Pulse oximeters are devices that measure and monitor the amount of oxygen in your blood. The COVID-19 pandemic increased public awareness of the usage and availability of pulse oximeters. However, anyone who has been admitted to the h3ospital will have had one attached to their finger to assess their blood oxygen levels.
A pulse oximeter is an important addition to your medicine cabinet or home first aid kit, particularly if you or someone in your household requires oxygen treatment or has been diagnosed with chronic heart and lung conditions or sleep apnea.
Low oxygen levels in the blood may indicate a variety of conditions, including congestive heart failure or pneumonia. For certain patients, pulse oximeters are a crucial aspect of respiratory treatment. The small fingertip sensors monitor blood oxygen levels in patients, commonly known as SpO2.
Knowing whether your body is receiving enough is critical because low oxygen levels can have devastating effects on your organs and your health. As leading suppliers of durable and home medical equipment (DME and HME), we have access to a wide network of suppliers and medical professionals. Our panel of experts has researched and compared the best pulse oximeters approved by the FDA for home use, kids, seniors, athletes, and nurses.
Continue reading to learn more about pulse oximeters and what to look for when purchasing one for your household.
How To Identify Low Oxygen Saturation Levels?
Hypoxemia is a medical condition that causes low blood oxygen levels. It may be brief or persistent, depending on the underlying cause. Symptoms vary from moderate to severe and include headaches, asthma, breathing difficulties, heart palpitations, and severe coughing. A shortage of oxygen in the blood may also cause blue discoloration of the skin and fingernails.
Find out more about how to use a pulse oximeter to monitor blood saturation levels.
How To Choose A Pulse Oximeter?
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) strictly controls the quality of prescription oximeters by conducting rigorous testing. As a result, these devices offer a high accuracy (70-100%) and a low error rate (2-3%). Over-the-counter (OTC) oximeters are available without prior FDA clearance; however, this does not compromise their accuracy.
When choosing a pulse oximeter, consider the following in terms of ease of use and lifestyle requirements:
Display:
Clearly laid out and straightforward displays are a priority. To better understand the labels, symbols, and results presented, look for a device with high-contrast colors, bold text, and numbers. In addition, ensure the symbols and abbreviations are presented in a way that can’t be misinterpreted.
Alarms:
Alarms on pulse oximeters will sound a tone, flash a light, or vibrate if the readings for oxygen saturation (SpO2%) or heart rate go beyond a user-defined threshold. The oxygen and pulse rate settings of alerting oximeters are adaptable to individual preferences.
Alarmed pulse oximeters have several applications, including overnight monitoring and home usage. Both the portable and stationary alarms are loud enough to either wake the user or alert a caretaker. A silent vibration alarm is intended to alert just the person using the pulse oximeter.
Portable, stationary, and wrist-mounted pulse oximeters with programmable alarms and the appropriate sensor size are all suitable for usage with newborns, children, and adults.
Battery Type:
Longevity of use and power storage capacity are crucial considerations for choosing a pulse oximeter that suits your requirements. Of course, how long you need a machine to last depends on what it will be used for. If you just plan on using it for yourself, there's no need to invest in a heavy-duty device. The battery requirements can affect pulse oximeter price.
- Monitoring oxygen levels on an as-needed basis does not require a long-lasting battery life.
- Continuous oxygen saturation monitoring necessitates either a device that can be plugged in or a long-lasting battery.
Comfort:
Pulse oximeters can be worn on your finger and are non-invasive and painless to use. LEDs located on the inside of the probe allow these devices to transmit tiny beams of light through your finger, allowing you to monitor your blood oxygen levels in real time. Your fingertip acts as a lens, allowing light to pass through the tissue and be detected through a sensor on the other side.
This technology allows pulse oximeters to be designed with the utmost comfort. Depending on your requirements, you may want to consider the device's weight, size, and clip strength in terms of comfort.
CPAP Compatibility:
Confirming you are getting the full advantages of CPAP treatment after a sleep apnea diagnosis is essential. The goal of utilizing a CPAP machine is to keep the airways open so that regular breathing may occur and oxygen can reach the circulation. Saturation levels over 94% are considered normal. If your oxygen saturation levels drop below 92%, your CPAP treatment needs reassessing.
It is possible to monitor the efficacy of your CPAP therapy with the help of a pulse oximeter in addition to the software that accompanies your device. If you need to monitor oxygen levels as part of ongoing sleep therapy, consider a device with compatible data and software. You will also need a device that can rest comfortably on the finger throughout the night and alert to any inconsistencies,
Warranty:
Compare the availability of warranties as a further consideration. Always exercise caution when shopping brands that don't provide any warranty insurance. If a supplier or provider stands behind its products with a fair and comprehensive warranty, you know you're getting the best value for money.
