Best pulse oximeters: 7 picks to monitor oxygen saturation levels

Preventive health checkups at home can help you understand your body, stay alert and prepared for health emergencies. Apart from visiting your healthcare provider at regular intervals, using certain healthcare devices like pulse oximeters at home can also be effective. This medical instrument is especially designed to monitor the oxygen saturation of haemoglobin in the blood. It is a non-invasive medical tool that works by emitting light through the blood in your finger and detecting how much the light is absorbed by the oxygenated and deoxygenated haemoglobin in the blood. This portable device may help with early detection of low blood oxygen levels that can lead to critical conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia and more. It may also help monitor respiratory conditions and manage sleep disorders. We have compiled a list of the best pulse oximeters in India for home use that you must include in your at-home medical kit.

7 best pulse oximeters

If you are looking for the right finger pulse oximeter devices that is affordable, easy to operate and accurate, check out this list of the top pulse oximeter brands in India:

1. Beurer PO60 Pulse Oximeter with Bluetooth

Beurer PO60 Pulse Oximeter promises to measure through fingertip arterial oxygen saturation and heart rate. It comes with health manager apps that help to store all the measurements. The brand promises that this device can help monitor the blood oxygen saturation and pulse rate to prevent the risk of heart problems, pulmonary diseases or asthma. This easy to use device offers 100 memory spaces, a coloured display, adjustable brightness, 4 graphic display formats, auto switch-off and low battery indicator. Compatible with Bluetooth, this device comes with a warranty of 5 years.

B015YP7788

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2. Mibest OLED Finger Pulse Oximeter

Mibest OLED Finger Pulse Oximeter comes with an efficient one button operation, which makes it easy to use. It features an SpO2 sensor that may help with spot checking and displaying measurements in real time. This device has SpO2 waveforms in 4 directions, 6 display modes and 10 levels of adjustable brightness. It comes with 2 AA alkaline batteries, neck lanyard and an instruction manual. This medical device can be used as a paediatric pulse oximeter for kids and as a blood oxygen monitor for adults.

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3. Zacurate Pro Series 500DL Fingertip Pulse Oximeter

Zacurate Pro Series 500DL Fingertip Pulse Oximeter promises to accurately measure the SpO2 levels, pulse rate and pulse strength in just 10 seconds. It features a large LED display to display the measurements. It claims to be the only LED pulse oximeter that can read as well as display up to 100 percent for SpO2 levels. This medical device comes with 2X AAA batteries, a silicon cover, a lanyard and 12 months warranty.

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4. Hesley Pulse Oximeter Fingertip

Hesley Pulse Oximeter Fingertip features advanced technology to accurately measure the SpO2 levels and pulse rate in just 5 seconds. It is approved by FDA and CE. The healthcare device features a large and multidirectional display that helps you view your results in any direction easily. This easy to use device supports one button operation, features automatic power off function, and is equipped with two AAA batteries that can run for up to 24 hours. It also features PR alarm limits setting, memory function, beep warning and SpO2 alarm limit setting.

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5. HealthSense Pulse Oximeter

HealthSense Pulse Oximeter features a silicon finger chamber that is free from latex and allergen to avoid any microbial reactions. This device comes with single button operation for measuring, setting alarm and sound features. It features auto sleep mode, which helps to save the batteries. This device is designed with high performance acceleration sensors, alarm function for data accuracy and accurate readings. It also features anti-motion technology to maintain the accuracy of the result under light body movements. The tool has two coloured, multidirectional OLED screens with optical detection technology to display oxygen saturation levels, pulse rate, battery indicator, perfusion index and pulse bar graph.

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6. BPL Medical Technologies Fingertip Pulse Oximeter

BPL Medical Technologies Fingertip Pulse Oximeter may help in measuring the oxygen concentration in the blood with minimum deviations. It promises to monitor the pulse rate and provides a clear view of SpO2, PR and perfusion index on its four directional colour OLED display. This device comes with visual and audible alarm indications to alert you in case of high and low measurement readings. Equipped with two AAA batteries, this machine features automatic power off.

B07G45MZM7

7. Dr Trust Professional Series Fingertip Pulse Oximeter

Dr Trust Professional Series Fingertip Pulse Oximeter promises to measure your blood oxygen saturation levels, perfusion index, respiratory rate, pulse rate and pulse bar graph accurately. This water-proof device comes with a multidirectional OLED display to help you get a better view of your result. It features anti-motion artefacts that provide stability against motion during measurements. This medical tool also features different alarm settings, adjustable settings and comes with a user manual.

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What are the benefits of a pulse oximeter?

• Pulse oximeter devices can be an effective tool in high-altitude areas where oxygen levels are low. They may help monitor the oxygen saturation levels and identify hypoxemia early on. The National Library of Medicine suggests that besides hypoxemia, this medical device can help measure methemoglobin, carboxyhemoglobin levels, total haemoglobin and perfusion index.
• Using these devices may help to detect respiratory issues early on like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases and pneumonia. These conditions can lead to decreased oxygen saturation levels in the blood.
• By regular monitoring of your oxygen saturation levels before, after and during exercise, you can evaluate your fitness level. This can help you optimise the training routines and prevent overexertion.
• Tracking oxygen saturation levels over time may also help you stay informed about your health if you have any chronic conditions like heart diseases, sleep apnea, or lung disease.
• It may also provide information about the effectiveness of breathing interventions like ventilators.

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How to use a pulse oximeter?

The National Council of Aging suggests certain step that you must follow while using a pulse oximeter:

• Start by cleaning your fingernails. Remove nail polish, artificial nail tips, and jewellery.
• Warm your hands in case they are cold. Then take a rest for at least five minutes before measuring.
• Now, place the device on the fingertip of either your index finger or middle finger.
• Make sure that the medical tool feels snug yet comfortable.
• Keep your finger still for a minute and record the results for evaluation.
• Once you get the measurements, remove your finger.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

• Which finger is best for a pulse oximeter reading?

The index finger is considered as the right finger for a pulse oximeter reading. The LEPU Medical states that the middle finger is often used for the measurement as it has adequate blood flow and thick skin in the fingertip area.

• What is the normal level of oxygen by age?

According to the National Library of Medicine, the oxygen saturation level between 96 to 100 percent is considered normal at sea level, while a healthy person may have a lower oxygen saturation level at higher elevations. The study suggests that the measurement of the normal oxygen level displayed by a pulse oximeter is usually between 95 to 100 percent and below 90 percent indicates the situation of hypoxemia.

• What is SpO2 on a pulse oximeter?

The peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO2) on a pulse oximeter indicates the percentage of oxygen in your blood. A normal SpO2 reading on a pulse oximeter commonly ranges from 95 percent to 100 percent. If it indicates below 95 percent, you must visit your healthcare provider for better guidance and treatment.

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