The NCOA Adviser Reviews Team researches these products & services and may earn a commission from qualified purchases made through links included.
The NCOA Adviser Reviews Team extensively researches and tests the products & services shared and may earn a commission from qualified purchases made. Learn more about how we test products and write reviews. NCOA does not receive a commission for purchases. If you find these resources useful, consider donating to NCOA.
Medical alert systems provide added safety and security in the event of an emergency, which is important for people who live alone or have a chronic disease. If you’re interested in a small, lightweight medical alert device you can wear, you may want to consider a medical alert watch.
In addition to serving as a regular watch, the best medical alert watches will connect you with emergency services when you push the help button. Some medical alert watches will also provide fall detection and contact your friends or loved ones in an emergency.
The monthly monitoring fee for most medical alert watches is about the same as for on-the-go medical alert systems. But many companies also charge an upfront fee to buy the watch (compared to on-the-go systems, which sometimes offer equipment rental). One nice thing about all of the medical alert watches reviewed here is you don’t need to sign a contract. You can pay month-by-month and cancel at any time, with no penalty. And because all the watches on this list (except for the LifeStation Sidekick Smart and LifeFone Safe Watch Active®) are purchased outright, when you cancel there’s no need to return the watch because you own it.
Even with the additional fee to buy the watch, medical alert watches are becoming more popular for their features and small size. In our survey of 1,000 medical alert users, the majority of respondents (43%) prefer wearing a watch to any other type of device (such as a necklace or bracelet). These are our top picks for the best medical alert watch in 2024.
Our Reviews Team researched and tested the best medical alert systems on the market. In this video, physical therapist and geriatric clinical specialist Vicki Tilley shares our top five picks for medical alert systems and devices, including smartwatches, from brands like Medical Guardian, MobileHelp, Bay Alarm Medical, and more. Learn more about the features that stand out above the rest.
Our Reviews Team spent more than 2,500 hours conducting in-depth research on medical alert systems. During our process, we:
Read more about our medical alert systems review methodology.
| Starting monthly cost | $39.95 | $34.95 | $69.95 | $46.95 | $47.95 | $29.95 | $249–$799 |
| Battery life | 24 hours | 6–18 hours | 24 hours | About 24 hours | 24 hours | 24 hours | 18 hours |
| Fall detection | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | No | Available for extra fee | 1-year limited | No | Lifetime manufacturer’s warranty | 1-year limited | 1-year |
A medical alert watch is a device that looks like a regular watch, but can call 911 or a monitoring center in the event of an emergency. Some medical alert companies offer smartwatches in addition to their traditional on-the-go and in-home medical alert systems. Like medical alert watches, the best medical alert systems can keep you safe and grant you peace of mind.
James Dan, MD, a geriatric clinical advisor and member of the Senior Helpers board of directors, believes medical alert devices or watches are well worth the cost.
“Medical alert watches range from fairly simple alert buttons to two-way communication devices, patient locator features, fall sensors, and more,” said Dan. “[Necklaces] with alert buttons provide a limited measure of help, but we find seniors often don’t wear them as they feel stigmatized or simply inconvenienced to wear them.” That makes watches more appealing since they’re not obvious medical alert devices. Plus, they can provide a plethora of benefits and significantly enhance older adult safety.
Some companies offer wrist buttons that look like a watch but do not have smartwatch features, like time, GPS, fitness tracking, health monitoring, and two-way communication. You’ll want to consider a medical alert smartwatch to get all of these features in one device.
All medical alert systems and watches come with benefits and drawbacks. The key is finding the device that best fits your needs and budget. Here are some general pros and cons of medical alert watches.
Many people think that only older adults use medical alert systems, but experts recommend these safety devices in other situations, too. For example, people recovering from surgery or managing a chronic disease can benefit from a medical alert system. Dr. Dan, the geriatric clinic adviser, said older adults who live alone may benefit from wearing a medical alert watch.
According to Christopher Norman, a geriatric nurse practitioner in New York state, using a medical alert system in addition to having support from family, friends, neighbors, or other caregivers is important.
