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Although there are many glucose monitors and meters out there, each one has different features that cater to users’ specific needs. Finding the right glucose monitor can help you manage diabetes, find the habits that encourage healthy glucose levels, and get better support from health care providers.
As of 2019, around 15.9 million adults ages 65 and over had diabetes.1 Whether you or a loved one are looking for the right glucose monitor, it’s important to make sure they’re accurate, senior-friendly, and cost-effective.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed about choosing the best glucose monitor, we have you covered. In this review, we’ll take a look at the best glucose monitors. We’ll also go over tips for choosing the best monitors, the costs involved, and Medicare coverage for glucose monitors.
The Best Glucose Monitors
With so many glucose monitors to choose from, finding the best one can be difficult. We picked out the top choices for glucose monitors so you can be confident when you purchase one. We reviewed the industry’s most popular monitors and meters, and we looked at criteria, including ease of use, price, features, and accuracy. Read on to see the brands we selected!
Dexcom G6
Monitor type: Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM)
We were happy to find that the Dexcom G6 is accurate and easy to use. Other continuous glucose monitors require you to wave a device over the transmitter to see your glucose levels. However, the Dexcom G6 automatically sends that information to your monitor and, in our experience, we were able to read it easily. Like many glucose monitoring devices, this one also offers the option to share data about your glucose levels through the app. This makes it easier to give doctors important health information, especially with the help of a caregiver. Plus, unlike other monitors, the Dexcom G6 can give accurate glucose readings even if you take acetaminophen, like Tylenol.
This monitor is on the higher end of the price range compared to the competitors. Depending on your insurance, you may still pay quite a bit out of pocket. The starter kit for the Dexcom G6 costs about $450 for the monitor, $300 for a transmitter, and $420 for three sensors (which last for 30 days). Since 2022, the device has been covered by Medicare as long as the person has Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, is on intensive insulin therapy, and meets other coverage criteria.
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FreeStyle Libre 2
Monitor type: CGM
The FreeStyle Libre 2 is another popular option for continuous glucose monitors. Compared to its competitors, the price is more affordable. While you need to buy and replace transmitters often for most monitors, you only need to purchase and replace sensors to use this model. This lowers the overall cost of using the FreeStyle Libre 2. Their sensors are also thin compared to competitors’, so they’re less likely to interfere with activities of daily living.The monitor also tracks trends within an eight-hour period, so you can see which lifestyle choices affect your glucose levels. Plus, the reader is lightweight, making it easy for older adults to take it with them as needed.
The FreeStyle Libre 2 costs about $87 for the reader and $150 for a 28-day supply of sensors. While Medicare covers the full cost of the monitor and supplies for people with diabetes, individuals with private insurance may pay up to $60 per month for the sensors and up to $65 for the monitors.
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True Metrix Blood Glucose Meter
Monitor type: Blood glucose meter (BGM)
The True Metrix blood glucose meter is easy to use and affordable. It delivers a lot of value for its price and has reliable features that are helpful to older adults with diabetes. The meter displays results quickly and requires only a small blood sample to do a reading. This can be especially helpful if you need to test your glucose levels multiple times a day. The meter can also store up to 500 blood reading results, so you can share your results with a health care provider. Another useful feature are the alarms used to remind you to test your glucose levels. You can set them according to your schedule to stay on track with your glucose readings.
This meter is on the budget-friendly side for BGMs. It costs about $9.99 and doesn’t require a prescription for purchase. If you’re purchasing a blood glucose monitor for the first time, they also offer a starter kit with everything you need to test your glucose levels. The test strips are also affordable, since you can find drugstore-brand strips for around 10 cents per strip.
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Monitor type: BGM
Contour Next One Meter
The Contour Next One blood glucose meter is accurate and delivers quick results. While it costs a bit more than the True Metrix monitor, it is still on the affordable end for similar monitors. This meter requires larger blood samples to deliver readings. However it also allows you to reuse the same test trip if you didn’t provide enough blood the first time. This BGM is ideal for older adults with caregivers. It comes with a free app that makes it possible for you or a caregiver to look at your blood glucose results and share it with a doctor.
This monitor costs around $20, though you may find it at a cheaper price, depending on where you buy it. You might also spend more on test strips, since the monitor only takes Contour One test strips. The strips cost around $27 for a pack of 70.
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CareTouch Blood Glucose Monitoring System
Monitor type: BGM
The Care Touch Blood Glucose Monitoring System Kit is great for seniors using a blood glucose meter for the first time. The meter is extremely easy to use, so older adults may be able to use it without the help of a caregiver. Once you’ve pricked your finger and placed your blood sample on the strip, you’ll get a blood glucose reading in up to five seconds. Once you’ve taken out the testing trip, it’ll automatically turn off. It also has a long-lasting battery that will last up to 1,000 tests, so it requires less maintenance. The monitor stores up to 300 blood glucose readings and can be connected to a computer with a USB cord to save additional readings.
This monitor is affordable, especially since it comes with everything you need to get started. The kit costs about $39.99. For its price and accuracy, the value is excellent. The test strips are also less expensive at about 15 cents per strip. While it may lack features like a backlit screen or a mobile app, it may be perfect for seniors who are looking for a very simple monitor that works well.
