Best Medical Alert Watches of 2026, Tested and Reviewed

Testing out Bay Alarm Medical's SOS Smartwatch

While some seniors might shy away from a smartwatch due to confusing, high-tech features, the SOS Smartwatch is simple and streamlined. I found the watch's design, features, and navigation to be intuitive, plus easy to access and use. They just make sense, even if you've never used a smartwatch.

There are no extra buttons, complex features, or connected mobile apps that could confuse seniors who aren’t tech-savvy. You can navigate the watch with the swipe of a finger, and large icons clearly display what each button does.

» Learn More: Bay Alarm Medical review

Similar to the MGMove, the SOS Smartwatch features step tracking and daily step goals, making it an excellent option for active seniors. The watch also features a built-in speaker, microphone, and GPS tracking. This way, the operator can locate and speak with you quickly during an emergency.

I noticed the SOS Smartwatch and MGMove look nearly identical, and they share similar features. The only notable differences were that the SOS Smartwatch doesn't have a companion mobile app included in the base price, you can't send texts, and it's a bit less expensive. If you're looking for a simple, more affordable watch, I'd recommend the SOS Smartwatch over the MGMove.

Senior-Friendly Features

The Bay Medical Alarm’s SOS Smartwatch has a comfortable and lightweight design, weighing just 1.3 ounces. This smartwatch for seniors does not require a smartphone. For comparison, the Apple Watch Series 10 also weighs about 1.3 ounces, and the MGMove weighs 2 ounces. I found the watch has a simple interface and loud microphone/speaker combo, perfect for those with hearing loss.

When I tested this watch, I enjoyed features like step tracking to stay on track with my daily fitness goals. I also used the watch to get up-to-the-minute weather information in my immediate area, and, of course, the time!

Adjusting the volume on Bay Alarm Medical's SOS Smartwatch

That said, when you compare it to more advanced smartwatches like the Samsung Galaxy Watch7, it's a bit short on features like advanced health tracking and sleep apnea detection. It makes it a better choice for those who want a simple device that can tell time and call for help in an emergency. Since you don't need to pair it with a smartphone, you can even go for a hike or a swim with all the emergency alert features you need on your wrist!

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Similar to the MGMove, all I had to do was hold down the red SOS button on the side of the watch for a few seconds. Then, I was connected to a helpful operator in about 10 seconds (just one second slower than Medical Guardian's response time). The built-in speaker and  microphone were easy to use, and the sound was loud and clear. I didn’t have to strain to hear the emergency response operator who quickly answered when I pushed the SOS button.

By giving it AI capabilities, Bay Alarm has improved the watch’s ability to detect falls and reject false fall alarms. It does this by learning the wearer’s movements over time, so that it can tell the difference between large arm movements and an actual fall. In our testing, we found that the SOS Smartwatch detected falls accurately eight out of 10 times.

This smartwatch provides caregiver tracking through the Bay Alarm Medical app. It lets your caregiver know your current location in real time, as well as your battery level, and location history.

Check out the video below for a closer look at our hands-on review of the SOS Smartwatch.

Pricing

The SOS Smartwatch has a one-time $199 equipment fee, although it often goes on sale for $159.99 or less. In fact, it’s one of the least expensive medical alert watches on the market. In addition to the one-time equipment fee, Bay Alarm Medical's cost for monitoring is $39.95 per month, which is affordable for a medical alert system with GPS.

» Related Reading: Best GPS Medical Alert Systems

If you want extra features such as fall detection or a bundled in-home system, you can upgrade to the Fall Detection Plan ($49.95 per month) or the 360-Degree Bundle ($64.95 per month). Having three plan options is great for seniors who want more flexibility.

Medical Guardian’s MGMove provides freedom for active seniors. Whether you’re on a run, golfing, or doing yoga, this watch offers medical alert protection. I noticed that it’s smaller than the previous Medical Guardian alert watch I tested, the Freedom Guardian. The older model was a bit bulkier and less discreet, so I appreciate these improvements.

MGMove is water-resistant (standard with medical alert watches), so I could wear it in the shower. I really liked having this protection, as many falls occur in the bathroom. 2

Expert Insights

From Linda Schlenker, M.S., M.A., O.T.R.,

It is so important that all these medical alert watches are water-resistant. In my opinion, having fall detection and the ability to wear a medical alert watch in the shower are necessities.

