6 Continuous Glucose Monitors That Are Doctor-Recommended
If your glucose levels concern you, these are the CGM monitors you may want to consider.
Mercey Livingston
CNET
3 min read
5/10
Key Takeaways
The Dexcom G7 is the top-rated CGM in CNET’s roundup, featuring 10-day wear, no finger-stick calibration, and a MARD accuracy of 8.2%.
Abbott’s Freestyle Libre 3 offers 14-day wear and real-time Bluetooth transmission, making it the longest-wear disposable CGM recommended by doctors.
Senseonics’ Eversense E3 is the only implantable CGM, lasting up to 6 months, and requires a small in-office procedure every 180 days.
Medicare now covers CGMs for all Type 2 diabetes patients using insulin, expanding access beyond Type 1 diabetes for the first time.
The global CGM market is projected to grow from $11 billion in 2024 to over $20 billion by 2028, fueled by new entrants and consumer health trends.
Millions of people with diabetes are ditching finger sticks for a tiny sensor that tells them their glucose levels every few minutes. CNET has identified six doctor-recommended continuous glucose monitors that are transforming how patients manage their blood sugar, offering real-time data without the pain of repeated pricks. For decades, glucose monitoring meant lancets and test strips—uncomfortable, inconvenient, and providing only snapshots of glucose levels. Continuous glucose monitors, or CGMs, change that by tracking glucose in interstitial fluid 24/7, alerting users to dangerous highs and lows before symptoms occur. The market has expanded rapidly, with devices originally designed for Type 1 diabetes now widely used by people with Type 2 diabetes and even health-conscious individuals seeking metabolic insights. CNET's roundup, published in early 2025, highlights models from Dexcom, Abbott, Medtronic, and Senseonics. The Dexcom G7 leads with a 10-day wear time, no finger-stick calibration, and smartphone integration. Abbott's Freestyle Libre 3—the smallest CGM on the market—offers 14-day wear and real-time Bluetooth transmission. Medtronic's Guardian 4 is designed for insulin pump users, while Senseonics' Eversense E3 is the first implantable CGM lasting up to six months. Each device is backed by clinical data and endocrinologist recommendations, with the article emphasizing ease of use, accuracy, and insurance coverage. CGMs have reduced the need for finger-stick tests by up to 90% for many users, according to endocrinologists. Global adoption is accelerating: more than 4 million people now use a CGM regularly, and the device is increasingly covered by Medicare and private insurers for Type 2 diabetes patients on insulin. The global CGM market is projected to exceed $20 billion by 2028, driven by technological improvements and consumer interest. Beyond diabetes, athletes and biohackers use CGMs to optimise performance, sparking debate about medicalisation versus lifestyle tracking. Experts caution that CGMs are medical devices and should be prescribed, not self-purchased, for glucose management. Looking ahead, sensor life is extending—Abbott is testing a 15-day sensor, and Dexcom is working on a patch that talks directly to smartwatches. Integration with automated insulin delivery systems is becoming standard, and rumoured Apple health features could bring CGM technology to millions more. Choosing the right continuous glucose monitor depends on lifestyle, insurance, and medical needs. Doctors recommend prioritising accuracy (MARD below 10%), wear duration, and data-sharing capabilities. For those concerned about glucose levels and seeking a doctor-recommended CGM, the six devices reviewed by CNET offer proven options backed by clinical evidence. The era of painless, continuous glucose awareness is here, and it's only getting smarter.
Frequently Asked Questions
A continuous glucose monitor is a medical device that tracks glucose levels in real time throughout the day and night via a small sensor inserted under the skin. It sends data to a smartphone or receiver, helping users manage diabetes without frequent finger sticks.
A CGM uses a tiny sensor placed under the skin to measure glucose levels in interstitial fluid. The transmitter sends readings every few minutes to a display device or smartphone, alerting users to highs and lows.
Many insurance plans, including Medicare, cover CGMs for people with Type 1 diabetes or those with Type 2 diabetes who use intensive insulin therapy. Coverage varies, so check with your provider.
Both Dexcom G7 and Freestyle Libre 3 are popular choices for Type 2 diabetes because they are easy to use, require no finger sticks for calibration, and provide actionable data to manage glucose levels.
Modern CGMs have a Mean Absolute Relative Difference (MARD) of around 8-10%, making them accurate enough to replace finger-stick testing for many patients. Accuracy continues to improve with each new device generation.
For many users, yes. Most modern CGMs do not require routine finger-stick calibration, though some medical guidelines recommend occasional confirmatory tests during rapid glucose changes or if symptoms don't match readings.
