Glucose monitoring is a key factor in preventing or managing Diabetes. If you’re reading this it probably means that you or someone you know suffers from Diabetes. The statistics on it are truly staggering. According to the CDC, 1 in 5 adults in the US suffers from diabetes, while 4 out of 10 are considered prediabetic.
Thankfully, advancements in medical practices, drugs, and monitoring devices have made it possible to prevent and manage diabetes. Instead of selecting only the best devices out of any price point, this article focuses on reviewing the most popular glucose monitors in the market. We purchased, tested, and gathered customer information on the most popular glucose monitoring devices to shed some light on the good and the bad out of each device.
“Many devices out there, even some manufactured by large corporations, are simply not reliable,” says Dr. James Winston, Endocrinologist at St. George University.
Some of the key characteristics to consider include:
Reading Accuracy & Consistency: As this is the most important factor to consider, any device that has a consistent reading deviation of +/- 5% is considered reliable. This metric is tested by using a control solution to verify readings. Additionally, it is also supported by the use of a hospital vital sign monitor that accurately measures blood glucose.
User Experience: Reliability goes hand in hand with ease of use. This includes device setup, steps required to perform a reading, viewing past readings, storing or exporting readings to external devices, display size, and contrast. An exemplary user experience must prove little to no difficulty for most people to achieve all of the above.
Features: This characteristic separates good from great devices. A great device must include features such as app connectivity, display backlight, travel case, continuous monitoring, automatic averaging, and more.
Price: Unlike many other devices that are used sporadically, glucose monitors are usually recurrently used. Therefore the price of the device as well as its “refills” such as glucose test strips, lancets, arm sensors, or adhesives must all be considered.
The Best Glucose Monitor of 2024
Accuracy
99%
Overall Rating
★★★★★ 5/5
Strip Cost
20¢ / Per Strip
Description
Portable, easy to use, reliable, and smart, the Gluco X Pro is highly recommended by its users for good reason. This device seems like your average blood glucose meter, however it excels in all areas thanks to its simplicity and manufacturing quality. After testing with the control solution and vital sign monitor the Gluco X Pro demonstrated a +/- 1% deviation making it the most accurate device we tested.
The Gluco X includes a full kit with a lancing device, travel case, 50 lancets & test strips. It features an easy-to-view backlit display with high contrast for day or night. It connects to a smartphone app to store and export readings. An important feature of the app is that it automatically syncs past readings eliminating the need to input anything manually.
Another key factor to consider is that the test strips are some of the most affordable out there and Oxiline offers monthly subscription plans to reduce cost and automatically resupply strips. Out of all the traditional self-testing devices, the Gluco X is by far the most ideal choice we found.
Pros
- Most Accurate
- Bright and Large Display
- Includes Full Kit
- Affordable Test Strips
- Great Smartphone App
Cons
- None
Accuracy
96%
Overall Rating
★★★★☆ 4/5
Strip Cost
63¢ / Per Strip
Description
The Onetouch Verio Reflect meter is a device with a Bluetooth device with a bright-colored display. It is easy to use and includes color guidance that may be helpful for faster result confirmation. It also includes a smartphone app that is highly intuitive and user-friendly which allows you to view, store, and export readings over time. Users report that this device provides reliable readings. After testing with the control solution and vital sign monitor the Onetouch Verio demonstrated a +/- 4% deviation making it a dependable device. This device comes with a lancing device and carrying case, yet only 10 lancets. Additional lancets cost $38 for 60 count. Even though the device has an affordable price the cost of its lancets is one of the highest in the market.
Pros
- Dependable Accuracy
- Great Smartphone App
- Color Guide Display
Cons
- High Cost for Test Strips
Accuracy
94%
Overall Rating
★★★☆☆ 3/5
Sensor Cost
$140 / Per 14 days
Description
The Freestyle Libre is a continuous monitor that uses interstitial fluids instead of blood to measure the blood glucose. It works by wearing a sensor on your upper arm. It’s a flash system, which means you wave an accompanying monitor above the sensor in order to get your glucose readings. To keep the Libre system working, you have to reapply a new sensor to your arm every 14 days. Some users report inaccurate readings as well as skin irritation from applying the sensors. After testing with the vital sign monitor the Freestyle Libre demonstrated a +/- 6% deviation which is 1% off from the acceptable deviation for accuracy. This may not be ideal for most users.
Even though the accuracy is subpar, as a continuous monitor the Freestyle Libre is very practical and will save its users the time and effort that self-monitors require. However, most users continue to have a self-monitor handy as a secondary and more reliable option to check results.
Pros
- Continuous Monitor
- Great Smartphone App
Cons
- Most Expensive
- Subpar Accuracy
Accuracy
92%
Overall Rating
★★☆☆☆ 2/5
Strips Cost
10¢ / Per Strip
Description
The Relion Glucometer is a very popular glucose meter because of its low price and simplicity. It is probably the most affordable device on the market and may be ideal for non-diabetic users that want to check their glucose while on a budget. It only includes the meter and does not include a lancing device, lancets, or carrying case.
Users report that it does not provide consistently reliable readings. It is made with low-grade components that may cause some devices to have manufacturing faults. After testing with the control solution and vital sign monitor the Relion demonstrated a +/- 8% deviation making it a non-dependable device. Therefore this device is not recommended to daily or diabetic users since there are many other better options for not a significantly higher cost.
Pros
- Most Affordable
- Affordable Test Strips
- Easy To Use
Cons
- Not Accurate
- Does Not Include Test Strips
Accuracy
93%
Overall Rating
★★★☆☆ 3/5
Strips Cost
32¢ / Per Strip
Description
The Accucheck Guide is a smart blood glucose monitor that includes a full kit. This device is easy to use and connects with a smartphone app that allows viewing, storing, and exporting of results. It is small, portable, and one of the few devices that include 100 test strips and lancets.
This popular device has been on the market for years, however, users report that it may not be a durable device and it needs to be replaced within 6 months of use. Reasons for replacement include issues with the battery cover, fading screen brightness, and accuracy. After testing with the control solution and vital sign monitor the Accucheck monitor demonstrated a +/- 7% deviation making it borderline not dependable. It may not be the most ideal choice to monitor diabetes considering other options in the market.
Pros
- Small and Portable
- Great App
- Includes 100 Strips & Lancets
Cons
- Durability Issues
- Subpar Accuracy
- High Cost
