Pulse oximeters are electronic medical devices that can be attached to a patient's finger to assess their heart rate and blood oxygen saturation levels. They are useful in monitoring patients with lung disease, to ensure that their blood is sufficiently oxygenated, as well as other respiratory conditions including asthma and COVID-19.
If you are looking to buy an at-home pulse oximeter to monitor you and your family's oxygen levels, our buying guide will help you to find the most accurate, reliable, and user-friendly choice. We'll also rank 10 of the best pulse oximeters in the UK, from Amazon and Boots.
Quick List - Top Pulse Oximeter
C.G.C Health Care
NHS Approved Oximeter Used by Health Professionals All Over the UK
TRAN™
Developed by NHS Doctors, Comes With a Free Guide and 72 Hours Battery Life
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Table of Contents
A pulse oximeter is a device that you clip onto the tip of your middle or index finger to measure blood oxygen levels. It's quick, painless and non-invasive as all it does is shine a light through your finger so that the beam can measure light absorption in the oxygenated blood - you won't feel a thing. Simply clip it on, and wait for the pulse oximeter readings to be presented on the LED screen.
It can be used to monitor how fast your heart is beating by measuring your pulse rate, which is calculated in beats per minute or bpm. It can also be used to assess how well your body is breathing by measuring oxygen saturation in your blood, which is displayed in percentages. Some pricier devices go a step further and include measurements such as body temperature, perfusion index, and plethysmograph.
Pulse oximeters are light, portable and may even have an LED screen with adjustable brightness. You may need one on hand if you are suffering from illnesses such as lung disease, asthma, COVID-19, or other respiratory diseases. Sports enthusiasts also often use them to monitor their vitals while working out or doing outdoor activities.
To get an accurate pulse oximeter reading, the sensor should be able to fit snugly onto your finger. If you are buying a pulse oximeter for young children at home, make to check whether the device is suitable for their age range.
Most manufacturers will provide an age recommendation, such as 'children aged 5 years and above' to give you a better idea of the smallest size it will fit. This is also useful for adults with small hands. To help you out, we've included this information for each product in our ranking.
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For the most accurate measurement, look for a pulse oximeter that has a precision of ± 3% or ± 3 bpm. This is because the closer it is to 0, the more precise the reading you will get.
Healthy people have an oxygen level of between 95% to 99%, with anything lower being a cause for concern. Meanwhile, a heart rate of between 50 to 90 bpm is normal, but anything out of this range can be a sign to alert your doctor.
To avoid purchasing a faulty or unreliable pulse oximeter, check that it has relevant certifications such as CE, ISO, or FDA if the product originates from the United States. Being accredited by an authoritative body means that both the product and company have been vetted by a reliable third party to affirm quality and safety.
CE certification is essential because it ensures that the product meets the high standards and expectations of EU regulations. For items manufactured in the US, FDA approval demonstrates that the product has been thoroughly examined and found to be safe and effective for its intended use, with compliance to federal quality standards
ISO is a non-governmental organisation that sets standards for quality and efficiency in products, services and systems. ISO certificates are evidence that a company is adhering to the high quality standards established by the organisation which guarantees safe and effective use for consumers. Aside from this, you should be on the lookout for clinical validation from relevant medical bodies.
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If you're constantly on the go or need to keep tabs on your vitals while doing sports, be sure to check the weight of the device before making your final decision. Thankfully, oximeters have come a long way since their bulky and clumsy design in the 1970s.
These days, you can find oximeters that weigh as little as 40 g, which are generally more compact and easier to carry. A lot of brands also provide lanyards for those who wish to carry their devices around their necks for easy or regular readings.
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Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Anapulse ANP100 Finger Pulse Oximeter | ![]() | Highly Rated, Reliable and Lightweight | |
2 | C.G.C Health Care Hospital Grade Pulse Oximeter | ![]() | NHS Approved Oximeter Used by Health Professionals All Over the UK | |
3 | aCurio Finger Pulse Oximeter | ![]() | Reliable Oximeter for the Whole Family | |
4 | TRAN™ Oxygen Guide Pulse Oximeter | ![]() | Developed by NHS Doctors, Comes With a Free Guide and 72 Hours Battery Life | |
5 | Kinetic Wellbeing Pulse Oximeter Finger | ![]() | Industry Award Winning Oximeter Used by NHS Health Professionals in Scotland | |
6 | Med Linket 5 in 1 Oxygen Saturation Monitor | ![]() | Provides 5 Vital Readings in One Device, With Anti-shake for Trembling Hands | |
7 | Braun Fingertip Pulse Oximeter | ![]() | Near-Instantaneous Readings on a Rotating LED Display | |
8 | PRCMISEMED Store Finger Oxygen Monitor | ![]() | Simple and Straightforward With a Sleek, Black Design | |
9 | Metene Pulse Oximeter Fingertip | ![]() | Minimise Reading Errors With Finger Sensor and Auditory Alerts | |
10 | Boots Finger Pulse Oximeter | ![]() | Dependable Pulse Oximeter From a Trusted Brand |
With over 17,000 user reviews and 4.5/5 star rating on Amazon, this oximeter from Anapulse is one of the most popular pulse oximeters online. Once attached, press the white button to power it up. The LED screen will display reliable results within seconds, with an SPO2 accuracy of ± 2% and pulse accuracy of ± 2 bpm.
