REVIEW – They say that high blood pressure is a silent killer because there are no obvious symptoms when you have this condition. For many of us, the only time we have our blood pressure measured is during our annual physicals at our doctor’s office – and many of us don’t even do that. The Withings BPM Connect is a blood pressure cuff that you can use at home without going to your doctor. It’s simple to use and could provide vitally important health information. Let’s take a look.
What is it?
The Withings BPM Connect is a wireless/rechargeable FDA-cleared portable automatic blood pressure monitor that measures systolic and diastolic pressure and heart rate.
What’s included?
- Withings BPM Connect
- micro USB charging cable
- Instruction manual
Design and features
When it comes to health gadgets, I’ve been a loyal user of Withings fitness products for many years. I use one of their smart scales every morning and their digital thermometer when I’m sick.
The Withings BPM Connect features a soft fabric cuff that wraps around the BPM module to create a compact package that stores and travels easily. If you want a dedicated travel case, Withings does sell one separately for $29.95.
The bottom of the main module has a micro USB connection. Yes, you read that correctly – micro USB. And no, I have no idea why it’s using old tech instead of USB-C. Luckily, you shouldn’t need to use the cable very often because Withings claims that the BPM Connect should work for up to 6 months on a charge.
The cuff is held in the wrapped position with a magnet on the end/edge and the main module on the opposite end.
The cuff will fit arms that are 9 to 17 inches (22 to 42 cm) in circumference.
To get started, you stick your upper arm in the cuff and press the button and wait for the reading to show up on the built-in LED matrix display. Yes, it’s really that easy. The data is automatically synced via WiFi or Bluetooth to the Withings Health Mate app on your phone or tablet when the reading is complete. Let me show you what it’s like to take a reading.
See it in action
If you watch the video, you’ll see that my heart rate is in the 90s. I thought that seemed high, but my Apple Watch verified it to be true. It’s either due to white coat syndrome or it’s just the fact that I’m still recovering from COVID.
The only thing I noticed is that pumping up the cuff seems to take a little longer than anticipated. It’s not a huge deal; I’m just pointing it out.
You might also have noticed that at the end of each measurement, you can choose a different user or guest to associate the reading with.
Withings Health Mate app
I like that the Withings Health Mate app has measurements from all of my Withings gear.
I also like that I can log in to my account at healthmate.withings.com through my desktop web browser for a larger view.
How accurate is it?
I’m not a doctor, but according to Withings:
The BPM Connect performance to measure blood pressure was validated in a clinical trial.
The results are within the margin of acceptance defined by the internationally recognized evaluation standard of blood pressure monitors ANSI/AAMI/ISO 81060-2:2013, EN ISO 81060-2:2014, developed by the European Society of Hypertension, British Hypertension Society and Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation/American Heart Association.
What I like about the Withings BPM Connect
- Easy to use
- Long battery life
- Syncs to Withings Health Mate app with other Withings device data (scale, etc.)
What needs to be improved?
- Switch to USB-C
Final thoughts
I have enjoyed testing the Withings BPM Connect blood pressure monitor. I think it’s well made, easy to use and it’s not overly expensive. I also like that the readings integrate with the Withings Health Mate app, which I already use for the Themo thermometer and Body Scale.
Price: $99.95
Where to buy: Withings and Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Withings. Withings did not have a final say on the review and did not preview the review before it was published.
