The Best Smartwatches for Seniors

Testing out the MGMove Watch

Overview

Medical Guardian’s MGMove is a well-rounded smartwatch designed specifically for older adults. It combines 24/7 protection, weather alerts, and health features like step counting. Caregiver monitoring tools are also available. They can be accessed through the MyGuardian web portal and mobile app.

I love that caregivers can send texts to the watch, set reminders for their loved ones about important appointments, and view the wearer’s location data. I was able to set reminders for upcoming appointments through the mobile app and send messages to the watch when my grandma wore it. It made checking in and staying connected with her a breeze! Caregivers can also access the user’s call history and current activity, which is a huge plus.

The MGMove is fairly similar to Bay Alarm Medical’s SOS Smartwatch (the next watch on our list). But, it doesn’t have the option to send texts or set reminders like the Medical Guardian watch does. If you’re looking for a medical alert watch with the latest features, MGMove is a great choice.

During testing, I simply pressed the watch’s SOS button to connect with Medical Guardian’s emergency response center. An agent answered in about 10 seconds and asked what help was needed.

As an added bonus, I found that the watch looks no different from any other “normal” smartwatch; it’s discreet for those who don’t want others to know they’re wearing a medical alert device. MGMove is an excellent option for seniors who want robust protection, and for loved ones looking for ample caregiving features.

Price

While the MGMove isn’t the most expensive smartwatch I’ve come across, it can get pricey if you want all of its best features. The watch has a one-time equipment fee of $199.95, along with a monthly subscription of $39.95. This subscription is what gives you 24/7 access to Medical Guardian’s monitoring center. Though this is typical for medical alert systems, MGMove is a bit pricey compared to similar systems.

You can add fall detection ($10 per month), texts and alerts ($5 per month), and real-time notifications for loved ones during an emergency ($2.99 per month). When you add that all up, MGMove has the most expensive monthly rates on our list. You can also add a protection plan for $6.99 per month. That’s a good option if you put a lot of wear and tear on your mobile devices like I do.

» Learn About: Best medical alert systems in 2024

If you already have a medical alert system, the MGMove may be an added expense that you really don’t need. Moreover, this watch costs roughly $40 more than the Bay Alarm Medical SOS Smartwatch and monthly rates are $5 higher. That said, the MGMove’s health, monitoring, and caregiving features may be worth the cost, depending on your needs. Plus, you can save a few bucks each month if you pay for your system annually rather than monthly — score! You can read our Medical Guardian pricing guide to learn more about getting the best deal with the company.

Battery Life

Low-battery alerts on Medical Guardian’s MGMove

My grandma and I were happy with how easy and fast it was to charge the MGMove. Medical Guardian advertises up to 24 hours of battery life. We found this to be true while testing the watch. My grandma wore it for two days. She regularly used it to set reminders, view the time, check the weather, and test the emergency response features (she got a response in around 10 seconds). She only had to charge the MGMove once during this 48-hour period. The watch let her know when the battery was getting low by beeping and showing low-battery signals on the screen.

Size and Comfort

MGMove’s watch band has a metal pin and clasp

My grandma wasn’t a big fan of the design of the watchband. The band’s metal pin was difficult to adjust. If you have arthritis or struggle to handle precise tasks with your fingers, you might find it frustrating to put the watchband on. My grandma needed my help to ensure the band was secured correctly. Once that was done, she found it light and comfortable to wear. With a little practice, she was able to take it off and put it on herself.

» Learn More: Medical Guardian review

You can order different strap lengths based on your needs and preferences, ranging from 5.25 inches to 7.75 inches. The watch screen has a 1.25-inch diameter, regardless of the strap length. This may be a little small for seniors with vision issues. Fortunately, my grandma had no problem reading the time or seeing the notifications pop up on the screen.

SOS Smartwatch

Overview

Not a big fan of high-tech devices? No problem! I found that the Bay Alarm Medical SOS Smartwatch is simple to use. It doesn’t require pairing with a smartphone, like some smartwatches do. It features large icons with clear images. I knew exactly what to press, whether I wanted to call for help or check the weather. If it’s time to invest in round-the-clock emergency medical monitoring and technology isn’t your thing, a Bay Alarm Medical package is worth considering.

