Blood Pressure Monitor Reviews

Mark of Fitness MF-81 Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor Review:

This kit is compact and convenient. Except for the required AA batteries, this device comes with everything that one would need to begin taking blood pressure readings. The MF-81 monitor fits neatly into the zippered carry case for fuss-free travel and storage, and the instruction manual provides straightforward guidance on how to take blood pressure readings.

What Features Does it Have?

• Large, Digital Liquid Crystal Display
• Memory Saves 60 Readings
• One-Touch Operation
• Features Date, Time and Average
• Latex-free Wrist-band
• IQ (Intelligent Quick) System

Although this is undoubtedly one of the most easy-to-operate wrist-watch monitors on the market, it fails to offer features that are reliable and trustworthy.

Multiple users have reported problems with the LCD display screen. Feedback reports seem to indicate that the screen becomes faded and unreadable over time, signifying an obvious manufacturing defect that Mark of Fitness is yet to acknowledge or correct.

The IQ system fails to impress as well. It is a group of features that is supposed to allow readings to be taken in half the time that other models would need to complete the process. However, this function does not deliver accurate results.

A high incidence of inconsistent readings has been reported by Mark of Fitness MF-81 users. For instance, many customer reviews state that very dissimilar blood pressure readings are displayed when measurements are taken in succession. Most often, both systolic and diastolic pressure readings are 5-15 mmhg higher that those taken by a medical practitioner.

Generally speaking, upper arm blood pressure monitors provide more accurate results than wrist monitors. This is because wrist monitors are very sensitive to body positioning. To get an accurate measurement from a wrist blood pressure machine, your arm and wrist must be positioned precisely at heart level. Even when operating wrist devices exactly as instructed, it is still difficult to achieve the accuracy provided by arm monitors.

To give some credit where credit is due, we have to commend Mark of Fitness for their resourceful design. The Mark of Fitness MF-81 is a pleasure to wear while exercising – it’s just a pity that it doesn’t provide the precision and consistency that we’re looking for.

Is the Price Right?

• No

This wrist monitor is competitively priced compared to others in its category, carrying a price tag of only $39.99. However, given that you may receive a defective product or one that does not provide accurate measurements; we don’t think it is worth the asking price.

Does it Come With a Warranty?

• Yes

Mark of Fitness offers a useful 5-year warranty with this product. Given the high incidence of LCD display manufacturing defects, we are glad that Mark of Fitness provides some form of recourse if things go wrong.

Who Manufactures it?

• Mark of Fitness

This corporation is a subsidiary of a larger Japanese conglomerate known as NISSEI. Together, the two are well-known as manufacturers of blood pressure monitors.

Mark of Fitness was founded in January 1993 to provide NISSEI with its own distribution channel that would sell to the American region. NISSEI has produced electronic blood pressure monitors for the past 34 years and is generally known for manufacturing quality health care products at affordable prices.

How Does it Work?

The IQ System feature, as the name suggests, makes the blood pressure reading process quick and easy. You simply strap the device onto your arm, press the “power” button and wait as the device does all the work. The decent-sized memory bank lets you show your doctor the results over a 60 day period – unfortunately, there’s just no guarantee that these measurements will be accurate.

Does Mark of Fitness Deliver on its Promises?

• Yes

Mark of Fitness is a reputable brand, but the MF-81 monitor does not meet the levels of quality that we have come to expect from this manufacturer.

Customer reviews reveal mixed feelings concerning this particular blood pressure monitor, most often citing that they are fond of the user-friendly design and the affordable price, but far less happy with the unpredictable readings that it provides.

Rating: 50/100

Our Verdict: Although this battery-operated wrist monitor allows you the freedom to exercise while you wear it, the MF-81 does not live up to the manufacturer’s promises concerning dependable, accurate operation. High incidences of manufacturing defects and inaccurate measurements have left us feeling a bit sour.