Medical Alert Systems Blog and Resources

Medical alert devices have been around for a number of years. These devices are used to alert emergency services in the event of a fall or other crisis. When shopping for a medical alert system, you can choose between an in-home system or an on-the-go device. Basic wearable pendants and buttons connect to the base station or mobile system to call for help when activated.  Medical Guardian has taken several traditional medical alert system offerings, such as 24/7 monitoring and SOS assistance, and integrated them into a sleek-looking smartwatch. On March 1st, 2022, Medical Guardian released the MGMove Smartwatch that allows you to maintain style and convenience without compromising peace of mind.  Watch the video above for an unboxing of the MGMove watch where we cover what's included in your purchase and highlight the top product features. We've also included information about the features, pricing, and setup below.  What is a Medical Alert Smartwatch? A medical alert smartwatch is a wearable device that includes basic tech features for health and wellness along with emergency calling functions. These watches are a popular tool for achieving an active and safe lifestyle while staying connected to loved ones and emergency services.  The MGMove Smartwatch The MGMove is a new wearable device offered by Medical Guardian that helps you stay safe, active, and connected. When you order the watch, you'll receive a charging station and charging cables. The watch carries a full day's charge, allowing you to go about your daily activities without needing to recharge your watch.  The watch offers six available features: an SOS button, weather updates, reminders, speech-to-text, steps tracker, and GPS tracking.  Features  SOS Button: The SOS button is located on the side of the watch, as well as on the swipe-to-alert feature on the top of the watch. This is used to contact the monitoring center. The person wearing the watch will be able to talk with the monitoring center through the watch to receive further assistance when the button is pressed and held for five seconds. Weather Updates: The weather updates will give you an overview of the forecast that day letting you know if you need to prepare for any unexpected weather.  Reminder Notifications: Get daily reminders from your MyGuardian Portal and App. This is helpful for calendar alerts or medication reminders. All notifications are sent 15 minutes before the event unless those settings are changed. Reminders are also stored under the reminders icon.  Speech-to-Text: One of the new Social Circle Apps is the Messages App. The watch is a great communication device for talking with your care circle and loved ones. By simply speaking into the watch, your words will be turned into written text and sent to the named recipient. Steps Tracker: The daily steps tracker is used for setting goals and tracking your progress.  GPS Tracking: Advanced location tracking allows the selected social circle to see the location of their loved one. MGMove uses the 4G LTE network for location accuracy to give you and your loved one's peace of mind. This is great if you worry about getting lost or a loved one wandering.  Pricing  The pricing includes the product lease and monitoring. Medical Guardian provides 24/7 monitoring to connect you in the event of an emergency. to make sure it can properly place an emergency call without sending a false alert. Medical Guardian recommends testing the system once a month.  The three plan options along with their monthly cost breakdown are listed below:  Monthly Plan Quarterly Plan Annual Plan $39.55 per month $39.55 per month $36.62 per month You can purchase a protection plan for $6.99 per month. The protection plan covers product damage, loss, or theft. Medical Guardian will replace your watch as long as you have not tampered with, repaired, or abused the product.  You can also add additional features to your plan such as the Social Circle Apps for $5.00 per month. This gives you access to the Reminders App and Messages App. OnGuard Alerts is another service that notifies you and your Care Circle with real-time texts and emails when there is an emergency.  The OnGuard Alerts is an additional $2.99 per month.  Setup The Medical Guardian device does not require professional installation or setup. Medical Guardian includes detailed instructions on how to turn on the device and enable the cell phone chip. The cellular service enables GPS tracking so emergency services and your care circle can locate you in the event of any emergency.  You also don't need a smartphone or cell phone plan to use the watch. Network coverage is included in the monthly cost.  Is an MGMove Smartwatch right for me? If you are evaluating different medical alert systems, the MGMove is a great place to start. The device is easy to use and discreet enough to blend into your everyday wardrobe. Individuals looking to maintain an active lifestyle can use the MGMove smartwatch to track health goals, stay on schedule, and pursue independent passions. The Medical Guardian watch is a great gift idea for a loved one who wants to be self-reliant and active.  Medical Guardian is a leader in the medical alerts industry with over 13,000 customer reviews on our site and the majority of customers awarding the company five stars. You can read through our Medical Guardian review to learn more about the company that produced the SOS smartwatch.  For more information about Medical Guardian’s MGMove or other trusted products, visit Medical Guardian's profile or call (800) 860-0618.