» Learn More: Best medical alert systems with fall detection

Despite its slick styling, this watch isn’t just a fancy emergency button. When I put it to the test, I found a step tracker that monitors daily activity. I also found a GPS tracker that lets caregivers and emergency alert personnel monitor my location. Using the companion mobile app, I could see my daily step count and the device’s exact location when I wore it on a walk through town. This is excellent for loved ones who want to stay in the loop.

Like the Fitbit Versa 4, the SOS Smartwatch doesn’t require smartphone pairing. That means you don’t need a phone to use it. Not all best-in-class medical alert systems for active seniors are phone-free, so that’s a big plus.

Price

The cost for this smartwatch is one of its biggest selling points. At just $159, it’s less expensive than the Galaxy Watch6 and MGMove. The $34.95 subscription fee is also competitively priced. However, this price doesn’t include fall detection. The smartwatch with fall detection costs $44.95 per month. Fall detection is a $10 add-on, which is the industry standard.

» Compare Your Options: Bay Alarm Medical vs. Medical Guardian

The combination of a simple interface and 24/7 emergency assistance is a major bonus. But, the monthly subscription may put the SOS Smartwatch out of your price range. If you’re looking for a smartwatch without a monthly fee, consider an Apple Watch or the Galaxy Watch6. Still, if you’re accident-prone, you live alone, or you have a serious condition that puts you at risk for falls, you may find the peace of mind well worth the investment.

Battery Life

The SOS Smartwatch’s battery life is OK, but it’s definitely not as long as I would have hoped. After fully charging the device, I wore the watch with minimal usage for about 14 hours before the low-battery indicator came on. It still had one or two more hours of usage left, but Bay Alarm Medical advertises up to 18 hours of battery life.

Charging the SOS Smartwatch

Needing to charge the battery more than once per day is a pretty big drawback, especially if this watch is your primary medical alert device. For this reason, I recommend it for seniors who don’t venture away from home (or a charging outlet) often. If battery life is a top priority for you, consider the Samsung Galaxy Watch6 or Fitbit Versa 4, which have 40-hour and six-day battery lives, respectively.

» Related Reading: Bay Alarm Medical review

Size and Comfort

Like the MGMove, the SOS Smartwatch features a smallish 1.25-inch screen. The large, bright icons more than make up for the small size. I held down the emergency button for around five seconds to test it out. I was connected to an operator in 10 seconds. At first, holding the button down felt kind of awkward, since it was on the side of the watch instead of the top. Luckily, I got used to it quickly.

Sizing the SOS Smartwatch band

Like the MGMove, I had to secure a metal pin in place when putting on the watch. That was a little tricky, especially when I was in a hurry. If you struggle with dexterity, you might find this watch a bit difficult to take on and off, but it does get easier with practice.

Alert1 On-the-Go Wrist Watch Medical Alert. Source: Alert1

Overview

If you’re budget conscious and don’t need health reminders, Alert1’s affordable, no-frills packages might make sense for you. Even at the budget price of $179, the Alert1 watch aids your fitness goals by tracking your steps. With seniors’ use of smart gadgets skyrocketing, older adults are spending more time in front of screens than ever before. A little extra help clocking your daily steps may be just what you need to avoid a sedentary lifestyle.

The Alert1 On-the-Go Wrist Watch doesn’t cover any new terrain. But it does give you emergency medical monitoring without any frills to drive up the monthly fee. It’s ready to use right out of the box, without complicated setup or app registration. Alert1 won’t know you as well as the Fitbit Versa 4, which has lots of advanced health features. Still, you’ll have the incentive to stay on top of your daily fitness — and spend less time glued to your devices — with Alert1’s built-in pedometer.

» Stay Active As You Age: Workouts and exercises for seniors

One drawback to this smartwatch is its lack of fall detection. While most medical alert watches didn’t offer fall detection a few years ago, most do now, including the SOS Smartwatch and MGMove. If you’re at a higher risk of falls or want an added layer of protection, this is important to note.