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Accu-Check Guide Me Meter
Monitor type: BGM
The Accu-Chek Guide Me Meter is another option that is easy to use and accurate. The monitor has a large screen with a simple display and has enough memory to store 720 test results and 30 control records. While its test strips are on the pricier side, its basic features, including ease of use, accuracy, and memory storage, are excellent. This monitor also takes smaller blood samples compared to other models and gives fast glucose readings. It offers Bluetooth connectivity to make sharing information with doctors easy.
This meter costs about $15, though you may pay more over time for the test strips. The strips cost about $0.58 each, which is on the higher end compared to other brands. You can get a free meter on their site if you get a monthly subscription of test strips. It’s also covered by Medicare; plus, Accu-Chek offers a pharmacy discount program for savings on their starter kit and test strip refills.
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Medtronic Guardian Connect Systems
Monitor type: CGM
The Medtronic Guardian System is a continuous glucose monitor that has more tech-savvy features than its competitors. It works with or without an insulin pump and gives more detailed information on glucose levels throughout the day. Using the data from your glucose readings, it can predict when your glucose levels will rise and drop in the next hour, making it easier to stay in a healthy range. It also has sensors that don’t last as long as ones from other CGMs, so you’ll pay more for sensors over time. Since it’s designed for more tech-savvy users, this is ideal for seniors who are looking for a monitor to guide the decisions that affect their blood sugar and have a caregiver around daily to help them with it.
In terms of cost, this monitor is on the pricier side. The transmitter costs about $620, and a five-pack of sensors costs about $345. While the cost of the Guardian Connect is comparable to CGMs like the Dexcom G6, it isn’t covered by Medicare. This is because the system can’t be used to make decisions about treatment without confirming the results with a blood glucose check. However, Medtronic does offer a 30-day free trial if you’d like to try it before purchasing the monitor.
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A glucose meter is a small device that measures how much sugar (glucose) is in your blood. It’s used to help people with diabetes by giving them an instant reading on their blood sugar levels. Since blood sugar levels are affected by exercise, food, medications, stress, and other factors, it’s helpful to have a way to track these changes. With the assistance of a glucose meter, individuals can keep their blood sugar in the right range throughout the day.
There are two different types of glucose meters: standard and continuous. Read on to find out the difference between these glucose meters.
A standard glucose meter measures glucose levels by reading a small blood sample. To get the sample, you use a lancet to create a puncture in the skin, and put the droplets of blood on a test strip. The glucose meter then reads the test strip and displays the blood sugar level on a monitor.
A continuous glucose monitor measures your blood sugar levels by measuring your interstitial glucose level, which is the glucose found in the fluid between your cells. To use it, you wear a sensor that tests glucose every few minutes. As it measures your blood glucose levels, you can see the information on a monitor. Some of these monitors also send the information to a smartphone or tablet. Continuous glucose meters are more commonly used by individuals with Type 1 diabetes.
Did You Know? If you or a loved one needs extra assistance with diabetes care, you can consider home care from a nurse. With home care, a licensed medical professional visits your home to administer medical care.
When it comes to picking the best glucose monitor or meter for you, there are important things to consider. Here are some factors to keep in mind as you look for a glucose monitor:
As a rule of thumb, glucose monitors that are FDA-approved are more likely to be accurate. However, there are also non FDA-approved monitors and meters that also give accurate readings. If you’re not sure about which one is best, you can always double-check with a doctor for approval.
You can also look for reputable brands when looking for a monitor. Their models are usually widely used by people with diabetes, offer more information about their products, and are more reliable in general.
Continuous glucose monitors usually cost somewhere around $1,000 to several thousand dollars per year, depending on the brand you buy. If you’re going to use one, you’ll need to get a receiver or reader, replaceable sensors, and a transmitter. While you only need to purchase the receiver once, the sensors and transmitters need to be replaced regularly.
FYI: Some popular brands offer a discount on their glucose monitors, even if Medicare or your insurance doesn’t cover it. Visit the brand’s site to find out if they have a special deal.
Blood glucose meters tend to cost around $15 to $50. Test strips for the meters also make up a big part of the cost, since you need to use one for every blood glucose reading. They can cost anywhere from 40 cents to $1 per strip. While the most basic models are on the lower end of the price range, you’ll pay extra for more features. This includes memory storage, backlit screens, and reminder alarms.
Both blood glucose monitors and continuous glucose monitors are covered by Medicare Part B. You can qualify for coverage if you meet these requirements:
Once these requirements are met, you’ll only pay for 20 percent of the monitor and supplies. This includes blood glucose meters and test strips, continuous glucose monitors, sensors, and transmitters.2
If you need more coverage in addition to your Medicare plan, consider Medigap. Also known as Medicare Supplement Insurance, it can help lower out-of-pocket expenses! Visit our list of the best Medigap plans for people with diabetes to learn more.
The number of supplies covered will also depend on whether you need insulin to manage diabetes. For example, if you are a Medicare beneficiary with diabetes who uses insulin, you can get up to 300 test strips and 300 lancets every three months. If you are a beneficiary with diabetes who doesn’t use insulin, you can get up to 100 test strips and 100 lancets every three months.
For over five years, Taylor has been writing, editing, and researching products and services covering topics such as senior care and technology, internet and the digital divide, TV and entertainment, and education. Her work has been cited by publications such as Forbes,… Learn More About Taylor Shuman
American Diabetes Association. (2019). Statistics About Diabetes.
Medicare.gov. (2023) Blood sugar monitors.
American Diabetes Association. Medicare.