If you've heard of medical alert systems, you're likely familiar with the common phrase "I've fallen and can't get up!" Originating from a Life Alert commercial in the early 1990s, the company coined the catchy saying and has since been one of the most prominent companies on the market. Aside from its clever marketing, we wondered, "what does Life Alert have to offer?" Has Life Alert earned its top spot in the medical alert industry because its offerings are the most competitive, or is it simply because the company's marketing was so well done that consumers choose it for the sole fact that it's the most well known? Unfortunately, after looking into Life Alert's offerings and reviews, the latter seems to be the most likely. Here at Best Company, we have a list of top-rated medical alert systems. To earn a top spot on that ranking list, a company needs competitive industry offerings, such as an affordable monthly price, quality equipment, a robust equipment warranty, a reasonable contract, and, most importantly, a medical alert company should have positive customer reviews. On our ranking list, 75% of a company's overall score is determined by its customer reviews. Basically, if you don't have positive reviews from your customers, you won't be a highly rated company on BestCompany.com. With more than 80 medical alert companies ranked, Life Alert pops in at position 21. The company not only falls behind its competitors in regards to pricing and other industry offerings, the majority of its customer reviews are also negative. We compare Life Alert against its top 10 competitors below, who are much more affordable, have better overall offerings, and have many more positive reviews, making them the best life alert alternatives on the market. Just because Life Alert is the most well known, that doesn't mean it's the best option. To help you determine which life alert alternative is right for you, we provide a breakdown of the top 10ranked medical alert companies below. We'll also give you a breakdown of Life Alert as well, so you can compare the company against these competitors. These ratings are as of July, 2021.  #1 rated: Medical Guardian #2 rated: MobileHelp #3 rated: One Call Alert #4 rated: BlueStar SeniorTech #5 rated: Medical Alert #6 rated: LifeStation #7 rated: Alert1 #8 rated: Florida Telehealth #9 rated: LifeFone #10 rated: ADT Home Health #21 rated: Life Alert For each company, we'll expand on plan information, contract requirements, equipment warranty lengths, and just about everything you need to know about each company to make an informed decision. First, we'll compare the #1 and #2 ranked medical alert companies, Medical Guardian and MobileHelp, against Life Alert. As you can see in the comparison chart above, Medical Guardian and MobileHelp blow Life Alert out of the water in regards to their overall score and customer review ratings. Nearly 90% of Medical Guardian's and MobileHelp's reviews are 4 and 5 stars, making negative feedback for both companies minimal. Life Alert, on the other hand, has barely any positive reviews, with only 8% of its total reviews being 4 or 5 stars.  Monthly Monitoring Price: $29.95–$44.95 Fall Detection Cost: +$10 per month Equipment Fee: None* Activation Fee: None Contract: None Warranty: Lifetime Extra Protection Warranty: +$6.99 per month Range/Distance from Base Station: 1,300 *The Freedom Guardian and the Mini Guardian have equipment fees #1 rated medical alert company Ranked against more than 80 competitors, Medical Guardian ranks at the top of the charts at #1. Its pricing is on par with competitors, if not better than most. You can choose from multiple plans, giving you the option to choose the more basic package if you're looking for a standard medical alert system, or opting to upgrade to one with more features. Medical guardian equipment is completely free unless you opt for the smartwatch option or the Mini Guardian, and there are no activation fees or long-term contracts. Medical Guardian's offerings are customizable and are some of the best in the industry.  $100 satisfaction guarantee If you purchase Medical Guardian and are not satisfied after 30 days, Best Company will give you $100 — no tricks or loopholes about it. Since Medical Guardian has been ranked #1 on BestCompany.com for years, we've seen the company's reviews continue to outshine the competition and its offerings continue to improve and exceed what else is on the market. Because customers are so happy with Medical Guardian, we wanted to create an extra guarantee for consumers so they could have additional peace of mind. Learn more about our Best Company Guarantee and buy with confidence.  