Oximeters: Junk or Not?

There are a ton of posts on oximeters. I just cant get past all of the customer reviews on Amazon and similar sites referring to major issues with durability, some issues with accuracy, and no customer support when things go wrong. Though I see many cp-talk users are using them and finding them at least acceptable. I hesitate to purchase products that have quality issues and am a bit stuck as to how to proceed. Would appreciate insights on products that may be more reliable and durable, and would also like to know how the oximeters are helping people to improve their therapy. Many thanks for any insights.

I use the Wellue O2 ring, I'm on my 2nd. The first still works but the display doesn't work anymore. I used it for 6 or 7 years off and on. The second one I've had for a few months and use it every night. These are pretty basic, they don't give you a lot of mumbo jumbo analysis, but you can see a graph on a PC (phone graphs are useless) so the details are there, and it will tell you the number of O2 drops > 3% and > 4%. But the real value is the import into OSCAR to see the details next to the machine data. I like the O2 ring because its minimal, no wires and its a finger sensor is much more accurate than wrist sensing. Its really easy to import into OSCAR if you don't mind using USB. I'm satisfied that its accurate as long as its properly fitted.

I've got thin white skin so I'm ideal for using O2 rings. My wife has Raynaud's and it's more difficult to get reliable readings. I find that you have to choose a finger where it's tight as you can deal with. I purchased the child O2 for her, she wears it on her pinkie and it works fine. She couldn't use the adult one, it was too loose even on her thumb.

I've also had several static finger clips, I purchased a few of them at the beginning of the pandemic and gave them to family. They all work and are pretty accurate. But a static finger clips aren't useful for sleep. You don't have to spend much on these.

My advice is to get an pulse oxy that's on the OSCAR support list. Use search on this site to find out how many people have difficulties importing data etc. Most of those are pretty tried and true.

If you don't have sleep apnea or use a machine the criteria would be totally different. I think you get into Apple or Oura at that point if you want something that has both accurate readings and offers useful data interpretation. I've tried a few less expensive watches, and a sleep ring, none of them gave useful information, they didn't agree with my O2 or Resmed machine and their sleep analysis was witch doctor worthy. The real danger here lies in devices that give lots of bad advice.....

Thanks for your insight and ideas. That is helpful

Is this ring acceptable to present the data at a Sleep Apnea Doctors appt. I saw this new guy and he wanted me to come and get one just for overnight and then return it th next day and then come back again a week later to go over the results but this is far too much travelling for me. So for the price and having it every night I thought this would be a good investment, but does it give enough info that he needs as also i cannot stand having the thing they place on the end of your finger in hospitals, plus I have to see a heart guy and felt the BPM could be useful for him as well?

bran wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 23, 2026 9:29 am

Is this ring acceptable to present the data at a Sleep Apnea Doctors appt.

It's acceptable to present, but your doctor would tell you to use the medical device he has already prescribed. Doctors can be successfully sued for making diagnoses or prescribing treatment based on devices that are not FDA-approved.

Why do you want to collect your oximeter readings? Unless you have a lung disorder, controlling your apnea with CPAP is all you need. Do you use a tool to analyze your CPAP results?

ChicagoGranny wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 23, 2026 5:48 pm

bran wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 23, 2026 9:29 am

Is this ring acceptable to present the data at a Sleep Apnea Doctors appt.

It's acceptable to present, but your doctor would tell you to use the medical device he has already prescribed. Doctors can be successfully sued for making diagnoses or prescribing treatment based on devices that are not FDA-approved.

Why do you want to collect your oximeter readings? Unless you have a lung disorder, controlling your apnea with CPAP is all you need. Do you use a tool to analyze your CPAP results?

Because that's what the sleep guy said he wanted to see. I also don't know why and don't think I'm going back. He was real rushed and brusque and basically told me even with leaks of 24 I was doing ok in comparison to when first tested at my sleep center. I was actually quite uncomfortable plus he tried to get me to change my supplier as they only offered Resmed. It was all very rushed. I have finally worked out how to download Oscar and Sleep HQ albeit having difficulty with The Wellue 02 ring and getting the info into Oscar. The ring actually also records my pulse as does go quite low into the 30's as have bradycardia. Hopefully I will be able shortly to present my results in a proper format here as previously suggested for others to possibly offer your/their advice to what's going on and assist with what I believe is the tool you are suggesting to analyze my results. I have finally after 2 years got myself off all sleeping aids(Zolpidem) by going cold Turkey and it's been real tough with many sleepless nights, but slowly improving.
Thank you.

bran wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 24, 2026 6:57 pm

The ring actually also records my pulse as does go quite low into the 30's as have bradycardia

That's a good reason to use a pulse-oximeter.

bran wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 24, 2026 6:57 pm

Hopefully I will be able shortly to present my results in a proper format here

I'm a fan of OSCAR. However, SleepHQ is easier to use and can more easily provide detailed information to us. You do not have to format or find a host for images. SleepHQ provides a link with your personal information redacted. The link takes us to the analysis and we can zoom in and look at individual breaths. The first time you upload your data, you might want to use the 30-day option to save uploading time.

What is the manufacturer/model of the machine you are using? Is it the AirCurve in your equipment profile?