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Lancets are small devices that provide a way to take blood samples. People with diabetes may use a lancet to test and monitor their blood glucose levels. Regular testing can help people manage their diabetes symptoms.
A quick look at 5 of the best lancets
- Best for minimal noise: Microlet Next
- Best for painless lancing: Genteel Plus
- Best for fast use: Accu-Chek FastClix
- Best for minimal bleeding: Care Touch Lancing Device
- Best for adjustable depth: Bayer Microlet2 Adjustable
A lancet is a small, sharp, spring-loaded device that takes small blood samples. People usually perform a finger prick to take the sample.
Lancets are normally disposable, and they are only suitable for single use. However, a person may have a lancet device that holds multiple disposable lancets.
To use a lancet, a person swabs their finger with an alcohol swab. Then, they apply pressure to their finger with the lancet, and the device will automatically trigger. Occasionally, a person may need to press a button to activate the device.
Various tests may require a finger prick sample.
People with diabetes are most likely to need to use lancets to monitor their blood glucose levels. They typically need a blood glucose monitor and a lancet device to do this.
Various at-home tests, such as allergy tests and sexually transmitted infection tests, may require a lancet to draw a small blood sample. Most at-home tests include a lancet in the kit.
Medical News Today chooses medical equipment that meets the following criteria:
- Price: MNT chooses products available for a wide range of budgets. Insurance can often cover the price of the products, depending on an individual’s plan.
- Reputable: MNT chooses products from businesses that require a prescription, adhere to industry best practices, and offer reliable customer service and support.
- Materials: MNT chooses products that have safe and durable materials that are easy to clean and maintain.
- User-friendly: MNT selects simple-to-use products that have clear instructions. Where applicable, MNT chooses brands that offer a set-up or advice service.
- Quality: MNT chooses companies that adhere to high quality manufacturing processes that ensure its products are safe for personal use.
There are various types of lancets available to buy online. Some have different penetration depths, can take several samples, or may help prevent pain and bleeding.
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.
Best for minimal noise: Microlet Next
- Price: around $7
- Number of lancets: 10 lancets
- Depth settings: 5 depth settings
This lancing device comes with 10 Microlet disposable lancets. The Microlet Next has a cap that locks to prevent accidental lancing. It also has five penetration depths, so a person can choose how deeply the needle enters their skin.
The company states that the device has an easy-to-use ejector and that the mechanism emits minimal noise. Microlet recommends that people use the company’s disposable silicone-coated lancets with this device.
Best for painless lancing: Genteel Plus
- Price: around $99
- Number of lancets: no information available
- Depth settings: 6 depth settings
Genteel claims that this is a painless lancing device.
The Genteel Plus uses vacuum and depth control to draw blood. The company states that this vacuum mechanism pulls blood to the surface without the need to squeeze, as may be the case with other lancing devices. The manufacturer claims that the process is painless, as the device keeps the skin away from nerve endings.
This device can draw blood from the palm of the hand in addition to the fingers. This means that a person can avoid lancing from the fingers if they are sore.
People can choose from five different colors. Each purchase includes two contact tips, two nozzles, and a travel pouch.
Genteel states that this device is suitable for people of all ages. Also, the Genteel Plus is compatible with most square-shaft lancets.
Best for fast use: Accu-Chek FastClix
- Price: around $25
- Number of lancets: 102 lancets
- Depth settings: 11 depth settings
This model has a preloaded lancet drum, so a person can load six lancets at a time rather than replacing the lancets after every use. The Accu-Chek FastClix also has a lever and a counter, so the user can easily move to the next lancet and see how many are left in the drum.
Accu-Chek states that this model has 11 depth settings. There is also a locking system to prevent lancing accidents.
The Accu-Chek FastClix comes with 102 lancets.
Best for minimal bleeding: Care Touch Lancing Device
- Price: around $15
- Number of lancets: 100 lancets
- Depth settings: 10 depth settings
This lancing device has an ejector that safely pushes the lancet out to prick the skin. The company also claims it has advanced precision technology, which results in less pain and less blood.
