Best Medical Alert Watches of 2025, 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. 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, 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 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.

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. 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).

Pricing

The SOS Smartwatch has a one-time $199 equipment fee, making it the same price as the MGMove. While there are a few less expensive smartwatches on the market (like WellBe’s Medical Alert Watch), there are also much pricier ones. 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! 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.

» Also Check Out: The best smartwatches for seniors

We 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. Read our Medical Guardian review to learn more about our experience.

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.

» Dive Deeper: 2025 MGMove review

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!

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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 65 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.

The Apple Watch even connects you to international emergency responders. That’s worth noting — it’s a rare feature. The WellBe Medical Alert Watch, and 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 quick charging.

The Series 10 is packed with health features like EKGs, irregular heartbeat alerts, fall detection, sleep apnea detection, walking steadiness, and emergency calling. It’s the perfect smartwatch for everyday health management. The watch can even detect if you’re in a car accident and will automatically call emergency services.

» 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.

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 $399.99. Some models, such as the “gold Milanese loop” with a titanium case, currently go for $699. 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.

Testing out the Wellbe Medical Alert Watch

The WellBe Medical Alert Watch from HandsFree Health made our list because it offers a lot more than just medical alert protection. The watch helps older adults stay healthy by monitoring heart rate and steps. When used with the company’s Smart Speaker, WellBe can help track your medications, appointments, health insurance benefits, and more! The watch has two-way communication, so you can chat with a trained operator from the device in an emergency.

I was also impressed with WellBe’s commitment to privacy. The company keeps users’ health information safe on a HIPAA-compliant platform. This means you don’t have to worry about your medical information being shared.

Senior-Friendly Features

The WellBe Medical Alert Watch’s sleek design distinguishes it from more “obvious” medical alert watches, like the MGMove. In fact, the WellBe Medical Alert Watch looks and feels a lot like the Apple Watch Series 10, at a fraction of the price. I found the high-resolution LCD screen very clear and responsive. My grandma liked that she could stay protected with a device that has the same look and feel as a smartwatch for “younger folks.”

The WellBe Medical Alert Watch has a strong lithium battery that lasts up to 32 hours during testing. It also has a stellar companion app that makes it easy to manage settings from your phone. I could set reminders, input information about my health, and adjust the settings from the mobile app.

View your schedule in the WellBe app

I will say, I have a pretty small wrist, and the watch felt a little large and bulky. Nonetheless, the WellBe Medical Alert Watch is a great fit for seniors who are a bit more tech-savvy and want a budget-friendly, modern-looking device.

Expert Insights

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

I love that WellBe has medication and appointment reminder features.

Pricing

The Medical Alert Watch costs $159.95, plus WellBe’s subscription fee of $29.95 per month. That’s a little cheaper than Bay Alarm Medical’s SOS Smartwatch, which costs $199 (Note: We’ve noticed Bay Alarm Medical has offered a price break on the SOS in recent months – you can get one for $159.20). Bay Alarm Medical’s monthly fees are higher, however, and if you want fall detection, you’ll need to pay an additional $10 per month (a pretty standard fee among medical alert providers).

» Related Reading: Best medical alert systems with fall detection

Samsung Galaxy Watch 7. Source: Samsung

An estimated 1 million Americans are registered as blind, a figure set to double by 2050.3 So, when using a medical alert watch, poor eyesight could potentially exclude many older adults. That is where the Samsung Galaxy Watch7’s 44-millimeter screen really shines; it’s incredibly bright, so it’s perfect for those with vision loss. 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 10 seconds.

I set 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 felt the Samsung Galaxy Watch7 was easier to use than the Apple Watch Series 10. It was partly because the watch features a back button, a power button, a rotating bezel for menu navigation, and a standard touch screen. 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. That’s particularly true with the WellBe Medical Alert Watch.

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.