When it comes to health conditions, it is important for patients to be pro-active in their own health care. Being able to fully understand what is needed to maintain your health is vital to your well-being. From healthy eating to medical equipment, we all seem to have an easier time fulfilling our end of the bargain when we are properly educated about the various items that are available.
This glucometer buying guide and list of reviews have been written to hopefully guide you in your search for the ideal meter to suit your needs. Whether you are newly diagnosed or a seasoned pro, we hope to help you uncover the latest and best glucometers available.
A glucometer’s basic function is to effectively determine an approximate concentration of glucose in the blood. With so many different manufacturers and the different types of kits available, it can be overwhelming deciding on a new glucometer or kit.
Glucometer Accessories
For the newly diagnosed, we thought it would be helpful to add in this section of items that are always needed when using a glucometer.
- Lancing Device – These can come in a standard size or have an adjustable depth.
- Testing Strips
- Alcohol Prep Pads
- Control Solution
- Carrying Bag – optional but very useful
- Log Book – These are used for manually keeping up with your test results.
Features To Consider When Purchasing A Glucometer
Glucometer or Kit
You can purchase a glucometer and other items needed separately, or they can be purchased as a starter kit or a larger kit that will last longer.
Test Memory
You may prefer to log your test results by hand, or you may prefer the glucometer to store your results.
Coding or No-Coding
Some meters need to be reset with new boxes of test strips. Most of the newer meters do not require coding
.
Price
As with any purchase, cost may be important to you. It’s also best to consider the costs of a certain brand’s testing strips and lancets that you will continue to purchase.
Vision Impaired
There are now meters available that will automatically ‘speak’ your test results.
Smart Phone Syncing
Some newer meters have the ability to sync with smart phones and enable users to download and store results directly onto their device.
Alternate Test Sites
Some meters accommodate testing such as on the forearm, upper arm, thigh, and palm.
Test Averaging Ability
There are meters available that have the option to show you a 7-day, 14-day, and 30-day average.
Top Ten Glucometer Reviews
Wavesense Presto Blood Glucose Meter Kit
The Wavesense Presto meter by Agamatrix features no-code technology and automatically corrects errors caused by environmental conditions, manufacturer variations, and user error. A sample of .5ml is needed, and results are ready in 4 seconds. It has an easy-to-read backlit display and stores up to 300 results. This affordable starter kit includes the meter, lancing device, 10 lancets, control solution, alternate testing site capabilities, user guide, and carrying case.
OWell HealthPro Complete Diabetic Blood Glucose Testing Kit
This glucometer has backlighting and full automatic coding. It features 5 alarm settings, stores 365 tests with date and time, and will average tests at 7 days, 14 days, or 30 days. The 5 second results return with a .5uL sample. Results can be transferred to your pc through its pc port using a standard cable. This OWell HealthPro kit includes the meter, 50 strips, 50 lancets, an adjustable lancing device, log book, and manual. This kit is also available with quantities of 100 or 200 testing strips/lancets. This meter is also capable of alternate testing sites, batteries are included, and it comes with a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee.
OWell Prodigy AutoCode Diabetes TALKING METER Testing Kit
The OWell Prodigy meter has very similar qualities to the above meter with the exception of being able to read your test results aloud. An excellent choice for the vision impaired, this meter allows users to hear and see results in 4 different languages. With a test memory of 450 results, you can easily upload readings to your device using the USB port. This kit includes a meter, test strips, lancets, lancing device, manual, log book, and carrying case. It can be purchased in quantities of 50, 100, 150, or 200 testing strips/lancets. Batteries are included, and it is 100% customer satisfaction guaranteed.
One Touch Ultra Diabetes Testing Kit
The One Touch Ultra kit by Slight Touch presents fast and accurate results in 5 seconds with .5uL samples. The kit includes a meter, 100 GenUltimate test strips, 100 30g lancets, a lancing device with 5 adjustable depths, 100 alcohol prep pads, user manual, and a carrying case. The test strips have lengthy expiration dates.
OneTouch Ultra Mini Blood Glucose Monitoring System
The OneTouch Ultra Mini is small and offers fast 5-second testing results. The screen is easy to read, and the meter automatically checks samples twice for accuracy. Users also have the option to test using their palm or forearm. The kit includes a user guide, batteries, lancing device, 10 lancets, and a case. This meter requires OneTouch Ultra testing strips. This is a great back-up kit. It’s very affordable and will easily fit in your pocket or purse.
Active 1st Bayer Contour NEXT EZ Diabetic Testing Starter Kit
The Bayer Contour NEXT EZ meter is a step up from the regular Bayer contour meter. The kit includes 50 30g lancets with easy-twist caps, 50 test strips, lancing device, control solution, logbook, and guide. This kit can also be purchased in quantities of 100 or 200 lancets/testing strips. Bayer’s Contour NEXT EZ promises fast accurate results on an easy to read screen.
Accu Chek Performa Glucometer Kit
The Accu Chek Performa meter has a battery life of 2000 readings and will store 500 results with the date and time. It delivers fast results in 5 seconds. It turns on with strip insertion and will power off if unused in 2 minutes. This meter also features 4 customizable test reminders and offers average test results based on 7 days, 14 days, or 30 days. The rubber grips make it easy to grasp. This meter comes with 110 test strips with lengthy expiration dates.
Slight Touch Contour Next Testing Kit
This testing kit is a great one to try for starting out. You have the choice of purchasing the kit with 10 or 100 testing strips and 30g lancets. Both choices include a lancing device with 5 adjustable depths, 100 alcohol prep pads, control solution, log book, and manual. No coding is required; the meter will manually read new boxes of test strips. It produces results in 5 seconds with .6uL samples. Both kits include a carrying case.
iHealth Smart Wireless Gluco Monitoring System
The iHealth Smart glucometer allows one-touch automatic syncing via BlueTooth technology. It comes with a free iHealth Gluco-Smart app to track and share readings with your doctor. This kit comes with 50 test strips, 50 lancets, control solution, and a carrying case. This kit is perfect for tech-savvy people.
Easy Touch Diabetes Testing Kit By Slight Touch
Among other meters on our list, Slight Touch also offers the Easy Touch glucometer that offers a 6-second testing result with .5uL samples. It includes 100 testing strips, 100 30g Slight Touch lancets, a 5-depth adjustable lancing device, 100 Slight Touch alcohol prep pads, log book, manual, batteries, and a carrying case. This is an excellent kit for newly diagnosed users and pros.
We hope you have found our glucometer buying guide and reviews helpful in your search. Our best advice is to determine the features that are important to you, narrow down a few favorites, and then read reviews. We wish you the best of luck finding the ideal glucometer to fit your needs.
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