Article updated on April 3, 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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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.
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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$330 at Total Diabetes
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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Having to take time out of your day to prick your finger and check your blood glucose level can be an annoyance for those with Type 1 and 2 diabetes. Luckily, the traditional method isn’t your only option. With a continuous glucose monitor, CGM, you can wear the monitor throughout the day, and checking your levels can be done just by pulling up the app on your phone. Simply put the monitor on your belly or arm and go about your day, making managing diabetes a little less tedious.
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 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.
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.
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.
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“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 circumstances and lifestyle, to track your personal 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.”
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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 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.