We are very proud and pleased to offer a CE-marked oxygen meter at Quicktest! But what is this device actually called? Is it an oxygen meter, oximeter or pulse oximeter? We have chosen to call it an "oxygen meter". The correct term is pulse oximeter because it also measures your pulse.

At Quicktest, we believe that an oxygen meter could become almost as common as a regular thermometer because it provides important information. If you have had pneumonia or other respiratory infections, you know how reduced oxygen uptake can affect you. Oxygen saturation is often measured when you contact a primary care center or other healthcare provider, making it an important marker for healthcare professionals.

You can buy an oxygen meter here.

During the coronavirus pandemic we received many questions about oxygen meters. Many people were concerned, and we want to be clear that an oxygen meter should not be used to make a diagnosis. It can, however, be used as an aid to identify low oxygen saturation. Oxygen saturation is often one of the first values checked. Measuring this value, which is shown as a percentage, requires an oximeter. Today these are most commonly referred to as oxygen meters or pulse oximeters.

What is an oxygen meter?

Oxygen is transported in the blood by red blood cells. Oxygen saturation is measured by assessing the hemoglobin in your blood and how much light is absorbed. The measurement is displayed as a percentage from 0-100%.
Normal oxygen saturation is between 95-100%.
The measurement is taken by placing the oxygen meter on a finger. Some meters can also be used on an earlobe.

When are oxygen meters used?

People with known lung disease may have lower oxygen saturation. People with respiratory infections or pneumonia can also experience low oxygen saturation. This often appears as pronounced fatigue, especially during physical activity. If oxygen saturation is abnormally low, even a short walk can make a person feel weak.
In these situations, an oxygen meter can help healthcare professionals in their assessment. Modern oxygen meters are highly accurate, often with an accuracy of +/-1%.

Quicktest offers a model specially designed for consumers, meaning it can be used by people without medical training. The technology is based on the same type of equipment used in healthcare, and our oxygen meter is of course CE-marked. It is subject to the same type of controls as other medical devices, so you can feel confident using our oxygen meter.