What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
No smartwatch or smart ring that measures glucose without piercing the skin should be treated as a proven way to check blood glucose. The FDA warns consumers not to use such products for glucose measurement; a smartwatch can, however, display readings from an FDA-authorized device such as a skin-piercing continuous glucose monitor (CGM).
What the FDA warns about
In a safety communication dated February 21, 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned consumers, patients, caregivers, and health care providers about watches and rings claiming to measure blood glucose without piercing the skin. FDA says inaccurate readings could lead to errors in diabetes management, including taking an incorrect dose of insulin or other medicines that can rapidly lower glucose.
The warning is about products that themselves claim to measure glucose non-invasively. It is not a warning against smartwatch apps that display data from an FDA-authorized glucose-measuring device that pierces the skin, such as a CGM. The FDA’s distinction is important: a watch displaying CGM data is not necessarily sensing glucose with its own wrist sensor.
Read the FDA safety communication.
How a CGM differs from a non-invasive watch claim
| Feature | Skin-piercing CGM | Watch or ring claiming non-invasive glucose measurement |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Uses a sensor that pierces the skin to measure glucose. | Claims to measure glucose without piercing the skin; the FDA warning applies to such claims. |
| What the FDA source establishes | The FDA lists the Dexcom G7 CGM system as an example of a sensor-based digital health technology. | The FDA warns consumers not to use these products to measure blood glucose. |
| Use for diabetes decisions | Use a device according to its authorization and labeling, and follow guidance from your health care professional. | Do not rely on an unverified non-invasive watch or ring reading to make treatment decisions. |
| Relationship to a smartwatch | A compatible app may display readings from the CGM; the underlying glucose measurement comes from the skin-piercing sensor. | The watch or ring itself claims to provide the glucose measurement. |
The FDA’s sensor-based digital health technologies page lists the Dexcom G7 CGM system. It is an example of a CGM, not a non-invasive watch, and its listing does not establish availability through any particular retailer.
Recommended Free Tools
#1 Best Overall
- HSA/FSA eligible. No prescription needed.
- 24/7 GLUCOSE TRACKING. See your glucose response to food, exercise, sleep, and other lifestyle factors via the Lingo app.
- OPTIMIZE YOUR NUTRITION. Discover which foods work for you and those that don't. The Lingo app shows you how specific meals and other factors impact your glucose, so you can learn from your insights and build healthier habits
- NAVIGATE PREDIABETES WITH A NEW VIEW OF YOU. More time in healthy glucose range is linked to lower diabetes risk. Three out of four users with prediabetes say Lingo was effective in helping to achieve their health goals¹.
- HEALTHY GLUCOSE SUPPORTS HEART HEALTH. What you eat matters to your glucose and your heart. Keeping your glucose in a healthy range (70–140 mg/dL) more often can help protect your heart from heart disease²⁻⁴.
See the FDA’s sensor-based digital health technologies page.
What “non-invasive glucose monitoring” means
“Non-invasive glucose monitoring” describes a development goal and a category of product claims. The phrase alone does not show that a particular watch or ring has been proven safe, authorized, or suitable for diabetes treatment. A company announcement, prototype, or claim of measuring a proxy signal is not the same as evidence that a consumer product can reliably measure glucose.
Rank #2
- HSA/FSA eligible. No prescription needed.
- 24/7 GLUCOSE TRACKING. See your glucose response to food, exercise, sleep, and other lifestyle factors via the Lingo app.
- OPTIMIZE YOUR NUTRITION. Discover which foods work for you and those that don't. The Lingo app shows you how specific meals and other factors impact your glucose, so you can learn from your insights and build healthier habits.
- NAVIGATE PREDIABETES WITH A NEW VIEW OF YOU. More time in healthy glucose range is linked to lower diabetes risk. Three out of four users with prediabetes say Lingo was effective in helping to achieve their health goals¹.
- HEALTHY GLUCOSE SUPPORTS HEART HEALTH. What you eat matters to your glucose and your heart. Keeping your glucose in a healthy range (70–140 mg/dL) more often can help protect your heart from heart disease²⁻⁴.
The research available for this article does not establish a complete, current list of companies pursuing the goal, their methods, their clinical evidence, or their regulatory status. It would be misleading to rank named companies or present their reported ambitions as validated products. For any specific product, look for the intended use, regulator status, and evidence from appropriate studies rather than relying on promotional wording.
