The Best Medical Alert Systems

Wednesday, March 22nd

2023 Medical Alert System Reviews

Bay Alarm Medical

• "A+" Better Business Bureau rating
• Extremely high customer ratings
• 30-day risk free trial
• Made and monitored in the USA
• Free ground shipping
• No hidden fees
• First month of service free

For over 70 years Bay Alarm Medical has aspired to become the world's best medical alert system, empowering people to live a healthy and safe life. They have a serious and impressive commitment to their customers through transparent policies and readily available team members. Bay Alarm Medical has an "A+" rating from the Better Business Bureau and extraordinarily high customer reviews.

Pick your product and package

Bay Alarm Medical boasts that they are "heavy on features, light on price." To get started, you'll first need to choose whether you want an in-home medical alert system, a GPS mobile help button, or an SOS smartwatch. Each option comes with different packages to ensure you have the most personalized care to fit your day-to-day needs. The in-home medical alert system has a basic ($19.95/month), preferred ($29.95/month), and premium ($39.95/month) solution. The basic option requires a landline while the other two use cellular and have faster connection speeds and a wall button package (premium required).

GPS help button

The GPS mobile help button comes in a lite ($29.95/month), plus ($39.95/month), and bundle ($49.95/month) version. All of them need to be purchased initially for a one-time cost of $79. They all offer 24/7 USA-based monitoring and caregiver tracking. However, the plus and bundle versions include fall detection and the bundle comes with in-home protection as well.

GPS Smartwatch

The third product offered by Bay Alarm Medical is their SOS Smartwatch. The initial device purchase is $159 and you can either opt for just the watch itself for $29.95/month or an in-home system with the watch for $39.95/month. Both include 24/7 monitoring and location tracking.

Call for reassurance before you buy

There is plenty of detailed product information listed on Bay Alarm Medical's site about specifications, billing, battery life, tracking, calling, and more. If you have any questions or concerns that aren't addressed before buying an alert system here, the company recommends that you reach out and discuss your options with one of their representatives. Their sales and consultation department is available Monday - Friday 6am - 5pm PST, as well as from 8am - 12pm and 12:30pm - 4:30pm PST Saturday and Sunday.

Not locked into contracts

The price-lock guarantee from Bay Alarm Medical assures customers that their monthly rate will never increase. If for any reason you need to cancel your service, you can do so at any time and Bay Alarm Medical will refund any unused months. To cancel, you'll just need to reach out to the company over the phone and then ship the equipment back to them. The whole process can take up to 2-3 weeks.

30-day trial

Bay Alarm Medical provides a 30-day risk-free trial for all customers to take advantage of. They encourage everyone to test the system in multiple areas of the home to check the range and two-way communication. If you decide you aren't happy with the service, you can send back the system and you'll get your money refunded, minus shipping costs.

You're in good hands

Perhaps the most impressive thing about Bay Alarm Medical is their loyal customer base. We are thrilled with this company after only skimming the surface of their 7,000+ customer reviews about the incredible customer service they provide, high-quality equipment, easy ordering process, and much more. It's not uncommon to see that people have repeatedly used Bay Alarm Medical's Service and never been let down. With customer praise like this, you know you're in good hands. Bay Alarm Medical has earned our highest rating.

LifeFone

• "A+" Better Business Bureau rating
• No installation or activation fees
• Cancel anytime and receive prorated refund
• Price lock guarantee
• Protect a second person at no additional cost
• 30-day money back guarantee
• Subscribe to emails for free first month, free shipping, free lockbox

LifeFone has been in business since 1976. They are a US-based agency that provides 24/7 assistance to seniors needing emergency help. The company has been recognized by the National Council on the Aging, WebMD, the National Stroke Association, and the National Institute of Senior Citizens. Harvard Health Publications listed LifeFone among the five "medical alerting systems that come closest to the ideal." Their website provides ample information to explain their services and product details to give customers confidence in their purchasing decisions.

Heavy on the features

LifeFone goes heavy on the value and features they offer. There are 3 on-the-go products and 2 at-home products that customers can choose from. Some of the features included with these are:

• Equipment range up to 1,300 feet in-home
• 32-hour backup battery for base unit
• Waterproof pendant and wristband
• 100% lifetime warranty
• Unlimited emergency contact notifications
• Customers can answer the phone with their help button

3 products for on-the-go lifestyles

The 3 on-the-go options include a small, on-the-go VIPX button with unlimited range, 16 days of battery life, Wi-Fi and cellular location services, and optional fall detection for $41.95/month (annual billing). The second option is a pendant with 30 days of battery life, unlimited range, Wi-Fi and cellular location services, and a temperature sensor for $39.95/month (annual billing). The third option includes an at-home and on-the-go combo with a mobile device and pendants that range 1,400 feet from the base station. The battery lasts 30 hours and has optional fall detection all for $36.95/month (annual billing). LifeFone has a helpful side-by-side comparison chart for these devices so you can easily view the pros and cons of each choice.