Smartwatch medical alert option If you want your medical alert equipment to go beyond a simple alert button, Medical Guardian is a great option because its medical alert technology is one of the most competitive in the industry. In addition to your typical medical alert button and fall detection options, Medical Guardian also has a smartwatch option that has multiple capabilities, including text-to-speech messaging, reminders and alerts, daily weather information, location tracking, etc.  Nearly 90% of customer reviews are 4 or 5 stars Medical Guardian has some of the best customer reviews we've seen for medical alert companies and any type of company for that matter. With more than 11,000 reviews and 88% of those being 4 or 5 stars, Medical Guardian is at the top of our ranking list for a reason. We analyzed Medical Guardian's reviews and found that the most common feedback for the company included the following: Equipment quality and its ease of use Excellent customer service Fast response times Reasonable pricing Free spouse protection Medical Guardian protects spouses for free. If you purchase a second medical alert pendant, the company will waive the extra monthly monitoring fee. However, extra buttons cost an additional $2.99 per month. Whether you're purchasing Medical Guardian for you, a spouse, your parents, or whoever it may be, you can take advantage of the company's two-for-the-price-of-one discount.  Learn More About Medical Guardian Find out more about Medical Guardian by reading a full write-up of its pros, cons, and recent customer reviews.  Learn More Current Medical Guardian promotion Medical Guardian has a current promotion that gives customers the following: Free month of service Free ground shipping Free lockbox Free additional pendant To redeem the offer, get the four free gifts with the promo code "4FREE." Monthly Monitoring Price: $19.99–$44.95 Fall Detection Cost: +$10 per month Equipment Fee: None Activation Fee: None Contract: None Warranty: Lifetime Extra Protection Warranty: +$5 per month Range/Distance from Base Station: 1,400 feet #2 rated medical alert company MobileHelp is similar to Medical Guardian in that it has multiple medical alert packages, an affordable monthly monitoring fee, no long-term contracts, free spouse protection, and free equipment. $100 satisfaction guarantee We also offer the Best Company Guarantee with MobileHelp. The same conditions apply as we explained with Medical Guardian's offering: if you're not satisfied after 30 days of purchasing MobileHelp's services, Best Company will give you $100.  4.6/5 customer review star rating MobileHelp has more than 10,000 reviews, averaging its star rating at 4.6/5. 92% of MobileHelp's reviews are 4 or 5 stars, making it clear the majority of its customers are happy and satisfied with its services.  Refer-a-friend discount If you refer a friend to MobileHelp, the company will give you a $200 Visa gift card per referral. Keep in mind, your referrals do have to be customers for 60 days or more before you will receive the gift card.  Full suite of certifications Sometimes it's difficult to find certifications for medical alert companies, and customers often wonder if the company has them at all. MobileHelp is completely transparent on its website and notes that it has the following certifications: FDA Registered — FDA Current Good Manufacturing Practice that regulates medical devices.  FCC Certified — Federal Communications Commission certification that ensures wireless signals are legal and approved.  PTCRB — Global cellular certification that ensures equipment meets standards and won't affect cellular networks. UL-1635 — Underwriters Laboratories Certification that regulates the safety of the digital alarm system.  UL-1637 — Underwriters Laboratories Certification that regulates health care signaling equipment.  AT&T Network Certification — Cellular network certification that gives MobileHelp access to the AT&T network. Learn More About MobileHelp Find out more about MobileHelp by reading a full write-up of its pros, cons, and recent customer reviews.  Learn More Next, we'll compare the #3 and #4 ranked medical alert companies, One Call Alert and BlueStar SeniorTech, against Life Alert. As you'll see below, Life Alert's customer review scores are concerningly low compared to all of the other medical alert providers. It's difficult to trust a company when the majority of its customer review feedback is negative.  One Call Alert and BlueStar SeniorTech both have high star ratings, close to 4.5/5, which is much better than Life Alert's 1.4/5. Monthly Monitoring Price: $19.95–$44.95 Fall Detection Cost: +$10 per month Equipment Fee: None Activation Fee: None Contract: None Warranty: None Extra Protection Warranty: +$5 per month Range/Distance from Base Station: 1,300 feet #3 rated company With a few hundred reviews, One Call Alert has a 4.7/5 customer review star rating. More than 80% of its reviews are 5 stars, with customers appreciating its prompt service, stellar customer service, and quality equipment.  