Hilo Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor - Continuous, Waterproof &

Why Hilo? A New Name with Proven Technology

In April 2025 the Swiss company Aktiia rebranded its blood‑pressure wearable as Hilo. Under the new name, the company continues its mission of delivering clinically validated, cuff‑free blood‑pressure monitoring. Hilo remains a Class IIa medical device sold in Europe and Canada and, following a clinical trial of 140 patients, it became the first cuffless blood‑pressure monitor cleared by the U.S. FDA for over‑the‑counter use. While the U.S. version is expected to ship in 2026, the device has received regulatory approval in numerous regions, including Europe, Canada, Australia and Saudi Arabia.

Direct orders from the Hilo website are already available for the UK, Germany, Switzerland, Lichtenstein, Italy, Ireland, France, Austria, Spain, Australia, Canada, and is waitlisted for the USA. With over 120,000 units already sold globally since 2018, the company recently secured another $42 million to fund expansion in May 2025.

Hilo’s rebrand brings a cleaner app, optional subscription features and a new marketing look, but the core hardware still uses the same optical sensor technology that Aktiia spent over twenty years developing. The platform draws on more than 12 billion data points and six major clinical trials, and it holds 35 patents. These numbers speak to the maturity of the technology and differentiate Hilo from inexpensive wrist monitors that lack clinical validation.

Wrist vs. Arm Blood Pressure Monitors

Traditional arm‑cuff devices are accurate when used correctly, but they can be bulky, uncomfortable and difficult to use multiple times per day. Many generic wrist monitors, on the other hand, are convenient but struggle with accuracy because of positional errors. Hilo bridges the gap by pairing a comfortable wristband with a calibration cuff. The wristband uses photoplethysmography (PPG) to detect tiny changes in blood‑volume beneath your skin, and advanced algorithms convert those signals into blood‑pressure estimates. A monthly calibration using the supplied cuff (or dock) aligns the optical measurements with conventional cuff readings.

Clinical accuracy: Hilo’s optical approach has been validated in clinical trials and meets the ISO 81060‑2 accuracy standard.
Convenience: After initial set‑up, you wear the bracelet like a watch. It takes ~25 measurements per day, roughly 800 readings per month, so you no longer need to inflate a cuff repeatedly.
Calibration included: The included cuff/dock ensures long‑term accuracy. You simply perform one calibration about every 30 days to maintain reliable wrist‑based readings.

For more background on how factors such as stress, sleep and body position affect blood pressure, see our article What Factors Affect Blood Pressure Readings?.

How the Hilo System Works

The Hilo Band continuously gathers blood‑pressure data without requiring you to push a button. Here is a simplified overview of the process:

Optical Sensor: An LED and photodiode built into the bracelet shine light into your wrist and detect changes in blood‑volume. Photoplethysmographic signals are captured whenever you are still.
Pulse‑wave Analysis: Proprietary algorithms analyse the shape and timing of each pulse wave to estimate systolic and diastolic pressure. This method avoids the discomfort of inflating a cuff every time.
Calibration: Approximately once a month you perform a standard cuff measurement using the supplied cuff or dock. This calibration aligns the optical readings with conventional cuff readings, improving long‑term accuracy.
24/7 Monitoring & Insights: The bracelet collects about 25 measurements per day. The companion app aggregates your data into easy‑to‑read charts and reveals how stress, meals, medications, sleep and exercise affect your blood pressure.

Hilo claims that the band’s continuous monitoring helps you detect patterns such as nocturnal hypertension or morning spikes. For example, if you’ve wondered why blood pressure is often higher in the morning, read our deep dive Higher Blood Pressure in Mornings? Understanding the Science.

Clinical Validation & Safety

Hilo isn’t a consumer gadget; it’s a medical‑grade device that has undergone rigorous testing. The company reports more than 20 years of research and has amassed over 12 billion optical data points. Its technology is protected by at least 35 patents and has been evaluated in six major clinical trials.

Regulatory approvals: Hilo is CE‑marked in Europe and complies with ISO standards for blood‑pressure devices. It also received Health Canada authorization in November 2024, making it the first cuffless blood‑pressure wearable approved for Canadian consumers.
FDA clearance: In July 2025, the FDA granted 510(k) clearance for over‑the‑counter use of the Hilo system in the United States. The company expects to launch the device in the U.S. in 2026.
Clinical trials: A 140‑patient trial supported the FDA submission. In another study with Mass General Brigham, 91 % of patients preferred Hilo’s wrist‑based monitoring over daily cuff measurements for remote medication management.
Physician trust & user base: The company notes that more than 120,000 units have been sold globally and the band is trusted by doctors and researchers. You can export PDF reports from the app to share with your healthcare provider.

