The best continuous glucose monitor 2025 conversation changed in two ways: over-the-counter CGMs became real, and implantable wear reached a full year. This article covers the 2025 landscape with an early-2026 update, so you know which of last year’s leaders still hold up. The short answer: most of them do. Dexcom G7 and FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus still dominate prescription use; Dexcom Stelo, Abbott Lingo, and Abbott Rio are the main OTC picks; and Eversense 365 stands alone among 365-day implantables.
What Changed in 2025
Two shifts defined the year. First, following Dexcom Stelo’s March 2024 FDA clearance, Abbott brought Lingo and Rio to market in late 2024, making 2025 the first full year with OTC CGMs broadly available in the United States. Second, Eversense 365 replaced the older Eversense E3, pushing implantable wear from 180 days to 365 days. Prescription sensors continued their steady refinement, with G7 getting faster warm-up and Libre 3 Plus extending wear to 15 days.
For context on where glucose tracking fits in a prediabetes plan, our A1C levels guide explains how long-term averages and real-time values complement each other.
2025 Top Picks Compared
| CGM | Category | Prescription | Wear Time | Typical MARD | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dexcom G7 | Prescription | Yes | 10 days | ~8.2% | All diabetes types, insulin users |
| FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus | Prescription | Yes | 15 days | ~7.9% | Extended wear, insulin users |
| Eversense 365 | Prescription, implanted | Yes | 365 days | ~8.5% | Long-term users, needle-averse |
| Dexcom Stelo | Over the counter | No | 15 days | ~10% | Prediabetes, non-insulin T2D |
| Abbott Lingo | Over the counter | No | 14 days | ~9-10% | Metabolic wellness |
| Abbott Rio | Over the counter | No | 14 days | ~9% | Non-insulin T2D |
Dexcom G7
G7 remained the leading prescription CGM in 2025. Its combination of 10-day wear, a 30-minute warm-up, and strong app support across iPhone, Apple Watch, and Android made it a default choice in many US clinics. Alarms are customizable, data shares seamlessly with caregivers, and integration with insulin pumps is robust. As of early 2026, firmware updates have shortened warm-up further in some settings, and a follow-on platform is anticipated but not yet released.
FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus
Libre 3 Plus extended wear to 15 days and improved alarm customization over the earlier Libre 3. Accuracy is in the same range as G7, and for many insurers Libre is the preferred option. The Libre 3 Plus app reports readings every minute, which some users find more responsive. A version integrated with Tandem insulin pumps is available.
Eversense 365
Eversense 365 is implanted under the skin of the upper arm by a clinician and lasts a full year. A separate transmitter worn over the sensor sends data to a smartphone app. The appeal is avoiding sensor swaps every two weeks; the trade-off is the minor in-office procedure for insertion and removal. Accuracy improved steadily from the previous generation and now rivals stick-on CGMs.
OTC Leaders: Stelo, Lingo, Rio
The OTC category grew quickly in 2025. Dexcom Stelo is the most visible, with a pattern-focused app and 15-day wear. Abbott Lingo targets metabolic wellness with gamified habit tracking. Abbott Rio is purpose-built for adults with type 2 diabetes not on insulin. Accuracy is similar across the three, and the right pick usually comes down to app experience and cost. See our separate guide to prediabetes basics for how to interpret these readings in context.
How to Choose for Your Situation
- Type 1 diabetes or insulin-using type 2 diabetes: Dexcom G7 or FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus.
- Type 2 diabetes without insulin: FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus with Rx, or Abbott Rio OTC.
- Prediabetes or wellness-focused tracking: Dexcom Stelo or Abbott Lingo.
- Needle aversion and long-term use: Eversense 365.
- Pregnancy: ask your obstetric team; only certain Rx CGMs are validated.
2026 Update
Through the first four months of 2026, the picks above still top the category. Rumored next-generation sensors from both Dexcom and Abbott have not yet received FDA clearance, and no new OTC CGM has launched since 2024. Expect minor app and firmware updates rather than wholly new hardware in the near term. We will revisit this list mid-2026 if any of those devices ship.
How to Get the Most from Any CGM
The device is only as useful as the behavior change it supports. Spend the first week establishing a baseline, then run structured experiments over the next two weeks. Track how post-meal glucose responds to added protein, fiber, a short walk, or earlier dinners. Pair your findings with our diet and nutrition hub. If you are working on overall metabolic change, the framework in is prediabetes reversible places CGM data in its broader context.
When to See a Clinician
If your fasting glucose consistently exceeds 100 mg/dL, if post-meal peaks frequently climb above 180 mg/dL, or if you experience symptoms like lightheadedness or shakiness, pause self-management and schedule an appointment. CGM data is a conversation starter, not a diagnosis. An A1C or fasting glucose test confirms patterns and guides next steps.
The Bottom Line
The 2025 CGM winners remain the 2026 leaders. Dexcom G7 and FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus continue to anchor prescription use, Dexcom Stelo and the Abbott OTC duo anchor consumer use, and Eversense 365 owns the long-wear implantable slot. Match the device to your clinical situation, your ecosystem preferences, and your willingness to sustain cost. Use the data to drive intentional changes rather than to chase perfectly flat lines.
This article is educational and not a substitute for medical advice. Talk with your clinician before starting, stopping, or interpreting continuous glucose monitoring.
