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UnaliWear Kanega Watch Review (2023)

DIY security systems for your smart home

Juliette Siegfried, MPH

In a Nutshell

UnaliWear offers a single medical alert device called the Kanega Watch. This smartwatch-like device provides 24/7 monitoring, fall detection, medication reminders, and GPS tracking. It also connects via cellular and WiFi networks. The Kanega Watch is pricey compared to other medical alert devices, but is stylish and functional.

pros

  • Integrated fall detection
  • Rechargeable battery is easily swapped
  • Stylish and unobtrusive

cons

  • Expensive monthly subscription
  • Doesn’t connect to your smartphone

How Much Does UnaliWear Cost?

If you pay for the Kanega Watch annually, it costs $59.95 per month plus a one-time setup fee of $199. If you pay monthly, it costs $69.95 per month plus a one-time setup fee of $299.

UnaliWear Plans - Packages & Pricing

Product

Monthly Price

Design For

Connection Type

Equipment Fees

Annual Plan

$59.95

At home and on the go

WiFi and cellular

$199

Monthly Plan

$69.95

At home and on the go

WiFi and cellular

$299

UnaliWear Features - Products & Equipment

UnaliWear currently offers only a single medical alert device, the Kanega Watch, a smartwatch-like device that’s worn on your wrist. It uses cellular networks and WiFi to connect to the UnaliWear monitoring center, and includes GPS tracking, so medical responders can determine your location during an emergency.

UnaliWear Medical Alerts Features - Products & Equipment

You can activate an emergency response function using a button on the watch or by using a voice command. The watch also includes fall detection. During an emergency, you can communicate with the UnaliWear monitoring center through a two-way speaker on the Kanega Watch.

The Kanega Watch can be worn 24/7 and doesn’t need to be taken off for charging. Instead, it includes four rechargeable batteries that you can easily swap out. UnaliWear recommends you swap the batteries out for recharging once every day. The watch also has a built-in battery backup that provides 15 minutes of use in case the rechargeable battery dislodges during a fall.

The Kanega Watch doesn’t connect to a smartphone, so it can’t be used to read messages or place calls other than to the UnaliWear monitoring center. However, it does provide medication reminders.

UnaliWear Optional Features & Accessories

UnaliWear offers a replacement watch band and additional lithium-ion batteries for the Kanega Watch. The watch band is available in four sizes (small to extra large) and three colors (gold, black, and rose gold). You can also purchase a replacement battery charger, which offers charging for up to three Kanega Watch batteries simultaneously.

Add-ons

Cost

Features & Functionality

Watch band

$17.95

Available in four sizes and three colors

Replacement battery

$36.95

Can be easily swapped on and off Kanega Watch 

Battery charger

$104.95

Charges up to three batteries at once

UnaliWear Installation & Setup

The Kanega Watch is ready to use straight out of the box, with little-to-no setup required. You should charge the watch battery before using the watch, which takes a few hours. After that, simply insert the battery into the watch to turn it on.

The first time the watch turns on, it will invite you to activate a voice tutorial. Simply press the emergency button on the watch crown to activate the tutorial.

The watch responds to voice commands from the get-go, and you set your voiceprint by saying “Fred Astaire” three times when prompted. You can initiate an emergency call by addressing the watch and then saying “Get help”, or by holding the button on the crown for three seconds. UnaliWear recommends you make a test call when you first receive the watch, and once a month thereafter.

UnaliWear Monitoring Services

UnaliWear provides a single monitoring center in the United States and offers nationwide coverage. Note that the Kanega Watch is configured to work on US cellular networks only, with no coverage outside of the US.

After you initiate an emergency call, dispatchers use the GPS function on your Kanega Watch to determine your location. Your location is known only to those inside the monitoring center, and the GPS only activates when you place an emergency call.

UnaliWear provides the option to file a record of your emergency contacts. You cannot use the Kanega Watch to contact your emergency contacts directly, but dispatchers may reach out to them during an emergency.

Note that UnaliWear’s monitoring center is only available for emergencies. The response team is unable to assist with non-emergency requests, such as questions about an illness or medications.

Is There a UnaliWear App?

UnaliWear hasn’t created a mobile app for the Kanega Watch, but there is an online portal where you can manage your medication reminders and WiFi networks, and sync them to your watch. The portal enables you to add up to seven WiFi networks for your watch to connect to, and up to five daily medication reminder times.

UnaliWear Medical Alerts Features - Mobile App

UnaliWear Contracts - Warranty & Insurance

UnaliWear offers monthly and annual billing options. If you wish to cancel your service, you must return the watch, batteries, and charger. UnaliWear does not offer prorated refunds if you cancel your service before the end of your billing period.

The Kanega Watch comes with a one-year warranty against manufacturing defects. Under this warranty, UnaliWear will repair, replace, or refund your device at the company’s discretion. 

If your watch is lost or damaged, UnaliWear will ask you for a $650 replacement fee. The company doesn’t offer a protection plan. 

UnaliWear Customer Service - Help & Support

UnaliWear provides customer support by phone, email, and live chat between 8am-8pm Monday to Friday (CT). We got in touch by live chat and were connected to a representative within five minutes.

The UnaliWear website includes a quickstart guide and user manual for the Kanega Watch, as well as six short videos that show you how to use your watch, replace the battery, and adjust the watch band for a perfect fit.

