Best Medical Alert Systems of 2024

Why They Made the Cut

Bay Alarm Medical’s systems start at just $24.95 per month with no equipment fees, and even their top-tier packages remain affordable, which is why Bay Alarm once again placed on our list. They offer inexpensive systems for use at home or out on the town. Not only are the prices affordable compared to the competition, but the systems also come packed with top-of-the-line features and value, so you really get the most bang for your buck. Plus, if you want more than one system, you can bundle two for even bigger savings. While there are a few providers that offer in-home systems for a few dollars less per month, Bay Alarm Medical’s inexpensive on-the-go prices and bundles make it the most affordable overall.

Bay Alarm Medical’s SOS Mobile system is sleek, small, and lightweight, so it’s perfect for active users who don’t want to carry around a bulky system. It also comes with a Caregiver Tracking feature, which allows caregivers to pinpoint the location of the wearer, view their location history, and receive low battery notifications. The SOS Smartwatch, the company’s latest system, allows you to track your steps, set daily goals, and connect to their 24/7 monitoring center. It’s excellent for active seniors who want a discreet system that functions like a smartwatch. The in-home unit comes with all the standard features: a base unit, help pendant, and optional fall detection. Plus, you can add wall help buttons to any package.

Why They Made the Cut

This company is always one step ahead when it comes to high-tech, customizable features for medical alert systems. With everything from discreet on-the-go systems to the MyGuardian companion mobile app and desktop portal, Medical Guardian adds flair and versatility that many competitors simply don’t offer. Whether you’re looking for a simple medical alert system or one with all the bells and whistles, Medial Guardian offers five different packages to meet your needs. They have all of the standard features and add-ons, including fall detection, a base station with two-way audio, water-resistant help buttons, and systems built for at-home and on-the-go use. Medical Guardian also offers a lot of deals on its packages throughout the year, so be sure to keep an eye on their website!

Why They Made the Cut

MobileHelp made our list thanks to their Duo alert systems designed specifically for two users. They offer a versatile lineup of medical alert systems designed for both at-home and on-the-go use, whether you need protection for just yourself or for a partner as well. While many companies will require you to pay an extra fee or purchase two separate systems to add a spouse, MobileHelp offers multiple two-in-one systems. That way, you and a spouse or roommate will be covered at one affordable monthly rate. Whether you both spend your days out and about or you’re homebodies, MobileHelp’s Duo plans will keep you protected at all times. MobileHelp also offers a high-tech touchscreen system, MobileHelp Touch. This system is enabled with medication reminders, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities, and other health and safety features for those who need a little more coverage.

Visit our MobileHelp pricing guide to learn more about this provider’s monthly rates and packages.

Why They Made the Cut

ADT is best known for its 150-year history of providing reliable, innovative home security. The company has applied that same standard of excellence to its medical alert systems to protect seniors and their families. Though ADT’s systems are comparable to major competitors, we were most impressed with the professionalism of their monitoring centers which is why they made our list. ADT’s Emergency Response Monitoring Center is U.S.-based, company-owned, company-operated, and monitored 24/7 by senior-sensitivity-trained professionals. In the middle of an emergency, older adults can rest assured they will speak with a top-trained ADT professional.

ADT has a variety of systems, including on-the-go and in-home models and add-on features, such as fall detection and home temperature monitoring. If you already have an ADT home security system, make sure you mention it to your customer representative, as you may be eligible for a discount on an ADT medical alert system.

Why They Made the Cut

You’ve probably heard of Alexa, Amazon’s voice assistant, and you might even have an Alexa-enabled speaker in your home. If you have an Alexa product or are interested in purchasing one, Alexa Together is our top pick for your medical alert needs. Alexa Together offers proven, high-tech protection. Alexa, virtual assistant technology, has been around since 2014. In late 2021, Amazon introduced Alexa Together, a subscription service that protects older adults and enhances communication between caregivers and their older loved ones. Alexa Together can be accessed from any Alexa-enabled device for $19.99 per month. Subscribers can use all of Alexa’s standard voice-activated features, plus several medical alert features. This system is excellent for those with mobility or vision issues, as you can control all features with the sound of your voice.

It is one of the few in-home systems that runs on Bluetooth technology, enabling connection with other smart devices, sensors, and appliances in the home. Using the free Alexa App, caregivers can check the user’s activity, make drop-in calls, monitor connected smart devices, and create customized alerts. Caregivers or subscribers can also set reminders for appointments, medications, and more. Importantly, the system provides 24/7 emergency response via Amazon’s Urgent Response center. Users simply ask Alexa to call for help during an emergency. Alexa Together is also compatible with some third-party fall detection devices for enhanced protection.