Price

I found that the The On-the-Go Wrist Watch is a middle-of-the-road option when it comes to price. Monthly subscriptions start at $29.95 if you prepay for 10 months (or $38.95 if you choose month to month). All Alert1 devices have a one-time activation fee of $19.95. I’m not a big fan of activation fees, as the other watches on our list don’t have them, so this is something to note.

With a subscription, you get 24/7 access to U.S.-based emergency-response agents. Similar to the other medical alert watches on our list, I held down the help button on the watch for five seconds. A countdown appeared on the screen, letting me know when the call would be placed. Then, after about 30 seconds, I was connected to an operator. The industry average for medical alert system response times is 15 to 45 seconds, so Alert1 falls in the middle of the pack.

» Learn More: Alert1 review

The watch costs $179 upfront. That’s $20 less than the MGMove, and over $200 less than Apple Watch Series 9. This watch’s features are pretty bare bones when compared to more affordable options on our list, like Bay Alarm’s SOS Smartwatch. Plus, you don’t have the option to add fall detection. All in all, Alert1’s watch is best for those who want the simplest watch possible and don’t care about fall detection.

Battery Life

The biggest letdown for me was battery life. Alert1 advertises battery life of up to 24 hours, but that only holds true if you use it to do the bare minimum. My grandma and I found that it didn’t last more than 16 hours without needing a recharge. If you use the watch throughout the day and plug it in when you go to bed, this shouldn’t be a problem. But if you have a hard time remembering to charge your devices regularly (like I do), it’s a drawback.

Size and Comfort

The Alert1 On-the-Go Wrist Watch features a round screen that’s 1.25 inches in diameter. Like the MGMove and SOS Smartwatch, it may not be easy for you to read if you have vision issues. The upside is that it helps keep the watch lightweight. My grandma wore the watch when she took her dog on a walk around the neighborhood. She said it felt light and didn’t get in the way. The watch has a band mechanism that’s similar to the MGMove, so it did take a little time to adjust the band.

Starting a workout on the Fitbit Versa 4

Overview

Fitbits ushered in the mobile health monitoring revolution. They make it easy to see how much exercise we’re actually getting. Fitbits still focus on fitness, but you can now use them as smartwatches, too. As long as I had my smartphone nearby, I could receive and send text messages, take phone calls, and listen to music on Spotify during a run. Or, if I just wanted to track a workout, I didn’t need my phone handy.

One of my favorite things about the Versa 4 is the built-in Amazon Alexa voice assistant. I could send texts, make calls, set alarms, and check the weather, all with the sound of my voice. This is excellent for those who hate to text or have mobility issues.

» Learn More: Best smartphones for seniors

The Fitbit Versa 4 is the second Fitbit with built-in GPS. That means you don’t need your phone to track your fitness stats away from home. I love the watch’s advanced health monitoring; I could track my steps, calories, heart rate, sleep, and blood-oxygen levels. I have an arrhythmia, and the watch even alerted me when I had irregular heart rhythms. This is excellent for catching abnormal readings. You won’t see these advanced features on most medical alert watches, including the SOS Smartwatch or MGMove.

Checking heart rate information on the Fitbit Versa 4

The Versa 4 also gave me a daily “Readiness” score to help me decide if I needed a workout or a nap. I loved this feature because it gave me an excuse to take it easy! If you have trouble catching quality Zs, the Versa 4 also monitors your sleep so you can pinpoint and correct unhealthy patterns.

» Learn More: 2024 Fitbit review

The water-resistant Versa 4 can hold its own against the Apple Watch Series 9, thanks to its long battery life and its slightly larger hi-res display that’s gentle on older eyes. If staying healthy and active are your main concerns, the Versa 4 is a top choice.

Price

At $149.95, the Fitbit Versa 4 is a pretty good bargain. It doesn’t have the emergency alert features of the Apple Watch Series 9 or MGMove. It does, however, offer some of the same health monitoring features as the Alert1 On-the-Go Wrist Watch — without a monthly subscription.

You’ll need to pay for Fitbit premium to get personalized workout recommendations, the daily “Readiness” score, and sleep analysis. New Fitbit devices come with up to six months of Fitbit Premium for free, and it’s only $9.99 per month after that. Those are the cheapest monthly rates on our list!

