Best Pulse Oximeters for Home Use in India – Review & Buying Guide

The best pulse oximeters can quickly and easily detect the oxygen saturation levels in the body. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is recommended that a pulse oximeter be used to monitor SpO2 levels. While an oximeter cannot determine whether a person is COVID positive, it can aid in the early detection of hypoxemia, which is one of the primary COVID-19 symptoms that causes breathing problems.

Pulse oximetry is a technology that measures the oxygen levels in the blood as well as your heart rate in people with COPD, asthma, Congestive Heart Failure, and other heart-related conditions. Apart from these patients, this oxygen saturation device is also useful for mountain climbers, athletes, pilots, and all the persons who go to high-altitude areas. As a result, to obtain accurate information about your heart condition, you should purchase the best pulse oximeter.

Health professionals use a pulse oximeter to measure the oxygen saturation of hemoglobin in the blood without having to draw a blood sample. Hemoglobin is a blood protein that carries oxygen. Oxy-hemoglobin is the name for when oxygen is bound. When it is not bound, it is called deoxy-hemoglobin. A pulse oximeter measures how much hemoglobin is in Oxy-hemoglobin.

According to one study, cardiac diseases killed more Indians (around 28 percent) than any other disease in 2016. As a result, in certain emergencies, a pulse oximeter can help save a patient’s life by providing information about his or her heart condition. Choosing the best pulse oximeter is just as important as finding the right life partner.

There are many local brands available in the market in India that are useless and are copying the design of pulse oximeters from other reputable brands, making it difficult to choose the best pulse oximeter for home use in India or the Best Pulse Oximeter Brand in India. However, in this article, we conducted extensive research on the best pulse oximeters for home use in India so that you can easily select one of them.

However, before you choose a pulse oximeter, we recommend that you read the buying guide for the best pulse oximeter for home use in India. In this buying guide, we explain everything you should think about before purchasing a pulse oximeter on the market.

What is a Pulse Oximeter?

Oxygen is necessary for a person’s survival. When oxygen levels drop and are not corrected it can lead to severe brain damage, comas, and even death. Pulse oximetry measures the amount of oxygen that is carried by your blood cells to the rest of your body.

An oxygen saturation monitor is very important reading for people who have lung diseases or other breathing disorders that require them to be on supplemental oxygen. A pulse oximeter can help in this situation. It makes sure that the readings are correct to keep these patients alive.

Types of Pulse Oximeter

There are three types of machines used for oximetry. These machines are hooked to external body parts such as the earlobe or finger for an accurate reading.

• A finger pulse oximeter is often used at home to measure a patient’s oxygen level. You simply attached the oximeter to the tip of the finger to get a readout of the oxygen level. The oximeter has a tiny computer and screen. These are the easiest machines to use however if the patient’s hand or finger is damaged or his blood flow is slow because of clots or another injury then you may not get an accurate reading and need to choose another method.
• A handheld pulse oximeter is used in most hospitals. It works similarly to the fingertip pulse oximeter and can be attached to the finger or the earlobe. It has a more versatile clip and attaches to a computer. This is often used in cases where the patient has little blood flow, as the earlobe is so close to the brain that it very seldom has restricted blood flow.
• A fetal pulse oximeter measures the oxygen level of a fetus. It is very important to know the oxygen level, especially during labor. It is extremely difficult to use a traditional method to do this before the baby is born so the fetal pulse oximeter was invented. The probe is inserted into the birth canal and attached to the baby’s scalp. One of the greatest benefits of the fetal oximeter is that it measures the baby’s heartbeat as well.

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Limitations of Pulse Oximeter

Even with a pulse oximeter measuring spo2, there are limitations as to what it can accomplish. Nothing is foolproof and there are a few things that can cause the reading to be wrong even if you are on a blood oxygen level monitor.

Pulse oximeters can’t detect if enough blood is getting to the tissues. Poor perfusion occurs in cases like hypotension also known as low blood pressure. It also occurs in hypovolemia, which is low blood volume among other conditions. The reduction in blood flow causes the meter to read wrong or not at all.

Skin color is also a consideration when using a pulse oximeter. They tend not to pick up on darker-colored skin. You should always try to attach the oximeter to the earlobe or fingertip, which has a lighter skin tone.

When taking pulse oxygen it is best if the patient is warm. This can be accomplished by covering them with blankets. If the patient is cold and shivering, the oximeter can’t pick up the reading because it depends on the pulsation of the arterial blood flow to provide accurate readings.

Nail polish or fake fingernails can also mess with the reading of the pulse oximeter. The meter senses light wavelengths and anything that interferes with that causes an inaccurate reading. It is best either to have the patient remove the nail polish before the reading or to attach the pulse oximeter to the ear lobe instead.
Normal hemoglobin ranges from 11 to 18g/dl. Persons that have anemia can cause the oximeter not to read accurately. Anemia is a hemoglobin deficiency that causes the ranges to fall below normal. Other options should be explored in cases where a patient has anemia.
Several factors can lead to an inaccurate reading and these machines should not be used on people with asthma or sleep apnea. Persons that have cold hands, weak pulse, advanced age, or poor placement of the oximeter can also lead to false results.