The device itself is very lightweight, weighing at around 50 g. This makes it ideal for anyone who needs it by their side at all times. You even get a carrying pouch and lanyard if you want to hang it around your neck for quick readings.
This hospital-grade pulse oximeter is approved by the NHS and is used by health providers all over the UK. Additionally, it's CE- and FDA-certified, proving its dependability and verifying its accuracy. In fact, the device has an impressive ± 1% precision which provides a near perfect reading.
In terms of usability, the bright LED screen makes it easy to note readings, which take about 8 seconds to be displayed. Although the device is only attached to the finger for a few seconds, there's a soft silicone insert to ensure the user is always comfortable.
If you are in search of a reliable device to monitor your family's blood oxygen levels, this finger pulse meter from aCurio is suitable for children aged 4 years old and above! The one-button function is straightforward to use, and your results will be displayed within 8 seconds.
In terms of accuracy, the aCurio meter has a precision of plus minus 1%, which is very impressive. The results are presented on the wide LED screen, and you can adjust the brightness according to your liking for use in any environment.
The TRAN pulse oximeter offers a fantastic option for respiratory patients, the elderly, athletes, and anybody else who needs a reliable way to monitor their pulse and blood oxygen saturation. Developed by NHS doctors, it has a compact and portable design that's easy to carry on patient rounds.
Since it's made by and for doctors, you can expect high precision and accurate readings in as little as 5 seconds. Moreover, it has an impressive battery life of 72 hours, which is ideal for taking on travels or camping trips!
This finger pulse oximeter from Kinetic Wellbeing is clinically validated, and its the choice of NHS health professionals in Scotland. Moreover, it was created in association with St. John's Ambulance and even won an industry award from Which? Best Buys.
Taking a reading is quick and easy, and your results will be shown in a matter of seconds. For complete portability, it comes with lanyard so you can conveniently hang it on your person. You'll also get two AAA batteries included in your purchase, so you can use the device right away.
This pulse oximeter from Med Linket is CE approved, clinically validated, and compliant with EU standards. So, if safety and quality is your utmost priority, this device should be your top pick.
Unlike the others in our ranking, it provides 5 vital readings including your SpO2 level, heart rate, body temperature, perfusion index, and plethysmograph - all in one device! The unique anti-shake function is another great addition, especially if you need to monitor anyone with trembling hands. Unfortunately, this one of the pricier options on the list.
Braun has always been known for their quality products, and this easy-to-use oximeter is no exception! It gives near-instant readings for blood-oxygen levels and pulse rate. Plus, it's convenient and comfortable to use.
Simply clip the lightweight device onto your fingertip and wait a matter of seconds for the readings to show. The backlit LED display is rotatable too, which means you won't have to flip or turn the device to see your results. The only potential downside is that it isn't suitable for those 18 years and under.
This oxygen monitor from PRCMISEMED is simple and straightforward to use. All you need to do is insert one fingertip in the photoelectric sensor, push the button, and wait. Within 10 seconds, it can reliably measure your SpO2, pulse frequency, and intensity, which are clearly displayed on the large LED screen.
Although design isn't typically a primary consideration, we have to mention its sleek, black casing that helps it look less like a medical device. The included lanyard also makes portability a breeze, particularly if you plan to take it on outdoor adventures. However, it only has 20 working hours, which is rather short when compared to many others.
The wide LED display on this pulse oximeter makes it easy to see your readings, always guaranteeing accurate interpretation even in low light settings. In order to further minimise errors, the built-in censor alerts you if your finger is placed incorrectly. It will even let you know if the reading isn't within healthy levels.
Using the device is as easy as pushing on the button and waiting for a few seconds for a reading to show. You don't even need to turn it off, as it will do so on its on within 10 seconds of not being in use. On the downside, we were unable to find reliable information on some of the device's specs.
Another device that's accurate, reliable, easy-to-use, we like this incredibly accessible pulse oximeter from Boots! If you've tried some of Boots' own brand of products, you will know that the majority are comparable with leading brands, and this one is no exception!
The meter will give you precise measurements in a jiffy. It won't cause any pain or discomfort, and you only need to keep the clip on your finger for a few seconds. Unfortunately, we can't find much further information on the device aside from basic functionality.
Written and researched by Audrey Tan
No. 1: Anapulse|ANP100 Finger Pulse Oximeter
No. 2: C.G.C Health Care|Hospital Grade Pulse Oximeter
No. 3: aCurio|Finger Pulse Oximeter
No. 4: TRAN™|Oxygen Guide Pulse Oximeter
No. 5: Kinetic Wellbeing|Pulse Oximeter Finger
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