iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
For a home reading at a particular moment, use a blood glucose meter with a compatible test strip and a small fingerstick blood sample. For ongoing readings and trends, a clinician may recommend a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), which uses a sensor under the skin. An A1C test measures a longer-term average, not your glucose right now.
In a February 21, 2024 safety communication, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it had not authorized, cleared, or approved a smartwatch or smart ring intended to measure or estimate glucose on its own. Do not use a wearable’s independent glucose claim to make treatment or medication decisions. FDA safety communication
What can you use instead of a smartwatch glucose sensor?
| Method | What it tells you | Key considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Fingerstick blood glucose meter | A point-in-time glucose measurement from a small blood sample. | Requires a lancet and strips that match the meter. Follow your clinician’s advice about how often to test. FDA meter guidance |
| Continuous glucose monitor (CGM) | Ongoing readings and trends from a sensor that measures glucose under the skin. | Wear, duration, calibration, indications, and fingerstick confirmation needs vary by system. Follow its labeling and clinician guidance. FDA CGM information |
| A1C blood test | An estimate of average blood glucose over approximately the past three months. | Does not show sudden or temporary highs and lows, so it is not a real-time substitute. NIDDK A1C information |
| Smartwatch or smart ring claiming to measure glucose independently | No FDA-authorized independent measurement as described in the FDA warning. | Do not rely on its claimed reading for care or medication decisions. A watch that displays data from an authorized glucose device is different. FDA safety communication |
How to check blood sugar at home with a meter
A typical meter system includes a handheld meter and disposable test strips. You use a lancet to obtain a drop of blood, apply it to a strip inserted into the meter, and read the result. The reading reflects the sample at the time you test; it is not a continuous trend.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches- Check compatibility. Use strips made for your meter and follow the meter’s current instructions. If testing in the United States, FDA advises using new, unopened strips authorized for sale in the country; do not use previously owned strips. FDA meter guidance and FDA consumer guidance
- Prepare for the test. Read the device instructions, wash and dry your hands, and store the meter and strips as directed.
- Take and read the sample. Follow the device’s steps for using the lancet and strip. If a result does not match how you feel, follow the device instructions and your clinician’s advice about checking it.
- Plan for supplies. Compare the cost of both the meter and recurring strips, as well as sample size, speed, ease of use, data storage or sharing, medication or supplement interference, and manufacturer support. FDA recommends discussing meter choice with a health care provider.
When an alternative sampling site may not be appropriate
Some meters permit sampling from the palm or forearm, but FDA cautions that alternative-site results can be less accurate when glucose is changing rapidly. It recommends a fingertip sample when low glucose is suspected, after recent food, exercise, stress, illness, or insulin, or when a result does not fit how you feel. FDA also says not to use alternative-site readings to calibrate a CGM or for insulin-dosing calculations. Follow the specific meter labeling and clinician instructions. FDA meter guidance and FDA consumer guidance
#1 Best Overall
- Advanced Blood Glucose Meter Kit: The Metene TD-4116 diabetes testing kit utilizes advanced technology to provide more accurate and reliable test results, helping you better control your blood sugar levels. After opening the test strip, it is valid for 6 months. Please refer to the test strip storage instructions in the user manual.
- Easy to Use: The blood glucose monitor is with code-free design, ready for testing once insert the strip correctly; the quick guide inside the package lists the steps to do a test clearly, easy to follow; any problem about operation, we are here ready to answer and provide glucose monitoring system instructional videos
- 7 Seconds And 0.7µl Blood: This blood glucose meter kit just needs 0.7 microliter blood sample and 7 seconds to get you blood glucose value; Fast, minimizes wound and less painful
- More Clearly Glucose Trend: 4 modes to record your glucose value according to different time, shows your glucose trend more clearly; 450 blood sugar values storage, continuous 14/21/28/60/90 day average, which brings more convenient Diabetes management for you and your health provider
- User-friendly for The Aged: 4 reminder alarms could be set everyday to remind the aged to do a test in time, considerate; the display is larger than most glucose monitors, showing the results more clearly, easier to read for the aged
What is the difference between a glucose meter and a CGM?
A meter gives an individual measurement from a blood sample. A CGM uses a sensor placed under or implanted in the skin to provide ongoing glucose readings and trends, typically displayed on a compatible phone, receiver, or other device. The phone or watch may show the readings, but it is not independently sensing glucose.
CGM details are device-specific: sensor placement and wear duration, intended users, calibration, and when a fingerstick meter is still needed can differ. Check the current authorization and labeling for the exact system, and use it as directed by a health care professional.
Rank #2
- HSA/FSA eligible. No prescription needed.
- 24/7 GLUCOSE TRACKING. See your glucose response to food, exercise, sleep, and other lifestyle factors via the Lingo app.
- OPTIMIZE YOUR NUTRITION. Discover which foods work for you and those that don't. The Lingo app shows you how specific meals and other factors impact your glucose, so you can learn from your insights and build healthier habits.
- NAVIGATE PREDIABETES WITH A NEW VIEW OF YOU. More time in healthy glucose range is linked to lower diabetes risk. Three out of four users with prediabetes say Lingo was effective in helping to achieve their health goals¹.
