Many people ask what exactly is an oximeter and what are the best pulse oximeters in 2020 that I can buy and also how will one help me in my daily life. The answer is really a simple one, an oximeter is a medical device quite like a heart rate monitor but instead of measuring the amount of heart beats per minute the oximeters measure how much oxygen is available in your blood stream. This is an important devise as oxygen in the blood is used in just about all aspects of the body functions such as muscle movement, digestion of foods, breathing, fighting infections to stay healthy, brain and nerve impulses and much, much more.

Generally most oximeters such as the ones available to purchase from Amazon also monitor the heart rate as well as the blood oxygen saturation. Hospitals carry advanced oximeters for monitoring patient’s conditions which are generally gigantic machines which display the patient’s condition on monitors next to their bed. Modern oximeters are pocket sized and are run by a small AAA battery or penlight battery so are completely mobile and are often used by athletes to monitor their average oxygen consumption whilst doing advanced training.

Best Pulse Oximeters 2020 Reviews

Buying the best and most accurate pulse oximeters might not be an easy task if you are new in the buying process. Below are our best pick of the best pulse oximeters you can buy in 2020.

1.    Finger Pulse Oximeter by Vive Precision (Editor’s Choice)

The Finger Pulse Oximeter by Vive Precision tops our list of the best pulse oximeters in 2018. It is a lightweight and conveniently portable unit that is well fitted for athletes, aviators and health enthusiasts. SpO2 levels and pulse rates are displayed on a bright LED screen that is easy to read and also includes audible alarms for low oxygen levels and irregular heartbeats.

The Finger Pulse Oximeter by Vive Precision is very reliable and it’s one of the most accurate Pulse oximeters I’ve seen in recent times.

This unit is one of the best pulse oximeters and uses a self-adjusting spring system to perfectly fit most fingers without pinching, making it suitable for any age be it seniors or infants to instantaneously check their pulse rate and SpO2 levels.

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2.   TempIR Finger Pulse Oximeter

The TempIR Finger Pulse oximeter has Blood Oxygen Saturation Monitor and Pulse Rate Monitor for Apple and Android and it is produced by FDA certified manufacturer. This is because Pulse oximeter is one of the most important parameters to monitor ICU patients, and it must be highly accurate, stable and intolerable to mistakes.

It Shows the SpO2 Plethysmograph and Perfusion Index visually and has Unlimited data storage on cloud through APP for meaningful results that you can track over time and share with family or doctor for diagnostic reference without a step out of home.

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3.     Zacurate Pro Series 500DL Fingertip Pulse Oximeter

The Zacurate 500DL Pro Series Fingertip Pulse Oximeter was designed primarily as an improvement to previos version of the Acc U Rate oximeter series so as to fit the needs of there customers.

The Zacurate Pro Series 500DL Fingertip Pulse Oximeter can accurately and reliably determine your SpO2 (Blood Oxygen Saturation Levels), Pulse Rate and Pulse Strength. It is designed for sports enthusiasts, aviators, trainers, bikers, mountain climbers or anyone who wants to obtain their SpO2 anytime.

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4.   Santamedical Generation 2 Fingertip Pulse Oximeter

The Santamedical SM-230 OLED Finger Pulse Oximeter is known for its affordability and accuracy. It helps you in checking your pulse rates and blood oxygen saturation levels. It is designed with a Self-adjusting finger clamp and a simple one-button design which allows for easy operation. It small and  portable size makes it easy to handle and carry.

Some of the features of the  Santamedical SM-230 OLED Finger Pulse Oximeter include an easy to read bright color OLED display. Integrated SpO2 probe and processing display module plus Pulse Rate, bar graph and Plesthymograph wave that measure pulse strength. Auto power off. Low power consumption on 2 AAA batteries. it is helpful in checking pulse rates and blood oxygen saturation level at home, in sport and recreational use, such as mountain climbing, high-altitude activities and running.

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5.   Contec CMS50F Wrist-worn Pulse Oximeter

Contec CMS50F Wrist-worn Pulse Oximeter is a simple and easy to use wrist worn design Pulse oximter and it is regarded as one of the best pulse oximeters. It is designed with the sense of comfortability so as to fit pediatric and adult users.

Accurately records pulse and SpO2 blood oxygen saturation and comes with rechargeable batteries for maximum usage.

