CGM Device Comparison
Compare and contrast FDA-approved CGM systems to find what is right for each individual patient and your practice.
Personal CGM Devices
Abbott FreeStyle Libre 2
Measures and sends glucose readings to reader/smart device every 1 minute
Unblinded
≥ 4 yrs
Back of Upper Arm
14 days
No
1 hr
> 500 mg of Vitamin C per day
Yes
Abbott FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus
Measures and sends glucose readings to reader/smart device every 1 minute
Unblinded
≥ 2 yrs
Back of Upper Arm
15 days
No
1 hr
> 1000 mg of Vitamin C per day
Yes
Abbott FreeStyle Libre 14 day
Measures and sends glucose readings to reader/smart device every 1 minute
Unblinded
≥ 18 yrs
Back of Upper Arm
14 days
No
1 hr
Ascorbic acid; salicylic acid
No; trend arrows
Abbott FreeStyle Libre 3
Measures and sends glucose readings to reader/smart device every 1 minute
Unblinded
≥ 4 yrs
Back of Upper Arm
14 days
No
1 hr
> 500 mg of Vitamin C per day
Yes
Abbott FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus
Measures and sends glucose readings to reader/smart device every 1 minute
Unblinded
≥ 2 yrs
Back of Upper Arm
15 days
No
1 hr
> 1000 mg of Vitamin C per day
Yes
Dexcom G6
Glucose readings sent to receiver/smart device every 5 minutes
Unblinded
≥ 2 yrs
Abdomen (Also, upper buttocks for patients 2-17 yrs)
10 days
No
2 hr
Hydroxyurea; high dose acetaminophen (> 1 g every 6 hrs in adults)
Yes
Dexcom G7
Glucose readings sent to receiver/smart device every 5 minutes
Unblinded
≥ 2 yrs
Back of upper arm (Also, upper buttocks for patients 2-6 years)
10 days + a 12-hour grace period
Factory calibrated. Calibrate option available but not required
30 min
Hydroxyurea; high dose acetaminophen (> 1 g every 6 hrs in adults)
Yes
Stelo by Dexcom
Sent to compatible smart device every 15 minutes
Unblinded
18 years and older, not taking insulin and not at risk of hypoglycemia.
Available OTC/Direct to consumer, no Rx necessary!
Back of upper arm
up to 15 days + a 12-hour grace period
No
30 min
Acetaminophen doses higher than the maximum dose (e.g. >1 gram every 6 hours) may affect the sensor readings. Hydroxyurea is known to interfere with sensor readings.
No audible alerts or alarms. Visual notifications and glucose insights provided
Medtronic Guardian Connect
Glucose readings sent to smart device every 5 minutes
Unblinded
14-75 yrs
Abdomen or back of upper arm
7 days
Yes (After initialization, at least every 12 hrs)
2 hr
Acetaminophen or paracetamol
Yes
Professional CGM Devices
Dexcom G6 Pro
Glucose readings sent to receiver/smart device every 5 minutes
Blinded or unblinded
≥ 2 yrs
Abdomen (Also, upper buttocks for patients 2-17 yrs)
10 days
No
2 hr
Hydroxyurea; high dose acetaminophen (> 1 g every 6 hrs in adults)
Yes (unblinded)