Dexcom
Dexcom Stelo
$99Cheaper
Released 2024-08
Best Continuous Glucose Monitors · head-to-head
Dexcom Stelo vs Medtronic Guardian 4
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Dexcom Stelo is cheaper at $99. Every spec and price links to its source.
Medtronic
Medtronic Guardian 4
$2478.3
Released 2023-04
Which is better: the Dexcom Stelo or Medtronic Guardian 4?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The Dexcom Stelo is the cheaper at $99.
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Dexcom Stelo | Medtronic Guardian 4 |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $99 | $2478.3 |
| Brand | Dexcom | Medtronic |
| Released | 2024-08 | 2023-04 |
| Wear duration days | 15 | 7 |
| Warmup time hours | 0.5 | 2 |
| Reading interval min | 5 | 5 |
| Water resistance | Waterproof to 8 ft (2.4 m) for 24 hours | Splash-resistant only; not rated for submersion |
| App platform | iOS & Android (Stelo app); syncs with Apple Health and Google Health Connect | iOS & Android (Guardian Connect app); also displays on the MiniMed 780G pump |
| Prescription required | No | Yes |
| Mard accuracy pct | 8.3 | 10.6 |
| Sensor size | 1.1 x 0.9 x 0.2 in | 1.50 x 2.60 x 2.00 in |
Sources — Dexcom Stelo: consumerguide.diabetes.org (verified 2026-08-01). Medtronic Guardian 4: consumerguide.diabetes.org (verified 2026-08-01).
What's the difference between the Dexcom Stelo and Medtronic Guardian 4?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (7 of 8). Matching specs are omitted.
- Wear duration days: Dexcom Stelo 15 vs Medtronic Guardian 4 7
- Warmup time hours: Dexcom Stelo 0.5 vs Medtronic Guardian 4 2
- Water resistance: Dexcom Stelo Waterproof to 8 ft (2.4 m) for 24 hours vs Medtronic Guardian 4 Splash-resistant only; not rated for submersion
- App platform: Dexcom Stelo iOS & Android (Stelo app); syncs with Apple Health and Google Health Connect vs Medtronic Guardian 4 iOS & Android (Guardian Connect app); also displays on the MiniMed 780G pump
- Prescription required: Dexcom Stelo false vs Medtronic Guardian 4 true
- Mard accuracy pct: Dexcom Stelo 8.3 vs Medtronic Guardian 4 10.6
- Sensor size: Dexcom Stelo 1.1 x 0.9 x 0.2 in vs Medtronic Guardian 4 1.50 x 2.60 x 2.00 in