Landline or cellular at-home choices

For at-home protection, customers can choose between a landline ($24.95/month with annual billing) or cellular device ($30.95/month with annual billing). They come with exactly the same features: 1,300 feet of range, 32 hour battery life, water resistance, optional fall detection, and temperature sensors.

Annual, quarterly, or monthly plans

LifeFone boasts that you pay less than $1/day for 24/7 protection. Their prices are listed based on their annual billing option, but they also have quarterly and monthly plans, which are slightly more expensive. All annual and quarterly plan purchases ship for free. You can choose your billing options at checkout.

Spouses get free coverage

You won't have to pay for installation or any activation fees when you use LifeFone's services. You can cancel at any time and they'll refund you the unused amount you've already pre-paid. If you refer friends or family to LifeFone, you'll get a free month of service for every person who signs up. Plus, if you have a second person living in your home who wants protection, there is no additional fee for them to receive LifeFone's services.

Sign up to save

If you sign up for their email list or call LifeFone, you'll get your first month of service free, free shipping, a free lockbox, free activation and equipment, and a price lock guarantee. This is a great deal, but we also recognize that many companies offer all of these things automatically with standard purchases.

One of the best

LifeFone's "A+" Better Business Bureau rating is reassuring to see, but we are especially pleased with the hundreds of enthusiastic reviews from customers. People are happy with the pricing, easy setup, reliable technology, consumer-friendly policies, fantastic customer service reps, and fast response times. This definitely covers all the important bases of a medical alert system, making LifeFone undoubtedly one of your best options.

LifeStation

• "A+" Better Business Bureau rating
• 30-day money back guarantee
• 24/7 US-based monitoring
• Alexa integration
• Free shipping
• No hidden fees

LifeStation is a family owned company with over 40 years of experience. They have monitoring centers out of New Jersey and Texas with response times of about 20 seconds per call. Customers are very pleased with the medical alert service provided by LifeStation, which makes them a favorite among seniors and their families. The company has been featured in Forbes, USA Today, The Washington Post, and Consumer Reports.

Simple product solutions

The three categories of products offered by LifeStation include "At Home" , "On the Go" , and "Smart." Rather than offering a few slightly different products within each category, LifeStation provides one solid solution in each to fit the needs of senior customers. They include:

• In Home
• Starting at $32.95
• No landline
• Fall detection
• AT&T 4G network
• Waterproof
• 600 foot range
• Weighs less than 1/2 ounce
• White and gray colors
• Sidekick
• Starting at $37.95
• Enhanced location services
• AT&T 4G network
• Water resistant
• Test button
• Weighs 1.4 oz
• Battery life up to 5 days
• >b?Sidekick Smart
• Starting at $43.95
• Wearable watch
• Enhanced location services
• Pedometer
• Weather forecast
• Water resistant
• 2-way communication
• Heart rate monitor

30-day money back guarantee

All medical alert systems from LifeStation come with a 30-day money back guarantee so you can send your product back if you aren't satisfied and get a full refund. Once you subscribe to services, you can cancel at any time since they don't lock you into contracts.

Amazon integration

LifeStation integrates with Amazon's Alexa so you can track your loved ones using an on-the-go product in real time by asking, "Alexa, where's mom?" You can access all your account information straight through your smartphone or through the Amazon Echo app. As long as your loved one is wearing their medical alert button, you can also track their location by sending a text message to LifeStation and asking for their location. A map will appear with live GPS updates.

Get your loved ones to appointments

Another company that LifeStation partners with is Uber. They work with Uber Health to get your loved one to appointments on time without the hassle. Their care specialists will book rides in both directions whenever you need them to.

Call for pricing

Our excitement over LifeStation took a little dip when we realized you have to call them to make an order. We know they offer monthly, quarterly, and annual payment plans and it only costs an additional $3.99/month to add a spouse to your plan. However, you'll need to reach out directly to LifeStation to get the most current monthly cost for the particular product you're interested in.

