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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.
Nasha Addarich MartÃnez Managing Editor
Nasha is a Managing Editor for CNET, overseeing our sleep and wellness verticals. She is a nutrition, mental health, fitness and sleep science enthusiast. Her passion for mindful and holistic practices transcends her personal life and profoundly influences her editorial approach, as she weaves evidence-based insights with practical advice to inspire readers to lead healthier, more balanced lives. Throughout her career, she’s covered various topics including financial services, technology, travel and wellness.
- Sleep Science Coach Certification from The Spencer Institute.
Save your finger from multiple pricks a day with a continuous glucose monitor. These wearable devices are stuck to your arm and connect to an app on your smartphone or Apple Watch to easily test your glucose levels. This takes a lot of stress and time out of the process and allows you to see if you’re dropping at the touch of a button.
While each monitor offers different features, they all provide real-time readings to help you make better daily decisions about food, activity and medication. To help you find the right CGM, we consulted doctors and researched the most popular models. Just be sure to talk to your doctor about diabetes monitor options so you can get the option that’s right for you.
Best continuous glucose monitors of 2025
Pros
- Real-time tracking, shareable with up to 10 people
- Customizable alerts
- Discrete sensor
Editor’s note, June 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.
“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.Â
“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,” said Dr. Rebecca Fenichel, an endocrinologist at Westmed Medical Group.
Pros
- No prescription required
- Real-time glucose tracking
- Painless application
- HSA/FSA eligible
Cons
- No safety alerts for high or low blood sugar levels
- Not intended for insulin-dependent users
Stelo was the first over-the-counter CGM available in the US when it received FDA approval in 2024. The small sensor sits on the back of your arm and tracks your glucose levels 24/7. You can view your blood sugar levels within the app, and if you have an Oura ring, it pairs seamlessly and levels are also viewable within the Oura app. Each sensor lasts up to 15 days, it’s pretty low maintenance and it’s an easy way to see how your stress, meals and daily habits influence your glucose levels. One pack of two will cost you $99 (lasts about a month), but if you subscribe that price will drop to $89 a month. The pack comes with everything you need: the sensors, applicator and overpatch to secure the sensor in place.
Over the two weeks I tested the Stelo, I noticed which habits (like taking a walk after dinner) affected my blood sugar the most. I find this tool helpful for those curious about their overall health and probably not for those with a diabetes diagnosis as it doesn’t send safety alarms when your glucose levels are too high or too low. If you have a diagnosis and would like to try Stelo, I recommend speaking to your doctor to ensure it will give you the insights and alerts you need. Of the two OTC CGMs on this list (the other one is Lingo), our staff preferred the Stelo CGM.
Pros
- Affordable and easy to find
- Optional blood sugar alarms
- Connects to phone, but not required
Cons
- Stores only 8 hours of data (the Libre 3 stores up to 14 days of data)
Editor’s note, June 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.
This meter is recommended by Fenichel and was previously recommended by Dr. Nate Favini. “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.
“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. Although continuous glucose monitors are more expensive, they can help you understand what types of food and exercise are best for you.”Â
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.
Pros
- Very long sensor life
- Easy-to-use app
- Customizable alerts
Cons
- Requires insertion by a health professional
- Requires frequent calibrations
If you want a device that you can set up and don’t have to worry about reinserting for an entire year, Eversense 365 is a great option for diabetes management. A health care provider will insert the sensor and then you place the transmitter above that.Â
Once the sensor is in place, you don’t have to change it out for about 12 months, 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.
Pros
- Affordably entry price (two weeks)
- Gamified, user-friendly app
- Water-resistant design
- Great for habit tracking
Cons
- Only available for iPhone users
- Around 20% of sensors may not last the full 14 days
- No safety alerts for high or low blood sugar levels
Lingo is one of the two over-the-counter continous glucose monitors we tested on this list. Like the Stelo, Lingo is worn on the back of the upper arm and you can view your glucose data within the Lingo app, where it’s translated into an easy to read chart. The app also includes habit-building challenges and progress tracking, making glucose monitoring feel more like a game than a chore. Right now, the Lingo app is only available for iPhone users.
What I appreciated most was how lightweight and low-maintenance the sensor is. It’s pretty sleek and you don’t have to worry about carrying a reader with you. I do recommend buying an overpatch as this sensor doesn’t come with one and the first time I tested I accidentally yanked it off while dressing myself. An overpatch will ensure the device stays securely on your arm.
A single sensor costs $49 (will last you up to 14 days), a two-sensor pack costs $89 (about a month’s supply) and buying in bulk (six sensors for 12 weeks) will save you the most money and will cost $249.
Pros
- Predictive alerts
- Stand-alone system
- Past data up to 24 hours
Cons
- Requires calibration every 12 hours
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. The only two sensors tested on this list are Stelo and Lingo, which are also the only two over-the-counter CGMs.
“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 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.”
Here are some things to take into account 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.Â
- 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.
Can I get a continuous glucose monitor without a doctor?
Is continuous glucose monitoring covered by insurance?
Which CGM is the cheapest?
Where should I wear my continuous glucose monitor?
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.