7 Blood Sugar Meters: A Sweet Guide to the Best Devices for Managing Your Diabetes
Table of Contents
- 7 Blood Sugar Meters: A Sweet Guide to the Best Devices for Managing Your Diabetes
- Essential Features for an Effective Blood Sugar Monitor
- Blood Glucose Monitors
- Accu-Check FastClix for Fast Blood Glucose Results
- FreeStyle Your Way to Better Results with Abbot Freestyle Lite
- ReliOn on Your Premier Choice for Glucose Control
- Ultra Control with Just One Touch
- Say Goodbye to Guessing, Prodigy Will Get the Job Done
- Dario Dial: Turn Up Control, Turn Down Blood Sugar
- Contour Next, Never Guess Your Blood Glucose Again
- Blood Sugar Meters for Preventative Care
- Conclusion
Managing diabetes can be overwhelming. Diabetes is a condition that requires careful management of diet and blood sugar levels. Luckily, there are many blood sugar meters on the market today, but not all are created equal. The focus of this blog post is to provide a comprehensive guide to the best devices for managing diabetes.
It is important to choose a meter that not only gives you accurate readings, but one that is convenient and easy to use. We’ll discuss some of the best blood sugar meter available and review the things you need to keep in mind when selecting a blood sugar meter that meets your needs.
Essential Features for an Effective Blood Sugar Monitor
– Accuracy
Accuracy is the most important factor when choosing a blood sugar meter. It is important have a device you can trust. For example, the Accu-Chek FastClix Blood Glucose Meter is among the most accurate on the market. It has a small margin of error which makes it a reliable choice for those who need to keep a tight rein on their blood sugar levels.
– Ease of Use
Another critical factor to consider is how easy it is to use the device. For those with poor eyesight or dexterity issues, the device with large display size and buttons may be the most user-friendly. The Contour Next Gen One Blood Glucose Monitoring System fits the bill. It has an app that connects to your smartphone. This will give you real-time results so that you can keep on top of your numbers, especially when you’re on the go.
– Features
Some blood sugar meters have extra features that the standard ones do not have. For instance, the FreeStyle Libre Flash 3 Glucose Monitoring System, comes with a unit that attaches to the user’s arm for up to two weeks of continuous glucose readings, with a mobile app to keep track of the results. It also has a user-friendly touch screen interface, making it an appealing option for gadget lovers and those who don’t want to frequently prick their fingers.
– Cost
Not all blood sugar meters are pricey, but one can identify the most affordable ones based on personal budget and insurance coverage. The ReliOn Confirm Micro Test Strips need to be used with the corresponding device. Still, they are a cost-saving solution, especially for those not covered by insurance or who face limitations on funds.
To help you make an informed decision, we have reviewed and compared some of the top blood sugar monitors on the market. Read on to find out which one is best to help you manage your diabetes.
Blood Glucose Monitors
Blood glucose meters consist of three basic components: the lancet, test strips, and the meter itself. The lancet is a small, sharp needle-like device that is used to prick the skin so that a small drop of blood is exposed (some lancets are adjustable so that you control the depth of the needle). The test strips are thin, disposable strips that are inserted into the meter. These strips contain chemicals that react with the glucose in the blood sample. Finally, the meter is the main device that reads the glucose levels in the blood sample and displays the results.
The are generally three types of adjustable lancets:
- Twist-dial adjustable: These lancets have a dial you can twist to choose the desired depth setting.
- Click-adjustable: These lancets have a button or lever that you click. Once clicked, it moves through different depth settings.
- Pre-set adjustable: Some lancets come with fixed depth settings that you can choose from before inserting the lancet.
