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Mercy Livingston Contributor to CNET
Mercy Livingston is a health and wellness writer and certified integrative nutrition health coach. She has written about fitness and health for Well+Good, Women's Health, Business Insider, and Prevention.com among others. When she's not writing, she enjoys reading and trying out exercise classes all over New York City.
Kim Wong-Shing Former Senior Associate Editor / Wellness
During her time at CNET, Kim Wong-Shing wanted to demystify the world of wellness to make it accessible to every reader. She was also passionate about researching the intersections of health, history and culture. Before joining CNET, she contributed stories to Glamour, MindBodyGreen, Greatist and other publications.
- He reads health studies in his sleep.
While there is nothing wrong with the traditional method of monitoring blood glucose levels, a continuous glucose monitor, or CGM, is a much more convenient and less uncomfortable way to test. You can wear it on your skin and use your Apple Watch or the app to monitor your blood sugar levels, whether you're at home or on the go. You won't have to rely on finger pricks or carry test supplies.
Continuous glucose monitoring devices can be worn on the stomach or on the arm. They can help you make decisions throughout the day based on your blood glucose readings, which can help manage your diabetes. We consulted with doctors and researched the most popular models to compile this list of the best continuous glucose monitors on the market. Just be sure to talk to your doctor about your diabetes monitor options so you can get the option that's right for you.
The best continuous glucose monitors of 2024
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Editor's note, June 25, 2024: Since this list was first published, launched Freestyle Libre 3. This sensor is smaller than the Libre 2 and has readings sent directly to your smartphone every minute, along with other benefits.
This meter is recommended by Dr. Rebecca Fenichel, an endocrinologist at Westmead Medical Groupand it was previously recommended by Dr. Nate Favini, Medical Director of Forward. “For people who are interested in deeper insight into their glucose levels, I will often recommend the Freestyle Libre for continuous glucose monitoring,” Favini said.
“By putting a sensor on your arm, you can continuously monitor your glucose throughout 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 they thought were good for their glucose levels can cause spikes in their blood sugar.
To read your blood sugar on the Freestyle Libre, you take 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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Editor's note, June 25, 2024: After this article was first published, Dexcom published it launched the G7. This sensor is smaller than the G6 and has an improved warning system, along with a few other differences.
“I find continuous glucose monitoring to be a valuable tool in the management of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. said Dr. Josh Emdurmedical director of SteadyMD. “CGM data provides actionable insight to help patients monitor their glycemic response to dietary choices and activity levels.”
The Dexcom G6 doesn't require you to manually scan to get a glucose reading; instead, you get a wireless reading either on a separate receiver device or on your phone or Apple Watch. The Dexcom G6 reads your blood sugar every 5 minutes, tracking your blood sugar levels as long as you wear it night and day. You can set a custom range for where you want your blood sugar to be, and if it moves into the low or high blood sugar ranges you've set, you'll get a notification.
“For patients on an insulin pump, the Dexcom G6 can connect to your pump and offer a closed-loop system to shut off your insulin if it's running low. on your phone at any time,” Fenichel said.
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If you want a device that you can insert and not have to worry about reinserting for up to 180 days, the Eversense is a great option for diabetes management. A healthcare provider will insert the sensor, and then place the transmitter over it.
Once the sensor is in place, you don't have to change it for about 180 days, which is 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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The Guardian Connect system is a CGM that can quickly tell you your current glucose readings via a connected app and also gives you easy access to trends and data about your blood sugar over time. One feature that stands out about The Guardian is the “predictive” alerts you can get about your sugar. Unlike other CGM systems that alert you when your blood sugar is already high or low, The Guardian uses technology that predicts when your blood sugar may be 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 work best for you.
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When choosing continuous glucose monitors for this list, we looked at which models they were previously recommended by doctors. We also look to include CGMs that have longer sensor life and include models that are popular choices for people with diabetes.
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“Continuous glucose monitors offer more intensive monitoring of sugar levels in a diabetic patient,” Fenichel said. “They are particularly well-suited for patients who have to check multiple times a day or for patients who want to receive more frequent feedback throughout the day.
Although anyone can buy a regular blood glucose meter, you will need a prescription from your doctor for a CGM system. Doctors may recommend a continuous blood glucose monitoring device for reasons related to your unique health circumstances and lifestyle to monitor your glucose trends and maintain 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 your blood sugar level than a standard meter — for example, if your blood sugar starts to drop too low, the device can alert you to your lows of blood glucose levels, “which can be a very useful feature in helping patients avoid hypoglycemia,” Fenichel said. “They can tell you not only what your current sugar level is, but whether it's up or down “.
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Here are some things 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. In contrast, with intermittent-scan CGMs, you must scan them with your phone or receiver to see the data. Some CGMs also measure your glucose more frequently than others.
- Connection: Consider whether you want to connect the CGM to your smartphone or to a receiver. If you're using a phone, take a close look at the app and see if it's easy to use or offers special features.
- Test Type: Consider where on your body the CGM sensor will be placed, how it is inserted, and how often it will need to be replaced.
- Insurance coverage: Check if the CGMs you're interested in are covered by your insurance and how much maintenance and replacement parts will cost over time.
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Can I get a continuous glucose monitor without a doctor?
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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 healthcare professional regarding any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or health goals.