Dexcom sends free patches, so the obvious question is: why would you pay for an overlay patch Dexcom already provides for nothing? It’s a fair thing to ask, and you deserve a straight answer.
In this article I want to give you a clear, honest breakdown of what the free patch offers, where it hits its ceiling, and a quick diagnostic to figure out which side of that line you’re actually on.
What are Dexcom’s free overpatches
Dexcom’s free overpatches are small adhesive patches that sit over the top of your G6 or G7 sensor, reinforcing the original adhesive backing. You can request them at no cost directly through Dexcom’s website or customer support line, it takes about five minutes and they typically ship within a few business days in the US.
The G7 overpatch is a cutout design, which means it sits around the base of the device and fits to cover about 3 to 4 mm of that section, rather than over the top of it. Sizing is accurate, it’s designed specifically for the G7, so it fits the shape without any trimming. Application is mostly straightforward, with maybe a little trial and error the first time to get it sitting right. But here’s what I’ve always noticed with the performance of what I would call cut-out patches: they give a little bit of protection by holding on to the base G7 section, but you don’t really get too much of a sense of whether or not the performance is going to be particularly strong. The truth really comes after a few days, and then is particularly telling around days 8 and 9 if they last that long.
What Dexcom’s overpatch actually does well
For a significant portion of Dexcom users, the free patch does exactly what’s needed. It extends wear, prevents early edge peeling, and fits the sensor footprint precisely. No trimming, no guesswork.
The free patch wins clearly on cost and convenience. The question isn’t whether it works, it’s whether it works for your life specifically.
Where the free Dexcom patch hits its limit and why
Honestly, when it comes to what I hear out there in the community, it’s always relative, because there’s awareness of other patches on the market. Most people who are using the free Dexcom patch will have had exposure to other Dexcom stickers options, like Not Just a Patch. I can’t really actually remember anyone saying they really liked the Dexcom free patch. Again, it’s relative, right? It’s always a comparison. I’m sure that if there was no other patch on the market, then these would be more highly regarded .
Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on which side of the fence you sit on, over the years, and maybe because it’s who they’re talking to (me, Pete Lomas) and being a part of this patch community, I honestly haven’t had anyone say that they really like the Dexcom free patch. So the most consistent common feedback I’m getting is that it just doesn’t stick long enough, it doesn’t stick well enough, the edges raise up too early. Simply just doesn’t quite cut the mustard. And CGM wearers need confidence. They need to be confident that if they’re putting a patch on, it’s going to do the job and it’s going to protect them, whether it’s 10 days, whether it’s 15 days, whether it’s 21 days. This is the most consistent comment that I get about the Dexcom G7 free patches.
Free Dexcom patches vs third-party patches
Here’s the honest comparison between the Dexcom free patches and third-party patches:
| Feature | Dexcom free patch | Third-party patch (e.g. Not Just a Patch) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Paid |
| Application | Simple, pre-cut | Simple, pre-cut |
| Adhesive strength | Moderate | Higher |
| Water resistance | Moderate | Higher (sport-specific options available) |
| Sweat resistance | Moderate | Higher |
| Design options | Clear/neutral | Multiple colors and patterns |
| Sensitive skin options | Limited | Purpose-made variants available |
There’s also a structural limitation worth understanding, one that goes beyond adhesive strength. The Dexcom free overpatch is a cutout design, which means it doesn’t actually cover the G7 itself. It holds onto about 3 mm of material at the base of the device. That’s the fundamental constraint of all cutout patches, and it matters more than people realize:
The biggest challenge with the Dexcom free patch that comes with the device is that it doesn’t cover the G7 itself, it sits around the base and holds on to about 3 mm of that section. That’s a limitation of all cutout patches, and it’s actually one of the reasons we were slow to introduce a cutout range at Not Just a Patch. I’ve heard from people who say that with the Dexcom free cutout patch, they’ll still bump the device off if they’re running into a door frame or something like that. Whereas with a proper over patch that covers the whole device, like Not Just a Patch, it gives more protection and significantly decreases the chances that it’s going to be bumped off. There’s a real difference between holding the base and protecting the whole sensor.
