Blood pressure monitor: batteries, rechargeable battery or mains adapter?

You have been measuring for years, morning and evening, and your device should just work. One set of batteries in the Beurer BM 54 lasts for around 300 measurements. But at some point the display asks for new batteries, perhaps halfway through your measuring week. Here you can find out when batteries, a mains adapter or a rechargeable battery suits your routine, and which of our upper arm monitors goes with it: the Beurer BM 54, the BM 64 or the BM 59. The good news first: your stored readings are kept when you replace the batteries.

Batteries, mains adapter or rechargeable battery: three options at a glance

Batteries, a mains adapter and a rechargeable battery are the three ways to power an upper arm monitor. Each one suits a different routine. The table shows our three devices side by side.

The Beurer BM 54 is the simple option: insert the batteries and measure straight away. The Beurer BM 64 can do both: batteries on the go, a mains adapter in a fixed spot. The Beurer BM 59 measures without tubes or cables and is charged via USB-C.

How long batteries and the rechargeable battery last in everyday use

In the Beurer BM 54 and BM 64, one set of batteries lasts for around 300 measurements. What does that mean in everyday life? A measuring week has proved its worth: measure twice a day, morning and evening, every day for a week.^[1] If you do this once a month, that makes 14 measurements a month. On paper, one set will last more than a year. If you measure more often, you replace them sooner.

Bluetooth® also plays a part. IIf your device sends your readings to the "beurer HealthManager Pro" app, Bluetooth® data transfer shortens the battery life. On the Beurer BM 59, one charge lasts for approx. 60 measurements, depending on blood pressure and inflation pressure levels and the number of Bluetooth® connections. So during a measuring week you will rarely need to recharge it.

When are the batteries really flat? The error message on the display tells you. A full display when you switch the device on does not show the charge level. Only the low battery indicator shows that the batteries need replacing. We explain what each message means in our guide to common error codes on blood pressure monitors.

The right batteries

The same rules apply to the Beurer BM 54 and the BM 64:

• Always choose the right battery type: AAA for the BM 54, AA for the BM 64.
• Do not use rechargeable batteries. The devices are designed for non-rechargeable batteries.
• Never mix batteries of different makes, capacities, sizes, ages or types in one device.
• If you are not going to use the device for a long period of time, remove the batteries from the battery compartment. Batteries left unused for long periods can start to deteriorate and leak.^[2]

Flat batteries and rechargeable batteries do not go in household waste. You can return them to shops free of charge.^[3] Council recycling centres also accept them.^[4]

Your stored readings are kept when you replace the batteries

With high blood pressure, what matters is not a single reading but the trend over a longer period. That is why it is worth writing your readings down or storing them digitally.^[1] But what happens to your series of readings when the batteries have to come out?

Nothing happens to your readings. On the Beurer BM 54, you only need to set the date and time again after taking out the batteries. Your stored readings are not lost. The same applies to the Beurer BM 64 when you unplug the mains adapter.

Setting up our devices is quick. When you insert new batteries, the Beurer BM 54 opens the settings menu automatically. Take that minute: if the device settings are not correct, the device cannot save your readings in its memory with the date and time. With the correct date, your series of readings stays neatly in order. We show you how to record your readings in the app in our article on recording blood pressure with an app.

Mains operation: Beurer models that take a mains adapter

Always measure in the same place? Then a mains-powered device is convenient. The Beurer BM 64 runs on batteries or a mains adapter. The matching adapter is not included: EU version 072.78, UK version 072.79. On mains power, there are no batteries to replace.

How to run the Beurer BM 64 on its mains adapter:

1. Remove the batteries from the device first.
2. Plug the mains adapter into the connection on the device, then plug it into the mains socket.
3. After use, unplug the mains adapter from the mains socket first, then disconnect it from the device.
4. After unplugging, set the date and time again. Your stored readings are kept.

During mains operation, there must not be any batteries in the battery compartment, as this could damage the device. Without the mains adapter, the BM 64 runs on batteries again.

What to bear in mind with the mains adapter and rechargeable battery

With the Beurer BM 59, charging correctly is what counts. We recommend fully charging the device before initial use. To do this, connect it to a USB power supply using the supplied USB-C cable.

Charging

• You cannot take measurements with the BM 59 while it is charging.
• Avoid continuous charging or overcharging, and unplug the charger once the device is fully charged. This protects the battery, as unnecessary heat shortens its service life.^[5]
• Always use the correct or supplied charging cable, charger or mains adapter for charging. The manufacturer's original charger is a good choice.^[6]

Breaks

• If you take a longer break from measuring, recharge the battery of the BM 59 at regular intervals. A rechargeable battery gradually discharges itself in storage, and recharging in good time prevents deep discharge.^[5]
• For a longer battery service life, ideally store the device at 10 to 25 °C.^[5]
• The battery of the BM 59 may only be replaced by specialist personnel.

For the Beurer BM 64 mains adapter, the main rule is: mains operation only with no batteries in the compartment. All other safety notes are in your device's instructions for use.

Which power supply suits your measuring routine

The right power supply depends on your routine, not on the technology. Three typical situations:

• You want a device without cables or a socket: the Beurer BM 54 with batteries is the simple option. With around 300 measurements per set, you rarely need to replace them, and your readings stay stored.
• You always measure in the same place: there, you run the Beurer BM 64 on the mains adapter. With batteries, it also works without a socket.
• You want a slim device without tubes: you charge the Beurer BM 59 via USB-C and get approx. 60 measurements per charge.

Whichever power supply you choose: your monitor delivers the readings for your records. You interpret them and make every treatment decision together with your doctor. What else matters when choosing a device, you can read in our guide upper-arm blood pressure monitor: precise control for your home. You will find all models with their power supply among our upper-arm blood pressure monitors.