A good pulse oximeter can be a nurse’s best friend. In fact, next to the stethoscope, it’s arguably the most used tool for nurses in hospitals and doctor’s offices around the globe. Equipped with the best pulse oximeter, you can quickly and accurately measure the blood oxygen levels, heartrate, and other vitals of patients with the single press of a button.
Although any pulse oximeter will provide you with this valuable information, both you and your patients deserve the accuracy and convenience that only the best pulse oximeters can provide.
With decades of nursing experience and a sincere passion for helping nurses discover the very best of these nifty little devices, I’ve created this comprehensive pulse oximeter reviews guide to be your go-to resource for finding the very best oximeters being made today.
Our Top Recommended Pulse Oximeters
What Is The Best Pulse Oximeter?
Santamedical SM-110
If you’ve been reading review after review in search of a top-quality pulse oximeter that won’t burst your budget, you’ve likely found that the Santamedical SM-110 is the superior pulse oximeter for nurses in terms of features, popularity, and overall value. Considered by many as the most accurate finger pulse oximeter on the market today, the SM-110 is incredibly popular and deserving of a spot in any home or nurse’s handbag.
Like many pulse oximeters, the Santamedical SM-110 comes with a full one-year warranty and is made of highly safe and durable FDA-approved plastic. The reliable and comfortable fingertip oximeter also comes with a full one-year warranty, although its glowing reputation and reliable performance means you’ll probably use the SM-110 well beyond the warranty period.
Speaking of performance, the popular pulse oximeter is highly accurate and capable of measuring SpO2 from 35-99 percent and pulse rates from 30 up to 254 beats per minutes. With an easy to read LED display, self-shutoff feature, and 30-hour battery life as well, it’s designed to provide nurses with everything they need to easily and accurately measure the pulse and blood oxygen levels of a wide variety of patients.
Thanks to all of these features and a surprisingly low price tag, it’s easy to see why more and more nurses choose the SM-110 over any other pulse oximeter. Needless to say, if you’re on the hunt for the most accurate pulse oximeter and don’t want to break the bank, this popular model should be at the top of your list. Probably the best pulse oximeter for nurses.
- Highly accurate and reliable;
- Extremely popular;
- Very budget-friendly;
- Well-designed for both comfort and durability;
- One-year warranty;
- Lanyard, carry case, and batteries included.
- Even with self-shutoff feature, battery life is shorter than some models.
Conclusion
With so much to offer for such a low price, the Santamedical SM-110 truly is the best oximeter being made today. Trusted by physicians, widely used by nurses, and found in countless homes around the world, this popular pulse oximeter is tough to beat and hands down the best option for any nurse looking for the perfect combination of value and performance.
Best Pulse Oximeter For Home Use
Easy@Home Fingertip Pulse Oximeter
Are you looking for the best pulse oximeter for home use? With a name like Easy@Home, you can bet this fingertip pulse oximeter is one of the best oximeters for home use around, allowing anyone to easily take their SpO2 and pulse rate in a flash.
To do so, patients simply need to place their finger into the anatomically designed chamber. Within seconds, accurate SpO2 and pulse rate readings can be viewed in number form, bar graph, or plethysmograph with a simple press of a button. The graphs can even rotate for the easiest viewing possible.
Arguably the best finger pulse oximeter for home use, the Easy@Home is comfortable to wear and made of durable materials as well. In addition to its great design, the true beauty of this popular at-home pulse oximeter lies in its competitive price and wide-range of advanced features.
Not only does the Easy@Home show accurate readings within two percent in plethysmograph, bar graph, and number form, but it’s also equipped with a multi-directional OLED display, auto shut-off function, and adjustable brightness feature. Each of these makes taking at-home blood oxygen and pulse rate measurements easy as pie.
To top it all off, the affordable and wonderfully designed Easy@Home Fingertip Pulse Oximeter comes with a lifetime replacement guarantee. Talk about standing behind your product!
- Super easy to use;
- Measures both SpO2 and pulse rate with 98 percent accuracy;
- Adjustable brightness and auto shu-toff features;
- Comfortable and ergonomically designed;
- Looks great;
- Runs on AAA batteries that last for 1,000 readings or more;
- Lifetime product replacement guarantee.
- Affordable, but on the higher end of the price spectrum.
