7 Best Breath and Blood Ketone Meters To Buy 2022 Reviews | KetoVale

A Comprehensive Guide to Monitor Your Ketosis Using Ketone Meters

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The ketogenic diet has numerous health benefits that range from weight loss and blood sugar control to better brain functioning and improved heart health. But to reap these benefits, you must be in ketosis, which occurs when the body switches its fuel source from carbs (glucose) to fat (ketones).

An excellent way to make sure you’re in ketosis is to measure your ketone levels.

There are three primary ways you can do this at home, and we explain them below. We also review the best measuring devices out there so you can make the right purchase for you.

How To Measure Ketone Levels

There are some signs you can tell if you’re in ketosis without measuring or testing. However, if you want to know for sure, it’s always best to test.

There are three main ways to measure your ketone levels and they can all be done at home.

To get the most accurate measure, we recommend testing your blood levels. This sounds tricky, but it is a very simple process that we will explain below.

All methods are listed as follows:

#1. Urine Strips

Most people find that measuring their urine levels is the easiest way to determine whether or not they’re in ketosis, especially if you’re squirmy around blood and needles. 

The first thing you’ll need to do is invest in some urine strips. These work is by measuring the number of ketones that you have excreted via your urine.

When you’re first in ketosis, your body begins to make more ketones then you need. This excess amount is excreted in your urine instead of being stored in the body as glucose is, which leads to greater weight loss.

Urine strips measure the amount of ketones present in your urine and help you determine whether or not you’re in ketosis.

Keep in mind that although keto strips are usually the most affordable way to measure your ketones, the test itself isn’t always accurate.

Additionally, you might get different test results depending on what time of day you test. For this reason, we recommend testing first thing in the morning.

Make sure you buy a brand of keto strips that are easy to read. To use, urinate on the strip, wait at least 60 seconds, and read your ketone levels. To read more about which urine steps we recommend, check out our article here.

#2. Breath Test

If you’ve ever taken a blood alcohol test, then you already know how a ketone breath test works.

With a breath test, you blow into a device, and it determines your acetone or acetate levels, which is a ketone body that is made after your body synthesizes a ketone body called BHB.

Although acetate levels are not directly linked to ketone metabolism, the amount of acetate in your breath is a good way to determine whether or not your ketone levels are high enough to be in ketosis.

Lots of people use a breath test after a urine test to verify their results, but again, these two forms of measuring your ketones are not as effective as measuring the direct amount in your blood.

#3. Blood Test

The most accurate way to determine your ketone levels is to take a blood sample. This may sound gruesome, but it’s not that hard at all and you don’t need a lot of blood to get a measurement. A drop or two will do.

Blood tests work by measuring your BHB ketone levels. The testing procedure is pretty similar to how people with diabetes test their blood sugar levels.

You prick your finger with a small needle, place a drop or two of blood on the reader, and let the meter read your ketone levels.

This is the most reliable way to measure your ketone levels because there are very few things that can interfere with a blood reading. For example, you can dilute your urine by drinking too much water, and this could make a urine test inaccurate.

For more information on how to measure your ketone levels, read our article here.


Top Blood Ketone Meters You Can Buy

If you’re serious about measuring your ketone levels, then the best thing you can do is invest in a high-quality blood ketone tester to get the most accurate reading.

We’ve broken down some of the best keto meter products below.

#1. Keto Mojo

keto-mojo ketone glucose meter

Where to buy: Shop Now!

Keto Mojo has everything you need to measure your blood ketone and glucose levels. It comes in a handy kit that’s easy to carry around. 

Included in the kit is a testing meter, a lancing device with 20 lancets, 10 blood ketone testing strips, 10 blood glucose strips, glucose & ketones control solution, and manual for how to use it.

The neat thing about this monitor is that it can test four different things, including your glucose, ketone, hemoglobin, and hematocrit levels. It also has four alarms, so that you remember to test throughout the day.

Here are the pros and cons.

Pros

  • Reduced Prices on meters and strips
  • Secure HIPAA-compliant MyMojoHealth cloud integrates with your favorite tracking apps & many EHR systems for remote patient care including Cronometer and many others…
  • The Free Keto-Mojo App provides seamless tracking, trending graphs, auto GKI calculation, and strip supply management
  • Individually Packaged glucose and ketone strips preserve sterility and increase shelf life
  • Control Solution is included as standard
  • Cutting Edge Super-Sip Technology uses less blood, increases consistency & accuracy, minimal errors
  • Auto-Coding eliminates the need for code keys

Cons

  • Not the most affordable device on the market

#2. BaceLabs’s Precision Xtra

Precision Xtra Ketone Monitor

Where to buy: Shop Now!

This BaceLab’s Precision Xtra kit comes with everything you need to monitor your ketones as well as your glucose levels. It’s similar to the first kit on our list with a few differences.

The Precision Xtra kit comes with a Precision Xtra blood glucose and ketone monitoring system meter, dynarex alcohol wipes, and 28 Abbott freestyle gauge lancets.

Plus, you get a free “I Love Keto” sticker with your purchase, so you can proudly display your love for keto on the back of your car or wherever you see fit.

Here’s what we like and don’t like about it.

Pros

  • Tests ketone and glucose levels in one device
  • Monitoring device is small and not bulky
  • Results can be downloaded to your computer for easy monitoring
  • Comes in a handy kit that’s easy to carry
  • Comes with a monitoring system, alcohol wipes, and 28 gauge lancets
  • Free “I Love Keto” sticker

Cons

  • As with the first product, glucose testing strips are not included in this kit, so you’ll have to buy those separately.
  • This product is pricier than the first, and it doesn’t come with as many cool things (although it has more gauge lancets), but we still think it’s worth the investment if you’re serious about keto.

