1. Bay Alarm Medical: Best overall
Bay Alarm Medical is ideal for people who like to customize products and services. Because most of its devices are add-ons, you can choose to go with a mobile-only plan, stick with at-home monitoring, or mix and match the best of both worlds to meet your needs.
But all of the choices can get confusing—don’t be afraid to ask questions to make sure you end up with the medical alert plan that makes the most sense for you or your family member.
Landline or cellular monitoring Mobile and in-home packages Free spouse coverage 1,000-foot range 30-day risk-free trial Affordable pricing Fall detection that really works
No voice control Extra fee required for mobile app Package offerings that can get confusingBay Alarm Medical alert pricing
Data as of post date. Offers and availability subject to change.
Bay Alarm Medical throws its hat in the ring with a new smartwatch for seniors.
The SOS Smartwatch starts at $179 with monitoring for $24.94/mo.
- One-touch SOS call button
- Two-way communication
- Step counter
- Analog watch face
- 24-hour battery life
Check out Bay Alarm Medical's On the Go products to learn more.
For more details, read our full Bay Alarm Medical review.
2. Aloe Care
Aloe Care is new to us and to the medical alert market, but we're impressed so far. Aloe Care stands out for these features:
- An app and smart hub that encourage caregiver involvement
- Voice-activated emergency response
- Completely optional wearable buttons
- A separate voice-activated hub designed for use in the bathroom, where most falls occur
- Wall-mounted fall detection and motion sensors
Read about our Aloe Care testing experience in our full review.
Professional monitoring Caregiver app Voice activation Voice activation You don't have to wear anything
Equipment fees No à la carte equipment options Late feesAloe care medical alert pricing
Data as of post date. Offers and availability subject to change.
For more details, read our full Aloe Care review.
3. GetSafe: Best value
GetSafe designs its emergency response systems based on the size of your home—if you have more rooms, then you need more emergency buttons. What’s really cool is that your monthly monitoring fee stays the same no matter how many rooms or buttons you have to keep track of.
Landline or cellular options Medical alert tech you don't have to wear Flat monthly monitoring fees 30-day risk-free trial
High up-front cost No multilingual supportGetSafe medical alert pricing
Data as of post date. Offers and availability subject to change.
For more details, read our full GetSafe review.
4. Medical Guardian: Best for customization
If you want a customized medical alert system that meets your specific needs—or those of your loved one—then Medical Guardian probably has a plan that will work for you. Plus, Medical Guardian has the longest range of any system we’ve seen. You’re covered as long as you’re within 1,300 feet of your base unit.
Options for travel, in-home, and active lifestyles Discounts if you pay annually Smartwatch available Home security integration
No trial periodMedical Guardian medical alert pricing
Data as of post date. Offers and availability subject to change.
While the Freedom Guardian is currently out of stock, there's a new model on the horizon.
The Freedom 2.0 smartwatch sports a new heart monitor, Family Circle messaging, and improved appointments and reminders.
For more details, read our full Medical Guardian review.
Medical Guardian will continue monitoring and service as usual. We have not found any other statements concerning shipping delays, workforce reductions, or other changes in service. See the full statement from Medical Guardian.
Some home security brands also offer panic pendants or medical monitoring:
New product alert!
If you have an in-home medical alert system but want some kind of protection when you're out and about, the Noonlight app is a great option. And it won't cost you as much as a full upgrade to your current system.
Noonlight App Basics:
- Free app puts a panic safety button on your cell phone
- 24/7 monitoring to call for help
- Works with other smart devices like Google Home and Amazon Echo
- Upgrade for extra features and protection ($5 or $10/mo.)
How to pick a medical alert system
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to medical alert systems. We all have different needs and risk factors that need to be considered. To help you find your ideal emergency response match, we’ve outlined the different factors you should examine before making a decision.
Specialty settings
Some medical alert systems are designed with specific needs in mind. There are voice-activated alarms for people with dexterity challenges and other medical alerts that use motion detectors to automatically request assistance in the event of a fall.
Two-way communication
Not all medical alert devices offer two-way talk. If the added comfort of speaking with an operator is important to you, choose a medical alert system that has this feature. Two-way communication can be available through the base unit or a help button.
Battery backup
You don’t want to worry about a dead battery when you need help. Make sure the medical alarm system you rely on has battery backup so that it can work even during a power outage.
Range and GPS
Some medical alert buttons will work only in your home, providing coverage for a 600-foot radius on average. If you want to be covered for shopping trips—or even when you’re out in your yard—look for a system with broader range. An alert system that uses GPS can increase mobility and make it easier for emergency services to pinpoint your location when it counts.