Conclusion
In all honesty, there are few if any pulse oximeters out there better suited for home use than the Easy@Home. With a great design, all of the features you and your patients need, and thousands of overwhelmingly positive finger pulse oximeter reviews, it’s hard to go wrong with this pulse oximeter. Probably the best pulse oximeter for home use.
Best Pulse Oximeter Reviews
Santamedical Generation 2 Fingertip Pulse Oximeter
If you’ve been reading pulse oximeter reviews in search of pulse oximeter for both your budget and everyday use, the Santamedical Generation 2 Fingertip Pulse Oximeter may be exactly what you’ve been looking for.
With updated internal electronics, it’s designed to quickly measure blood oxygen levels within two percent and pulse rates within three beats per minute. When you factor in its rock bottom price, medical-grade plastic construction, bright LED rotating display with bar and wave graph, low battery indicator, and auto-shutoff feature, it’s absolutely one of the best values on the market today.
- Comfortable, safe, and easy to use;
- Accurate within two percent;
- Very popular and reliable;
- Bright, easy-to-read display;
- Lightweight design;
- Newly upgraded electronics;
- Budget-friendly.
- Lightweight design makes it seem more fragile than others oximeters.
Conclusion
With an excellent design and so many features for such a low price, the Santamedical Generation 2 has some of the best pulse oximeter ratings you’re going to find anywhere. If you’re tired of hunting down pulse oximeters at work and want a great everyday model for yourself without breaking the bank, look no further than Santamedical’s Generation 2 Pulse Fingertip Pulse Oximeter.
Concord Pulse Oximeter Fingertip Blood Oxygen Saturation Monitor
The Concord Pulse Oximeter Fingertip Blood Oxygen Saturation Monitor is one of the best-selling pulse oximeters being made today, and for good reason.
In addition to its compact, lightweight design, this Concord is compatible with an array of finger sizes and capable of being used continuously for up to 30 hours. With a wide-range of features, such as auto-shutoff, a shockingly low price tag, and thousands of reviews from happy users and nurses just like you, it’s easy to see why this Concord is one of the best rated finger pulse oximeter options available.
Plus, it comes in four unique color options and a shock-resistant protective cover as well, so you can match it to your scrubs and use it reliably for months or even years to come. Talk about value!
- Accurately measures SpO2 levels;
- Compact, lightweight design;
- Easy to use;
- Lower power consumption and longer battery life;
- Very affordable;
- Four color options to choose from;
- Carrying case, lanyard, and shock-resistant cover included.
- Can be finicky and difficult to get accurate reading in less than ideal conditions.
Conclusion
This Concord is a top rated pulse oximeter for a reason. It’s inexpensive, accurate, easy to use, and designed to last a lifetime between battery replacements, making it a solid option for any nurse or respiratory therapist. If you’re tired of reading pulse oximeter review after review and simply want an inexpensive model that won’t let you down, the Concord Pulse Oximeter Fingertip Blood Oxygen Saturation Monitor just may be the one for you.
AccuMed CMS 50-DL Pulse Oximeter
If popularity is any indicator, the AccuMed CMS 50-DL Pulse Oximeter is by far the top pulse oximeter for sale today. What makes it so popular?
For starters, it’s priced lower than just about every other model out there. It’s also super reliable, accurate, constructed of medical-grade plastic, and designed to last for a whopping 40 hours between battery replacements, making it a great, easy-to-use option for any on-the-go nurse.
On the downside, the CMS 50-DL lacks the ability to show results in wave or graph form. However, its price combined with its digital LED display, push-button operation, dependable accuracy, and one-year warranty have definitely made it stand out from the crowd and gain thousands of rave pulse oximeter reviews in the process.
- Measures SpO2 and pulse rate with 99 percent accuracy;
- Very inexpensive;
- Easy-to-read digital LED display;
- Long battery life;
- Full one-year warranty;
- Carrying case, lanyard, and AAA batteries included.
- Lacks the bells and whistles of pricier models.
Conclusion
It may not be top pulse oximeter in terms of features, but the AccuMed CMS-50DL is a wonderful budget-friendly pulse oximeter for everyday clinical and personal use. With accurate readings and an easy-to-use design as well, it’s by far the most popular option on the market.
Acc U Rate Premium Fingertip Pulse Oximeter
The Acc U Rate Premium Fingertip Pulse Oximeter is another affordably priced option that has garnered more than its fair share of positive fingertip pulse oximeter reviews. It may not be the best fingertip pulse oximeter ever made, but this inexpensive Acc U Rate is accurate, well- made, and equipped with all of the features you need to quickly measure your patients’ pulse rates and blood oxygen levels with ease.
