7 Best Smart Glucometers and How to Choose the Right One

Diabetes mellitus is not just among the most common diseases in the world but also an equally concerning one. Like most other diseases, diabetes requires constant supervision and testing, making it a challenging disease to deal with. If you are unaware, diabetes mellitus refers to the inability of a body to control its blood glucose or blood sugar level. The pancreas, a vital body organ, keeps blood glucose levels in check using an enzyme called insulin. Diabetes arises when the pancreas fails to produce insulin.

Other than periodic medications, patients who have diabetes are required to test their blood glucose levels at regular intervals, which is usually done using a glucometer. Since everything’s smart these days, we also have smart glucometers, which are a portable testing device that tests the amount of glucose in the blood sample. Choosing the right glucometer from a sea of options can be daunting, especially since there are a lot of factors to consider before choosing the right one for you. Read along as we streamline the choosing process and present you with the best glucometers to pick from.

Things to Consider While Choosing a Smart Glucometer

Know the Type of Glucometer You Need

Similar to the multiple types of diabetes, glucometers have various versions that cater to different purposes. Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and blood glucose meters are the most common among them. The latter is the one everyone knows and talks about, whereas the former is mainly recommended for type-1 or severe cases of diabetes. Blood glucose meters, or glucometers, are manually operated at regular intervals or as prescribed.

On the other hand, a continuous glucose monitor sticks to the patient’s arms or abdomen and monitors the blood glucose levels in real-time. It includes a tiny needle that pricks the patient’s skin and acts as a sensor. While traditional glucometers don’t require a prescription, you must produce a valid prescription to purchase a continuous glucose monitor. So, knowing the correct type of glucometer is an essential prerequisite.

Don’t Overlook Safety Approvals and Accuracy

We don’t need to inform you of how crucial glucometers are, so you must ensure they are at least approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). Other than that, the glucometer should be clinically tested and boast satisfactory customer reviews. Another critical aspect is accuracy, which should be near flawless out of the box. There’s nothing worse than false test results.

Availability of Testing Strips, Control Solution, and Lancing Needles

Besides the testing machine, a glucometer kit includes several single-use components, such as testing strips and lancing needles. To prevent cross-contamination and maintain the accuracy of results, you must equip a fresh testing strip and lancing needle every time you test for blood glucose levels. Although a control solution can be used multiple times, it is another mandatory accessory to ensure whether a glucometer is working accurately.

A standalone glucometer is helpless without the components mentioned above, so getting a glucometer with a healthy yet evergreen availability of disposable testing strips and needles is essential. Many glucometers opt for universally-compatible lancing needles, which is even better. Another aspect worth considering is their pricing, as they shouldn’t be burning holes in your wallets.

Feature Set

Other than the usuals, glucometers include several other quality-of-life features. A few such features include built-in reminders, data storage capabilities, high and low blood sugar level alerts, and more. While not necessary, such features surely ease the experience of using a glucometer. An ergonomic design, portability, bright displays, and well-sized buttons further enhance the experience.

App Support

Keeping logs of glucometer readings is tiring, so many of today’s smart glucometers come with app support to streamline the process of recording test results. Apps can not only store your test results but also present you with a summary of how well you have been keeping up. Other indirect benefits of having app support include timely test reminders, data backup, and easy sharing of test results with your doctor. Having an app support is what makes a glucometer smart.

What Does a Glucometer Kit Include?

A glucometer kit includes several components. First and foremost, a glucometer, followed by lancing needles, testing strips, a manual, and a few other things, such as holders, a carrying pouch, and more. Additionally, a kit may also include a history recorder to keep track of your blood glucose levels, a control solution to calibrate the device, and batteries to power the glucometer.

How Does a Smart Glucometer Work?

A glucometer makes it very simple to test the blood glucose levels of your body. To explain in a simplified manner, begin by washing your hands and ensuring the glucometer is clean and ready. Insert a testing strip into the glucometer and prick your finger by placing the included lancing device at your fingertip.

The lancing device will shoot a lancing needle that penetrates your skin and draws out blood. It’s recommended to discard the first blood sample as it often results in inaccurate test results. Instead, you can clean your fingertips and press them to release a little more blood. Place the blood sample on the test strip and wait for the glucometer to produce the results.

A healthy blood glucose concentration level lies between 70 mg/dL and 110 mg/dL. Again, we are no doctors, so we recommend consulting a doctor and getting your results examined. Also, don’t forget to note down the readings, sanitize your hands and glucometer, and dispose off the test strip and lancing needles.

