Freestyle Reviews 135

freestyle libre 3 plus sensor i have paired with my Ilet pump, the sensors dont scan, wait over an hour says scan error, after about 2 hrs sometimes starts to read glucose, sometimes it doesnt, contacted Abbott told me to just wait, never know if you are going to get a good sensor or not, have to call to get new sensors, I am really disillusioned with these sensors, i will contact my insurance and switch to a more reliable sensor, Freestyle Libre sensors are sketchy at best and dont work well with an Insulin pump, hope other sensors do, im tired of fighting with these.

I've been using the Libre 2 CGM since January 2020 under the supervision of a diabetes clinic. In my experience, only about one in four sensors delivers accurate readings, and the vast majority fail to last the full 14 days as claimed.

As someone who relies on an insulin pump, accurate blood glucose data isn't optional—it's critical for safe and effective insulin delivery. Inaccurate CGM readings put my health at risk.

Since starting a new exercise routine, the device’s performance has deteriorated even further, with discrepancies of up to 40 mg/dL from actual blood glucose levels. That level of inaccuracy is simply unacceptable.

Although the local distributor does replace faulty sensors, the replacement process is slow, inconvenient, and does nothing to address the underlying quality issues.

Let’s be honest: Abbott has already removed this product from the U.S. market and replaced it—twice. Yet they continue to dump these unreliable sensors into international markets, putting patients overseas at risk with technology deemed substandard at home.

This device has become a source of constant frustration, wasted time, and wasted money. As a person managing diabetes, I deserve better—and so does every other patient still stuck using this deeply flawed product.

Sensor not stick properly, filling down with day of usage, no replacement given glue not stick to the skin
Very disappointed
Avoid if you can

As a new user of the Freestyle Libre 2 sensor (1 year), I’ve had both positives and negatives experiences.

1. The Sensor & App:
Pros: Comfortable, accurate readings, customizable alarms.
Cons: No option to switch between EU/US units in the app, sensor often detaches before the promised 14 days (especially during sports), and it disconnects at least twice a day.

2. Abbott Customer Service:
This part truly exceeded my expectations.
After three consecutive sensors detached prematurely, I contacted Abbott’s support (in English, thankfully). The representative was highly competent, walked me through retrieving app data, asked relevant context-specific questions, and promptly arranged for three replacement sensors along with a prepaid envelope to return the faulty ones.

Final thought:
Aside from the underwhelming experience with the delivery service (Zásilkovna, which isn't Abbott’s fault), the customer support I received from Abbott was truly outstanding—far above the usual standard, which is truly appreciated when it comes to medical questions.

One of the sensors came without a needle (a month ago) and a second one lasted only four days (two weeks ago). The company that represents Freestyle in my country still wonders what to do with the defective sensors. After looking closer to what other people have to say about Freestyle and its sensors, everything I had left, ended up in the garbage bin.

Very evasive responses from their "customer service" team. All I wanted to know was whether it's possible to just buy the sensors without buying the more expensive starter pack. It turns out you can, but I only found that out because I bought the more expensive "starter" pack that contains nothing more than two sensors! I tried to get the customer service to answer my question, but after two attempts I gave up and bought the starter pack when I didn't have to.

Unit failed after 3 days. Their customer service line is interesting with reminders of "please don't abuse our staff", which is interesting given it's only a blood glucose monitor. It only took 10 mins to figure out why they make those warnings. In short, if the product fails, they will breach consumer protection laws in Australia and say something like "you can only get this product replaced if you're a type 1 diabetic." And that apparently I should have read this in the sealed enclosed rules in the box. Abbot is well aware this is a breach, and I'll be heading to the ACCC. My unit failed after 3 days. Didn't even get half way to the 14 day life. In short, do NOT buy this product or anything associated with this company. They absolutely do not care about you. I wish I'd found all the reviews before purchasing this product for nearly $140. If I had the chance, I'd give it zero stars. One is way too generous.

I just switched from libra 2 to libra 3 and the first 2 were good but the 3rd one was constantly telling me I was low and the alarm kept going off in the night so I got up and drank to get it up. It still said I was low and there was no way. I called customer service the next day but they would not replace it. If I was paying for these I would be done and I really don't know if I can trust it ever again.

Highly unreliable, I use freestyle 2 Sensor and 2 of my last 3 sensors have stopped working within 2 days of them starting, to get the sensors replaced is not easy.

I am using Freestyle libre 2 ..I had a low blood sugar incident at 330 am.. The alarm woke me up..thank god..i took glucose .then the sensor stopped working said try again in 10 minutes I kept trying every 10 minutes for about 40 minutes..then I replaced the sensor. And it would not start.. now i am in low blood sugar event and aside from being scared , amazed and confused at 445 am ..I then reinstall the app and installed another sensor ..it worked..This device is not reliable called customer support ,they are open only office hours..called back after they open and Was told it was my fault ,and they would only replace one sensor as I should have called them.The fact that they were not open never entered into the mind of the customer service agent..
I used dexcom before had problems but they are open 24 hours a day to help..I switched to this app because one sensor is supposed to last 2 weeks..they have many problems with their application software and the sensors..The sensors and customer care is awfull.
I am switching back to dexcom it's cheaper and works better with better customer service..
Such a disappointment freestyle in every aspect .reliability. function and customer care is awfull.. the agent was talking down to me ..I asked the condescending agent to speak with a supervisor and was told they would call within 24 hours..
I buy these things because I am type one diabetic .low blood sugar is very dangerous and the help i got was beyond cold and no understanding or compassion at all..the agent had only one focos to not replace faulty sensor and told me matter of factly i should wait 2 hours to see if the sensor starts to work again..I'm in a low blood sugar event.diabetic coma or worse is next .no understanding of what a diabetic goes thru .
Make your system work why would I put myself thru that ..interrogation process rather than empathy i was shown blame game ..what a joke for a serious malfunction
So take care with this company..

