Updated August 18, 2021
Medical Guardian Alert System
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Medical Guardian is a longtime leader in the medical alert industry with a diverse product lineup that includes at-home systems, on-the-go units, and a smartwatch. We give the company high ratings for versatile systems, reliable monitoring services, and excellent customer care. With prices starting at $29.95 per month, you'll find that Medical Guardian is slightly pricier compared to the competition, but, fortunately, they won't require you to commit to a long-term contract – unlike other providers we've reviewed, like Life Alert.
Below, we'll break down the costs and value of Medical Guardian's products and plans, as well as our opinions on what to avoid, to help you make an educated decision when it comes time to purchase a medical alert system for yourself or a loved one.
At-A-Glance: What You Need to Know About Medical Guardian
- Landline and cellular options
- Cellular coverage through AT&T or Verizon network
- 24/7 professional monitoring included in all packages
- U.S.-based monitoring centers
- No long-term contracts
- Waterproof, wearable pendants
- Discounts available for annual payment plans
- No hidden fees
- Customizable packages to fit most lifestyles
- Lifetime Warranty
The Fast Facts: Medical Guardian’s Packages & Pricing
| Product | Monthly prices | Monthly prices with annual plan | Designed for | Connection type | Equipment fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classic Guardian | $29.95 per month | $27.45 | At home | Landline | No |
| Home Guardian | $34.95 per month | $32.04 | At home | Cellular | No |
| Mini Guardian | $39.95 per month | $36.62 | On the go | Cellular | $124.95 |
| Active Guardian | $44.95 per month | 41.20 | On the go | Cellular | No |
| Mobile 2.0 | $39.95 per month | $36.62 | On the go | Cellular | $124.95 |
| Freedom 2.0 | $49.95 per month | $49.95 | On the go | Cellular | $174.95 |
A Closer Look at Medical Guardian’s Systems and Value
As seen above, Medical Guardian provides a diversified lineup of systems at various price points. You'll pay anywhere from $29.95 to $49.95 per month when you choose a month-to-month plan. You can save a few bucks a month if you pay for your system annually.
Money-saver Alert: To cut down your overall costs, you can pay for Medical Guardian's systems annually to save up to $45 a year. If you cancel your service before the year is up, you'll receive a prorated refund.
Unlike other companies we’ve reviewed, including Lively, Medical Guardian doesn't charge activation fees for their systems. When comparing prices with other brands, it is always important to include these extra fees in your cost analysis.
It is also important to take note of any useful, no-cost extras. In the case of Medical Guardian, one additional free service that we really like is MyGuardian, a customer care portal and app. It allows you to manage all of your billing, health and safety information in one place.
Pro Tip: Medical Guardian and Lively are two of the top players in the medical alert industry. For a side-by-side look at these providers, visit our Medical Guardian vs. Lively comparison guide.
Classic Guardian
Classic Guardian
At $29.95 per month, Classic Guardian is Medical Guardian's lowest-priced package. If you live in an area with poor cell reception or you're on a tight budget, we'd recommend Classic Guardian. This is the company's only landline option, and it's designed for in-home use. The system comes with a base station and a waterproof, wearable help pendant. You can call for help by pressing the button on the base station or pendant, and Medical Guardian's monitoring center will be there to help in under a minute. Use the two-way talk feature to let them know what you need. We're big fans of the system's long in-home range of up to 1,300 feet and the 32-hour backup battery.
Home Guardian
Editor Jeff Hoyt testing Home Guardian
Attention homebodies! Home Guardian is ideal for seniors who spend most of their time, you guessed it, at home. It's similar to Classic Guardian, except it costs $34.95 per month ($5 more). The only difference between the two systems is that Home Guardian's base station looks slightly different and runs on AT&T's cellular service rather than a landline. We'd recommend going with Classic Guardian if you want the lowest rates possible.
Pro Tip: Want to boost your coverage range? Medical Guardian offers Wall Help Buttons for $2.99 per month. They can be placed around the home, and depending on the system you choose, it could give you up to 2,000 feet of coverage in the house.
Home Guardian's base station comes with a 72-hour backup battery; an LED screen displaying the date, time, and temperature; and a two-way talk speaker. The coverage range from the base station is reduced significantly at 600 feet, compared to the Classic Guardian. So, if you have a large home, you might want to stick with the Classic Guardian or one of the mobile options below.
Mini Guardian
Mini Guardian – One of Medical Guardian’s affordable systems for seniors aging in place
Mini Guardian, priced at $39.95 per month, is a recent addition to Medical Guardian’s lineup. For those who don’t want a bulky mobile system, this is the best solution. The Mini comes with built-in GPS, cellular, and WiFi technology, so you can take it with you anywhere and stay protected. This all-in-one mobile device weighs just over 1 ounce and is about half the width of their traditional GPS options, so it’s discreet and sleek. We’d recommend Mini Guardian for minimalists. Plus, the Mini is one of Medical Guardian’s least expensive mobile options, so it’s good for those on a budget. Just keep in mind that there is a one-time $124.95 equipment fee.
Active Guardian
Editor Jeff Hoyt testing Active Guardian
Active Guardian costs $44.95 per month, making it one of Medical Guardian's most expensive devices. It's also a bit pricier than similar mobile options from other companies. For instance, Bay Alarm Medical's prices for on-the-go systems start at $29.95 per month. However, this on-the-go system does not come with an equipment fee.
