Best Medical Alert Systems Reviews 2024

Welcome to our reviews section of the best medical alert systems for seniors in 2024. As an additional resource, we also provide a comparison chart where you can use to compare side-by-side which system and company best fits your or your parent’s needs.

 

 

Medical Guardian Review

Best Product Designs

 

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Questions? Call toll-free 1-800-311-6142 or visit Medical Guardian’s website

Medical Guardian is the leader amongst a new generation of medical alert companies bringing more unique Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS 2.0) technologies to their customers. They offer newer industry-defining options like their slim profile Mini Guardian pendant, modern in-home cellular Home 2.0 system and MG Move smartwatch.

Beyond their range of premium equipment choices, Medical Guardian also values giving a superior service experience to their customers. Their premium-level experience starts with having a monitoring service that meets high industry standards (UL and TMA Five Diamond). They’ve also developed a slick MyGuardian online portal and app to support a better user experience. Subscribers can view their account information, update billing information, access user guides, and more.

When we tested their proprietary Home 2.0 cellular system, we were impressed by both its external design and convenience features. You can take a look at our emergency activation demonstration here. Watch what happened after we pushed on Home 2.0’s help button.

The technology for in-home medical alert systems has been around for decades. All products primarily act the same way: push a button and connect with a monitoring operator. What Medical Guardian has done is updated a classic product with a next-generation design. The base console is attractive and comes with handy voice assistance technology. Compared to the original Home Guardian, it is more modern-looking, and the system indicators are easier to understand.

If you need coverage beyond the home, they have multiple mobile devices that cater to different needs and budgets. Mini Guardian is one of the smallest and lightest mobile alert button device available. You can see a demonstration of this above. Its good looks, lightweight and extended battery life makes it easy to wear and use everyday. The belt clip presents an alternative way to wear the device or to clip it to your bag.

Medical Guardian is a highly-rated brand in the medical alert industry. Their premium product design, top-grade monitoring, and focus on service sets them apart from other companies. Their website provides a lot of information, and you can contact them at 1-800-311-6142 for assistance.

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LifeFone Review

Best Mobile GPS Choice (VIPx)

 

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Questions? Call toll-free 1-877-352-1292 or visit LifeFone’s Official Website

LifeFone is a long-standing medical alert systems company with over four decades of field experience. Many customers like their friendly and professional approach. They are willing to accept personalized emergency care plan instructions and customize their response to different customer needs.

With LifeFone, you can choose from a top-notch equipment line-up: in-home systems (landline or cellular), mobile GPS devices (AT&T or Verizon, you choose), and an in-home and mobile dual combination system. The equipment will connect subscribers to LifeFone’s 24/7 US-based professional monitoring service.

In 2021, they introduced the VIPx (Voice-in-Pendant x), one of the smallest and lightest GPS pendants you will find. The VIPx offers a petite, polished appearance, fast response times, up to 10 days of battery life, and optional data on like GPS location and first motion daily. This combination of benefits places it above similar competitor offerings in our experience.

They have a smartwatch known as the Safe Watch Active. In our testing, this LifeFone product did well in terms of response time and user-friendliness. Most test calls were answered within the range of 30 to 45 seconds. Based on our first-hand user experience, we found their call routing and answering process consistent and prompt. Their watch was definitely user-friendly for seniors – just charge it and wear it. It did not require any extra programming or syncing.

More recently, in early 2024, they introduced the new At-Home & On-the-Go, VIP flex™ wristband. Instead of wearing a smartwatch, this is a wristband with an SOS button and GPS location tracking capabilities.

Subscribers can add optional features to their package: such as auto fall detection, medication reminders, GPS locations services, daily check-in calls, activity assurance, and more. They offer more service options than other top-tier medical alert companies.

In addition, customers of all their cellular-based plans (ie. mobile GPS or non-landline plans) will receive LifeFone’s text/ email alerts package for free. These helpful features offer added convenience and value.

Overall, LifeFone is a customer-oriented company that offers a personalized emergency care approach, reliable monitoring, and flexible options to meet customer needs. Their new mobile VIPx performed to high standards (great battery life and response times) in our testing. Other pluses include the absence of equipment fees and additional discounts with prepayments. For questions and quotes, please get in touch with them at 1-877-352-1292.