The Contec CMS50F pulse oximeter can sound an alarm when the pulse rate or oxygen saturation drops below a pre-set level, when the oximeter unit isn’t correctly positioned on the finger, when the battery level is low.

This unit comes with Software and Download Cable which you can use to transfer your Pulse reading and data to your PC for further assessment.

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Buyer’s Guide in selecting the High-Quality and Best Oximeters

There are many types of oximeters, so it can be confusing when you want to buy one. They are available at various prices, there are many brands, but keep in mind that brand names aren’t always the most important. In addition, the technology of such a device has evolved a long way until today. In the 70′s, an oximeter weighed approximately 35 lbs., and featured a clumsy earpiece. Its cord attached to the sensor weighed alone 3lbs. The device looked as a C clamp and was very uncomfortable when attached to a patient’s ear, being also pretty heavy.

Nowadays, an oximeter weights only a few pounces for a fingertip model, which is amazing. There is a wide diversity of oximeters, ranging from sophisticated models used at homes, emergency rooms to simple fingertip models. Those used at home are ideal at emergency rooms, homes and hospitals. Those models used at home are one of the most popular and there are a few features you have to pay attention to:

1. FDA Certification

FDA Certification is required before selling in US. You can check that by going to the FDA Medical Device Data Base and enter the manufacturer name in the search field to find out.

1. Reliability and Accuracy

Reliability and accuracy are also two important features. As the purpose of an oximeter is to measure oxygen saturation and pulse rate, a quality product needs to have a great reliability and provide accurate results. You also have to know that accuracy can be affected by motion, so in case your hand trembles, you have to find a model that is tolerant to this. Or, you have to hold your hand still while taking readings. Most devices take a reading within a few seconds and their accuracy is about +/-3%.3. Sensor size is also important, so make sure that you can insert your finger comfortably in it. People that have small hands and children should use a pediatric pulse oximeter.

There are other features that should be considered when buying an oximeter. Nonetheless, they aren’t so important as the above mentioned ones:

• Ease of storage
• Appearance
• Memory
• Computer interface
• Accessories
• Software program

If you take these instructions into consideration, you’ll make a good choice and will buy a high-quality oximeter. Follow them and you won’t waste your money.

Benefits and Uses of Pulse Oximeters

A pulse oximeter is a device commonly used for evaluating and monitoring oxygen status in patients. The device offers continuous, non-invasive monitoring of oxygen saturation of haemoglobin in arterial blood. It is important to know that pulse oximeters are not able to also offer information about haemoglobin concentration or cardiac output.

• Benefits

One of the most important benefits of pulse oximeters is that they can easily provide the possibility for deviations from a patient’s oxygen baseline to be noticed immediately. This will help specialists prevent the consequences of desaturation. Specialists will also be able to detect hypoxemia before producing a type of complications. Here are other benefits of using such a device:

• It measures arterial blood oxygen and pulse rate. Oxygen saturation and pulse rate are vital signs of a patient.
• Pulse oximeters can easily be used in hospitals, medical clinics, but also at home.
• These devices are inexpensive.
• They can offer an accurate reading within seconds. Speed is without a doubt important when talking about health.
• Fast, accurate and easy to use, but also reliable, pulse oximeters should be used by numerous patients.

Who uses pulse oximeters?

These devices are usually used by patients diagnosed with one of the following conditions:

• Asthma;
• Emphysema;
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease;
• Chronic obstructive airway disease;
• Respiratory conditions.

In many cases, specialists recommend exercising. Exercising can easily improve physical state, but it may also result in increasing shortness of breath. In such situation, patients will have to monitor oxygen saturation. Actually, using pulse oximeters to monitor oxygen saturation while exercising can help patients adjust the oxygen level.Patients who have been diagnosed with cardiac conditions may also take advantage of the use of pulse oximeters. These patients commonly experience low arterial blood oxygen saturation. The devices will help them monitor their condition and take supplementary oxygen therapy when needed.

Types of Pulse Oximeters

Nowadays, there are two main types of pulse oximeters:

The portable pulse oximeter is a small device. It is very simple to use and really handy. You can actually keep it into your pocket to have it around whenever you need it.

The handheld and tabletop oximeter is most commonly used in hospitals. This is a big, heavy device that has to be connected to a monitor.

