Checking your glucose levels is very important when managing it diabetes. It helps to see how your body reacts to different foods, whether it’s foods like chocolate or even something as simple as a slice of toast. If you want to better control your blood sugar for a medical condition or simply want to see how certain foods and activities affect your levels, the right glucose monitor will help.
Finding the best glucose monitor for you can be overwhelming because of the number of factors and options. It’s a crowded market, which is good because you’re likely to find a good fit for your needs, and bad because the options can be confusing. You can go for simple monitors that report your blood glucose level and give accurate results, or if you want to go the extra mile, you can go for one that has some high-tech features like Bluetooth capability so you can send the results of the blood sample directly to the phone. Whatever your reason for using a glucose meter, it’s important to find a good one. Even if you don’t need one, we’re in the holiday season right now, and these can make one thoughtful gift for someone who has everything.
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There are also other factors to consider when purchasing a glucose test kit. The cost of a test strip, the quality of the prick device, how much blood the meter requires for an accurate reading, and whether it gives a quick result.
I interviewed two doctors to get their thoughts on what to look for when buying a glucose meter. The five blood sugar meters below are doctor’s picks and pulled from online bestseller lists and reviews. We update this list periodically.
As always, check with your doctor before purchasing a blood glucose monitor. They can help you determine the best glucose meter you need.
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The Freestyle Libre is a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) that does not require a finger prick. It has a thin sensor that you insert under the skin (it doesn’t hurt) and wear all day. Then scan the sensor with the device to get your glucose reading.
“For people who are interested in deeper insights into their glucose levels, I will often recommend the Freestyle Libre for continuous glucose monitoring,” says Dr. Nate Favini, chief medical officer of ahead. “By placing a sensor on the arm, you can track glucose constantly throughout the day and develop your understanding of what makes sugar levels go up and down. People will often be surprised that foods they thought were good for your glucose levels may be causing spikes in your sugar Although continuous glucose monitors are more expensive, they can help you understand what types of food and exercise are right for you.”
Note that even if you use a CGM, you may need to take blood glucose readings with a finger prick monitor. You may also be eligible for a free trial of CGM Freestyle Libre, which may give you the opportunity to experience it at no cost.
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Dr. Josh Emdur, Medical Director of SteadyMDrecommends the Dexcom G6, a CGM for patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. “I think continuous glucose monitoring is a valuable tool for managing type 1 and type 2 diabetes,” he says. “CGM data provides useful information to help patients track their glycemic response to dietary choices and activity levels.”
The Dexcom G6 is similar to the Freestyle Libre in that it continuously monitors your body’s glucose levels from a small sensor inserted into your skin, but you don’t need to scan to get a glucose level reading. Your reading is sent wirelessly to your Dexcom wearable, or you can pair with your smartphone or Apple Watch via an app.
The price may vary depending on the insurance.
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The Contour Next One Blood Glucose Monitor is a best seller on Walmart.com. It’s also inexpensive at less than $35 for the test kit. The blood sugar monitor is simple to use and provides a 5-second reading, plus it connects to the Contour Diabetes app via Bluetooth to keep a record of your readings to share with your doctor.
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The ReliOn Prime is one of the most affordable options for a blood glucose meter. Note that you will still need to purchase the strips separately. At Walmart it’s $14 for a box of 50 strips. The ReliOn stores up to 250 blood sugar readings so you can revisit previous readings, but there’s no app or smartphone pairing capability. If you want a simple meter that helps you test multiple times a day, this is a solid choice.
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The Care Touch Blood Glucose System is the #1 Best Selling Blood Glucose Meter on Amazon. The kit is a great value and for $30 you get everything you need to check your blood sugar. The kit includes the Care Touch meter, a lancing device, lancets, test strips and a carrying case. Once you test your blood sugar, you get the results in five seconds, and the meter stores up to 300 readings to monitor over time. If you’ve never used a meter before, this kit is great for getting started at an affordable price.
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