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LifeStation Review

Super-fast Response Time (In-Home Cellular)

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Questions? Call toll-free 1-866-260-2696 or visit LifeStation’s Official Website

LifeStation is a highly reputable and trusted medical alert systems company. As an established industry leader, they have their own in-house US-based monitoring service that meets both stringent UL Listed and TMA Five Diamond certifications. LifeStation’s long-standing commitment to high industry standards offers assurance to subscribers seeking a reliable service.

LifeStation offers 3 main products to cater to different medical alert monitoring needs. They have an in-home system (no landline needed), a mobile GPS button device and a medical alert smartwatch.

In our test of LifeStation’s standard in-home medical alert system, we liked the solid construction of the base communicator unit and indicator lights. You can activate an emergency call directly on the base unit or through a remote activation button. The audio communication worked well. As promised, it was also easy to install. Watch our video review >

Customers can also opt for their newer in-home no-landline-needed system (with a grey-colored base unit). It costs more, but you save on landline costs, and the equipment is fresher. LifeStation’s response times through this cellular in-home unit was very fast when we tested it. The above video demonstrates a test button push we made.

For extended coverage beyond the home, you may want to consider LifeStation’s premium GPS mobile device, Sidekick. It looks stylish and is light in weight (1.5 oz). It felt good wearing the Sidekick, especially compared to bulkier, rectangular pendants. In addition, LifeStation’s monitoring agents answered our test calls promptly and professionally.

Overall, what stands out about LifeStation is that they have combined accredited monitoring with reasonable prices. There’s no equipment to buy (they’ll lend it out to subscribers), no long-term contract requirements, and a 30-day money back guarantee. The company makes it easy for customers to get started and check out their services.

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Bay Alarm Medical Review

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Questions? Call toll-free 1-855-397-9964 or visit Bay Alarm Medical’s website

Bay Alarm Medical is a top-tier medical alert company that offers one of the best values you will find. Their parent company, Bay Alarm, has been in the home alarms business for over 70 years. They understand what it takes to ensure high service quality without bloating up on business cost overheads unnecessarily. Customers benefit from their competitive fees while receiving a high level of service.

Bay Alarm Medical’s standard in-home system features a large red Help button on the base unit to activate an alarm call. Emergency calls can also be activated using a remote control help button. Their product worked well in our testing.

We successfully completed test calls in different scenarios, such as activating a call from a second room and after showering over the waterproof in-home button. They have also demonstrated significant improvement in monitoring response speed for their SOS Home cellular system, based on our repeated testing over multiple time periods from 2021 to 2023. See Review and Test Call video >

Besides their in-home systems, the company presents two mobile GPS choices, including a mobile alert button and a contemporary smartwatch. Whichever the equipment, customers are protected through 24/7 access to Bay Alarm Medical’s US-based monitoring service. This is a service that meets high industry benchmarks like being UL Listed, and TMA Five Diamond certified.

We are impressed by how well they use technology to make the customer experience more convenient. Their website content is well-organized, informative and updated. With medical alert companies, you sometimes have to call in for additional information, but we found Bay Alarm Medical willing and able to remain transparent (and to deliver on their promises). We signed up using the phone and received immediate access to detailed and professional contract terms, an online dashboard account and user guides. While they have kept their prices low, their customer experience is top quality.

Through their online dashboard, Bay Alarm Medical made it clear and convenient for us to update our account and payment information at any time. In addition, we were able to, for free, access system status notes online, and received relevant emails and text update alerts. It’s reassuring to have the extra information at our fingertips, and to know if our or our parent’s system requires further attention.

In 2024, they are more actively promoting GetSafe, which is a niche brand of Bay Alarm Medical that specializes in voice-activated systems. This is an additional choice for senior consumers. Voice activation is a good concept if you can understand the limits of voice range activation.

We have found reliable performance in mainstream Bay Alarm Medical products, such as their SOS Home system and SOS Mobile for on-the-go coverage.

Overall, Bay Alarm Medical is a top medical alert company that offers industry-leading equipment choices, quality monitoring, and online account management for customers. In addition, they have no long-term contract requirements and a 30-day money back guarantee. When you combine all these features with their good value pricing, it’s not hard to see why they are a popular choice.

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MobileHelp Review

Best Value In-Home No Landline Choice

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Questions? Call toll-free 1-800-992-0641 or visit MobileHelp Review

MobileHelp is a leading US mobile personal emergency response systems (MPERS) technologies provider. Based in Florida, they manufacture cellular in-home and mobile medical alert systems that do not require a home phone line to work. Their in-house developed equipment meets FDA’s good manufacturing standards.