Smart glucometers take it a step further by logging the details automatically. Your test results get synced, stored, and presented in an easy-to-understand manner. You can not only share the reports with your doctor, but also monitor your blood glucose trends to see if you are making progress or not.

Best Smart Glucometers To Test Blood Glucose Levels

Now, let’s begin by looking at the best smart glucometers you can buy to test your blood sugar levels. Again, we won’t be covering continuous blood glucose monitoring systems in this buying guide since they require a doctor’s prescription.

Oxiline Gluco X Pro

Oxiline Gluco X Pro is among the best-rated products on our list. It ticks every necessary aspect of a smart glucometer. For starters, the device is portable, lightweight, and has an ultra-bright backlight display for easy viewing. You need not worry about data storage, as the Oxiline Gluco X Pro can store up to 500 test results. Above all, we were pleased that the glucometer supports Bluetooth-based app connectivity, which can store unlimited test results at no additional charge.

As for the device itself, the product reviews specifically mention that it’s supremely accurate. The Oxiline Gluco X Pro can detect even the most minor signals and produce accurate results in under 5 seconds thanks to the E-Sense Technology. The kit isn’t expensive at $49 and includes a glucometer, a lancing device, 50 test strips, 50 lancing needles, two AAA batteries, and a handy travel pouch to keep everything organized. You can also opt for a subscription-based plan that gets you 100 lancets and testing strips with every recurring order and an additional discount, too!

Pros:

• Relatively inexpensive, well-built, and portable
• Impressive accuracy stats and produces quick results
• App support comes at no additional charge and can store unlimited test results
• Has a thoughtful subscription model to further save on costs and hassle

Cons:

• The app isn’t the very best and looks dated in comparison
• A few reviews mentioned the failure of Bluetooth connectivity after a few months of usage

Accu-Chek Guide Me

Accu-Chek Guide Me makes perfect sense for those looking for an affordable smart glucometer. A prevalent name in the industry, you can get the Accu-Chek Guide Me for under $15, and it comes with generous 100 testing strips and lancing needles. It’s lightweight, portable, and offers passable build quality for the price. If we had to nitpick, that would be the glucometer’s display, which isn’t backlit. Furthermore, the Accu-Chek Guide Me relies on the older 3-volt coin-cell batteries instead of AAA-types.

While the Accu-Chek Guide Me boasts an impressive 4-second test result time, it explains why the glucometer isn’t very well regarded for its accuracy. Although it’s still under acceptable limits, accuracy isn’t the glucometer’s strength. Despite being cheap, it doesn’t miss out on app support. The smart glucometer connects to the mySugr app via Bluetooth and automatically syncs your test results. Additionally, the Accu-Chek Guide Me can store up to 720 test results and 30 control results.

Pros:

• Dirt cheap and very popular
• mySugr app is excellent and has great reviews
• Quick at producing results
• Portable and includes a hardshell case in the kit

Cons:

• Not the most accurate of glucometers
• Lancing device has to be bought separately
• No subscription model
• Many users have felt the need to replace it due to faulty battery and Bluetooth connectivity issues

Also See: How to Check Blood Sugar at Home Using a Glucometer

Dario Smart Glucose Monitor Kit

Dario takes smartness and blood glucose testing to the next level by integrating the device you already have in your hands – your smartphone. Unlike traditional glucometers, which require a standalone device, Dario’s solution involves a mobile adaptor (available for Android and iOS) plugging into your device’s charging port and registering the test result directly to the Dario mobile application. Furthermore, the app also functions as a diabetes metric monitor, medication log tool, carb intake counter, and more.

Dario’s smart glucometer is FDA-approved and claims to produce results in under 6 seconds. With thousands of reviews to back its accuracy, we were satisfied with accuracy stats, usually off by 5 points at most. Although fairly basic, the app allows on-demand location-based result sharing and alerts for hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Dario also offers a diabetes success plan that grants access to personalized expert consultation, weekly reports, unlimited testing strips, and lancet refills.

Pros:

• Pocketable device that’s well-built and doesn’t require any batteries
• Applaudable accuracy and ease of use
• subscription model offers unlimited test strips and lancet refills
• Has thousands of 5-star ratings on Amazon

Cons:

• Relies entirely on a smartphone and can’t work without one
• The starter kit only includes 10 lancing needles and 25 test strips, which is less compared to others

Ascensia Contour Next One

If you frequently require to test blood glucose levels on the go, Ascensia Contour Next One is an excellent portable smart glucometer with several quality-of-life features. The device is pocketable and features a light-based indication system to tell if your blood sugar levels are within the recommended range — green for in range, yellow for bordering values, and red for out of range. The Contour Next One has app support and connects to your phone via Bluetooth.