“A fall may result in a situation where a person is not able to press the button, or in the case of a stroke, a person may not be able to say what’s wrong when the device is automatically triggered,” said Norman. “Having a person that has a routine time to check in can be a lifesaving added benefit to the right medical alert device. I’ve had patients use simple systems like, ‘If you don’t see my living room light on, come check on me.’”
For safety, anyone at risk of falling at home should consider wearing a device with fall detection. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one out of four older people fall each year, and the risk of falling and falls-related problems rises with age. [3]Facts About Falls. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Found on the internet at https://www.cdc.gov/falls/about/index.html.
If you or a loved one is concerned about falling at home or having a medical emergency and not being able to get to a phone, a medical alert watch can provide peace of mind.
Medical alert watch costs usually include the fee to buy the watch and the monthly monitoring fees. In general, the equipment fee for a medical alert watch runs between $119–$299. The Apple Watch is much higher, with prices ranging between $249–$799. The LifeStation Sidekick and LifeFone Safe Watch Active® don’t charge an equipment fee.
Six of the seven medical alert smartwatches in this review require monthly subscription fees to cover monitoring services. Prices for the monthly monitoring service range from $25–$70. The Apple Watch is the only device that does not have a 24/7 monitoring center—it links directly to 911.
If you want to add extra features or apps to your medical alert watch, you may need to pay extra. For example, fall detection can be an optional upgrade that adds to the monthly cost. Bay Alarm Medical’s starting monthly cost increases by $10 per month with fall detection. For a breakdown of cost comparisons between medical alert watches, see Table 2 below.
| Starting monthly cost | $39.95 | $34.95 | $69.95 | $46.95 | $47.95 | $29.95 |
| One-time equipment fee | $199.95 | $159 | $299 | $0 | $0 | $159.59 |
Medical alert watches offer similar benefits to traditional medical alert systems, but they require a few extras to really make them worthwhile. Here are some important features of medical alert watches to consider when shopping for a device.
GPS technology is important because it shows the monitoring center your location when you call for help. If your Apple Watch isn’t connected to the Care Smart monitoring center, 911 dispatchers can detect your watch’s location during an emergency.
More medical alert brands are starting to offer fall detection on watches, including most of the medical alert watches on this page.
If fall detection is a priority, keep in mind some studies have found fall detection is more accurate when it’s on a device worn near the center of the body. [4]Lee, Yongkuk, et al. Experimental Study: Deep Learning-Based Fall Monitoring among Older Adults with Skin-Wearable Electronics. Sensors. March 2023. Found on the internet at https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/23/8/3983. A watch or bracelet with fall detection tends to cause false alarms due to normal arm movements, which is why we recommend a necklace worn near the center of the body.
When considering the fall detection feature, ask the company what type of falls are detected and not detected. Falling from a standing position is a faster fall than a slide out of bed or from a chair. While falling from a height is sometimes more traumatic, sliding out of bed or from a chair can be just as challenging in terms of getting back up.
To check your risk of falling and get tips on falls prevention, use NCOA’s Falls Free CheckUp.
Battery life and charging time are key factors to consider in a medical alert watch. Most devices need charging every 24 hours and reach a full charge after about two to four hours, depending on how much you use them and what features you use (some features drain more battery than others). It may be helpful to set up an alert (outside of the smartwatch), such as a call from a friend or caregiver, to remind you to charge your device.
The time between pushing the help button and getting connected to an operator is critical. Most medical alert watches will contact a monitoring center in 20–45 seconds. It’s a good idea to call and ask for specifics about response times before settling on a watch.
This was one of the most important factors in choosing a medical alert system for 70% of our survey respondents. In the testing process, we found that Medical Guardian and Bay Alarm Medical had the fastest response times of 1–25 seconds. Unaliwear had the slowest response time: more than 50 seconds.
For more information on monitoring centers and response time, check out how medical alert systems work.
Take some time to compare different watch styles and read reviews about how other customers like each brand. This will help you make an informed decision and ensure that you’ll enjoy wearing your medical alert watch.
A built-in microphone and speaker make two-way communication possible. This feature makes a difference when calling for help because you can speak directly to an operator and explain what kind of help you need.
