These days, almost any meter will provide fairly consistent, accurate results. When choosing a meter, it often comes down to the bells & whistles you're looking for. Here are a few things to consider when making your choice:

• How does the meter score for accuracy? Does it come with a control solution or test strip to check for accuracy?
   
• Does the meter need to fit in your backpack, supplies kit, or purse? Size might be an issue.
   
• How easy is the meter to clean?
   
• Do you want to be able to do home A1C checks with your meter? Some meters can do A1Cs, others can't.
   
• How are you at handling those test strips? Are they so small that you can't get a good grip on them and they fly all over the place? You might want to try a meter that uses cartridges instead of individual strips.
   
• How big a drop of blood does the meter require? Smaller is better.
   
• Cost is a pretty big factor. Maybe you tend to lose your meters, and you want to be able to replace it periodically without breaking the bank.
   
• Cost of the test strips is another biggie. Say the meter itself is the cheapest one on the market, but the test strips cost twice as much as any other brand. Not such a great deal after all, huh?
   
• That brings us to insurance. Your parents will want to check if particular meters and strips are, or are not, covered by your family's health insurance. This will make a big difference in the long run!
   
• Do you want to be able to download check results to a home computer, or be able to email them periodically to your doctor's office?
   
• Interested in alternative site testing? There are meters that can test on the upper arm or even the thigh.
   
• Does Mom or Dad sometimes do a check for you in the middle of the night? If so, a glow-in-the-dark meter with a light-up screen might be handy.
   
• Maybe you're already carrying way too many gadgets: phone, meter, pump, organizer. It can add up to a lot. You might think about streamlining your backpack by choosing a meter that doubles as a personal digital assistant. This is particularly handy if you have a really busy schedule to track, or if you'll be going to college soon.