Updated technologies and positive reviews

Our favorite thing about LifeStation is that they make it easy to choose a medical alert product since there aren't too many options, but they include everything you might need whether you want to stay close to home or be out and about. We also like that they've kept up-to-date with technology like Amazon and Uber to make things convenient for the family members of seniors using LifeStation. We wish they gave clear pricing on their website, but we will overlook this since they have an "A+" Better Business Bureau rating and very positive customer feedback. People say they are pleasant to work with, have great products that work well, and are very responsive. Overall, this is a fantastic choice when you're looking for a medical alert system.

MobileHelp

• "A+" Better Business Bureau rating
• Free ground shipping on most plans
• 30-day trial
• Free lockboxes with every order
• No long-term contracts

MobileHelp boasts that they are America's leading provider of Mobile-Personal Emergency Response System technology. The company is based out of Boca Raton, Florida and serves clients in all 50 states. Their sole purpose as a company is to provide emergency medical response equipment for seniors wanting to age at home with the safety of on-call emergency help.

Unique smart home-like device

There are 8 products offered by MobileHelp within the categories of in-home, on-the-go, and complete protection systems. The devices for use at home come with the option to use a landline or not depending on the system you prefer. They also offer a MobileHelp Touch Classic product that's unique from what we've seen through other companies. This looks like a smart home device with plug-and-play features like a scrolling picture gallery, games, health tracking information, medical reminders, and more. This product starts at $49.95/month if you opt for an annual plan.

Stay on-the-go with Solo and Micro

The on-the-go MobileHelp products include Solo (starting at $32.95/month with an annual plan) and Micro (starting at $28.95/month with an annual plan). Both include GPS tracking, remote activation, waterproof materials, 24/7 help monitoring, and are compatible with an optional MobileHelp fall button.

Complete protection

For complete protection, MobileHelp has a Duo (starting at $32.78/month with an annual plan), Mobile Duo (starting at $35.78/month with an annual plan), and Touch Duo (starting at $49.95/month with an annual plan) system that work for when you're around the house as well as out and about. They all include GPS tracking, a waterproof help button, 24/7 based monitoring, remote activation, and compatibility with the MobileHelp fall button. The Mobile Duo also comes with two help buttons and two-way communication and the MobileHelp Touch Duo includes a Solo device as part of the package.

Take the quiz, find the right product

Since there are quite a few systems to choose from and some aren't vastly different from others, it wouldn't hurt to take MobileHelp's product finder quiz to identify the best medical alert option to fit your needs.

No long-term contracts

To pay for your monthly service from MobileHelp, you can opt for a month-to-month plan, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual plan. As with most companies, the longer the time period you pre-pay for, the cheaper each month is. The annual plan definitely offers the best value, especially since MobileHelp doesn't lock customers into contracts and they can cancel at any time. If you cancel before your term is up, MobileHelp provides prorated refunds for the unused services. For customers ready to sign up for MobileHelp, they offer 2 free months and 50% off fall detection when you call in to get started.

Try it risk-free

If you have reservations about committing to MobileHelp, we highly recommend taking advantage of their 30-day free trial to test out what they have to offer. If you aren't happy with it, you can send all the equipment back within 30 days for a full refund.

Safety and confidence found here

We suggest browsing product pictures of the products on MobileHelp's website and diving into the specifications and details of everything to feel confident about your options here. They have a good range of competitively-priced features that we feel meet the needs of most seniors. The Better Business Bureau gives MobileHelp an "A+" rating and customers are thoroughly impressed with this company. Whether it be because of their no-pressure sales attitude, accessible customer service representatives, or high-quality products, people feel safe and at peace with their decision to use MobileHelp, so we've given them a high recommendation among providers of medical alert systems.

ADT

• "A+" Better Business Bureau rating
• 3 medical alert systems based on lifestyle preferences
• Free next-day shipping
• No long-term contracts
• Full refund for early cancellation
• 100% satisfaction guarantee

ADT is most commonly known for their smart security systems for homes and businesses, but they also have a comprehensive medical alert system as part of their services. They have 9 company-owned monitoring centers that operate 24/7 to ensure they are always there when customers need them. ADT has won awards from Forbes, BrandSpark, IoT breakthrough, and PC Magazine for their impressive security systems and reliable customer service team.