How UnaliWear Compares to Other Medical Alerts


UnaliWear

Apple Watch

Lifeline

One Call Alert

Cost of Upfront Equipment

None

From $399

None

None

Monthly Monitoring Fees

$59.95-$69.95

None

$29.95-$49.95

$22.95-$39.95

Activation Fees

$199-$299

None

$50-$99.95

None

Optional Monthly Add-ons

No

No

No

Fall detection

Water-Resistant Devices

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Fall Detection

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes (add-on)

GPS Location Monitoring

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Mobile App

No

Yes

Yes

No

Connection

Cellular, WiFi

Cellular, WiFi

Cellular, WiFi, landline

Cellular, WiFi, landline

Optional Accessories

Watch band, multi-charger, extra batteries

Watch band

None

None

UnaliWear vs Apple Watch

The UnaliWear Kanega Watch bears some resemblance to the Apple Watch, and both provide fall detection. While the Apple Watch doesn’t include a 24/7 monitoring service, it will initiate a direct call to 911 when it detects a fall. The Apple Watch also doesn’t have an emergency button, and the watch must be completely removed for charging.

Overall, the Apple Watch can work as a medical alert device, but it’s designed to be many things rather than a dedicated medical device. This means it isn’t a direct replacement for a dedicated device like the Kanega Watch.

UnaliWear vs Lifeline

Philips Lifeline offers at-home and on-the-go medical alert devices. The monthly fee for the company’s at-home monitoring device is $29.95, making it significantly less expensive than the UnaliWear Kanega Watch.

However, the Lifeline on-the-go device is a button that’s meant to be worn around your neck. It’s less stylish and more easily seen than the Kanega Watch. It offers fall detection, but doesn’t have features like medication reminders.

UnaliWear vs One Call Alert

One Call Alert offers at-home and on-the-go devices at significantly lower monthly rates than the UnaliWear Kanega Watch. There are also no activation fees, though you’ll pay $10 per month extra for a fall detection device.

One Call Alert’s on-the-go devices aren’t as stylish or well hidden as the Kanega Watch, and they don’t offer medication reminders. However, they do offer two-way communication with the monitoring center, and GPS tracking during an emergency.

The Bottom Line

The Kanega Watch from UnaliWear is one of only a few medical alert devices designed to blend in rather than stand out. It looks and functions like a smartwatch, while offering two-way communication with a 24/7 monitoring center. The swappable battery design is also unique, enabling you to keep the device on your wrist 24/7.

While there’s a lot to like about the Kanega Watch, it’s pricier than comparable medical alert devices. Whether it’s worth the cost comes down to whether you value having a medical alert device that doesn’t call attention to itself.

Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns UnaliWear?+-

UnaliWear was founded by Jean Anne Booth, who currently serves as the company’s CEO.

Is UnaliWear legit?+-

UnaliWear makes the Kanega Watch, a medical alert device that offers 24/7 monitoring. UnaliWear has an A+ rating and an average 4.8-star review score with the Better Business Bureau.

How long has UnaliWear been in business?+-

Alder home security is only available with a long-termUnaliWear was founded in 2013. contract, which is usually three or five years in length. In most cases, you will be required to pay 90% of the outstanding balance to cancel your contract before it’s finished. However, this can vary according to the terms of your contract and your situation.

A biomedical writer, editor, and translator with over 30 years of experience. After working as a health communications specialist for the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, and its contractors, Juliette established ServingMed.com, a medical communications business for hospitals, universities, research foundations, and individual health care professionals. Juliette currently manages a small team of writers, editors and translators and serves an expanding medical clientele.

The author of this article has been paid by Natural Intelligence to write this article. Neither the author nor Natural Intelligence provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or your local emergency number immediately.

UnaliWear customer reviews

Based on 15 reviews

Ease of use

Brand satisfaction

Value for money

Service quality

Top Reviews

Ease of use

Brand satisfaction

Value for money

Service quality

9 months ago

UnaliWear was recommended by a very dear colleague. After using it I felt really grateful.

9 months ago

It works immaculately and I recommend everyone to get one because it is literally a lifesaver.

9 months ago

It always keeps me up to date and never fails. It notifies, reminds me, and gives me a different point of view and doctors' opinion.

10 months ago

They are the best in what they do, amazing, and awesome in medical categories.

a year ago

It is very helpful when I am not paying attention to my blood pressure, heart rate, or even when my medical appointments are coming up. I really appreciate how helpful they have been to me in the past.

a year ago

The first all-in-one, voice-controlled smart fall detection watch is designed to keep you connected, independent, active, and safe. It goes everywhere.

a year ago

UnaliWear is a great example of the medical alerts, it lasts a long, long time.

a year ago

I like it because it alerts me as soon as possible, is very easy to use, and helps to keep me safe. I can always carry my watch with me and it also helps save my friends. They also have longer battery life that you can have for the whole day.

9 months ago

It shows you in real-time all your med appointments, registrations, records, hospitals you have attended, and doctors you've seen. It is really specific and fast.

9 months ago

It's of the most importance to have access to medical alerts and unaliwear helps with that.

a year ago

It lets the public be aware of my personal medical concerns in case of an emergency.

a year ago

It has a pretty close interface like other medical alert apps I have used in the past.

a year ago

It's a good idea, which is why I like it so much whenever I have it.

a year ago

It assists me and my whole family. It will send me alerts when I'm not home. It is convenient for my grandparents, financially it's moderately affordable, and it is helpful.

a year ago

It's very comfortable to wear. It also is very simple to learn to use. It makes me feel confident that I'm controlling my health and it's right at my fingertips.

a year ago

It assists me and my whole family. It will send me alerts when I'm not home. It is convenient for my grandparents, financially it's moderately affordable, and it is helpful.

15 reviews
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