Our Top Picks
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Accu-Check FastClix for Fast Blood Glucose Results
1. Accu-Check FastClix Blood Glucose Monitoring System
Our Rating 4.5/5 |Price $90
The Accu-Chek FastClix Blood Glucose Monitoring System is an all-in-one kit that includes a meter, test strips, lancing device, and lancets. It has a simple design and it’s easy to use. This makes it one of the best blood sugar meters and a popular choice among diabetics. Also, it has 6 preloaded lancets, one-click lancing that is designed to minimize pain during lancing. You’ll never have to fumble around with lancets again, a prick is quick and easy, so you can go about your busy day.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| All-in-one kit | Cost more than the traditional devices |
| Simple design | App is needed for some features |
| Fast and accurate results |
FreeStyle Your Way to Better Results with Abbot Freestyle Lite
2. Abbot FreeStyle Lite Blood Glucose Meter
Our Rating 4.3/5| Price: $26.01
The Abbott FreeStyle Lite Blood Glucose Meter is a compact and lightweight option for diabetics (strips, lancets and lancing device sold separately). It requires a small blood sample and provides results in just 5 seconds. It also has a convenient backlight feature for easy reading in low light situations.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Compact and lightweight | Test strips can be expensive |
| Fast results | Mixed reviews states that readings are not as accurate as other monitors |
| Backlight feature |
ReliOn on Your Premier Choice for Glucose Control
3.ReliOn Premier Classic Blood Glucose Monitoring System
Our Rating 4.4/5| Price: $ 54.97
The ReliOn Premier CLASSIC Blood Glucose Monitoring System Kit is a budget-friendly option for diabetics. This is one of the best glucose meters on the market because it offers accurate results within 5 seconds and has a large display for easy reading. Say goodbye to inaccurate readings and hello to precision! This kit also includes a lancing device, lancets, and test strips- everything you need to get started. This stores up to 500 readings and also comes with a travel case for your convenience.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Affordable price | Refill test strips can be costly if not covered by insurance |
| Accurate results | May require frequent calibration |
| Large display |
Ultra Control with Just One Touch
4. One Touch Verio Blood Glucose Meter Kit
Our Rating 4.6/5: Price: $59.99
The OneTouch Verio Reflect Blood Glucose Meter Kit is a popular choice among diabetics for its user-friendly design and advanced features. It has a large display, backlight feature, and can store up to 500 test results with date and time stamps. It also offers before and after meal markers for better tracking of blood sugar levels.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| User-friendly design | Test strips can be expensive |
| Advanced features | |
| Great customer support |
Say Goodbye to Guessing, Prodigy Will Get the Job Done
5. Prodigy Talking Autocode Glucose Meter Kit
Rating 4.2| Price $18.45
The PRODIGY Autocode Talking Meter Kit is a highly preferred option for diabetics with vision problems. The meter talks in both English and Spanish which makes it one of the best blood sugar meters available on the market. It requires a small blood sample and provides an audible result in just 6 seconds. It can hold up to 450 test results and is one of the most affordable blood sugar meters on the market. The kit also includes a lancing device, lancets, and test strips.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Affordable test strip | Downloaded program needs time to upload |
| Quick testing time | Test strips can be difficult to find in stores |
| Affordable price, great for saving |
Dario Dial: Turn Up Control, Turn Down Blood Sugar
6. Dario Smart Blood Glucose Monitor
Rating 4.5|Price: $ 34.95
The Dario Smart Blood Glucose Monitor Kit is a compact and convenient option for diabetics. It connects to your smartphone via an app, that allows you to track your blood sugar levels and other health data easily. Additionally, you can get your blood glucose results within 6 seconds. The kit also includes a lancing device, lancets, and test strips.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Compact and convenient design | Some users reported issues with app connectivity |
| App integration for easy health data tracking. Works with most iPhones, Androids and iPad Touch | Test strips can be expensive if not purchased in bulk |
| Quick testing time |
Contour Next, Never Guess Your Blood Glucose Again
7. Contour Next Gen One Blood Glucose Monitoring System
Rating 4.5/5|Price $ 39.99
The Contour Next Gen Glucose Monitor Kit is a popular and accurate blood sugar meter. It is also easy to use and have a large display which makes it easy to read your result. Not only that, but it also uses a small blood sample size than other devices. The Contour Next Gen Glucose Kit has a number of features that make it convenient to use, such as automatic coding, test reminders, a nylon travel case and raving reviews for accuracy.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Accurate | Battery operated |
| Compact and portable | |
| User-friendly | |
| Doesn’t require a large blood sample |
Blood Sugar Meters for Preventative Care
As you can see, advancements in technology have greatly improved user-friendliness, efficiency and accuracy of blood sugar meters. Now, many companies have designed their lancet to be less painful so that people can reduce the barriers to testing. This is great for maintaining preventative diabetic care and can identify potential issues early on. This is crucial in preventing complications.
For instance, if someone notices a sudden spike or drop in their blood sugar levels, they can take immediate actions to correct blood glucose levels so that it returns within the normal range. This would also alert them when to seek medical advice and prevent the long-term effects of uncontrollable diabetes.
Similarly, your doctor can recommend adjusting your diet, increasing your physical activity, or taking medication as prescribed. By monitoring the fluctuations in your blood sugar early, you can prevent complications associated with hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), which can have serious health consequences if left untreated.
For that reason, blood glucose meters are invaluable tools for the management of diabetes.
Conclusion
When it comes to monitoring blood sugar levels, accuracy and reliability are key for diabetics. Each of the monitors mentioned above has its own unique features and benefits, making them top choices among users. Keep in mind your budget, insurance coverage and personal preferences when choosing the best blood sugar meter.
Regular testing with a quality monitor can help maintain healthy diabetic management. So, make sure to prioritize your health and choose a blood sugar monitor that works best for you. Happy monitoring!
Sources
- The big picture: checking your blood glucose | ADA. (n.d.). https://diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-care/checking-your-blood-sugar
- Blood Glucose Monitoring. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/tests-diagnosis/blood-glucose-monitoring.
Medical Disclaimer: The content in this post is for educational and educational purposes only. It is not intended for medical advice. Persons should contact their health professionals for health concerns and medical advice.
