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After testing and researching 12 medical alert brands, we found the top three worth your time.
To find the best medical alert system for you or your loved one, you need to determine what matters the most to you, whether that’s features, cost, fall detection or more. Medical Guardian earns our recommendation as the top medical alert system thanks to high scores from hands-on testing, user-friendly equipment and fast, accurate alerts.
A medical alert system can provide peace of mind by ensuring loved ones can get help quickly in case of a fall or emergency. This allows them to maintain independence while still having access to assistance when needed.
When considering the best medical alert systems, we prioritized affordability without compromising quality and reliability. Our research considers factors such as pricing plans, equipment costs and subscription fees to ensure families can find a solution that fits their budget while still providing quality protection.
For this article, we analyzed 18 brands and selected 12 for testing based on price, availability and features. We also surveyed 1,000 medical alert users, consulted with geriatricians and caregivers and gathered additional information from trusted third-party sources to evaluate each medical alert system’s performance.
From there, we chose the top three medical alert systems to recommend based on their standout features.
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.
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.
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:
Medical alert systems come with these basic features:
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:
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.
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, MobileHelp and Bay Alarm Medical. 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.
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), excellent customer service (MobileHelp) and a commitment to affordable prices (Bay Alarm Medical). These are well-established companies that offer a range of products and services to meet most people’s needs.
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.
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
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