Current basal insulins increase the risk of hypoglycemia when A1c levels approach normoglycemia. Insulin degludec (IDeg) is a new basal insulin that forms soluble multi-hexamers upon injection, resulting in an ultra-long action profile. We analyzed whether IDeg would improve glycemic control and result in less hypoglycemia compared to insulin glargine (IGlar) in T2DM patients in moderately good control at baseline (A1c 7.5–8.5%). Changes in A1c and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) were analyzed with linear models, and rates of hypoglycemia with a negative binomial regression model. Hypoglycemia was defined as self-reported confirmed hypoglycemia (PG <56 mg/dL) or severe episodes requiring assistance; nocturnal confirmed hypoglycemia if onset between 00:01 and 05:59. Analysis included patient level data from all 5 open-labeled randomized treat-to-target phase 3a trials in T2DM in which IDeg (n=930) or IGlar (n=446) were given once daily. A1c decreased from 8.0% at baseline in both groups to 7.0 vs. 6.9% at end of trial for IDeg vs. IGlar, respectively (treatment difference: 0.08; p=0.08). Observed FPG decreased from 9.0 to 6.1 mmol/L for IDeg and from 8.9 to 6.3 mmol/L for IGlar, achieving a significant difference of –0.36 mmol/L; p<0.01. The rate ratio (IDeg/IGlar) of hypoglycemia (0.80; p=0.02) and nocturnal hypoglycemia (0.69; p=0.01) were both statistically significantly lower for IDeg vs. IGlar. In conclusion, T2DM patients with baseline A1c of 7.5–8.5% treated with IDeg showed comparable improvement in A1c, significantly greater reduction in FPG, and significantly lower reductions (by 20%, 31%) in rates of overall and nocturnal hypoglycemia compared to IGlar.