Like other top oximeters, it’s capable of providing accurate readings within seconds and features a large rotating LED display with number and waveform viewing options.
With automatic shutoff, a low power indicator, improved sensors, and quality medical-grade plastic construction as well, the Acc U Rate Premium Fingertip Pulse Oximeter lives up to its name and is definitely a premium oximeter in every sense of the word.
- Accurately measures both pulse rate and SpO2;
- Rotating dual-color OLED display with large numbers for easy viewing;
- Low power indicator and automatic shutoff;
- Long 30-hour battery life;
- Affordably priced;
- Protective case, lanyard, and batteries included.
- Looks and ergonomics could be improved.
Conclusion
There are dozens of fingertip pulse oximeters available to choose from. However, very few are as easy to read and use as this top-notch Acc U Rate. While it isn’t the absolute best portable pulse oximeter being made today, it has highly accurate sensors, a bright display with oversized numbers, and a bevy of great features, making it a great value and excellent buy for the money.
Innovo Deluxe Fingertip Pulse Oximeter with Plethysmograph and Perfusion Index
Next up, the Innovo Deluxe Fingertip Pulse Oximeter with Plethysmograph and Perfusion Index is designed with comfort and ease of use in mind. Equipped with all of the advanced features you could ask for, it screams quality in every way and is another contender for the great pulse oximeter crown.
In addition to providing you with SpO2 and pulse rate readings in number form on an easy-to-too rotating OLED display, it also comes with a plethysmograph and perfusion index, making it all the more accurate and even easier to use.
Made of medical-grade plastic and featuring advanced sensor technology as well, it’s pound for pound the best finger oximeter around.
- Measures SpO2 and pulse rate with 99 percent accuracy;
- Perfusion index and plethysmograph included;
- OLED display with adjustable brightness;
- Auditory alarm;
- Long battery life;
- Very well-priced.
- Protective carrying case not included.
Conclusion
Nearly all pulse oximeter reviews say the same thing: the Innovo Deluxe Fingertip Pulse oximeter excels in every way. With a low price tag, excellent ergonomic design, not one but three types of readings, and all of the most important features, it’s a wonderful option for any nurse, doctor, or respiratory therapist.
Innovo CMS 50F PLUS OLED Wrist Color Pulse Oximeter
If you’re keen on owning a more serious device and don’t mind spending more for it, the cutting-edge Innovo CMS 50F PLUS OLED Wrist Color Pulse Oximeter may be right up your alley.
The state-of-the-art oximeter features a full color LED display, built-in auditory and visual alarms for proper placement, low battery indicator, and rechargeable lithium battery. Unlike other options, this top rated finger pulse oximeter also comes with free data analyzation software and is capable of storing up to 24 hours of data.
Needless to say, if you take your work seriously and don’t mind spending a little more for the best of the best, the Innovo CMS 50F may have your name all over it.
- Cutting-edge features and design;
- Full color LED display;
- Data storage capabilities;
- Rechargeable lithium battery;
- Excellently constructed of medical-grade materials;
- Both visual and auditory alarms.
- More expensive than other options.
Conclusion
The Innovo CMS 50F is considered by many as the top pulse oximeter available for today’s nurses and nursing students. Although it costs more than other oximeters on this list, it more than makes up for it with its performance and has received plenty of positive oximeter reviews as a result.
MeasuPro Instant Read Digital Pulse Oximeter
Less expensive but equally impressive, the MeasuPro Instant Read Digital Pulse Oximeter is another best rated pulse oximeter any nurse would be glad to have at their station. Unlike most fingertip oximeters, which only show pulse rate and blood oxygen levels, it has a Perfusion Index as well, putting it ahead of the pack.
When it comes to accuracy, the MeasuPro isn’t a slouch either. In fact, it’s engineered to be 99 percent accurate and provide SpO2 readings from 70-100 percent. Its pulse rate accuracy is equally impressive, providing readings of +/- 1 BPM.
Made of medical-grade plastic and featuring a rubber padded finger cavity, the MeasuPro is safe, durable, and quite comfortable for patients as well. With a ton of other features, you’ll have to read the full finger oximeter reviews to learn more about this awesome little device.
- 99 percent accurate;
- Perfusion Index;
- Readings are taken and displayed in no time;
- Very comfortable to wear;
- Number, bar, and wave graph display options;
- Competitively priced.