The MGMove even has a “shake to wake” feature. That made it easy to shake my smartwatch into action without pressing any buttons. Another great feature is the texting option, though the messaging features aren’t as advanced as texting with an Apple Watch.

I could only respond to texts on the watch with a few preprogrammed responses or a short audio clip. However, if you’re looking for a quick, basic way to stay in touch without pulling out your cell phone, the MGMove smartwatch is a great option.

Options when you go to send a new message.

Senior-Friendly Features

I tested the MGMove with my grandma, and it passed the senior test with flying colors! I tried out everything from setting up and charging the device, to safely simulating falls. I loved that the watch gave a battery status update when I lifted it out of the charger. It also saves battery power automatically when the wearer isn’t active.

Medical Guardian designed the MGMove to be easy to use, even for those who've never used a smartwatch. Thanks to the large display and easily identifiable icons, my grandma could check the weather, count her steps, and send texts without assistance. We both loved the sleek look of this watch. You’d never know it’s actually a medical alert system!

» Also Check Out: The best smartwatches for seniors

I tested the emergency response feature together by pressing the red SOS button on the side of the watch. There’s also an SOS button on the touchscreen. I appreciated the various options to call for help.

I was connected to a friendly agent in just nine seconds. The average response times for medical alert systems are anywhere from 15 to 45 seconds, so I was definitely impressed. I also tested out the automatic fall detection feature by simulating falls onto the couch. In our testing, the watch correctly detected falls nine out of 10 times.

Pressing in the red SOS button on the side of the MGMove

My grandma really liked the text-to-voice feature, which is called Support Circle Apps. It’s helpful for seniors who have challenges reading small text. The only downside is that you pay $5 more per month just to send texts. Even then, you can only send basic responses or voice messages to those who have the MyGuardian app.

You can learn more about our experience testing the MGMove watch in the video below.

Pricing

The Medical Guardian system is pricey compared to traditional medical alert systems. It costs $199.95, plus $42.95 for monthly monitoring. For comparison, in-home medical alert systems start at around $20 per month, and they typically don't have equipment fees. Still, this is less expensive than Medical Guardian's former smartwatch model, the Freedom Guardian, which cost $249.95. And if you pay quarterly, service costs only $40.95 a month, and paying annually brings the monthly rates down to $38.95.

You’ll pay an additional monthly fee if you want premium features such as OnGuard Alerts. This feature automatically alerts selected contacts in the event of an emergency.

Still, if you prefer a medical alert watch that caters to the needs of seniors, the MGMove may be right for you. When you compare its equipment fee ($199.95) to other smartwatches, such as the Apple Watch Series 10 ($399.99), it’s fairly inexpensive!

» Related Reading: Workouts and exercises for seniors

My mom using her Apple Watch

The Apple Watch is the most famous smartwatch on the market, hands down. In fact, it’s a staple in my family. My mom, grandma, aunt, sister, and cousins all own an Apple Watch!

Despite not billing itself as a medical alert device, the Apple Watch has built-in fall detection at no extra cost. That is pretty rare, as traditional medical alert watches charge an additional monthly fee for fall detection.

Fall detection automatically switches on for wearers over 55 years old (which the watch learns when you enter your birth date during signup). You can also turn the feature on or off in the watch's settings. I found that automatic fall detection reduced  the watch’s battery life, but for seniors or anyone prone to falls, the tradeoff is worth it! Apple Watch is known for its high accuracy fall detection rate.

The Apple Watch even connects you to international emergency responders. That's worth noting — it's a rare feature. Most other U.S.-based medical alert watches don't offer international emergency response. That makes it an excellent option for seniors who love to travel. Plus, the Apple Watch has a health category that lets me monitor my heart rate, activity levels, and sleep patterns. That makes it the most advanced watch on our list!

Expert Insights

From Linda Schlenker, M.S., M.A., O.T.R.,

Many seniors I work with already had an Apple Watch and upgraded to an improved Apple Watch for the additional safety and health features.

Senior-Friendly Features

The Apple Watch Series 10 is lighter and thinner than previous models and comes in a new titanium option for the case. It has the fastest processor, a new speaker, a larger display, the latest sensors, and is also quick charging.

I found that the microphone with voice isolation made communication easier to hear in noisy settings. This can make all the difference  in the event of an emergency or fall, especially if you become disoriented.

