Top 3 Glucose Companion Devices

Today, we’re comparing three of the top blood sugar companion devices—Glowcose, SugarPixel, and Glucose Projector—to help you make informed purchase decisions around your companion care.

Glowcose

First, let's discuss Glowcose, an orb-like device that serves as a nightlight for children with diabetes. It displays blood sugar readings in a clear and colorful manner, without any additional noise.

What is the company’s connection to diabetes?

Glowcose wasn’t founded in a lab or meeting room—the Glowcose team really gets what it’s like for the whole family to live with diabetes. The tool was developed based on personal experience, as the founder’s wife, Kelly, was pregnant and managing her blood sugar levels, which are crucial for a healthy pregnancy.

Pregnancy also meant more unpredictable lows and stress for Kelly, so having a simple tool to ensure everything was okay without constant worry was essential. But it didn’t exist at the time!

So, the team created Glowcose—a light that changed color in sync with Kelly’s CGM readings, which sat on her nightstand for years. Today, the team at Glowcose believes that peace of mind shouldn’t require constant attention. 

What is Glowcose?

Glowcose helps you stay ahead of CGM alarms through passive awareness. A quick glance is all it takes to see your blood sugar level, allowing you to make more proactive and less reactive decisions regarding blood sugar management.

It's not a replacement for a continuous glucose monitor, but it works alongside it, allowing you to be more informed about your blood sugar levels with less stress.

Is Glowcose compatible with my CGM?

Glowcose is currently compatible with Dexcom G6 and G7, as well as Freestyle Libre 2 and 3. Glowcose also offers support for other CGMs through Nightscout, an open-source cloud application used by people with diabetes and parents of children with diabetes to visualize, store, and share CGM data in real-time. 

CGMs that provide cloud data are generally compatible with Glowcose. Some may also require manual scanning depending on how your CGM device operates. Glowcose customer service can assist with this. 

How does Glowcose work?

Glowcose was designed to connect easily with your CGM to get your data paired. The Glowcose web app takes your CGM readings and turns them into colors based on how you set them up in your account—yes, you can choose your colors based on your low to high threshold.

Then, Glowcose uses your home Wi-Fi to get that color from your account, updating instantly to show your blood sugar status. 

There are hundreds of possible colors, allowing users to personalize their levels in ways that work for their unique diabetes management plan.

What are people impacted by diabetes saying about Glowcose?

Glowcose users love the product, raving about it on the product website. Parents feel peace of mind by quickly glancing at the device to see where their child’s blood sugar levels are, likewise with partners of people with diabetes, on top of those living with it. 

Overall, Glowcose is a well-rated product for the whole family that can benefit those impacted by diabetes. Glowcose is great for anyone managing their blood sugar levels with a CGM. 

Where can I buy Glowcose, and how much does it cost?

Glowcose is available at glowcose.com. Learn more about it and determine if it’s a suitable blood sugar monitoring companion for you and your family.

Users can buy Glowcose at glowcose.com. It currently retails for $60 per device. Users save by buying in bulk, so if you want one for your kiddo’s room plus yours, you could buy two for $110, for example, saving you $10. 

Bundle rates keep getting better at three for $150, a $30 discount, or four for $190, a $50 discount—that’s almost like getting one Glowcose free!

SugarPixel

Next, let’s review SugarPixel. SugarPixel, from CustomTypeOne, presents your blood sugar readings in a fun, pixelated format alongside related emojis. SugarPixel is particularly beneficial for those who are hearing-impaired and for people with diabetes who may sleep through alarms, such as children and teenagers, or those experiencing CGM alarm fatigue.

What is the company’s connection to diabetes?

SugarPixel was created by John Fawcett, whose daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2018. Since then, John has been committed to simplifying diabetes management in any way he can! His experience with manufacturing products to help protect iPhones provided him with the resources and materials necessary to develop a solution for simplifying his daughter’s type 1 management.

John’s designs can be found on Thingiverse, a platform that features digital designs for physical objects that users can 3D print at home. He has even used his 3D printers to create custom cases and products for others in the looping and type 1 diabetes community.

