Best Medical Alert Systems of 2024

Medical alert systems provide fast, easy access to emergency help with the press of a button. They're particularly important for people who live alone and are older than 65—the milestone age when the risk of heart attack, stroke, dementia, and falls starts to increase significantly.

All medical alert devices include a wearable help button, and some also include GPS tracking and automatic fall detection for extra protection. These devices—also called personalized emergency response systems (PERS)—share a lot of features from brand to brand.

To help you choose the right medical alert, we reviewed the differences between each and conducted hands-on testing. Only the most reliable and user-friendly brands made it onto our best medical alert systems list. We've named Bay Alarm Medical the best-of-the-best, but we encourage you to read through the entire list to find your perfect match. Medical Guardian has reliable GPS tracking and customizable options to choose from.

Medical Guardian medical alert pricing

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to medical alert systems. We all have different needs and risk factors that need to be considered. To help you find your ideal emergency response match, we’ve outlined the different factors you should examine before making a decision.

Some medical alert systems are designed with specific needs in mind. There are voice-activated alarms for people with dexterity challenges and other medical alerts that use motion detectors to automatically request assistance in the event of a fall.

Not all medical alert devices offer two-way talk. If the added comfort of speaking with an operator is important to you, choose a medical alert system that has this feature. Two-way communication can be available through the base unit or a help button.

You don’t want to worry about a dead battery when you need help. Make sure the medical alarm system you rely on has battery backup so that it can work even during a power outage.

Some medical alert buttons will work only in your home, providing coverage for a 600-foot radius on average. If you want to be covered for shopping trips—or even when you’re out in your yard—look for a system with broader range. An alert system that uses GPS can increase mobility and make it easier for emergency services to pinpoint your location when it counts.

You don’t want emergency responders to show up at your house with no way to get inside. Many medical alert systems offer lockboxes where you can keep a spare key to help emergency personnel get to you as quickly as possible.

There can be a difference between companies that operate their own monitoring center and those that outsource support to a generalized call center. Companies with their own monitoring centers have faster access to customer records and emergency responders who are specially trained to address the needs of medical alert system clients.

​Many emergency response systems come with monthly service or usage fees in addition to the initial cost of the device. Be sure you understand the monthly cost before committing to a medical alert system—and ask if the company offers any specials or discounts on equipment when you sign up for monthly monitoring. You may also be able to save by paying for your service a year in advance instead of month to month.

Medical alert buttons are typically worn in a wristband or as a pendant around the neck. Which style you choose can be more than a matter of personal preference. Consider the strangulation risk of a neck pendant—although it’s a small risk, it can still be worrisome if you use a walker, wheelchair, or bed guardrails.

We like Bay Alarm Medical best overall because it covers all the bases at a competitive price. But every person and situation is a little different, so you might prefer the price, tech, or policies of another company. For example, Medical Guardian makes our favorite mobile medical alert systems, and customizable options to fit your needs. The key is to find a device that makes you feel confident and independent.

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 four based on price, reliability, comfort, ease of use, extra features, and customer satisfaction. 

1. The National Council on Aging, “Get the Facts on Falls Prevention,” March 13, 2023. Accessed Sept 15, 2024.