After buying an oximeter, it's essential to have your pulse oximeter tested by your doctor. If it turns out to be inaccurate, you'll need to exchange it for a more accurate model.
What Are The Different Types Of Pulse Oximeters?
Regardless of brand or model, every pulse oximeter can do the same thing: determine the percentage of oxygen in the blood. However, there are several types available, each with its own set of benefits, drawbacks, and levels of pulse oximeter accuracy.
Different types of pulse oximeters include:
- Portable or Finger Oximeter: Typically, this is the best home pulse oximeter. It clips onto the finger and is small and rectangular, featuring an inbuilt display screen. This type of pulse oximeter runs on rechargeable batteries and offers quick and easy blood monitoring solutions for clinicians, caregivers, and patients alike.
- Handheld or Table Top Oximeter: Since it is significantly more advanced and provides more precise readings, it is mostly employed by medical institutions and hospitals. The probe is placed on the finger and a cable links to a separate display screen. This oximeter is used for spot tests and can also monitor oxygen levels in real time. This device is useful in a wide range of applications, including inpatient and outpatient facilities, at home, or by emergency medical services.
- Wrist-worn Sensors: This wireless variation is often used in ongoing monitoring applications. This device is worn on the wrist, making it perfect for continually monitoring oxygen levels, and it is the best pulse oximeter for overnight monitoring or during exercise. The probe, worn on the index finger, is connected wirelessly to a wrist-mounted monitor, where the readings are displayed and stored.
- Pediatric Pulse Oximeter: When monitoring oxygen saturation in children, look for a model labeled as safe for use with children and infants. These models will be ergonomically designed to accommodate smaller finger sizes. Some varieties attach to the foot or head, which is especially helpful for newborns or preterm babies.
Best Pulse Oximeters
Pulse oximetry is a simple, non-invasive method of checking oxygen levels in the blood. Our panel of experts evaluated several brands and models to determine the best pulse oximeters for home and clinical use, senior and pediatric use, and during exercise.
Compare The Best Pulse Oximeters For Home Use
The following have been selected based on their affordability, ease of use, and portability.
1. Innovo Deluxe iP900AP Fingertip Pulse Oximeter
The Innovo Deluxe iP900AP fingertip pulse oximeter is surprisingly straightforward to use despite its extensive features and functionality. There is no difficult setup beyond inserting a pair of AAA batteries for it to begin working. Securing it to your fingertip is all that's required of you; it does the rest automatically.
Although pulse oximeters are not yet as commonplace as blood pressure monitors in households, they are nevertheless a valuable tool for ensuring the health of you and your loved ones. When looking for a fingertip pulse oximeter, the Innovo Deluxe iP900AP is known for its affordability and ease of use.
2. Walgreens Fingertip Pulse Oximeter
Pulse oximeters are small and non-invasive and are used to determine the percentage of blood oxygen and heart rate. The Walgreens Fingertip Pulse Oximeter can be used effectively to manage certain conditions in the comfort of one's own home. The device features a bright display screen that coffers accurate, easy-to-read results from multiple angles, making it ideal for both personal use and caregiver use.
The Walgreens Fingertip Pulse Oximeter measures oxygen level, respiration rate, and pulse rate and is portable and lightweight enough to be used at home or in a recreational setting. It features an E-Z Read HD display and is ergonomically designed for a comfortable fit.
Best Pulse Oximeter For Nurses And Clinicians
When it comes to clinical management of blood oxygen levels, accuracy, versatility, and data collection are priorities. The following are our best recommendations for pulse oximetry for nurses, caregivers, and clinicians.
1. Mibest Dual Color OLED Finger Pulse Oximeter
Engineered with high-precision instruments that allow for accurate measurements within 2% and easy-to-use. The Mibest Dual Color OLED Finger Pulse Oximeter features a multi-directional display, four display directions, and six Display Modes.
As well as measuring adult blood oxygen levels, the oxygen saturation finger monitor may be used as a pediatric pulse oximeter for younger patients. The product's exterior is constructed with anti-wipe injection material, which has been put through thousands of wipe tests, making it compliant with standard disinfection procedures. All finger-contact structures have been investigated and proven to be biocompatible according to ISO109993 clinical standards.
2. CHOICEMMED Sky Blue Finger Pulse Oximeter
CHOICEMMED Sky Blue Finger Pulse Oximeter is an easy-to-use, one-button PO2 Sensor that allows clinicians to quickly check and display SpO2, pulse rate, and pulse signal strength in real-time.