Products based on lifestyle

There are three products offered by ADT for seniors depending on their lifestyle. They include:

• Medical Alert Basic System - good for people who mostly stay around the house and have their own phone line.
• Comes with waterproof wristband or pendant
• Operates within your home
• Requires a standard landline
• Has a 300-foot range from the base
• Monitors your home's temperature
• Monthly cost: $29.99, quarterly cost: $83.97, yearly cost: $311.88
• Medical Alert Plus System - best for people who like to be outside and visit their neighbors.
• Covers the inside and outside of your home
• 600-foot range from base
• No landline required
• Personal help button
• Monitors your home's temperature
• Optional fall detection
• Monthly cost: $35.99, quarterly cost: $101.97, yearly cost: $383.88
• On-The-Go Medical Alert System - for people who live an active lifestyle and are out and about all the time.
• Does not require a landline
• Two-way talk with wireless connection
• GPS location tracking
• Optional fall detection
• Portable device
• Monthly cost: $39.99, quarterly cost: $113.97, yearly cost: $431.88

Transparent pricing

Straight from ADT's website you can view pricing options for all the different products. There are no contracts or hidden fees and ADT guarantees that they'll never raise prices on services you're currently using. All of their products have free, next-day shipping. You can choose to pay monthly, quarterly, or yearly for the medical alert system and the longer you sign up for, the less the overall cost will be. If you opt for quarterly or yearly payments, you'll get a free lockbox to keep door keys easily accessible for anyone who needs them.

Optional upgrades and add-ons

Customers will get to choose if they want a wristband or pendant-style emergency button, and select either black or white colors. The automatic fall detection system is an upgrade that costs an additional $10. Other accessories you can add to your purchase include a leather carrying case for on-the-go devices and a waterproof wall mount button.

Satisfaction guaranteed

If you end up canceling ADT before the end of your contract, they will refund you the rest of the contract in full. They also have a 100% satisfaction guarantee that ensures they will fix any issues with your system and if you aren't happy within the first 6 months, they'll refund you in full.

A good option

ADT has an "A+" rating from the Better Business Bureau. They have thousands of customer reviews, and it may seem shocking to see so many negative ones like we did, but 99% of them refer to the company's home security system services. There are a myriad of issues people run into with installation, pricing, and other things that are irrelevant in the case of their medical alert systems. From what we've seen of ADT, they make their system and pricing clear-cut, easy to understand, and affordable. ADT is a good option for medical alert systems.

Medihill

• "A+" Better Business Bureau rating
• Free shipping on semi-annual and annual plans
• No long-term contracts
• Locked-in pricing

Medihill was launched in 2010 and is based out of the Greater Philadelphia region. They aim to provide reliable and affordable medical equipment to people who want to enjoy independent lives but have limited abilities. Whether you're a homebody or like to live a busy, active lifestyle, Medihill has products to meet your needs.

3 medical alert systems to choose from

Customers can choose between an in-home, portable, fall detection, or standalone safety product created by Medihill. Some of the most important features include:

• Medical Alert for Your Home (starts at $21.24/month)
• Requires a landline
• Up to 1,000 feet of range
• Comes with a lightweight pendant
• Built-in 24-hour backup battery
• Water-resistant transmitters
• Fall detection (optional)
• Medihill Health Tracker (starts at $29.74/month)
• Hands free, two-way voice communication
• Water resistant for shower or bath
• Custom notifications
• GPS and location-based services
• USB charge port
• Wear around neck, on lanyard, or belt
• Optional advanced fall detection
• Medihill Video Medical Alert (no pricing details)
• Turns your phone into a remote emergency response device
• Up to 18 months battery life

Contact customer support for more info

We wish there were more details about the video medical alert system since that seems like a viable option for most people. Unfortunately, there is almost no information about it. To contact customer service about more in-depth details about any of the products, you can reach them by phone, email, or live chat straight through the website.

4 payment plans

All products have options for a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual plan. Semi-annual and annual plans come with the most perks like free shipping, a free lockbox, free equipment rental, free activation, and monthly savings of 15% - 20%. Add-ons like fall detection ($10/month), cellular ($5/month), protection plan ($5/month), express shipping ($29.99), and a lock box ($24.99) are options for customers to add to their purchase.

No cancellation fees

If you give Medihill a try and aren't thrilled with the results, you have 30 days to send the equipment back and get a refund. You can cancel services at any time without worrying about paying a fee. If a refund is due to you (you've pre-paid for months that you haven't used), then it will be processed once Medihill receives your returned equipment.

Worth looking into

Although there are few ratings for Medihill's services, all of them are positive. The Better Business Bureau gives the company an "A+" rating and customers say they are satisfied with the sophisticated equipment, top-of-the-line service, fast response times, and helpful team members. We wish there were a few more details about all of the products that Medihill offers, but otherwise this is a solid company with a good reputation. It's worth looking into Medihill's medical alert system to see if it's right for you.

