At NCOA, our mission is to improve the lives of older adults. One way we can that is by recommending resources that can help you live a healthier life. Home health devices, like home blood pressure monitors, pulse oximeters, continuous glucose monitors, and more, give you the important information you need to monitor and maintain your health.

We research home health devices to determine which ones can actually benefit older adults. We consult with physicians, nurses, and other health care providers to understand the home health monitoring devices they want their patients to use. Then, we start in-depth research for these devices, understanding their functionality, how they work, and what features are the most useful.

Next, we scour customer reviews, find the devices verified users love, learn where their pain points are, and find out what makes some devices stand out while others miss the mark. From there, we choose which devices meet enough criteria for testing.

How we rank and review blood pressure monitors

When it was time to select which blood pressure monitors to test and review, we focused on devices that inflate automatically and measure blood pressure using the upper arm (the American Heart Association states that wrist and fingertip devices provide less reliable readings. 

We ordered and tried eight of the top blood pressure monitors, comparing and scoring them on:

• Customer service (10% of score): Customer service is key to your experience with your blood pressure devices. Does the brand stand by its product with a warranty? Are they available if you have an issue or a question?
• Brand reliability (5% of score): We only recommend high-quality devices from companies that obtain the proper certifications for their blood pressure monitors and aren’t flash-in-the-pan brands that come and go on the market in just a few months.
• Features (25% of score): In our extensive research, we learn what features are critical to those using blood pressure monitors. Then, we evaluate and test to ensure those features perform how you want them to, like the usefulness of its mobile app.
• User experience (30% of score): We want to understand how easy it is to use your blood pressure monitor regularly. So we tested things like setting it up fresh out of the box, reading the device’s display, using its data storage, measurement tracking, and data sharing capabilities, and evaluating the monitor’s cuff fit, comfort, and size options.
• Affordability (30% of score): As part of our commitment to get products into the hands of older adults who need them, we recommend blood pressure monitors that are both high quality and affordable. We compare price and feature data to decide whether a blood pressure monitor’s price justifies its value. 

How we rank and review pulse oximeters

When it was time to select which pulse oximeters to test and review, we focused on reputable brands with devices that easily and accurately measure oxygen saturation. We prioritized fingertip devices whose primary function is to measure blood oxygen levels, though we did test one device intended for overnight use to monitor sleep apnea symptoms. We read reviews, researched FDA certifications or clearance, and prioritized third-party tested devices.

We ordered and tried a range of top pulse oximeters, comparing and scoring them on:

• Customer service (10% of score): We place a high value on responsive, reliable customer support. We look at whether each brand offers a meaningful warranty, how easy it is to reach their support team, and whether they provide helpful assistance when questions or issues arise.
• Brand reputation (5% of score): We only recommend pulse oximeters from reputable manufacturers. That means companies with a proven track record, relevant medical device certifications, and a history of producing safe, high-quality products.
• Features (25% of score): Our team identifies the most important features for users, such as app connectivity, real-time monitoring, or data sharing, and evaluates how well each device performs in these areas. A feature isn’t helpful unless it functions reliably in everyday use.
• User experience (30% of score): We assess how intuitive and user-friendly each pulse oximeter is, whether you use it daily or occasionally. Our tests include setup right out of the box, display readability, navigation, data storage, tracking tools, and how easily you can share readings with caregivers or clinicians.
• Affordability (30% of score): Accessibility is important to us and our readers. We prioritize pulse oximeters that offer a high value, balancing price with performance, quality, and features. Our goal is to recommend devices that are both effective and affordable for older adults and caregivers alike.