Tandem Pump Users Share Charging Preferences


In honor of Earth Day we asked 1,456 of our customers how and when they preferred to recharge their pumps. This is what we learned:

Where do Tandem users most frequently charge their pump

Around 80 percent of responders said they most frequently charge their pumps in a wall outlet at home. No real surprises here, except maybe in the ‘other’ category - it turns out many pump users have been using a mobile charging pack the majority of the time so they could charge on the go.

When do Tandem users typically charge their pump

Close to 43 percent of respondents like to disconnect from the pump at their infusion site and charge while they are in the shower. For this question we let respondents mark all answers that apply. Charging before bed seems to be another popular choice among pumpers with 29 percent plugging in before going to bed. For ease of use, the Tandem tech support team recommends charging the pump for a short period of time every day (10–15 minutes) to keep it topped-off. 

At what battery level do Tandem users decide to recharge their pumps

There's a bell curve that would make your college statistics professor happy! It seems most Tandem pump users like to err on the side of caution when it comes to charging – we bet the mobile battery pack charger users out there are proud 90 percenters.

Which power accessories are used by Tandem users

Spare USB cables seem to be handy for at least 60 percent of pumpers. And, although few pump users like to use their car chargers as their primary charging method, close to 40 percent use them at least a couple times a month for a quick recharge.

Every day, Tandem pump users are doing their part to reduce, reuse, and recycle. As the only rechargeable insulin pumps on the market,  Tandem insulin pumps have saved many millions of disposable batteries out of landfills since becoming available in 2012.1  We’re proud to do our small part to help reduce the number of disposable batteries going into our landfills.


Estimation since Aug 31, 2012 assuming 20-day battery life of disposable batteries when used in other insulin pumps. Data on file.

From time to time, we may pass along: suggestions, tips, or information about other Tandem Insulin Pump user experiences or approaches to the management of diabetes. However, please note individual symptoms, situations, circumstances and results may vary. Please consult your physician or qualified health care provider regarding your condition and appropriate medical treatment. Please read the Important Safety Information linked below before using a Tandem Diabetes Care product.

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