Alert 1

• 24/7 emergency answering services
• "A+" Better Business Bureau rating
• Free priority shipping
• No hidden fees
• No long-term contracts
• Pro-rated refunds available

Alert1 is dedicated solely to offering products to seniors to keep them safe and protected in the event of an emergency. Their roots go back to 1988 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania when their founder, Paul Graafsma, was worried about his grandmother who lived alone. He felt that medical alert systems were overpriced at the time and decided to take matters into his own hands by founding Alert1. They've been recommended by ABC News, Good Morning America, Fox News, The Florida Times Union, Washington Business Journal, and Los Angeles Times.

Choose from 6 products

There are 6 choices for customers interested in using Alert1's services. Sometimes having so many choices makes it hard to know which one is best, but it also allows you to have personalized care that fits your lifestyle. Your options include:

• In-Home Medical Alert (starting at $19): consists of a small speaker box that plugs into a phone jack and electrical outlet if you have a landline. If you don't have a landline, it just uses the electrical outlet.
• Unlimited button pushes
• 24/7 monitoring
• 100% showerproof
• Does not require a landline
• In-Home + Fall Detection Medical Alert (starting at $29): includes a medical alert pendant with fall detection features.
• Two-way speaker and microphone in base station
• Unlimited button pushes
• 24/7 monitoring
• 100% showerproof
• Does not require a landline
• On-The-Go Medical Alert (starting at $29): keeps users safe across the street or across the country.
• Built-in speaker and microphone button
• Unlimited button pushes
• 24/7 monitoring
• Personalized responders
• On-the-go protection
• Phone not required
• On-The-Go Medical Alert System with GPS and Fall Detection (starting at $39)
• Automatically detects falls
• Built-in GPS technology
• Unlimited button pushes
• 24/7 monitoring
• Speaker and microphone for two-way communication with command center
• On-The-Go Wristwatch Medical Alert + GPS + Pedometer (starting at $29): lightweight watch that does not look like a medical device
• Built-in SOS button
• Communicate through the watch
• Unisex design
• GPS pinpoints your location
• Includes weather app and pedometer
• 24/7 emergency monitoring
• On-The-Go Wristwatch Medical Alert + GPS + Pedometer (starting at $29): lightweight watch that does not look like a medical device
• Medical alert pendant automatically calls for help if it detects a fall
• Built-in GPS technology
• Unlimited button pushes
• Speaker and microphone for 2-way communication
• 24/7 emergency monitoring

If you decide to get the wrist watch device, aside from the monthly cost, there is also a one-time system purchase for $179. All products ship free and you can cancel at any time. The wireless systems work through Verizon's mobile network and can be added for an additional $10 per month if you call and get it set up through Alert1.

Pay month-to-month or pre-pay

The payment options for any given product sold by Alert1 is to either go month-to-month or pre-pay for 10 months. If you decide to pre-pay, you'll save nearly $10/month on your plan. Alert1 has a deal where you'll get the 11th month for free if you pay for 10 months. Spouses qualify for discounts and Alert1 will work through this with customers if they call their support line.

Helpful product descriptions

The product info provided by Alert1 is thorough and includes specifications, charging times (if applicable), pictures of the units, and a short video overview as well as details about how each one compares with the other options available. It's easy to understand how the systems work and select the best one for your lifestyle.

Cancel any time

Accounts can be canceled at any time through Alert1. There are no fees for this and you'll even be refunded the prorated amount. If there are any system malfunctions during the course of your service period, Alert1 will replace the on-the-go-button or home unit free of charge.

No big reason not to use them

Alert1 has mostly positive reviews from customers about their service. Some people have had issues getting the promised pro-rated refund that Alert1 says they offer after cancellation and others say that they receive hand-me-down equipment that malfunctions. The Better Business Bureau gives Alert1 an "A+" rating and we noticed that Alert1 responds to all their customer complaints. Luckily the majority of people are happy with Alert1 and the range of products they offer. This company doesn't necessarily outshine their competition, but if you're interested in their service, there's no reason not to sign up and get started with their medical alert systems.

