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Our experts tested out the best medical alert systems without a landline and narrowed the list down to their top picks.
Linda earned her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Tufts University and has assisted 10,000+ seniors throughout her 25-year career. She specializes in home health care and fall prevention for seniors and has nearly three decades of experience recommending medical alert systems. Her insights have helped inform the reviews and ratings below. Learn More about Linda
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As of June 2020, only 16.5 percent of adults 65 and over reported that they mostly use landline phones, while 10.4 percent reported that they only have a landline.1 If you’re one of the many older adults that have ditched their landline connection in favor of a cellular option, you may be wondering if you can still use an in-home medical alert system. Well, good news: You can! In-home cellular medical alert systems keep you just as safe and independent as landline systems do.
Below, we’ve pared it down to the top five best cellular medical alert systems that don’t require a landline. Keep reading to get the details you need to select the right one for you.
Shopping for a medical alert system can quickly become overwhelming. We get it; there are so many options! We’ve done a lot of comparing to narrow it down for you. To select our top five cellular medical alert systems without a landline, we used a couple of metrics. To make our list, here’s what the systems had to offer customers:
We’ve reviewed Bay Alarm Medical systems several times over the years, and they never fail to impress. The in-home cellular unit has a 32-hour backup battery, a 1,000-foot button-to-base range, and optional fall detection. They do this at a competitive price and one that is especially favorable to spouses or roommates. The in-home cellular system costs $29.95 per month and does have an equipment fee. Even better, there’s no additional monthly fee to add a spouse or roommate to your plan. You’ll just need to purchase an extra wearable help button for a one-time $39 fee.
Bay Alarm Medical also offers an on-the-go cellular unit, a system for use at home and on the go, and a smartwatch system if you spend a lot of time out and about. The company is known for great customer support, reliable equipment, and no long-term contracts. Better yet, Bay Alarm Medical’s prices are some of the lowest in the industry. At-home and on-the-go cellular medical alert systems start at $29.95 (with landline options starting at $24.95) per month.
Our editor Taylor Shuman’s grandma testing out Bay Alarm Medical’s Mobile Help Button
If you’re looking for a reliable, inexpensive cellular medical alert system that doesn’t require a landline, Bay Alarm Medical is a great choice. It doesn’t offer a lot of high-tech features, but if you prefer to keep it simple anyway, that shouldn’t be a problem. The company’s 30-day risk-free trial makes it easy to test out the device to make sure it is right for you.
Call to speak with a Bay Alarm Medical representative. Get your questions answered, products recommended, and ask about current deals and promotions.
Answer a few questions on Bay Alarm Medical's website to get a quote on the best product and plan for you. This process is slower than calling a representative.
Medical Guardian can adjust its products to meet your needs and preferences, which is why it earned a top spot on our list! Fall detection, jewelry pendants, wall-mounted help buttons, and enhanced emergency notifications are options to boost the protection of your Medical Guardian system (well, OK, the jewelry boosts the style!). Unfortunately, these add-ons aren’t free. So, before you select these features, make sure you have the extra room in your budget for them. Medical Guardian’s monthly price for the in-home cellular system is $37.95. If you want a mobile cellular system, prices start at $44.95 per month.
Our Editor Jeff Hoyt testing Mobile Guardian
When we tested out Medical Guardian’s systems, we found them easy to use and appreciated the friendly customer service. Medical Guardian is ideal for seniors who need a cellular medical alert system and want access to features that provide extra protection. Just make sure you live in an area with good AT&T coverage, because the cellular in-home system uses AT&T service. Some of Medical Guardian’s on-the-go systems use Verizon’s network, so you still have options.
Call to speak with a Medical Guardian representative. Get your questions answered, products recommended, and ask about current deals and promotions.
Answer a few questions on Medical Guardian's website to get a quote on the best product and plan for you. This process is slower than calling a representative.
Since an older adult experiences a fall every second,2 it may be a good idea to add automatic fall detection to your cellular medical alert system. LifeFone made our list because it offers some of the lowest-priced fall detection in the industry starting at just $5 per month. The in-home cellular system itself is $30.95 per month, and LifeFone offers a price-lock guarantee, so you won’t have to worry about the price of your service going up in the future.
LifeFone – At Home (Landline or Cellular) Equipment
Older adults who want fall detection could save $5 to $10 per month by going with LifeFone over another provider. In addition to affordable fall detection, it offers valuable perks such as a price-lock guarantee and free spouse monitoring. In our review of LifeFone, we found that it offers discounts to veterans and AARP members, so take advantage of these if you qualify.