Brands and Reviews

There are quite a few medical, online like Amazon and retail shops where you can find these oximeters and a few different brands. It is best of course to consult your doctor before trying any brand of oximeter as he can examine you to find what the underlying cause of your problem is. He can also see if a home blood oximeter is right for you.

Advantages of using a Pulse Oximeter

There are many advantages to using a pulse oximeter both in a clinical setting and at home. Earlier, the only way to measure, an arterial oxygen level was by taking blood from an artery. This was time-consuming and could be dangerous.

The invention of oximeters has made it unnecessary except for when the patient is in extreme distress or in an emergency.

It has made it easier for health care providers to treat patients and is much less time-consuming and invasive. Oximeters are fast and can take patients’ Spo2 levels in a few seconds. They are not invasive to the patient at all and they give reliable results in most cases.

At home, an oximeter keeps a check on the patient’s levels and makes it easier for them as they don’t have to run back and forth to the doctor to have their oxygen levels measured.

List of Best Pulse Oximeters for Home Use in India

Dr. Trust products promote good health and wellness through the use of cutting-edge technology, and doctors, healthcare professionals, and home users rely on them. Dr. Trust’s Series Finger TipPulse Oximeter is the first on the list. This newly upgraded 

Dr. Trust finger pulse oximeter is a low-cost, accurate way to measure pulse rates and blood oxygen saturation levels. This is one of the best pulse oximeters for medical professionals available in the market.  

This pulse oximeter from Dr. Trust accurately calculates your blood oxygen saturation level, perfusion index, respiratory rate, pulse rate, and pulse bar graph. Designed to withstand an accidental splash of water, among other things.

The BPL Smart Oxy Finger Tip Pulse Oximeter is ranked second on our list. In the field of medical technology, BPL provides high-quality precision measuring instruments. This BPL pulse oximeter has six different display modes and four different direction displays. It monitors blood oxygen levels, pulse rate, and the perfusion index graph. The finger pulse oximeter has a technology to detect the changes in your blood oxygen level to check how well your heart is pumping O2 through your body.

This pulse oximeter PO-30 from the Beurer is a lightweight device that is used to monitor the oxygen saturation level, heart rate (pulse frequency) of the patient. This small and easy-to-carry device is perfect for heart patients, athletes, pilots, mountain climbers, and all the persons who go on high altitudes. The use of oximeters is easy in our daily life due to their compact size.

The Hesley Finger Pulse Oximeter is ideal for measuring SpO2 and pulse rate immediately. Because of its lightweight and small size, the unit can easily be carried in your pocket. When a finger is removed from the pulse oximeter for more than 5 seconds, the device automatically turns off. Even in low-light conditions, the LED Display can be seen.

Newnik Pulse Oximeter PX701 is useful in taking readings of SpO2, pulse rate(PR) and pulse strength(PI), Plethysmogram. You only need a few seconds to check these levels at any time. This pulse oximeter is FDA and CE certified, making it reliable and accurate.

Video on How to use The Best Pulse Oximeters

A comprehensive video that has a detailed explanation of How to use a Pulse Oximeter? is included below.

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Buying Guide for Best Pulse Oximeters for Home use in India

You can easily monitor medical conditions like your heart rate, blood flow, and oxygen saturation level using a pulse oximeter in the comfort of your own home, so it should be very accurate. As a result, it is critical to choose a device that displays accurate information. As a result, make sure to take into account all of the factors listed below.

Accuracy

Accuracy is the most important factor to consider before purchasing any gadget or equipment, and it is especially important in the case of a pulse oximeter because it measures heart rate, blood flow, and oxygen saturation level. As a result, to accurately diagnose them, your pulse oximeter must be accurate.

You should look at the oximeter’s error percentage perfusion index. Remember that a lower perfusion index oximeter is preferable. As a result, it is best to purchase an oximeter from a reputable brand with the advice of your doctor.

Display and Readability

Because the oximeter is a small device, it has a small display to show the data. As a result, choose an oximeter with a larger display and different ways of arranging data so that you can select an arrangement that is comfortable for you.

Screen

The next factor to consider before purchasing an oximeter is the screen type. The oximeter’s screen should be crystal clear so that you can get accurate information about your health.

Nowadays, most oximeters have a backlit display and a variety of color options. This feature allows you to select the best combination for you. While some oximeter models include a brightness adjustment feature, allowing you to take readings in any lighting condition.

As a result, we recommend that you select a display with a variety of backlit and color options.

Warning System and Alarms

Alarms and warning systems play an important role in obtaining accurate readings. All oximeters include warning systems, but the main question is what kind of warning systems an oximeter has. Almost all oximeters include an audio warning system with pre-set or adjustable warning limits.

There are three main warning systems to look out for: irregular heartbeat, low SpO2, and low battery.