Using Freestyle libre is so frustrating and the company keep releasing new versions but they never fix he unreliability of the sensors. The sensors keeps prompting the error 'try again in ten minuts' and after 120 hours or more its stil unable to record the bloodsugar. If luck strikes and you do get a bloodsugar reading it is mostly wrong. I do use a compatible phone. Furthermore the sensor falls of when sweating, bathing, swimming sometimes without any other reason than the fact that the glue doesn't stick

I have used Freestyle Libre 2 for many years now and overall I find it a good product BUT last night, my mobile alarm started bleeping 'every 2 minutes'. Meaning a sleepless night for me and my partner.
Too afraid to turn it down, in case of hypos. Today, I rang customer services 4 times 'I was cut off twice, their end'. Their customer service team are a disgrace. I was given a case number to quote and when I did, was quoted the wrong details, than what I previously told them. This is people's lives that they are dealing with.
I still need to call them again but expect to be cut off again (after a long wait). SERIOUSLY NOT HAPPY WITH THE LACK OF CUSTOMER SERVICE.

Not accurate at all always off alram going off saying I was at 64 waking me up out of my sleep go to test I’m at 99 they are garbage

Libre 3 is sooo inaccurate!!! I wasted hundred of dollars using this CGM to land on nothing because it’s been super inaccurate all of this time!!! We’re talking anywhere from 15-20+ points off!!! Dangerous! And as much as they cost they should come with a few sticks to calibrate the device especially since they know how inaccurate their devices are! Least you can do! But no they want you to spend TRIPLE digits on strips over $100 for strips. Ridiculous! and PREDATORY!!!

I am pretty new to libre 3, I have applied 5 sensors with no problem, on the 6th sensor I received a sensor malfunction #of 365 as soon as the initial hour was up. I called Abbott the gentleman I spoke with seemed as new to Abbott as I was he was very hard to understand. The only thing I felt sure of is I felt like he thought I was trying to scam them out of a replacement sensor. So after the frustration of getting nowhere with him I hung up and placed a call to the pharmacy to refill my sensors I will try new order of 6 sensors, but also considering of switching to a different cgm all together this is the first time I have ever felt like a criminal for calling a customer service person with Abbott

Customer service is great. Not so much their product. Since Libre 2, the sensors quite often stop working. Sometimes within 2 hours, sometimes a day short of the 2 weeks it is supposed to last. Nice to get a free sensor when this happens but does not make up for all the reapplications or being without when sensor abruptly stops in the middle of your day.

Sensors fall off within days (same day - 3 days) instead of the promised 14. Keep having to request a free replacement through the website and going without monitoring in the meantime.

It's good that the company is willing to replace them, but it's a lot of effort to turn my life around every time a sensor fails and then do admin to log it, request a new one, and wait for it to arrive.

I am now getting increasingly worried that Freestyle libre will stop replacing them due to the sheer frequency that they fail - at some point it's going to look to the customer service team like I'm untruthful, when the product really is falling off mega early every time.

i think the product needs better adhesive - because its just not doing what it promises :(

I've used several forms of the freestyle and to be sure, the Freestyle 3 is the worst. First of all, your product is only as good as your customer service, and unfortunately, this is a ONE STAR. Recently, my sensor stated that I was going low and startlingly me awake at 1 a.m. in the morning. I felt fine, and checked it against my regular finger glucometer. The freestyle stated I was at 52 and dropping, and my glucometer read 125! This happened 3 nights in a row.
I've had to replace several freestyles and between having a 90 minute conversation with someone who asks you to repeat your answers multiple times, and somewhat of a condescending attitude that I did something wrong, they begrudgingly sent me a replacement. This last time, they sent a replacement, but no box to send back the faulty one. I received a letter from ABBOTT wanting to know where the sensor was!!!
These sensors cost me between 35 to 50 dollars each. Insurance does not pick up the cost because I am not on insulin and oral medication. In as much as I HATE using a finger stick, I've decided to stop using the FREESTYLE. No diabetic can afford faulty reading and then after all of this, waste their time with customer service. This last event was the person telling me he would call me back because the connection was bad. He never called back! I called again only to have to go through the entire senario all over again and then getting cut off. So a faulty system with product and people. Abbott needs to lower the price for those who do want to use it and it makes absolutely no sense to not give diabetics the tools they need to manage this disease of complications. Truly corporate greed.

I occasionally use Abbott Freestyle Libre 2 products and I think they are very good - well manufactured and easy to use. Sensors are quick to put in place and they rarely come off, even if you forget about wearing them and accidentally bash your arm on a doorframe or exfoliate too vigorously in the shower :). HOWEVER, customer service is just shocking. They may as well to employ 5-year-olds. I've contacted Abbott with a question about VAT exemption on medical grounds and advice was to go to my nearest HMRC office! It is really that bad. So overall one star: 4 for the product (refuse to connect to the app occasionally) and minus 5 for the service.

Always get wrong readings, have to eat something thinking I'm low 49-60. then do a finger stick and states i'm high 173. This is causing my A1c to be high.