{"id":286725,"date":"2026-03-25T11:32:52","date_gmt":"2026-03-25T11:32:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hilo.com\/?p=286725"},"modified":"2026-03-25T11:33:05","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T11:33:05","slug":"compare-bp-monitor-uk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hilo.com\/uk\/art\/compare-bp-monitor-uk\/","title":{"rendered":"Blood pressure monitor comparison 2026: A winner for every budget"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Hypertension is a global issue, affecting adults worldwide regardless of education, social standing and income. Fact: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.who.int\/news-room\/fact-sheets\/detail\/hypertension\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Over a billion people have high blood pressure worldwide<\/a> \u2013 more than double the number 40 years ago. And, this serious health condition is shifting from wealthy western countries to the developing world \u2013 it needs attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the UK, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bloodpressureuk.org\/news\/media-centre\/blood-pressure-facts-and-figures\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hypertension is a top health concern among medical professionals because<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It\u2019s responsible for more than half of all strokes and heart attacks, and is a known risk factor for heart disease, kidney disease and vascular dementia.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It\u2019s the third-biggest risk factor for all disease, after smoking and poor diet.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Roughly one in three adults in the UK has high blood pressure, with half of those undiagnosed and therefore not receiving treatment.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It rarely has any symptoms. The only way to know if you have it is to get your blood pressure measured.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>And measuring blood pressure is something the UK public isn\u2019t great at doing regularly. According to <a href=\"https:\/\/hilo.com\/uk\/bp-report-2025\/\">our recent report<\/a> investigating attitudes towards blood pressure, more than 70% of UK-based adults hadn\u2019t checked theirs in the previous month and almost one in five had gone more than 2 years without doing so, or could not recall when they had last measured it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Regularity of measurement was related to age, income and education: younger adults, people on lower incomes, and those with lower levels of completed education were less likely to have measured their blood pressure in the past month. However, a definite diagnosis was a key motivator: regardless of socioeconomic group, people with hypertension or with a family member who had been diagnosed were likely to measure blood pressure more regularly and make lifestyle changes for the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Furthermore, our proprietary user data revealed for the first time that individuals over the age of 50, who continuously monitored their BP using a <a href=\"https:\/\/hilo.com\/uk\/\">Hilo Band<\/a>, could defy the increase typically observed in older populations, which is extremely important in the fight against blood pressure and avoidable non-communicable disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, while nearly half of households owned a monitor, only a quarter took their last measurement at home, with most relying on a visit to the doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To help you be more proactive about your at-home measurements, this article will look at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.which.co.uk\/reviews\/blood-pressure-monitors\/article\/how-to-buy-the-best-blood-pressure-monitor-aO1yE0Z0vwVs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">best blood pressure monitors available on the market in the UK, according to Which?<\/a>, in December 2025. But before we do that, we\u2019ll have a quick look at the types of blood pressure monitor available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Wrist cuff vs upper-arm cuff: which is better?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Upper-arm cuffs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When it comes to measuring BP, the most commonly-used monitors are based around an arm cuff that comes in two forms: manual (near exclusively used by doctors) and digital. With the digital devices, <a href=\"https:\/\/hilo.com\/uk\/art\/how-to-use-a-blood-pressure-monitor\">users place a cuff around their upper arm<\/a> that automatically inflates and deflates at the press of a button, giving a result for blood pressure and, usually, a pulse rate. While most people are familiar with them and trust the numbers measured, handling them correctly requires users to follow <a href=\"https:\/\/www.heart.org\/en\/health-topics\/high-blood-pressure\/understanding-blood-pressure-readings\/monitoring-your-blood-pressure-at-home\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">a few guidelines<\/a>, which are often ignored. For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Don\u2019t smoke, drink caffeinated beverages or do exercise within the 30 minutes before measurement.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Make sure <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ics.org\/2019\/abstract\/365\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">you don&#8217;t need to go to the toilet<\/a>. It may sound surprising, but needing to urinate can skew your result.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Don\u2019t take a measurement over clothes.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have 5 minutes of quiet rest before measurement.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sit correctly. Your arm should be on a flat surface at heart level, the middle of the cuff should be placed on the upper arm at heart level, and the bottom of the cuff should be placed directly above the bend of the elbow on your bare skin.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Do not move, speak or look at your phone during the measurement.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Measure at the same time every day.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Take four measurements. The first one can be disregarded and an average taken of the remaining three, making sure you note down your numbers.