Posted 10/1/2012 1:37 PM (GMT 0)
Consumer Reports tested 21 models and recommend nine. This time they also tested the test strips to see if they were still accurate as they neared their expiration date, and most were fine a year after they were opened with the exception of the strips for Nova Max, which scored 18 out of 21 on the list. They say it's best not to keep a large quantity of strips [for a year or beyond] for this reason. And, as always, some meters have bells and whistles and some don't. Here are the nine recommended meters with their accuracy scores in parentheses according to their tests):
1. Accu-Chek Aviva (89)
2. FreeStyle Freedom Lite (89)
3. Accu-Chek Compact Plus (89)
4. FreeStyle Lite (88)
5. Bayer Breeze 2 (85)
6. Up & Up (Target brand) (82)
7. ReliOn Micro (Walmart) (82)
8. One Touch UltraSmart (82)
9. TrueResult Blood Glucose Monitoring System [also available under pharmacy brand names) (82)
All these meters cost $25 or less but the OneTouch was $84 if you buy them outright at the stores. The cost of test strips is important to consider as well. Only the test strips for Up & Up and ReliOn are inexpensive compared to the others. Insurance may cover the name brands but not the store brands and since this may vary from insurer to insurer, you need to consider this. You may find that some of these meters' websites offer a free meter kit online; at least they did a few years ago. Kits normally come with about 10 test strips but after that you have to buy them - which is where the companies make their money, of course! For the uninsured or those who are not diabetic but want to test their blood sugar (and their insurance won't cover the supplies), it seems to me the ReliOn and Up & Up would be a better choice) because of cost.