Best Blood Pressure Monitor Watches of 2023
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The best watch capable of monitoring your blood pressure can vary depending on price, battery life, and other features you’re looking for. This can include if it has FDA approval and whether it’s waterproof.
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Wearables with the capability of monitoring your blood pressure have become convenient and widely available. Healthline reviews the watches that pass our strict medical vetting process to provide you with the best device options.
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Can you take accurate blood pressure readings at the wrist?
According to the American Heart Association, upper arm cuff-style blood pressure monitors provide more accurate readings than wrist or finger monitors. One reason for this is that when you take a blood pressure reading, the monitor must be at heart level, with the upper arm resting near the heart.
To match the readings provided by upper arm blood pressure monitors, some watches include instructions to keep your wrist on your heart during readings. Following these instructions helps to ensure you’ll get the most accurate reading possible.
A good way to test your watch’s accuracy is to compare its readings with those received in a medical setting. You can do this by taking your watch with you to a doctor’s appointment and testing yourself immediately after getting an upper arm cuff reading.
How we chose the best blood pressure watches
We chose the blood pressure monitor watches on this list because users indicate they provide accurate or near-accurate results. They come from transparent manufacturers who don’t make unfounded claims. We read scores of consumer reviews on multiple websites and researched each company’s background and reputation.
You may notice that there really aren’t a lot of options to choose from on this list. That’s because the tech that enables smart devices to track your blood pressure still has a ways to go. There are a few devices that can produce reliable blood pressure readings, but not many that could pass our rigorous internal vetting process.
Pricing guide
Blood pressure monitor watches range significantly in price.
The watches on our list that have Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance are significantly more expensive than the fitness trackers that simply contain a blood pressure feature. They also tend to be more expensive than at-home monitors like wrist cuffs and upper arm cuffs.
Pricing is indicated as follows:
- $ = under $50
- $$ = $50-$100
- $$$: over $100
How to choose
If you’re in the market for a wearable device that tells you your blood pressure, you’ll need to establish the key features that are important to you before you start to shop.
First, you’ll need to decide whether you’re looking for a wearable blood pressure monitor that happens to tell time, or if what you want is a fitness tracker that supplies blood pressure readings. If you want a wearable blood pressure monitor, you may want to purchase one of the devices the FDA has approved. Fitness trackers aren’t currently subject to any FDA oversight.
Next, consider how the device will need to fit in with your lifestyle. Some devices are so waterproof that you can wear them while swimming, while others can’t even be on the bathroom counter while you run a steamy shower. Also, become acquainted with how long the battery life lasts on your preferred device, since some need to be charged quite often.
The display of the device you use makes a difference. Ask yourself:
- Is the design intuitive?
- Will you be able to read the screen easily?
- Do you feel like you can navigate the menu of the device to maximize its value and use all of its features?
Some blood pressure watches and fitness trackers sync to both Apple and Android devices, but others do not. Check the compatibility of your preferred device before you buy.
Pricing varies widely, so look around to make sure that you’re buying something you can afford. Some products don’t have a lot of up-front costs but may require you to pay for a monthly service plan to keep the device active.
Finally, make sure that your purchase is protected. When choosing from the many options available, look for manufacturers that offer at least a 1-year warranty, plus free returns or exchanges within 30 days.
How accurate are blood pressure monitor watches?
It’s hard to know. The best way to check is to compare several readings with a medical-grade device.
Available research
Large-scale testing for accuracy hasn’t been done on blood pressure monitor watches or on fitness trackers that contain a blood pressure reading feature.
A few small studies have looked at the accuracy of specific watch models, with uneven results. A 2020 study showed positive results, but it was funded by a watch manufacturer. Another 2020 study showed negative results and had researchers with stated conflicts of interest.
FDA clearance vs. FDA approval
Some blood pressure monitor watches are marketed as FDA-cleared medical devices. FDA clearance isn’t the same thing as FDA approval.
Unlike class III medical devices that support or sustain life, wrist monitors are categorized as class I or class II low risk medical devices. Low risk medical devices don’t require FDA approval to be marketed. The FDA doesn’t guarantee the results of the watch you buy.
But these watches still have benefits. They may give accurate or near-accurate results that provide valuable information — for example, if you have high blood pressure during pregnancy. They may also provide information about how your blood pressure responds to exercise.
Just don’t rely on watches as your sole blood pressure monitoring device. This may be especially important if you have hypertension (high blood pressure) or take medications that make you prone to hypotension (low blood pressure).
Frequently asked questions
Is there a smartwatch that monitors blood pressure?
Yes, there are several smartwatches on the market that measure your blood pressure. Major smartwatch manufacturers like Apple and Fitbit are still developing their blood pressure tech for FDA clearance in the United States. In the meantime, other manufacturers like Omron offer blood pressure watches.
Are blood pressure watches accurate?
The accuracy of blood pressure watches varies according to the product. Always be sure to read the reviews thoroughly on any blood pressure tracking watch that you purchase so that you can get an idea of accuracy. A blood pressure watch isn’t a replacement for regular monitoring by a medical professional. If you have a health concern and need to have your blood pressure measured at home on a daily basis, it’s a good idea to invest in a standard blood-pressure cuff at home, too.
Is there a wearable device for blood pressure?
Yes, blood pressure watches work as wearable devices to track your blood pressure. Every blood pressure watch tracks blood pressure in addition to other fitness metrics, which vary by device. Popular features include step counters, heart rate, and sleep trackers.
The bottom line
Blood pressure monitor watches may provide accurate readings, although this hasn’t been proven in large-scale studies.
To get the most accurate, consistent results, it may make sense to choose a watch designed specifically for this purpose, rather than a fitness tracker that includes this feature.
Blood pressure monitor watches may have benefits for people who wish to test their readings several times a day.
Fitness trackers with this feature may have value for people who wish to track their blood pressure and heart rate before and after exercising.
If you have a health condition like hypertension, don’t rely on wrist monitors exclusively for your readings. No watch takes the place of monitoring by a healthcare professional.