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Anyone that checks their blood sugar regularly can tell you that the right glucose monitor can make all the difference. Whether you’re prediabetic, Type 2, or Type 1, or have another type of blood sugar issue, more than accuracy, the best glucometers offer a variety of features that help make managing blood sugars a bit easier.
For many in the U.S., health insurance plays a large role in what blood sugar meter you can use. Though, people with any type of diabetes can tell
you it’s the test strips that get really expensive. “The best glucometer really varies from one person to the next,” explains Deena Adimoolam, M.D., endocrinologist and obesity specialist. “For those people who are not tech-savvy, it’s best to avoid complicated glucometers as it’s easy to get lost with all the different functionalities—a simple glucometer that checks fingersticks and records values might be the best option in this case.”
Noticeably left off of this list are Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs), as these differ from glucose monitors. Continuous glucose monitors offer continuous readings (and are worn 24 hours a day) and are used often in addition to glucose monitors as a way for diabetics to incur fewer finger sticks. This helps for a more real-time and holistic view of someone’s blood sugar. Most CGMs still require some fingersticks, and in my experience as a type 1 diabetic who wears a CGM and uses a glucose meter, a glucometer is still needed as a backup (and to double-check the CGM’s accuracy).
So, to help you find the best glucometer available (or even help you choose the best option from the ones covered by your insurance provider), we’re sharing glucose monitors worth considering.
How we chose
We tested countless glucometers, we also spoke with Dr. Adimooolam, Brian Fertig, M.D., F.A.C.E., founder and president of the Diabetes & Osteoporosis Center in Piscataway, N.J., chair of the Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology at Hackensack Meridian Health, JFK University Medical Center, and author of Metabolism & Medicine, and poured through countless online reviews to help you find the best glucose meter available.
Our top picks
1
Best Overall
Contour Next One Blood Glucose Monitoring System Ascensia
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2
Best for Tech-Savvy
Blood Glucose Monitor Kit DARIO
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3
Best Compact and Lightweight
FreeStyle Lite, Blood Glucose Monitoring System Abbott
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4
Best for Visually Impaired
Glucose Monitor Kit PRODIGY
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5
Best Basic
EZ Diabetes Testing Kit Contour Next
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1
Best Overall
Ascensia
Contour Next One Blood Glucose Monitoring System
2
Best for Tech-Savvy
DARIO
Blood Glucose Monitor Kit
3
Best Compact and Lightweight
Abbott
FreeStyle Lite, Blood Glucose Monitoring System
4
Best for Visually Impaired
PRODIGY
Glucose Monitor Kit
5
Best Basic
Contour Next
EZ Diabetes Testing Kit
6
Best User-Friendly
One Touch
Ultra 2 System Kit
7
Best Budget
Walmart
ReliOn Premier CLASSIC Blood Glucose Monitoring System
How can I tell if my glucose meter is accurate?
If you’re wondering if one type of glucometer is more accurate than another, experts aren’t quick to point to one brand in particular. Most meters on the market should read accurately. But if you’re not sure if yours is accurate, Dr. Adimoolam says, “You will have an idea if they are accurate based on when you visit your doctor and have your hemoglobin A1C [a number reflecting your average blood glucose levels over three months] checked.”
But what can you do in the moment if readings are feeling particularly off? “The best way to ensure your glucometer stays accurate is to use the control solution that comes with your glucometer to check it for accuracy,” Dr. Adimoolam says. If the control solution reading does not match with the number on the solution bottle/directions, then that is an indicator something is wrong with your meter, she says. “It’s also important to make sure the testing strips you use are the appropriate ones for your glucometer, and to ensure testing strips are not damaged or expired.”