TopMedGear’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Glucometer

Before we jump into the specifications, one should be aware of the fundamental purpose of a Glucometer.

Fundamentals

A glucometer is a small device that helps people check their blood sugar levels. It’s especially important for those with diabetes, as it helps them monitor their health. Using a glucometer is pretty straightforward: you take a tiny drop of blood, usually from your fingertip, and place it on a test strip. The device then gives you a quick reading of your blood sugar level, which helps you understand how your body is managing glucose. This information is vital for making decisions about diet, exercise, and medication.

Let’s dive in-

Choosing the right glucometer can be crucial for managing your health or that of a loved one. With various options available, it’s important to understand the types of glucometers and which suits your specific needs. TopMedGear’s guide simplifies this process, helping you compare features, pros, and cons, so you can make an informed choice.

1. Standard Glucometers

Simple Glucometers: These are basic handheld devices that require a blood sample via a finger prick. The blood is placed on a disposable strip to get the glucose level reading. Standard glucometers are sufficient if you would need this device for rare/occasional usage.

Smart Glucometers: These  models are capable of providing measurements and also sync with any smartphone for easy data tracking, useful for people who need to monitor glucose trends over time. For people with diabetes that need a complete overview of glucose levels over time, these devices would prove to be helpful both for self review and when consulting with a physician. This may also be beneficial to correlate sudden spikes or downfalls with activity or diet.

Wearable Devices: Unlike standard glucometers, CGMs continuously track glucose levels via a sensor attached to the body. Also, this does not have a lancet This is ideal for people with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes who rely on insulin and need real-time glucose monitoring. This is recommended for those who have fluctuating glucose levels and monitoring needs to be done on a real time basis to identify the underlying root cause. Since this is a relatively new method, TMG shall provide recommendations on devices that are certified and tested. We shall be providing a comparison of this product line in our upcoming posts.

In this article, we focus on Simple Glucometers. Reviews for Smart Glucometers and CGMs can be found in our related posts linked at the end.

It is always recommended to use a new lancet for each prick and the lancing device has multiple settings for adjusting the depth in order to get the blood sample as required. Note: Wipe off the blood drop obtained after the prick and take the blood sample after wiping on the strip as the blood sample may be contaminated because of the prick. It is also advisable to wash your hands with warm water before pricking as it would lead to better blood circulation.

Overview:
Accu-Chek offers two variants: the Active Kit and the Instant S. The Active Kit features a larger storage capacity compared to the Instant S, making it a preferred choice for those looking to store a larger history of readings. The Active Kit includes a unique Test Marker feature, allowing users to mark tests as pre-meal or post-meal, enhancing tracking and health insights.

Key Features:

• Warranty Period: 1-year standard warranty.
• Certification: ISO certified for accuracy and quality.
• Test Strip: Accu-Chek Active Test Strip – accurate, high-quality, with an expiration indicator. Only compatible with Accu-Chek strips. 10 strips included with package.
• Lancet: Accu-Chek Softclix Lancet – designed for comfort, compatible only with Accu-Chek lancing devices.
• Lancing Device: Accu-Chek Softclix Lancing Device – painless design, user-friendly, durable, with adjustable depth settings for varied skin types.
• Additional Accessories: Carrying case, quick-start guide, warranty card.

Item	Pack of 10	Pack of 25	Pack of 50
Accu-Chek Active Test Strip	~ ₹250	~ ₹550	~ ₹900

Overview:
The Instant S model provides an intuitive 9-dot target indicator, which is not available in the Active Kit. This visual aid helps users understand if their glucose levels are within target ranges at a glance. It does not offer as much storage as the Active Kit but excels in simple, straightforward usage.

Key Features:

• Warranty Period: 1-year standard warranty.
• Certification: ISO certified for accuracy.
• Test Strip: Accu-Chek Instant Test Strip – durable, high-quality, compatible only with Instant S model.
• Lancet: Accu-Chek FastClix Lancet – painless, single-click, compatible with Accu-Chek lancing devices.
• Lancing Device: Accu-Chek FastC
• lix Lancing Device – ergonomic design, minimal pain, high durability.
• Additional Accessories: Carrying case, warranty card, user manual.

Item	Pack of 10	Pack of 25	Pack of 50
Accu-Chek Instant S Test Strip	~ ₹250	~ ₹550	~ ₹900

Dr. Trust Glucometer is a feature-rich device designed for quick and accurate blood glucose testing. Known for its user-friendly design and advanced features, this device is well-suited for those seeking an easy-to-use, multifunctional glucometer.

Key Features:

• Warranty Period: 1-year warranty provided by Dr. Trust.
• Certification: ISO and CE certified, ensuring reliability and accuracy.
• Test Strip: Dr. Trust Glucose Test Strips – known for their high sensitivity and quality standards, with a marked expiration date. Compatible only with Dr. Trust devices.
• Lancet: Dr. Trust Lancets – high-quality, compatible only with Dr. Trust’s lancing devices, ensuring minimal pain.
• Lancing Device: Ergonomically designed lancing device with adjustable depth settings to cater to various skin types. It is durable, easy to use, and known for minimal pain.
• Additional Accessories Included: Includes a digital thermometer, carrying pouch, battery, and a quick start guide for easy setup.

Item	Pack of 10	Pack of 25	Pack of 50
Dr. Trust Test Strips	~ ₹300	~ ₹700	~ ₹1,200
Dr. Trust Lancets	~ ₹100	~ ₹250	~ ₹450

Tag: Most Bought

Overview:
The OneTouch Select Simple is a no-frills glucometer that offers reliable readings and ease of use for users of all ages. The device doesn’t come with a lot of bells and whistles but offers dependable readings without requiring extensive user input.

Key Features:

• Warranty Period: 1-year limited warranty.
• Certification: ISO certified for accuracy.
• Test Strip: OneTouch Select Test Strip – accurate, quality-assured, compatible with OneTouch devices only. Package includes 50 test strips.
• Lancet: OneTouch Delica Lancet – comfort-focused, limited to OneTouch devices.
• Lancing Device: OneTouch Delica Device – soft and painless, compact design.
• Additional Accessories: Instruction manual, batteries included.

Test Strip Cost	Pack of 10	Pack of 25	Pack of 50
OneTouch Select Strip Test	~ ₹200	~ ₹480	~ ₹850

Tag: Most Affordable

Overview:
Dr. Morepen’s GlucoOne BG-03 is a budget-friendly option ideal for first-time users. Though it lacks some advanced features, it’s reliable and provides reasonably accurate readings at an affordable price.

Key Features:

• Warranty Period: 1-year limited warranty.
• Certification: ISO certified.
• Test Strip: Dr. Morepen BG-03 Test Strip – budget-friendly, compatible only with BG-03 devices.
• Lancet: Morepen Lancet – compatible only with BG-03 device, reliable quality.
• Lancing Device: Simple and durable design, comfortable for most users.
• Additional Accessories: User guide, travel pouch.

Test Strip Cost	Pack of 10	Pack of 25	Pack of 50
Dr. Morepen BG-03	~ ₹150	~ ₹375	~ ₹650