Best Medical Alert Systems of 2024
- Our Top Pick: Medical Guardian
- Best Price: Bay Alarm Medical
- Best Customer Service: MobileHelp
Comparison of the Best Medical Alert Systems of 2024
Score (out of 10)
Starting price (in-home cellular)
Starting price (on-the-go)
Fall detection add-on
Equipment fees
Free spouse monitoring
Smartwatch option
Trial period/money-back guarantee
Warranty
9.3
$29.95/mo
$34.95/mo.
$10/mo.
Yes, mobile products
Yes
Yes
30 days
$2.95/mo.
Best Medical Alert Systems – Full List
Medical Guardian
Best Variety
Why We Chose
Medical Guardian is our top pick for medical alert systems for its industry-leading in-home range (1,400 feet), free lifetime warranty and for high scores during our hands-on testing. No other medical alert company can match Medical Guardian’s offering.
Features
Rating: 9.8/10
In-home range: 1,400 ft. (MGHome Cellular), 1,300 ft. (MGClassic)
4G LTE cellular network: AT&T
Purchase or lease: Lease (MGClassic), purchase (all other products)
Price lock guarantee: No
Trial period: None
Warranty: Free lifetime warranty against manufacturer defects
Pros & Cons
Pros Small, lightweight mobile devices Numerous accessories Excellent caregiver resources Free spouse coverage Cons Monthly accessory and add-on fees
Additional Information
Medical Guardian products are reliable, fairly priced and supported by friendly customer service representatives. The new MGMini is the company’s smallest mobile medical alert system and introduces inactivity alerts for caregivers — a fail-safe feature that prompts someone to check in even if the user hasn’t pressed the emergency button or triggered the device’s automatic fall detection sensors. We see that kind of innovation virtually every year with Medical Guardian, which helps the company stay at the top of our list.
The MGMove medical alert smartwatch is another example of the brand’s ingenuity, as it’s the only device of its kind to allow family members and other caregivers to message their loved ones through a medical alert watch.
To learn more about the company’s full range of products, services and features, read our full Medical Guardian review.
Best Overall
Bay Alarm Medical
Best Price
Why We Chose
Bay Alarm Medical is our “Best Price” pick for people wanting to balance average costs with above-average features. The icing on the cake is a free price lock guarantee, which keeps your monthly costs consistent for a year even if Bay Alarm Medical raises its prices for new customers.
Features
Rating: 9.3/10
In-home range: 1,000 ft.
4G LTE cellular network: AT&T or Verizon
Purchase or lease: Lease (in-home systems), purchase (mobile systems)
Price lock guarantee: Yes
Trial period: 30 days
Warranty: $2.95 per month
Pros & Cons
Pros Free spouse monitoring Fall detection Smartwatch option Unique accessories Cons Shorter in-home range than other brands Shorter mobile battery life than other brands
Additional Information
Bay Alarm Medical company sells mobile and in-home medical alert systems and a variety of accessories, such as wall buttons, extra wearable buttons for you or your spouse, colorful wristband button holders and necklace button charms. Each of these costs a one-time fee, whereas other companies charge a monthly fee for similar accessories — a more expensive pricing structure in the long run.
The brand’s products are high-quality and work well but have a shorter range (1,000 feet) and battery life compared with Medical Guardian.
MobileHelp
Best Customer Service
Why We Chose
MobileHelp is our pick for best customer service because it has the highest customer ratings in the industry at 4.8 stars on both the Better Business Bureau and Trustpilot. Customers report friendly and helpful interactions with sales and customer service representatives, and the company has fewer complaints related to cancellation difficulties compared to most other brands.
Features
Rating: 9.5/10
In-home range: 150 ft. (Touch Classic), 600 ft. (Wired Home), 1,400 ft. (Classic)
4G LTE cellular network: AT&T
Purchase or lease: Lease
Price lock guarantee: For two years only with MobileHelp Connect Premium ($6/mo.)
Trial period: 30 days
Warranty: MobileHelp Connect Premium ($6/mo.)
Pros & Cons
Pros Diverse product line Industry’s most affordable in-home system Fall detection Medication reminders No upfront fees Cons Products haven’t been updated in several years No smartwatch No free spouse coverage
Additional Information
MobileHelp leases all of its equipment to customers, so you don’t have to contend with any upfront fees. That said, subscription costs can add up quickly with optional services like medication reminders, activity tracking and location tracking.
