Join ConsumerLoginDonate
  • Consumer NZ
  • About us
  • Consumer rights and advice
  • Subscribe to our newsletters
  • Media releases
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Community guidelines
  • Contact us
  • Membership
  • Join
  • Membership support
  • Consumer magazine
  • Consumer Advice Line
  • Top tests and reviews
  • Other sites
  • Campaigns
  • Stop misleading supermarket pricing
  • Fix the broken electricity market
  • Sign the flight rights petition
  • Stamp out scams
  • Right to repair
  • End greenwashing now

Follow us

© Copyright Consumer NZ. All rights reserved.

How we test blood pressure monitors

We test the accuracy of blood pressure monitors.

Updated December 2024
  • Compare (12)
  • Buying guide
  • How we test

To check accuracy (systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and heart rate), we compared the results with those obtained from a hospital grade calibrated blood pressure monitor.

Readings were taken from six men and four women. The men were aged from 22 to 52 years. The women were aged from 22 to 65 years.

Overall score breakdown

Overall accuracy is comprised of:

  • heart-rate accuracy (20%)

  • systolic accuracy (40%)

  • diastolic accuracy (40%).

Before testing begins, each triallist was well rested and hadn’t consumed caffeine in the previous 30 minutes. There was a one-minute interval between each reading to allow blood pressure to return to resting. Two readings were taken with each monitor and the results averaged.

The study was undertaken by researchers at the University of Otago, Wellington, Centre for Translational Research.

We didn’t give models an ease of use score. Although some monitors are cumbersome to use initially, with regular use we don’t think any would be difficult to use.

Was this page helpful?

More from Consumer

Health insurance policies

Compare health insurance

Updated May 2025
Image of a woman wearing a fitness tracker

Smartwatch & fitness tracker reviews

Updated November 2025
Wedges in an air fryer.

Air fryers

Updated October 2025
Image of a clothes dryer

Clothes dryers

August 2025