- HEALTHY GLUCOSE SUPPORTS HEART HEALTH. What you eat matters to your glucose and your heart. Keeping your glucose in a healthy range (70–140 mg/dL) more often can help protect your heart from heart disease²⁻⁴.
A device-specific example: Eversense E3
In its March 29, 2023 approval notice, FDA described Eversense E3 as an implanted sensor with an external transmitter and app. That notice said it could transmit readings every five minutes, had a wear duration of up to 180 days, and required fingertip meter calibrations. Those specifications apply to the Eversense E3 version described in that notice, not to CGMs generally. FDA Eversense E3 approval notice
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
What does A1C tell you—and what can’t it tell you?
A1C is a blood test used in diabetes assessment and management when appropriate. It reflects average blood glucose over roughly the past three months; it is not a reading of your glucose at this moment and will not reveal a sudden, temporary increase or decrease. For a current measurement, use the method recommended for your situation rather than treating A1C as a spot check. NIDDK A1C information
Rank #3
- 【Stable & Accurate for Testing】: The Microtech Blood Glucose Meter (BGM) has undergone rigorous clinical and laboratory tests based on strict standards to ensure it meets the highest accuracy criteria. The test strip interface with a double layer 9 electrode and the test strips using a new type of glucose dehydrogenase ensure better stability and anti-interference capabilities. It has obtained certifications such as FDA, CE, GMP, and ISO 15197:2015. It is a reliable and precise choice in blood sugar monitoring.
- 【Get a quick and gentle test in 5 seconds】: The Microtech blood sugar test kit is designed for comfort. The high precision blood sugar detection system only requires a tiny 0.5µl blood sample and can give accurate results in 5 seconds. The adjustable depth lancet device offers a nearly painless testing experience, minimizing pain and providing fast and reliable results every time.
- 【Wider Use for Your Family's Health】: Personalized Alerts + Broader Applicable Population. The Microtech blood sugar test kit has improved accuracy with the HCT range expanded to 10% - 70%. This means it is suitable for a wider range of people, including infants, pregnant women, frail people, and obese people. By setting personalized warning values, the blood sugar concentration limit can be set according to the doctor's advice. Therefore, it is the best choice for your whole family for daily health check-ups and blood sugar control.
- 【Easy to Track】: Our blood glucose test kit can store up to 500 test results, providing 7/14/30/60/90 average blood glucose test values, easily tracking daily blood sugar levels, and better managing your diabetes treatment.
- 【ALL IN ONE】: 1 x Gocheck2 Blood Glucose Monitor, 100 x Blood Test Strips, 100 x 30 gauge Lancets, 1 x control solution, 1 x Lancing device, 1 x Meter User Guide, 1 x Test Strip User Guide, Our Exclusive Lifetime Warranty and Technical Support. Tips: This product doesn't need to use or purchase a control solution for calibration.
Can a home glucose meter diagnose diabetes?
No. NIDDK says over-the-counter equipment such as a blood glucose meter cannot diagnose diabetes. Diagnosis requires appropriate testing and interpretation by health professionals. If you are concerned about diabetes or have symptoms, contact a health care professional for advice on testing. NIDDK diabetes tests and diagnosis
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to choose a monitoring approach
The right approach depends on whether you need an occasional measurement or ongoing trends, how often a clinician expects you to check, whether alarms or data sharing matter, and the device-specific need for calibration or confirmation. Include recurring supply costs when comparing a meter with a CGM, and make the choice with a health care professional who understands your circumstances. Do not use a wearable’s unsupported independent glucose estimate to fill in for either device.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- HSA/FSA eligible. No prescription needed.
- 24/7 GLUCOSE TRACKING. See your glucose response to food, exercise, sleep, and other lifestyle factors via the Lingo app.
- OPTIMIZE YOUR NUTRITION. Discover which foods work for you and those that don't. The Lingo app shows you how specific meals and other factors impact your glucose, so you can learn from your insights and build healthier habits
- NAVIGATE PREDIABETES WITH A NEW VIEW OF YOU. More time in healthy glucose range is linked to lower diabetes risk. Three out of four users with prediabetes say Lingo was effective in helping to achieve their health goals¹.
- HEALTHY GLUCOSE SUPPORTS HEART HEALTH. What you eat matters to your glucose and your heart. Keeping your glucose in a healthy range (70–140 mg/dL) more often can help protect your heart from heart disease²⁻⁴.
Rank #4
- CLINICALLY PROVEN ACCURACY: Track and manage your diabetes confidently with our reliable blood glucose monitoring system. Readings that are personalized, HI/LO target ranges, and easy-to-understand summaries of your blood sugar test results (1)
- BLUETOOTH CONNECTIVITY: Sync your glucose monitor kit and get readings automatically to a free app via Bluetooth for seamless tracking and data sharing with our blood sugar testing kit
- EASY TO USE: SmartLIGHT target range indicator (2) instantly shows if blood sugar levels are above, below, or within target range for quick, clear feedback
- SECOND-CHANCE SAMPLING (3): Apply additional blood to the same test strip within 60 seconds to help reduce strip waste, avoid unnecessary retesting, and save money over time with our blood sugar testing kit
- NO CODING REQUIRED: Get fast, accurate results without the hassle of manual coding, reducing the risk of user error and making testing simpler, quicker, and more reliable
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
