Blood Glucose Meter recommendations

[c4bubbles]

Hey all,
Looking to get a meter but slightly overwhelmed by the choice available.
Don’t have a fortune to spend and want to be able to afford all the bits needed on a consistent basis.
What are you using, which machine gives the most accurate results, and which ones should I stay away from?
Many thanks in advance.
Cindy

 

[Rachox]

Hi @c4bubbles , you have made a great decision to start home testing.

Here’s some info on UK meters, and to be clear I have no commercial connections with any of the companies mentioned.



HOME HEALTH have the Gluco Navii, which is a fairly new model and seems to be getting good reviews.

https://homehealth-uk.com/all-produ...ose-meter-test-strips-choose-mmol-l-or-mg-dl/



Links to the strips for future orders:

https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/glucose-navii-blood-glucose-test-strips-50-strip-pack/



Then they sell the older SD Code Free, details to be found here!

https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/codefree-blood-glucose-monitoring-system-mmoll-or-mgdl/





SPIRIT HEALTHCARE have a meter called the Tee2 + which is quite popular:

https://shop.spirit-health.co.uk/co...e2-blood-glucose-meter?variant=19264017268793



The strips are to be found here:

https://shop.spirit-health.co.uk/co...py-of-tee2-test-strips?variant=19264017367097



If there is a choice of units of measurement then ‘mmol/L’ are the standard units in the UK, ‘mg/dl’ in the US, other countries may vary.



Don’t forget to check the box if you have pre diabetes or diabetes so you can buy VAT free. (for all meters and strips)

There are often discount codes for the strips. I hope other members will chip in with current ones for you.

 

[c4bubbles]

Hi @c4bubbles , you have made a great decision to start home testing.

Here’s some info on UK meters, and to be clear I have no commercial connections with any of the companies mentioned.



HOME HEALTH have the Gluco Navii, which is a fairly new model and seems to be getting good reviews.

https://homehealth-uk.com/all-produ...ose-meter-test-strips-choose-mmol-l-or-mg-dl/



Links to the strips for future orders:

https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/glucose-navii-blood-glucose-test-strips-50-strip-pack/



Then they sell the older SD Code Free, details to be found here!

https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/codefree-blood-glucose-monitoring-system-mmoll-or-mgdl/





SPIRIT HEALTHCARE have a meter called the Tee2 + which is quite popular:

https://shop.spirit-health.co.uk/co...e2-blood-glucose-meter?variant=19264017268793



The strips are to be found here:

https://shop.spirit-health.co.uk/co...py-of-tee2-test-strips?variant=19264017367097



If there is a choice of units of measurement then ‘mmol/L’ are the standard units in the UK, ‘mg/dl’ in the US, other countries may vary.



Don’t forget to check the box if you have pre diabetes or diabetes so you can buy VAT free. (for all meters and strips)

There are often discount codes for the strips. I hope other members will chip in with current ones for you.

Many thanks Rachox.

 

[niblue]

I've gone with a Sinocare Safe AQ Smart that was £21.99 on Amazon with 50 test strips and lancets included. It was also £21.99 for an additional 100 test strips and lancets, which I've bought since. It had very good reviews on Amazon.

That's the only one I've tried but is giving consistent results and is easy to use as it doesn't need coding/calibration.

 

[ianf0ster]

Probably the majority here use either Gluco Navii, SD Code Free or the TEE2 (like me). Price of meter and of Test Strips all fairly low and similar. Legally in the UK meters all conform to the same standard, so you don't need to concern yourself about that part.

 

[ajbod]

I used to use a Glucomen Areo, but treated myself to a new Gluco Navii, £30 and a few odd pennies, for tester kit with a few strips, and an extra 250 strips.

 

[c4bubbles]

I've gone with a Sinocare Safe AQ Smart that was £21.99 on Amazon with 50 test strips and lancets included. It was also £21.99 for an additional 100 test strips and lancets, which I've bought since. It had very good reviews on Amazon.

That's the only one I've tried but is giving consistent results and is easy to use as it doesn't need coding/calibration.

Thank you

 

[c4bubbles]

I used to use a Glucomen Areo, but treated myself to a new Gluco Navii, £30 and a few odd pennies, for tester kit with a few strips, and an extra 250 strips.

Thank you

 

[c4bubbles]

I used to use a Glucomen Areo, but treated myself to a new Gluco Navii, £30 and a few odd pennies, for tester kit with a few strips, and an extra 250 strips.

Thank you

 

[Sarah69]

If you’re getting it through your gp you get what you’re given unfortunately. I have a meter which I don’t like.

 

[c4bubbles]

If you’re getting it through your gp you get what you’re given unfortunately. I have a meter which I don’t like.

My GP has told me I don’t need to test and won’t provide any equipment, so I’m doing this inspite of his unwillingness to assist.

 

[Rooty]

I've recently purchased a Tee2+ which has reasonably priced test strips. The Bluetooth was appealing and it did pair with my iPhone -- but only once. If screen size is important to you, it's got a great screen. But how accurate is it?

One thing I've learned with BG meters is that none of them are accurate, or at least they often vary! My understanding is that they are allowed a 20% error of margin, so a laboratory accurate reading of 10 mmol/L, it's considered acceptable to display 8 mmol/L or 12 mmol/L.

I was discussing this very issue with a friend the other day. Here's a photo of three meters taken at the same time:

Left to right: Sinocare Safe AQ Pro I, Kinetik Wellbeing (now discontinued I believe), Tee2+.

My eyesight isn't great, so I appreciate a larger, clear screen.

 

[niblue]

I've also got 2 meters and have been using both the last couple of days, They do usually differ and by up to around 10% or so. The Sinocare AQ Smart generally reads about 10% higher than the Gluco Navii - although when I used both an hour or so back they gave the same reading of 7.6, which is the first time they've matched.

I think they're allowed a 15% margin.

 

[c4bubbles]

I've recently purchased a Tee2+ which has reasonably priced test strips. The Bluetooth was appealing and it did pair with my iPhone -- but only once. If screen size is important to you, it's got a great screen. But how accurate is it?

One thing I've learned with BG meters is that none of them are accurate, or at least they often vary! My understanding is that they are allowed a 20% error of margin, so a laboratory accurate reading of 10 mmol/L, it's considered acceptable to display 8 mmol/L or 12 mmol/L.

I was discussing this very issue with a friend the other day. Here's a photo of three meters taken at the same time:

Left to right: Sinocare Safe AQ Pro I, Kinetik Wellbeing (now discontinued I believe), Tee2+.
View attachment 60964
My eyesight isn't great, so I appreciate a larger, clear screen.

Thank you