Devices to measure oxygen in blood

A pulse oximeter on a finger of a hand

Measuring blood oxygen is very important information for health, especially in situations that require medical monitoring. Devices that measure blood oxygen are called oximeters, and they're cheaper and easier to use than ever, thanks to technology.

In this article, we explain everything you need to know about blood oxygen measurement: how they work, what types there are, what they are for, and how to choose the best one for you. This way you will have all the information to choose the right oximeter for your needs and lifestyle.

How is blood oxygen measured?

Blood oxygen measurement is carried out using a technique known as pulse oximetry. This process uses a small device called pulse oximeter, which is worn on a finger, wrist, or other part of the body.

The blood has a protein called hemoglobin, which is responsible for transporting oxygen. The pulse oximeter emits two types of light, red and infrared, which pass through the skin and into the blood.

Hemoglobin with oxygen absorbs more infrared light, and hemoglobin without oxygen absorbs more red light.. The pulse oximeter measures the amount of light that has been absorbed and calculates the percentage of hemoglobin that is bound to oxygen.

This percentage is called oxygen saturation and is considered normal when it is between 95% and 100%. Although pulse oximetry is not the only way to assess a person's respiratory health, it is valuable as a quick and non-invasive technique.

How pulse oximetry works using UV and red light

What types of devices exist to measure blood oxygen?

Each of the devices used to measure blood oxygen has its own characteristics and recommended uses. Here are some of the most common types of pulse oximeters:

  • Finger Pulse Oximeter: this is the most common type and is placed on the tip of the finger. It is small, portable and easy to use. It is ideal for monitoring at home or in clinical settings.
  • Wrist Pulse Oximeter: this type is worn on the wrist and is used primarily in clinical settings. It's less common than finger pulse oximeters, but can be useful if you need continuous blood oxygen measurement.
  • In-ear pulse oximeter: this type is placed on the earlobe and is used primarily in clinical settings. It provides an accurate measurement of blood oxygen saturation, but may be less comfortable than finger pulse oximeters.
  • Forehead pulse oximeter: this type is placed on the forehead and is used primarily in clinical settings. It is capable of measuring blood oxygen saturation, as well as temperature and heart rate.

The advancement of technology, and the integration and miniaturization of consumer electronics, have allowed integrate pulse oximetry into other devices. This is the case with bands and smartwatches with a pulse oximeter.

A smartwatch capable of measuring blood oxygen

Smart watches that measure blood oxygen

In recent years, there has been an increase in the popularity of smart watches (or smartwatches) and also smart bands (smartbands). Some of the newer devices integrate pulse oximeters.

Pulse oximeters built into smartwatches measure blood oxygen saturation at the wrist. While pulse oximeters built into smartwatches can be convenient and easy to use, not all of them are equally accurate.

The accuracy of pulse oximeters built into smartwatches can be affected by factors such as user movement, sensor quality, and how the watch is worn on the wrist.

Some examples of smart watches and bands that measure blood oxygen are:

  • Apple Watch Series 6 and later: In addition to measuring blood oxygen, it has other functions such as an electrocardiogram, sleep monitoring, and fall detection.
  • Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 and newer: The new generations of Galaxy Watch can estimate stress levels and provide advice to maintain a healthy life.
  • Honor Band 6 and newer: One of the best-selling smart bands of 2022, the Honor Band includes blood oxygen measurement, in addition to heart rate.
  • Xiaomi Smart Band 6 and later: The latest versions of the Xiaomi smart band also include a pulse oximeter.

A fully functioning pulse oximeter

How to choose the best pulse oximeter?

If you're looking for an accurate and consistent measurement of blood oxygen saturation, a standalone pulse oximeter may be the best option. The ones that can be found are almost all of the finger oximeter type, and they are very similar to each other.

Oximeters designed to measure oxygen saturation in blood and are often more accurate than sensors embedded in smartbands or smart watches. But the sensors are constantly improving, and the current gap has been greatly reduced.

On the other hand, if you are looking for an all in one solution that allows you to measure blood oxygen saturation, as well as other health and fitness data, a smart band or smart watch might be a better option for you.

These devices typically include a wide range of features, including physical activity tracking, sleep monitoring, heart rate tracking, and blood oxygen saturation measurement.

In conclusion,

  • If you want a device that offers you lots of features and you don't mind paying a little more, SmartWatch may be a better option for you.
  • If you want a device that helps you monitor your physical activity and health, daily and without spending a lot of money, smartbands may be a good option for you.
  • But if you are going to be at home, and you only need one occasional blood oxygen measurement, (eg if you are caring for a sick person) a dedicated oximeter is the most economical and convenient option.

Looking at an Apple Watch on the wrist


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