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Wrist cuffs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Wrist monitors are a useful alternative to upper-arm cuffs. They work in a similar fashion to upper-arm cuffs, however the cuff is placed on the wrist so that it can measure BP from the radial artery. These devices are widely believed to be less accurate than the upper-arm cuffs, with an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rightdecisions.scot.nhs.uk\/scottish-health-technologies-group-shtg\/home-blood-pressure-monitoring-for-people-with-suspected-or-confirmed-hypertension\/?topic=scottish-health-technologies-group-shtg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">NHS Scotland panel of clinical experts<\/a> clarifying this. However, if you do need to use a wrist cuff,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/high-blood-pressure\/expert-answers\/wrist-blood-pressure-monitors\/faq-20057802\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> these guidelines should be followed<\/a> alongside those for the upper-arm cuff:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Place it directly over the wrist artery, where you can feel your pulse.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Don&#8217;t place it over clothes.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Keep your wrist at heart level.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be still during the test and don&#8217;t bend your wrist &#8211; bending your wrist can cause incorrect readings.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Hilo Band: a cuff-free alternative<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While cuffs are well-known and trusted among both patients and doctors, there is another type of clinically validated blood pressure monitor that has FDA approval as a medical device, as well as a Class IIa medical device CE mark in Europe \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/hilo.com\/uk\/\">the Hilo Band<\/a>. The difference with this device is that rather than using an inflatable cuff, it uses optical sensors (photoplethysmography, or PPG) to detect signals from your wrist. It then calculates your blood pressure using Pulse Wave Analysis (PWA), following a calibration with a Hilo Cuff (provided).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While inflatable cuffs require some degree of forward-planning, the Hilo Band is different. It\u2019s a lightweight bracelet you can wear 24\/7 that automatically takes multiple BP readings at different times of the day and night after initial set-up, with no special posture or manually logging your numbers required. The user-friendly app allows you to see your BP status, track progress week-by-week, and connect daily habits to outcomes, with data insights provided in an easy-to-interpret way that can be shared with your physician.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The best blood pressure monitors available on the market in the UK in 2026 (according to Which?)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Which? team <a href=\"https:\/\/www.which.co.uk\/reviews\/blood-pressure-monitors\/article\/how-to-buy-the-best-blood-pressure-monitor-aO1yE0Z0vwVs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">compiled an article<\/a> that considered the accuracy and simplicity of the most popular and widely-used BP monitors in the UK, alongside the quality of instructions, ease of set-up and rapidity of results. During testing, accuracy was compared against the AAMI\/ISO Universal standard and the British &amp; Irish Hypertension Society (BIHS) criteria. We\u2019ve taken the cheapest, the one in the middle and the most expensive and looked at their key credentials.*<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>* all prices are correct at the time of writing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Kinetik Wellbeing Automatic Blood Pressure Monitor TMB-1970<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Kinetik Wellbeing TMB-1970 was the cheapest one of two monitors reviewed from Kinetik, costing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.argos.co.uk\/product\/9503560\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a322.50 from Argos<\/a>. Key features included saving up to 90 measurements for one user, detection of an irregular heartbeat, an adjustable cuff and it was battery-operated. It also included a classification scale that allows the user to understand their measurement data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Omron M2+<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Omron M2+ was the mid-priced offering, costing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boots.com\/omron-m2-and-upper-arm-blood-pressure-monitor-10367003\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a339.99 from Boots<\/a>. Key features included saving up to 30 measurements for one user, an irregular heartbeat detector, movement detection (to avoid inaccurate measurements), a hypertension indicator, an adjustable cuff and battery-operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Withings BPM Connect<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Withings BPM connect was the most expensive monitor reviewed, costing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.boots.com\/withings-bpm-connect-wi-fi-smart-bloodpressure-monitor-10324116\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a3119.95 from Boots<\/a>. As reflected in the higher price point, this device offered more functionality compared to the cheaper options, with storage for multiple users, guest mode, irregular heartbeat detection, movement detection, hypertension indicator, smartphone-compatible, data averaging, date and time stamp, an adjustable cuff and it was rechargeable. According to the product description on the website, after data collection immediate colour-coded feedback is given, and it synchronizes to the free Health Mate app, where you can see all your data history and share it with your doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Overview of BP cuffs tested<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The cuffs tested by Which? were across a range of price-points, which was reflected in the functionality. While all are classified as medical devices and therefore have to adhere to strict rules around their development and accuracy of data, all require user input and forward-planning as explained earlier. In some instances, an app was able to link to the device to enable facile data interrogation and monitoring, as well as colour-coding the measurement based on recommendations from the European Society of Hypertension.