Besides serving customers directly, MobileHelp also sells its equipment wholesale to numerous well-recognized medical alert brands. As a result, their equipment may look vaguely familiar. You may have seen it offered through several other companies.

If you are looking for basic in-home coverage, their MobileHelp Classic system (test call in above video) fits the bill. It features an easy-to-use, quality base unit and long-range remote activation button. In addition, no landline or cell phone plan is needed as AT&T cellular coverage comes with the subscription. At $19.95 per month with cellular service included, it is the lowest price for a cellular (no landline needed) system we’ve come across.

In 2021, they introduced their latest and lightest mobile GPS medical alert device – the Micro at 1.8 oz (compare with others). This is an on-the-go button device.

MobileHelp branded systems and plans cover a full range of customer needs. All their medical alert customers will receive access to quality 24/7 emergency monitoring that meets UL and Security Industry Association certification standards.

Last but not least, MobileHelp’s free Connect service is a valuable perk. This is an online dashboard and app. Customers and authorized caregivers can update their contact information, pay bills online, receive GPS information, and set up email or text alerts.

MobileHelp provides a great range of equipment options and quality monitoring at competitive prices. It’s an attractive company to consider if you are technologically savvy or if you no longer have or want to keep a landline. Should you have questions or like a quote for comparison, it’s easy to speak with them at toll-free 1-800-992-0641.

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Lifeline Review

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Lifeline (formerly Philips Lifeline) is regarded by many as the largest senior medical alarm company in the US. They are often one of the first brand names that people hear about through hospitals or healthcare organizations that distribute their product. They are a good company with a trusted product, although they could cost a little more than other best-rated companies. Besides their regular home medical alert, Lifeline offers a GoSafe mobile and home system. The GoSafe2 pendant was meant to be used both in and out of the home, and it can detect if the user has fallen and activate an alarm automatically. After the Lifeline business was sold off to Connect America in 2021, the brand now offers an alternative on-the-go pendant instead of GoSafe2. Read full review >>

 

Alert 1 Medical Alert Review

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Alert 1 started out as a smaller regional medical alert company in the mid-Atlantic area over two decades ago. It has since grown into a recognized national name. They are customer focused in their approach. Their system comes with various add-on accessory options like wall buttons and voice extender boxes that can enhance the overall product experience for customers. They have partnered up with a quality monitoring services company to provide 24/7 emergency medical monitoring for seniors and customers. Read full review >>

 

ADT Medical Alert Review

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ADT is one of the biggest names in the home security industry. Many seniors or their children have chosen ADT as their medical alert services provider because of ADT’s recognized name and expertise in professional monitoring and security. Their medical alert systems can be purchased separately from their other home security products. Consumers are not tied down to long term contracts, and they can choose from a full line of medical alert products. Read full review >>

 

CVS Medical Alert Review

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The CVS medical alert system is supported by Connect America. Although branded CVS, CVS does not manufacture or support the system directly. It is akin to large stores having store branded items that are manufactured by partner firms. Customers will be contacting Connect America for their orders and customer support. It is the same system that Connect America also offers through their own website and other branded websites. Connect America is a well-known name in the elderly medical alarms industry. They offer a flexible month-to-month subscription after an initial 3-month period. For customers who prepay for a year, there is a free month of service included. Read full review >>

 

Connect America Review

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Connect America is one of the bigger nationwide medical alarm companies. They market their products and services through their own brand name as well as through partners like CVS, Liberty Medical and Humana. Users can sign up for their service on a monthly basis without long term contracts. However, they need to stay for 3 months when they start. Price-wise, they are middle of the range. Overall, users can expect a good level of service. Read full review >>

 

Walgreens Ready Response Review

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The Walgreens Ready Response Medical Alert System is supported by Tunstall Americas. Although branded Walgreens Ready Response, it is not actually developed and supported by Walgreens directly. This is similar to the CVS medical alert system, which is also a system endorsed by a big name drugstore brand, but supported by a partner with more experience and focus on the elderly home alert industry. It is a great easy system to get started with, without getting entangled in long term contracts and installation fees. Read full review >>

 

Life Alert Review

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Life Alert is a very well-known company. Starting in the late 80s, their TV ads using the “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!®” catch phrase has popularized them as the go to company for senior medical alarms. In fact, the company name “Life Alert” has become synonymous with the medical alert systems product in general. The company offers a high quality service and operates their own UL certified monitoring center. The system also offer additional options, such as for carbon monoxide and smoke detection monitoring. They do require a 3-year contract to get started. Read full review >>

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Compare Medical Alert Systems Side-by-Side

How to Decide Which Medical Alert System is Best for You

While we have provided you with medical alert system reviews from the best companies in the market, you may still be undecided, which is the best for your particular needs. We have added this supplementary section to answer your questions on medical alert systems. If you are still unsure after this, feel free to contact us here.

