# Abbott FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus vs Medtronic Guardian 4: specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the Abbott FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus (Abbott) and Medtronic Guardian 4 (Medtronic) among continuous glucose monitors. Abbott FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus is the cheaper of the two at $245.03.

## Side by side

| Spec | Abbott FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus | Medtronic Guardian 4 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $245.03 | $2478.3 |
| Brand | Abbott | Medtronic |
| Released | 2023 | 2023-04 |
| Wear duration days | 15 | 7 |
| Warmup time hours | 1 | 2 |
| Reading interval min | 1 | 5 |
| Water resistance | Water-resistant to 3 ft (1 m) for up to 30 min | Splash-resistant only; not rated for submersion |
| App platform | iOS & Android (FreeStyle Libre 3 app / LibreLink) | iOS & Android (Guardian Connect app); also displays on the MiniMed 780G pump |
| Prescription required | Yes | Yes |
| Mard accuracy pct | 8.9 | 10.6 |
| Sensor size | 0.11 in height x 0.83 in diameter | 1.50 x 2.60 x 2.00 in |

## Key differences

- Wear duration days: Abbott FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus 15 vs Medtronic Guardian 4 7
- Warmup time hours: Abbott FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus 1 vs Medtronic Guardian 4 2
- Reading interval min: Abbott FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus 1 vs Medtronic Guardian 4 5
- Water resistance: Abbott FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus Water-resistant to 3 ft (1 m) for up to 30 min vs Medtronic Guardian 4 Splash-resistant only; not rated for submersion
- App platform: Abbott FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus iOS & Android (FreeStyle Libre 3 app / LibreLink) vs Medtronic Guardian 4 iOS & Android (Guardian Connect app); also displays on the MiniMed 780G pump
- Mard accuracy pct: Abbott FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus 8.9 vs Medtronic Guardian 4 10.6
- Sensor size: Abbott FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus 0.11 in height x 0.83 in diameter vs Medtronic Guardian 4 1.50 x 2.60 x 2.00 in

## Sources

- Abbott FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus: https://consumerguide.diabetes.org/products/abbott-freestyle-libre-3 (consumerguide.diabetes.org, verified 2026-08-01)
- Medtronic Guardian 4: https://consumerguide.diabetes.org/products/cgms/guardian-4-sensor-guardian-4-transmitter (consumerguide.diabetes.org, verified 2026-08-01)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/continuous-glucose-monitors/abbott-freestyle-libre-3-plus-vs-medtronic-guardian-4/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, Abbott FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus ($245.03) vs Medtronic Guardian 4 ($2478.3) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/continuous-glucose-monitors/abbott-freestyle-libre-3-plus-vs-medtronic-guardian-4/
License: CC BY 4.0.
