If you’ve been instructed by your physician to check your blood pressure between office visits to help manage hypertension or other conditions, you’ll need a blood pressure monitor for home use. Checking your blood pressure at home may even help you get a more accurate reading than at the doctor’s visits since you’ll be more relaxed. Consider these tips and options to pick the best blood pressure monitor for home use.

Choose a monitor with a digital readout if you’ll have trouble reading a numbered dial. Since you’re looking for the best blood pressure monitor for home use, you’ll probably be taking your blood pressure by yourself, so a unit that’s easy to read is essential. Some models even have bi-lingual voice features to announce the results.

Look for a blood pressure monitor with additional features, like an irregular heartbeat detector. If you’d like to share the results with your doctor, find a home blood pressure monitor that also includes software that allows you to download the readings to your computer. Opt for the best blood pressure monitor for home use with memory features if you need to compare one reading to the next.

Blood pressure monitors are available as self-inflate, semiautomatic and automatic. There are also blood pressure monitors that measure your blood pressure from your wrist or upper arm. According to the Mayo Clinic, the monitors that measure your blood pressure using your upper arm are the most accurate. You will want a blood pressure monitor that has a memory to retain your previous readings, is easy to use and has a good warranty.

According to Consumer Search, the top blood pressure monitors were both made by A & D Medical LifeSource. They were the UA-787EJ model and the UA-767T. The best review went to the UA-787EJ model priced around $70. One of the interesting features of this blood pressure monitor is the semihard shell cuff which makes it easier to put the cuff on. It also comes with an ac adapter, although it can also be operated with batteries. Another nice feature of the cuff is that it is 2 inches larger than most, making it usable for more people. The memory holds 60 readings at one time. Another interesting feature is that it can rate your blood pressure based upon your height and weight. The instruction book comes in large print, and it also comes with a carrying bag and a quick start guide. The UA-767T received an AA rating because of its voice features. Its features make it perfect for low- or no-vision users. This model is priced around $120. It offers a large display and it is self-inflating. It provides an alarm for irregular heartbeats. The book comes in large print, and it`s memory holds 60 readings. It also calculates the average of all your readings. Blood pressure cuffs are available in small, medium and large for the perfect fit. This kit comes with a log book to record your readings. Both of these monitors offer a lifetime warranty.

According to Consumer Reports, close runner’s up were manufactured by Omron. Their two top models were the HEM-711AC and the HEM-705CP. The Omron HEM-711AC can hold 60 readings at one time. According to Consumer Reports, users reported the ease of use and its quietness. It has an ac adapter and it is very accurate. It has a large readout panel to offer low-vision users an easy-to-use monitor. This monitor costs approximately $55. The HEM-705CP is a unique monitor in that it offers a printout so that you can save your readings for your records. The memory holds 28 readings at one time. It has auto inflate and deflate. This model has also been tested on children and teens. The price is approximately $85. These monitors offer a 5-year warranty.