Click to Call LifeStation 1-866-260-2696

Types of Medical Alert Systems

Medical alert systems provide the elderly and others the ability to easily reach out for help in case of emergencies. The system user can be connected with a monitoring dispatcher for help at the press of a help button or panic button.

Typically, medical alert systems can be categorized into two types, either for home use or outside use. Which is best will depend on the lifestyle of the user. Some people have both.

In-Home Medical Alert System

In-home medical alert systems either connect through a landline or a cellular connection. If you press the emergency button (neck or wrist button), it will connect you to the call monitoring center by way of a base station.

The base station is ideally placed in a central part of the home for best coverage. The base station includes a microphone and speaker to facilitate ease of communication. If the senior customer spends the majority of their time at home, then this is the most suitable system.

The traditional home landline system is the most affordable and offers the clearest and most reliable connection. They are also simple to install; all you need to do is to plug them into a phone jack and a power outlet.

If there is no landline, it isn’t an issue as plenty of medical alert providers offer in-home cellular-connected systems. These systems are almost identical in look to the in-house landline ones. Cellular-based come with a pre-installed SIM card and cellular network connection. It does not matter whether the system user has a cell phone or not, as the connection works independently of any personal cell phone subscription.

The cellular connection is included in the subscription charges paid to the medical alert company directly. As such, you’ll find that they are slightly more expensive compared to a traditional landline medical alert. You should also test and ensure that your area’s cellular signal strength is strong enough.

Range

The best medical alert systems for in-home use have a range of anywhere from 400 feet to 1,400 feet. Range refers to the maximum distance a help button will still successfully activate an alert through the in-home base station console.

As long as a signal can be sent from the furthest reaches of the subscriber’s residence to the base unit, that is sufficient range coverage. We recommend that subscribers test the range out from the furthest locations at home to make sure it works for them.

A much longer in-home system range than the outer reaches of the residence has little practical use. For people looking for a long-range system that works both in and out of the home, a mobile medical alert system with GPS is recommended instead.

For an in-home system, if the senior subscriber is pushing the help button from a distance outside their homes, it’s unlikely that they will be able to communicate with the monitoring representative. This is because the system’s speaker and microphone are housed in the base console unit placed back at home.

With no verbal communication established, help will be dispatched to the home of the customer, not to the location they pressed their help button from. As such, for a long range system, a mobile medical alert system with GPS is recommended. We will cover that next.

Mobile Medical Alert System

For seniors who spend a lot of time out of their homes, a mobile GPS medical alert system will be more practical. This type of medical alert system makes use of a cellular connection and includes an emergency button and two- way speaker. In terms of functionalities, it is the same as the in-home version but portable.

The GPS allows the monitoring staff to locate a user if the device is switched on and held by the subscriber. With many of the GPS systems on the market now, automatic fall detection is also available as an optional feature. Learn more about mobile GPS systems here.

The drawbacks of a mobile GPS medical alert system are that they are bulkier than in-home medical alert buttons; and that mobile pendants require more frequent charging (similar to owning a cellphone).

Company Reputation

We have reviewed some of the best US medical alert companies in this section, all of which have a company reputation to upkeep. Through the reviews on this site, you will find details related to each company’s background, industry certification standards, BBB ratings, complaints, terms, and more. We hope that by equipping you with such information, you will be able to find a company that fits your expectations best.

If you plan to do further research, you can use our review template as a guide. There are plenty of medical alert system companies serving the market today, with new ones appearing every now and then. It is even possible to put together such a service without adhering to good industry standards. For example, a company could be outsourcing to a call monitoring center that might not be up to scratch and provide low-grade equipment to its customers.

While it isn’t the norm for medical alert system companies, new or old, to be dishonest, it makes sense to choose a business that operates to high standards. This is important when the life of a loved one could be at risk.

Click to Call LifeFone 1-877-352-1292

Purchase Experience

The days of hard-sell and pressure selling are fading away when it comes to medical alert purchasing. With the proliferation of information on the internet, consumers are able to gather information and compare companies without being at the mercy of sales representatives.

