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Blood Glucose Meter Comparison Chart

First, find out which blood glucose monitoring systems (meter and strips together) your health plan covers. Most health plans, including Medicare, cover a good portion of your meter and monitoring supplies. Ask your health care provider to recommend one of the covered monitoring systems. If you still aren't sure which meter to purchase, ask your pharmacist for further assistance. He or she can also help you to use your results to improve your diabetes care.

Here are some items to consider:

Ease of use
If you can, try out a few meters. See which one works best for you. Can you see the screen and read the results easily? Can you easily get the drop of blood in place?

Memory
Many meters can now store hundreds of test results.

Speed
Many meters provide results in as little as five seconds.

Portability
If you carry your meter with you, make sure it's small and portable.

Alternate site testing.
If you want to get blood from a site other than your fingers, make sure the meter you buy is approved for alternate site testing. If you choose a meter that can be used on alternate sites, make sure you read the directions about the best times to use these sites.

 
Meter Box
Meter
Memory
Test Time
Sample Size
Features & Comments

  

Accu-Chek:  Compact Plus
500 tests,
7-, 14- & 30-day averages
5 sec
Small
1.5 µL
No strip handling. Seventeen strips are contained in a drum, which is loaded into meter. Attachable lancet device that uses Softclix lancets. Automatic coding. Allows for alternate site testing.

  

Accu-Chek:  Advantage
480 tests,
7-, 14-, & 30-day averages
26 sec  
Medium
  4 µL
Large screen with bold symbols. Easy-to-use Comfort Curve strip guides finger to target area for easy blood application. Rubber grip for easier handling.

  

Accu-Chek:  Aviva
500 tests,
7-, 14-, & 30-day averages
5 sec.
Very Small
.6 µL
Easy to handle and use, with two simples steps.  Large, wide test strip fills quickly and easily. Over 150 quality checks to detect and prevent unreliable results. Allows for alternate site testing.

  

Bayer:  Breeze 2
420 tests,
1-, 7-,
14- & 30-day averages
5 sec
Small
1.0 µL
Ten individual strips in one easy-to-load disc. Single function buttons for people with limited dexterity. Received the Ease of Use Commendation from the Arthritis Foundation. No Coding technology. Allows for alternate site testing.

  

Bayer:  Contour
480 tests,
14-day average
5 sec
Very Small
0.6 µL
No Coding technology allows for fewer steps. Meal markers with post meal test reminder alarm. Large, easy to read display. Sip-in Sampling automatically draws blood into the strip. Allows for alternate site testing.

  

LifeScan:  OneTouch Ultra 2
500 tests,
7-, 14- & 30-day averages
5 sec
Small
1 µL
Before and after meal averages can help show the effects of food on blood glucose. Two-way scrolling buttons. Backlight makes it easy to read and operate. Allows for alternate site testing.

  

LifeScan:  OneTouch Ultra Mini
500 tests
5 sec
Small
1 µL
Easy to use. Simple three-step testing. Very small meter. Sleek design that is easy to handle. Large, easy-to-read display

  

LifeScan:  OneTouch UltraSmart
3,000 tests,
7-, 14-, 30-,
60- & 90-day averages
5 sec
Small
1 µL
Automatically organizes results into onscreen chars and graphs so that you can see patterns and trends. Easy blood application. Allows for alternate site testing.

  

FreeStyle:  Freedom Lite
250 tests,
7-, 14- & 30-day averages
5 sec
Very Small
0.3 µL
Gives accurate and precise results with the world's smallest sample size. Easy to read, with largest reading of any meter. Easy to hold. four programmable alarms remind you when to test. Allows for alternate site testing.

  

FreeStyle:  Lite
400 tests,
7-, 14- & 30 day averages
5 sec
Very Small
0.3 µL
Small and discreet meter for testing on the go. Four programmable alarms remind you when to test. No coding required. Allows for alternate site testing.

  

MediSense:  Precision Xtra
450 tests,
7-, 14- & 30-day averages
5 sec
Very Small
0.6 µL
Simple two-step testing, with easy blood application. Just insert strip, add blood and test begins. Large, easy-to-read display. Measures both blood glucose and blood ketone.

 

 

 
 
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