Best Medical Alert Systems of 2020

Why They Made the Cut

Medical Guardian’s industry-leading smartwatch helped to place them at the very top of our rankings. This company is always one step ahead when it comes to high-tech, customizable features for medical alert systems. With everything from activity sensors to a companion mobile app, 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 seven 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, waterproof help buttons, and systems built for at-home and outside use.

Why They Made the Cut

Bay Alarm Medical’s systems start at just $19.95 per month, and even their top-tier packages remain affordable, which is why Bay Alarm once again placed in our top ten. They offer inexpensive systems for use at home, out on the town, and even in the car. 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. Each package comes in different tiers that vary in price and features, so you can choose as little or as much coverage as you want. The flexibility to customize your packages makes Bay Alarm a great option for any budget. Plus, if you want more than one system, you can bundle two for even bigger savings.

Bay Alarm Medical’s unique in-car system pairs with a mobile app, so users, family members, and caregivers can keep track of the user’s location and receive instant notifications in case of a car crash. Not only is it useful for older drivers, but it’s also perfect for young drivers who are just learning the ropes. Bay Alarm’s mobile GPS help button is sleek, small, and lightweight, so it’s perfect for active users who don’t want to carry around a bulky system. 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

LifeFone is a top ten contender, as they offer one of the largest in-home coverage ranges in the industry. It’s essential that older adults will be able to call for help during an emergency, no matter where they are in the house. At 1,300 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 in-home systems even further with automatic fall detection for just $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 a 30-day battery life for the GPS Voice in Necklace system.

Why They Made the Cut

Philips Lifeline’s parent company, Philips, is a leading provider in the health technology sector, producing everything from hearing aids to toothbrushes, which is why they made our top ten list. As the very first company to offer a medical alert system in North America, Philips Lifeline has nearly 50 years of industry experience protecting seniors that simply can’t be beaten. Philips Lifeline offers systems for both in-home and on-the-go use with all of the essential features, like waterproof help buttons and a two-way communicator that connects to their 24/7 monitoring center. Plus, the HomeSafe with AutoAlert system comes with built-in fall detection, so you don’t have to purchase it as an add-on feature. The peace of mind and assurance that comes with this health technology leader makes it a mainstay in the industry and one of our top picks.

Why They Made the Cut

GreatCall’s unique senior-friendly phones with built-in medical alert technology put them at number four 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. GreatCall 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, which offer varying levels of medical alert features at different price points, so you can find something to fit your budget. These features range from standard ones like 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. GreatCall’s cell phones run on Verizon’s network, so if you have solid coverage in your area you’ll be set. GreatCall also offers a standalone medical alert system for those who don’t want a phone and just want to stay protected. These customizable packages, high-tech features, and senior-friendly phones made GreatCall a no-brainer for our top ten.

Why They Made the Cut

MobileHelp made our top ten thanks to their Duo alert systems designed specifically for two users at one inexpensive rate. 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 touch screen system, MobileHelp Touch, enabled with medication reminders, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities, and other health and safety features for those who need a little more coverage. They really have it all when it comes to equipment options and features.v

Why They Made the Cut

Alert1 offers the most extensive language support we’ve seen, with support for 190 different languages, and that’s why they made this year’s list. For the millions of Americans who primarily speak a language other than English at home, speaking with an operator in their native language during an emergency adds extra peace of mind and takes away some of the tension from an already stressful situation. When you sign up for Alert1, you’ll be able to set up your preferred language. From then on, whenever you press the help button on your pendant or base station, a live operator speaking your language will be there to send the help you need.

In addition to being an industry leader in language support, Alert1 also offers affordable at-home and mobile alert system options. You’ll receive major discounts if you pay for your system quarterly and annually or bundle two systems together, and the company is always offering some sort of promotion to waive fees and reduce rates. If you’re looking for a reliable on-the-go system, Alert1’s Kelsi: On-the-Go mobile help pendant has a battery life of 30 days, which is much longer than many other options in the industry. With high-quality equipment, top-notch language support, and great deals, it’s no wonder Alert1 made our list.

Why They Made the Cut

QMedic is a top ten finalist because they offer advanced, high-tech activity and compliance monitoring with every package. For seniors with serious health conditions or families and caregivers who want to keep an extra close eye on them, activity tracking is a great feature. QMedic tracks the user’s behavior, and if their activity or sleeping patterns are abnormal, real-time alerts will be sent to their loved ones via the Caregiver Dashboard and mobile app. Whether they’ve been in bed for an unusual amount of time or have been inactive throughout the day, QMedic will be there to notify the right people and send whatever help is needed through their 24/7 monitoring center. The technology can even detect when a subscriber isn’t wearing their alert system. Family members can also check in on the user’s activity and call history at any time. This level of activity monitoring that proactively learns from the user provides a whole new level of peace of mind for seniors and their families alike.

QMedic currently doesn’t offer automatic fall detection for their at-home or mobile systems, because their founder believes that the technology isn’t accurate enough and leads to too many false alarms. While we normally recommend fall detection, QMedic’s activity and compliance monitoring with real-time alerts are a solid replacement.

Why They Made the Cut

Medical Alert offers one of the industry’s best mobile apps, making it a top ten provider. Being able 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 feel the 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 the user’s 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 ten pick.

Why They Made the Cut

LifeStation’s high-tech smart home features made them a top ten finalist. Their systems can be paired with any Alexa-enabled device. All you have to do is ask Alexa “where’s mom?” and she’ll give you the subscriber’s location in real-time. If you love your smart home tech or you just want to be able to quickly locate your older family members, this feature makes staying in the loop a breeze. You can also text LifeStation for the wearer’s location when you’re not home, and you’ll be sent the user’s exact location pinpointed on a map. LifeStation offers other advanced features to make your life a bit easier, including a partnership with Uber Health. If the user is unable to drive, they can ask a LifeStation operator to call them an Uber. Whether they need to get to a doctor’s appointment or pick up a prescription, subscribers can use this feature at any time.

For those who aren’t that interested in these extra bells and whistles, don’t worry! LifeStation’s systems still offer all of the standard, essential features like a powerful two-way speaker, waterproof help buttons, fall detection, and mobile options.