We've pitted a range of available options - including those from brands such as Braun, Kinetik and Salter - against each other to find out which pulse oximeters are best. MacIntyre NR. Tissue hypoxia: implications for the respiratory clinician. Respir Care. 2014;59(10):1590-1596.

According to Dr. Medbery, a normal level of oxygen saturation (SpO2) in your blood is usually 95 percent or more, though “some people with chronic lung disease or sleep apnea can have normal levels around 90 percent.” If you're ever instructed to buy a pulse oximeter to monitor your blood oxygen levels at home, you'll want to be sure the model you've chosen is effective and accurate. If you need to use it regularly, it'll help if it's comfortable too. If you use your digital thermometer in your armpit, make sure you keep your arm tight against your body until the thermometer beeps or flashes.

Different Types of Pulse Oximeters

According to Kroll, home-based pulse oximeters only measure your pulse oxygenation and heart rate, while hospital systems can provide a printout of your readings. Hospital-based pulse oximeters are linked to machines that measure blood pressure and temperature,” Kroll says. He goes on to explain that they can also link to a measurement of your heart rhythm that’s taken at the same time. A licensed physician and surgeon practicing family medicine from our Medical Expert Board then reviewed the contents of this article for medical accuracy surrounding what to look for in pulse oximeters, how to use them, and how best to interpret their readings. Since pulse oximetry relies on light absorption through a tissue bed with pulsating blood, some factors can interfere with those parameters, leading to a false reading, such as:

These gadgets take measurements from the wrist, rather than the fingertip, where there is a lower concentration of blood and they're more likely to move around, which can affect accuracy. While ease of use received the lowest score, of 3.5, of all products on our list, our tester ultimately thought the pros outweighed the cons and found its accuracy unparalleled—making it our top option. Normal body temperature is different for everyone and changes during the day. A temperature of 38°C or more is usually considered to be a high temperature. A Comparison of Transmittance and Reflectance Pulse Oximetry During Vascular Surgery. Lww.com. Accessed 08/14/2021.

Uses / Instructions

These are all well-respected companies that produce a variety of products appropriate for medical-grade use. Can a fingertip pulse oximeter help detect coronavirus? It should be noted that there is a huge variation in the accuracy of commercially available pulse oximeters. A 2018 study in the European Respiratory Journal reports that overall, commercially available pulse oximeters give an accurate reading of oxygen saturation—but how accurate varies among devices. Dass recommends testing out your personal oximeter at your doctor’s office so you can compare its readings to the ones taken by your doctor’s device. Unlike other ear pulse oximeters, this does require a tabletop set to hook up to it, which can be useful to those who want a product with easy setup. There are many over-the-counter (OTC) options available that aren’t subject to FDA approval, though. These shouldn’t be used as medical devices. What pulse oximeters do hospitals use? Don’t rely solely on a piece of medical equipment to tell you when something is wrong. Pay attention to other signs of low blood oxygen levels, such as:

This is because Covid-19 can cause your blood oxygen levels to drop (in some cases, to dangerous levels) but sometimes people don't feel that unwell so aren't aware of it. If you're thinking about buying a pulse oximeter, it's worth discussing with your GP first if this is right for you. At-home pulse oximetry is no substitute for medical advice and shouldn't be relied upon without clinical input. Plus, if you are likely to be more at risk, the NHS may well provide you with one anyway.We praised the fit, as the ring comes with extra material that creates adjustability—allowing the ring to be shared among multiple people. We were also impressed with the compatible app, as it shows both blood oxygen percentage and heart rate in real time, stores readings, and offers the ability to set reminders for yourself. Every wearable we've tested that has a pulse oximeter function clearly states that the data should not be used for medical purposes. Does spending more increase your chances of getting a good pulse oximeter, and do you need the extras? Read our full Salter OxyWatch Fingertip Pulse Oximeter review to find out. Other pulse oximeters on test