The Best Pulse Oximeters to Buy Online, According to a Pulmonologist
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Before Covid, the last time you had contact with a pulse oximeter was during your annual health check or in the emergency room. But what exactly is a pulse oximeter and in what situation would a person need to use one at home?
A pulse oximeter is a small, chip-like clip-like device that uses light to quickly measure blood oxygen levels and pulse rate, also known as heart rate. Your pulse is the number of times your heart beats per minute, and it increases when you need more oxygen-rich blood to carry nutrients and energy to your muscles and cells. Oxygen saturation is a crucial measure of lung performance.
“A pulse oximeter measures the oxygen saturation of red blood cells and we use it to measure how well a person’s lungs are working and how well they can accept oxygen from the air they breathe,” says Dr Fady. Youssef, MD, board-certified pulmonologist, internist, and critical care specialist at MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center in Long Beach, California.
Covid sufferers may have an increased heart rate in response to fever or inflammation, as your heart works harder to pump more blood to all the different parts of your body. In severe cases, the infection travels down the airways to the lungs, making it harder for your lungs to deliver oxygen to the bloodstream. The Center for Disease Control suggests people seek medical attention when they experience overt symptoms such as “trouble breathing” and “persistent pain or pressure in the chest.” Depending on the severity of your case or if you are at higher risk of side effects due to advanced age or obesity, your doctor may recommend that you measure your vital signs at home with a pulse oximeter.
A pulse oximeter is handy for non-Covid conditions. For patients with lung disease or who use home oxygen concentrators to maintain healthy oxygen levels, Dr. Youssef says having a pulse oximeter at home can be helpful. A doctor will provide instructions on when and how to pick up and read a pulse oximeter, but Dr. Youssef provided us with what he considers a normal oxygen saturation range.
Read more: Best heart rate monitors
“For most healthy individuals, a healthy reading is probably above 94%, but we don’t worry as long as it’s not consistently below 90%.”
According to Dr. Youssef, not all pulse oximeters available for purchase online are legit. Pulse oximeters are FDA-approved medical devices, so you’ll want to check the FDA database to make sure the manufacturer and model number have been tested and approved for accuracy.
Fortunately, we have already done the work for you and compiled a list of the best pulse oximeters available on the market that are also FDA approved. If you have Covid or another medical condition that affects your lungs and want to monitor your oxygen saturation levels at home, check out the pulse oximeters below.
The best pulse oximeters
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