Abbott
Abbott FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus
$245.03Cheaper
Released 2023
Best Continuous Glucose Monitors · head-to-head
Abbott FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus vs Medtronic Guardian 4
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Abbott FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus is cheaper at $245.03. Every spec and price links to its source.
Medtronic
Medtronic Guardian 4
$2478.3
Released 2023-04
Which is better: the Abbott FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus or Medtronic Guardian 4?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The Abbott FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus is the cheaper at $245.03.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices verified at capture; live price may differ.
Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| 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 |
Sources — Abbott FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus: consumerguide.diabetes.org (verified 2026-08-01). Medtronic Guardian 4: consumerguide.diabetes.org (verified 2026-08-01).
What's the difference between the Abbott FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus and Medtronic Guardian 4?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (7 of 8). Matching specs are omitted.
- 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