This content is for informational purposes only. Always consult your healthcare provider before making health decisions. CGM data should not replace professional medical advice.
Study-reported sensor figures are presented with their limitations. Check current manufacturer specifications for features relevant to your activity; separate MARD studies do not establish a device ranking.
What CGMs tell active users
Sensor glucose may be observed alongside exercise, but responses vary. CGM does not guarantee better athletic performance or prevention of hypoglycemia. Follow device instructions and an individualized care plan. Sensor glucose does not measure fuel availability, recovery or performance directly.
This information is product data — what the sensor measures and displays — rather than medical guidance. What an athlete does with that data is a personal and professional decision.
| Device | Rx required | Monthly cost | MARD | Waterproof rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dexcom G7 | Yes | Check price | 8.2% adult arm study | 8ft / 24hr |
| Dexcom Stelo | No | Check price | 7.3–9.1% (historical adults, by wear period) | 8ft / 24hr |
| Abbott Lingo | No | Check price | 8.1–10.7% (by glucose range) | 1m / 30min |
| Levels Health | Stelo OTC; G7 connection requires prescription | Check price | No platform MARD | Stelo: 2.4m / 24hr |
See what each device costs over your training or monitoring period.
Dexcom G7: prescription model
Published MARD figures come from separate manufacturer studies and do not establish which device is more accurate. Choose a device based on its intended use and the features you need with advice from your healthcare professional, and check manufacturers for current prices.
Check purchase cost and individual suitability. Pricing depends on your insurance and pharmacy, so check current costs with Dexcom and your pharmacy. With insurance coverage, the out-of-pocket cost can drop substantially for those with a qualifying diagnosis.
Dexcom Stelo: OTC model
Dexcom Stelo is an over-the-counter device for people aged 2 years and older who do not use insulin, with caregiver supervision below 18. It is not intended for problematic hypoglycemia or dialysis and has no clinical high/low alarms. Platform enrollment may have narrower eligibility. It is rated to 2.4m for up to 24 hours under the labeled conditions. Its app display updates every fifteen minutes; it has no clinical low-glucose alarms.
Published MARD figures come from separate manufacturer studies and do not establish which device is more accurate. Choose a device based on its intended use and the features you need with advice from your healthcare professional, and check manufacturers for current prices.
Calculate costs for 30, 90, or 365 days across all devices.
Abbott Lingo: OTC model
Published MARD figures from separate studies do not establish which device is more accurate. The Lingo Count is a proprietary app score, not a clinical measure of sensor accuracy. Choose based on intended use and current manufacturer features with advice from your healthcare professional.
Levels Health: app and compatible sensors
Levels currently supplies Dexcom Stelo. It also supports bringing a Dexcom G7 or G7 15 Day through a connected Dexcom account; those readings reach Levels with about a one-hour delay. Use the Dexcom app for real-time readings. Service eligibility and device labeling are separate. Proprietary scoring does not establish better performance, fueling or recovery.
What active users should look for
Waterproofing
G7 and Stelo are rated to 2.4m for up to 24 hours; Lingo to 1m for up to 30 minutes. Levels currently supplies Stelo. Follow the model’s conditions and do not infer suitability for every sport from the rating.
Adhesion during activity
Follow the current instructions for your exact sensor model for adhesion, activity and water exposure. Do not assume that all models have the same limits or need the same supplemental patches.
Real-time alerts
The Dexcom G7 has customizable high and low glucose alerts. The Dexcom Stelo does not include these clinical glucose alarms (its FDA clearance notes that high, low and urgent-low alerts are not included in the Stelo app); Dexcom describes it as alert-free glucose tracking with spike and pattern detection, and a low-pattern notification when glucose falls below 54 mg/dL (Dexcom Stelo provider page). Those notifications are not a substitute for a clinical low-glucose alarm. Check each manufacturer's current app features before choosing a device for alerts.
Which CGM for your sport?
Sensor glucose may be observed alongside exercise, but responses vary. CGM does not guarantee better athletic performance or prevention of hypoglycemia. Follow device instructions and an individualized care plan.
Check the exact device’s activity, water and adhesion instructions. No evidence reviewed here establishes that all listed devices work equally well for strength training or HIIT.
Follow the current instructions for your exact sensor model for adhesion, activity and water exposure. Do not assume that all models have the same limits or need the same supplemental patches.
Published MARD figures come from separate manufacturer studies and do not establish which device is more accurate. Choose a device based on its intended use and the features you need with advice from your healthcare professional, and check manufacturers for current prices.
Choosing a device
Published MARD figures come from separate manufacturer studies and do not establish which device is more accurate. Choose a device based on the features you need with advice from your healthcare professional, and check manufacturers for current prices.
Use our free calculator to compare CGM costs for any monitoring period.