The Series 10 is packed with health features like EKGs, irregular heartbeat alerts, fall detection, new breathing disturbance tracking for sleep apnea, walking steadiness, and emergency calling. It's the perfect smartwatch for everyday health management. The apple watch can even detect if you're in a car accident and will automatically call emergency services after initiating a 10-second countdown.

» Learn About: The best iPhones for seniors

My grandma has been an iPhone and Apple Watch user for years, so she has no problem navigating the Apple Watch. She also loves the added protection of automatic fall detection. However, seniors who aren’t Apple users may feel a bit overwhelmed by all of the apps and features. For instance, when my mom first got her watch, she was worried about clicking the wrong thing. She often didn’t know how to access features like heart rate without assistance.

A friend of my mom’s who does water aerobics regularly was gifted an Apple Watch 10 by her sister, because it is water resistant up to 50 meters. This type of protection is valuable for active seniors who love to swim.

Pricing

There are several Apple Watch models to choose from, and you can often find older or refurbished models on sale. The Apple Watch Series 10 currently costs $399. Some models, such as the “gold Milanese loop” with a titanium case, currently go for $749. You’ll also pay a monthly fee for a cellular plan if you don’t have an iPhone. These plans can vary in price by cellular provider, but they typically cost $10 per month.

With the Apple Watch’s multitude of features, this is a very affordable monthly price. While you’ll be paying a few hundred dollars more upfront compared to other smartwatches, the monthly fees are lower than those of traditional medical alert systems.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 7. Source: Samsung

An estimated 6 million Americans have vision loss.3 So, when using a medical alert watch, poor eyesight could potentially exclude many older adults. That is where the Samsung Galaxy Watch7's updated Super AMOLED screen really shines; it's incredibly bright, so it's perfect for those with vision loss, or low night vision. In testing, I found that I could also easily access accessibility features for vision, hearing, and text-to-speech functionality.

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I could use the built-in voice assistant to read aloud the current time, notifications, text messages, and on-screen menu items. This feature is essential for individuals who have difficulty seeing small icons or text on a smartwatch. This watch even has a setting to tell you the time via vibrations!

» Learn More: Smartphone apps and resources for people with vision loss

Like the Apple Watch Series 10, the Samsung Galaxy Watch7 has built-in fall detection. This watch doesn’t contact emergency services by default. Instead, it will automatically text your preselected emergency contacts if it detects a hard fall and you don’t respond for 60 seconds.

Upon detecting a hard fall, or receiving five home button presses, the watch will initiate a countdown period that includes vibration and an alarm sound. This will give you lots of time to cancel a false alarm, should it occur. During testing, the Galaxy Watch7 correctly detected our simulated falls eight out of 10 times.

I set up multiple emergency contacts and had the Galaxy Watch7 automatically share my location and send a text asking for help. Even if you don't fall, you can still contact emergency services manually by swiping right on the SOS icon.

Senior-Friendly Features

During testing, I found the Samsung Galaxy Watch7 slightly more complex to use than the Apple Watch Series 10. I did, however, love the step count tracker on the watch face, which let me keep track of my own activity level without having to push any buttons. Tech-savvy seniors will enjoy this watch’s special features, like the user’s daily energy score, earned fitness badges, and suggested text replies, despite the additional complexity.

The watch features a powerful new 3nm processor and a BioActive Sensor that tracks heart rate and sleep patterns with improved accuracy over previous models. I had very few issues choosing different apps, checking out the health monitoring features, or sending and receiving texts.

However, getting used to the vision accessibility features was a bit more complicated. Once they were enabled, I struggled to get the swiping right. I sometimes couldn’t understand the voice assistant’s speech, as it can read through menu items very quickly. The Galaxy Watch7 is still pretty easy to use for an advanced smartwatch, just know that some hearing and vision loss features come with a learning curve.

Pricing

While the Samsung Galaxy Watch7 is an advanced smartwatch like the Apple Watch Series 10, it’s a lot cheaper at $299.99. It’s still more expensive than traditional medical alert watches, though.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch7 can operate on its own if you purchase a standalone mobile plan through a carrier like T-Mobile. Alternatively, you can connect it via Bluetooth to a smartphone and use your existing plan. However, to ensure that you’re safe with or without your phone, I recommend spending a little more to get a data plan just for your Samsung watch.