How to Choose a Blood Glucose Meter: It’s in Your Hands

Effective diabetes management includes regular blood glucose monitoring. A blood glucose meter, or glucometer, allows you to take readings at specific times, such as before or after meals, which can help you and your healthcare provider make adjustments to improve blood glucose control1. Choosing a device with the features that matter most to you have an impact on how you live with diabetes and keep you engaged with your treatment2.  

 

Table of Contents

What to look for in a blood glucose meter? Arrow icon
CONTOUR® blood glucose meters at a glance Arrow icon
Finding the best blood glucose meter
for you Arrow icon

What to Look for in a Blood Glucose Meter1,3,4

Before diving into specific models, think about your personal needs and lifestyle. Are you looking for a compact meter for travel? Do you need one with advanced features like smartphone compatibility? Do you have vision issues that require a device with a large display? Defining your priorities will narrow your options.

1. Check for Accuracy and Reliability
Accuracy is crucial for effective diabetes management. While all meters meet Health Canada standards, some are more precise than others. Look for meters with excellent reviews on accuracy and ensure the brand has a strong reputation. You can also ask your healthcare provider for recommendations based on reliable models they trust. Learn more about why accuracy matters.

2. Evaluate Ease of Use
Not all meters are equally user-friendly. If you are new to diabetes management or have dexterity challenges, opt for a device that is easy to operate. No initial set up, intuitive screens, large buttons or quick results can make a big difference in your daily life.
Your glucometer should also feel comfortable in your hands for a better user experience.

 

3. Look for Additional Features
Modern blood glucose meters offer a variety of features that can enhance your experience:

Some meters use color-coded indicators to quickly show whether blood glucose levels are within, above, or below target ranges.
Meters that connect to apps like the CONTOUR®DIABETES app allow your results to be safely shared with your healthcare provider.
Some devices allow you to apply more blood to the same strip if the initial sample is insufficient, helping to avoid wasted test strips and reducing frustration.

4. Support and Warranty
Choose a meter from a brand known for good customer support. A solid warranty can also give you peace of mind if the device malfunctions or needs replacement.

 

CONTOUR® Blood Glucose Meters at a Glance

Ascensia offers a range of devices designed to meet the needs of people living with diabetes, all highly accurate and easy to use.

CONTOUR NEXT GEN

The CONTOUR®NEXT GEN5 blood glucose monitoring system is designed for ease of use. Colored lights (smartLIGHT) help identify whether the reading is within (green), above (yellow), or below (red) your target range. Second-Chance® Sampling allows you to apply more blood to the same test strip within 60 seconds, making it easy to perform a reading even in imperfect conditions. Scientifically proven, CONTOUR®NEXT GEN has accuracy that exceeds Health Canada recognized industry standards by nearly 3x6*†7.

CONTOUR NEXT GEN

The CONTOUR®NEXT ONE8 is compact and mobile for convenient on the go use, with smartLIGHT and Second-Chance® Sampling technology, plus CONTOUR®DIABETES app connectivity.

CONTOUR NEXT ONE

The CONTOUR®NEXT EZ9 blood glucose monitoring system is among our simplest meters. With minimal setup, it is an excellent choice for those who prefer a straightforward approach to blood glucose monitoring.

CONTOUR NEXT EZ

Finding the Best Blood Glucose Meter for You7

Choosing the right blood glucose meter is an investment in your health. Take time to research your options, compare features, and prioritize what matters most to you. A good meter will not only provide accurate readings but also make managing your diabetes more convenient and stress-free.

Ascensia provides several options to meet your needs and help promote effective diabetes management. For more detailed information on how CONTOUR® meters can simplify your diabetes care routine, click here.

Discover CONTOUR®NEXT GEN

References:

*Minimum accuracy requirements of ISO15197: 2013 Section 6.3 standard require ≥95% of the measured values to fall within ±0.83 mmol/L at glucose concentrations <5.5 mmol/L or within ±15% ≥5.5 mmol/L of the referenced method.

†An ad hoc analysis demonstrated that 95% of the results were within the error range ±0.3 mmol/L or ±5.3% of the laboratory reference values for glucose concentrations <5.5 mmol/L or ≥5.5 mmol/L, respectively.

  1. Diabetes Canada Clinical Practice Guidelines Expert Committee; Berard LD, Siemens R, Woo V. Monitoring glycemic control. Can J Diabetes. 2018;42 Suppl 1:S47-S53. doi: 10.1016/j.jcjd.2017.10.007. PMID: 29650111.
  2. Al Hayek A, Alwin Robert A, Al Dawish M. Patient satisfaction and clinical efficacy of novel blood glucose meters featuring color range indicators in patients with type 2 diabetes: a prospective study. Cureus. 2020;12(10):e11195. doi: 10.7759/cureus.11195. PMID: 33269126; PMCID: PMC7704060.
  3. Diabetes Canada. Managing your blood sugar. Diabetes Canada website. Available from https://www.diabetes.ca/resources/tools---resources/managing-your-blood-sugar. Published 2025. Accessed January 9, 2025.
  4. Diabetes Care Community. Home blood glucose meters: which one do I choose? Diabetes Care Community website. Available from https://www.diabetescarecommunity.ca/living-well-with-diabetes-articles/monitoring/monitoring-blood-glucose/home-blood-glucose-meters-which-one-do-i-choose/. Published 2025. Accessed January 9, 2025.
  5. CONTOUR®NEXT GEN Blood Glucose Monitoring System User Guide, Rev. 02/22.
  6. Pleus S et al (2022) User Performance Evaluation and System Accuracy Assessment of Four Blood Glucose Monitoring Systems With Color Coding of Measurement Results. J Diab Sci and Technol;1-9.
  7. International Organization for Standardization. In vitro diagnostic test systems – requirements for blood-glucose monitoring systems for self-testing in managing diabetes mellitus (ISO 15197). International Organization for Standardization, Geneva, Switzerland, 2013.
  8. CONTOUR®NEXT One Blood Glucose Monitoring System User Guide, Rev. 03/21.
  9. CONTOUR®NEXT EZ Blood Glucose Monitoring System User Guide, Rev. 08/16.