Best Wearable Pulse Oximeters of 2020
When you think of a doctor you immediately have the image of a stethoscope in mind. While that is a very popular medical tool, there are others too that are widely used and very important. And among them, we have the pulse oximeter, a device that measures the amount of oxygenated blood in the body and gives important vital signs in many situations.
They are very beneficial for those suffering from conditions that affect blood oxygen levels, such as sleep apnea, asthma, lung cancer, heart failure, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and other medical issues. It basically gives an alert for when oxygen levels are too low and can also help doctors understand the daily fluctuations in order to give the proper treatment.
A pulse oximeter basically shows how well the heart is pumping oxygen, and in a hospital setting can determine if a heart attack or heart failure is taking place. While home oximeters are not as precise as those in hospitals, they can definitely give an indication if something serious is happening. And last but not least, pulse oximeters can also be used by sports enthusiasts, mountain climbers or aviators in order to perform their activities in safe conditions.
Now let’s have a look at some of the best wearable pulse oximeters for home or hobby use:
Contents
- 1 Best Wearable Pulse Oximeters
- 2 The Zacurate Pro Series 500DL Oximeter
- 3 The Wellue O2Ring Oxygen Tracker
- 4 The Accumed CMS-50DL Pulse Oximeter
- 5 The SantaMedical SM-240 OLED Finger Pulse Oximeter
- 6 The Innovo Deluxe Fingertip Pulse Oximeter
- 7 The Facelake FL400 Pulse Oximeter
- 8 The Metene Pulse Oximeter 405
- 9 The Ankovo Pulse Oximeter 315
- 10 The Beurer Instant Digital Oximeter PO 30
- 11 The Contect CMS50EA Pulse Oximeter
- 12 Best Wearable Oximeter Buying Guide
- 13 Frequently Asked Questions
Best Wearable Pulse Oximeters
The Zacurate Pro Series 500DL Oximeter
This device offers accurate readings at an affordable price. It shows the blood-oxygen levels, the pulse rate and the pulse strength with an accuracy of within 2% of blood drawn levels. The design is simple and easy to use, and it gives the readings in about 10 seconds.
It’s suitable for most adults and children over 12 years old, and it features a bright LED screen that is easy to read. The batteries last for 40 hours, which is quite a lot considering that you only use the device for a few seconds at a time. The housing is hypoallergenic while the finger chamber has a unique spring system that makes it comfortable and easy to use.
It includes a silicone sleeve, a lanyard and comes with a warranty of 1 year (technical support by phone is also included). It comes with AAA batteries so you can use it right away.
The Wellue O2Ring Oxygen Tracker
While it’s more expensive, this device is much smaller and designed to be worn for extended periods of time (for example when doing sport activities, when hiking at high altitudes or when sleeping). It is small and light, and it alerts you when oxygen levels drop too low.
It works with the same technology as the devices used in hospitals, so the readings will be very accurate. It sends vibrations to your finger when the oxygen is low, so you know to take action depending on the activity you are doing at that moment. It is a chargeable device that offers 14-hours of use with a 2-hour charge.
It is an advanced and technologically sophisticated device that also comes with an app the shows a history of your readings and other important data. You can then send that information to your doctor (in case of medical use), or use the data to improve your performance (in case of sport activities). It has a premium price though.
The Accumed CMS-50DL Pulse Oximeter
This model comes with a durable housing and an included carrying case, so it’s great for traveling. It shows the SpO2 level as well as the pulse, and thanks to its unique design it can be used both by adults and children over 4. This makes it one of the broadest devices out there, so it’s perfect for the entire family.
It gives very fast readings (in 8 to 10 seconds) and has a special cover that reduces the influence of external light. It automatically turns off to improve battery life and can run for up to 24 hours of continuous use. It is designed for home use, exercising or traveling, and not for medical use. It comes at a great price.
The SantaMedical SM-240 OLED Finger Pulse Oximeter
This is a light and compact device that only has 50 grams (including the batteries), and which can work for up to 30 hours. It can be used in a variety of scenarios and physical activities, and has a very simple and intuitive display.
While not for those with severe medical conditions, it’s still great for those who want to monitor their lifestyle and physical performance. Not only that the battery life is very good, but it also turns off automatically after each use, in order to save power. It includes a warranty of 1 year as well as customer service.
The Innovo Deluxe Fingertip Pulse Oximeter
This is one of the best devices on the market and it can be used by a wide variety of people (hikers, bikers, climbers, etc.) It is accurate and reliable, but also small and portable. This way you can measure your SpO2 and pulse rate anywhere and anytime.
