Medical alert systems give you easy access to an emergency call center if you fall, can't breathe, get lost, or just don't feel safe. You just press a button and talk to someone directly through the device's speaker. They can give you advice, call your loved ones, or dispatch emergency responders to your location.
Choosing the best medical alert system for you means selecting not only the right equipment for your situation but also the best company to answer your calls.
After testing many of these personal emergency response systems ourselves, we named Bay Alarm Medical the overall best medical alert system. But because equipment and services vary so much, we've included the top medical alert companies like ADT Medical and Medical Guardian so you can choose the best medical alert system to fit your needs.
Here are the best medical alert systems
- : Best GPS tracking
- : Most trusted name
- : Best overall
- : Best fall detection
Compare the best medical alert systems
Brand | Best for | Lowest monthly price | In-home range | Backup battery | Landline option available | Learn more |
| Best GPS tracking | $29.95/mo. | 1300 ft. | 32 hrs. |  Yes | View Packages | |
| Most trusted name | $29.99/mo. | 600 ft. | 20 hrs. | Yes | View Packages | |
| Best overall | $24.95/mo. | 1000 ft. | 32 hrs. | Yes | View Packages | |
| Best for fall detection | $27.95/mo.* | 800 ft. | 30 hrs. | Yes | View Packages |
Data as of post date. Offers and availability subject to change.
*$19.95 Medical Alert starting price for landline in-home system with annual plan paid up front. Month-to-month plans start at $27.95/mo.
Reviews: Top-rated medical alert systems
1. Medical Guardian: Best for customization
If you want a customized medical alert system that meets your specific needs—or those of your loved one—then Medical Guardian probably has a plan that will work for you. Plus, Medical Guardian has the longest range of any system we’ve seen. You’re covered as long as you’re within 1,300 feet of your base unit.
Options for travel, in-home, and active lifestyles
Discounts if you pay annually
Smartwatch available
Home security integration 
No trial period Medical Guardian medical alert pricing
Data as of post date. Offers and availability subject to change.
2. ADT Medical Alert: Most trusted name
You probably know about ADT’s home security systems, but ADT also sells and monitors medical alert systems. And if you already have an ADT security system, you can get discounts on a medical alert device for loved ones. ADT Medical Alert is also one of the few systems you can snag with a price lock guarantee—definitely a big deal if you rely on limited income like social security.
Landline or cellular options
Discounts for ADT customers
Button batteries replaced for free
Reliable professional monitoring
Lifetime warranty
Low range for in-home systems
No companion app for caregivers ADT Medical Alert pricing
Data as of post date. Offers and availability subject to change.
3. Bay Alarm Medical: Best overall
Bay Alarm Medical is ideal for people who like to customize products and services. Because most of its devices are add-ons, you can choose to go with a mobile-only plan, stick with at-home monitoring, or mix and match the best of both worlds to meet your needs.
But all of the choices can get confusing—don’t be afraid to ask questions to make sure you end up with the medical alert plan that makes the most sense for you or your family member.
Landline or cellular monitoring
Mobile and in-home packages
Free spouse coverage
1,000-foot range
30-day risk-free trial
Affordable pricing
Fall detection that really works
No voice control
Extra fee required for mobile app
Package offerings that can get confusing Bay Alarm Medical alert pricing
Data as of post date. Offers and availability subject to change.
Bay Alarm Medical throws its hat in the ring with a new smartwatch for seniors.
The SOS Smartwatch starts at $179 with monitoring for $24.94/mo.
- One-touch SOS call button
- Two-way communication
- Step counter
- Analog watch face
- 24-hour battery life
Check out Bay Alarm Medical's On the Go products to learn more.
4. Medical Alert: Best for fall detection
*$19.95 Medical Alert starting price for landline in-home system with annual plan paid up front. Month-to-month plans start at $27.95/mo.
Medical Alert's Mobile System uses more fall detection sensors than most other systems: an accelerometer, gyroscope, and barometric pressure sensor. Its basic in-home system has the lowest starting rate we've seen (if you can afford an annual upfront payment of at least $240), and we found Medical Alert’s representatives to be the most knowledgeable, which goes a long way whether you're shopping around or calling for help.
You can find a better deal for a mobile system (and fall alerts is an extra $10 per month), but we can't ignore the superior fall detection sensors in the pricier Mobile System.
3 fall-detection technologies
Free equipment lease
In-home or mobile device
Free low-battery button replacement
Extra help button
Higher monthly monitoring fees for mobile system
Activation fee
Limited accessories Medical Alert pricing
*Lowest monthly price based on annual payment. Month-to-month plans are $27.95, $37.95, and $47.95.
Data as of post date. Offers and availability subject to change.
The more sensors in a device, the more accurately it detects falls. Out of more than 75 devices we considered, only three had dual fall-detection sensors—and only Medical Alert had three.
The data from all three sensors is cross-referenced, which reduces false alarms and improves fall alert accuracy. While this technology blows away the competition, you still need to recognize—as with all automatic fall detection technology—that you're not guaranteed 100% accuracy.
Some home security brands also offer panic pendants or medical monitoring. Check out the best home security systems if you're also looking to secure your property.
- ADT - professional installation
- Vivint - professional installation
- Simplisafe - do-it-yourself installation
- Cove - do-it-yourself installation
- Frontpoint - do-it-yourself installation
Medical alarm system FAQ
A medical alert system keeps you connected to help 24/7. If you experience a medical emergency like a fall or heart attack, a medical alert system makes it easy for you to get the help you need. Most medical alarm systems activate at the touch of a button, but others can detect a fall and automatically send out a distress signal.
Once your alert system is activated, you are connected to an operator at a monitoring center who assesses the situation and sends the help you need. Many medical alert systems also contact designated family or friends so you won’t be alone.
In most cases, medical alert systems are not covered by health insurance or Medicare. But you may be able to get some or all of the cost of a medical alert covered by long-term care insurance.
Because long-term care insurance is devoted exclusively to helping people remain in their homes, an alert system may qualify as an in-home care service. As with all medical coverage, it’s best to consult your insurance provider for a definitive answer about whether or not your medical alarm system could be covered.
Every 11 seconds, an adult age 65 or older goes to the emergency room because of a fall. Falls are the number one cause of fatal and nonfatal injury among older Americans, racking up $50 billion in fall-related medical costs in 2015.¹
Falls are one of the most common reasons people consider getting a medical alert system—but they’re not the only reason. Other considerations include getting older, living alone, or living with certain medical conditions such as diabetes. Unfortunately, there’s no perfect answer about when to add a medical alert system to your personal safety plan, but there are a few guidelines that may help.
- First of all, listen to your gut. If you feel the need for an extra lifeline to help, don’t ignore it. Your peace of mind is important, and it shouldn’t be overlooked.
- Other factors that may signal it’s time to look at a medical alert system include changes in mobility, balance, memory, or eyesight.
But your decision doesn’t have to be related to changing health. Medical alarms also make sense for anyone who regularly hikes alone, and they can help keep track of children and others who are prone to wandering.
How we reviewed the best medical alert systems
To pick the best medical emergency alert systems, we used a combination of hands-on experience, customer interviews, online research, and phone calls with medical alert companies. We also dug into industry standards and both expert and customer reviews.
After examining 11 different medical alert systems and products, we identified the top five based on price, reliability, comfort, ease of use, extra features, and customer satisfaction.
Sources
1. The National Council on Aging, “Get the Facts on Falls Prevention,” March 13, 2023. Accessed Aug 5, 2024.