A tonometer is a mandatory attribute of a home first-aid kit, since diseases caused by impaired blood pressure are now very common. It allows you to control blood pressure in people who are being treated for hypertension or hypotension. It helps you determine which medicine is best to drink if you have a severe headache. If you value your health and want to get the correct, full-fledged therapeutic effect from the pills, you cannot do without a tonometer. In the article, we tried to collect and describe the devices that in a certain category received the title of "best mechanical blood pressure monitor in 2020".
Content
Tonometer design, varieties
Any sphygmomanometer consists of a cuff, a pressure gauge and a blower. Each model has its own characteristics, manifested by the materials used, external design or the connection of elements.
Sphygmomanometers are classified according to the type of equipment that records the blood pressure. Based on this criterion, the products are mechanical, mercury and electronic. The cuff also varies. In some models, it is connected to a phonendoscope. Other products have a locking ring for adjusting it. The cuff differs in material of manufacture, width and length. Also, the tonometer can have one or two hoses, and a different connection of the constituent elements.
Product advantages and disadvantages
Mechanical blood pressure monitors are in demand among buyers because they:
- Several times cheaper than automatic models. There are models on the market that cost 500-5000 rubles. The price is influenced by the prestige of the manufacturer and the quality of the materials used.
- Simple and understandable to use, the operating rules are universal.
- Sold in many pharmacies and online stores.
- Provides accurate and consistent results. In this aspect, only mercury ones are ahead of them.
- They are made in classic design.
- Long lasting. The parts used are made of durable materials that can last for at least 10 years.
- Suitable for repair, any part can be replaced.
- They work autonomously, do not need batteries or an electrical network. The device can be taken on a trip, on vacation or to the country. Even when the battery runs out, it will not affect the performance of the device.
- Lightweight and small in size. Fits easily into a medium handbag.
Products have two disadvantages:
- May seem difficult to operate for older users.
- A person with poor eyesight may not clearly see the blood pressure reading.
How to identify good mechanical blood pressure monitors
When choosing a device, you need to use the following criteria:
- Accuracy. The tonometer must come in a set with a certificate of conformity and the actual measurement error. This minimum is mandatory. The permissible deviation from the norm is 3 mm Hg for blood pressure and 5 shocks for emergency situations.
- Reading speed. Since this procedure cannot be accelerated, it should take no more than a few minutes.
- Weight and size. The mechanical product is slightly smaller than the automatic one.
- Cost.Classic models are several times cheaper than new ones.
- Ease of use. This criterion is purely individual.
- A clear scale, large numbers. This is ensured by the large diameter of the manometer, large divisions and numbers.
Which mechanical tonometer is better
According to consumer reviews, the following models can claim the title of the best tonometer.
CS Medica CS 105
Practical and versatile tonometer with cuff length. Since its size is adjustable within the range of 20-38 cm, the device is suitable for measuring the pressure of both adults and children. To facilitate self-determination of pressure, the cuff has a special valve on which you can attach a stethoscope. A metal contact bracket secures the cuff securely to the forearm.
The stethoscope has an improved design, so if the membrane breaks or deforms, you can replace it yourself. The supercharger has a wide, smooth-running metal screw. To prevent the cuff from warping during independent use, a sealing insert is specially made. It also makes the product heavier up to 400 g. The stethoscope is built-in, so you do not need to hold it with your hand during the procedure.
The model is not designed for patients with a forearm circumference greater than 40 cm.
B.Well WM-63S
With this product, the specialist will be able to quickly and accurately determine the pressure indicators. The width of his cuff is increased, so the entire forearm receives uniform pressure, which allows you to get the most accurate result of the procedure. Also, due to the increased width of the cuff, the person will not feel discomfort.
The cuff has a seamless latex bladder to prevent air leakage. A metal ring is provided for convenient self-fixing of the cuff. The stethoscope head is equipped with a metal frame, so it can be fixed on the cuff. Large numbers are clearly visible on the enlarged dial. The metal valve is equipped with a soft release system.
The product has two drawbacks:
- small storage case for tonometer;
- the tubes connecting the cuff to the pressure gauge are thin and deform over time.
A&D UA-200
A distinctive feature of this model is the presence of a Rappaport stethoscope. Thanks to this, the product more accurately displays information about pressure readings.
The tonometer has two separate tubes and a double head, so the sound is delivered much clearer. It comes with additional attachments, so it is suitable for measuring blood pressure in children.
The pressure gauge is made of metal. The error of the result corresponds to the existing requirements. Cuff length 22-32cm is suitable for both adult and child. It is possible to regulate the smoothness of the air outlet.
The weight of the product reaches almost 0.5 kg. The nylon cuff has fairly tight edges, so during the procedure, it rubs the skin and brings some discomfort to the person.
Little Doctor LD-71
This easy-to-use model is a prime example of mechanical products sold at a budget price. By paying 650 rubles, you will receive a device weighing more than 300 g, with the maximum permissible error of the result. Comes with a metal stethoscope. Strong nylon cuff can wrap around the forearm 25-36 cm.
The body of the product is made of high quality metal. To simplify self-measurement of pressure, the cuff is equipped with a locking ring and special markings. To prevent small debris from entering the blower, a mesh filter was placed in it. The blower needle valve allows for smooth air release.
