A pediatric pulse oximeter is used to measure the oxygen levels and heart rate of babies and children in a non-invasive manner.
It takes this measurement without any pain, by simple placement on the fingers or toes of children.
Since it needs to take accurate, medical measurements on young children, it’s very important to make sure you get the best pulse oximeter available.
This can be difficult, though, with different brands, types, and products all boasting their own oximeters as the best.
Luckily for you, though, we’re going to go through everything you need to know to find the best of the best of the pediatric pulse oximeters.
Top 10 Best Pediatric Pulse Oximeters
Different Types Of Products
An important note to make on these devices is that not all of them are the same.
Just like any other product you would go to buy, there are many different types of oximeter to choose from.
It’s also important to remember that while some of these models are clearly preferred, they aren’t necessarily better than one another.
They’re important to know about, however, to know which types are best for the things you’re intending to use them for.
Neonatal Pulse Oximeters
The definition of neonatal refers to newborns, usually up to one month after birth.
After a baby is born, it’s important to make sure that they’re healthy and born without any major birth defects.
One of the many measurements taken is pulse and oxygen level thanks to neonatal pulse oximeters.
These, obviously, need to be much smaller than an oximeter for an adult or even an older child to properly fit their toes or fingers.
It’s important to note that the readings from these for newborns should be taken at least 24 hours from birth. Anything earlier than that can create false positive readings.
Portable Pulse Oximeter
This type of oximeter has the digital interface on the device. This makes it simple to take a reading quickly and easily.
It’s made to fit on either the fingers and earlobe of children. Their appearance is similar to an alligator clip and using them is a breeze.
However, they won’t work very well if the testing site is very cold or – in a rarer case – a blood clot is present.
Handheld Oximeter
This is the type of oximeter that you’re more likely to find in an ER or hospital. Instead of the display being on the clip of the oximeter, it’s on a box connected to the clip by a cable.
This type of oximeter shows more than just the oxygen and heart rate, however, the exact other readings may change from model to model.
This is because this type of oximeter is meant to be used by doctors to help make a full diagnosis rather than just test for a symptom.
Brands
Brands are another important thing to look out for. Well-known brands help us choose companies and products we can trust that will stand the test of time.
In this section, we’ll take a look at some of the best brands on the market right now.
AccuMed
AccuMed is a well-known medical company that focuses on engineering medical products.
These products are innovative and the focus is on those medical instruments that actually touch the human body.
Not only does this count the pulse oximeters that we’re looking at here, but other products such as slings, wraps, and headgear for sleep apnea.
Since their products are made to be used directly on the body, they’re made not only to work but to be comfortable as well.
This sort of innovation and forethought has made AccuMed a trusted name in the medical equipment industry.
Vive Health
Vive Health, or simply Vive, is a company that states their mission as a rebellion against age.
However, their products help people of all ages stay healthy and deal with ailments with ease.
They’re an online retailer with a large number of followers and a focus on customer service.
Better yet, especially for young families looking for paediatric equipment such as these oximeters, they offer their customers all this innovation without making them completely empty their wallets.
Top 5 Products
This section is all about finding the best pulse oximeter.
These 5 products are the best of the best, highly rated by their users.
These products include some of the different types and brands mentioned above, helping to illustrate some examples of them.
This list focuses on smaller, more personal and family options rather than hospital grade models.
Pulse Oximeter by Concord
Our first paediatric pulse oximeter comes in a variety of colors including green, pink, blue, and yellow with large digital displays right on the front.
It’s made to be used on a finger and once it’s removed, it has an auto-shut off after 8 seconds to save battery.
With 2 AAA batteries, you’ll be able to use it for up to 30 hours.
When the batteries get low, there’s an indicator to warn you.
A 2-year warranty also protects this oximeter.
Acc U Rate Pro Series CMS 500DL Oximeter
This oximeter is made for sport and health enthusiasts rather than medical professionals.
It’s the perfect size for older children.
Unfortunately, the size of it is too large for very young children, leading to inaccurate readings.
The digital display on the oximeter is also large and easy to read.
It only takes 10 seconds to take a reading, so you can get results quickly without any fuss.
It has also been praised for its high accuracy, so you don’t have to worry about mistakes.
Acc U Rate Children Oximeter
This children’s oximeter is small enough to take children’s measurements and in the fun shape of a polar bear.
It’s specifically designed to fit children’s fingers from the age of two and up.
This model also includes a plethysmograph.
This indicates the amount of blood flow and blood pressure, so you have added accuracy.
The OLED, rotatable display also makes it easy to read.
It also comes with a free pouch and lanyard to make it easier to carry and store, as well as 2 AAA batteries so you can use your new purchase immediately.
AccuMed CMS-50DL Oximeter
This oximeter is unique since it can fit both children and their parents.
It’s intended for use by sport and exercise enthusiasts, rather than made for a hospital setting, but is extremely reliable all the same.
The screen of this oximeter is easy to read as well with digital display and protections against ambient light.
It also comes with batteries, a lanyard, and a carrying case which helps owners store and carry the device.
A reading with this oximeter only takes a couple of seconds to provide an accurate and quick reading.
Thanks to a one-year warranty, you can rest easy knowing that your oximeter is protected.
Finger Pulse Oximeter by Vive Precision
This product may be one of the easiest oximeters to use.
All you have to do to activate is turn it on and put it on your child’s finger and within seconds you’ll have their pulse rate and Sp02 displayed.
If you’re new to using these, don’t worry.
The device even has an alarm that will sound when it detects an irregular heartbeat or low oxygen saturation levels.
It’s also ready to go as soon as you get it thanks to batteries being included along with a carrying case, a lanyard, and an instruction manual complete with illustrations.
A two-year warranty also keeps this device protected from any manufacturing defaults.
Next 5 Best Products
Just because products are the best or highest rated, doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re the products you’re looking for.
To help you out, and in the interest of making you the most complete guide possible, here are the next 5 best oximeters so you can have exactly what you need.
Finger Pulse Oximeter by TempIR
Santamedical Generation 2 OLED Oximeter
Yellow Bear Oximeter For Children
Quest OXM-PC 60E Family Oximeter & Pediatric Probe
OxyRate Pediatric Oximeter For Kids
Buying Guide
We’ve looked over everything you need to know to find the best paediatric pulse oximeter, so let’s take one last look and tie it all together.
First, we looked at the types of pulse oximeters there are on the market.
There are three main ones; neonatal oximeters, handheld oximeters, and portable oximeters.
Portable models are mostly what we have looked at, since they’re easy to use, widely rated, and convenient for everyday use.
The next thing we looked at was the best brands. This part was rather simple, just noting that AccuMed and Vive Health are the two names to watch out for thanks to their innovation and affordability.
Then we looked at top ten rated products with an in-depth look at the top five.
Conclusion
Taking care of you and your children’s health can be stressful enough without having to worry if you’re buying the right products.
Luckily for you, after reading this guide finding the best oximeter for you and your family should be a breeze.
Not only do you now know the best products, but the best companies that make them and what type of oximeters to look for.
So, now you can rest easy knowing you’ve made a well-informed choice and you’ll get a fantastic and reliable product.