In recent years, the importance of tracking personal health from the comfort of home has grown rapidly. Whether you’re managing a medical condition, supporting athletic performance, or simply striving for a healthier lifestyle, having the right tools at home can make all the difference. Below are five top-tier health monitoring devices available from HaB Direct that can empower you to take control of your wellbeing, with detailed insights into their features and benefits.
1. Lung Function Tester
Recommended Products: Spiropet Spirometer
Spiropet Spirometer: A simple, mechanical tool for monitoring peak flow at home. Peak flow monitoring is important for asthma sufferers as it can indicate narrowing of the airways even before symptoms like wheezing or coughing appear. Regular tracking with this health monitoring device can help patients adhere to asthma action plans and recognise when intervention is needed.
Unlike some peak flow meters that use a colour-coded zone system (green, yellow, red), the Spiropet provides a direct measurement of Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) in millilitres, ranging from 1,000 to 7,000 mL in 100 mL increments. FVC refers to the total volume of air that you can forcibly exhale after taking a full breath in. It’s a key measure of lung health and can help identify changes or declines in respiratory function.
Spiropet Spirometer
This low cost hand-size SpiroPet Spirometer measures lung capacity (FVC) from 1 to 7 litres.
Includes 50 mouthpieces.
How to use the spirometer at home:
Stand or sit upright, take a deep breath in, and blow out as hard and fast as possible.
Record your FVC readings twice a day over a period of two weeks. Try to measure these at the same time each day (preferably in the morning and then in the evening). Try to maintain the same effort and technique each time, as well as the same posture and position (standing or sitting with back straight). The highest consistent result you achieve during this period becomes your personal best, which serves as a benchmark for interpreting future readings.
Once you have your personal best, you can determine your own “zones.” Readings that fall between 80% and 100% of your personal best are typically considered within the green zone, indicating good lung function. Results between 50% and 79% suggest you’re in the yellow zone, which may indicate caution is needed or that your lungs aren’t functioning at their best. Any reading below 50% of your personal best would fall into the red zone, suggesting a more serious issue that may require medical attention.
For example, if your personal best FVC is 4,000 mL, then readings between 3,200 and 4,000 mL are within the green zone, 2,000 to 3,199 mL would be yellow, and anything below 2,000 mL would be red.
Finally, if you experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, or if your FVC suddenly drops significantly, it’s important to seek medical advice. The Spiropet can be a helpful tool for monitoring your lung health at home, but it should be used alongside professional medical guidance if you have any concerns.
2. Digital Refractometer for Hydration Monitoring
Recommended Product: Atago Digital Hand-Held Urine Specific Gravity Refractometer PEN-Urine S.G.
Hydration plays a vital role in maintaining optimal physical and cognitive performance, regulating body temperature, and supporting kidney function. However, many people remain unaware of their hydration levels until symptoms of dehydration, such as fatigue or dizziness, appear.
Atago Digital Hand-Held Urine Specific Gravity Refractometer PEN-Urine S. G.
With the popular Osmocheck now obsolete, we have sourced a new range of accurate urine analysis devices, including this Digital Hand-Held Urine Specific Gravity PEN-Urine S. G.
Using a simple ‘dip the tip’ sampling method, the PEN-Urine is fast and easy to use.
USG is a measurement of the concentration of solutes (such as salts and waste products) in urine. It shows how well the kidneys are conserving water and filtering waste.
- A high USG reading (e.g., >1.030) suggests dehydration, as the urine is more concentrated.
- A low USG reading (e.g., <1.005) may indicate overhydration or conditions like diabetes insipidus or kidney dysfunction, where the kidneys struggle to concentrate urine properly.
- A normal USG range is typically between 1.005 and 1.030, but can vary slightly depending on factors like age, hydration level, and health conditions.
The Atago PEN-Urine S.G. allows for quick and non-invasive analysis of urine specific gravity—a key indicator of hydration. A high specific gravity reading can suggest dehydration, while a low reading may point to overhydration or certain medical conditions.