We haven’t seen MobileHelp release any new products in the last few years, but it does sell a unique tablet-like in-home system called the Touch Classic that doubles as a digital photo frame, game console and messaging center. The tablet also includes reminders, educational materials and vitals tracking for additional fees.
What Is a Medical Alert System?
A medical alert system is used by people with health or safety concerns to quickly request help during a medical emergency or home security breach. Medical alert devices are also called personal emergency response systems (PERS) and have been shown to improve quality of life in older adults by promoting independence. Medical alert systems also reduce hospitalization rates by summoning timely care.
Medical alert systems work by connecting users to a call center within a quick response time window after they press a button. The call center (also called a monitoring center) keeps personal and health information on file for each of its customers, allowing them to give an individualized response. Depending on the situation, the monitoring center representatives can call caregivers, loved ones or emergency services.
The advantage of having a monitoring center representative call 911 on your behalf is that they can speak calmly and clearly at all times, whereas you might be unable to breathe, think clearly or stay calm. They can also give 911 dispatchers important details such as your exact address or GPS location, a lockbox code to get a key to your house, relevant medical history and hospital or care preferences. They can even call family members to let them know an emergency is in progress. Plus, pushing an alert button is often easier than dialing 911 on a cell phone, especially since the button is often kept in easy reach on a necklace or wristband.
How Much Does a Medical Alert System Cost?
Medical alert systems cost around $20 a month for a basic landline device and $30 a month for an in-home cellular system. A mobile medical alert typically costs $40 a month and up. These monthly fees cover the cost of monitoring services and GPS tracking (if applicable). Most medical alert companies charge an extra $10 per month for optional fall detection services.
Adding other services (like a daily check-in call from the monitoring center) and accessories (like wall buttons) to your account usually increases the monthly cost, but offerings vary from brand to brand.
Aside from monthly fees, some companies also charge upfront fees to cover the cost of equipment, activation and shipping. Others lease the equipment to you and waive activation fees and shipping charges, leaving you with zero upfront costs. Typically, you can expect to pay between $50 and $350 in equipment fees, about $50 for activation and $15 to $20 for shipping.
How to Save Money on a Medical Alert System
There are multiple ways to save money on a medical alert system, from seasonal sales to comparison shopping. Start by assessing your needs. A basic plan with essential features like emergency assistance and a home base station are often less expensive than one with advanced options like GPS tracking or fall detection. That said, you may need those advanced options. You’ll also want to compare pricing and features to ensure you get the best value.
Consider the following options when looking for ways to save on medical alert systems:
- Medicaid: Check with your Medicaid state insurance provider to see if they cover any medical alert system costs.
- Medicare: If you have Medicare C, some plans may include coverage for medical alert systems. Check with your provider.
- Health insurance: Depending on the policy, private or employer-provided insurance plans may partially or fully cover the cost of medical alert systems.
- HSA/FSA: You can use health savings accounts (HSA) or flexible spending accounts (FSA) to pay for medical alert systems with pre-tax dollars, providing potential savings.
- Seasonal sales: Medical alert system providers may offer promotions and discounts during major holidays.
- Discounts: If you’re an AARP member or a veteran, you may be able to get a discount on a medical alert system.
Common Features of Medical Alert Systems
Medical alert systems come with these basic features:
- 24/7 access to a professional monitoring center
- Backup battery in case of power outage
- Button to push when help is needed — it can be on the base unit, on a wearable device or on the wall
- Choice of necklace or wristband buttons
- Two-way communication in base station or mobile device
- Waterproof or water-resistant buttons
- Caregiver portal or mobile app for account and device management
- GPS tracking in mobile device
- Automatic fall detection (costs extra)
Although these medical alert system features are less common, you may want to consider them if touch-screens are challenging for you or if you find reminders helpful:
- Voice-activated help buttons
- Inactivity alerts
- Medication reminders
How to Choose the Best Medical Alert System for You
Start by choosing the type of system that matches your activity level outside the home. If you spend most of your time at home and usually have someone accompanying you when you go out, an in-home system is a more affordable solution.
If you are more independent and active outside the home, a mobile or on-the-go medical alert system can provide more peace of mind. These portable devices use GPS technology so emergency responders know where exactly to find you. Make sure the mobile device uses a 4G LTE cellular network (AT&T or Verizon) that’s available in your area. It’s also important to select an on-the-go medical alert device with a good mobile battery life.
Next, decide if you want fall detection, which allows the device to automatically call the monitoring center if you fall and can’t push the button. Most medical alert systems offer fall detection, but this feature may not be available in medical alert smartwatches.
