Home Blood Glucose Meters and FDA Tips to Avoid Unsafe Test Strips (2026 Guide)

Last updated: October 22, 2026.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Some links below are affiliate links, which means this site may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Key takeaways

• Buy test strips only from a trusted source such as a pharmacy or the manufacturer, new and unopened. The FDA warns about pre-owned and unauthorized strips sold online.
• Use the strips recommended for your meter, follow the instructions, and do quality control checks with control solution.
• Fingertip readings can be more accurate than alternate sites when glucose changes quickly (FDA).
• We do not link to test strips here. Lancets and a sharps container are listed below as accessories.

A home blood glucose meter is a medical device, and getting reliable readings depends on more than the meter itself. This guide summarizes what the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says about choosing a meter, buying test strips safely and using the device correctly. One finding matters for shoppers in particular: the FDA has warned about pre-owned and unauthorized test strips sold through online marketplaces, so we do not link to test strips here. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist which meter and strips to use.

Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration, “How to Safely Use Glucose Meters and Test Strips for Diabetes” (https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/how-safely-use-glucose-meters-and-test-strips-diabetes). Screenshot captured October 22, 2026.

1. What a Glucose Meter System Is

The FDA describes a blood glucose meter as a device that may be used in the home and in health care settings to measure the amount of sugar (glucose) in your blood. The system includes a handheld meter and test strips. In general, you prick your finger with a lancet to get a drop of blood, which is placed on a disposable test strip inserted into the meter. The FDA says glucose meters and test strips are medical devices it regulates.

Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration, “Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices” (https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/in-vitro-diagnostics/blood-glucose-monitoring-devices). Screenshot captured October 22, 2026.

2. Choosing a Meter

The FDA says your health care provider may have a recommendation based on your needs, and suggests you consider:

• accuracy and the quality of your meter and test strips,
• the amount of blood needed for each test,
• how easy it is to use, and testing speed,
• alternate-site testing (other than the fingertip) for less painful testing when glucose is not changing rapidly,
• overall size,
• the ability to store results, and to transmit data to a computer, phone or cloud service,
• medications and supplements that may interfere with the test, and
• the cost of the meter and the test strips.

The FDA also notes that over-the-counter blood glucose monitoring systems are for single-patient use and should not be shared, to reduce the risk of bloodborne pathogen transmission. Always use new test strips that are authorized for sale in the United States, and the strips recommended for use with your meter.

3. Beware of Pre-Owned and Unauthorized Test Strips

The FDA warns that some sellers market pre-owned or secondhand test strips, which may be sold at lower prices. Its reasons for concern include:

• It is hard to know whether pre-owned strips were stored properly, and they could be expired. Incorrect results can put you at risk of serious health complications.
• Vials opened by another person may have small amounts of blood on them, which can put you at risk of infection.
• Pre-owned vials may have been tampered with, for example expiration dates changed or covered up.
• They may not be authorized for sale in the United States.

In a 2019 warning, the FDA said these test strips may be sold through online marketplaces such as Amazon, eBay and Craigslist, or directly from a seller. It recommends buying test strips only from a trusted source, such as a local pharmacy or the test strip manufacturer, inspecting the package to check whether it has been opened or altered, and checking expiration dates. It adds that if someone can buy prescription-only strips without a prescription, they may be unauthorized for sale in the U.S. If you cannot afford strips, the FDA says to talk with your provider or pharmacist, since manufacturers may offer coupons or assistance programs.

Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration, “How to Safely Use Glucose Meters and Test Strips for Diabetes” (Beware of Buying Previously Owned Test Strips) (https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/how-safely-use-glucose-meters-and-test-strips-diabetes). Screenshot captured October 22, 2026.

Advertisement · Optional shopping tool

A practical option for the steps below. This is optional and does not diagnose, treat or prevent a medical condition.

Browse sharps containers on Amazon →
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

4. Seven More Safety Tips from the FDA

• Follow the instructions carefully, and call the manufacturer or your provider if you have questions.
• Ask your provider to watch you test, to confirm you are using the device correctly.
• Do quality control checks. Regularly test your meter with a control solution, following the instructions for how often.
• Understand the display. Know how high and low values are shown. They may appear as “LO” or “HI” when the level is beyond the meter’s range.
• Know which test site is most accurate. Readings from alternate sites such as the forearm or palm can be less accurate than fingertip readings when glucose changes quickly, for example after you eat or during exercise.
• Clean and disinfect your meter as your manual directs.
• Report device problems. In an emergency, call 911. For non-emergencies, report issues to the FDA’s MedWatch program.

Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration, “How to Safely Use Glucose Meters and Test Strips for Diabetes” (7 More Safety Considerations) (https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/how-safely-use-glucose-meters-and-test-strips-diabetes). Screenshot captured October 22, 2026.

5. Accessories on Amazon

Lancets must be compatible with your lancing device, so check your device’s instructions and ask your pharmacist before buying. This is a popular, widely reviewed example.

Product	What stands out
EasyTouch Twist Lancets, 30 gauge (100 per box)	Twist-top lancets; compatible with devices that use them

EasyTouch Twist Lancets, 30 G (100 per box): Check that this lancet fits your lancing device. Do not reuse or share lancets. Check the packaging is sealed.
See EasyTouch Lancets on Amazon →
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Search sharps disposal containers: Ask your pharmacist or local waste authority how to dispose of used lancets safely.

Keeping a log of your readings helps you share them with your provider. See our guide to large-print medication logs and health record organizers and to pulse oximeters at home.

6. Frequently Asked Questions

Where should I buy test strips?

The FDA recommends a trusted source such as a local pharmacy or the strip manufacturer, and says to check that the package is not opened or altered and that it is not expired.

Can I share my meter?

No. The FDA says over-the-counter blood glucose monitoring systems are for single-patient use.

Are forearm readings as accurate as fingertip readings?

The FDA says readings from alternate sites can be less accurate than fingertip readings when glucose is changing quickly, for example after eating or during exercise. Check with your provider.

What do “LO” and “HI” mean?

The FDA says they may appear when the glucose level is beyond the range the meter can measure. Talk to your provider about what to do.

Is this medical advice?

No. This is general information. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your diabetes care and the right meter and strips for you.

Sources

• FDA: How to Safely Use Glucose Meters and Test Strips for Diabetes
• FDA: Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices
• FDA: Warning About Pre-Owned or Unauthorized Home Use Test Strips (2019)

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This guide is general information, not medical or professional advice. This site is not affiliated with any government agency or product maker.