Koogeek BP2 blood pressure monitor review

I don’t take my blood pressure on a regular basis, but maybe I should.  I have EMT training so I own a manual sphygmomanometer (“blood pressure cuff”) as well as a tabletop automatic and a portable. The Koogeek BP2, however, looked so small and sleek, I knew I had to give it a try.

The BP2 comes with a microUSB charging cable and documents.

• Length (Fold): 150mm
• Width (Fold): 75mm
• Thickness (Fold): 85mm
• Weight: Approx. 300g
• Cuff Size: Approx. 220-360mm
• Battery: 400mAh lithium charged via MicroUSB. Good for at least 50 times of continuous usage on one charge.

The top of the BP2 consists of (left-right) a microUSB charging port, reset button (recessed), LED and power button.

The BP2 reminds me of an iPod Mini.

Here’s a close-up of the cuff.  Check your upper arm circumference before ordering.

The BP2 also includes wireless connectivity to your Android or iOS device. I started to install the App, and came across this:

Why do I have to give them my email and password just to start cuff inflation and take a reading?  The app logs your blood pressure measurements, but I don’t see why you can’t just write it down yourself.  I guess I’m old fashioned that way, and I don’t feel like sharing my health information in this manner.

In the instructions, I found this note about not using your cell phone near the BP2.  I’m not sure someone proofread this. Why have a companion app, then?

Even more troubling was this note in part 4, “After the measurement”.  Why would the BP2 upload your readings to the server if you don’t launch the app?

Fortunately, for the paranoid-minded like me, you can operate the BP2 without the app.  Simply power it up, and press the power button a second time to begin cuff inflation.

As you can see in the video, the BP2 display shows systolic (the “upper” number) and diastolic (the “lower” number) plus heart rate.

But is it any good?  I was a little concerned when I saw my readings.  They were high for me.  So over the course of an hour, I took my blood pressure at rest using different methods.

Koogeek BP2:  125/74

Hyundai upper-arm portable:  118/75

Omron desktop: 114/77

Manual cuff with stethoscope: 115/80

On average I noticed the Koogeek BP2 measured about 10 mmHg higher than what I think is normal for me.  That’s not reassuring. It could be an individual error. I also noticed the screen went blank after giving a reading in about 10 seconds. If you don’t use the app, I would note the reading or write it down quickly.