13 best blood glucose meters

One of the most common health problems of modern people is an increase in blood sugar, with which is associated with the course of various diseases of the endocrine system. For this reason, monitoring the indicator must be done daily, and in order to save time and not to run every morning to the laboratory for analysis, it is best to use the meter, a special device that allows you to control the amount of sugar in the blood.

Experts EXPERTOLOGY made a rating, which included 13 of the best models of blood glucose meters, available for use at home.

How to choose a blood glucose meter

According to the type of measurement there are several types of devices:

1. An electrochemical blood glucose meter is distinguished by test strips coated with special solutions - when they come into contact with blood, they conduct a weak diagnostic current, which determines the indicator of the level of glycemia.
2. Phenometric devices are also used with strips treated with reagents, which, upon contact with skin, change color, according to its hue and the desired value is determined.
3. Romanov type glucometers measure glucose level by the method of spectroscopy of the skin, but for home use such devices are not available.

In terms of accuracy, electrochemical and fenometric glucometers are similar, but the first ones are somewhat more expensive, they are more accurate.

The cost of the device does not always determine its accuracy and reliability - many manufacturers produce exactly the budget models available for a wide range of sick people. Test strips should be chosen from the same brand as the meter, to eliminate errors in measurement.

It is also necessary to take into account the ability of the device to take blood from the capillary or vein - the latter method gives a more accurate result (10-12% higher). It is equally important to take into account the size of the needle for skin puncture - with frequent carrying out of the procedure, the skin needs time to recover, especially in children. The optimal drop size - 0.3 ... 0.8 μl - for such a needle penetrate shallowly, they are thin.

Units of measurement of blood sugar levels can also be different:

1. mmol / l;
2. mg%;
3. mg / dl.

Diagnostic time determines the usability of the meter:

1. 15-20 seconds - an indicator of most devices;
2. 40-50 minutes show outdated or cheap models.

Technical indicators that should also pay attention:

1. Power type - battery or batteries, the latter are more convenient to use;
2. The presence of a sound signal will help to navigate when the measurement result is ready;
3. The internal memory of the device will help to save the measurement values ​​for a certain period of time. This is necessary to determine the dynamics of the disease. For patients keeping a diary of indicators, a blood glucose meter with maximum memory is recommended.
4. The ability to connect to a PC for exporting indicators can also be provided by the device.
5. The presence of a nozzle for skin puncture in other parts of the body, except for the finger, for type 1 patients who need to be measured several times a day;
6. Parallel cholesterol measurement is necessary for patients with type 2 diabetes.
7. Some devices of the “advanced” type can even have a built-in tonometer - these are multifunctional devices.

Top glucometer rating

Nomination	a place	Name of product	price
The best photometric glucometers	1	AccuTrend Plus	9 200 ₽
	2	Accu-Chek Mobile	3 563 ₽
	3	Accu-Chek Active with automatic coding	1 080 ₽
The best inexpensive electrochemical glucometers	1	Accu-Chek Performa	695 ₽
	2	OneTouch Select® Plus	850 ₽
	3	Satellite ELTA (PKG-02)	925 ₽
	4	Bayer Contour Plus
	5	iCheck iCheck	1 090 ₽
The best electrochemical glucometers in terms of price-quality ratio	1	EasyTouch GCU	5 990 ₽
	2	EasyTouch GC	3 346 ₽
	3	OneTouch Verio®IQ	1 785 ₽
	4	iHealth smart	1 710 ₽
	5	Satellite Express (PKG-03)	1 300 ₽

The best photometric glucometers

Photometric determiners of blood sugar levels are the most inexpensive, their principle of operation is based on the usual chemical reaction — color indication on contact with blood.

AccuTrend Plus

Rating: 4.9

AccuTrend Plus photometric measuring device was recognized as the best in the category. It is capable of measuring not only glucose levels, but also cholesterol, lactate, triglycerides, the device is suitable for use by patients with diabetes, people suffering from lipid metabolism, and the determination of lactate levels is in demand in sports medicine. Different Jet Strips are sold in separate sets.

The device gives a high accuracy of the result, similar to laboratory analysis with a tolerance of only 3-5%, therefore it is often used in medical institutions for diagnosing the patient's condition in an accelerated mode. In addition, the waiting time for the result is short - only 12 seconds, but can be increased to 180 s. depending on the type of study. The volume of blood drop required for diagnostics is 10 µl, the device memorizes 400 measurements in classical mmol / l units, and it is connected to a PC, where you can upload the results.

To power your AccuTrend Plus, you will need 4 AAA pinky batteries.

The average price is 9200 rubles.

Accu-Chek Mobile

Rating: 4.8

The Accu-Chek Mobile photometric blood glucose meter is unique - it does not involve the use of test strips, the blood metric system is integrated into the device. This is a functional unique device that works only to determine the level of glucose, and for this it needs only 0.3 μl of blood (a device for piercing the skin is thin, it hurts the tissue a little). The maximum measurement speed is 5 seconds. The result is displayed on a large OLED display with bright backlighting, it is convenient for people with poor eyesight to use.

