Any Deals on a Decent Blood Pressure Monitor at The Moment?

PlasticSpaceman on 20/03/2019 - 14:04

So, as per the subject - anyone noticed any deals on a decent blood pressure monitor at the moment? I have my heart set (yes, I went there) on the Withings BPM Core (https://www.withings.com/it/en/bpm-core) when that becomes available, although at an estimated RRP of US$249 it is going to cost a small fortune here. It would be nice to automatically load in the readings with my withings scale though. Amazon currently have the older version for around $149 delivered, but with an up to 2 month delivery estimate which sucks. I tried price matching at the local Myers, but the best they could do was $168. Frankly I can get an Omron Evolv off eBay for around the $150 mark (although import which apparently means it needs to use the US app!), so it seems silly to pay so much for the older Withings.

So my plan is to get something cheap, but as accurate as possible, to use for the next year or so until the Withings BPM Core is released and is potentially discounted. I will in the meantime (the horror) manually add the readings into the withing app.

Have had a look around, and Omron has a good reputation but the cheapest I've seen one of the basic units has been around the $80 mark for an Omron 7121 on eBay, but that's with a standard cuff that tops out at 32cm so I'd need to pay an extra $20 or so for the larger cuff. Oh, FWIW I don't want a wrist based unit monitor (general consensus is they can be hard to get accurate/consistent readings with, and struggle with accuracy due to blood pressure readings usually being higher when taken from the wrist), and I'll need an arm cuff that will fit around my 34cm or so arm…

So requirements are:

  • Sub $100 budget - anything more than that then I might simply go the older Withings BPM or Omron Evolv.
  • Upper arm based monitor, not wrist
  • Cuff to suit 34cm arm
  • Decent accuracy/consistent readings
  • Bluetooth to an app nice, but optional
  • Irregular heartbeat/movement detection nice, but optional
  • Averaging of 3 readings really nice, but optional
  • Won't claim on health insurance (will try to use that on the Withings BPM Core instead)

I've seen that on Amazon there are all sorts of units such as https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B077YMCZKV ($30) and https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B07C14MY35/ ($50) that have decent reviews….. should I bother, or just fork out the extra for an Omron? Oh, I also have access to Costco - I haven't checked the local Costco recently to see what they have…..

Health & Beauty Blood Pressure Monitor

Comments

  • Fergy1987 on 20/03/2019 - 14:13
    +1

    I go to a bulk bill doctor - total cost $0

    I've also never seen someone so excited to get a blood pressure monitor :P

    • PlasticSpaceman on 20/03/2019 - 14:20

      So sue me. I'm a geek. ;-)

      But yeah - that's what I've done up until now, but my last few readings there have been high so have been put on meds. But I suspect it's possible they are high at the quack because I walk there and they rarely give me enough time to settle down properly before I have the reading done. I'd like to do them regularly in the morning/evening and track over time properly rather than once every 6 months or so…. Assuming I'm right and my blood pressure is actually ok then it could save me $20/month in medication…. frankly if I'm right, the meds could also end up making my blood pressure too low….

  • [Deactivated] on 20/03/2019 - 15:57
    +2

    I just asked my neighbour who works in a pharmacy which has a blood pressure monitor available for use by the public - apparently, most pharmacies do.

    Their best selling monitor is the Omron HEM7121 which usually retails for approx. $120 however you can find it on sale at times for around $80.

    • PlasticSpaceman on 20/03/2019 - 16:37

      Thanks - yes, that's the one I've seen on eBay. I would need to get the larger cuff as the default on the Omron devices is too small for me, which bumps the price over the $100 mark even when on special…..

  • thatonethere on 20/03/2019 - 17:42
    +1

    Check your private health insurance pds. I was able to claim $50 for my monitor.

    • PlasticSpaceman on 20/03/2019 - 17:48

      Yup - my current insurance doesn't cover it. I plan to change soon to one that does cover it, but in any case most only allow you to claim once every three years or so, so that's why I plan to get something cheap now and (possibly - if I still want/need one) the more expensive monitor later.

  • altomic on 20/03/2019 - 18:33
    +1

    i bought one for a family member who was suffering from postural drop/hypotension. she was frequently hospitalised so we tested it against the hospital owned one. it was bang onaccurate. (family member was also a nurse so understood how this stuff works).

    it was ~$20 delivered from aliexpress

    similar to this one https://m.aliexpress.com/item/32895883191.html

    • PlasticSpaceman on 20/03/2019 - 20:24

      Thanks - I like the fact it can use micro usb to power it.

  • PlasticSpaceman on 21/03/2019 - 11:32

    FWIW I went into local Costco, and they had the Omron HEM-7270 (with 22-42cm cuff) for $114.99 - not too bad, but I think I'll probably go the cheapie route and take it to the quack sometime to calibrate it.

  • Leadfoot6 on 22/01/2023 - 17:42

    Are there any more recent purchase experiences of blood pressure monitors?

    I am more interested in cheaper versions of any brand, as I don't have health insurance.

    • Leadfoot6 on 31/01/2023 - 18:32

      I just answered my own question.
      Aldi has a "budget" BPM for $35 this week.
      VISAGE.
      It seems to work well enough.
      It has a USB port, but no cable supplied.
      4 AAA batteries are included, as is a medium/large cuff.
      12 month warranty.

  • Thatbargainhunter on 22/01/2023 - 22:47

    Just get an Omron for accuracy.

  • Leadfoot6 on 23/01/2023 - 00:28

    The cheapest brand new Omron sold from Australia on eBay is $65, which is a bit much for me.
    Has anyone had success with cheaper brands.
    I can always compare accuracy by taking a functioning unit to my doctors to compare calibration.

  • serbpie on 18/04/2023 - 06:39

    Still looks like theres some activity and interest in the thread.. wondering if anyone managed to find a BPM that comes with a large or extra large cuff for 42+ cm upper arm?

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