Medical alert systems foster peace of mind for those at risk of sudden health issues. Bridging the gap between accident and assistance with the simple press of a button, they’re an ideal way to retain independence in the face of medical or mobility risks that could otherwise hinder your freedom.
What were once bulky, grey devices have now become chip-thin pendants and featherweight wristbands that are indiscernible from watches and even jewelry - with plenty of features to help when help is most needed.
Not sure which medical alert to pick? We've put them to the test to find out what makes each stand out. Here are our Top 10 picks for the best medical alert systems for the eldery or anyone who may need extra help.
Medical Guardian offers medical alert systems for use at home and on the go. The company’s devices can connect to cellular networks, WiFi, or a landline, making them flexible for a wide range of users. On-the-go systems are equipped with GPS tracking and offer up to five days of battery life.
There are no upfront costs or activation fees when you purchase a medical alert system from Medical Guardian. The company’s 24/7 monitoring center is certified as a Five Diamond Monitoring Center and provides support even during non-emergency situations. Medical Guardian also offers speedy support by phone, email, and live chat.
MobileHelp offers a wide range of high-quality systems for home and on-the-go use. You get quick access to 24/7 monitoring and medical support by pressing a button on your base station or remote device. Prices are competitive, with no required long-term contracts. All but one of MobileHelp’s systems are cellular, so you don’t need a landline. You can even add a second user for free.
Fall detection is available for only $10 per month. You can also set up medication reminders and alerts for emails or text messages to get automatically sent to a family member or caregiver when you press the help button. You can even opt for MobileVitals coverage so the system can monitor your blood pressure, blood oxygen saturation levels, and more. All in all, MobileHelp is an excellent choice if you are looking for quality and good value for your money.
Medical Alert offers medical alert systems for people who stay at home and for those on the go. The devices work with or without a landline using an existing phone jack or cellular service. The help buttons are waterproof, and the mobile device offers GPS tracking to locate you in an emergency.
You pay no fees for equipment or activation with either type of device. The company has multiple Five Diamond monitoring centers providing 24/7 monitoring across the nation. It provides help during emergency and non-emergency situations. The two-way speaker on the help buttons offers fast responses and the right level of help for the situation.
One Call Alert offers a range of at-home and portable medical alert systems ideal if you’re on a budget or prioritize easy setup. Devices work pretty much out of the box, with no extra fees for installation or equipment use. One Call’s best deal is the Mobile Double plan, which offers two portable medical alert systems with built-in GPS trackers for under $40/month.
The only downside we found with One Call is the lack of professional certifications, such as UL safety and TMA five diamond, which are common throughout the industry. That said, One Call Alert reviews show it is popular with customers, with 4.6/5 stars from over 700 customer ratings on BestCompany.com.
Aloe Care Health offers mobile alert devices for at-home and on-the-go use. The on-the-go device includes automatic fall detection, and all devices connect to a 24/7 monitoring center via 4G cellular networks. All devices include two-way speakers, so you can communicate with the monitoring center during an emergency.
The most unique feature of Aloe Care Health is its free mobile app for iOS and Android. The app enables a team of caregivers to find your location and check in with you via your device’s two-way speaker. Caregivers can leave notes for one another, and even contact the monitoring center if they feel something is wrong during a check-in.
Founded in 1987, Life Alert was one of the first providers of medical alert systems. Its “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up” TV ads quickly became famous and established the company as an industry leader. Life Alert provides systems for use at home and on the go, and its Five Diamond-certified monitoring services are considered excellent.
That said, Life Alert’s prices and startup fees are higher than its competitors’. Also, drawbacks such as long, strictly-enforced contracts and a lack of automatic fall detection may make other systems a better choice.
UnaliWear makes a single medical alert device, the Kanega Watch. This smartwatch-like device connects to a 24/7 monitoring center via cellular and WiFi networks, and includes a GPS so emergency responders can find your location. It also includes automatic fall detection.
The Kanega Watch is somewhat expensive compared to other medical alert devices, and lacks a mobile app or other features you’d expect from a true smartwatch. However, it offers a sleek and modern look that isn’t as noticeable as most other on-the-go medical alert devices.
LifeFone is a long-running company with a solid set of at-home and on-the-go medical monitoring devices. With no upfront fees and solutions that fit any budget, it’s a good choice for anyone looking for a medical alert service.
The monthly price does get less competitive when you consider the mobile caregiver app is only available on the most expensive plan and is an additional optional cost. However, the sleek on-the-go pendants are lightweight and have a long battery life, making them the preferred choice of many seniors.
LifeFone is a long-running company with a solid set of at-home and on-the-go medical monitoring devices. With no upfront fees and solutions that fit any budget, it’s a good choice for anyone looking for a medical alert service.
The monthly price does get less competitive when you consider the mobile caregiver app is only available on the most expensive plan and is an additional optional cost. However, the sleek on-the-go pendants are lightweight and have a long battery life, making them the preferred choice of many seniors.
| Compare the Top Medical Alerts Systems | 1  | 2  | 3  | 4  | 5  | 6  | 7  | 8  | 9  | 10  |
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| Reviews | 156 reviews | 113 reviews | 85 reviews | 14 reviews | Write Review | Write Review | 41 reviews |