Oximeters can measure the level of oxygen to determine if oxygen therapy should be administrated or not. Oxygen therapy is a type of medical intervention which can be needed in both chronic and acute patient care. Oxygen therapy can be a must to supply oxygen to the lungs and help the patient breath.This therapy can be administrated in multiple ways, depending on the condition of each patient. The efficiency of oxygen therapy will however be measured with pulse oximeters. Actually, when a patient undergoes oxygen therapy, he will most likely also have to use a pulse oximeter. This device will help him know when the therapy should be administrated. Oxygen therapy is highly important and actually necessary for numerous conditions. Thanks to this type of therapy patients can lead normal lives.

What is pulse oximetry?

This is an non-invasive method that helps monitor the hemoglobin in the patient’s blood.

How does an oximeter work?

On the fingertip of the patient or on its earlobe is placed a sensor. The area on which it is placed needs to be thin, as two wavelengths of light are passed through the patient thanks to a photo-detector. The absorbance is measured at each of the wavelengths, so the arterial blood alone is checked. Thanks to NIRS, near-infrared spectroscopy, oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin is measured. In case of babies, the oximeters are placed across one foot.Why is this method used?The pulse oximetry is used a lot because is noninvasive and is very helpful at the same time.

What is an oximeter used for?

The device is perfect to monitor the saturation of oxygen in the blood of a patient. The oximeter is usually used together with other monitoring gadgets and medical staff can check the condition of a patient all the time. In most cases the heart rates are also observed. The advantage of oximeters is that they can also be found in portable form, to be used at home directly by the patient.What are the advantages of pulse oximetry?Thanks to this method, a patient whose oxygenation is unstable can be be kept under surveillance. The patient may be in intensive care, or in an operation, he may recover or he may just be in the hospital due to health issues which ask for medical care. Pilots working in unpressurized aircrafts also may use oximeters to see if they need more oxygen.These gadgets are very important in medicine, especially in emergency cases. They work fast and they are simple to use. In case of patients with cardiac problems or with respiratory issues these are essential. The portable oximeters are useful for athletes who exercise in mountain areas or for those who pay a lot of effort during their practice.What are the disadvantages of pulse oximetry?One of the problems is that pulse oximetry can only measure oxygenation, but it does not provide measure of respiratory efficiency for the patient. Erroneous low readings of the oximeters may cause more problems, so the gadgets should be perfectly used to ensure accuracy.How do oximeters look?

Where can you buy oximeters?

Oximeters for home use can be bought online especially on Amazon.com and also from medical stores or pharmacies. Those used in the hospital are bought directly from producers of medical devices.

Limitations of using a Pulse oximeter

The limitation of using an oximeter is that the devise only measures the amount of oxygen in the blood and not the consumption rate of the oxygen. The sale of oximeters over the last 5 years has increased dramatically and if you notice the exceptional price of our devises you will see that the marketing curve of supply meets demand has allowed us to supply our customers with these great products at the best available price.

Oxygen Therapy

The human body needs oxygen to make energy. In case your body cannot get enough oxygen to your lungs, a series of complications can be developed. In all such cases specialists are going to recommend oxygen therapy. This is the administration of oxygen as a medical intervention. This extra oxygen is believed to be able to increase the body’s ability to destroy cells that cause various diseases. There are different types of oxygen therapies that can be administrated to patients, depending on their state. Some types of oxygen therapies are actually recommended as alternative treatments for a series of diseases. They may include even the most serious conditions, such as cancer, asthma, AIDS, arthritis, heart and vascular diseases. Multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s disease may also be listed here. Some researchers believe that oxygen therapy can kill cancer cells, which are known to not be able to survive in an oxygen rich environment. Oxygen therapy is also believed to be able to enhance the immune system and promote the production of antioxidants.

Oxygen therapy can be used in both chronic and acute cases. Depending on the needs of the patient, this therapy can be used in hospitals, clinics, but also as home therapy. Some people require supplemental oxygen in the room air for breathing. For these patients oxygen therapy can include various mask options or portable devices. However, it is important to keep in mind the fact that oxygen is in fact considered to be a drug. This means that it must be administrated under medical supervision. The physician will indicate the amount of oxygen a patient should receive, as well as the period of time over which the therapy has to be administrated. Oxygen can be delivered to a patient via mask or nasal cannula. Keep in mind that oxygen can be very drying to the nose. This is why special humidification bottles can be recommended by some specialists.

