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Mercy Livingston Contributor at CNET
Mercy Livingston is a health and wellness writer and certified integrative nutrition health coach. I’ve written about fitness and wellness for Well+Good, Women’s Health, Business Insider, Prevention.com and others. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading and trying exercise classes around New York City.
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. Before joining CNET, she contributed stories to Glamor, MindBodyGreen, Greatist, and other publications.
- She reads health studies in her sleep.
While there’s nothing wrong with the traditional method of monitoring blood glucose levels, a continuous glucose monitor, or CGM, is a more convenient and less disruptive way to test. You can wear it on your skin and use it Apple watch Or an app to track your blood sugar levels, whether you’re at home or on the go. You won’t have to rely on finger pricks or carry testing supplies.
Continuous glucose monitors can be worn on the abdomen or arm. They can help you make decisions throughout the day based on your blood sugar readings, which can help with diabetes management. We consulted doctors and researched the most popular models to curate this list of the best continuous glucose monitors on the market. Just be sure to talk to your doctor about diabetes monitoring options so you can get the right one for you.
Best Continuous Glucose Monitors of 2024
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Editor’s Note, June 25, 2024: Since this list was first published, Freestyle Libre 3 has been launched. This sensor is smaller than the Libre 2 and readings are sent directly to your smartphone every minute Other privileges.
This scale is recommended by Dr. Rebecca Fenichel, an endocrinologist at Westmead Medical GroupAnd it was Previously recommended Written by Dr. Nate Favini, Medical Leader forward. “For people interested in deeper insights into their glucose levels, I will often recommend the Freestyle Libre CGM,” Favini said.
“By putting a sensor on your arm, you can track your glucose continuously throughout the day and develop your understanding of what makes your sugar levels go up and down,” he said. “People are often surprised that foods they assumed were good for their glucose levels may cause their blood sugar to spike. Although 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 have to do a quick scan with your CGM to get the reading. There are also optional alarms if your blood sugar level is too high or too low.
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Editor’s Note, June 25, 2024: Since this article was first published, Dexcom has done just that Launched the G7. This sensor is smaller than the G6 and has an improved alert system, plus a few more Other differences.
“I find continuous glucose monitoring a valuable tool in managing type 1 and type 2 diabetes.” Dr. Josh Emdur saidMedical Director of SteadyMD. “CGM data provides actionable insight to help patients track their blood sugar response to dietary choices and activity levels.”
The Dexcom G6 doesn’t require you to manually scan to get a glucose reading; Alternatively, you can get a wireless reading either on a dedicated receiver or on your phone or Apple Watch. The Dexcom G6 reads your blood sugar every 5 minutes, and tracks your blood sugar level as long as you wear it day and night. You can set a custom range for where you want your blood sugar to be, and if it reaches the low or high blood sugar range you’ve set, you’ll be notified.
“For patients who use an insulin pump, the Dexcom G6 device may connect to your pump and offer a closed-loop system to stop insulin if your insulin level gets too low. The Dexcom monitor is also approved during pregnancy and provides continuous monitoring that you can see on your phone at all times,” Fenichel said.
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If you want a device that you can set up and not have to worry about reinserting for up to 180 days, Eversense is a great diabetes management option. Your healthcare provider will insert the sensor, and you will place the transmitter over it.
Once the sensor is in place, you won’t have to change it for approximately 180 days, which is a long lifespan for a sensor. The transmitter itself can alert you if your blood sugar level is too high or too low, and you can also send readings wirelessly to your phone via an app. You can share blood sugar data from your app with your doctor or anyone else who wants to check their blood sugar readings.
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Guardian Connect is a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) device that can quickly tell you your current glucose readings via a connected app, and also gives you easy access to blood sugar trends and data over time. One feature that stands out in The Guardian is the “predictive” alerts you can get about your sugar. Unlike other CGM systems that alert you when your blood sugar level is actually high or low, The Guardian uses technology that predicts when your blood sugar level might be high or low before it happens. Another feature that comes with the monitor is the Sugar.IQ Diabetes Management Assistant app, which uses your data to help you figure out which diet, exercise, and insulin work best for you.
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When choosing continuous glucose monitors for this list, we look at models that have been around Previously recommended By doctors. We are also looking to include a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) that has a long sensing life and includes models that are popular options for people with diabetes.
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“Continuous glucose monitors provide more intensive monitoring of a diabetic patient’s glucose levels,” Fenichel said. “It is particularly suitable for patients who have to check in several times a day or for patients who want to get feedback more frequently during the day.”
While anyone can purchase a regular blood glucose meter, you will need a prescription from your doctor to use a CGM system. Doctors may recommend a CGM for reasons related to your unique health conditions and lifestyle, to track your glucose trends and maintain your insulin levels, but a CGM may not work with each person’s unique diabetes care plan.
CGM devices can also give you and your doctor more information about your blood sugar levels than a standard meter — such as if your blood sugar starts to drop too low, the device can warn you about “low blood sugar levels,” which can be “It’s very dangerous.” “It’s a useful feature in helping patients avoid hypoglycemia,” Fenichel said. “They can tell you not only your current blood sugar level, but also whether it is on the way up or on the way down.”
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Here are some things to consider when purchasing continuous glucose monitors:
- Scan frequency: Real-time continuous glucose monitors continuously check your glucose levels and automatically send data to your phone or receiver, sending regular blood sugar alerts. In contrast, with intermittent scanning 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.
- Contact: 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 see if it’s easy to use or offers special features.
- Test type: Consider where your CGM sensor will be placed, how it will be inserted, and how often it will need to be replaced.
- Insurance coverage: Check whether the CGMs you’re interested in are covered by your insurance, and how much it will cost to maintain and replace parts over time.
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Can I get a continuous glucose monitor without a doctor?
Is continuous glucose monitoring covered by insurance?
What is the cheapest CGM?
The information in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to provide health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or health goals.
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