As a standout feature, the Ascensia Contour Next One smart glucometer features Second-Chance Sampling technology. It essentially allows you to run a second test within 60 seconds of the first in case it generates inaccurate results. This equates to fewer wasted strips, accurate results, and fewer painful pricks. The Contour Next One is well-regarded for its accuracy and we found no concerning reviews about the same. Overall, it’s a highly recommended glucometer for traveling purposes.

Pros:

• Relatively cheap and highly portable
• Second-chance sampling technology is an excellent addition
• Produces pretty accurate results
• LED indicator light is a helpful feature for elders

Cons:

• Battery isn’t rechargeable, although battery replacement is covered under the warranty
• Comes with a handful of testing strips and lancet needles, but Ascensia will send you more if you call to register your glucometer
• The app, especially the Android version, needs refinement

One Drop Smart Glucometer

Compared to other smart glucometers, the One Drop smart glucometer stands apart because of its comprehensive subscription plans. Unlike other subscription plans, One Drop offers dedicated plans for health consultation and test strip refills, making it user-friendly. You can opt for One Drop’s Premium plan, which includes one-on-one consultation, goal setting, personalized content, health tracking, and more. All of this happens via the One Drop app, which connects to the smart glucometer using Bluetooth.

As for the glucometer itself, it’s among the most premium-looking and well-built smart glucometers on this list and is similarly priced, too. The One Drop starter kit includes a Bluetooth-enabled smart glucometer, a lancing device, 10 lancing needles, 25 test strips, batteries, and a posh vegan leather carry case. Moreover, the accuracy stats of the glucometer based on Amazon reviews are positive. The proprietary test strips can be restocked using One Drop’s test strip plan.

Pros:

• Subscription plans make this smart glucometer a set-it-and-forget-it kind of accessory, which many patients prefer
• One Drop’s app is among the better-built apps
• Elegant looks and is well-rated for accuracy

Cons:

• Subscription plans result in a considerably higher overall costing
• The glossy plastic body of the glucometer is prone to scratches
• Starter kit includes fewer test strips and lancing needles for the price

ReliOn Platinum Blood Glucose Monitoring System

If you are looking for a no-nonsense smart glucometer, look no further than the ReliOn Platinum glucometer. Not only that, the glucometer and its testing strips are relatively inexpensive. As for the device itself, it’s compact, lightweight, and features a thoughtful color-coded range indicator for quick glancing. Thanks to the wide dosing area of the test strips, you can generate results even if you miss the target spot slightly. The built-in test strip ejector is another helpful addition for easy disposal of used strips.

The reviews we read left us convinced about the glucometer’s accuracy, which, despite the 4-second test time, is pretty accurate in most cases. Like the Accu-Chek Guide Me, the ReliOn Platinum glucometer relies on the trustworthy mySugr app to log test results and other functionalities. ReliOn also sells a toned-down version called ReliOn Premier Classes, which is quite similar except for the in-built test strip ejector and the lancing device, which isn’t included in the package.

Pros:

• Inexpensive yet well-built offering
• Test strip ejector is a nice addition that isn’t offered by many in this price range
• Backed by a three-year warranty

Cons:

• Only includes 10 lancing needles
• Uses proprietary testing strips
• Some users report inconsistent test results

OneTouch Verio Flex

OneTouch is a fairly reputed brand in the world of smart glucometers, so the OneTouch Verio Flex is an easy addition to this list. Furthermore, OneTouch Verio Flex is preferred for its accuracy and also in many insurance coverages. It’s a relatively standard smart glucometer that ticks most boxes, including a bright display, app support, and more. Although the price is on the higher side, the glucometer is pretty easy to operate.

Thanks to the OneTouch Reveal mobile app and desktop portals, you can not only sync and store your test results but also export them to your devices. The glucometer offers Bluetooth connectivity and uses a single CR2302 coin cell. A thoughtful color-coded strip on the device is helpful for glancing if your blood sugar levels are within the recommended range.

Pros:

• Well-regarded for accuracy
• Covered under most insurance coverages
• Uses a single battery

Cons:

• Expensive test strips and lancing needles
• Some users complain of worrisome battery life

Get the Right Smart Glucometer for You

Keeping a check on diabetes isn’t that strenuous, thanks to smart glucometers, as they make checking blood glucose levels effortless. To conclude, we recommend the Oxiline Gluco X Pro and the Ascensia Contour Next One as the best overall smart glucometers. The Accu-chek Guide Me smart glucometer is a fantastic budget offering. On the other hand, the Dario smart glucose monitoring kit is a must-have for frequent travelers.