Negative effects Even though oxygen therapy can be extremely beneficial for patients, there can be situations in which this therapy has negative effects as well. For instance, oxygen should never be administrated to a patient who is suffering from parquet poisoning, as it may increase toxicity. Oxygen therapy is not recommended in cases of pulmonary fibrosis or lung damage. In some situations it may increase the effects of stroke, as well.

Oxygen therapy can be extremely beneficial for patients in certain situations, but this therapy should only be administrated under medical supervision.

The Many Uses of the Oximeters

In just over 80 years, pulse oximeters has gone from theory over utilisation. Just because a test or therapy is used frequently does not necessarily mean that it is useful. Pulse oximetry was first theorised in the 1930s and became a clinically useful tool for monitoring patients in the mid 1970s. Due to the size and expense of the equipment, however, its use was initially limited to pulmonary clinics, the operating room and post-operative services. It was only a decade later that these limitations could be resolved to make its use widespread in the field of emergency medicine.The utility of pulse oximetry measuring for the management of patients in acute situations is now focused in four main areas: improving triage classification, decreasing the use of ABG sampling, improving management and monitoring of acutely ill patients, and decreasing the length of stay in the ED. Pulse oximetres are useful for measuring oxygen saturation in the blood. Oximeters do not have the capability to measure pH or carbon dioxide. Assuming that the person has good skin perfusion, a pulse oximeter works the same at altitude as it does at sea level. As ambient atmospheric pressure decreases, the amount of oxygen in air decreases correspondingly. Respiration increase to help compensate for this. In general, resting saturations will continue as one ascents to a higher altitude. Oximetry can also refer to a test that can be easily be done at home. It provides basic information that may be useful in initially evaluating whether you have one of the more common sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea. The test involves applying a plastic clip over the end of your finger. The clip is connected via a cable to a small box that records the data overnight. Within the overnight oximeters clip is a red light. On the other side is a sensor that can measure your heart rate and the oxygen content of your blood. This screening provides a limited amount of information. In addition, there are subtleties involved in sleep disorders that it may not be able to detect. As you can see, there are many ways you can use this device.

History of Pulse Oximeters

Pulse oximeters were first developed half a century ago, but widespread clinical use of the oximeter only became practical with the advent of digital technology. The oximeter was commercially marketed in 1981, but use was largely restricted to critical care areas. More recently, pulse oximetry offers a relatively inexpensive, simple and reliable means to monitor respiratory function in a wide variety of clinical areas, in hospitals and the community. Traditionally, cyanosis has been relied on for detecting hypoxia, meaning that oxygen is reduced in tissues. Severe respiratory failure generally occurs when arterial saturation of haemoglobin falls to 85-90%, whereas cyanosis does not usually appear until saturation falls to 75%, the normal saturation of venous blood.Oximeteres are now a virtual fixture in intensive care units, pulmonary units and elsewhere in hospitals and health care facilities.

You might wonder how an oximeter functions. A pulse oximeter works by passing a beam of red and infra-red light through a pulsating capillary bed. The ratio of red to infra-red light transmitted gives a measure of the oxygen saturation of the blood. The device measures the sum of the intensity of both shades of red, representing the fractions of the blood with an without oxygen. The oximeter detects the pulse, and then subtracts the intensity of colour detected when the pulse is absent. The remaining intensity of colour represents only the oxygenated red blood. This is displayed on the electronic screen as a percentage of oxygen saturation in the blood.There is also other type of oximetry. Oximetry can also be done on blood that is within the heart or on whole blood that has been removed from the body. More recently, using similar technology to oxymetry, carbon dioxide levels can be measured at the skin as well. Pulse oximetry measurements may be affected by advanced age, irregular heartbeat, weak pulse or cold hands. Conventional pulse oximeters suffered greatly during motion and low perfusion and was made difficult to depend on when making medical decisions. The newest models of these devices can be easily used by all patients, as they have to placed on the finger. Their advancement in technology has allowed the device to also show venous and arterial blood. In some cases, monitoring oxygen is vital for both the comfort and security of a patient.