Philips Lifeline

• "A+" Better Business Bureau rating
• 30-day return policy
• 24/7 response center
• No long-term contracts

Lifeline is proud to let customers know they were the first to provide a personal alert system in North America back in 1974. In 2006, they were acquired by Philips and rapidly grew throughout the United States with new technologies and innovative capabilities. In July 2021, Connect America acquired Lifeline and agreed to maintain an equity stake with Philps in the company. Through their transitions, Philips Lifeline has maintained their "A+" rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Stay active, stay safe

If you're a busybody who likes to keep up with social circles and maintain an active lifestyle, the On the Go medical alert system from Lifeline will be your best bet. For $49.95/month and a one-time device fee of $99.95, you can get 24/7 access to emergency help with their all-in-one help button. It includes automatic fall detection, 2-way voice communication, GPS location technologies, a waterproof help button, and rechargeable battery that lasts up to 5 days.

Landline and cellular in-home options

For emergency response from home, Philips Lifeline has a HomeSafe standard device that either works with a landline or through cellular data, depending on your preference. The landline cost is $29.95/month with a one-time $50 activation fee and the cellular plan is $43.95/month with a one-time $50 activation fee. Both of the devices offer two-way communication with a trained response associate, wearing options (pendant or wristband), a long-lasting battery that Philips Lifeline will replace, and a waterproof help button.

No free shipping

Unlike many of their competitors, Philips Lifeline doesn't offer free shipping on their products. If you opt to do self-installation, you'll get a setup guide and pay $19.99 for shipping. If instead you would like in-home installation and to be able to talk through any questions you have, the cost is $99.

Call for in-depth policies and product details

The product choices from Philips Lifeline are simple, which is what a lot of customers are looking for. If you aren't happy with your medical alert system during the first 30 days, you can return it for a full refund. There aren't a lot of specific details about a cancellation policy after 30 days, but since it doesn't appear that Philips Lifeline locks you into anything long-term, it shouldn't be hard to get out of monthly fees once you no longer require assistance. We wish they spelled out more of their policies on the website, but it seems that Philips Lifeline wants customers to call their sales associates for a lot of the specific details about their products and procedures.

Average company

We believe that Philips Lifeline is a great option for many people, but it doesn't quite measure up to its competition. The company has an "A+" rating from the Better Business Bureau, but not many customer reviews. We would like to see more details about their product features and customer policies to know how easy they are to work with. Their products are basic and prices are slightly more expensive than what we would expect, especially when you factor in the activation fees and shipping cost. Philips Lifeline is just average in our opinion and their rating reflects this.

Medical Guardian

• "A+" Better Business Bureau rating
• U.S. based monitoring
• Call for a free month of service
• On-the-go and in-home products
• Free shipping

Medical Guardian is a medical alert systems provider that was founded in 2006. They're based out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and have appeared in Inc. Magazine's list of 5,000 fastest growing companies for four consecutive years between 2013 and 2016. Medical Guardian's five core values revolve around customers, innovation, passion for purpose, building relationships, and excellence in results.

Compare products side-by-side

You'll have options for on-the-go systems as well as in-home medical alert systems through Medical Guardian. Their website features comparison charts to give customers details about the main features of each device and how they differ from one another. There are 3 on-the-go systems called the Mobile 2.0, Mini Guardian, and MGMove. They differ in battery life, voice assistance technology, range, and a few other features. The MGMove is Medical Guardian's newest product and looks like a smart watch with a weather app, schedule reminders, voice to text chat feature, step counter, and emergency button.

At-home solutions

If you usually stay close to home, Medical Guardian's home systems would be a good option for you: either the Classic Guardian or Home 2.0. The first option is a lease plan that works through a landline and the Home 2.0 is a device you purchase that needs a cellular connection. The Home 2.0 is slightly more advanced in that it has a two-way speaker and system status notifications. Both devices come with the option to add on fall detection, a wall-mounted help button, and OnGuard alerts where users can text or email any of the call chain caregivers.

Helpful product quiz

If you're having a difficult time choosing the right product for you, Medical Guardian has a product quiz to help you narrow it down based on your day-to-day activities and overall concerns.

Call in for a free month

The pricing for all products is listed right on Medical Guardian's website, but you can tell they still want you to contact a sales representative - they've listed their phone number all over and there was a special offer (that probably is always available) at the time of this review saying that if you call in, you'll get one free month of service.

Additional add-ons available

Customers can choose between monthly, quarterly, or annual subscription plans that start at $29.95/month and go up from there. You'll save a few dollars by going with the annual plan and you can cancel anytime to receive a prorated refund for the unused portion of your plan you've already paid for. For an extra $10, you can add fall detection features to your on-the-go systems, a protection plan for $6.99/month, a lockbox for $2.99/month (or free with an annual purchase), OnGuard alert for $2.99/month, and an Alert 911 device for $10/month.

