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Article updated on April 17, 2024 at 11:00 AM PDT
Continuous glucose monitors help you track your blood sugar and manage your diabetes. Here are our picks for the top continuous glucose monitors of 2024.
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Written by
Mercey Livingston,
Kim Wong-Shing
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Mercey Livingston CNET Contributor
Mercey Livingston is a health and wellness writer and certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach. She's written about fitness and wellness for Well+Good, Women's Health, Business Insider, and Prevention.com among others. When not writing, she enjoys reading and trying out workout classes all over New York City.
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Kim Wong-Shing Former Senior Associate Editor / Wellness
During her time at CNET, Kim Wong-Shing loved demystifying the world of wellness to make it accessible to any reader. She was also passionate about exploring the intersections of health, history and culture. Prior to joining CNET, she contributed stories to Glamour, MindBodyGreen, Greatist and other publications.
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What to consider
Our Picks
Best stand-alone continuous glucose monitor
Abbott Freestyle Libre 2
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Best continuous glucose monitor for pairing with phones or Apple Watch
Dexcom G6
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Best long-term continuous glucose monitor
Eversense CGM System
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Best continuous glucose monitor for data tracking
The Guardian Connect System
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Monitoringblood glucose levelsis a necessary part of daily life for people with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. The traditional method of pricking your finger to check your blood glucose levels isn't ideal. It can be uncomfortable for some people. There's an alternative: a continuous glucose monitor, or CGM. It is designed to be worn and used over long periods and can make checking your blood sugar levels as simple as checking your phone.
Continuous glucose monitoring devices can be worn on the belly or the arm and may help you make decisions throughout the day based on your blood glucose readings, which can help with managing diabetes. We consulted doctors and researched the most popular models to curate the best continuous glucose monitors on the market. Just be sure to talk to your doctor about diabetes monitor options to make a plan for the best health monitoring for you.
Best continuous glucose monitors of 2024
Pros
- Affordable and easy to find
- Optional blood sugar alarms
- Connects to phone, but not required
Cons
- Stores only 8 hours of data (The Freestyle Libre 3 stores up to 14 days of data)
Price
$130
Type Intermittent-scan continuous glucose monitor
Sensor life 14 days
Connection options Reader included, phone app available
This meter is recommended by Dr. Rebecca Fenichel, an endocrinologist atWestmed Medical Group, and waspreviously recommended by Dr. Nate Favini, medical lead of Forward. "For people who are interested in deeper insights into their glucose levels, I'll often recommend the Freestyle Libre for continuous glucose monitoring," Favini said.
(Note from Jan. 25, 2024: Since this list was first published, the Freestyle Libre 3 has launched. This sensor is smaller than the Libre 2 and has readings sent directly to your smartphone every minute, along with other perks.)
"By placing a sensor on your arm, you can track your glucose constantly through the day and develop your understanding of what makes your sugar levels go up and down," he said. "People will often be surprised that foods that they assumed were good for their glucose levels may be causing spikes in their sugar. Though continuous glucose monitors are more expensive, they can help you understand what types of food and exercise are best for you."
To read your blood sugar on the Freestyle Libre, you do a quick scan with the CGM device to get a reading. There are also optional alarms if your blood sugar gets too high or too low.
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Pros
- Real-time tracking, shareable with up to 10 people
- Customizable alerts
- Discrete sensor
Cons
- Short sensor life
Price
$589
Type Real-time continuous glucose monitor
Sensor life 10 days
Connection options Receiver included, phone app available
Best continuous glucose monitor for pairing with phones or Apple Watch
Dexcom G6
"I find continuous glucose monitoring to be a valuable tool in the management of both type 1 and 2 diabetes," said Dr. Josh Emdur, medical director of SteadyMD. "CGM data provides actionable insight to help patients track their glycemic response to dietary choices and activity levels."
The Dexcom G6 doesn't require you to manually scan to get a glucose level reading; instead, you get a wireless reading either on a dedicated receiver device or to your phone or Apple Watch. The Dexcom G6 reads your blood sugar every 5 minutes, keeping track of your blood sugar level as long as you're wearing it night and day. You can set a custom range for where you'd like your blood sugar to be, and if it goes into low blood sugar or high blood sugar ranges you set, you will get notified.
"For patients on an insulin pump, the Dexcom G6 may connect with your pump and offer a closed-loop system to turn off your insulin if you are going low. The Dexcom monitor is also approved in pregnancy and offers continuous monitoring that you can see on your phone at all times," Fenichel said.
