Welch Allyn 1700 vs Omron 10 Home Blood Pressure Monitor


Which home blood pressure monitor should you buy? This is a detailed comparison between two home blood pressure monitors. Omron is the best selling home monitor while Welch Allyn’s blood pressure equipment can be found in almost every hospital and medical center.

Welch Allyn 1700 Series vs Omron 10 Series

Why I Picked The Welch Allyn 1700 Series Instead of the Omron 10 Series – Quick Summary

Both monitors are above average and I wouldn’t tell you not to buy either one. Although the Welch Allyn has some advantages over the Omron and these are the reasons why I prefer it:

  • The Welch Allyn contains SureBP technology. It’s the same technology used in their hospital devices.
  • The Welch Allyn 1700 measures blood pressure on inflation and only takes about 20 seconds. This makes the measurement more comfortable on the arm and less time being squeezed during inflation. The Omron 10 Series is almost twice as long taking approximately 39 seconds.
  • The SureBp technology and fast inflation makes the 1700 series more accurate under less than ideal conditions while measuring, like arm movement.
  • Many people complain about the air hose plastic fitting breaking on the Omron 10 Series. The Welch Allyn 1700 has a metal sleeve and connector making it more durable.
  • The Welch Allyn 1700 has extra small and large cuffs available for purchase separately if needed. The Omron 10 Series doesn’t offer any extra size cuffs. The machine is not useful for you if your arm is too large or small or changes size.

Disclaimer: This post may have some affiliate links which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate and eBay partner I earn from qualifying purchases.

Welch Allyn 1700 Series vs Omron 10 Series – Detailed Review

Feature Welch Allyn
1700 Series
Omron
10 Series
Users 1 2
Bluetooth
Phone App
Yes Yes
Quick
Readings
Yes – 20 seconds No – 39 seconds
Technology SureBP
Hospital Technology
TrueRead
Technology
Irregular Heartbeat
Indicator
Yes Yes
Motion Indicator Yes Yes
Included Cuff Size 8.75″ to 16.5″ 9″ to 17″
Extra Cuff Sizes
Availability
ES (5.9″ to 9.4″)
EL (15.7″ to 21.2″)
None
Batteries
Included
4 AA Batteries
Included
4 AA Batteries
Included
AC Adaptor Not Included Included
Memory Monitor – 99 Internally
App – Unlimited
Monitor – 100 Displayed
App – Unlimited

Welch Allyn 1700 vs Omron 10 Key Differences

Technology

Welch Allyn 1700 Series

It comes with their SureBp technology. It’s the same used in their hospital-grade medical devices 1.

The 1700 monitor is able to measure your blood pressure and give the results in only 20 seconds. This is because it measures your blood pressure while the cuff is inflating.

This is the fastest of all home blood pressure monitors by far and twice as fast as the Omron 10 Series. In addition to obtaining a fast reading, it’s much less time your arm has to feel uncomfortable during inflation. 

The technology can help compensate for less than perfect conditions, like excess arm movement 2. The 1700 was tested in a Welch Allyn study compared to other home monitors. Blood pressure was measured while the people flexed their forearms every five seconds.

The Welch Allyn 1700 had an average error of about 4 mmHg under motion, while the next best monitor had an error of 7 mmHg. The Omron had an average over 12 mmHg 3.

Omron 10 Series

The newest 10 Series comes with their advanced accuracy technology 4 which measures more data points for consistent, precise readings. This makes the monitor less affected by excess movements as desired in the Welch Allyn study above.

In addition, it comes with Omron’s TruRead technology. It allows you to take three consecutive readings and then displays the average of all three. This option can be adjusted for less or more time between the readings, 15 seconds, 30 seconds, one or two minutes.

If you don’t like the multiple readings or don’t have the time for all three, the settings can be changed. The monitor can be set for one reading only.

Technology Winner – Welch Allyn 1700 Series

Memory/Users

Welch Allyn 1700 Series

The 1700 does not store the past blood pressure readings in the monitor for display. The monitor does connect to the phone app where the readings are automatically transmitted to and stored. The phone app will store and display unlimited readings for one user.

The phone app doesn’t have to be connected to the phone when you’re using the monitor. The monitor will store up to 99 blood pressure readings internally. The next time the app is connected to the monitor all the readings will automatically be transferred over.

Omron 10 Series

The 10 Series will support two users and stores up to 100 readings per user on the monitor. These readings can be accessed and displayed on the screen. 

Similar to the Welch Allyn, the readings are transferred to the phone app which can store unlimited readings for each user. If storing multiple readings for two users are important, the Omron 10 Series may be a better choice for you.

Memory/Users Winner – The Omron 10 Series

Blood Pressure Cuff Availability

Welch Allyn 1700 Series

The 1700 comes with a standard size cuff which will fit upper arms from 8.75″ to 16.5″. If your arm is too small or large for the standard size cuff, Welch Allyn makes extra cuffs for the monitor. 

