Pulse Oximeter Buying Guide : How To Choose the Right Oximeter?

The Covid-19 pandemic has affected the entire world. With the number of cases increasing daily, people have already started looking for methods to keep a check on their own health.

The pulse oximeter is one such device that has been widely used since this coronavirus pandemic started spreading in different countries. It is a small electronic device that measures your oxygen saturation level and your heart rate as well.

People are looking to buy pulse oximeters as it is an easy way to determine the heart rate and oxygen saturation level. Apart from Covid-19, there are several other medical conditions that require the patients to keep a constant check on their blood oxygen levels.

Certain conditions, like the ones mentioned below, call for the need to keep a regular check on your blood oxygen levels.

Lung cancer
Cardiovascular diseases
Asthma
Anaemia
Pneumonia
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

For those who wish to lead a healthy and active lifestyle (despite their medical condition), keeping a constant check on their blood oxygen level and oxygenated haemoglobin is essential.

So, how can you keep a check on your blood oxygen?

The most popular and widely-acknowledged method of measuring blood oxygen levels is called pulse oximetry. Pulse oximetry is a simple test – a painless and non-invasive method of oxygen saturation level detection that can help you (or medical professionals) gauge how well the heart is supplying oxygen to the rest of your body.

And the device that is used for the aforementioned test is called an oximeter. An oximeter is an instrument that is used to gauge the proportion of oxygenated haemoglobin in the blood.

How does an oximeter work?

An oximeter is typically clipped to the tip of your finger. Pulse oximeters pass a red and infrared light through your finger. Its sensors then detect the level of oxygen in your blood, depending on the way the said light passes through. The percentage of oxygen in your blood is displayed on the oximeter screen. Most modern digital oximeters also calculate and display your pulse rate.

Why do we need pulse oximeters?

There are several different reasons and purposes that support the use of oximeters, including:

Monitoring the oxygen levels of patients after they have undergone a surgical procedure that requires sedation (or during surgery)
Gauging whether a patient needs help breathing
Assessing the effectiveness of supplemental oxygen therapy
Evaluating the effectiveness of new medications

Popular oximeter types and models available online

Perhaps the most prevalent type of oximeter is the fingertip pulse oximeter. Compact, portable and easy-to-use, this device can be found in most hospital setups and is great for home use as well.

Here are some of the best pulse oximeters that are easy to use and are helpful when it comes to measuring the blood oxygen levels.

Beurer PO 80 Fingertip Pulse Oximeter

Measure your oxygen saturation level (SpO2) and heart rate (pulse) regularly with Beurer PO 80 Pulse Oximeter. The device is designed to allow non-invasive measurement of the arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2), heart rate (pulse rate) (PR bpm), and the perfusion index (PI). The device shows a colourful display of your pulse. The oxygen saturation of your body indicates the percentage of haemoglobin in arterial blood that is loaded with oxygen, thus, helps in assessing the respiratory function. This compact pulse oximeter uses two rays of light with different wavelengths to take SpO2 measurement.

Fingertip OLED Pulse Oximeter - Zoi

Zoi presents Pulse oximeter which is a widely applicable medical equipment. It can be used to check pulse as well as measure haemoglobin saturation and heartbeat through the finger. It is ideal for kids, pregnant women, sports enthusiasts, elderly, cardio paths or hospitals. This oximeter is a simple way to spot check patients by combining the sensor and oximeter all into one device. It has six display modes and shows Spo2, PR, Bar graph and Plethysmograph. It also comes with an alarm feature with a beep sound and has a menu. To save battery, it automatically shuts off after 8 seconds of inactivity. This is an accurate device which shows precise readings, making it a great choice. It works with 2 AAA batteries and is ideal for use at home, diagnostic centres, anaesthesia centres, intensive care etc.

Fingertip Pulse Oximeter with OLED Digital Display (Multicolor) - Prozo Plus

Fingertip Pulse Oximeter helps to measure SPO2 and pulse rate at home without any external help. The device provides you an easy and painless way to measure and keep a track of oxygen level in your body. The device features an OLED display that allows you to read measurements easily. It has an automatic shut off feature that turns off the device in case of inactivity. It has a low battery indicator, bright, large color OLED display, single switch operation, and finger chamber with a smart spring system. It works with 2 × AAA batteries that support long hours of continuous work. The compact digital fingertip pulse oximeter is suitable for all age group individuals.

Non-Invasive Fingertip Pulse Oximeter

Fingertip Pulse Oximeter allows you to measure oxygen saturation, heart rate, SPO2, and pulse rate in just a few seconds at the comfort of your own home. The device provides you an easy and painless way to measure and keep a track of oxygen level in your body. The device features a large LED display that allows you to read measurements easily. The device displays waveform (plethysmograph), digital readings, and pulse bar graphs that to visually indicate any irregularities or abnormalities, such as weak heartbeat. It has a low battery indicator and automatic shut off feature that turn off the device in case of inactivity. It works with 2× AAA batteries that support long hours of continuous work. The light in weight device compact digital fingertip pulse oximeter is suitable for everyday use. It can be used by sports enthusiasts, the elderly, hikers, climbers, or anyone who wishes to check their SpO2, heart and pulse rate easily.