Personal Medical Alarm Devices

Those who have concerns about falling or who live alone can benefit from a personal medical alarm device. Our survey shows that most shoppers want their devices to respond quickly and be easy to use.

The top medical alert systems come with a mobile device you can wear or carry with you, a base station that plugs into a power outlet and a button you can press to call for help. They also include GPS location tracking and other features.





At-Home Systems

Medical alert systems connect directly to a 24/7 monitoring center when you push your device’s help button. From there, a professional will call emergency services or your designated emergency contacts to get help on the way. Many of the best medical alert systems have touchscreen controls and intuitive interfaces, so users can manage their devices with ease.

Medical Guardian’s range of premium add-ons, which are available on all its at-home and cellular systems, is what helped it stand out in the Reviews Team’s testing and earned it our top spot. Its base units can also communicate with other smart home devices, such as smoke detectors, indoor and outdoor security cameras, thermostats and lights.

The company’s at-home landline system starts at $20 per month and offers optional fall detection through a separate necklace, while its cellular base unit comes with a starter monthly cost of $35 and includes home temperature monitoring. Both offer an 800 ft. range.

On-the-Go Systems

In addition to a base unit that you keep in your home, an on-the-go system also includes a help button you can wear as a pendant or bracelet or place in high-risk areas. These devices work on cellular networks, such as those provided by AT&T and Verizon, which cover most of the United States.

When shopping for a mobile medical alert system, consider the battery life and whether you want it to include fall detection. Falls are the leading cause of unintentional injury in older adults, and the systems that feature fall detection can help reduce them.

When evaluating providers, check their websites for chat or phone customer support to test responsiveness. It's also worth looking for hidden fees, such as activation, initiation, processing, or membership charges. Those that include these costs in their monthly rates are more transparent about the cost of their services. The Reviews Team named Medical Guardian "Best for Hidden Fees." It offers a wide selection of premium add-ons that can enhance your system.

LifeStation

LifeStation is a popular medical alert system company that has a good BBB rating and provides high-quality devices. They have a variety of in-home cellular systems that do not require a landline. They also offer mobile systems, such as their Sidekick mobile device and smart watch. Both of those devices can track the location of a user who presses the help button and can provide emergency assistance.

Unlike some other medical alert companies, LifeStation does not require long-term contracts and allows users to cancel their service without paying any cancellation fees. In addition, their starting prices are low and most plans include free shipping and zero equipment or activation fees. Moreover, their monitoring services are backed by two UL Listed and The Monitoring Association Five Diamond certified call centers, which is an excellent feature that can help older adults feel confident in using the service. Lastly, their equipment protection plan is a nice option that can cover the cost of repairing or replacing the device.

GetSafe

GetSafe has a modern, non-wearable medical alert system that works around the home without the need for a pendant or lanyard. Instead, their base station plugs into a wall outlet and communicates with the call center using an AT&T 4G LTE connection. panic button for elderly They recommend placing their wall buttons in areas of the home where falls are more likely to occur, such as bathrooms and stairs.

Each GetSafe package includes a base station, a voice-activated console, and a push-button or pull-cord help button. A cellular wearable pendant and additional consoles are available for an extra cost. Additional accessories like smoke detectors, two-way voice-enabled consoles, and mobile GPS-enabled help buttons are also available with an extra monthly fee.

When a button on any of the device options is pressed, the system contacts a monitoring center representative who will play a message to a loved one asking them to contact 911 or an emergency contact. They can also choose to connect with a live agent by using their voice-enabled console. Each GetSafe plan comes with a 30-day risk-free trial and a free Vial of Life to document important medical information.