The 9+ Best Pulse Oximeters for Medical Professionals (2024) (2024)

The 9+ Best Pulse Oximeters for Medical Professionals (2024) (1)

by John Landry, BS, RRT | Updated: Mar 14, 2024

Are you looking for one of the best pulse oximeters on the market today? If so, then you’re in the right place because that is what this article is all about.

Below, we have listed out the absolute best pulse oximeters for respiratory therapists, nurses, doctors, and other healthcare professionals. The majority of the pulse oximeters that are listed here are stated to be for sports-use or home-sse only. They may not fit the specific requirements that are necessary for medical use.

So, with that said, if you plan to use for medical purposes, please be sure to check with your doctor beforehand. Also, be sure to check with the manufacturer of the product as well. And last but not least, make sure that the pulse oximeter meets the requirements and standards that have been set by your hospital, clinic, or facility.

Disclosure: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links which means, at no additional cost to you, we will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Here’s a Quick List of the Best Pulse Oximeters for Medical Professionals:

Keep reading for our more detailed reviews of the best pulse oximeters for medical professionals. You can learn more about our favorites below.

Sponsorship Disclosure: Mibest is a paid partners. We received compensation and/or a free product in exchange for writing a review. With that said, all opinions expressed in this post are based on our personal views.

Medical Disclaimer: While pulse oximeters can provide a great way to track vital sign measurements, most store-bought devices sold on the market are not intended for medical use. Please be sure to check with the manufacturer and your doctor if you have questions about using a pulse oximeter for medical purposes. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you read in this article.

Best Pulse Oximeters for Healthcare Professionals and Home-Use:

Sitting at the top of our list of best pulse oximeters is none other than the Mibest Dual Color OLED Finger Pulse Oximeter. This is one of our favorite pulse oximeters for 3 primary reasons — quality, reliability, and, of course, affordability.

Sometimes it can be difficult to find a reliable pulse oximeter without forking over an arm and a leg to pay for it. Well now, you can look no further than this dual-color pulse oximeter from mibest that gives you high quality at a great price.

We also love this one because it’s easy to use and comes ready right out of the box. Just pop in the AAA batteries (which are included) and it’s ready to go. Then you can proceed to insert your finger into the oximeter and it’ll provide accurate readings within seconds.

This ones comes in a nice, sleek design that fits comfortable in your hand or pocket. And if you’re the type of person who does not like too many items in your pockets, it comes with a carrying case and a lanyard as well.I was very excited when Mibest approached us to work with them as a sponsor. They’re one of the leading providers of pulse oximeters, so I can fully support their brand with confidence.

Coming in at #2 on our list is the CHOICEMMED Finger Pulse Oximeter that comes in a beautiful sky blue and white color scheme. This device measures quickly and provides an accurate heart rate and oxygen saturation reading in seconds.

One thing that stands out about this model is how lightweight it feels. So, if you need to carry it with you at all times, rest assured that you’ll hardly notice it in your pocket or purse.

With that being said, even though it feels light, the device is made of high-quality materials and actually has good durability. This model is reliable, accurate, and easy to operate. Not to mention, it’s suitable for all ages and arrives out of the box ready for use.

I was so excited when I was approached by CHOICEMMED to work with them as a sponsor. They have excellent brand recognition and deliver high-quality products which is why I feel comfortable recommending their pulse oximeter model with such confidence.

Next up on our list is another one of the absolute best pulse oximeters on the market, and is none other than the Santamedical Jumper Fingertip Pulse Oximeter.

You wouldn’t be able to find a person that will say bad things about this device, even if you tried. That’s because this pulse oximeter has all the perks that will get the job done, plain and simple. Not only does it function well, the sleek white design looks nice for any medical professional or for someone who wished to use the device at home.

A thoughtful feature that attracted much attention was its finger chamber that is coated with a hypoallergenic silicone layer to prevent any dermatologicalreactionfor those with sensitive skin. It is also lightweight and durable making it an obvious choice for many nurses, Respiratory Therapists, and other healthcare professional.

This pulse oximeter measures the arterial hemoglobin oxygen levels within a few seconds of pressing the ‘on’button and displays the results along with a number of other parameters including battery levels, waveform,andheart rate. It has a hassle-free design and is highlyefficient,especially in its power consumption and extended battery life.