FYI: If none of these systems seem right for you, check out this year’s list of the best medical alert systems for a rundown on all the systems reviewed and recommended by our experts.
QMedic uses intelligent activity monitoring to provide helpful insights to caregivers. In addition to offering medical alert protection, QMedic systems monitor the user’s activity patterns, sleep, and compliance with wearing the help button. For caregivers who want to closely monitor their loved one when they’re away, QMedic provides optimal data, which earned it a spot on our list.
QMedic’s pricing is a bit different from its competitors’ models. Though the cellular medical alert system is an affordable $30 per month, the company requires you to pay for a year of service in advance, which comes out to $300 for the-home cellular system. For the mobile cellular option, the price goes up to $400 per year, or $45 on the monthly plan. When we tested QMedic’s system, we found the technology to be worth the upfront cost if you don’t mind prepaying for your service.
Unfortunately, QMedic doesn’t refund customers for unused service after their 30-day trial period, so make sure QMedic is the best fit for your needs first. Caregivers of seniors with mobility issues or dementia may benefit from the activity monitoring, but QMedic doesn’t offer fall detection. If your loved one has a history of falling, see our list of the best medical alert systems with fall detection.
If you’re an older adult who embraces advanced technology, Aloe Care Health is right up your alley. Its Essentials package, powered by 4G service, uses a Smart Hub and help button to provide medical alert protection, motion and temperature monitoring, and check-in calls. This modern technology is why it made our top five. The cost of an Aloe Care Health system is a bit more than competitors’ prices, starting at $149.99 for one-time equipment fees for their Essentials system and $29.99 per month for monitoring service. Prices continue to climb for top-tier packages, but we believe the technology is worth the cost. Aloe Care Health also offers a mobile cellular medical alert system for on-the-go seniors.
My uncle trying out the Aloe Care Health Mobile Companion
Aloe Care Health’s equipment fee and monthly service fees are a bit higher than competitors’, but you’ll benefit from advanced features and technology that other providers simply don’t offer. For seniors who want a reliable cellular medical alert system with all the bells and whistles, an Aloe Care Health system checks that box. Learn more by reading our hands-on review of Aloe Care Health.
Still trying to decide between a landline and cellular in-home system? We’ll look at the advantages and drawbacks of a system without a landline below.
About 64 percent of U.S. adults over the age of 65 have a broadband connection in their home.3 Though the majority of older adults have an internet connection, it isn’t necessary to have one for an in-home or on-the-go cellular medical alert system. This is because a medical alert system without a landline uses cellular coverage (think Verizon or AT&T) to connect you to the emergency monitoring center when you need help. That’s why it’s important to make sure the medical alert provider has good cellular coverage in your area if you are without a landline.
A mobile system (sometimes called an on-the-go or GPS system) provides protection no matter where you are — whether you’re taking a stroll on the beach, hiking, or relaxing by the pool. An in-home system provides protection (you guessed it!) in the home. They both use cellular service to connect you to the monitoring center in an emergency, but an in-home system has a limited range — about 400 to 1,300 feet, depending on the system you purchase.
For homebodies without a landline, an in-home cellular system, like the ones we listed above, will work just fine. But if you’re someone who is active and wants your cellular medical alert system to be as mobile as you are, an on-the-go system is probably more your style. These systems are usually a bit more expensive than in-home systems, but the comprehensive protection they offer is worth the extra bucks, if you ask us. If you’re interested in a mobile system, check out our list of the best GPS medical alert systems.
Linda’s Acclaimed Career in Senior Care Linda Schlenker is a comforting voice for seniors and caregivers across the U.S. For nearly three decades, Linda has helped seniors remain safe in their own homes, while helping them to regain priceless independence and peace… Learn More About Linda Schlenker
Since graduating from Harvard with an honors degree in Statistics, Jeff has been creating content in print, online, and on television. Much of his work has been dedicated to informing seniors on how to live better lives. As Editor-in-Chief of the personal… Learn More About Jeff Hoyt
CDC. (2021). Wireless Substitution: Early Release of Estimates From the National Health Interview Survey, January-June 2020.
CDC. (2021). Injury Prevention & Control.
Pew Research. (2021). Internet/Broadband Fact Sheet.
