Medtronic

Medtronic Simplera

As of August 2026 we track 8 continuous glucose monitors available here, and the cheapest one you can buy without a prescription is the FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus at about £103.98 a month.

Specifications

Specifications
Wear time7 days
Warm-up120 minutes
Accuracy (MARD)Not published
Readingsevery 5 min
AlarmsYes
PrescriptionRequired
What does the accuracy figure mean?

MARD is the average gap between what the sensor says and what a laboratory blood test says, as a percentage. A 10% MARD means readings are off by about 10% on average — so a true 7.0 mmol/L might show as anywhere around 6.3 to 7.7. Lower is better. Most current sensors sit under 10%; twenty years ago they were over 20%. No sensor is exact, which is why treatment decisions still get confirmed with a fingerstick when a reading does not match how you feel.

Sources: Almurashi AM, Rodriguez E, Garg SK (2023). Emerging Diabetes Technologies: Continuous Glucose Monitors/Artificial Pancreases. Journal of the Indian Institute of Science.

Pricing

Not published

to try

Not published

per year

per sensor · 7 days
Not published
per month
Not published

Prices last checked: 2026-08-05

What works well

  • Disposable all-in-one sensor with a two-step insertion and no overtape to apply
  • Readings on an Apple Watch as well as a phone
  • The Sync version drives the MiniMed 780G closed loop, which no other sensor here does

What to watch out for

  • Seven-day wear — the shortest here, meaning roughly 52 sensors a year
  • Two-hour warm-up, four times the Dexcom G7
  • Mainly bought as part of a Medtronic pump system rather than on its own

Our verdict

The sensor to look at if you use or want a MiniMed 780G pump, because that integration is the reason it exists. As a standalone sensor the seven-day wear and two-hour warm-up make it hard to recommend over the alternatives.

Common questions

How long does a Medtronic Simplera sensor last?
7 days, after a two-hour warm-up.
What is the difference between Simplera and Simplera Sync?
Simplera Sync is the version that talks to the MiniMed 780G pump for automated insulin delivery. Plain Simplera sends readings to the phone app.
Compare continuous glucose monitors