Aktiia experience report
Aktiia offers a wristband that measures blood pressure around the clock without a cuff. For people with high blood pressure this sounds like a perfect solution: just wear a small fitness-trackerstyle band and get an overview of your blood pressure. We were curious and tested the device thoroughly.
Cost
The device cost 99.99 plus 8.99 per month for an app subscription, or 199.99 including 12 months of app access. We chose the monthly option because we only planned to test the device for a few months.
After the test we couldnt cancel the subscription because the model changed completely. Now the 99.99 plus 12 months at 8.99 functions like an installment purchase. The apps "essential features" are now available indefinitely.
This strongly suggests that additional paid services may be planned later.
This strongly suggests that additional paid services may be planned later.
Current users are therefore a bit of a guinea pig and need to be flexible regarding further costs.
Setup
Setting up the band is a bit fiddly and unfortunately not documented very clearly. The band must still be on the charging dock for pairing.
Along with the band a cuff for calibration is supplied, and it isnt easy to attach. We turned it several times because we werent sure which way round it should go. A marking would be helpful here.
The calibration, however, worked very well the first time.
Measurements, first phase
From then on we wore the band for several weeks. We had an excellent blood pressure of about 120/70 mmHg. The nighttime dips were clearly visible. There was a reading every two hours, so we had almost twelve readings per day almost continuously.
Measurements, second phase
Then we went on holiday a perfect use case for the Aktiia. The bulky cuff device could stay at home and our luggage was lighter. Because the next calibration would have been due during the trip, we did it beforehand. Thats not a problem.
This time we took extra care: we waited five minutes right after waking up and then started the calibration measurements: first the band measures everything fine. Now the cuff. No result. Repeat, repeat, repeat. "Please wait a few hours and try again."
Later we tried again. At that point the band produced no result. Repeat, repeat, repeat. "Please wait a few hours." Even later we tried again. This time the wait message was ignored and we fiddled with it for about an hour until it finally calibrated.
From then on the readings were consistently around 135/85 mmHg about 15 mmHg higher than after the previous calibration. This time there were also many days with far fewer than twelve readings.
Unfortunately this shows the problem with the technology: everything depends on the calibration. In our opinion a one-month interval between calibrations is too long. That may be OK for people with normal blood pressure, but its clearly too imprecise for people with hypertension.
The wearing comfort is fairly poor. The band feels quite cheap, similar to a low-cost Chinese fitness tracker. We experienced mild skin irritation, and having to put it on and take it off so often because its not waterproof is annoying.
Measurements, third phase
On holiday the band failed. The battery died after only a few minutes probably due to water damage because the band wasnt taken off in the shower by mistake. Aktiia immediately sent a free replacement great service.
We recalibrated the band and compared a week of Aktiia measurements with guideline-compliant home measurements. The average of the home measurements was 118/83 mmHg, Aktiias average was 133/87 mmHg. Thats too much deviation.
Conclusion
Besides the high price, the main reason we stopped using the device and dont recommend it is the unreliable readings.
At the moment the device might be suitable for people with normal blood pressure who are curious about changes over time. We dont think its suitable for people with hypertension.
Unfortunately the app only allows exporting data as a PDF. Theres no access to the individual measurements. Thats very unsatisfying for serious quantified-self enthusiasts.
Note: This test was conducted in summer 2021. The product may have been improved since then.
Addendum Summer 2025: Aktiia was renamed to Hilo. The measurement principle has remained the same. Meanwhile voices warning against this method are growing. Among other things, Stiftung Warentest retracted a ruling about the Samsung smartwatch and the US FDA issued a warning to a fitness-tracker manufacturer because it displayed blood pressure readings. More information on this issue can be found in our article "Blood pressure measurement with smartwatches, fitness trackers and the like.". We therefore still dont trust the measurement accuracy of the Aktiia wristband.
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 07/2025).
Author Horst Klier has been intensively involved with high blood pressure since 2002 initially from personal experience and, since 2009, as the developer of BloodPressureDB. Thanks to his app and specialist platform used by millions as well as numerous publications, he is now regarded as a recognised blood pressure expert. As the author of several health guides and professional articles, he makes complex information understandable and practical.
Author Horst Klier has been intensively involved with high blood pressure since 2002 initially from personal experience and, since 2009, as the developer of BloodPressureDB. Thanks to his app and specialist platform used by millions as well as numerous publications, he is now regarded as a recognised blood pressure expert. As the author of several health guides and professional articles, he makes complex information understandable and practical.
