The best blood pressure monitor for you may be the most feature packed or a value device, the most important features of a monitor is accuracy and ease of use. We stock a range of Omron, A&D Medical and Microlife blood pressure monitors which have all been vetted by our expert team and are approved by the British and Irish Hypertension Society (BIHS) or STRIDE BP for their accuracy. This means that you can trust when buying from us that your device is designed to meet these key requirements.

Which device you buy is personal to you but can seem daunting when faced with a broad range of devices. We have a buyers guide available to help you choose a suitable blood pressure monitor but there are a few key points to get you started.

• Cuff size is very important, if you're not sure on the size you require or you're close to the higher end then we would always recommend a device with a slightly wider range, this will cut your selection down by around 1/3. A poorly fitting cuff will be uncomfortable and innacurate.
• Unless you require a wrist monitor, upper arm monitors are much easier to use correctly and are preferred by doctors as the readings may differ from upper arm readings.
• For accuarcy, every time you measure your blood pressure take 2 measurements at couple of minutes apart. You may need to take a third reading if the first 2 are very different. Some devices will automatically do this for you.
• Whether jotting in a notebook, using the BHF blood pressure diary or updating a spreadsheet, everyone has their own preference. There are a number of connected devices which use an app on your phone or tablet, an app is a great way to store your data, work out your averages and share information with your GP. We only stock connected devices with top rated apps.

If you're unsure of what a feature means, you can also find details of these by using the (?) tooltips on the comparison tool and filters.

If you're still not sure then we're here to help.

Blood pressure monitors may be referred to in different ways, such as 'blood pressure machines' or 'heart monitors'. A blood pressure machine is the same as a blood pressure monitor but a heart monitor may mean many different things. In most cases, a heart monitor is referencing a device which measures your pulse rate. Pulse rate is often a measure used in sport and a lower resting heart rate is often linked to a healthier heart. Whilst BHF do not stock currently smartwatches or fitness trackers with this functionality, most Blood pressure monitors will measure your pulse rate. If you're looking for a clinical grade ECG recording of your heart, you can find these in our ECG category. Clinically validated ECG monitors can detect and record issues with the rhythm of your heart in addition to pulse rate.

There are a handful of smart watches appearing on the market which have features such as 'Afib detection' and 'blood pressure measurements'. The way these devices measure blood pressure is usually via an algorithm and will generally require you to validate your reading with data from a traditional blood pressure monitor once every 30 days. You can read our article on fitness trackers and their ability to detect heart problems for more information.

BHF only stock blood pressure monitors which have been clinically validated and either STRIDE or BHIS approved for home use. This is to ensure that all devices are simple to use and provide accurate readings. Currently the BHF stock devices from 4 leading brands: Omron blood pressure monitors, Microlife blood pressure monitors, Kinetik blood pressure monitors and A&D blood pressure monitors.

• Learn more about why you should know your blood pressure. 
• Read common questions about high blood pressure. 
• Get our 6 top tips for how to reduce your blood pressure. 
• Learn more about low blood pressure.