Why They Made the Cut

Medical Alert offers one of the industry’s best mobile apps. The ability to track a medical alert subscriber’s whereabouts, emergency calls, and device status adds an extra level of assurance for family members and caregivers. Medical Alert’s mobile app lets the user’s loved ones do just that. With the added peace of mind, you won’t need to check in on your aging loved ones multiple times a day, and they won’t feel like you’re hovering. All you have to do is open the mobile app straight from your smartphone to view their call history and device status, create testing schedules, build an emergency contact list, and check their real-time location. Medical Alert offers other essential features for their at-home and on-the-go systems, including optional fall detection, GPS location tracking, and waterproof help buttons. Plus, setup for every system is as simple as it gets, requiring just one or two plugins. With all of these great features, Medical Alert was an easy top pick. Best of all, Medical Alert’s pricing is hard to beat!

Why They Made the Cut

LifeFone is a top contender, as they offer one of the largest in-home coverage ranges in the industry. It’s essential for older adults to be able to call for help during an emergency, no matter where they are in the house. At 1,400 feet, LifeFone’s range from its base station to wearable help buttons is two or even three times the in-home coverage of many of its competitors. Plus, LifeFone’s signal range is the same for both its cellular and landline systems. Oftentimes, companies offer a larger coverage range for landline systems when compared to their cellular options, which is frustrating for those without a landline. You can enhance your systems even further with automatic fall detection starting at $5 per month, which is very affordable for the industry. LifeFone’s systems have several other great perks that put them on our list, including a caregiver mobile app, features for those with hearing or visual impairments, and up to 16-day battery life for the At-Home & On-the-Go, VIPx system. In addition, they recently added a smartwatch medical alert system to their lineup.

Why They Made the Cut

Lively’s unique senior-friendly phones with built-in medical alert technology put them on our list. One of the main complaints we hear from seniors time and time again is that they don’t want to wear or carry a medical alert device everywhere they go. Lively is one of the only providers that offers cell phones equipped with medical alert features to solve this problem; older adults can stay protected and connected on the go with one simple device designed with their needs in mind.

Subscribers can choose from several health and safety packages to add to their phones. Lively’s monthly cost for these plans depends on the level of medical alert features you want, so it’s easy to find something to fit your budget. These features range from automatic fall detection and 24/7 monitoring to medication reminders and concierge services like a personal operator to call Lyft rides. Or, if you just want a senior-friendly cell phone, you can pay for the phone and a talk, text, and/or data plan without paying for any added medical alert features. Lively’s cell phones run on Verizon’s network, so if you have solid coverage in your area, you’ll be set.

Lively also has a standalone medical alert system for those who don’t want a phone and just want to stay protected. Additionally, they offer their health and safety services for popular devices you might already own like iPhones, Apple Watches, and Alexa-enabled devices.

Why They Made the Cut

Aloe Care Health's systems are ideal for adult children and caregivers who worry about their loved ones living on their own. This medical alert system leverages modern technology to provide ultimate at-home support for independent seniors and their caregivers. Family and friends in the designated Care Circle can see real-time updates on their loved one via the Aloe Care Health app. Viewers can see recent movements in the home, the temperature, air quality, and check-in notes. They can even call their loved one directly through the base station called the Smart Hub.

We love Aloe Care Health’s voice-activated emergency response. If seniors need help and cannot press their care button, they can repeatedly say, “emergency.” Aloe Care Health’s Smart Hub will connect them to an emergency response professional and alert caregivers of the event. The Mobile Companion is a great option for seniors who want fall detection. For even more protection, the Total Care system includes a Smart Fall Sensor and two motion sensors.

Why They Made the Cut

Many seniors equate medical alert systems with one brand — Life Alert. Along with this brand recognition, comes longevity. Life Alert has been selling medical alert systems for 35 years. In short, Life Alert’s standing in the market helps some older adults feel more secure. We do recommend digging a little deeper to determine if Life Alert’s systems are right for you.

Life Alert offers three products; two can be purchased only in conjunction with its at-home base unit. Additionally, the base unit cannot be purchased on its own in most cases. This can get pricey with monthly fees costing between $49.95 and $89.95 per month. To use Life Alert, you will need to sign a three-year contract and pay up to $197 for delivery and installation, something we don’t see with other providers. However, you will not be charged a fee for their equipment, and we were impressed with a few features of the equipment, especially the mobile device’s 10-year battery life. While most on-the-go systems require daily charging, seniors using Life Alert will never need to stop to charge their device!