This device offers a reliable 30 hours of battery life, making it perfect for long and overnight clinical shifts and staff changes. In addition, the CHOICEMMED Sky Blue Finger Pulse Oximeter is equipped with a handy lanyard for convenience and multi-person use, making it the best pulse oximeter for nurses.
Best Children's Pulse Oximeter
1. Zaccurate Digital Pediatric Finger Pulse Oximeter
The Zaccurate Digital Pediatric Finger Pulse Oximeter is the best children's pulse oximeter because it is user-friendly; simply clip it onto your child's finger and press a button to activate it. The SMART Spring System built into the finger chamber makes it suitable for small hands. This product is suitable for children aged 2 to 12.
To appeal to children, it has been designed with a bright, high-resolution OLED screen, a rotating, multi-angle display, and a visually appealing design. The Zaccurate Digital Pediatric Finger Pulse Oximeters waveform plethysmographic technology provides an easy-to-interpret visual of your child's blood pressure and heart rate, making it the best pediatric pulse oximeter.
Best Pulse Oximeter For Seniors
1. Innovo iP900AP Deluxe Pulse Oximeter with Plethysmograph and Perfusion Index
This oximeter is enhanced with new internal hardware and software for noticeable speed gain. In addition, newer models of the iP900AP monitor have an audible alert (which may be muted for discretion) that sounds when your SpO2 and Pulse Rate go over or below the thresholds you select. Audible beeps for each detected pulse and a brightness slider for the screen make it perfect for elderly users with strained eyesight.
It may not be as portable as some other versions, but the soft silicone cushioning ensures a comfortable feeling against the skin. The user may activate the device, change the screen orientation, or modify the brightness with the touch of a button.
This device doesn't need a lot of technical know-how to operate. The large high-definition screen and other features, including the slip-resistant clip, make it a popular addition for elderly patients.
Best Pulse Oximeter For Sports
1. Advantage™ 2200 Fingertip Pulse Oximeter
Compared to gold standard high-grade hospital oximeters, this ADC Pulse Oximeter is highly accurately calibrated, offering accuracy within 2% – 3%. This ADC® Advantage™ 2200 Fingertip Pulse Oximeter features an easy-to-read digital screen, two interchangeable display settings, and a bright LED display. In addition, the design features a secure, hinged battery cover for added durability.
For added convenience, this device comes with a carry lanyard, a black rubberized bumper, and an instruction booklet. The ADC® Advantage™ 2200 Fingertip Pulse Oximeter comes with a 2-year limited warranty and is suitable for a wide range of home and recreational uses.
The Advantage™ 2200 Fingertip Pulse Oximeter is a useful resource for athletes who want to monitor their oxygen saturation and heart rates, such as mountain climbers, skiers, and cyclists. The user-friendly design turns the SpO2 and Pulse Rate displays toward the user instead of away.
The Best Oximeter For Multi-Functional Use
1. Bluetooth Digital Fingertip Pulse Oximeter
What is the best pulse oximeter? Bluetooth oximeters can accurately monitor blood oxygen levels, fingertip pulse, saturation levels (SpO2), pulse rate, pulse strength, and waveform, featuring large OLED display screens for ultimate convenience. In addition, these devices can automatically synchronize readings with a smartphone. Software applications are available for free download and compatible with both Android and Apple iOS devices, with the ability to record and retain continuous readings for up to 10 hours.
These automated devices save battery power by turning off seconds after being disconnected, feature a one-touch operation, and are lightweight and portable enough for a versatile range of uses. The Bluetooth Fingertip Pulse Oximeter is an easy-to-use, accurate, and convenient tool for measuring oxygen saturation, pulse rate, and perfusion index in children and adults in a variety of settings, making it the best type of pulse oximeter for use at home, in the outdoors, and at medical facilities.
Retain Your Good Health And Make The Most Of Every Day
As a leading supplier of durable and home medical equipment (DME and HME), ApriaHome sources and distributes a wide range of treatment solutions, including assistive respiratory equipment and monitoring solutions. Monitoring oxygen saturation levels is an integral part of an ongoing management strategy for many medical conditions; it is also an important safety practice for athletes at high altitudes.
We're here to support you as you work toward your improved health and well-being. We strive to meet your ever-evolving healthcare requirements with individualized attention and premium quality treatment solutions. Looking to add a pulse oximeter to your medicine cabinet? Browse our premium range of pulse oximetry solutions, and let us help you get the most out of every day.
Looking for advice? Our helpful agents are on call at (800) 780-1508 between 8:00 am - 10:00 pm EST daily. Get in touch today.