This system comes with a portable unit equipped with mobile features – like advanced GPS, WiFi, and LTE location tracking– that provide the user around-the-clock protection both at home and on the go. Though it's a bit bulky, the waterproof device can be worn around your neck, as it's lightweight and has a built-in two-way speaker and help button. The monitoring center can send help to your exact location, even if you don't know where you are.
Mobile 2.0
Editor Jeff Hoyt testing Mobile 2.0
Priced at $39.95 per month, Mobile 2.0 is another cellular device with advanced GPS tracking designed for those who spend time away from home. Mobile 2.0 comes with a small portable base station that easily fits in a purse or pocket, along with a wearable help pendant. As long as the pendant is within 500 feet of the device, you'll be covered, whether you're making a grocery run or sprucing up the garden.
This option is more discreet than Active Guardian, as the Mobile 2.0 was recently updated, so it is smaller and less bulky than the original Mobile Guardian. Also, a help button is available in both necklace and watch form. If you choose to use the help buttons on the go, you will need to remember to bring two pieces of equipment every time you leave the house instead of one.
Freedom 2.0
Freedom 2.0
If you love daily jogs around the neighborhood or taking long bike rides, Freedom 2.0 might be your best bet. It’s a medical alert smartwatch with an easy-to-read touch screen, weather notifications, a help button, and a voice texting feature. On top of the monthly price of $49.95, Freedom 2.0 also has an equipment fee of $174.95. However, in our latest Freedom 2.0 review, we found that the value definitely matches the price.
FYI: Medical Guardian recently launched Freedom 2.0, an upgraded version of Freedom Guardian. The smartwatch is available for preorder on the provider's website.
Costs for Medical Guardian Add-Ons
| Add-On Equipment | Costs | Features and Functionality |
|---|---|---|
| Wall-Mounted Button | $2.99 per month | – Indoor help button with up to 2,000-foot range – Wirelessly connects to the monitoring center |
| Additional Alert Pendants | $2.99 per month for each pendant | – Water-resistant – Bracelet or necklace options |
| Entryway Key Lockbox | $2.99 per month | – Allows first responders to access your home during an emergency when you can’t get to the door |
| Voice-Activated Wall-Mounted Button | $5 per month | – Calls the monitoring center hands free with just your voice – Features a call button and help pull cord |
| Fall Alert Pendant | $10 per month | – Detects falls automatically – Calls for help even if the alert button isn’t pressed |
| Jewelry Alert Pendant | $2.99 per month | – Stylish designs – Discrete help button connects to monitoring center 24/7 |
| OnGuard Alerts | $2.99 per month | – Real-time text messages and emails sent to Care Circle in the event of an emergency |
| Protection Plan | $6.99 per month | – Replaces damaged equipment and provides unlimited free battery replacements |
How to Get the Best Deal with Medical Guardian
To get the most bang for your buck, we recommend going with the annual payment option. In this year's Medical Guardian review, we found that you can save up to $45 every year by paying annually, depending on the package you pick. Medical Guardian also offers perks with the annual payment option, like free shipping, extra equipment, and a free month of service. A pretty great deal if you ask us!
Buyer's Tip: Before you make any decisions, you'll want to speak with a representative about finding the best option for your budget and lifestyle. They may also offer you deals or discounts you didn't even know about.
If you're worried about committing to Medical Guardian for an entire year, don't stress about it! You can cancel your service at any time. If you've paid for services upfront that you haven't used yet, you'll receive a prorated refund. For example, if you paid for a full year of service but decide to cancel after five months, you'll receive a refund for the seven remaining months of service.
Is Medical Guardian Right for Me?
As long as you’re not searching for the absolute cheapest medical alert system available, Medical Guardian is great for any older adult. From homebodies to solo travelers, Medical Guardian has at-home and mobile systems to fit most budgets and lifestyles. If you have a history of falling or a medical condition that puts you at a higher risk of falls, we'd recommend adding fall detection. The only Medical Guardian system without fall detection capabilities is Freedom 2.0. Otherwise, any system can be equipped with this lifesaving technology for an extra $10 per month.
Our Final Thoughts: Pricing and Value of Medical Guardian
While Medical Guardian's prices are slightly higher than costs for companies we've reviewed, like LifeStation, we found that the prices for their mobile alert systems match the quality and advanced features. In other words, you get what you pay for. Plus, you can save on monthly rates with an annual payment plan. All in all, Medical Guardian's equipment is durable, sleek, and takes advantage of the latest high-tech features, making it a top medical alert system provider. If you're willing to pay a little extra, Medical Guardian's systems can go a long way for you and your family.
Watch our video review of Medical Guardian below for a closer look at this provider.
Frequently Asked Questions About Medical Guardian
- How much does Medical Guardian cost?
Medical Guardian alert systems start at $29.95 per month and range up to $49.95 per month, depending on the package you choose.
- What does Medical Guardian offer?
Medical Guardian offers a diverse lineup of five different personal medical alert systems. They range from simple landline options for at-home use to on-the-go systems. All of Medical Guardian’s systems include 24/7 professional monitoring at no extra cost.
- Who are Medical Guardian’s alert systems best for?
Because Medical Guardian has such a great variety of equipment options, we recommend them for any seniors looking for a medical alert system. Whether you’re looking for a system for a homebody or active user, Medical Guardian has an option for most needs.