The device has a large amount of memory - 2000 measurements, each saved with time and date. Many additional functions will help in monitoring the dynamics: diagnostics can be carried out before and after meals with the installation of the appropriate label, set a reminder of the need for measurement, an alarm function, determination of average values ​​of indicators for 1 or 2 weeks, a month or 3 months.

The device displays not only the value of blood sugar, the device will show when it is time to change 2 AAA batteries (enough for 500 measurements), a test cassette. Accu-Chek Mobile can be connected to a computer.

The average price of the device is 3800 rubles, cassettes - 1200 rubles (up to 90 days).

Accu-Chek Active with automatic coding

Rating: 4.7

A budget and compact Accu-Chek Active blood glucose meter with automatic coding is easy to use: just use a thin needle to pierce the skin to get a minimum drop of 2 µl of blood and attach a test strip to it, after 5 seconds the measurement result is displayed on the screen. The memory of the device will record the last 500 data received, they can also be transferred to a PC.A useful feature is the automatic determination of the average glycemic value over a certain period of time, and an alarm clock that will remind you to make an analysis and take food will not interfere.

Accu-Chek Active weighs only 50 grams - the lightest device in the category. Its power is provided by the CR2032 round battery.

The average price is 1080 rubles, the cost of strips is 790 rubles for 50 pieces.

The best inexpensive electrochemical glucometers

Electrochemical glucometers are more accurate and easier to use than photometric, but also more expensive. In this category, we present affordable devices suitable for home use.

Accu-Chek Performa

Rating: 4.9

The Accu-Chek Performa compact meter analyzes the amount of glucose in the blood in 4 seconds with an accuracy in accordance with ISO 15197: 2013. A convenient Softclix pierces the skin gently to get a drop of 0.6 µl, suitable for drawing blood from the capillaries of the fingers and other areas, such as the forearm. The manufacturer put 10 test strips in the kit to the device, later they will have to buy an average of 1050 rubles for 50 pieces. The machine records the 500 most recent measurement values.

The device is able to analyze the average measurement result for 1 or 2 weeks, for 1 or 3 months, with the introduction of the critical glycemic value will report on the critical condition of the patient. There is a function to mark the results before and after a meal, it is possible to set an alarm to remind you to do an analysis.

The Accu-Chek Performa device is suitable for medical use, it is convenient for use at home.

The average price is about 700 rubles.

OneTouch Select® Plus

Rating: 4.8

In the second place in the category, the OneTouch Select® Plus blood glucose meter is complemented by color prompts. Blue, green or red will help to understand whether low, normal or elevated sugar levels are in the blood at the time of measurement, the function is especially useful for patients who have recently started tracking the dynamics of the indicator. For the device, test strips of enhanced measurement accuracy conforming to ISO 15197: 2013 were created, they respond to a blood drop in exactly 5 seconds, and the memory is able to capture 500 recent studies.

The OneTouch Select® Plus is equipped with a handy piercing handle and removable Delica® No. 10 lancets - their needle is covered with silicone, its minimum diameter is 0.32 mm, the puncture is almost painless, but the droplet is sufficient for the measurement.

The device works from round batteries, they are already included. In priborchik convenient interface.

The average price of the device is about 650 rubles, a set of n50 strips is about 1000 rubles.

Satellite ELTA (PKG-02)

Rating: 4.7

The device brand of the satellite series ELTA (PKG-02) with manual coding is not the fastest - the result is within 40 seconds, but high-precision. It is convenient to use - a convenient handle with interchangeable lancets pierces the skin anywhere on the body, but the procedure is mostly painful - for analysis, the device requires 2-4 μL of blood.The measurement range is significant - 1.8 ... 35.0 mmol / l, but for a modern device the memory is small - only 40 values.

The main advantage of the satellite glucometer ELTA - high reliability. The model is not new, proved to be impeccable serviceability over the years. The device works from round CR2032 batteries, they are enough for 2-3 years with daily glucose measurement twice. Another advantage is the lowest price for test strips, only 265 rubles for 25 pieces, and about 900 rubles should be paid for the device.

Bayer Contour Plus

Rating: 4.6

The fourth line of the rating of low-cost glucometers went to the Contour Plus device, which does not require coding. He quickly measures the amount of sugar in a small drop of blood 0.6 µl, analyzing the plasma and giving the result in 5 seconds. The device is very light - only 47.5 grams., Powered by two CR2032 batteries.

In terms of functionality, the Bayer Contour Plus glucometer is not much inferior to more advanced counterparts: it has a function to mark food intake, it is possible to calculate the average value for different time intervals, the internal chip records 480 measurements, and can be exported to a PC.

The average price is about 850 rubles, test strips n50 will cost 1050 rubles.

iCheck iCheck

Rating: 4.5

Another budget meter iCheck iCheck processes a drop of capillary blood of about 1 μl for 9 seconds, stores 180 indicators in memory, provides connection to a computer. The device calculates averaged values ​​for 1-4 weeks. Lancet device and needles for skin puncture, case, round battery, coding strip, instruction in Russian and 25 testers are already included.