Over time, John’s products became increasingly sophisticated, culminating in the creation of SugarPixel. That’s when CustomTypeOne was really formed. 

John’s hope in releasing his products is to reduce the stress of managing T1D, helping people everywhere achieve a better night’s sleep while managing diabetes and providing safer CGM alerts.

What is SugarPixel?

SugarPixel is known as the world’s first dedicated blood glucose pixel clock for CGM readings and alerts. It is a secondary glucose display that works alongside your CGM, generating random tone audio alerts, vibration alerts for the hearing-impaired, customizable icons, and native multi-user follow-up options. 

Is SugarPixel compatible with my CGM?

SugarPixel works with the Dexcom app or Libre app, using at least one Dexcom Follower or Libre Linkup Connection, a Nightscout site, or a Gluroo account to read CGM data from. It also requires a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi connection.

How does SugarPixel work?

SugarPixel allows you to set custom values for low and high blood sugar alerts, helping to prevent alarm fatigue with unique alert sounds. Users can also choose their preferred snooze durations for alerts. Additionally, SugarPixel offers randomized alert tones for blood sugar levels to further reduce alarm fatigue. 

The device features a vibration alert puck with a 2-meter cable, allowing for discreet alerts that won't disturb others in your home. This feature also acts as a safety measure for those who are deaf or hard of hearing. Simply use 3M tape to attach SugarPixel to your nightstand, headboard, desk, or any other location where you want to stay informed about your blood glucose levels.

With numerous display options and multi-user opt-in, it is a highly customizable tool for people impacted by diabetes.

What are people impacted by diabetes saying about SugarPixel?

Justin Eastzer from Diabetech, a popular creator in the diabetes space, shared a review of SugarPixel in 2023, which prompted many people to share their own experiences. While some users initially had trouble connecting, the consensus is clear: many users expressed love for the device, saying they ordered it for their children’s classrooms and have moved it around the house to find the best spot for additional blood glucose awareness—you name it! 

Where can I purchase SugarPixel, and what is its price?

SugarPixel is available for $110 at CustomTypeOne.com. There is an option to pay in four interest-free installments of $27.50 with ShopPay.

The Glucose Projector

Finally, let’s talk about the Glucose Projector—while you’re currently only able to be put on the device launch waitlist, anticipation for its release is building in the diabetes community. The hype is real, but what makes it different, you may wonder? Let’s get into it!

What is the company’s connection to diabetes?

Glucose Projector was created by John (a different one), someone who’s lived with type 1 diabetes for years and has ample experience with a CGM. After always sleeping with a clock projector to display the time above his bed on the ceiling, he knew it was missing one thing—blood sugar alerts.

Due to frequent hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) episodes, John has always been concerned about nighttime lows. That prompted the creation of the Glucose Projector after sharing the idea with his wife. 

The device offers a simple way to open your eyes, look up, check in, and treat a low or high if needed, or return to sleep if blood sugars are stable. Yes, just a simple blink of an eye helps users stay informed in the middle of the night with diabetes.

What is the Glucose Projector?

The Glucose Projector (GCP) is a specialized bedside clock equipped with a built-in projector that displays blood glucose readings and trends in real-time, integrating with leading continuous glucose monitoring devices to offer a hands-free way to check glucose levels. In doing so, it may only require you to open your eyes, and your body can stay at rest. Simple and effective!

Is the GCP compatible with my CGM?

The GCP will be compatible with Dexcom and FreeStyle Libre products upon its release.

How does the GCP work?

The GCP is designed for use by individuals with compatible CGMs who want a convenient way to stay informed about their blood glucose levels. Devices include setup instructions. The GCP currently requires a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi connection for pairing. 

What are people impacted by diabetes saying about the GCP?

Reviews have yet to be shared since the device is currently waitlist only, but we’re eager to hear what the diabetes community thinks once they get their hands on it.

Where can I purchase the GCP, and what is its cost?

The GCP is currently in production. To be added to the waitlist, visit the company’s website here.