If you are looking for apulse oximeter that provides the best value and affordability, look no further than the Zacurate Pro Series 500DL Pulse Oximeter, which is exactly why it ranks so highly on our list.

For such an affordable price, this onedoes a great job of delivering fast and accurate SpO2 results – as good as many of the more expensive pulse oximeters. This one may not have each and every one of the bells and whistles that some of the more expensive models have but it does the job just fine.

Not to mention, this model is very durable as well and is built for heavy usage. I often recommend this pulse oximeter for Nursing and Respiratory Therapy students.

Also, this model comes with a lanyard so the athletic types can take it with you on the move without having to find a place to store it. It also comes with a sleek silicon layer that keeps it protected from the elements.

Batteries are included so you can use it right out of the box. It’s easy to use, just turn it on, slip it on your finger (or your patient’s finger) and in a few seconds, the bright large display gives you a readout of the blood oxygen saturation levels, and heart rate; easy peasy.

Coming in at #5 on our list is none other than the Innovo Deluxe Fingertip Pulse Oximeter. If you’re looking for a quality tool that won’t break the bank, this is the obvious choice which explains why it sits near the top of our list. It stands out from the rest because of its accuracy and reliability.

Whether you’re using this pulse oximeter on your patients or if you’re using it on yourself at home, rest assured that this one will give you an accurate reading.

Another reason why we love the Innovo Deluxe Pulse Oximeter is its affordability.It will be hard for you to find a pulse oximeter that is as reliable as this one without having to drop a ton of dough. Not to mention, it has a clean look and design and it small enough to fit in any of your pockets.

And last but not least, I can’t go without mentioning that it comes with a Perfusion Index score. This is an amazing feature that can help you gauge the strength of your patient’s pulse. The higher the Perfusion Index reading, the stronger the pulse. This is a good indicator of the accuracy of the pulse oximetry reading.

Next up on our list is the AccuMed CMS-50D Pulse Oximeter and this one is, simply put, another solid option for anyone looking for a good pulse oximeter.

It comes with a bright LED screen that has an auto-screen rotation, meaning that the display will show on whichever side is most convenient for you.

It also has auto-brightness adjustment features that will set the optimal screen brightness levels no matter if you’re in a light or dark setting. How cool is that?

It also has long battery life – more than 30 hours of continuous operation. Changing out the battery is also fairly effortless because the back pop on and off easily.

All in all, this is another good pulse oximeter that you really can’t go wrong with. This model works well with adults, children, and even the elderly population as well. So if you’re a Respiratory Therapist, nurse, or doctor, you can definitely use this pulse oximeter to get the job done.

Next up is the Santamedical Deluxe SM-110 Two Way Pulse Oximeter. This one is a very popular pulse oximeter because it includes a two-way display that allows the oximeter to be read in either direction.

This unique feature definitely makes this one stick out from the crowd. Not to mention, this pulse oximeter can easily and accurately measures the SpO2 and heart rate,which allows the user to obtain a quick reading.

This provides a quick view of the user’s status (if it’s for home use) or the status of the patient being measured (in a hospital or healthcare setting). Basically what I’m trying to say is that, even though it falls downs at #5, this is still a very good pulse oximeter.

It has a brightLED display that provides an easy viewing experience that works well in both light and dark situations.It’s also very durable as well so you won’t need to continuously worry about damaging or breaking the device.

It comes with an accompanying wrist strap and carrying case for added mobility.If you’re looking for an affordable pulse oximeter for healthcare, sports, or even home use, this is definitely one of the best-rated pulse oximeters in its class.

Coming in at #7 is the Concord Sapphire Fingertip Pulse Oximeter and this is another great option for anyone who needs a high-quality pulse oximeter. I love this one because of its simplicity.

Literally, with one click of a button, you can insert the finger and have an accurate SpO2 and heart rate reading within seconds. Another cool feature that helps this one stand out is the fact that after begin turned on for 8 seconds, it will automatically turn itself off to preserve battery.

And the low battery indicator will let you know before the batteries stop working to ensure that you have plenty of time to change them out.

It comes with batteries so it’s ready to use right out of the box. Also included is a carrying case, silicone protective sleeve, lanyard, and it even comes with a 2-year warranty. This one doesn’t come with some of the bells and whistles like some of the others on the list, which is why it ranks a tad bit lower.

