Written by Hulet Smith, OT
To work properly, the body’s organs require a constant supply of oxygen taken in by the lungs, transmitted to the heart by capillaries, then sent via arteries from the heart to the rest of the body. Since oxygen saturation is a crucial measure of how well the lungs are working, patients on certain medications or with conditions that require them to check their blood oxygen saturation on a regular basis rely on finger pulse oximeters for home use to get that information.
Patients who are recovering from surgical procedures, have sleep apnea, or who have acute respiratory distress syndrome, anemia, asthma, cardiac arrest, COPD, heart failure, lung cancer, or pneumonia can benefit from monitoring by a portable pulse oximeter.
This device is clipped onto the end of a finger and uses a cold light source that shines a light through the end of the finger, making the tip appear red. The pulse oximeter measures the light that passes through the finger without getting absorbed by the fingernail, tissue, skin, and blood, and from that determines the percentage of oxygen in the red blood cells.
Since they can be used continuously, finger pulse oximeters can provide data for long-term tracking of blood oxygen levels.
 | 1) Drive Medical View SpO2 Deluxe Finger Tip Pulse Oximeter View Product |
The number 5 entry on our list is the all-in-one integrated Pediatric Pulse Oximeter by Drive Medical. For a quick and accurate reading on sometimes squirmy fingers, this model has a kid-friendly design to encourage compliance from young patients. It records pulse rate, SpO2, and plethysmograph waveform to record changes in pulsatile blood flow.
Taking the same pulse and oxygen saturation assessments as models sized for adults, this special pediatric pulse oximeter will put kids at ease while they are being cared for. The froggy exterior is designed to keep kids’ attention while their caregivers take the measurements. This device fits finger sizes from ?” to one inch, and has an easy to read dual color OLED display that has multiple modes and 10 brightness levels.
This special pediatric model comes with a lanyard, a durable silicone case, and a hang bag, so it is conveniently portable. It requires three AAA batteries, and will indicate when the batteries are getting low so you can be assured it will be ready when you need it.
This pediatric-focused model is great for making a child comfortable with a piece of medical equipment. If you want a fast reading you can easily see and interpret from a kid-friendly all-in-one unit, you will certainly be pleased with this pediatric pulse oximeter.
Pros
The Choicemmed Handheld Spot Check Pulse Oximeter by Medline is the number 4 entry on our list. This portable pulse oximeter is slim and ultra lightweight, and is designed to be taken along to check your pulse and blood oxygen levels anywhere. This is especially useful when exercising or traveling.
This Choicemmed oximeter is easily operated with one hand. To customize the LED display screen, you can adjust the font size and there are 10 levels of brightness to choose from so it can be read easily in any light. It ships with one adult sized finger probe and it automatically turns off to save battery life when it’s not in use. It comes with a 1-year limited manufacturer’s warranty.
With its ease of use and lightweight design, the Choicemmed Handheld Spot Check Pulse Oximeter can be taken anywhere. If you want an accurate reading on the go, this model delivers.
Cons
If you have an active lifestyle, the FingerSAT Pulse Oximeter for Sports and Outdoors by Medline at number 3 on our list is a smart choice. It is also latex free for anyone with sensitive skin or a latex allergy.
It’s compact and comes with a lanyard, so you can take it anywhere. This portable pulse oximeter has no external devices and is entirely self-contained. It’s super durable so it can be relied on wherever you go. This device is protected by a silicone housing that stands up against chips and cracks and ensures a long service life.
The one-touch multi-color backlit display clearly presents the reliable measurements provided by this device, even in dim lighting conditions. It will shut off automatically to save power when not in use.
The lanyard keeps it within reach, it produces quick and accurate results, and the display is easy to read. If you’re looking for a durable oximeter that can keep up with you, this one will be a good fit for your active lifestyle.
At number 2 is the Premium Rechargeable Handheld Oximeter by Proactive Medical Products. One of its best features is the built in memory card that tracks measurements and allows for long-term trend monitoring.
It has a built in rechargeable battery and a power save function so it’s ready when you need it. The BCI compatible finger probe makes it extremely versatile, as it can take readings from adults and children. It’s useful for spot checks or continuous measuring.
Lightweight and ergonomically designed to fit the contours of your hand, this is a great choice for home use or for a professional medical setting. The high def 1.8-inch LCD color display shows the SpO2, SpO2 waveform, and pulse rate in real time. It comes with a 1-year warranty from the manufacturer.
As the name indicates, this device truly is a premium model. In addition to pulse and oxygen measurements, it provides a plethysmographic reading to measure pulsatile blood flow. If you need a handheld pulse oximeter with advanced features that is user-friendly and can be relied on wherever you are, this device will serve you well.