(Note, Jan. 25, 2024: Since this article was first published, Dexcom has launched the G7. This sensor is smaller than the G6 and has an improved alert system, along with a few other differences.)
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Pros
- Very long sensor life
- Easy-to-use app
- Customizable alerts
Cons
- Requires insertion by a health professional
- Requires frequent calibrations
Price
Depends on insurance coverage
Type Real-time continuous glucose monitor
Sensor life 180 days
Connection options Transmitter included, phone app available
If you want a device that you can set up and don't have to worry about reinserting for up to 180 days, Eversense is a great option for diabetes management. A healthcare provider will insert the sensor, and then you place the transmitter above that.
Once the sensor is in place, you don't have to change it out for about 180 days, a long sensor life. The transmitter itself can alert you if your blood sugar is too high or low, and you can also have wireless readings sent to your phone via an app. You can share your blood glucose data from your app with your doctor or anyone else who wants to check your blood sugar readings.
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Pros
- Predictive alerts
- Stand-alone system
- Past data up to 24 hours
Cons
- Requires calibration every 12 hours
Price
Depends on insurance coverage
Type Real-time continuous glucose monitor
Sensor life 7 days
Connection options Transmitter included, phone app available
Best continuous glucose monitor for data tracking
The Guardian Connect System
The Guardian Connect System is a CGM that can tell you your current glucose readings quickly via a connected app and also lets you easily access trends and data about your blood sugar over time. One feature that stands out with The Guardian is the "predictive" alerts you can get about your sugar. Unlike other CGM systems that alert you when your sugar is already high or low, The Guardian uses technology that predicts when your blood sugar might get high or low before it happens. Another feature that comes with the monitor is the Sugar.IQ diabetes assistant app for diabetes management, which uses your data to help you figure out what diet, exercise and insulin works best for you.
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How we choose continuous glucose monitors
When choosing continuous glucose monitors for this list, we look at which models were previously recommended by doctors. We also look to include a CGM that has a longer-lasting sensor life and include models that are popular choices for people with diabetes.
Why buy a continuous glucose monitor?
"Continuous glucose monitors offer more intensive monitoring of a diabetic patient's sugar levels," Fenichel said. "They are particularly well suited to patients who have to check multiple times a day or to patients who want to get more frequent feedback during the day."
While anyone can buy a regular blood glucose meter, you'll need a prescription from your doctor for a CGM system. Doctors may recommend a continuous blood glucose monitoring device for reasons tied to your unique health circ*mstances and lifestyle, to track your glucose trends and keep on top of your insulin levels, but a CGM device may not work for everyone's unique diabetes care plan.
CGM devices can also give you and your doctor more information about blood sugar levels than a standard meter -- like if your blood sugar begins to drop too low, the device can warn you about your dropping blood glucose levels, "which can be a very helpful feature in helping patients avoid hypoglycemia," Fenichel said. "They can tell you not only what your current sugar level is but also whether it is on the way up or on the way down."
Factors to consider when buying a continuous glucose monitor
Here are some factors to consider when shopping for continuous glucose monitors:
- Scan frequency: Real-time CGMs continuously scan your glucose levels and automatically transmit the data to your phone or receiver, sending regular alerts about your blood sugar. By contrast, with intermittent-scan CGMs, you have to scan them with your phone or receiver to see the data. Some CGMs also measure your glucose more frequently than others.
- Connectivity: Consider whether you want to connect the CGM to your smartphone or to a receiver. If you're using a phone, look closely at the app and whether it's easy to use or offers special features.
- Test type: Consider where on your body the CGM's sensor will be placed, how it's inserted, and how often it will have to be replaced.
- Insurance coverage: Check whether the CGMs you're interested in are covered by your insurance, and how much the parts will cost to maintain and replace over time.
Continuous glucose monitors FAQs
Can I get a continuous glucose monitor without a doctor?
No, continuous glucose monitors are available only by prescription, but you can get a regular glucose monitor without a doctor.
Is continuous glucose monitoring covered by insurance?
Many insurance plans, Medicaid or Medicare will cover a continuous glucose monitor, although they may require prior authorization.
Which CGM is the cheapest?
The Abbott Freestyle Libre 2 retails for just $116. The cheapest way to get a continuous glucose monitor is to go through your insurance, Medicaid or Medicare; you could potentially get one for free.
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.
