Get caregiver alerts and 24/7 Urgent Response through your Amazon Echo!
Get caregiver alerts and 24/7 Urgent Response through your Amazon Echo!
SeniorLiving.org is compensated when you click on the provider links listed on this page. This compensation does not impact our ratings or reviews.
Current Deal: Medical Guardian is offering up to 33 percent off its top products. You'll also receive a free month of service, free shipping, and a free lockbox!
Medical Guardian is a longtime leader in the medical alert industry with a diverse product lineup that includes at-home systems and on-the-go units. 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 don'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.
| Product | Monthly prices | Designed for | Connection type | Equipment fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classic Guardian | $29.95 per month | At home | Landline | No |
| Home 2.0 | $37.95 per month | At home | Cellular | $149.95 |
| Mini Guardian | $39.95 per month | On the go | Cellular | $149.95 |
| MGMove Smartwatch | $39.95 per month | On the go | GPS, 4G | $199.95 |
| Mobile 2.0 | $44.95 per month | On the go | Cellular | No |
As seen above, Medical Guardian provides a diversified lineup of systems at various price points. You'll pay anywhere from $29.95 to $44.95 per month when you choose a monthly plan. You can save even more 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 and save 16 percent or up to $45 a year. Note that 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.
We also recommend taking 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
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 (one of the longest ranges in the industry) and the 32-hour backup battery.
Medical Guardian Home 2.0
Good news, homebodies! Home 2.0 is ideal for seniors who spend most of their time, you guessed it, at home. It's similar to Classic Guardian, except it costs $8 more ($37.95 per month) and has a one-time equipment fee of $149.95. The main differences between the two systems is that the Home 2.0 base station has a sleeker design and runs on cellular and WiFi connections rather than a landline. You can also add fall detection for $10 per month, which is in line with industry rates. 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.
The base station for Home 2.0 comes with a 32-hour backup battery, a high-speed connection that utilizes AT&T 4G LTE and WiFi, and a two-way talk speaker. And, notably, the coverage range between the help button and the base station was improved in 2020 from 600 to 1,400 feet! You can't do much better than that.
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 one 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 $149.95 equipment fee.
Mobile 2.0
Priced at $44.95 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.
Mobile 2.0 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.
Testing out the MGMove Watch
MGMove, a smartwatch medical alert system, is Medical Guardian's newest addition. It costs $39.95 per month (or $36.62 per month with an annual plan), plus a $199.95 equipment fee. MGMove offers excellent features for active users or those who want a more discreet system.
This smartwatch features a touchscreen face with a step tracker, weather app, and Shake to Wake feature. With optional apps, users can text and talk with designated contacts, and caregivers can track the user's location in real-time and set up reminders. MGMove has a battery life of up to 24 hours, making it comparable to other watches from providers we've reviewed, like WellBe from Handsfree Health.
Good to Know: MGMove is the only Medical Guardian system that doesn't feature automatic fall detection. If this is important to you, check out one of the provider's other systems.
If you are looking for a smartwatch at a lower price point, we recommend checking out Bay Alarm Medical's SOS Smartwatch.
| Add-on equipment | Costs | Features and functionality |
|---|---|---|
| Wireless wall button | $2.99 per month | – Indoor help button with up to 500-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 | $4.99 per month | – Calls the monitoring center hands free with just your voice – Features a call button and help pull cord |
| Automatic fall detection | $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 |
| Alert 911 | $9.99 per month | -One-button speaker box that connects directly to a 911 operator -Two-way talk -Works on any available cell network |
| Support Circle Apps | $5 per month | -Allows user to talk and chat with loved ones and schedule reminders -Available with MGMove |
Options when you go to send a new message.
To get the most bang for your buck, we recommend going with the annual payment option. In our 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!
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.
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 offers at-home and mobile systems to suit 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. Any system (aside from the MGMove) can be equipped with this life-saving technology for an extra $10 per month.
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.
Medical Guardian alert systems start at $44.95 per month and range up to $39.95 per month, depending on the package you choose. Don’t forget to factor in an extra $10 per month if you want the added security of automatic fall detection.
Medical Guardian offers a diverse lineup of five medical alert systems. This ranges 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.
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 need a system for a homebody or active user, Medical Guardian has an option for most seniors.