Response Time

In general, the oximeter takes about 30 seconds to display the readings, but modern oximeters only take about 10 seconds. However, there isn’t much of a difference in the results. It is not a big deal because 30 seconds is not a long time.

Durability

When purchasing a pulse oximeter, one of the most important factors to consider is durability. A durable device can easily withstand a shock if it is dropped by accident. In general, a durable device can withstand any type of shock and continue to function even if it comes into contact with water. Humidity is the most common cause of incorrect readings or device failure.

Because an oximeter gives you a reading of your medical condition, not purchasing a long-lasting oximeter puts your life in danger.

Some oximeters have silicone covers to protect them from scratches or damage while in use, while others have ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) covers to make them even more durable.

Battery

If you have any health issues, you should check your health regularly. Even if you are on vacation or traveling, you must take blood flow, pulse rate, oxygen saturation level in the blood, and other measurements. As a result, the oximeter you intend to purchase should have a powerful battery so that you will not have any difficulty using it in an emergency.

To take readings all the time, you should choose a model with lithium batteries that are rechargeable, even if they are expensive, or you can buy a cheaper model that can provide at least 30 hours of operation.

Portability

People who need to monitor their heart rate, blood flow, or O2 saturation in the blood usually carry a portable oximeter with them, and some sportsperson also keeps it with them. As a result, in this case, the oximeter should be portable and easily stored in a bag or pocket.

Check that the oximeter you intend to buy is lightweight and portable. The majority of brands include a pouch or case in which to store the oximeter.

Additional Features

Although this is not a critical factor in oximeter selection, it has a direct impact on the oximeter’s performance and makes it a user-friendly device.

Auto Shut off

This feature will aid in the conservation of the oximeter’s battery by shutting it down after a predetermined period of inactivity. This feature will extend the oximeter’s battery life.

History Auto Saving

This feature will assist you in keeping track of your medical condition regularly. You can easily review your previous records and compare them to your current readings. As a result, you can keep track of your health status regularly.

Price and Brand

Make sure to buy an oximeter from a reputable brand rather than a local brand. Reputable brands provide excellent after-sales service, have a good reputation, and have excellent built quality, among other benefits.

Make sure to buy an oximeter from a reputable brand rather than a local brand. Reputable brands provide excellent after-sales service, have a good reputation, and have excellent built quality, among other benefits.

Warranty

Choose a product with a good warranty and customer support service, as well as simple return policies. As a result, you should prefer to purchase a product from a company that offers a good warranty period. The oximeter’s standard warranty period is 6 months to 1 year, but some manufacturers offer longer warranties.

Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQs ) on The Best Pulse Oximeters

1. Which finger is best for pulse oximeter reading?

Although it is not a new technology, new inventions and advances in it have been introduced since 1980 to increase the reliability of readings. According to a 2015 study, the middle finger of the right hand provides the best accuracy, followed by the thumb of the same hand.

2. What does PR mean on Pulse Oximeter?

A pulse oximeter measures blood flow, oxygen saturation in the blood, and other heart-related readings. PR stands for Pulse Rating, which is the number of times your heart beats per minute.

3. Does it measure CO2 Retention in blood?

It does not measure CO2 retention in the blood, it only measures the oxygen level in the blood and the pulse rate.

4. Are pulse oximeters accurate?

Almost all reputable brand oximeters provide accurate readings. However, there could be a precision range of +2% to -2%.

However, some factors could affect the oximeter’s accuracy, such as if the person has paint on his or her nails, artificial nails, cold hands, or poor circulation.

5.Does drinking water increase oxygen in the body?

Our lungs require water to oxygenate and expel carbon dioxide, so drinking enough water influences oxygen levels.

6.What is best pulse rate in oximeter?

The normal range of pulse oximeter readings is 95% to 100% percent. Values less than 90% are considered low and indicate the need for additional oxygen.

7. Why is my Oximeter not reading?

Pulse oximeters rely on the sensor’s ability to detect light passing through body tissue and measure the amount of light absorbed by oxygenated hemoglobin. If ambient light enters the probe site, the pulse oximeter may fail to produce a reading or produce an incorrect reading.

8. Are all pulse oximeters the same?

Because pulse oximetry is not standardized across manufacturers, it is common for different pulse oximeters to produce varying oxygen readings on the same patient.

9. How do I choose a pulse oximeter?

The first step is to determine which type of oximeter you require for home use. There are three types of pulse oximeters: fingertip oximeters, handheld oximeters, and fetal pulse oximeters. The fingertip pulse oximeter is the best option for home use.

10. How do I know if my pulse oximeter is working?

Check the probe’s functionality by placing it on your finger! To function, oximeters require a flow of blood through the finger. Some oximeters display the amount of blood flow detected.

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Conclusion on The Best Pulse Oximeters

We recommend using a branded pulse oximeter. As the product is related to health, you should not compromise the quality of the product. At least one pulse oximeter is required in everybody’s home. It is ideal for any kind of individual. I have given you a list of the Best Pulse Oximeters for your information, buy the best after a detailed evaluation.