This digital device offers quick readings with just a drop of urine, and the results are displayed clearly on its LCD screen. Additionally, its compact size makes it ideal for home use and travel, offering laboratory-grade accuracy without the need for complex procedures.
It is particularly useful for athletes managing hydration during training and competition, and also benefits older adults, who may experience diminished thirst response, and those with kidney or urinary conditions requiring close monitoring.
3. Body Weight and Composition Scale
Recommended Products: Seca 807 Electronic Flat Scale and Seca 803 Clara
Weight tracking is a foundational part of any health and wellness routine. Seca’s range of high-precision scales combines professional-grade accuracy with attractive designs suitable for home use.
Seca 807: Features a robust glass platform, capacity up to 150 kg, and four load cells for precise readings. It stores user data and offers step-on technology for ease of use.
Seca 803 Clara: A stylish alternative that offers dependable measurements with a textured surface for added safety, particularly useful for older users.
Both scales help users maintain awareness of weight changes over time—supporting weight loss, fitness progress, or general health maintenance.
4. Respiratory Muscle Training Devices
Recommended Product: POWERbreathe Plus IMT Series
Many people overlook the importance of strong respiratory muscles. However, like any other muscle group, the muscles we use to breathe—especially the diaphragm and intercostal muscles—can weaken due to illness, inactivity, or age. Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT) targets these muscles directly.
The POWERbreathe Plus IMT device uses adjustable resistance to strengthen the inspiratory muscles, similar to how weight training strengthens skeletal muscles. With regular use, users may experience improvements in breathlessness, endurance, and even overall energy levels.
Studies have shown that IMT can be beneficial for patients with COPD, heart failure, and those undergoing pulmonary rehabilitation. Athletes also use it to boost performance by enhancing oxygen efficiency and respiratory control.
The POWERbreathe Smart Adaptor and Actibreathe App further enhance the experience by tracking progress and providing personalised feedback, helping users stay motivated and informed.
By improving respiratory strength, users may see better exercise tolerance, reduced fatigue, and improved quality of life.
5. Multi-Metric Health & Fitness Watch
Recommended Product: Suunto Race Watch with Heart Rate Monitor
This state-of-the-art watch isn’t just a timepiece—it’s a complete health monitoring device and performance tracking tool.
The Suunto Race Watch is more than just a fitness accessory. It’s a comprehensive health tracking system designed to provide a deep understanding of your physical condition. Real-time metrics offer insight into heart health, recovery, and fitness readiness.
The Suunto Race Watch offers an integrated heart rate monitor that provides continuous tracking, which is essential for recognising irregularities such as tachycardia or bradycardia. It also helps individuals train within optimal heart rate zones to avoid overexertion.
Suunto Race Watch with Heart Rate Monitor
The Suunto Race is the ultimate performance watch for racing and training.
Advanced sleep tracking reveals information about sleep quality and duration—key indicators of recovery and overall health. Chronic sleep deprivation can lead to weakened immunity, impaired memory, and increased risk of chronic diseases.
The watch also tracks recovery time, training load, stress levels, and VO2 max estimates, offering a well-rounded picture of cardiovascular fitness and stamina.
For those managing conditions like hypertension or looking to improve their physical performance, this watch provides the insights needed to make data-driven decisions.
With over 95 sport modes and compatibility with third-party apps, it’s ideal for runners, cyclists, swimmers, and anyone who wants to track their wellness data in real-time. Whether you’re monitoring cardiovascular health, sleep quality, or fitness progression, this watch provides detailed insights into your overall wellbeing.
Take Charge of Your Health Today
Whether you’re monitoring a specific condition or simply aiming to stay in peak form, these five health monitoring devices offer a reliable, user-friendly way to stay informed and in control. Each one has been selected for its precision, ease of use, and suitability for at-home health tracking. Explore HaB Direct’s range of medically trusted devices and take a proactive step toward better health—from the comfort of your home.
View our full range of Health Monitoring devices here.
