Glucometer Reviews: Benefits and the Features You Want in a Good Blood Sugar Testing Device

In this glucometer reviews, we explore the features you want in a good brand to make blood sugar testing as easy as can be. At present, over 21 million Americans are suffering from diabetes-related symptoms, and using a device that can detect spikes in blood sugar level is one of the best ways to stay healthy.

Since the modern glucometer was invented, those suffering from diabetes can now conduct a simple test with the device to instantly determine blood glucose sugar levels. From the results, you can decide to change your eating habit, or seek immediate medical attention.

Glucose Meters Reviews

Thanks to the advances in modern and digital technology, even the cheaper glucose meters are faster and smaller than the ones produced a few years ago. Do not base your ultimate buying decision on the cost of the unit, but it is better to get a unit with better accuracy and other features you need for healthy living.

It is the key device needed to keep your diabetes under control, and you should approach the selection process with the seriousness that it deserves. Here are the top brands with the right features and performance metrics that make them worth the money.

1 – Accu-Chek Compact plus Glucose Meter Review

When you look at other blood glucose meter reviews online, the Accu-Chek advantage is well documented. This compact Accu-Chek complete meter comes with a glucose test strip drum that has been praised by industry critics and insiders for its innovation.

The drum embedded within the Accucheck glucometer is capable of holding up to 17 glucose test strips, which gives it far greater portability than other brands. There is no need to do a special coding, for the strip is able to drop easily into the meter.

The self-loading mechanism for the testing strips is what makes the unit one of the best blood glucose monitors one can purchase online. Not only does it come with automatic coding features, for each test result will be displayed in about 5 seconds or less.

The included lancet technology guarantees you would feel very little to no pain during the testing. The screen where the results are displayed can glow in the dark, which means you’ll be able to read the details of your blood sugar level even in total darkness.

While it might not be the smallest brand on the market, the all-in-one design makes it the best glucometer to take wherever you go.

Buying Guide for Good Glucometers

It is very hard for us to fathom the millions of lives that have been saved since this device was invented. Before we get to more blood glucose meters reviews, let’s take a closer look at the features you’ll want in a good and durable brand.

Keep in mind that the best glucose meter is one that would enable you to stay healthy. The brand that delivers the most accurate instant blood glucose level result should be the one you purchase.

Below are some of the features you need to keep in mind, as you consider which brand has the best blood glucose monitoring system embedded within.

How Much Does it Cost?

Like everything else in life, the cost of the device will determine if you’ll buy one today. Even high-end Glucometers are priced less than $100 and you can also find well-calibrated units for far less. Do take into consideration the cost of the testing strips required for the system to work efficiently.

If you have to take your blood sugar level reading several times a day, the cost of the strips can add up over time. So in your quest to find the best most reliable glucose monitoring device, pay careful attention to the price of the unit and the cost of the testing strip package needed for the device to work.

Testing Locations within Your Body

You want a blood glucose monitoring system that is designed to draw blood from many different areas of your body. It might not be wise to choose one that can only pull blood from your fingertips. It might lead to an undue sensitivity in those areas, or enable calluses to develop.

The best glucose meter must be capable of pulling blood from other parts of your body, which will make it far easier to rotate where the blood is drawn to avoid soreness.

Important Data Storage

While it is good to have a unit with a storage case for your testing strips right inside the meter, it is the memory and data storing capabilities you should pay careful attention to. The blood sugar monitor should be able to store your readings.

You should also be able to download the created data into diabetes therapy Apps, for easy analysis. Fortunately, most of the top brands come with software that allows you to create all kinds of reports. Your memory storage needs for the glucose monitor would depend on how often you check your sugar level.

How Accurate is the Glucose Meter?

It is probably safe to say that accuracy of the unit trumps all other features. If the meter cannot deliver instant accurate blood sugar readings, it is not worth the asking price. The accuracy of the results is what helps you make better decisions as to dieting and insulin intake.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the primary agency in the United States responsible for setting the accuracy guidelines for manufacturers to follow. You can read more about the accuracy requirements for blood glucose monitoring devices – Here.

You can also gain more insights into blood glucose meter accuracy from this article, and this posting from a government blog that deals with glucose meter accuracy in home and hospital settings.

How fast is The Test Result?

Luckily, most manufacturers have implemented digital technology into their devices, so this might not be much of an issue if you’re buying the latest brands of best Glucometers. Most units would display the results in just a few seconds, which is a vast improvement over the older, more bulky blood glucose monitoring devices of the past years.

The Design Style

If you need to check your blood sugar levels many times during the day, you should get a compact glucometer that can easily fit into your pocket or purse. It is a good thing that there are different shapes and sizes of Glucosemeters on the marketplace. The way you like to conduct your test should be considered when selecting a brand that would work for you.

Other Factors to Consider

You want a unit that is easy to use and delivers instant accurate results. It is better to get a meter with backlit technology, which means you can read the results on the screen even in low light or darkened conditions.

Some have Bluetooth connectivity, which makes it far easier to transmit your data to other digital devices. Some will come with a USB port for easy transferring of information between the meter and your computer. Additional information about other superior features you might like in your blood sugar monitor can be found in the American association of diabetes educators blog.

Additional Blood Glucose Monitor Reviews

2 – Bayer Contour Next Blood Glucose Meter Reviews

That famous drug company called Bayer used to be the owner of this product before it was sold to Panasonic Healthcare Holdings, who then created Ascensia Diabetes Care as the main holding company. This easy to use best blood sugar monitor comes with a 5-year limited warranty.

It is simple and easy to use and requires no coding technology for it to work. It might lack some of the features found in other high-end glucose meters, but it does have the ability to deliver the most accurate results in five seconds or less.

Another good thing about the blood glucose testing meter from Bayer is that you can customize the unit to your testing preference. While it can deliver accurate results even at much higher altitudes, the device might malfunction if the temperature readings fall below 40 degrees.

You can store up to 480 readings in this unit, but the screen display might not be easy to read in poor lighting conditions. On the manufacturer’s website, you’ll find how to videos and other helpful tools to help you plan better nutritional meals to keep your blood sugar level at the right level.

3 – Abbott’s Freestyle Lite Blood Glucose Meter Review

What an appropriate name for a well calibrated and highly rated glucose monitoring system from a company called Abbott. It is a very small glucose meter that requires no coding for it to work.

Not only does it display accurate results in 5 seconds or less, the included backlit technology guarantees you would be able to read the displayed data in poor lighting conditions or total darkness.

You can generate your results using multiple testing sites on your body. The unit only weighs about 1.4 ounces, which means you can take it wherever you go.