- More detailed instructions would be nice.
Conclusion
If you do a pulse oximeter comparison, you’ll find the MeasuPro Instant Read Digital Pulse Oximeter more than stacks up against the competition in nearly every category. If you want one of the best oximeters our hard-earned money can buy but don’t mind spending a few more dollars for it, this is the oximeter for you.
Santamedical SM-240 OLED Finger Pulse Oximeter
If you’re in desperate search of the prime pulse oximeter for you, your patients, and your place of work, the Santamedical SM-240 OLED Finger Pulse Oximeter won’t let you down.
As a testament to its quality, it’s certified by the FDA and several other international regulatory bodies. Plus, it comes with a one-year warranty and 100 percent satisfaction guarantee. However, the quality of the oximeter means you won’t have to use either.
In terms of performance, it’s incredibly easy to use and provides SpO2 readings of +/- 2 percent and pulse rate readings of+/- 3 BPM. With simple push-button operation, low battery indicator, and an easy-to-read LED display with pulse signal strength and bar graph as well, the Santamedical SM-240 is backed by a name you can trust and has everything you need for daily use.
- Accurate readings;
- Excellent quality;
- Easy-to-read LED display;
- Simple pushbutton operation;
- Pulse signal strength and bar graph features;
- One-year warranty.
- Readings may be off briefly after sanitizing;
- A little pricier than some models.
Conclusion
Many pulse oximeter reviews recommend the Santamedical SM-240, and for good reason. While it costs a little more than other oximeters on this list, its quality and solid reputation is second to none.
Nonin Medical GO2 Achieve Personal Fingertip Pulse Oximeter
Looking for best pulse oximeter for nurses? The Nonin Medical GO2 Achieve Personal Fingertip Pulse Oximeter is great for nurses and arguably the best home pulse oximeter on the market.
Although it’s priced higher than other models, it’s made in the USA of superior quality materials, has excellent fingertip pulse oximeter ratings, and a popular choice for in the know nurses and respiratory therapists.
Unlike its competitors, this Nonin utilizes patented, clinically proven PureSAT technology, which makes it nearly as accurate as professional oximeters used in clinical environments. So, if you want a professional-quality pulse oximeter for a comparably lower price, the Nonin GO2 Achieve may be an excellent fit.
- Extremely accurate and well-made;
- Very comfortable and durable;
- Less finicky than other models;
- Made in the USA;
- Two-year warranty.
- While accurate, readings can take a little longer.
Conclusion
If you’re a dedicated nurse looking for the pulse oximeter best for you, chances are this Nonin is exactly what you need. Made in the USA and designed with accuracy in mind, it will provide you with years of accurate and trustworthy SpO2 and pulse rate readings.
Factors to Consider When Buying the Pulse Oximeter
Accuracy and Reliability
The surepior pulse oximeter can do much more than take a patient’s blood oxygen levels, but its primary purpose is to reliably take accurate SpO2 measurements. Therefore, the key to shopping for a good pulse oximeter is finding a model that consistently produces accurate results.
While most oximeters use similar measurement mechanisms, where and how they were manufactured plays a large role in their accuracy.
Most oximeters are accurate within three percent and are capable of taking readings in just a few seconds. However, as you can see from the pulse oximeter reviews above, some are up to 99 percent accurate, so make sure to check these stats when perusing fingertip oximeter reviews.
Just remember, the accuracy of a pulse oximeter is often affected by movement. Even the best oximeter in the world will take an inaccurate reading if a patient’s hand is trembling and shaking.
FDA Approval
As a class II device, pulse oximeters must be approved by the FDA in order to be sold in the US. While many of today’s pulse oximeters are certified by the FDA, you can verify an oximeter’s certification by entering the manufacturer’s name in the publicly available FDA Medical Device Data Base. Check out our pulse oximeter reviews fda approved above.
Ease of Use
When reading a finger pulse oximeter review, you should also keep your eye out for the device’s ease of use. As you know, fingertip pulse oximeters work by inserting a finger into a cavity with a sensor. To take a reading, you simply press a button. Although they are all easy to operate in this regard, some have larger displays and multiple ways of displaying data, making them easier to use than others.
Display Size & Readability
As mentioned, display size and readability are important factors in an oximeter’s ease of use. In addition to being large in size, a display should have large enough numbers to be seen in a wide-variety of lighting conditions.