Identify any other must-have features you would like to have in a medical alert system, like a mobile app that sends instant notifications to loved ones when you place an emergency call. Uncommon options like voice activation will significantly narrow your choices. Don’t forget to include company policies like a 30-day money-back guarantee, free warranty, no long-term contracts, no cancellation fees and prorated refunds.
Once you’ve found suitable devices from reputable medical alert system brands like the three we recommend, compare each company’s upfront and monthly prices to find the system that fits your budget.
Review Methodology
To review the best medical alert systems, we selected 12 reputable brands, compared policies and features, mystery shopped through websites and tested devices. We found three brands that stood out from the crowd: Medical Guardian, Bay Alarm Medical and MobileHelp. Other brands we tested include ADT, Alert1, Aloe Care Health, Amazon Alexa Together, Apple Watch, Life Alert, LifeFone and LifeStation.
We also consulted eight experts in the field of aging and surveyed 1,000 people to make sure our tests and comparisons focused on the features that matter most to real users. Based on this research, we created six categories worth 10 points each. To learn more about these categories and how we calculate the final brand scores, visit our methodology page.
The Bottom Line
Consider several key factors when selecting the best medical alert system for your needs. Easy-to-use systems can benefit older adults or those with limited technological proficiency.
Dependable 24/7 monitoring services are essential, ensuring immediate response in emergencies.
Customizable features, such as fall detection and GPS tracking, add an extra layer of security.
Transparent pricing models and responsive customer support are also crucial. By prioritizing these aspects, you can select a medical alert system that prioritizes safety, peace of mind and user-friendliness.
More than 25 medical alert companies want your business, but they all offer similar equipment and features at nearly identical prices.
Three brands deserve your attention thanks to overall performance (Medical Guardian), a commitment to affordable prices (Bay Alarm Medical) and excellent customer service (MobileHelp). These are well-established companies that offer a range of products and services to meet most people’s needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Medical Guardian makes the most advanced and up-to-date medical alert systems on the market, making them our top choice overall.
They offer a free lifetime warranty on their devices, ensuring long-term reliability without additional costs. Plus, the devices are lightweight, making them easy to wear for around-the-clock safety. Users can select from various accessories to tailor the system to their lifestyle.
Additionally, Medical Guardian provides free coverage for one housemate, doubling the value and protection without doubling the price. They also support caregivers with valuable resources, enhancing the overall care experience.
Most notably, Medical Guardian boasts an industry-leading range of 1,400 feet for in-home systems, which helps provide peace of mind. These combined features make Medical Guardian a comprehensive, user-friendly and cost-effective choice.
Original Medicare, also known as Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B, does not pay for medical alert systems. Check your Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan for possible medical alert coverage.
AARP members get a 15% discount off Lifeline medical alert systems. However, all Lifeline products are on the expensive side compared to brands like Bay Alarm Medical. You may save more money by purchasing a system through a different company than by using the AARP discount.
No, medical alert systems don’t require an Ethernet connection or Wi-Fi. With the exception of landline systems, medical alert devices use a cellular connection to transmit data to the monitoring station and caregiver app.
People with dementia may benefit from wearing a mobile medical alert system with GPS tracking, which can help locate them if they become lost or wander from home. However, memory challenges may cause them to remove the device or forget how to use it during an emergency. A device like AngelSense has more features for people with dementia than a traditional medical alert system.
While many companies do charge a monthly fee for medical alert systems, in addition to an equipment fee, some brands offer one-time purchases that do not include the extra monthly fees. These options have limited features, though, and do not offer 24/7 monitoring center access. Instead, you will be directly connected to 911 or your emergency contacts when faced with an emergency.
Resources
BMC Health Services Research, Healthcare Utilization in Older Patients Using Personal Emergency Response Systems: An Analysis of Electronic Health Records and Medical Alert Data
The American Journal of Emergency Medicine, Utility of a Medical Alert Protection System compared to telephone follow-up only for home-alone elderly presenting to the ED
If you have questions about this page, please reach out to our editors at editors@marketwatchguides.com.
Cathy HabasWriter
Cathy Habas is a writer specializing in medical alert systems, hearing aids and other health-related topics. Her work has appeared on sites like the National Council on Aging (NCOA), Everyday Health, HelpGuide and SafeWise.
Amber SnowMedical Reviewer
Amber Snow, MSN, APRN, AGPCNP-C, is a medical reviewer based in Burlington, Vt. She combines her 11 years of experience as a board-certified Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner with her passion for providing holistic care to older adults and their families.