Poor customer satisfaction

Although the products and features offered by Medical Guardian are sleek, modern, and comparable to highly-rated companies in both price and functionality, that isn't enough for us to give them a good recommendation. The company has an "A+" rating from the Better Business Bureau, but they also have a concerning amount of negative reviews. People report that canceling service and returning equipment is a "nightmare" , slow response times once the emergency button is pushed, rude customer service, and more. No matter how good their product, they don't seem to be able to follow through on the customer satisfaction end of things. We wouldn't choose Medical Guardian as our go-to medical alert system provider.

Life Alert

• "A+" Better Business Bureau
• 24/7 monitoring
• Waterproof
• 10-year battery life
• Handles over 2 million calls per year

Life Alert has been in the emergency response business since 1987. It is a nationwide company headquartered in Encino, California. Many people may remember the commercials for Life Alert's services that first aired in 1992 where the tagline, "Help! I've fallen and I can't get up!" was born. In 2007, the commercial was ranked by USA Today as the number one most memorable TV commercial in the preceding 25 years.

Needs an upgrade

Now that there are quite a few competing companies for medical alert systems on the market, Life Alert needs to step up their appeal to stay in the game. Their website is not secure and badly needs a remodel. Initially it's a little confusing to get an understanding of what Life Alert offers and sort through all their sales-pitchy information.

Basic emergency pendant

There are three simple products offered by Life Alert, one of which is an emergency pendant. It can be worn around the neck or as a wristband and is fully waterproof. The pendant comes with 800 feet of range and users can choose to either use cellular data or a landline. Since it uses a battery, users won't need to charge it, but rather replace it when it starts to die around the 10-year mark. Each unit comes with a backup just in case.

Bathroom emergency button

Aside from the pendant/wristband, customers can get a help button for shower and bathroom emergencies. No telephone line or electrical outlet is needed. It's just a big red button that sticks onto a wall to immediately reach Life Alert's dispatch center and talk to a team member. As with the pendant, batteries last up to 10 years, so they never need charging.

Emergency on-the-go GPS device

The third product that is vaguely described by Life Alert is their on-the-go + GPS for emergencies button. It's a small device that can be worn, carried, or kept in a bag or pocket. The batteries never need charging and a GPS is included so you can be located anywhere in the United States. As far as special features or other capabilities, Life Alert doesn't give any additional description of the button.

No listed pricing

Unlike many other medical alert system companies, Life Alert doesn't post their prices on their website. This is definitely a barrier to purchase that we aren't fans of. You'll have to call their service center to find out exactly what Life Alert will cost you. On the front of their website they've posted their phone number and added that you'll get a free brochure when you call. Do people still read those? However, we did a little digging and our research has shown that the cost of their in-home landline service is somewhere around $24.95/month and the mobile GPS + 2-way voice is $44.95/month with a $99.95 fee with free activation and free shipping.

Need more information

In general, it seems that Life Alert is falling behind their competitors. They don't offer comprehensive equipment that caters to a wide range of lifestyles for seniors. For those wanting a basic system, this is a good place to find it, but there are a lot of details about how it works that we would like to see posted on their site. Besides being left in the dark on the exact cost of Life Alert, we also don't know if there is a cancellation policy, return policy, required contract length, and more.

Not impressed

The Better Business Bureau gives Life Alert an "A+" rating, but their reviews comment about rude customer service, expensive pricing, difficult contracts to get out of, dismissing set protocols of who to call first in an emergency, and more. We're not impressed with the lack of transparency on policies and pricing from Life Alert and they don't seem like an up-to-date company. Because of this, they've earned one of our lower ratings.

ResponseLINK

• 24/7 US-based monitoring
• 30-day money back guarantee
• Free standard shipping
• Refer friends or family for a free month

ResponseLINK has over 30 years of experience working with seniors, medical professionals, and caretakers. They boast that their products are the most versatile emergency medical equipment on the market today, but right away we could tell they were nothing out of the ordinary. ResponseLINK's website is easy to navigate, but very basic and lacks some important information.

