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For someone with diabetes mellitus types 1 and 2 or gestational diabetes (during pregnancy), a glucose meter may be beneficial for managing your health. This is because a glucose meter allows you to monitor and track your blood glucose levels simply and from the comfort of your home. It’s necessary to keep these levels within a healthy range for proper diabetes management and to steer clear of health complications.
The Forbes Health editorial team examined data on the top glucose meters available to determine the best glucose meters of 2023. Factors considered include required blood sample size, cost and special features. Blood glucose meters that require a finger stick test were specifically the focal point of this analysis. Read on to discover our top picks.
Note: Product prices are accurate as of publication and are subject to change.
The True Metrix Self-Monitoring Blood Glucose Meter snags the top spot on our ranking due to its affordability, its ability to deliver results in a speedy four seconds and its tiny required sample size. This glucose meter also boasts features including an impressive memory storage space of up to 500 results, alternate site testing and seven, 13 and 30-day averaging capabilities.
This glucose meter touts a low price tag and affordable test strips, while also providing accurate results. It offers smartphone compatibility and an accompanying app for tracking your blood sugar trends over time, as well as green, yellow and red target lights that let you know instantly whether you’re in range of your blood glucose goals. It also features a second-chance sampling feature, alerting you if your first sample is insufficient, which saves you test strips.
This glucose meter is chock-full of features, including alternate site testing (from the fingertip or forearm), memory storage of up to 1,000 results, averaging (seven, 14, 30, 60 and 90-day), event tagging and testing reminder alarms. Additionally, it boasts Bluetooth compatibility with its accompanying app, and its Triple Sense Technology is designed to deliver accurate results.
This no-frills glucose meter is affordable and easy to use, as it features a large, backlit display for easy viewing, non-slip rubber grips for easy handling and testing reminder alarms. Additionally, it features mealtime averaging to help identify patterns, a 14, 30 and 90-day averaging feature and custom hypo- and hyperglycemic alarms.
This affordable glucose meter offers glucose and ketone testing, which could be helpful for people with diabetes because when your body cannot use glucose for energy, it breaks down fat for energy, resulting in ketones. High ketone levels can make your blood acidic and could lead to a common diabetes complication called ketoacidosis.
To determine the best glucose meters of 2023, the Forbes Health editorial team analyzed 34 standard glucose meters on the market, assigning star ratings based on the following criteria:
People with diabetes have difficulty regulating glucose, a sugar used by the body for energy. Checking your blood glucose levels regularly with a glucose meter is important, as your blood glucose levels can go up or down based on what you eat or drink. Keeping those levels within the target range helps improve energy and mood while preventing or delaying serious health complications, such as:
The advances made in glucometer technology are perhaps the most critical progress made in controlling diabetes since the discovery of insulin in 1921. Today, a glucometer kit typically contains:
There are two types of glucose meters—standard and continuous. Our ranking only analyzed standard glucose meters, which can be a good fit for people who don’t require frequent testing or insulin injections. These types of meters measure current blood glucose by using a finger stick blood sample placed on a test strip and inserted into the device.
Meanwhile, continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) work by wearing a sensor placed under the skin that measures glucose levels in real time. People who might benefit from a CGM include those with type 1 diabetes, people who require tight blood sugar control or don’t experience warning signs of low blood glucose and those who have frequent high or low levels. CGMs don’t require as many finger sticks, and Medicare has permanently eliminated the requirement of a four-time daily finger stick to qualify for CGM coverage.
Talk to your doctor about which type of glucose meter is best for you and your needs.
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Self-monitoring blood sugar with a glucose meter is beneficial for people with diabetes in several ways:
When choosing a glucose meter, there are several things to consider.
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Tamrah Harris is a registered nurse and certified personal trainer through the American College of Sports Medicine. She is the founder and CEO of Harris Health and Wellness Communications. She has over 25 years of experience in healthcare with a passion for health education and wellness.
Sarah is an experienced writer and editor enthusiastic about helping readers live their healthiest and happiest lives. Before joining Forbes Health, Sarah worked as a writer for various digital publications including LendingTree, theSkimm, CNBC and Bankrate. When she isn’t writing or editing, you can find Sarah with her nose in a book or enjoying the outdoors with her French bulldog, Honey.