Still, if you’re looking for a high-quality pulse oximeter at an affordableprice, this is yet another good option.

And last but most certainly not least, the most technologically advanced pulse oximeter on our list and none other than the Masimo MightySat Bluetooth Pulse Oximeter.

This one is definitely in a class of its own coming in as, by far, the most expensive pulse oximeter on the list. But only because it comes with advanced tracking features unlike any of the others mentioned above. This pulse oximeter comes with Bluetooth support andadvanced customization option with data sharing that syncs directly to your smartphone.

When using the device, health data is captured and synced with Apple’s health app and other supported apps so that you can track, measure, and manage your vital information to paint a better picture of your overall health. How awesome is that?

So for some of you, this high-endpulse oximeter with all the tracking features may not be necessary, which explains why this one falls all the way down at the bottom of our list. However, if you do want a pulse oximeter with all the Bluetooth tracking features and technology, this one is hard to beat.

So for doctors, physicians, or those who run their own practice, the Masimo MightySat may be the best choice for you.

What is a Pulse Oximeter?

A Pulse Oximeter is a device that is used to quickly and easily monitor a person’s oxygen saturation.This means that is can measure the level of oxygen within the blood, specifically in arterial blood without using any invasive means.

A pulse oximeter is typically a small, portable device that clips onto the finger and provides a reading within seconds. In addition to measuring oxygen saturation, the device provides a heart rate measurement as well.

Arterial blood flows to parts of the body from the heart, fresh with oxygen where it diffuses to the surrounding tissues and cells. If there is a lack of oxygen in the blood, that means your body tissues will not be oxygenated properly and can be hazardous to your health.

This can be anindication of serious pulmonary issues.

That is why it’s so important to use a pulse oximeter. Respiratory Therapists (as well as other healthcare professionals) use these portable fingertip pulse oximeters to constantly monitor their patient’s oxygenationlevels.

This also helps provide a better understanding of their overall cardiopulmonary status.

The 9+ Best Pulse Oximeters for Medical Professionals (2024) (20)

It is also recommendedthat patients with cardiopulmonary problems keep their very own pulse oximeter for home use as well. That is why we created this list to provide the absolute best options for you here in one place.

And the best part is, each of the high-quality pulse oximeters that are listed below can be purchased atAmazon.com. That means that you’ll be able to get your hands on a good pulse oximeter in only a matter of days.

Pulse Oximeter Types

When it comes to the different types of pulse oximeters, there are two types: 1) Medical Grade and 2) Sports and Home Use. Both of which can be referred to as a fingertip pulse oximeter because the finger is the most common site to use for obtaining a reading.

Medical Grade pulse oximeters are used by doctors, Respiratory Therapists, and medical professionals in the clinical setting. They can only be purchased from medical supply manufacturers.

When it comes to home use, it basically comes down to the different brand names. This article is focused on helping you select the type that is right for you.

How Does a Pulse Oximeter Work?

Pulse oximeters work on a simple but brilliant principle. Blood absorbs light, and there’s a distinct difference between the wavelengths that go through oxygenated and de-oxygenated blood.

The finger clip of a pulse oximeter consists of a transmitting light source that emits a broad spectrum of light. On the other end, there’s a receiver that measures how much light passes through.

The diode on the receiving end is capable of detecting the wavelength of light. The internal circuits and processing components of the pulse oximeter do some calculations as well.

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The device has to compensate for the ambient light, finger size, and the absorbance of the rest of the tissues.

There’s a reference curve saved in the memory of the device to calibrate the incoming readings and normalize them. This increases the precision of the results that it provides.

What Does a Pulse Oximeter Measure?

Pulse Oximeters measure the percentage of arterial oxygen primarily. In more precise terms, this is the amount of oxygen carried on blood hemoglobin. It’s known as SpO2.

Another way to see the result as oxygen saturation. This is an expression of the ratio between oxygenated to de-oxygenated blood.

The 9+ Best Pulse Oximeters for Medical Professionals (2024) (22)

There are parameters that you get along the way once you measure oxygen saturation. Heart rate (HR) is automatically calculated alongside the percentage of oxygen.

HR and SpO2 complement one another, and clinicians find this double parameter readout quite informative.

How to Use a Pulse Oximeter?

The best part of pulse oximetry is that it’s non-invasive. Back in the day, doctors had to draw blood from a patient and perform several analyses to find out the percentage of oxygen saturation.