Lack of product variety

You won't have a hard time choosing a product from ResponseLINK since there isn't much variety. Their inventory consists of:

• In-Home Alert (starts at $19.95/month)
• Requires a landline phone
• Unlimited button pushes
• Up to 600 feet of range
• 100% waterproof
• 3-5 year battery life
• Multi-lingual support
• Mobile Medical Alert System (starts at $36.95/month)
• Two-way communication
• Powered by Verizon
• Up to 30 days of battery life on one charge
• 911 geolocation technology
• Unlimited button pushes
• Zero installation required
• Fall Detection (starts at $27.95/month)
• Detects fall and automatically calls for help
• Comfortable to wear on neck or wrist
• Up to 600 feet of range
• 2-3 year battery life
• 100% waterproof
• Multi-lingual support

Vague description of add-ons

We discovered a list of add-on features available to customers through ResponseLINK that you can discuss with a customer service representative if you're interested. They don't list prices, but rather a short description of what the service is. We aren't sure how it works since these options don't seem to integrate with the available equipment, but nonetheless, it could be worth looking into. The optional add-ons include prescription reminders, meal reminders, a personal alarm, a health test reminder, daily wakeup call, and a medical monitoring panel.

No long-term commitment

You can order your product of choice (minus any add-ons) straight through ResponseLINK's website on either a monthly payment plan or 10-month plan. You'll save almost $10/month if you decide to pay in advance. ResponseLINK doesn't make their customers commit to a long-term contract and services can be canceled at any time. However, even though there is no termination fee, we aren't sure if you'll get a prorated refund if you are on the 10-month plan and haven't gotten a full term's worth of service.

Referral program

If you refer friends or family to ResponseLINK, they will give you a free month of service. To qualify, you'll need to give them a call to discuss details.

Ask about their 30-day guarantee

ResponseLINK has a message that says, "Ask about our 30-day money back guarantee!" posted by their phone number on their website. There is no information about it listed anywhere else, so although it's great that they have a guarantee, you will have to make a call to their sales department to get any information about it, unfortunately.

Not bad, but not great

Even though ResponseLINK lists that they are an "A+" rated company through the Better Business Bureau, we found that this wasn't the case. They don't have a low rating, but rather no rating at all. Customer feedback is definitely not a big factor in helping us know whether ResponseLINK is a good option for seniors since everything posted on their website appears to be filtered and there isn't a lot said about them anywhere else. We aren't necessarily surprised by this, since we can't imagine ResponseLINK is very popular, especially when there are other great medical alert options available online. ResponseLINK isn't a bad choice, but you'll get better features, product selection, and value elsewhere.

Rescue Alert

• 24/7 monitoring service
• Free gift with purchase
• Free ground shipping

Rescue Alert is a family-owned company based out of South Jordan, Utah. Their first stand-alone emergency communication device was developed in 1981 and was capable of using existing telephone lines and did not require monitoring. Over the years, Rescue Alert has continued to improve and develop new products and landed on their latest model of their medical alert systems back in 2015.

Needs an update

Rescue Alert seems to have slowed in their growth over the last few years. Their website isn't modern and their copyright was last updated in 2016. The three products they offer include:

• MXD - Landline Base Unit (starting at $27.95/month)
• Compatible with VoIP, cable, and other phone systems
• Voice prompts
• Two-way communication
• MyActive Alert - Automatic fall detection pendant ($10 extra per month)
• Automatic fall detection technology
• 600 - 1,000 feet of range
• Water-resistant
• Wall Button ($5 extra per month)
• Compatible with Myrtex MXD & MXD3G Models

Lacking in features

Either the products here are lacking sufficient descriptions, or they are really lacking in features. There is so little information provided here that we don't see why you'd pay nearly $28/month plus the optional add-ons for something that does less than what can be found elsewhere.

5 plan options

The five plan options for purchasing the MXD Landline Base Unit are a monthly rental for $32.95, quarterly rental for $29.95/month, annual rental for $27.95/month, or you can purchase the equipment for $199 and then pay $15.95/month for monitoring after that. If instead you'd like to do a one-time payment for the equipment and service, you could pay $849. On top of this, customers have the option of adding on an automatic fall detection pendant, wall mount button, or keysafe ($39.99). The only pricing perk here is that you'll get free ground shipping on your order"� unless you purchase a keysafe, then you'll need to pay $10 for shipping.

We need more transparency

Rescue Alert has really failed to provide information about their policies. There is no mention of a return policy, satisfaction guarantee, free trial, or cancellation policy. We really would like to know if customers can cancel at any time and get a prorated refund if they haven't used up the term of the service they paid for. Rescue Alert provides a phone number for customers to reach them, but the lack of transparency on their website is unappealing to us.

Find more value elsewhere

There isn't a lot to Rescue Alert and we imagine they've had a hard time competing with new companies that offer more value. The company is not accredited or rated by the Better Business Bureau and their customer reviews are few and far between. Customers can get more bang for their buck elsewhere from a company that offers more policy transparency, so we don't recommend investing your time or money into buying a medical alert system from Rescue Alert.