Battery Life

The battery life on the Fitbit Versa 4 is outstanding. According to the company, it lasts up to six days. We tested it for a week and only had to charge it on the last day. My grandma loved that she could wear it while she slept without putting it on the charger every night. In our eyes, this gives the Fitbit Versa 4 a huge advantage over watches like the Apple Watch Series 9 and Galaxy Watch6. Both have shorter battery lives.

Size and Comfort

Fitbits have always been made to be small, lightweight, and comfortable. The Fitbit Versa 4 is no exception. My grandma liked that she barely felt it on her wrist; it wasn’t cumbersome, even when she was washing her hands or getting ready for bed.

One drawback to note: My skin had a reaction to the original watch band that almost felt like a rug burn. I ordered a new band in a different material; it was easy to switch out the bands and my skin didn’t react to the new one.

Compared to earlier versions, the Versa 4 has a very large screen with a 1.58-inch diameter. This may make it easier to read for many seniors. My grandma and I also preferred the rubber stop band to the metal pin of the Samsung Galaxy Watch6 and MGMove. We found that it was easier to open and close.

My mom using her Apple Watch

Overview

The Apple Watch Series 9 can generate an electrocardiogram (ECG). That may be a nonnegotiable health feature for seniors with heart arrhythmia or heart disease. Few other smartwatches have this potentially lifesaving feature. Similar to the Fitbit Versa 4, you can share the health data collected from your watch with your family or health care provider.

I also really liked that I could use this watch to find my phone. My mom and I even played a little game to test it out, where we each “misplaced” the phone and let the other use the Apple Watch to find it! As soon as either of us got close to the phone, we heard audible feedback to help us zero in on it. If you have an iPhone and frequently misplace it, this could be a very useful feature. However, it won’t help you find your glasses or the TV remote!

» Further reading: Best iPhones for seniors

The Series 9 also has fall detection and a one-tap SOS button that connects with local emergency personnel. My mom could turn these features off or on in the settings, which she liked. If you don’t want to use the screen a lot, the latest Apple watch lets you tap your thumb and index finger to answer calls, open notifications, start or pause music, and much more.

I used Apple’s Health apps directly on the watch without an iPhone. Similar to the Fitbit Versa 4, they include a sleep-quality tracker, a blood-oxygen sensor, fitness options, and a Mindfulness app to log how you’re feeling each day. My mom has been an Apple Watch user for years, and she’s a big fan of all these advanced features.

Checking out the Apple Watch SOS feature

Price

The Apple Watch Series 9 costs $399 or $699 depending on the model you choose. The only real difference between the two is the casing. The cheaper option has an aluminum casing, while the more expensive watch is made of titanium. You can also choose between different sizes that change the price. Opting for the slightly larger watch will cost you an additional $30. We think the less expensive version is strong enough, even for seniors who put a lot of wear and tear on their devices.

The benefit of the Apple Watch Series 9 is that you don’t have to pay a monthly subscription to enjoy the health monitoring. This means you could get pretty much everything the Fitbit Versa 4 offers, without the $9.99 monthly fee.

However, the Apple Watch Series 9 is $250 to $550 more expensive than the Versa 4. It may be hard for some seniors to justify the upfront cost, but the Series 9 does have very robust features. I made phone calls, sent texts, listened to music, and worked out with the watch.

One caveat: If you want to make calls, send texts, or connect to the internet without your phone, you’ll need to add a cellular plan from your phone carrier. These plans usually cost around $10 depending on the carrier, so it’s still fairly affordable compared to medical alert monthly rates.

Battery Life

The Apple Watch Series 9 battery life is decent, especially considering how powerful it is. It features fast processing speeds for a smartwatch and has many useful features like GPS tracking and health monitoring.

The battery lasts up to 18 hours with regular use or up to 36 hours in low-power mode. Low-power mode essentially turns off any connection to your iPhone or Wi-Fi. That means no texts, incoming calls, or internet searches. But, if you just want to use your watch to tell the time and monitor your health, low-power mode is a good way to extend the battery life when you can’t get to the charger.

My mom typically charges her watch overnight when she goes to bed so it’s fully charged for her daily walk each morning. The drawback to this is that she doesn’t get to use the watch’s sleep monitoring features. She sleeps pretty well, so this wasn’t a major concern for her.