Battery Life
If you’re a nurse or respiratory therapist, chances are you’ll be using your new pulse oximeter several times a day, day after day. Therefore, you should choose a model with as long of a battery life as possible. Most oximeters powered by AAA batteries have a minimum battery life of 30 continuous hours of use. More expensive models with lithium batteries are often rechargeable, so this is a non-issue.
Sensor Size
Whether you work in pediatrics and find yourself in need of informative pediatric pulse oximeter reviews or a General Practitioner who helps treat patients of all sizes, it’s important for their fingers to comfortably fit in the oximeter’s sensor. Although this is usually not an issue, if you do happen to work in pediatrics you should definitely keep sensor size in mind.
Price
Price isn’t exactly the most important consideration when shopping for a pulse oximeter, but it’s always a plus to find an accurate and reliable model for a reasonable price. Lucky for you, you don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars on a quality pulse oximeter as there are several surprisingly affordable options to choose from. Just remember, however, that like most things in life, you often get what you pay for. So, make sure not to sacrifice features and performance in the name of getting a good deal.
Best Pulse Oximeter Brands
Santamedical
Santamedical is one of today’s top pulse oximeter brands whose products consistently earn glowing pulse oximeters reviews from nurses just like you. IRoams Network, which makes a number of quality health products, owns Santamedical and is responsible for producing several of the best oximeters on the market today. One of the best oximeter brand.
MeasuPro
Founded in 2013, MeasuPro is a relatively new company making quite a name for itself in the healthcare industry. While the company’s products include everything from thermometers and scales to pedometers and blood pressure monitors, its pulse oximeters stand out as being incredibly accurate and reliable tools for smart nurses and respiratory therapists.
Innovo Medical
Also formed in 2013, Innovo Medical is quickly becoming an industry leader by developing innovative products that are easy to use and flat out perform. Innovo’s top-rated pulse oximeters are developed by a dedicated team of medical professionals, researchers, and engineers, garnering them a growing number of overwhelmingly positive pulse oximeter reviews.
Nonin Medical
A grandpa compared to the two previous brands, Nonin Medical was the inventor of the very first finger pulse oximeter, and it continues to make top-quality oximeters to this day. Unlike many companies, Nonin is a US brand with headquarters in Minneapolis, Minnesota. However, the medical giant is truly an international company with products being sold in over 125 countries around the globe.
Acc U Rate
Acc U Rate makes a number of excellent pulse oximeters designed for everyone from nurses to COPD patients and sports enthusiasts. That being said, the brand’s Premium Fingertip Pulse Oximeter is by far one of its best and one of the many reasons for its continued success.
Easy@Home
If you’re looking for a quality pulse oximeter that won’t disappoint, you can’t go wrong with an Easy@Home. The brand’s oximeters are known for being well-made and providing nurses and ordinary individuals with everything they need to quickly and accurately measure their pulse rate and blood oxygen levels.
Vive
Based in Naples, Florida, Vive is another popular brand that sells a wide-range of pulse oximeters, living aides, mobility, and physical therapy products. Each of its products are backed by minimum 60-day guarantees and feature modern yet highly functional designs.
Contec
Contec is a Chinese-based company founded in 1996 that focuses on researching and developing a wide-range of medical devices, such as blood pressure monitors, electronic sphygmomanometers, and pulse oximeters. As a testament to its focus on R&D, Contec holds over 100 national patents, keeping its customers at the forefront of innovation.
Concord
Located in Chicago, Concord is a family-owned company that makes quality products for nurses, doctors, and everyday guys and gals. With a reputation for making excellent, budget-friendly health and medical products.
Making The Decision
No pun intended, but if you’ve made it this far, take a deep breath and go ahead and give yourself a much-deserved pat on the back!
As you now know, there are a variety of pulse oximeters out there to choose from with different price tags, features, and levels of quality. While some are designed for athletes as a tool for maximizing their performance, the ones above are by far the best for nurses and individuals with breathing problems.
With ten great options to choose from, the key to finding the best one for you is considering your needs and budget. Sure, you could opt for a cheap oximeter with no warranty that ends up breaking in a week. However, for not much more, you could have one with a solid reputation and all of the features you could ask for.
The choice is ultimately yours. So, rather than dilly daddle around reading even more reviews from the far corners of the internet, think about what’s important to you, pick out your favorite model from the list above, and say goodbye to your pulse oximeter hunting days once and for all!
As someone with decades of nursing experience, trust me when I say you’ll be glad you did.
