Blood pressure monitor: wrist or upper arm?

Blutdruckmessung am Handgelenk oder Oberarm?

Digital blood pressure monitors take automatic readings of arterial pressure. At the push of a button they inflate automatically and then deflate on their own. They record the two blood pressure values and the pulse rate. These devices are now widely available at low cost. You can choose between monitors for the upper arm and monitors for the wrist. Both methods are considered equivalent. However, there are design-related differences that can make some devices less suitable for certain users than for others.

Wrist monitors are easier to use but you must pay close attention to holding your hand so the measuring point is at heart level. With upper-arm monitors this is almost always automatically the case. However, you may need to remove clothing for the measurement.

Wrist blood pressure monitors

The biggest advantage of wrist monitors is the simple measurement process you usually don't have to remove clothing. However, you must be very precise about placing the measuring point i.e., the device at heart level. Because the vessels in the wrist are relatively small and can narrow with age, upper-arm monitors are better suited for older users. For people who are severely overweight or who have very large upper arms, wrist monitors are often the better choice because it can be difficult to find a suitable upper-arm cuff.

Special feature

the arm position must be kept precisely
easy to use no need to remove clothing

Especially suitable

for people with very large upper arms

Less suitable

for older users (details: When is wrist blood pressure measurement not suitable?)

Upper-arm blood pressure monitors

Upper-arm monitors excel because there is little chance of error regarding the measuring point it is almost always at heart level. The arm used for measurement should be rested on a table or otherwise supported, as an American study in 2024 showed. However, thick or very loose outer clothing that folds can have to be removed for the measurement. A thin blouse, shirt, or thin long-sleeve shirt usually does not affect the measurement. Please check your device's user manual for details. People with large upper arms sometimes have trouble finding a suitable upper-arm cuff. In these cases an upper-arm monitor may be less suitable than a wrist monitor. For older users, upper-arm monitors are in most cases the better choice, because deposits in the relatively large vessels of the upper arm do not interfere.

Special feature

- the measuring point is almost always correct
- outer clothing may need to be removed

Especially suitable

for older users

Less suitable

for people with large upper arms (details: When is an upper-arm blood pressure measurement not suitable?)

Sources:

This article comes from BloodPressureDB – the leading app since 2011 that helps hundreds of thousands monitor their blood pressure every day. Our content is based on carefully researched, evidence-based data and is continuously updated (as of 11/2025).

Author Sabine Croci is a qualified medical assistant with many years of experience in internal medicine and cardiology practices as well as in outpatient care, and has led BloodPressureDB's specialist editorial team since 2015. Thanks to her extensive additional qualifications as a paramedic, first responder and in various therapy and emergency areas, she provides solid, practical and reliably reviewed information.

We hope you found the article helpful. Accurate measurements are essential for good blood pressure control. Our app BloodPressureDB can help with that. Clear instructions walk you through taking measurements according to current guidelines. The app can also remind you if you wish. These features are fully available in the free version as well. Get the free app now.

Blood pressure monitor: wrist or upper arm?

Wrist blood pressure monitors

Upper-arm blood pressure monitors

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