Continuous Glucose Monitor Comparisons and Reviews
*Coming Soon: 2025 In-Depth CGM Comparison Chart
CGM Comparison Stats
All continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems share basic properties, but each has unique features that make them better choices for certain individuals.
Features common to all CGM systems:
- System includes a subcutaneous sensor, transmitter (Separate or built in).
- Wireless system between transmitter and receiver.
- Waterproof sensors/transmitters (receiver/display not waterproof).
- Multiple on-screen trend graphs.
- Direction and rate-of-change arrows
- Mechanical device used to insert sensors.
- Sensors may be reusable; sensor life varies from person to person.
- Warmup period (with no data) at beginning of sensor session.
- Some lag time between blood glucose (fingerstick) and subcutaneous glucose (sensor) values.
- Backlogged data reported to receiver/app when in range
- Events such as food, insulin or activity can be logged
- Insurance coverage varies from plan to plan.
- Minimal skin irritation, even with prolonged sensor life.
- 30-Day Money-Back guarantee
Pros & Cons of the Dexcom G7 Continuous Glucose Monitor
Read A Critical Review & Comparison of the Dexcom G7 by Gary Scheiner, MS, FADCES.
In the world of diabetes technology, the new Dexcom G7 continuous glucose monitor is a game-changer. Gary tries out the G7 and describes the pros, cons, and why its improved accuracy, smaller size, faster warm-up time, and smarter alerts are a major step up from the G6.
Advantages
Unique Advantages of Dexcom G7 CGM
- Improved Accuracy
- Smaller Size
- Faster Warm-up
- 12-Hour Grace Period
- Customizable Alerts
- Built-in Clarity
- Easier Event Logging
Disadvantages
Potential Disadvantages of Dexcom G7 CGM:
- Adhesion Issues
- Limited Compatibility
Pros & Cons of the Medtronic Guardian3 – 670G or Guardian Connect Continuous Glucose Monitor
Advantages
Unique Advantages of Medtronic Guardian3 – 670G or Guardian Connect CGM
- Available with 670G integration or Guardian Connect app (but not both)
- Approved Sensor life 7 days (sensors may be reused)
- Customizable alerts for different times and days
Single-button insertion - Vibrate & audio alerts only limited by phone’s options (Guardian Connect only)
- Real-time alerts for high, low, rate of change, or predictive low/high
- Real-time sharable data (Guardian Connect only)
- Sugar IQ companion app generates reports, indicates patterns/trends (Guardian Connect only)
Disadvantages
Potential Disadvantages of Medtronic Guardian3 – 670G or Guardian CGM:
- 2-hour warm-up time
Complicated taping procedure - Multiple tapes can cause skin issues
- Requires at least once calibration every 12 hours
- Stops generating data if not calibrated
- Transmitter requires 10-20 minute charge every 7 days
- Only compatible with Medtronic pumps, apps, and uploading
- Guardian Connect Apps available only on Apple devices
- Impacted by acetaminophen use
- Fair accuracy
Pros & Cons of the Senseonics Eversense 365 Continuous Glucose Monitor
Advantages
Unique Advantages of Senseonics Eversense 365 CGM
- Far less medical waste – no “disposables” (other than tape)
- No “warm-ups” or “day-1 / end of sensor” reliability issues for a full year, after the first day (almost)
- Always lasts the full 365 days – no worries about sensor failures or running out of sensors
- Strong, steady transmitter signal – 99.9% of possible data points are captured
- Captures 97% of hypo events within 15 minutes
- No issues with body position causing “compression” lows
- Vibrating transmitter provides alerts even when phone is out of range
- User can turn off audible alerts (beeps) and receive discrete vibratory alerts
- Integrates with Sequel, Beta Bionics and open-source AID systems
- Customizable predictive high/low glucose alerts
Disadvantages
Potential Disadvantages of Senseonics Eversense 365 CGM:
- Sensor insertion (and removal) requires a minor medical procedure
- Less accurate during first 14-30 days of use
- 24-Hour warmup time after insertion
- Daily fingerstick calibrations required during the first two weeks of use; weekly thereafter
- Regular charging and re-taping of transmitter required Lag time is longer than with other CGMs – takes longer to detect rising/falling glucose levels
- Not integrated with most common pumps/AID systems or data report platforms
- Lacks “snooze” and “delay” features for high and low alerts
- No threshold setting option for rate of change alerts
- High/low alerts must be set OUTSIDE the user’s target glucose range
- No memory chip in the sensor; data is lost when transmitter is disconnected (including during charging)
- Interpreting the transmitter’s vibrate sequences takes practice
- The trendgraph on the app’s home screen is cluttered and non-intuitive
Pros & Cons of the Dexcom G6 Continuous Glucose Monitor
Advantages
Unique Advantages of Dexcom G6 CGM
- No calibration needed
- Calibration available to improve accuracy
- Approved Sensor life 10 days
- Customizable alerts for different times and days
- Single button push insertion
- Vibrate & audio alerts
- Interoperability to Tandem X2 pump
- Sends data to phone app (and apple watch), receiver, or pump.
- Real-time alerts for high, low, rate of change, predictive urgent low
“Always sound” feature can sound alerts when phone is on silent. - Not impacted by acetaminophen use
- Real-time sharable data
- Approved for children over 2
- Medicare approved
- Clarity companion app
- automatically uploads data, generates reports
Disadvantages
Potential Disadvantages of Dexcom G6 CGM:
- Transmitter must be replaced every 3 months
- Lots of medical waste with sensor inserters
- Occasional delays receiving product orders and technical support
- Re-use of sensors involves a difficult process
- Costly sensors and transmitters
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