There are 10 adjustable depths of penetration, and the company states that the design makes it comfortable to hold and use. Care Touch also says that it also works with most round lancets.
The Care Touch lancing device comes with 100 lancets.
Best for adjustable depth: Bayer Microlet2 Adjustable
- Price: around $61
- Number of lancets: 10 lancets
- Depth settings: 5 depth settings
This device features five depth settings.
Bayer states that this device is easy to use. It has the following features:
- People can use the device with one hand.
- There is a convenient lancet ejection function.
- It uses silicone lancets to reduce pain and discomfort.
The following table compares the lancets in this article.
| Price | Number of lancets | Depth settings | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microlet Next | around $7 | 10 lancets | 5 depth settings |
| Genteel Plus | around $99 | no information | 6 depth settings |
| Accu-Chek FastClix | around $25 | 102 lancets | 11 depth settings |
| Care Touch Lancing Device | around $15 | 100 lancets | 10 depth settings |
| Bayer Microlet2 Adjustable | around $61 | 10 lancets | 5 depth settings |
Some factors that a person may wish to consider before making a purchase include:
- Needle size: The higher the number of the needle gauge size, the smaller and thinner the needle is. A person may find that thinner needles do not penetrate the skin as easily as thicker ones.
- Brand: If a person has a refillable lancet device, they must ensure that they select the correct brand and style of lancet to put inside it.
- Thickness: The thickness of the lancet also varies between models. Usually, the thinner the lancet, the less discomfort a person experiences when taking the sample.
- Lancet depth: One 2020 study asked participants to use a lancing device at different depth settings. The researchers found that blood volume and pain levels were higher when at the maximum lancing depth.
- Device: Some people may find it easier to use a lancet device rather than a lancet on its own.
- Sample location: People who regularly monitor their blood glucose levels may get sore fingertips from regular lancing. Some lancing devices are suitable for use on other parts of the body.
The
When a person has diabetes, their body may not make enough insulin or use insulin as well as it should. Insulin controls blood glucose levels in the human body.
The American Diabetes Association says that there are three types of diabetes:
- Type 1: This is where the body does not produce enough insulin.
- Type 2: This is the most common form of diabetes. This is where the body does not use insulin as it well should.
- Gestational: This is a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy.
People with diabetes should
Once a person has taken a blood sample using a lancet, they need to apply the blood to a test strip and run it through a blood glucose monitor.
A person who has symptoms of diabetes should make an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible.
Some
- urinating more than usual, especially during the night
- experiencing more hunger and thirst
- experiencing unintentional weight loss
- having blurry vision
- having numbness or tingling in the hands and feet
- feeling more tired than usual
- having dry skin
- developing sores that heal slowly
- becoming ill more often
A person who has type 1 diabetes may also experience nausea, vomiting, and stomach pains.
To diagnose diabetes, a doctor performs a physical examination and tests a person’s blood glucose levels. Once they have diagnosed this condition, the doctor works with the individual to develop a treatment plan.
Here we answer some common questions about these products.
Does it matter what lancet you use?
Whether it matters which lancet a person uses depends on the lancing device they have.
Some lancing devices are not compatible with all gauges or brands. It is important to check which lancets are compatible with which devices before making a purchase.
How many times can you use the same lancet?
A person should always use a new lancet each time to reduce the risk of infection.
Who should use a lancing device?
Doctors may recommend using a lancing device if a person has diabetes. Lancets can help people monitor their blood sugar levels.
People can use a lancet to perform a finger prick to draw a blood sample. People with diabetes may use a lancet regularly with a blood glucose device to monitor their condition.
Several companies sell lancet devices with lancet samples that offer a convenient way to draw blood samples.
A person who experiences any symptoms of diabetes should contact a doctor as soon as possible. A doctor can perform tests to diagnose diabetes and develop a treatment plan to help the individual manage this condition.