They sell an extra small cuff which fits upper arms between 5.9″ to 9.4″. In addition, they sell an extra large cuff which fits upper arms between 15.7″ to 21.2″. The 1700 has the largest size range availability between all three cuffs.

Welch Allyn Home 1700 series bp cuff
Welch Allyn Home 1700 Series BP Cuff

Omron 10 Series

The cuff included with the 10 Series is called an easy-wrap ComFit cuff and is made for arms between 9″ to 17″ in circumference. Currently, they do not offer any other sizes made for this monitor. I checked Amazon, the Omron Health website and call their customer service to verify this.

If your upper arm circumference is larger than 17″, this monitor cannot measure your blood pressure accurately. In addition, if you gain weight or your upper arm grows in circumference, the monitor will not be useful for you anymore.

Blood Pressure Cuff Availability Winner – The Welch Allyn 1700 Series

Durability

Welch Allyn 1700 Series

I’ve had my 1700 for almost four years and never had anything break or need repair. I store it in its original packaging and keep in a fairly safe space on a shelf. In addition, the accuracy has remained perfect.

It hasn’t needed a recalibration which doesn’t surprise me because the 1700 does not require calibration as stated on their website and user manual.

Omron 10 Series

The 10 Series air hose connects to the main body of the monitor by a connector. The connector is made of plastic and has a small nipple protruding out the side where the hose slips onto. Many users on Amazon and elsewhere have commented the plastic nipple has snapped off.

What’s worse is Omron doesn’t sell a replacement connector and only offers it with a new cuff as a replacement, which is a bummer. The Welch Allyn 1700 comes with a metal connector and sleeve.

 

If you have the 10 series or purchase one, be extremely careful how you press the connector into the side of the monitor. Try pressing it in from the end and don’t press where the nipple protrudes out. When disconnecting the cuff and hose try not to pull it from the plastic nipple.

Welch Allyn 1700 series air hose connector
Welch Allyn 1700 Series Metal Air Hose Connector

Omron recommends all their home blood pressure monitors be recalibrated every two years.

Durability Winner – The Welch Allyn 1700 Series

Disclaimer: This post may have some affiliate links which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate and eBay partner I earn from qualifying purchases.

Welch Allyn 1700 Series on Amazon Check Price    Omron 10 Series on Amazon Check Price

Welch Allyn 1700 on Ebay Check Price If the 1700 is unavailable on Amazon you can probably find it on Ebay.

Welch Allyn 1700 Series vs Omron 10 Series Similar Features

Accuracy

Every time one of these monitors has been taken to the doctor and checked for accuracy, the readings are similar to the physician’s device. While the 1700 doesn’t need calibration, there’s no need to think the Omron won’t stay accurate if it’s recalibrated every two years as recommended.

Display

The 10 Series has added a dark background to this LCD display. In the past, they had a grey on grey display making it difficult to read the numbers, especially at an angle. Both the Welch Allyn 1700 and the Omron 10, has a dark background with contrasting numbers. 

Welch Allyn 1700 and Omron 10 Displays

Bluetooth & Phone Apps

While both apps are designed differently, they both offer similar features. They store unlimited past readings in a list format or plotted on a graph. In addition, both can generate reports and forwarded to others, like your doctor, by email or text.

Power Supply

Both monitors can operate on batteries or the power adaptor alone. The Omron 10 Series comes with a power adaptor and 4 AA batteries. While the adaptor is unnecessary, it’s nice to have one in case the batteries go dead and you don’t have others.

The Welch Allyn doesn’t come with the adaptor, but it can be purchased separately for approximately $20. It’s a good idea to have one but it’s not needed to operate the monitor.

Wrapping Up

The key differences between the two monitors are why I recommend the Welch Allyn 1700 Series. The hospital grade technology, short inflation time and cuff size availability are major factors which can’t be ignored.

The 1700 Series costs a little more money than the 10 Series but it’s still an affordable monitor for the quality. In addition, it’s comforting to know you don’t have to buy a different monitor in case your upper arm size increases.

For couples who may have different size arms, purchasing the Welch Allyn 1700 with two different size cuffs is ideal. This way both can use the same monitor and just switch the cuffs between users. 

Disclaimer: This post may have some affiliate links which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate and eBay partner I earn from qualifying purchases.

Check Price Welch Allyn 1700 Series on Amazon

Check Price Omron 10 Series on Amazon

Check Price Welch Allyn 1700 on Ebay  If the 1700 is unavailable on Amazon you can probably find it on Ebay.

 

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  1. Welch Allyn: Welch Allyn Home Blood Pressure Monitors[]
  2. Blood Pressure Monitoring: Validation of the Welch Allyn Home blood pressure monitor with professional SureBP algorithm with a special feature of accuracy during involuntary (tremor) patient movement[]
  3. Welch Allyn: Home Blood Pressure Monitor Tolerance Clinical Study – Research Summary[]
  4. Omron: 10 series Wireless Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor[]

Kevin Garce

Kevin Garce is a Certified Health Coach who encourages people by informing them on blood pressure topics important to them. His years of research and knowledge inspire people to achieve their goals. Read more here About Me

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