OBJECTIVES:  Aphasia is a neurologically based language disorder caused by damage to the left hemisphere of the brain. Aphasia affects approximately one third of stroke survivors and has a significant impact on their health related quality of life (HRQL). The objective of this study was to compare and contrast the psychometric properties of condition specific HRQL measures and related constructs used in persons with aphasia (PWA). METHODS: Instruments were identified by conducting a comprehensive literature review of condition specific, self-report measures of HRQL in English used in persons with aphasia. Evaluation of eight instruments was based on the following criteria: conceptual model, versatility (eg varying severity of aphasia), practicality (≤ 15 minutes to complete), depth (floor and ceiling effects), breadth (physical, mental, role, social and communicative functioning), reliability (internal consistency and test-retest), construct validity, and responsiveness. RESULTS: The most widely used scales were Stroke and Aphasia Quality of Life (SAQOL-39g), Burden of Stroke Scale (BOSS) and Assessment of Living with Aphasia (ALA). SAQOL-39g and BOSS met most study criteria but neither met the practicality criterion nor did they use pictures to enable nonverbal responses. Breadth criterion was met by SAQOL-39g, BOSS, Communication Disability Profile (CDP), ALA and Quality of Communication Life Scale (QCL). Construct validity criterion was only met for SAQOL-39g. Reliability criterion was met for SAQOL-39g, BOSS, Community Integration Questionnaire modified for PWA (CIQ), ALA, CDP and Communication Outcome after Stroke (COAST). In most cases unmet criteria was due to unreported data. CONCLUSIONS:  Key consideration in instrument selection is validation in the target population: aphasia severity, type, setting and other stroke sequelae; and desired construct of measurement. Overall, although BOSS and SAQOL-39g scored highly, lack of visual prompts and length, limits their suitability in PWA. Only CDP provided breadth including communication functioning, aphasia type, and reliability for domain scores.