The model is designed for a forearm of at least 24 cm, so it will not allow measuring pressure in a child. The supercharger has a small volume, so it will take a long time to pump the cuff.
A&D UA-100
This tonometer is ideal for self-measurement of blood pressure. Stethoscope with metal body and sensitive membrane. With a special bracket, you can adjust the cuff to the required parameters.The blower is equipped with a magnifying safety valve that prevents dust from entering. Users are not satisfied that the tonometer stethoscope has a short tube. It is also not very clear why the dial of the pressure gauge is protected by thin plastic and not glass. Some consumers have noted that plastic is scratched and over time, the numbers on it are difficult to see.
ARMED 3.02.008
The product is distinguished by high accuracy in determining the results. Convenient to use, suitable for measuring pressure in obese people. The length of the cuff reaches 50 cm, but a special metal clip can reduce it to 25 cm. The model is compact and lightweight, so it will not provide any inconvenience when measuring pressure yourself.
Consumers love this model because of:
- one-piece pneumatic cuff;
- durable nylon cuff cover that prevents latex tube from being damaged;
- a special clamp that fixes the pressure gauge in the desired position;
- the presence of a diagram on the cuff showing how to properly attach it to the arm.
To store the device, the manufacturer offers a plastic case, which begins to crack over time. Many consumers are not satisfied with the dark dial of the pressure gauge.
TAKIO Comfort
Our top ranking of the best blood pressure monitors would not be complete without this model. A classic product with a standard cuff length of 22-32 cm. Very convenient for independent use.
The pressure gauge is connected to a manual air blower. A metal locking ring is provided to quickly adjust the cuff. The cuff is made of durable high quality hypoallergenic material. The pressure gauge has an impact-resistant glass. The scale is enlarged, the numbers are clear and large. Thanks to the durable Velcro fastener, the cuff does not slip off the forearm, even when it is full of air.
Some consumers are confused by the rather high price of the product - 1150 rubles. To create a supercharger, a soft PVC, sensitive to mechanical stress, was used. Because of this, it gradually stretches and loses its original density.
Consumer reviews
My grandmother has been suffering from hypertension for a long time, so she cannot do without a tonometer. I reviewed many devices, but most of all I liked TAKIO Comfort. Firstly, a nurse who came to us used it and a doctor we knew spoke well of him. Since my grandmother lives alone, she needed the most convenient device. TAKIO Comfort fits perfectly. The cuff is easy to put on, it is well fixed on the arm. It has a special loop for the stethoscope, which greatly facilitates the procedures. The thermometer body is durable, the product itself shows accurate results. The numbers are large, clearly drawn, so the grandmother sees well. Of course, the model is considered very expensive, but I believe that the price is fully justified by the quality. The grandmother has been using the tonometer for almost a year and has never complained about it.
Natalia, housewife
Last fall, my wife became very ill and had to call an ambulance. It turned out that she had hypertension. She was treated, was discharged and advised to buy a tonometer, so that at the slightest deterioration in health, immediately check the blood pressure and take the appropriate medicine. I looked at all sorts of ratings, read people's reviews on the forums, and settled on ARMED 3.02.008. The product is sold at a good price and has no serious flaws. There was only one negative out of 10 positive reviews. In general, we bought it. The wife has been using it for almost six months, very happy. We periodically check the correctness of the indicators with the help of other devices, our tonometer has never made a mistake. Recommend.
Sergey, engineer
Previously, I did not know how to use a mechanical tonometer, so I determined the pressure with an electronic device. I don't know if everyone has this, but my blood pressure monitor often showed erroneous results, which made it useless to take a lot of pills. I was also annoyed by the constant need to constantly check the battery charge. In general, I suffered a lot with him and then decided to buy a mechanical one.In medical equipment, I was advised by Little Doctor LD-71. In 2017, I gave 800 rubles for it. Of course, there was a temptation to buy a model cheaper, but I decided not to save on my health. At home I carefully read the instructions, watched several training videos and began to try the tonometer on my husband. It took 5 times to determine the correct indicator. Then I gradually began to train on myself. After a while, I got my hand so full that our grandmothers-neighbors ask me to check their pressure. My faithful Little Doctor LD-71 has never failed.
Alexandra, housewife
My grandmother worked as a nurse all her life, so even as a teenager she taught me how to measure blood pressure with an ordinary blood pressure monitor. Electronic I never took seriously. When I started having problems with blood pressure, I bought myself an A&D UA-200 tonometer. It fully met my requirements: easy to use and reliable. Over the years, I have developed meteorological dependence, so the tonometer has become simply irreplaceable for me. I am a supporter of traditional medicine, but I even use its recipes to stabilize pressure after I measure my pressure. I believe that everyone should buy this device for themselves and be able to use it.
Nina Alexandrovna, accountant
Outcome
A mechanical blood pressure monitor is a badly needed item that will preserve your health and, in some cases, life. Considering how much the illnesses caused by impaired blood pressure have “rejuvenated”, even a young family should have a tonometer. In our article, we have described the best firms of mechanical tonometers. The products of each of them have advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, when choosing a suitable model, pay attention to its description, as well as compliance with your requirements.
