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Brands of Blood Glucose Monitors

A blood glucose monitor, or glucometer, is a medical device used by diabetics and those with hypoglycemia. Blood glucose monitors determine the amount of glucose in a person's blood. A lancet is used to prick a finger. The resulting drop of blood is placed on a disposable test strip and inserted into the blood glucose monitor. The monitor reads the glucose level and displays it on a digital screen. Blood glucose monitors, which run on batteries, are approximately the size of a palm.

  1. Lifescan

    • The One Touch Ultra by Lifescan is small, weighing 1.4 oz., convenient for people on the go. It's size (4.25 x 1.26 x 0.67 inches) makes it fit in a purse or pocket. Its memory can hold information on 500 tests. The battery lasts 6 months to a year and the meter carries a three-year warranty. Test strip results appear in five seconds. Average price was approximately $11 as of early 2011.

    Ascensia

    • Ascensia makes the Bayer Breeze glucometer as well as the Contour. The Contour comes in five colors. The basic mode gives simple test results, whereas the advanced mode reveals daily or weekly averages. It has memory for 220 tests and a battery life for 2,000.

      The Breeze shuts off automatically after three minutes. Its memory can store 420 tests, and battery life is 1,000 tests. Both monitors allow testing on the stomach or thigh as well as on the finger. Prices averaged $4 to $14 as of early 2011.

    Accu-Chek

    • Aviva and Compact Plus are two glucose monitors from Accu-Chek. The Aviva has a memory capacity of 500 tests and a battery life of 1,000. It offers can test at six alternate sites and it offers five-second test results.

      The Compact Plus offers a load space to insert several test strips at once to minimize problems with individual strips. There is a detachable lancing device. Prices in early 2011 averaged $12 to $25.

    Abbott

    • Abbott brand blood glucose monitors include the Freestyles and the Precision Xtra. The Freestyle Lite and the Freestyle Freedom Lite are very small and basic. Both can handle alternate testing sites, and memory capacity is 400 tests. The Freedom Lite does not have a lighted back display. Both come with a lifetime warranty. The Precision Xtra has automatic shutoff at minute. Test results are offered in five seconds. In early 2011 the average price was $14 to $25.

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