You should feel comfortable conversing with the company representative. If the representative appears only interested in getting you to purchase, or are using guilt tactics to pressure you into buying, it’s fine to step back. Allow yourself time to compare and consider your options.

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Call Monitoring Quality

We have briefly alluded to the quality of the call monitoring center when discussing company reputation above. It’s of crucial importance that any emergency call is answered promptly and by a competent staff member. The best medical alert call centers will have professional operators. They are trained to deal with elderly callers and offer the correct response protocol to the emergency at hand.

The best medical alert system companies will ensure fast response times to calls, typically within a minute. The call monitoring center should also be based in the USA and meet specific standards of industry certification.

Check if the call monitoring center is UL listed and TMA (The Monitoring Association) Five Diamond Certified. This ensures that the company has to adhere to very exacting standards that include providing a high level of customer satisfaction and continual training of employees.

Another consideration to take into account when choosing a medical alert system company is whether they manage and operate the call monitoring center themselves or outsource to a third-party.

Some of the best medical alert companies do outsource, and their customers are satisfied with the service provided. However, there is a level of reassurance and commitment shown by those that maintain their own call centers. If an in-house call monitoring center is important to you, it will help narrow down the shortlisted companies.

Medical Alert System Pricing and Terms

Though we can’t put a price on our well-being or the well-being of a family member, most of us have to be careful with our money. Sometimes, it’s hard to understand the costs involved because there are different systems and features. We have a chart that explains the breakdown of the costs involved.

Regrettably, most insurance companies or Medicare won’t cover the cost of medical alert devices. Some providers do have special offers for their basic in-home systems, some offer senior discounts and military discounts. Some also offer discounts for combination packages that bundle different products or accessories. If you have time, consider calling in to check with a representative, they may be have an unadvertised discount offer for you.

Medical alert system subscriptions for an in-home device run between $25 to $35 per month and $30 to $50 for a mobile GPS alert system. With some companies, you can receive extra months of service by paying for a year upfront.

If you just want to test out the service, then month-to-month is probably best, to begin with. There are still medical alert providers who do require that you sign-up to long contracts, and you could be locked into a commitment that you might no longer need.

Other Possible Charges

Most companies do not require long-term contracts, nor will they impose any cancelation charges. Unfortunately, some providers do not offer refunds on any prepaid payments. In those cases, if you’ve paid upfront for 12 months of service and decide to cancel after two or three months, you may not get credited for the unused months.

When cancelling, medical alert companies typically do require the return of any free equipment and accessories that were sent out at the beginning of the purchase. Most companies will require their customers to pay for the return shipping costs.

Further, the equipment and accessories have to be received back in an undamaged condition or an equipment fee could be assessed. This is something to take into consideration before purchasing, especially if your parents are living a distance from you.

To reiterate, it’s essential to understand what terms are in place regarding cancellations, refunds, and contracts before you sign-up with a provider.

Ease of Installation

The very nature of medical alert systems means that they are designed to be as simple to install and as easy to use as possible. A few medical alert companies do provide installation, but it’s not the norm. We suggest that you consider installing it yourself; otherwise, you will be limited to very few providers to choose from.

When you install it yourself, it will take around 5-10 minutes, and in some cases, all that is required is to plug it in and test the alert button. Some customers might still find it a challenge. If, for some reason, you are having difficulties with the installation, reach out to your medical alert provider for further guidance. Most medical alert providers are willing to offer step-by-step installation guidance to customers over the phone.

Need Additional Information?

For additional information on medical alert systems and accessories, check out our medical alert systems guide. If you need additional help after this, please feel free to contact us here.

Click to Call Bay Alarm Medical 1-855-397-9964

In Conclusion

Hopefully, our reviews of the best medical alert systems and guides have saved you time in researching and understanding what medical alert devices are all about. Take time to reflect on the information and consider what fits your or your parent’s needs the most.

Investing in a medical alert system helps to ensure that you or your loved one stays safe when they are alone. It gives you peace of mind that if anything unfortunate does happen, someone is always ready to answer your call for help.

To get started finding a good medical alert system, read reviews of top companies here or access our comparison chart here.

Disclosure: We may receive commissions for purchases or referrals made (details).

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While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained on this site, the information is supplied without warranties of any kind. We advise all readers to do careful due diligence before purchasing. Take time to visit the company’s website or speak with their representatives.