Fitness tracking and health monitoring are just a few reasons people choose medical alert watches instead of traditional mobile devices. Medical alert watches offer the ability to send messages, check the weather, count your steps, monitor your heart rate, and more.
A medical alert smartwatch only works if you wear it and can operate it in an emergency. That’s why it’s a good idea to research different companies when choosing a watch.
Here are some questions to consider when comparing devices.
The high cost of medical alert systems is one reason many people don’t buy them. The good news is there are budget-friendly options, such as the HandsFree Health WellBe Watch, which starts at $119.95 for the equipment fee and $29.95 for the monthly monitoring fee, and the Bay Alarm Medical SOS Smartwatch, which starts at $159 for the equipment fee and $34.95 for the monthly monitoring fee. Although Bay Alarm Medical’s SOS Smartwatch is slightly more expensive than the WellBe Watch, we named it “Best for the Price” based on its two-for-one deal.
Unfortunately, medical alert watches and other systems are generally not covered by Medicare Part A or Part B. Sometimes Part C plans (Medicare Advantage) cover a portion of your fees. Check with your insurance provider for more information. For help navigating your Medicare benefits and finding what other benefits programs are available in your area, use NCOA’s Benefits CheckUp tool.
Most private health insurance plans do not cover the costs associated with a medical alert watch. In very rare cases, some plans include a benefit for covering medical alert devices, but you’ll probably need your doctor to fill out paperwork showing that they are medically necessary. It’s always a good idea to call your health insurance company to get exact coverage details before purchasing a medical alert system.
There are other ways to save money beyond insurance and Medicare.
The best medical alert watch is one you’ll wear and enjoy using.
If you’re looking for premium features, we recommend the Medical Guardian MGMove. If you’re interested in the best features for the lowest price, the Bay Alarm Medical SOS Smartwatch may be a good choice. If you’re looking for fall detection technology customized to your movements, the UnaliWear Kanega Watch could be a good option for you.
If cost is an issue and you would prefer to lease the equipment, LifeStation Sidekick Smart might be the way to go. You’ll pay a monthly fee that includes the monitoring costs and the fee for using the watch.
If you want a low-tech watch with real-time location tracking, we recommend the LifeFone Safe Watch Active®. For the most technologically advanced smartwatch, the HandsFree Health WellBe Watch is likely a good fit.
If you want a fall detection watch with health and wellness features, the Apple Watch may be your best bet.
We do not recommend Life Alert for watches or any other medical alert device.
Fitbit is a popular wearable fitness watch that tracks steps, calories, heart rate, and much more. But it does not offer medical alert monitoring or emergency calling in the event of a fall.
Yes, some medical alert smartwatches can call 911. Medical alert watches are designed to contact emergency services or a call center in the event of a fall or other medical crisis. Many medical alert watches only contact a 24/7 monitoring center, which connects users with a dispatcher or operator. Once connected, the operator helps you decide on the type of emergency service needed. If you have a medical alert watch without monitoring services (such as the Apple Watch, also called an unmonitored medical alert system), it will contact 911 in the event of an emergency.
Very few medical alert smartwatches include fall detection. Most companies offer fall detection with an in-home system or an on-the-go system with an alert button you wear around your neck or wrist.
While the wrist button may look like a watch, its only purpose is to call for help in an emergency. When choosing a medical alert system with a device you can wear, make sure to ask if it’s a smartwatch or a help button.
The UnaliWear Kanega Watch and Apple Watch are two smartwatches that offer fall detection. This feature is available on the Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Series 7.
Medicare Part A and Part B generally don’t cover medical alert watches, but some Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) may cover a portion of the cost.
The best medical alert watch with fall detection will vary depending on your needs and preferences. The MGMove from Medical Guardian is a great choice if you’re interested in upgraded features. If budget is a primary consideration, Bay Alarm Medical offers great value. For superior fall detection, the UnaliWear Kanega Watch actively learns user movements to personalize fall detection accuracy.
Have questions about this review? Email us at reviewsteam@ncoa.org.