Key lockbox
You don’t want emergency responders to show up at your house with no way to get inside. Many medical alert systems offer lockboxes where you can keep a spare key to help emergency personnel get to you as quickly as possible.
Monitoring services
There can be a difference between companies that operate their own monitoring center and those that outsource support to a generalized call center. Companies with their own monitoring centers have faster access to customer records and emergency responders who are specially trained to address the needs of medical alert system clients.
Cost
Many emergency response systems come with monthly service or usage fees in addition to the initial cost of the device. Be sure you understand the monthly cost before committing to a medical alert system—and ask if the company offers any specials or discounts on equipment when you sign up for monthly monitoring. You may also be able to save by paying for your service a year in advance instead of month to month.
With a "no-fee" medical alert device, you only pay for the equipment. There's no monthly monitoring fee because the system doesn't connect to a call center.
Instead, the device calls 911 or a customized number for a friend or family member. They're ideal for people who have a responsive support network nearby.
Professional monitoring is a better choice if your friends and family can't quickly answer the phone (during work hours, for example). A monitor will quickly answer the call, assess the situation, give advice, and take over the task of contacting the right people.
If the "no monitoring, no fee" route makes sense for you or your loved one, check out our FastHelp
review.
Wearable options
Medical alert buttons are typically worn in a wristband or as a pendant around the neck. Which style you choose can be more than a matter of personal preference. Consider the strangulation risk of a neck pendant—although it’s a small risk, it can still be worrisome if you use a walker, wheelchair, or bed guardrails.
Medical alarm system FAQ
Can my medical alert device protect me from COVID-19?
The best way to protect yourself is to stay home, away from large crowds and public places. Your medical alert device contacts the monitoring center and trained professionals to get you help in case of a fall or emergency.
If you start to feel symptoms, you can use the bracelet to call for an ambulance. But we recommend calling a friend, neighbor, or loved one to take you to a medical facility first.
Will my medical alert device still work during the pandemic?
Bay Alarm Medical and Medical Guardian have both released statements saying monitoring centers for both companies will remain functional. Service may vary from company to company, but as long as monitoring centers are up, your device will continue to work normally.
Where can I find updates about COVID-19 and the coronavirus?
Trusted sources like the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) update their websites with tips and news almost daily. Stick to reliable sources like these for the best information.
A medical alert system keeps you connected to help 24/7. If you experience a medical emergency like a fall or heart attack, a medical alert system makes it easy for you to get the help you need. Most medical alarm systems activate at the touch of a button, but others can detect a fall and automatically send out a distress signal.
Once your alert system is activated, you are connected to an operator at a monitoring center who assesses the situation and sends the help you need. Many medical alert systems also contact designated family or friends so you won’t be alone.
In most cases, medical alert systems are not covered by health insurance or Medicare. But you may be able to get some or all of the cost of a medical alert covered by long-term care insurance.
Because long-term care insurance is devoted exclusively to helping people remain in their homes, an alert system may qualify as an in-home care service. As with all medical coverage, it’s best to consult your insurance provider for a definitive answer about whether or not your medical alarm system could be covered.
Every 11 seconds, an adult age 65 or older goes to the emergency room because of a fall. Falls are the number one cause of fatal and nonfatal injury among older Americans, racking up $50 billion in fall-related medical costs in 2015.¹
Falls are one of the most common reasons people consider getting a medical alert system—but they’re not the only reason. Other considerations include getting older, living alone, or living with certain medical conditions such as diabetes. Unfortunately, there’s no perfect answer about when to add a medical alert system to your personal safety plan, but there are a few guidelines that may help.
- First of all, listen to your gut. If you feel the need for an extra lifeline to help, don’t ignore it. Your peace of mind is important, and it shouldn’t be overlooked.
- Other factors that may signal it’s time to look at a medical alert system include changes in mobility, balance, memory, or eyesight.
But your decision doesn’t have to be related to changing health. Medical alarms also make sense for anyone who regularly hikes alone, and they can help keep track of children and others who are prone to wandering.
How we reviewed the best medical alert systems
To pick the best medical emergency alert systems, we used a combination of hands-on experience, customer interviews, online research, and phone calls with medical alert companies. We also dug into industry standards and both expert and customer reviews.
After examining 11 different medical alert systems and products, we identified the top five based on price, reliability, comfort, ease of use, extra features, and customer satisfaction. See our full rankings methodology to learn more.
Related articles on SafeWise
Sources
1. The National Council on Aging, “Get the Facts on Falls Prevention,” July 14, 2021. Accessed October 26, 2021.
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