But this is not all, because this oximeter also has 2 extra functions: Plethysmograph and Perfusion Index (PI). What are these strange medical terms you might ask? Well, the first one is the visual representation of your heartbeats and the PI is the numerical representation of the pulse strength.
These 2 features help you to get a more accurate measurement of the SpO2. For example, if the PI is smaller than 0.2%, it means that you have not placed your hands correctly in the oximeter, or that your hands are too cold. So in that case you need to warm your hands, position them better and then try again. The device also has an alarm function, a display that can be rotated in different directions.
The Facelake FL400 Pulse Oximeter
It comes with a large LED display that is easy to read including in low light conditions, and it works with a simple push of a button. It gives accurate readings and comes with a small and compact design so you can easily store it in your pocket or backpack. But you can also wear it around your neck (thanks to the neck lanyard it includes) or in the nylon carrying case that it comes with.
The results are displayed within 10 seconds and the device is built according to the FDA and PE standards for oximeters used by health professionals (although it’s not recommend it to use it for medical purposes). Thanks to the Smart Spring System it fits a wide variety of finger sizes, and it works with 2 AAA batteries.
The Metene Pulse Oximeter 405
This is a small and portable device that includes the most sophisticated MCU chip and gravity sensor. It gives reliable and accurate readings within seconds and it’s very easy to use for anyone (with just a press of a button). It can be used for sports, hiking or aviation, and accommodates to various finger sizes.
The design is simple yet elegant, and it automatically shuts down after 8 seconds in order to save the battery life. You can easily carry it around when traveling or place it around your neck when hiking with the included lanyard. It has a warranty of 12 months as well as customer support.
The Ankovo Pulse Oximeter 315
This is a small and compact device that is lightweight and durable on the long term. It has more than 1,000 positive ratings on Amazon and it is said to beat similar devices when it comes to accuracy and reliability. The LED display shows the battery level (similar to that of a smartphone), the SpO2 and the pulse rate. But it also has a simple bar graph that tells you when the device is ready to take your readings.
It is suitable for bikers, aviators, hikers, skiers, mountain climbers and similar activities that require occasional measure of the level of oxygen in the blood. It comes with 2 AAA batteries and a lanyard so you can use it right away.
The Beurer Instant Digital Oximeter PO 30
Yet another high quality and well-rated device, it accurately measures the SpO2, the pulse rate and pulse strength. The results are shown within a few seconds on the LED display and it’s a great choice for athletes, sport enthusiasts, mountain climbers and more.
Just clip it to your finger and turn it on with the push of a button. It accommodates a wide variety of finger sizes and it works with no pain or discomfort. The package comes with batteries, a lanyard as well as a belt pouch for easy transport. Their customer support team is located in the USA and is happy to assist you with any technical issues or questions.
The Contect CMS50EA Pulse Oximeter
The LED display of this device will show you the SpO2 value, the pulse rate value, a bar graph display, as well as a pulse waveform display. The battery is included in the device and it charges via USB. But it also allows you to transfer data onto your computer and it comes with a free software. It is reliable and easy to use.
Best Wearable Oximeter Buying Guide
There are plenty of models out there to choose from, so make sure to look at these aspects before buying one:
- Accuracy – it’s very important for the device to give an accurate reading. In case of home use oximeters, the accuracy should be within 2% of the levels shown in blood samples.
- Size – most devices are made based on the average fingertip size. So if you have much bigger or much smaller fingers, then the readings may not be accurate. Consult with your doctor and make sure to find the right oximeter for you.
- Warranty – some devices are quite expensive, so you need to make sure they will last you for years to come. Get one with an extended warranty and from a company that offers customer service and technical support. Sometimes you may have technical questions about the device, and you need to be able to discuss them with a specialist at any time.
- Ease of use – the device should be very easy to use and have a clear and easy to understand display. The last thing you want when you are low on oxygen and not feeling well is to try and decipher the readings on the oximeter.
- Battery Life – ideally, you want a tool that has a long battery life and automatically turns off after each use in order to save the battery. You really don’t want your oximeter to turn off right in a middle of a crisis and not be able to get readings that can be crucial.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use it for medical purposes?
Some of the above mentioned devices can be used for medical purposes, while others cannot. Make sure to read the product description and the user manual carefully.
Can I use it while sleeping?
This also depends on the model. Most of them are designed for occasional measurements, while others are designed to work continuously for multiple hours. So make sure to choose the right model for your own personal needs and health issues.
Can I replace the battery?
Most devices work with disposable AAA batteries, so in that case yes, you can replace them. However, other devices have an included battery that cannot be replaced.
Can I use it on a baby?
Most likely not. Most devices that work for adults do not work for children under the age of 4. So in that case you would need to buy a special device made just for babies.
