Pulse oximeters | The best of 2022
As you know, the demand for pulse oximeters has increased exponentially over the past 2 years, due to the Covid-19 disease, which often causes breathing difficulties, and this is where a pulse oximeter comes in handy. Its ease of use has prompted many people to buy one and we believe that it is a device that should not be missing in any family, even more so now that it is essential to differentiate the symptoms of the classic flu from those of Covid-19.
Read also: Blood pressure monitors | The best of 2022 The operation of the oximeter is very simple, since it will be enough to insert your finger in the appropriate space and wait for the result, which will arrive within a few seconds. The high-end devices will be able to detect different data but, as you know, the most important is the SpO2, or the fateful blood saturation. How do you read this value? Here too it is very simple. Values close to 100 equate to optimal blood flow, values between 95 and 90 could indicate mild hypoxemia, while values below 90 indicate that we are facing a potentially serious lung problem, to the point that we should go to a doctor immediately. That said, below we will report what are, in our opinion, the best pulse oximeters you can buy right now.
The best pulse oximeters
Karaeasy Med Linket AM801 Beurer PO 80 Viatom PulsoMedicalKaraeasy
According to Amazon statistics, the Karaeasy oximeter is one of the best sellers ever. The reasons that make it so popular are simple to understand. First of all, it is a reliable model, as evidenced by the thousands of positive reviews, able to show the most important information on a beautiful OLED display. Very easy to use, since it will be sufficient to hook it to your finger and press a button to read the values, reading that will take place clearly thanks to the good definition of the screen. The integrated functions are not many, but for the asking price it is not bad at all.SEE ON AMAZON SEE ON EBAY
Med Linket AM801
With the Med Linket we pass to a slightly higher level, since, in addition to the reading of blood saturation and heartbeat, this will also measure the temperature, with the values that will be displayed in the small but visible upper display. Not only that, the Med Linket will also be able to read the perfusion index and have the function of a plethysmograph, that is the machine that measures the total amount of air contained in the chest, giving you the opportunity to have an even clearer idea of the status of your lungs. Reliability also increases, since it is clinically validated, as is the price, but justified by the presence of more advanced functions such as those mentioned above.SEE ON AMAZON
Beurer PO 80
In a different price range we find the Beurer PO 80, also one of the most reliable pulse oximeters you can buy. As well as the previous ones, the measurement will take place in a simple and completely painless way, with the values that will be reproduced by a large color display, complete with a graphic display of the heartbeat, settable on 4 viewing perspectives. As for functionality, the Beurer PO 80 will allow you to check the classic blood saturation, heart rate and pulse modulation index, with the ability to record the values constantly for 24 hours. Finally, it is worth mentioning the alarm function, which allows you to choose a limit value beyond which the device will trigger an alarm signal.SEE ON AMAZON SEE ON EBAY
Viatom
If you are looking for a model that allows you to check your blood saturation even at night, the Viatom solution, with its smart features will certainly suit you. This specific model, in fact, can be connected to its official app, from which to check the most important information in detail. Moreover, thanks to the patented ring sensor, wearing it will be much more comfortable, since the fingers will not be affected in the least as in traditional models. Obviously, thanks to the app, you can save and analyze the data at any time, as well as compare it with those of a different period. In addition, the Viatom will intelligently vibrate if the built-in sensor detects abnormalities in oxygen, which could occur during sleep apnea or snoring.SEE ON AMAZON
PulsoMedical
If the first solutions seem unreliable, while those of Baurer and Viatom are too expensive, PulsoMedical's proposal could be a valid alternative for those looking for an oximeter with an excellent quality / price ratio. With less than 30 €, in fact, you can buy a device with a large color display and with different reading modes. Among these, there is also the one dedicated to the perfusion index, which indicates whether the measurement is reliable or not, useful for correct use of the device. The measurements can be made on both adults and children, with the device that will give an acoustic signal if the values are not ideal for the person.SEE ON AMAZON
How to choose the oximeter
Thanks to our help, you now know which are the best pulse oximeters, but we think it is appropriate to report also the most important factors that they influence the purchase, in order to allow you to understand for yourself if a specific oximeter is right for you or not. Without further ado, then, let's find out what are the aspects to take into consideration.How important is the brand of an oximeter?
As you may have understood, pulse oximeters are devices that monitor some of the our vital areas, therefore the reliability of the reading and optical sensors is a factor not to be overlooked. How do we know if a certain model is reliable or not? In this case, the simplest way is to rely on reviews but, in any case, we can say that the brand plays a very important role in this sector. Relying on well-known brands such as Beurer will certainly help you choose a valid model that you can trust.What functions should an oximeter have?
Basically, the oximeter is used for measure blood saturation but, if you are going to buy a model for at least € 30 or € 40, it is good to check that it has additional features, which will allow you to also monitor the temperature, the pulse modulation index or even have the functions of a plethysmograph. In addition, there are also smart pulse oximeters, ideal for those who want to check their health in a smart way. In any case, the latter are designed to be used even at night, without the hassle of having the weight on the fingertips, since these solutions are based on a ring sensor, much more comfortable than a traditional model.What should an oximeter display look like?
Pulse oximeters are small devices, so the screen quality should be high enough to compensate for the small diagonal, allowing for quick reading of values, a fundamental aspect especially for the elderly. In this regard, the brightness is obviously also influencing, and that is why it would be appropriate to rely on models that implement a color LCD display or, better still, an OLED. Furthermore, it is good that the model you are considering also has the rotation of the screen, in order to allow a quick reading even to those close to you.How the oximeter works
The oximeter works by shining light through your fingertips to check hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells, which carries oxygen from the lungs to cells in the rest of the body. Hemoglobin with more oxygen absorbs more infrared light, while hemoglobin with less oxygen absorbs more red light. An oximeter sensor relies on the ratio of red light to infrared light, after the latter passes through the finger, to measure oxygen saturation levels in the blood.When you have an affecting disease the lungs, such as Covid-19, the body may have difficulty bringing oxygen to the blood cells, and an oximeter may be able to detect when your body begins to fail. In the case of Covid-19, it is usual to see a decrease in oxygen saturation, which tends to decrease according to the severity of the disease.
How to read the values of an oximeter
It is very simple to interpret the results of an oximeter. A value of 99% means that 99% of hemoglobin carries oxygen, which is equivalent to an optimal state of health. Normal oxygen saturation in adults should be around 95%. Values below 90% are not normal and deserve medical attention.Also, be aware that some factors can compromise reliability, such as when using the device with cold fingers or when you move too much. Even dark nail polish could affect the result, so don't panic if the readings are very low in these conditions, but make sure you retest under the right conditions. We remind you that the pulse oximeter is not designed to diagnose Covid-19 disease, but it can be useful to understand when it is time to go to the hospital to receive further confirmations.
Although pulse oximeters are excellent tools, we still suggest not to rely too much on a single medical device when something is wrong, also paying attention to other signs that could be immediately understood if you were faced with a low level of oxygen in the blood. In this regard, we report a face tending to dark blue, including lips and nails, constant shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing, a worsening cough, restlessness, chest pain or tightness. Finally, an abnormal heart rate (often higher than normal) could also be a sign that should not be underestimated.