There’s one more nuance worth being fair about. Dexcom has a history with skin reactions, particularly in earlier devices like the G6 and G5. They appear to have largely addressed this with the G7, and one reasonable reading of the lighter adhesive choice is that Dexcom may be deliberately erring on the side of caution: a gentler adhesive means fewer skin reactions, even if it sacrifices some hold. That’s not a bad trade-off for many users and it’s worth knowing when you’re evaluating your own experience with the patch.
The mechanical reason for the performance gap between free Dexcom patches and third-party patches comes down to adhesive chemistry and material construction. Sweat is the most common culprit, when moisture works its way under the sensor’s original adhesive backing, the Dexcom free overpatch on top starts lifting too, because it can’t compensate for a bond that’s already broken underneath. Water immersion accelerates this further.
Third-party patches built for dynamic wear use medical-grade adhesives specifically selected for skin-contact use under moisture and movement. They’re also commonly made with breathable materials that allow moisture vapor to escape, keeping the skin drier, and the adhesive bond more stable across a full wear period. Not Just a Patch is FDA registered and certified as a Class I medical device accessory in Europe, which means the materials and manufacturing meet regulatory standards you can rely on when choosing what goes on your skin for 10 consecutive days.
When to stay with the free Dexcom overpatch
If any of the following describes you, there’s a real chance the free patch is all you need:
- Your sensor rarely falls before day 7
- You sweat lightly in daily life
- You don’t swim regularly or do sustained water activity
- You don’t exercise at moderate-high intensity most days
When to upgrade to a Dexcom third-party patch
You should upgrade to a third-party patch if:
- Your sensor is peeling or falling before day seven despite already using the Dexcom overpatch
- You sweat heavily from sport, heat, or naturally oily skin
- You swim, surf, or spend extended time in water
- You train at high intensity regularly
- You or your child has had skin reactions to the standard Dexcom adhesive, in which case our guide to the best CGM patches for sensitive skin is the right next step
- You want design options
That last point matters more than it might seem. Here’s the honest reason why, and it comes from the brand-level difference between what Dexcom does and what Not Just a Patch does:
Think about an Apple iPhone. Apple spends their days making a better iPhone. They spend very little time thinking about how to make a better iPhone case. That analogy runs true in the CGM market. Dexcom, Abbott, Medtronic – they make CGMs. They’re a diabetes technology company and that’s where their focus belongs. Whilst CGM devices hold impressively, and I’ll always compliment any manufacturer on what they’ve achieved, because these devices are genuinely life-changing for anyone with T1D or T2D, Dexcom aren’t sitting at their desks thinking about how to make a better patch. Whereas at Not Just a Patch, that’s all we do.
We now have around 140 SKUs: air material, non-woven microfibre, cotton spandex, clear PU, with size ranges, non-stick backing options, and our cutout range. As a registered manufacturer with the FDA and European regulators, we work constantly to make patches that suit different people with different needs: different adhesive formulations for stronger hold or less skin reaction, different materials for breathability or water resistance, different designs for people who want to be discreet and people who want to wear their CGM loud and proud.
CGM wearers wear these things on their body for the world to see. There is an aesthetic component to that. Some people want to diminish. Some people want to hide. Some people want to express. From the person who wants a tan patch to disappear into their skin, to the person who wants a big, bright pink or purple patch that says “Hey, I’ve got T1D, I wear a CGM, and I’m proud”, we have something for both of them, and everyone in between. That’s what 140 SKUs of dedicated focus makes possible.
If you’re still not sure which camp you’re in, the right move is to try the free Dexcom patch first. If you’re not losing sensors, you have your answer. Our guide on how to make your CGM stay longer covers additional technique regardless of which patch you use.