The reliability of the iCheck iCheck meter measurement is standard, so the device is suitable for home diagnostics of the patient's condition.

The average price is 1090 rubles, the cost of strips with lancets is 650 rubles for 50 pieces.

The best electrochemical glucometers in terms of price-quality ratio

Glucometers of a higher price category have the most accurate performance of all devices available for home use. Their mechanism is reliable, manufacturers have taken care of the convenience of users.

EasyTouch GCU

Rating: 4.9

The EasyTouch GCU multi-function meter is designed to analyze the level of glucose, uric acid and cholesterol in the blood, so it is suitable for patients with various diseases. For the analysis of each substance in the kit there are separate strips that will have to be purchased as needed. A droplet of blood needed for the study is 0.8 ... 15 μl, for a puncture in the kit to the device there is a special pen and interchangeable lancets.

The analysis of blood composition for glucose and uric acid is carried out in 6 seconds, for cholesterol - in 2 minutes, 200 results are recorded in the memory of the device, from where it is exported to PC. The device is powered by 2 AAA batteries, they last for several months, when the charge ends, an icon will flash on the screen. However, users have noted the need to reset the time and date after replacing the batteries.

Included is a self-monitoring diary for recording measurement results, a carrying case, interchangeable lancets. The average price of the device is 6000 rubles, test strips for glucose n50 are 700 rubles, cholesterol n10 is 1300 rubles, and uric acid n25 is 1020 rubles.

EasyTouch GC

Rating: 4.8

Another analyzer in the ranking is the EasyTouch GC device with automatic coding. It is designed for home control of glucose and cholesterol in a blood drop of 0.8 μl. Calculation of the amount of sugars occurs within 6 seconds, and cholesterol - 150 seconds through different test strips included in the set.

Internal memory involves recording 200 measurements, the device will show the average result for a certain time period to track the patient's condition. The device feeds a pair of AAA batteries.

For puncturing the skin on the finger, there is an auto-puncturer in the kit, disposable lancets of sufficient size for receiving a drop of blood of 0.8-14 μl are attached to it.

The average price of the EasyTouch GC device is 4000 rubles, the strips for n10 cholesterol are 1300 rubles, for glucose - n50 is 715 rubles.

OneTouch Verio®IQ

Rating: 4.7

The uniqueness of the next in the rating of the meter is the implementation of several thousand measurements in just 5 seconds from one drop of blood, after which the device shows an average value as close as possible to the true result. If you repeatedly repeat a low or high sugar level, the device will report this with a color signal.

The design of the OneTouch Verio®IQ meter is a compact, bright screen, intuitive operation, the insertion point of the test strip is highlighted, and the location of the blood drop is 0.4 µl. Its one difference from analogs is the need to recharge, it does not have batteries, the battery is built-in. You can also charge the device by connecting to a computer via USB.

There is a comfortable Delica handle with adjustable puncture depth and elongated lancets for skin puncture, the design allows penetration to be painless and low-impact. The design of the case is also unique, from which you can get everything you need to measure blood glucose in one motion. Measurement can be carried out before and after meals with the appropriate marks. 750 results are stored in the memory, the device will show the average value for 1, 2, 4 weeks and 3 months.

The average price is 1650 rubles, the cost of the n100 strips is about 1,550 rubles.

iHealth smart

Rating: 4.7

Xiaomi's iHealth Smart Meter is a tech gadget that is connected by software to a mobile device - a smartphone or tablet with a preinstalled program. There is no display on the device itself, the result of determining the blood sugar level is transmitted to the software via a standard 3.5 mm jack.

Included in the delivery set is an apparat-glucometer and a handle with lancets. There are no devices or test strips on the market; they should be prudently ordered from representatives in cities or online stores directly from China. Xiaomi products are distinguished by exceptional manufacturability, the measurement results are reliable, they are recorded by the dynamics and displayed in the analysis graph in the application on the mobile device.In it, you can enter all the necessary data: reminders, averages, etc.

The average price of an iHealth Smart device is about $ 41 (about 2,660 rubles), replaceable lancets with n20 strips cost about $ 18 or 1,170 rubles.

Satellite Express (PKG-03)

Rating: 4.6

The rating is completed by a satellite meter, Satellite Express, with a CR2032 battery installed. It measures the level of sugar in 7 seconds from a drop of blood 1 µl and stores the results of the last 60 manipulations. Information with a value and glucose level indicator is displayed with large icons on the screen, suitable for use by people with low vision.

The device has a strong and reliable design, for which the manufacturer gives an unlimited warranty. The kit includes a handle to puncture the skin with interchangeable lancets and everything you need for the first 25 measurements of blood sugar levels at home. The “Control” bar will help you to determine how accurate the instrument is in measurements.

The average price is 1080 rubles, test strips n25 cost about 230 rubles.

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Attention! This rating is subjective, is not advertising and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you should consult with a specialist.