The 9 Best Pulse Oximeters for At-Home Use

A quick look at the best pulse oximeters

• Best pulse oximeter for fast results:Oxiline Pulse 7 Pro
• Best basic or simple pulse oximeter:SantaMedical Generation 2 Fingertip
• Best ear clip pulse oximeters:Nonin 8000Q2 Reusable Ear Clip Sensor
• Best fingertip pulse oximeter:Innovo Premium iP900AP Fingertip
• Best pulse oximeter for kids:霍普金斯手持
• Best pulse oximeter with alarm:Innovo Deluxe iP900AP Fingertip
• Best forehead sensor for pulse oximeters:Covidien Nellcor SpO2 Forehead Sensor with OxiMax
• Best pulse oximeter for continuous monitoring:Philips WristOx2 Wrist-Worn Pulse Oximeter
• Best pulse oximeter during exercise:iHealth Air Wireless Fingertip Pulse Oximeter

Pulse oximeters for use at home aren’t new, but as COVID-19 continues to make health and safety a top priority, more people are looking for ways to manage their health.

Below is a comprehensive guide of pulse oximeters — including what a normal read looks like and how to choose the best product for your needs.

How do pulse oximeters work?

A pulse oximeter (or a “pulse ox” for short) is a device used to measure heart rate and oxygen levels in the body. They are usually found in a hospital or clinical setting, but at-home or consumer electronic versions are available online.

What do pulse oximeters do?

Julie Chen,MD, an internal medicine specialist in California, explains, “One can use a pulse oximeter at home to measure your oxygenation, or at a clinic (or at hospitals) to monitor how much a person is oxygenating, and if blood is saturated enough with oxygen.”

How do pulse oximeters measure blood oxygen levels?

Brooklyn, New York-based physical therapistChaim Backman, PT, EMT, says, “Pulse oximeters work by shining a light through the finger (or earlobe), and then measuring the reflection of the light beam to see how much light passes through, or gets reflected away from the sensor on the other side. Then, using a mathematical equation, oximeters are able to calculate how much oxygen is in the blood.”

What’s a healthy pulse oximeter measurement?

According to Backman, a normal read from a pulse ox falls within the range of 98 to 99 percent.

Anything below 90 percent indicates something more serious and needs to be addressed urgently, he adds.

Who should use pulse oximeters?

John Hill, RRT, of pulmonary services at Deborah Heart and Lung Center in New Jersey, says those living with chronic heart andrespiratory conditionsbenefit most from using a pulse oximeter.

“Patients who have lung or heart conditions, including those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] and asthmatics, and those with allergies, benefit from monitoring their oxygen levels,” Hill explains.

Vicken Zeitjian, MD, acardiovascular specialistat UT Health in San Antonio, adds that COVID-19 has also increased the demand for pulse oximeters lately, as it’s a respiratory-borne illness that affects oxygenation status.

“COVID-19 is a respiratory-borne illness, and admission to the hospital is often based on oxygenation status,” Zeitjian says. “While the virus may be present with a variety of symptoms, what should prompt someone to go to the hospital is an oxygen saturation of below 90 percent.”

How accurate are pulse oximeter readings?

Chaim explains to Healthline that most at-home pulse oximeters provide accurate readings to users. But he warns that the accuracy of pulse oximetry readings can be influenced by a variety of factors.

What affects pulse oximeter readings?

For starters, nail polish color and decals can affect readings, as can acrylic or gel nails.

“Nail polish can affect pulse oximeter readings if it absorbs light at 660 nm [nanometers] or 940 nm of light,” Zeitjian explained. “This is specifically seen in black, green, and blue nail polish. Also, keep in mind that artificial acrylic nails may also affect the accuracy of pulse oximeter readings.”

Additionally, Chen suggests that the following can affect the accuracy of readings:

• anemia
• low blood pressure
• skin with more pigment
• low body temperature
• intravascular dyes, which are used at a hospital for certain tests

“Dark skin and intravascular dyes in the blood cause the sensor to have difficulty in reading oxygenation, as the coloring makes it harder to read,” Chen explains.

“Low blood pressure means blood volume, and anemia means fewer blood cells, which makes the sensor have a harder time seeing the data,” says Chen. ”Similarly, low body temperature also makes blood vessels constrict, making it hard to read as well.”

What types of pulse oximeters are available?

Board-certified internistJaydeep Tripathy, MBA-MPH, PhD, says pulse ox probes or sensors can be attached to the finger, nose, ear, toes, and forehead.

The most accurate readings usually occur when the pulse ox is clamped to the finger, specifically the middle finger, as opposed to other body parts, he adds.

However, in a clinical setting, pulse ox probes tend to differ, according to board-certified internal medicine specialistSpencer Kroll, MD, PhD.

“Hospital-based pulse oximeters are linked to machines that measure blood pressure and temperature, and can be linked to a simultaneous measurement of a patient’s heart rhythm,” Kroll says.

“Home-based pulse oximeters only measure the pulse oxygenation and the heart rate, while hospital systems are able to provide a printout of readings,” he adds. ”However, some pulse oximeter accessories can now be linked to smartphones, and can save data for later printout.”

How to choose

When shopping for at-home pulse oximeters, Zeitjian says there are many brands to choose from.

“Pulse oximeters that are labeled ‘for medical use’ and ‘FDA approved’ are what you should be looking for when purchasing,” Zeitjian advises. “These can be spotted on products found at stores such as CVS, Walgreens, and Target. Most pulse oximeters also measure your heart rate, which is also a plus to many.”

Products to shop

Now that you know how to shop forat-home pulse oximeters, below are nine expert-approved products to keep on your radar, whether you’re using one for yourself or for your loved ones.