Using a pulse oximeter is quite simple. You clip it on the middle right finger, a toe, or an earlobe. Some models are surface probes that you can attach to the forehead or chest.

To get reliable realistic readings, try to minimize the patient’s movement as much as possible. Also, if you’re using a finger clip, then make sure there’s no nail polish.

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These simple measures are sufficient for obtaining an accurate representation of arterial blood oxygen saturation.

The readout is displayed after a few seconds, and this is another important feature in pulse oximetry. It’s helpful in emergencies and in situations where constant real-time monitoring of a patient’s vital signs is essential.

Which Finger Is Best for a Pulse Oximeter?

Pulse oximetry isn’t a new technology. It was implemented around the 1980s, but many advances have been introduced since then. Mostly, to increase the reliability of the readings.

Accuracy is often the main concern in measuring oxygen saturation, and an interesting 2015 study observed how clipping each finger affected the results.

The verdict came out that the middle finger of the right hand gives the best accuracy. The thumb of the same hand follows.

The 9+ Best Pulse Oximeters for Medical Professionals (2024) (24)

This is a bit of a surprise for clinicians and medical practitioners. The same study showed that about 80% of healthcare workers clip the patient’s index finger as a matter of course.

Can You Purchase a Pulse Oximeter on Amazon?

Yes, of course you can. Each of the high-quality Pulse Oximeters that we mentioned above can be purchased from Amazon.com.

So with that said, you can use our list along with the Amazon reviews, to make the right choice to fit your needs.

What are the Risks of Pulse Oximetry?

Thankfully, there aren’t any risks or dangers of using a pulse oximeter. The biggest concern is making sure that the device is giving an accurate reading.

This is especially true for doctors, Respiratory Therapists, and medical professionals. Because if the pulse oximeter gives inaccurate results, that could lead to poor patient treatment and care.

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What are the Normal Ranges for a Pulse Oximeter?

We’ve discussed what pulse oximeters measure and how they work. Now we need to talk about the normal ranges for heart rate and oxygen saturation.

  • Heart rate –60-100 beats/min
  • Oxygen Saturation– 95-100%

Keep in mind, these are the normal values for an average adult. The ranges differ depending on your age. And while the normal range for oxygen saturation is 95-100%, the level isn’t considered to be dangerously low until it drops below 90%.

In such a case, that is referred to as hypoxemia, which means that there is an abnormally low level of oxygen in the blood. Hypoxemia is treated with supplemental oxygen.

What is an Oxygen Reader?

You may have heard a pulse oximeter referred to as an oxygen reader. That is because the device uses advanced technology to read the oxygen saturation levels of arterial blood.

In general, the terms pulse oximeter and oxygen reader can be used interchangeably to describe the devices found here in this article.

Should You Really Buy a Pulse Oximeter at Home?

To answer this question, it really just depends on your own unique medical situation. Under normal circ*mstances, a pulse oximeter would only be needed in the home for those with lung diseases such as COPD and asthma.

However, these are far from normal circ*mstances. In 2020, at the time of this writing during a global pandemic, it may be wise to invest in a pulse oximeter that can be kept at home to monitor your oxygen saturation levels. Especially if, for no other reason, than you ease anxiety and give you peace at mind. Of course, be sure to check with your doctor.

The 9+ Best Pulse Oximeters for Medical Professionals (2024) (26)The 9+ Best Pulse Oximeters for Medical Professionals (2024) (27)

This sleek, glossy, white pulse oximeter is yet another solid option for home use.

As an affiliate, we receive compensation if you purchase through this link.

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Final Thoughts

So there you have it! Now you know the absolute best pulse oximeters for respiratory therapists and other healthcare professionals. Not only that, each pulse oximeter on the list above is also a great option for home-use as well.

So if you need to keep a close eye on your oxygen saturation levels and heart rate while at home, you can feel confident making a selection from one of the options on this list.

Thank you for reading all the way to the end. Everyone needs a good pulse oximeter in their home, whether you’re a medical professional or not. And hopefully you were able to find the best pulse oximeter for you by using the list above.

Thanks again for reading and as always, breathe easy my friend. 🙂

References

The following are the sources that were used while doing research for this article:

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The 9+ Best Pulse Oximeters for Medical Professionals (2024) (2024)

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