Topping our list of best pulse oximeters is the View SpO2 Deluxe Finger Tip Pulse Oximeter by Drive Medical. It can accommodate the widest range of finger sizes, able to deliver an accurate reading when placed on the largest finger of an adult or on the finger of the smallest of children.
Conveniently, it is operated by two AAA batteries, so they are easy to find, easy to replace, and you don’t have to worry about digging up a power cord. It also turns itself off automatically when not in use to preserve battery life and one set of batteries will last for around 30 hours of operation.
The View Sp02 Deluxe Finger Tip Pulse Oximeter has an reader-friendly OLED screen with dual color high resolution and multiple display modes. It measures blood oxygen saturation, pulse rate, pulse signal bar and plethysmogram to indicate changes in pulsatile blood flow. The display has six modes for easy reading from all sides and light conditions, and the screen brightness has 10 levels of adjustment.
Because the sensors will work on fingers sized from pediatric to adult, this finger tip pulse oximeter is a great all-around choice if there are multiple family members who would benefit from having it for home use. Additionally, this device goes beyond measuring pulse and blood oxygen levels, gathering and displaying additional valuable information to allow for real-time analysis of trends and markers of health and well-being.
Finger pulse oximeters accommodate different sizes of patients. If you have kids in your house and you want the ability to monitor all family members, a pediatric pulse oximeter, or at least a model that can accommodate children and adults is optimal. If you only need it for yourself, the ability to accommodate a variety of sizes is not a consideration.
The finger pulse oximeter you choose should have a display that is easy for you to read. They come in different sizes, showing results from a variety of measurements depending on the model, and the screen could be in color.
Poor circulation, different skin tones, and even having cold hands can seriously impact the readings on a finger pulse oximeter. If you fall into any of these categories, you should research specifically if it has been proven to be effective with those who have your condition or your skin tone.
These devices use different power sources. For someone who doesn’t want to deal with replacing batteries, rechargeable or corded versions would be a good choice. If you choose a battery operated option, you don’t have to keep up with a charger or get tangled up in a cord.
These are very sensitive machines, and they are not inexpensive. It is important that the pulse fingertip oximeter be well-made and durable enough to stand up to long-term use - like all products supplied by Rehabmart.com. A padded carrying case and a protective cover are options that keep it protected if it’s getting jostled around a lot.
For anyone living with a condition requiring regular monitoring of lung function and blood oxygen levels, a fingertip pulse oximeter can provide information to determine real-time updates and also track trends. When the data points measured by a pulse oximeter are shared with your doctor, the information from this device can help determine what, if any, treatment and intervention you should have.
If you have a heart condition, a lung condition, or shortness of breath, a finger tip pulse oximeter for home use is a valuable addition to your home health care toolbox. Being able to quickly measure the saturation of oxygen in your red blood cells without having to visit the doctor or have a blood sample taken, is a convenient way to gather helpful real-time information.
Each of the choices on our Top 5 list are quality built and will quickly deliver accurate measurements to help you track the oxygen saturation levels in your blood. Our top pick can accommodate adults and children, conveniently uses AAA batteries, and has six display modes, making it the most versatile entry on our list.
The first number that comes up most often indicates the pulse rate. Often this number is marked by a small heart. The second number that comes up is the level of oxygen in the blood. In models displaying a plethysmogram, a wave will be displayed indicating pulsatile blood flow.
Oxygen saturation of 95 to 100 percent is normal for healthy children and adults.
A normal resting heart rate for adults usually ranges from 60-100 beats per minute, although this is impacted by level of efficient heart function and cardiovascular fitness.
For children, normal pulse rate is determined by age. Generally, 80-130 for children up to age 2, 80-120 for 3- and 4-year olds, 75-115 for 5- and 6-year olds and 70-110 for kids age 7 - 9.
During a pulse oximetry reading, a small clamp-like device is placed on the end of a finger. Small beams of light pass through the blood in the tip of the finger, measuring the amount of oxygen by determining changes of light absorption in oxygenated or deoxygenated blood. This reveals the oxygen saturation levels along with heart rate.
A pulse oximeter works best if used on the index or middle finger.
Co-founder/CEO of Rehabmart, Pediatric Occupational Therapist, husband, and father. Passionate about connecting special needs kids with superb nutrition, sensory integration, and complementary health strategies. Excited about Rehabmart's mission to become the premier online educational platform which empowers caregivers by spotlighting innovative devices and interventions to achieve optimal patient response and recovery.
