This product can be confusing to some patients because while Bayer manufactures this meter you cannot buy it from the Bayer site. In most cases the actual unit is offered free of charge or at low-cost to diabetic patients while Bayer concentrates on selling models through their website that are uniquely separated from the Elite XL.

It would be unfair to call the Ascensia Elite XL Glucose Meter an inferior product simply because it is offered at no or little cost. This glucose meter is stylish, lightweight and offers a few benefits that have garnered it many fans.

Statistics

•    Requires a smaller blood sample than many other brands of glucose meters.
•    Testing strips are less expensive than competitors resulting in lower overall costs for testing.
•    Allows for multiple testing sites.
•    The testing strips actually draw blood into the strip creating a sense of convenience and anxiety relief to the patient.
•    The unit holds up to 100 readings.
•    Provides a 14 and 30-day average for comparison.
•    The unit is activated when the test strip is inserted.
•    Contains no buttons.
•    Compatible with Glucofacts PC software.

Pros
This unit has become popular with many simply because it appears ‘no-frilled’. There are no menu options to sort through and no complicated procedures to endure prior to testing. You simply insert the testing strip and the unit turns on. You administer the lance and allow the testing strip to sip up the exact amount of blood needed for the test. The low cost of testing supplies makes this a popular model and the potential no-cost access to the meter is also a pleasing aspect to the Ascensia Elite XL Glucose Meter. Many users also like the fact that this meter is approved for multiple site testing. This can be important to those who may have issues related to sensitive hands. Results generally take 30 seconds.

Cons
The very things that make this meter a positive alternative for some diabetics makes it less advantageous to others. The Ascensia Elite XL Glucose Meter cannot hold a large number of tests and the unit may not appear to be comprehensive as other meters on the market today.

Bottom Line
The idea of an entry-level meter generally has the end user feeling as if the product is somehow interior. It is true there are other units that provide additional tools that can prove helpful to diabetics, but the Ascensia Elite XL Glucose Meter has proven remarkably dependable with a good track record for accuracy in testing. The low cost of operation make this an option worth looking at especially if money is a primary consideration.

If you have a child who is a diabetic the Ascensia Elite XL Glucose Meter may be a solid choice simply because it may be less expensive to replace if needed and the meter allows for multiple site locations for testing so the hands will not always be required for accurate testing and the sip-in sample testing procedure makes it virtually error-proof to take accurate blood testing.