#3. Bruno MD6

Bruno Pharma Innovations MD6

Where to buy: Shop Now!

The Bruno MD6 is the Cadillac of ketone monitors.

This sophisticated kit comes with an ergonomic ketone and glucose reading device, a lancing device for blood testing, two AAA batteries, a travel carry case, two manuals, a daily log book, 10 glucose test strips, a box of ten keto strips, a five-year warranty, and a box of 50 lancets.

Here are some pros and cons:

Pros

  • Comes with a five-year warranty
  • Comes with glucose testing strips (unlike the first two products)
  • Also includes a blood glucose and ketone monitoring device, two manuals, keto strips, 50 lancets, batteries, and a travel carry case
  • Can test for both glucose and ketone levels
  • Smartphone and Bluetooth compatible where you can log in wirelessly
  • Measures results in just five seconds
  • Product was approved by the FDA
  • Comes with a daily log book to track your levels

Cons

  • Although this kit comes with everything you need, it will cost you! Expect to pay more for the kit on Amazon, but remember that the other kits don’t come with glucose strips and you will have to pay for those out of pocket if you choose a different kit.

#4. KetoBM

KetoBM Ketone Blood Meter Kit

Where to buy: Shop Now!

Keto BM is Amazon’s choice for a blood ketone meter. It features a complete monitoring system for the ketogenic diet, including a meter, 10 ketone strips, lancing device and 10 lancets.

The kit is reasonably priced and ships for free. We like that the company offers a 30 day money back guarantee and a two-year warranty for free replacements or repairs.

Pros:

  • Comes with everything you need to test your ketone blood levels
  • Easy to use with no no calibration or control solution needed
  • Promises accurate and reliable readings
  • All products are FDA registered and meet safety standards
  • Comes with a 30 day money back guarantee and free two year warranty

Cons:

  • Only contains 10 ketone strips and will need to be replaced quickly if you plan on using several times a day

Top Breath Ketone Analyzers

If you’re not sold on the idea of peeing on a strip or poking yourself until you bleed, then you might want to consider a break ketone meter.

Although they aren’t as accurate as blood meters, they are much cheaper, and that’s good enough for most people. Check out our top picks here.

#1. Ketoscan

ketoscan portable breath acetone analyzer

Where to buy: Shop Now!

The KetoScan mini breath ketone meter has been upgraded from its original version. It’s mini and portable so that you can take it anywhere. This is ideal since you will need to test your ketone levels throughout the day and a large sized breathalyzer can be hard to carry around. 

To use the meter, blow into it for three seconds. Then you can have your results sent to your phone where you can record and monitor your results weekly. You can add notes after each reading, including what foods you ate to get a certain reading. This meter also calculates body fat burning.

Pros

  • Comes in a mini and portable size so you can take it anywhere
  • No need to prick your finger
  • Connect your breathalyzer to an app on your phone where you can track results
  • Readings are displayed in PPM (parts per million)
  • Can also calculate body fat burning rate
  • Only takes three seconds to get a reading

Cons

  • Problems with the app and readings have been recorded

#2. Ketonix

Ketonix Analyzer

Where to buy: Shop Now!

This Ketonix reader exceeds all expectations because it comes with a Bluetooth hookup, so you can measure your ketone levels and send the results directly to your phone.

This kit comes in a handy travel case so you can take it anywhere.

It includes one reusable breath ketone level analyzer and a battery pack, along with all wiring that you’ll need to download to your smart device.

It also comes with an extra mouthpiece and a manual.

Here’s what we like and don’t like about it.

Pros

  • Comes in a handy travel case
  • Includes an extra mouthpiece
  • Connects to your smartphone so you can download your results
  • Small and easy to use

Cons

  • As we mentioned with the first product, this breathalyzer does not test for glucose levels, nor is it as accurate as blood testing. But again, that’s common with all breathalyzers and not just this particular device.
  • A bit pricey

#3. House of Keto Monitor

House of Keto Monitor

Aside from the fact that we love this monitor’s name, the House of Keto Monitor is a pretty neat device.

It works just like a blood alcohol test would. You hold the device in your hand, press down on a button, blow into the device for 10 seconds, and the meter will instantly show your levels.

It’s convenient to use, easy to read, and can travel just about anywhere with you.

Plus, you don’t have to run to the bathroom every time you want to test your ketone levels like you would with urine strips.

Here are some pros and cons.

Pros

  • Takes 10 seconds to get results
  • Convenient, cheap, and easy to use
  • Device is portable so you can travel with it and use it just about anywhere
  • Affordable price
  • No need to purchase urine, keto, or glucose strips
  • Discounts are offered if you buy more than one

Cons

  • Unresponsive customer service
  • Not as accurate as a blood meter would be, but that’s common among all breathalyzers and not just this particular model.
  • Does not test glucose levels like blood monitors do (again, that’s with most breath monitors and not just this model)

Conclusion

Measuring your ketone levels is a good way to make sure you’re staying in fat-burning mode. There are three primary ways you can do this: by measuring your blood, urine or breath.

The most accurate way to measure your ketone levels is through blood testing, so you’ll want to invest in a high-quality meter if you’re serious about keto.

We have given you three great options in this article, all of which are designed to measure both your glucose and ketone levels. Only one comes with glucose test strips, but you’ll pay a pretty penny for those.

We also provided two great options for breathalyzers, which work by measuring your acetone levels. Although they aren’t as accurate as blood meters, they are cheaper and can give you a ballpark idea about whether or not your ketone levels are high enough.

Whichever method you choose, make sure you keep track of your results and adjust your meal plan as needed to ensure you’re staying in ketosis because that’s the only way you’ll truly benefit from the ketogenic diet.

Up Next: 6 Tips To Get Into Ketosis Quickly

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