Keto Strips: The Ultimate Guide To Choosing The Best Ones

Ketone test strips are a popular product for those on the keto diet, helping them to monitor their ketone levels and ensure they are in a state of ketosis. There are two main types of keto test strips: urine test strips and blood test strips. Urine test strips are the cheapest and most convenient option, while blood test strips are more accurate and less likely to be affected by factors such as hydration levels.

There are a variety of keto test strips available on the market, with features such as downloadable apps, free ebooks, and colour-coded systems to help users interpret their results. Some of the most popular brands include Perfect Keto, Nurse Hatty, KETO-MOJO, and Smackfat.

Keto urine test strips

Benefits of Keto Urine Test Strips

The main benefit of keto urine test strips is that they can quickly and easily indicate whether your body is in a state of ketosis, which is essential for achieving your fat loss goals on a keto diet. Additionally, they are small and portable, so you can take them anywhere, and they are also the cheapest option for testing ketone levels compared to blood or breath meters. Urine strips are also a good option for people who have a fear of needles or the sight of blood.

How to Read Keto Urine Test Strips

Best Keto Urine Test Strips

When choosing the best keto urine test strips, consider factors such as accuracy, ease of use, price, and the number of strips included. Here are some of the top-rated and recommended keto urine test strips on the market:

• Perfect Keto Test Strips: These strips are a popular choice, known for their accuracy and ease of use. They come with 100 strips per bottle and provide results in under a minute. Perfect Keto is a reputable brand, and their strips are ideal for those just starting with the keto diet.
• Nurse Hatty Keto Test Strips: Nurse Hatty offers a great value with 100 or 250 strips per bottle at a low price. Their strips are extra-long, ensuring your hands stay clean during testing, and they also provide educational resources and a colour-coded system.
• Smackfat Ketone Strips: These strips offer reliable and accurate results and come with excellent customer service. They provide 100 strips per pack and include educational tools and videos to help you get started.
• One Earth Health Ketone Strips: This USA-made product comes with 150 strips and is double-sealed for quality assurance. The strips are longer than average, ensuring your hands stay clean, and they provide results in seconds.
• Just Fitter Ketone Test Strips: Just Fitter offers 100 strips with an additional 25 free, along with a 100% money-back guarantee. They are known for their great customer support and transparency. The strips provide fast results in just 15 seconds.

Tips for Using Keto Urine Test Strips

When using keto urine test strips, it is important to follow the instructions carefully. Results may vary depending on factors such as hydration levels and how long you have been in ketosis. It is recommended to test first thing in the morning or after dinner for the most reliable results. Additionally, make sure to keep the strips in a sealed container to prevent exposure to air or humidity, which can affect their effectiveness.

Keto blood test strips

Keto-Mojo Blood Ketone Strips

Keto-Mojo offers a blood test that measures both glucose and ketone levels. The test requires a small blood sample, which is then applied to a keto strip and placed into the Keto-Mojo meter. Results are available in a few seconds, and the meter can store up to 1,000 test results. The strips are sold in a box of 50 and are individually wrapped, making them last longer than comparable blood strips.

KetoSens Blood Ketone Test Strips

KetoSens offers blood keto test strips designed to be used with the KetoSens Meter. The meter has a crystal-clear LCD backlit display with an extra-large digital read-out, and it only requires about 0.5 micro-liters of blood to produce a sample. Results are available in about eight seconds, and the meter can store up to 1,000 test results. The strips are sold in a box of 50.

Precision Xtra Blood Ketone Test Strips

Precision Xtra offers blood ketone test strips that are compatible with the Precision Xtra Blood Glucose and Ketone Monitoring System. These strips provide accurate test results and can be used to check either glucose or ketone levels. They require only a small amount of blood and are sold in packs of 30.

Care Touch Ketone Test Strips

Care Touch offers ketone test strips that are compatible with the Care Touch Blood Glucose and Ketone Monitoring System. These strips provide fast results, with readings available in just 10 seconds. They have a longer-than-average expiration date of up to one year or more and only require a small drop of blood. The strips are sold in a box of 50.

FORA6Connect/Test N’Go Advance Voice Blood Ketone Test Strips

The FORA6Connect/Test N’Go Advance Voice Blood Ketone Test Strips are designed for use with the FORA6Connect/Test N’Go meter. They are ideal for keto diet and ketosis monitoring and provide results in just a few seconds. The strips are sold in a box of 50.

KetoTrak Blood Ketone Test Strips

KetoTrak offers blood ketone test strips that are compatible with the KetoTrak meter. They provide fast and accurate results and are ideal for monitoring ketone levels on a keto diet. The strips are sold in a box of 50.

Bruno MD6 Ketone Test Strips

The Bruno MD6 Ketone Test Strips are designed for use with the Bruno MD6 Blood Monitoring System. They are ideal for those following a keto diet and wanting to stay in ketosis. The strips are sold in a box of 10.

BEST KETONE TEST Blood Ketone Test Strips

The BEST KETONE TEST Blood Ketone Test Strips are compatible with the BKT meter and the Keto-Mojo original Bluetooth meter. They provide accurate results and are sold in a box of 100.

It is important to note that blood ketone test strips are more expensive than urine test strips, and they require a compatible blood reading meter. However, they provide more accurate and reliable results, making them a worthwhile investment for those serious about monitoring their ketone levels and maintaining a state of ketosis.

