Best Continuous Glucose Monitors of 2024
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Mercy Livingston CNET Contributor
Mercey Livingston is a health and wellness writer and certified integrative nutrition health coach. She writes about fitness and wellness for Well+Good, Women’s Health, Business Insider and Prevention.com, among others. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading and trying fitness classes around New York City.
golden Former Senior Associate Editor/Health
During her time at CNET, Kim Wong-Shing loved demystifying the world of health and making it accessible to any reader. She is also passionate about exploring the intersection of health, history and culture. Before joining CNET, she wrote stories for Glamor, MindBodyGreen, Greatist and other publications.
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While there’s nothing wrong with traditional methods of monitoring blood sugar levels, a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) is a more convenient and less comfortable way to test. You can wear it on your skin and use apple watch Or an app for tracking your blood sugar levels, whether you’re at home or on the go. You don’t have to rely on pricking your finger or carrying around testing supplies.
Continuous glucose monitoring devices can be worn on the abdomen or arm. They can help you make decisions based on blood sugar readings throughout the day, which can help manage diabetes. We consulted doctors and researched the most popular models to compile a list of the best continuous glucose monitors on the market. Be sure to discuss diabetes monitor options with your doctor 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, Freestyle Libre 3 is launched. This sensor is smaller than the Libre 2, sends readings directly to your smartphone every minute, and Other benefits.
This meter is recommended by Dr. Rebecca Fenichel, an endocrinologist. Western Medicine Medical Groupand is Recommended before By Dr. Nate Favini, Medical Director forward. “For people who are interested in taking a deeper look at their blood sugar levels, I often recommend the Freestyle Libre for continuous blood glucose monitoring,” says Favini.
“By placing a sensor on your arm, you can continuously track your blood sugar throughout the day and deepen your understanding of what causes your blood sugar levels to rise and fall,” he said. “People are often surprised that foods they think are good for their blood sugar levels may cause their blood sugar to spike. Although continuous glucose monitors are more expensive, they can help you understand what types of foods and exercises are best for you.”
To read your blood sugar on the Freestyle Libre, you can use a CGM device to perform a quick scan to get a reading. There’s also the option to send an alert if your blood sugar gets too high or too low.
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Editor’s note, June 25, 2024: Since this article was first published, Dexcom has Launch of G7. The sensor is smaller than the G6 and has an improved alert system, as well as some Other differences.
“I find continuous glucose monitoring to be a valuable tool in managing type 1 and type 2 diabetes,” Dr. Josh Emdure saysMedical Director of SteadyMD. “CGM data provides actionable insights to help patients track their glycemic responses to dietary choices and activity levels.”
The Dexcom G6 doesn’t require you to manually scan to get blood glucose level readings; instead, you get wireless readings via a dedicated receiver device or your phone or Apple Watch. The Dexcom G6 reads your blood sugar every 5 minutes, keeping track of your blood sugar levels as long as you wear it day and night. You can set custom ranges for your desired blood sugar, and you’ll be notified if your blood sugar reaches the low or high blood sugar range you set.
“For patients using an insulin pump, the Dexcom G6 connects to your pump and provides a closed-loop system to shut off your insulin when your insulin levels are low. The Dexcom monitor is also approved for use in pregnancy and provides Continuous monitoring, you can see the phone being used at any time,” Fenichel said.
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If you want a device that you can set up and don’t have to worry about reinserting for up to 180 days, the Eversense is a great choice for diabetes management. A healthcare provider will insert the sensor and then place the transmitter over it.
Once the sensor is in place, it does not need to be replaced for approximately 180 days, giving the sensor a long service life. The transmitter itself can alert you if your blood sugar is too high or too low, and you can also send wireless readings to your phone via an app. You can share blood sugar data from the 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 quickly tells you your current blood glucose readings via a connected app, and also gives you easy access to blood glucose trends and data over time. One of the standout features of the Guardian is that you can get “predictive” alerts on your blood sugar. Unlike other CGM systems that sound alerts when your blood sugar is already too high or too low, the Guardian uses technology that can predict before when your blood sugar is likely to rise or fall too low. Another feature that comes with this 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 are best for you.
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When choosing a continuous glucose monitor for this list, which models do we look at Recommended before by doctors. We also hope to launch CGMs with longer sensor life and include models that are popular choices for diabetics.
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“Continuous glucose monitors allow for more in-depth monitoring of blood sugar levels in people with diabetes,” Fenichel said. “They are particularly suitable for patients who must check in multiple times a day or for patients who want more frequent feedback during the day.”
While anyone can buy a conventional blood glucose meter, you will need a doctor’s prescription for a CGM system. For reasons related to your unique health and lifestyle, your doctor may recommend a continuous glucose monitoring device to track your blood sugar trends and stay on top of your insulin levels, but CGM devices may not be appropriate for everyone’s unique diabetes care plan.
A CGM device can also give you and your doctor more information about your blood sugar levels than a standard glucometer can – for example, if your blood sugar starts to drop too low, the device can warn you that your blood sugar levels are dropping, “which could be A very serious problem.” Useful features that help patients avoid hypoglycemia,” said Fenichel. “Not only can they tell you what your current blood sugar level is, but they can also tell you whether it’s rising or falling. “
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Here are some things to consider when purchasing a continuous glucose monitor:
- Scan frequency: Real-time CGM continuously scans your blood sugar levels and automatically transmits data to your phone or receiver, sending regular alerts about your blood sugar. In contrast, with intermittent scanning CGMs, you have to scan them with your phone or receiver to view the data. Some CGMs also measure your blood sugar more frequently than others.
- Connectivity: Consider whether you want to connect the CGM to a smartphone or receiver. If you are using a mobile phone, take a closer look at the app and whether it is easy to use or offers special features.
- Test type: Consider where on your body the CGM sensor will be placed, how it will be inserted, and how often it will need to be replaced.
- Insurance coverage: Check to see if the CGM you’re interested in is covered by 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?
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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 with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or health goals.