Pricing guide

• $= under $30
• $$= $30-$70
• $$$= over $70

Best pulse oximeter for fast results

Oxiline Pulse 7 Pro

• Price:$$

The Oxiline Pulse 7 Pro is a small, oval-shaped device that hinges open to enclose your finger. It comes with free shipping, a lifetime warranty, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

“This pulse oximeter is FDA-cleared, and features great nanosensors with high-level detection,” according to Chen. “Both units from the brand [Pulse 7 Pro and Pulse 9 Pro] are also able to provide results in a short time frame, which can be useful to users on a time crunch.”

Best basic or simple pulse oximeter

SantaMedical Generation 2 Fingertip

• Price:$

This device fits onto your finger and measures your blood oxygen level, pulse rate, and changes in blood flow. Your blood oxygen and pulse are displayed as numerical values and your blood flow will show up as a waveform.

“The SantaMedical Generation 2 pulse oximeter is available for a reasonable price, and has a unique auto shut-off feature after 10 seconds,” Chen explains. “This oximeter also features only one button for ease of use and just requires AAA batteries to power it.”

Best ear clip pulse oximeter

Nonin 8000Q2 Reusable Ear Clip Sensor

• Price:Varies

Looking for a sensor that doesn’t require access to your hands? This clip-on option attaches directly to your earlobe. The brand notes that it is designed to deliver accurate measurements even with dark skin tones.

“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,” Chen tells Healthline. “However, I generally don’t recommend ear pulse oximeters, since they are usually more expensive and less easy to use.”

Best fingertip pulse oximeter

Innovo Premium iP900AP Fingertip

• Price:$$

“Like a thermometer, I do recommend that my patients have a portable pulse ox handy as part of their essentials,” says board-certified internistChristine Bishara, MD. “However, patients should always consult with their doctors on their specific medical problems and use of a portable home-use pulse oximeter before purchasing.”

Innovo’s iP900AP pulse ox is available in two models, both of which made the list. The Premium shares the same features and construction for fingertip use with visual and numeric readouts on an OLED display. If you don’t need an alarm feature, the Premium iP900AP may work well for you.

Pulse oximeter for kids

霍普金斯手持

• Price:$$$

This device has three programs for different age groups: infant, pediatric, and adult. It comes with a 2-year warranty and the AA batteries needed to power it.

“This handheld pulse oximeter can easily be put around soles or palms on children,” Chen says. “However, keep in mind that they are more expensive than oximeters that are used on the finger or toes.”

Oximeter with alarm

Innovo Deluxe iP900AP Fingertip

• Price:$

“This pulse oximeter has an alarm (which can be muted) and six different layout options,” Chen says. “It’s also ready to use out of the box, as it only requires AAA batteries to power it.”

The main difference between the two Innovo iP900AP models is that this one, the Deluxe, has an alarm.

Best forehead sensor for pulse oximeters

Covidien Nellcor SpO₂ Forehead Sensor with OxiMax

• Price:$$$

Another product that doesn’t require access to your hands or arms, this pulse oximeter takes its readings from your forehead using an adhesive pad.

“Covidien has an oximeter that contains forehead pulse attachments,” says Chen. “However, oximeters like these are more expensive, and require a tabletop system in order to get a full reading.”

Continuous monitoring

Philips WristOx2 Wrist-Worn Pulse Oximeter

• Price:Varies

Philips says the WristOx2 model provides long lasting battery life and enhanced memory, which could allow more data to be collected.

“Continuous monitoring should really be reserved for a hospital setting only,” Bishara explains. “This is because pulse ox readings should always correlate with clinical findings that are closely monitored in this type of setting. However, Philips offers continuous monitors for hospitals, as well as portables for patient use.”

Best pulse oximeter during exercise

iHealth Air Wireless Fingertip Pulse Oximeter

• Price:$$

This iHealth oximeter can help you keep track of your oxygen levels and heart rate during physical activity. It can even link to your smartphone to display your oxygen saturation levels, pulse rate, and pulse strength.

你可以将你的结果在自由城MyVitals app to see trends over time. The oximeter comes with a lanyard and a micro-USB for charging. It requires one lithium-ion battery.

The top products compared

Frequently asked questions

Which pulse oximeters are FDA-approved?

There are several pulse oximeters that are FDA-approved, including theOxiline Pulse 7 Pro. Getting a prescription oximeter that is approved by the FDA for medical use ensures the product’s been vetted for accuracy.

There are many over-the-counter options available that aren’t subject to FDA approval , though. These shouldn’t be used as medical devices.

What pulse oximeters do hospitals use?

While specific products vary by the hospital and its requirements, many hospitals use pulse oximeters created by the following medical manufacturers: Nonin, Philips, Masimo, Innovo, SantaMedical, or Veridian.

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?

A fingertip pulse oximeter cannot diagnose coronavirus.

However, if you notice that your oxygen level is reading low on an over-the-counter pulse oximeter, consult your doctor right away. If a low oxygen level reading is accompanied by serious symptoms, like shortness of breath, confusion, or chest pain, seek immediate medical attention.

The takeaway

In short, pulse oximeters are used to monitor oxygen levels in the blood. Those with underlying respiratory and heart conditions benefit most from using these devices, as well as those with COVID-19.

When using a pulse oximeter, look for a healthy range between 98 and 99 percent. A reading under 90 percent requires immediate medical attention.

When shopping for pulse oximeters, look for labels that guarantee safety and efficacy. Similarly, while there are many oximeters available for purchase, it’s best to stick with those that are attached to the fingertips, as they’re often the easiest to use.