Oximeters Are Perfect For The Elderly

The oximeters are the devices that can help a lot of people in numerous instances. It is important to know how your heart rate and blood oxygen level shifts during the day, especially after a certain age, when these factors can be the indicators of a certain issue. The oximeters are perfect for the elderly, even if they have had some sort of health problem or not. The heart rate and the oxygen levels should be monitored as they can be the indicators of serious health problems, which may not manifest themselves directly from the beginning. There are many advantages which come with the usage of the oximeters at all times and especially after a certain age. In the case of older people, the health problems are bound to appear at some point or the other. For those who have lived healthy and naturally for their entire life, there may not be as many problems, yet it is still important to have all those regular checkups done just to be sure. With the help of the oximeters, even those who are healthy, not just the ones that are ill, will have a lot of benefits to make their lives better and less stressful. The oximeters can monitor the most important elements, which show if the organism is healthy or not. Therefore, the proper usage of the oximeters, in the case of healthy people as well, can aid the early prevention of any issue. The major changes in the heart rate and in the oxygen levels of the blood may indicate some problems, which should be taken to a specialist. The best thing about the oximeters is that they can keep a person healthy, just by providing a regular set of information on which all the most important bodily encounters are based. In addition to this, the oximeters are small devices and come in a variety of shapes, in order to be properly and easily adapted to your body and to your daily habits. The elderly can take their oximeters with them everywhere they go, without having problems created by their weight or size.

Important Things To Know About Oximeters

Oximeters are considered to be some of the most important technological developments when it comes to the medical field. Although the first oximeters were designed years ago, they only became highly improved in the last 15 years. Oximeters are able to measure the changes produced into the blood cells, linked to the presence or absence of oxygen. Oximeters are going to offer accurate results, but you have to always keep in mind the fact that they are susceptible to error. Oximeters, also known under the name of oxygen monitors, are able to check and trace the level of oxygen into the human body, or better said into the blood stream. The system on which oximeters are based is designed in such a way to alarm the user as soon as unsafe changes are experienced. And oximeters are able to trace and detect even the slightest changes. The first modern oximeters models were designed in the 1980s, but you should know that these devices have existed in a way or another since the 18th century. The main reason why oximeters have become so widely used nowadays is mostly linked to the importance of detecting oxygen amounts into the bloodstream. So, when there is an abnormal quantity of oxygen into the bloodstream, numerous, very serious health issues can be formed. The oxygen saturation into a healthy body should never get lower than 95 percent. Most oximeters are able to detect a change even below 1 percent.Oximeters can be used in the treatment of a series of diseases, including pneumonia, but they are also part of each hospital equipment. When the normal ranges of 95 to 100 percent of oxygen are modified, oximeters will immediately detect the change. The newest models of these great medical devices can actually be simply used by all patients, as they have to be placed on the finger. The devices can also distinguish venous and arterial blood, so as you can see, their level of advancement is absolutely impressive. Monitoring oxygen needs can actually be vital in some cases, for both the comfort and security of a patient.

Oximeters Diversity And Benefits

Oximeters have become essential for monitoring the oxygen level in the blood. From exercising to emergency rooms, oximeters have developed a lot and are very used. The main explanation is their portability. Plus, oximeters are lighter than in the past, so they can be taken anywhere and are easier to use. Children who have respiratory problems can also use them, so oximeters are one of the most important inventions that have been conceived. Due to the fact that oximeters may save lives, they are very important. Sports men, older people who have severe health problems, as well as children or others who are faced with respiratory problems use them.Oximeters have become indispensable. People suffering from asthma also need them to check if the amount of oxygen is alright. Crisis are unpredictable, but with oximeters people can fast check their oxygen level. Until going at the doctor, it may take a while, so oximeters are the first aid and can help someone see the oxygen amount. They will know if is necessary to call the ambulance soon and so, prevent brain damage caused by the lack of oxygen. Oximeters are safe as they have special features which allow people to monitor  the amount of oxygen and its fluctuations, so there are no hyperventilation risks. Oximeters can be purchased on the Internet, from the drug stores or from special shops with medical tools.There are many types and features, so people can use those according to their needs, age and problems. Using oximeters, the life of so many will be much easier and safer than before. Before using oximeters, choose the right manufacturer. In case you are confused, your doctor can recommend you one of these amazing devices. Some of them have alarms and screens to allow people be safe and solve their health problems. These amazing tools are great assets for many people who need them. There are many manufacturers, so the diversity is wide and people can pick up what they afford or what the doctor recommends them. These devices are a wonderful care solution and improved the life of so many people.