Breath sensor keto tests

Keyto Breath Sensor

The Keyto Breath Sensor is a popular choice among the keto community. It is designed as a compact keto pen, weighing only 0.95 ounces (27 grams), and offers over 600 breath measurements with a single AAA battery. The sensor measures acetone levels and provides results through a mobile app, which also includes recipes, food recommendations, and a helpful plan for beginners. While the device takes some time to warm up, it offers accurate readings and is easy to use. The package includes the Keyto device, a carrying case, a battery, and four mouthpieces.

Lumen Breath Meter

The Lumen Breath Meter is suitable for individuals who prefer a low-carb diet but do not necessarily want to follow a strict keto diet. It measures CO2 concentration in the breath to determine if the body is using carbs or fats for energy. The device connects to an app that provides specific macronutrient ratio suggestions. However, it does not have a screen, and the app sometimes requires multiple measurements. The package includes the Lumen device, a carrying case, a charging cable, and a mouthpiece.

Biosense Ketone Breath Analyzer

The Biosense Ketone Breath Analyzer is an FDA-registered Class I medical device that provides accurate readings by measuring acetone levels at the end of the breath sample. It features haptic feedback to indicate when to stop blowing, and the results are displayed on a screen. However, the sensor requires recalibration every six months, which can be inconvenient and costly. The package includes the Biosense device, a carrying case, two mouthpieces, and a charging cable.

Ketonix Ketosis Breath Meter

The Ketonix Ketosis Breath Meter is one of the oldest brands in the market and is designed by a Swedish company. It analyzes acetone levels in the breath and supports Bluetooth, WiFi, and USB connections. The device does not have a screen and requires a smartphone app to view the results. It offers software upgrades for analysis, macro calculator, recipes, and experiments. The package includes the Ketonix device, a travel pouch, a charging cable, and two mouthpieces.

Greenwon Keto Breath Tester

The Greenwon Keto Breath Tester is a budget-friendly option that measures acetone levels and indicates ketosis status using a simple traffic light system. It is easy to use with a single button and does not require a smartphone. However, it feels a bit cheap in hand compared to other devices. The package includes the Greenwon device, four mouthpieces, and a carrying pouch.

LEVL Ketone Breath Analyzer

The LEVL Ketone Breath Analyzer is an FDA-cleared point-of-care device that provides highly accurate readings within 15 seconds. It is designed for clinical settings and can track measurements for two users. The device has a screen and does not require a smartphone. However, it needs to be calibrated every 14 days for accuracy. The LEVL is currently not available for consumers.

Acetrack Keto Breath Meter

The Acetrack Keto Breath Meter is a compact and discrete device developed by a Swedish company. It measures acetone levels and connects to an app to track progress. The device supports multiple accounts, ensuring measurements don't get mixed. However, the app sometimes disconnects, and the product is currently not available in the US market. The package includes the Acetrack device, a user guide, a charging cable, and a mouthpiece.

Accuracy and reliability

The accuracy of keto strips is influenced by several factors, including the type of strip, user compliance, and individual variations. Here's an in-depth look at these factors:

• Type of Strip: Keto urine strips are generally less accurate than blood keto strips. Urine keto strips can be affected by factors such as hydration levels and the body's adaptation to ketosis, leading to reduced reliability over time. In contrast, blood tests are considered the gold standard for keto testing as they are less likely to be influenced by external factors and provide more accurate results.
• User Compliance: For accurate results, it is crucial to follow the instructions provided with the keto strips carefully. This includes proper storage, adhering to the testing schedule, and avoiding exposure to air or humidity, as these factors can impact the effectiveness of the strips.
• Individual Variations: Each individual's body is unique, and factors such as diet, exercise, alcohol consumption, and other lifestyle choices can affect ketone levels. Therefore, it is important to test ketone levels consistently and create a baseline for personal reference.

To enhance the accuracy and reliability of keto strips, it is recommended to combine them with other testing methods, such as blood or breath meters. Additionally, choosing reputable brands with positive reviews can increase the likelihood of obtaining accurate results.

When selecting keto strips, it is essential to consider the purpose of testing, frequency of use, and budget. While urine strips are more affordable and convenient, blood strips offer greater accuracy. Comparing different brands and their features, such as strip count, shelf life, and included resources, can help make an informed decision.

Cost and value for money

The cost of keto strips varies depending on the brand, quantity, and type of strips. Generally, urine test strips are cheaper than blood test strips. Prices for urine test strips range from $5 to $15 for 50 to 200 strips, while blood test strips typically cost $15 or more for a similar quantity. Some brands offer additional features such as apps, ebooks, or sampling cups, which can increase the value of the product. It is worth noting that blood test strips usually require a compatible meter, which can be expensive.

When considering cost and value for money, it is important to take into account the accuracy, convenience, and ease of use of the product. Urine test strips are generally cheaper and more convenient, as they can be used anywhere and do not require additional equipment. However, blood test strips provide more accurate results and are less likely to be affected by factors such as hydration levels. Breath sensor keto tests are another alternative, offering a needle-free and mess-free option, but they may be less accurate than blood tests.

For those on a budget, the Nurse Hatty Keto Test Strips offer a great value, with 250 strips available for less than $10. The Smackfat Ketone Strips are also a cost-effective option, offering 100 strips for less than $8. For those looking for blood test strips, the Precision Xtra Blood Ketone Test Strips are a well-known and reputable brand that guarantees accurate results, although they are on the pricier side.

When deciding on the best keto strips for your needs, it is important to consider your budget, the level of accuracy required, and how often you plan to test. It is also worth noting that test strips have a limited shelf life, typically lasting only a few months after opening, so it may be more cost-effective to purchase larger quantities if you plan to test regularly.

Frequently asked questions