What people can use today
A skin-piercing CGM is the relevant comparison when you are evaluating a device for glucose readings. The FDA lists Dexcom G7 CGM systems among sensor-based digital health technologies. That example illustrates the distinction; it does not mean that a CGM is right for every person or that a smartwatch itself measures glucose.
Rank #3
- ✅ For people NOT using insulin, ages 18 years and older
- ❌ Don’t use if: On insulin, on dialysis, if you have problematic hypoglycemia, are modifying medication without HCP consultation, or if you have a history of eating disorders
- YOUR SUCCESS, OUR COMMITMENT: Should you experience an issue with your biosensor before its 15-day wear is up,[2] we’ll replace it for free. [3]
- POWERFUL FEATURES: Get AI-powered coaching, plus discover in-app nutrition & glucose insights, advanced meal and activity logging, trend summaries and deep dives, pattern insights and much more—plus, effortlessly sync your data with Apple Health, Google Health Connect, and Oura.
- PRODUCT SUPPORT: Provided by Stelo through SteloBot, which can be accessed via the Stelo app by going to Settings > Contact. SteloBot virtual support assistant is available 24/7, and live agent support available during regular business hours.
If you have diabetes or are considering a device to guide medication or treatment, discuss appropriate glucose-monitoring options with your health care professional. Do not change medication or dosing based on readings from a watch or ring that claims to measure glucose without piercing the skin.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.FAQ
Can a smartwatch measure blood sugar?
The FDA warns against using smartwatches that claim to measure blood glucose without piercing the skin. A smartwatch app may display readings from an FDA-authorized skin-piercing device such as a CGM; that does not mean the watch is measuring glucose itself.
Rank #4
- Advanced Glucometer Kit: metene TD-4116 diabetes testing kit is equipped with advanced technologies, brings more accurate and reliable results and better experience for your blood sugar control; a control solution is included for checking the glucometer and strips
- Easy to Use: The blood glucose monitor is with code-free design, ready for testing once insert the strip correctly; the quick guide inside the package lists the steps to do a test clearly, easy to follow; any problem about operation, we are here ready to answer and provide glucose monitoring system instructional videos
- 7 Seconds And 0.7µl Blood: This blood glucose meter kit just needs 0.7 microliter blood sample and 7 seconds to get you blood glucose value; Fast, minimizes wound and less painful
- More Clearly Glucose Trend: 4 modes to record your glucose value according to different time, shows your glucose trend more clearly; 450 blood sugar values storage, continuous 14/21/28/60/90 day average, which brings more convenient Diabetes management for you and your health provider
- User-friendly for The Aged: 4 reminder alarms could be set everyday to remind the aged to do a test in time, considerate; the display is larger than most glucose monitors, showing the results more clearly, easier to read for the aged
Do glucose monitoring rings work?
The FDA warns consumers not to use smart rings that claim to measure blood glucose without piercing the skin. Do not treat a product claim as proof that the ring provides a reliable glucose measurement.
How is a CGM different from a non-invasive glucose monitor?
A CGM uses a sensor that pierces the skin to measure glucose. A non-invasive watch or ring claim describes measurement without piercing the skin. FDA distinguishes authorized skin-piercing devices from watches and rings making non-invasive glucose-measurement claims.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteBest Value
- The information below is per-pack only
- HSA/FSA eligible. No prescription needed.
- 24/7 GLUCOSE TRACKING. See your glucose response to food, exercise, sleep, and other lifestyle factors via the Lingo app.
- OPTIMIZE YOUR NUTRITION. Discover which foods work for you and those that don't. The Lingo app shows you how specific meals and other factors impact your glucose, so you can learn from your insights and build healthier habits
- NAVIGATE PREDIABETES WITH A NEW VIEW OF YOU. More time in healthy glucose range is linked to lower diabetes risk. Three out of four users with prediabetes say Lingo was effective in helping to achieve their health goals¹.
Can I use a watch or ring reading to change my diabetes medication?
No. FDA warns that inaccurate readings from non-invasive watch and ring products could contribute to diabetes-management errors, including incorrect medication doses. Use appropriate, authorized monitoring devices as directed and consult your health care professional about treatment decisions.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
