It depends what you are after in a meter.
My meter is given to me and I am very lucky to have my test strips funded. However, I am still been fussy and given back meters I don't like. My list of things to consider when selecting a meter are
- Accuracy. There is a standard which most meters must comply with but some are better than others.
- Size. Call me awkward but when I carry a phone, keys, wallet with me everywhere I go, I don't want to add a huge BG meter
- Size of screen. If you wear glasses for reading, do you want to have to put them on every time you prick your finger because the text on the screen is too small?
- Memory. Most meters now remember some historical readings and calculate averages. Do you need this? If so, how much memory do you need? Last month of data? Last year? ...
- Integration. Do you download your readings to an app for analysis like Diasend?
- Insulin dose support. Some meters allow you to input your carb count and calculate your insulin dose. It takes into consideration insulin on board and correction doses. I found this functionality very fiddly and the meter I had which did this calculation was one that I gave back.
- Strip containers. Most strips come in a pot. But others come in a tear off strip. Strips take up less space in your wallet for a day out but some people complain they are fiddly ... and produce more waste.
- Ketones. If you are at risk of getting ketones, you need the ability to measure these as well as BG. There are meters which are dedicated to ketone measurement. But this is another thing to fill your gadget belt with. Alternatively, some BG meters also measure ketones.
After all of that, if you have to fund it yourself, there is the consideration of cost.
Sorry, I didn't answer your question but posed more. I just want to show that there is more to consider.
