity is causing too much strain on the body.
How to Clean Your Pulse Oximeter?
Taking care of your pulse oximeter is essential in prolonging its life. Before you start cleaning it, you should make sure it’s turned off.
The best method would be to use some soft fabric or even alcohol wipes. If you’re using a cloth, it must be dry. Wipe the inside of the unit carefully and then the screen. You should never use water or any liquids to clean your pulse oximeter.
And if multiple people use the same oximeter, it’s essential to clean the device between each usage.
How Accurate are Home Pulse Oximeters?
Depending on the manufacturer and the product itself, home pulse oximeters can be almost as accurate as those used by medical professionals.
Generally speaking, if your device shows inconsistencies of ± 2%, it’s safe to use.
Nowadays, many pulse oximeters show accurate results every time, which is why they’re a great device to own if you have respiratory or lung-related issues. They can be useful to always track your oxygen saturation without having to rush to the hospital.
There are instances when users got scared because their pulse oximeters showed incredibly low readings, but the problem turned out to be with devices themselves.
Always get your device from reliable manufacturers to prevent this from occurring.
Can a Pulse Oximeter Detect a Heart Attack?
Since pulse oximeters can show hypoxemia, which is extremely low oxygen in your blood cells, they’re very efficient in detecting a heart attack.
Depending on the severity of the episode, users may have reduced oxygen levels or even experience extreme oxygen desaturation.
In this instance, pulse oximeters are practical and essential devices for anyone with cardiovascular problems. This allows users to track their condition and act urgently if required.
Final Verdict
Taking care of your well-being and knowing your oxygen saturation levels in the comfort of your home has never been easier. And since we’ve outlined the features of the five best pulse oximeters, you shouldn’t have any problems finding the right one for you.
If you ensure that you always have a spare set of batteries, we recommend Zacurate Pro Series 500DL Fingertip Pulse Oximeter. It’s good value for money, made by a reputable manufacturer, and provides accurate readings on a big screen.
Alternatively, you could get the CHOICEMMED Sky Blue Finger Pulse Oximeter, which is a cheaper option, but also of good quality. The two-way display is a nice function, allowing two people to read the numbers at the same time.