For more on how continuous blood‑pressure monitoring can help you recognise daily trends, check out our guide Higher Blood Pressure in Mornings?.

Waterproof Design & Battery Life

A common complaint with first‑generation Aktiia bands was limited water resistance. Hilo addresses this with an IP68 rating. According to the company’s support documentation, the IP68 version (also marketed as Hilo) can be worn while showering, bathing or swimming; only diving or snorkelling are discouraged. By comparison, earlier IP67 models were limited to showering or bathing, while IP33 bracelets were not suitable for showers or baths. Therefore, the new model is effectively “100 % waterproof,” meaning you don’t have to remove it for routine water activities.

Battery life has also improved. Hilo advertises a 15‑day battery life, so you can go up to two weeks between charges. Charging takes roughly 90 minutes. This long endurance ensures the bracelet can capture data overnight without interruption.

Optional Membership: Advanced Analytics & Data Integration

The core Hilo app is free and displays blood‑pressure and heart‑rate data from the past seven days. For users who want deeper insights, the company offers an optional membership with a 30‑day free trial. The membership unlocks several useful features:

Unlimited phone measurements: Take unlimited blood‑pressure readings using your smartphone camera within the app (on compatible phones).
Daily syncing to Apple Health and Google Health Connect: Automatic syncing ensures your readings are available in your favourite health‑tracking apps.
Full history access: View your complete blood‑pressure history without the seven‑day restriction.
Detailed analytics: Access timeline comparisons and a Time in Target Range breakdown to see how often your readings fall within normal, elevated or high categories.
Notes and medication tracking: Add notes to each reading and log your medications to see how dosing schedules affect your blood pressure.

The membership costs around €5.99 per month in Europe (pricing varies by country) after the 30‑day free trial. However, purchasing the band does not require a subscription; you can still benefit from continuous monitoring and the basic app for free.

Advantages of a 24/7 Wrist Monitor

Compared with occasional cuff readings, continuous wrist‑based monitoring offers several advantages:

Comprehensive insights: With around 800 readings per month, you get a detailed view of your blood‑pressure patterns throughout the day and night. This helps you and your doctor identify trends, such as morning surges or stress‑related spikes.
Reduced “white coat” effect: Since measurements are taken in your normal environment rather than at a clinic, they reflect your true daily pressures.
Comfort & convenience: The bracelet is lightweight and discreet. Hilo emphasises that the device is waterproof and has a two‑week battery life, so you can wear it continuously without worrying about removing it for showers or charging.
Easy data sharing: Export PDF reports for your healthcare provider or share trends with family members via the app.

Who Is Hilo For?

Hilo is ideal for anyone who wants more than just an occasional blood‑pressure snapshot. People with diagnosed hypertension can use it to monitor the effectiveness of lifestyle changes or medication adjustments. Athletes and bio‑hackers may appreciate the continuous data and heart‑rate monitoring to optimise training. Even those without a hypertension diagnosis can benefit, since high blood pressure often develops silently and affects young adults.

If you’re comparing arm vs. wrist monitors, remember that accuracy depends on proper positioning and regular calibration. Hilo’s combination of a comfortable wristband, monthly cuff calibration and clinically validated algorithms makes it one of the most reliable wrist‑based options on the market.

Key Takeaways

Rebranding: Aktiia is now called Hilo. The technology remains the same but the app and branding have been refreshed.
Continuous monitoring: The band captures ~25 readings per day, providing ~800 measurements per month.
Waterproof & long battery: IP68 rating allows showering and swimming, and the battery lasts about 15 days.
Clinically validated: Supported by 20+ years of research, six clinical trials and 12 billion data points.
Optional membership: Unlocks unlimited phone measurements, full history, detailed analytics and medication tracking.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been searching for a reliable wrist blood‑pressure monitor that combines cutting‑edge optical technology with the reassurance of a traditional cuff, the Hilo Band deserves serious consideration. Its continuous monitoring helps you understand how stress, sleep and lifestyle choices influence your cardiovascular health. With waterproof construction and a two‑week battery, you can wear it day and night without disruption. Optional membership features provide deeper analytics for those who want them, but the core device works without a subscription.

Ready to take control of your blood pressure? Click below to check availability in your region and learn more.

Hilo Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor – Continuous, Waterproof & Clinically Validated