Size and Comfort

The Apple Watch has two different sizes to choose from: 41 mm and 45 mm. The screen size of the 45 mm version is 1.7 inches in diameter, while the screen size of the 41 mm version is about 1.5 inches. Either way, you can get a sizable screen that’s easy to read. The screen’s brightness levels are nearly twice as strong as the previous iteration of the Apple Watch. While either size is an improvement on smaller smartwatches like the Alert1 or SOS Smartwatch, I would recommend spending the extra $30 to get the larger screen if you have vision loss.

The screen is also designed to work well in bright sunlight or lowlight environments. My mom noticed this when using her watch in the living room and on her walks.

» Learn About: Smartphone apps and resources for people with vision loss or impairment

The Series 9 has intertwined bands that clasp with an easy-to-use metal nub. This band is an improvement over earlier versions. My mom found it very easy to take on and off, though she did notice that it felt a bit heavier on her wrist than other watches. This was partly because we tested the 45 mm version, which weighs 38.8 grams, compared to the 41 mm version, which only weighs 32 grams.

Samsung Galaxy Watch6. Source: Samsung

Overview

If you’re an Android fan, the Samsung Galaxy Watch6 plays a good second fiddle to the Apple Watch Series 9. Starting at $239.99, the cheaper Galaxy Watch6 can’t go head-to-head with the Series 9’s more advanced internal processing speeds, but it does have ECG monitoring, and it can track steps, heart rate, sleep, and stress levels.

Like the Apple Watch Series 9, the Galaxy Watch6 is equipped with 4G LTE so you can stay connected with texting and voice calling. The Galaxy Watch6 technically pairs with iPhones (while the Apple Watch only pairs with iPhones). In my experience, it works better with Android smartphones.

The Galaxy Watch6 offers MIL-STD-810G protection, perfect for accident-prone seniors. Translated into English, that means it’s extremely durable. Since I’m the queen of dropping and scuffing up my devices, that’s music to my ears! It’s both water- and dust-resistant, and it’s easy to replace the band as needed.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch6 is a solid solution for independent older adults who can still handle emergencies by themselves and want a stylish, intelligent wearable. It doesn’t have as much power under the hood as Apple’s Series 9, but you’ll find fewer apps to juggle and a couple of unique extras. These include the new BIA sensor, which provides readings on body fat, skeletal muscle, body water, and BMI. The Galaxy Watch6 also has fall detection and an SOS button for added peace of mind.

Price

The Galaxy Watch6 is more affordable than the Apple Watch Series 9, even though they offer similar health features and no monthly subscriptions. The 40 mm version costs $239.99, while the 44 mm version costs $269.99. You can also opt for the “Classic” version that’s larger and more durable, starting at $329.99.

If you’re willing to pay more for an advanced smartwatch, I believe the Galaxy Watch6 offers better value than the Apple Watch Series 9. That’s especially true if you want to choose between using it with an iPhone or Android phone. On the other hand, if you’re an iPhone-lover and you’re used to navigating Apple devices, an Apple Watch might suit you better.

Battery Life

With the exception of the Fitbit Versa 4, the Samsung Galaxy Watch6 outperforms every other smartwatch on this list with its 40-hour battery life. It felt like an eternity before I actually had to charge it. In reality, it was around the 32-hour mark that the battery needed to be recharged. The only downside is that the Watch6 is far more powerful than previous versions of Galaxy smartwatches, which reduces its potential battery life. Some previous versions had batteries that could last up to 58 hours on one charge. That said, the Galaxy Watch6 still has an excellent battery. I charged it to 100 percent in under an hour.

Size and Comfort

My grandma and I really liked the design and style of the Galaxy Watch6. We tested the 44 mm version, which has a screen size of 1.5 inches (compared to 1.3 inches on the 40 mm version). My grandma found it easy to wear and use without squinting at the screen. The watch has a traditional watch clasp that was pretty easy for us to adjust. My grandma liked the option to have fabric bands, which isn’t something you see with most smartwatches. Once my grandma figured out the right size and practiced a few times, she didn’t have much difficulty putting it on.