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Hilo Band: Ease of monitoring leads to improved health outcomes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/hilo.com\/uk\/\">Hilo Band<\/a> is a lightweight wearable device that uses optical sensors to monitor blood vessels in your wrist, and then uses an algorithm to determine your blood pressure. After initial calibration, BP measurements are automatically taken when the in-built accelerometer notes that you\u2019ve been still for long enough, providing you with up to 25 data points per day. No need for cuff inflation or to follow special guidelines. Data generated are converted into user-friendly graphs by the Hilo app, allowing you to quickly see how your BP behaves night and day, as well as how any health interventions impact your BP measurements. It&#8217;s quick, easy, and empowers you to take control of your heart health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Monitoring BP can give a window into your health<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Regardless of whether you use a Hilo Band or an inflatable cuff, regularly monitoring your blood pressure can give excellent insights into your overall health and wellbeing. Furthermore, our proprietary data have shown that individuals who regularly engage with BP monitoring are able to halt, or even reverse, the increase of systolic blood pressure seen with age, which can give significant health benefits and reduce risk for serious medical events such as heart attack and stroke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Get the latest on blood pressure management. Sign up for our newsletter and receive expert insights and tips today!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"klaviyo-form-RCf4a6\" style=\"margin-bottom: 15px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Disclaimer: The information in this article is intended for educational purposes only and does not contain nor replace medical advice. If you suspect hypertension or are worried about your blood pressure, speak to your doctor. They can advise on the best way to effectively manage it.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sources<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Hypertension. World Health Organization. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.who.int\/news-room\/fact-sheets\/detail\/hypertension\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.who.int\/news-room\/fact-sheets\/detail\/hypertension<\/a> (Accessed January 2026)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Blood pressure facts and figures. Blood Pressure UK. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bloodpressureuk.org\/news\/media-centre\/blood-pressure-facts-and-figures\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.bloodpressureuk.org\/news\/media-centre\/blood-pressure-facts-and-figures\/<\/a> (Accessed January 2026)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A Nation Under Pressure: Uncovering the UK\u2019s Blood Pressure Divide. Hilo. <a href=\"https:\/\/hilo.com\/uk\/bp-report-2025\/\">https:\/\/hilo.com\/uk\/bp-report-2025\/<\/a> (Accessed January 2026)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hilo Band. Hilo. <a href=\"https:\/\/hilo.com\/uk\/\">https:\/\/hilo.com\/uk\/<\/a> (Accessed January 2026)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Best blood pressure monitors for home use in 2026. Which? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.which.co.uk\/reviews\/blood-pressure-monitors\/article\/how-to-buy-the-best-blood-pressure-monitor-aO1yE0Z0vwVs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.which.co.uk\/reviews\/blood-pressure-monitors\/article\/how-to-buy-the-best-blood-pressure-monitor-aO1yE0Z0vwVs<\/a> (Accessed January 2026)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Choosing The Right Blood Pressure Monitor. Hilo. <a href=\"https:\/\/hilo.com\/uk\/art\/how-to-use-a-blood-pressure-monitor\/\">https:\/\/hilo.com\/uk\/art\/how-to-use-a-blood-pressure-monitor\/<\/a> (Accessed January 2026)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Home Blood Pressure Monitoring. American Heart Association. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.heart.org\/en\/health-topics\/high-blood-pressure\/understanding-blood-pressure-readings\/monitoring-your-blood-pressure-at-home\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.heart.org\/en\/health-topics\/high-blood-pressure\/understanding-blood-pressure-readings\/monitoring-your-blood-pressure-at-home<\/a> (Accessed January 2026)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Losco, G.; Abbott, J.; Arnold, E.; English, S. (2019). Effect of bladder filling status on blood pressure and heart rate. ICS 2019, Gothenburg. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ics.org\/2019\/abstract\/365\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.ics.org\/2019\/abstract\/365<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Home blood pressure monitoring for people with suspected or confirmed hypertension. NHS Scotland. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rightdecisions.scot.nhs.uk\/scottish-health-technologies-group-shtg\/home-blood-pressure-monitoring-for-people-with-suspected-or-confirmed-hypertension\/?topic=scottish-health-technologies-group-shtg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.rightdecisions.scot.nhs.uk\/scottish-health-technologies-group-shtg\/home-blood-pressure-monitoring-for-people-with-suspected-or-confirmed-hypertension\/?topic=scottish-health-technologies-group-shtg<\/a> (Accessed January 2026)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Wrist blood pressure monitors: Are they accurate? Mayo Clinic. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/high-blood-pressure\/expert-answers\/wrist-blood-pressure-monitors\/faq-20057802\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/high-blood-pressure\/expert-answers\/wrist-blood-pressure-monitors\/faq-20057802<\/a> (Accessed January 2026)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn what to look for when buying a home-use blood pressure monitor<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":224881,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[152,164],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-286725","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-art","category-health-tech"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hilo.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/286725","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hilo.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hilo.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hilo.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/18"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hilo.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=286725"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/hilo.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/286725\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":286970,"href":"https:\/\/hilo.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/286725\/revisions\/286970"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hilo.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/224881"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hilo.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=286725"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hilo.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=286725"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hilo.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=286725"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}