Multiple payment options One Call Alert has flexible payment options, making it simple for customers to select the plan that works best for them. Monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual payments are available. You'll save money if you go with the annual plans.  Prices subject to change Although One Call Alert has competitive prices, the company notes on its website that "prices [are] subject to change without notice." This means One Call Alert does not offer a price-lock guarantee and if the provider decides to increase its prices, it isn't required to notify customers.  Learn More About One Call Alert Find out more about One Call Alert by reading a full write-up of its pros, cons, and recent customer reviews.  Learn More $100 satisfaction guarantee The Best Company Guarantee also applies to One Call Alert. You can purchase One Call Alert's services knowing you have extra protection with our $100 guarantee on top of One Call Alert's 30-day money-back guarantee.  Monthly Monitoring Price: $23.95–$44.95 Fall Detection Cost: +$5 per month Equipment Fee: None Activation Fee: None Contract: None Warranty: Lifetime Extra Protection Warranty: None Range/Distance from Base Station: 600 feet #4 rated company BlueStar SeniorTech is ranked fourth among our top-rated companies. Even though the company only has around 80 consumer reviews, more than 70% of its reviews are 5 stars, demonstrating a solid sample of satisfied customers.  Discount for veterans Veterans founded BlueStar SeniorTech, and they are passionate about giving back. If you're a veteran, you can receive 10% off any of BlueStar SeniorTech's products and services.  Competitive rates for fall detection Typically, medical alert companies charge $10 extra a month for fall detection capabilities. BlueStar SeniorTech charges half of that, making its fall detection one of the most affordable rates on the market.  Stylish and discreet medical alert watch One reason BlueStar SeniorTech stands out against its competitors is its sleek medical alert watch. It's one of the most unique medical alert options on the market. It has a classic watch design with medical alert capabilities. You'd never know it was a medical alert device by looking at it, which is great for customers looking for a medical alert option that is discreet as well as functional.  Learn More About BlueStar SeniorTech Find out more about BlueStar SeniorTech by reading a full write-up of its pros, cons, and recent customer reviews. Learn More The next two Life Alert alternatives are Medical Alert and LifeStation. Medical Alert ranks #5, and LifeStation ranks #6 on our medical alert rankings chart. Both companies have more than 1,000 reviews with the majority of the reviews being 4 and 5 stars. We'll break down each company's offerings below. Monthly Monitoring Price: $19.95–$42.95 Fall Detection Cost: +$10 per month Equipment Fee: None Activation Fee: None Contract: None Warranty: Lifetime Extra Protection Warranty: Free (with purchase of fall detection) Range/Distance from Base Station: 600 feet Free protection plan if you purchase fall detection Most medical alert companies offer protection plans, but they often charge at least an extra $5 per month for the service. Medical Alert offers a free protection plan if you purchase fall detection for any product. This is especially convenient since most customers are interested in purchasing fall detection anyways. Next-day delivery If you want Medical Alert's equipment as soon as possible, the company offers overnight shipping so you'll receive your package the next day and can have medical alert coverage almost immediately.  Multiple payment options This is somewhat common within the medical alert industry, but Medical Alert offers a variety of plan options that allow you to pay monthly, semiannually, or annually. If you pay annually, you'll be paying less than you would if you opt for the month-to-month package. You also receive free shipping and a free lockbox if you pay annually.  Medical Alert mobile app Not all medical alert companies have their own mobile app to pair with their services. However, Medical Alert has a mobile app that allows you to check the medical alert device's status and receive push notifications when the customer is using the device. The app also shows if the device is in the middle of a test or if it's an actual triggered emergency.  Medical Alert's mobile app is great for loved ones or caregivers who want to keep an eye on the medical alert user. Lastly, the mobile app allows for multiple subscribers, so if multiple loved ones want access in addition to a caregiver, that's a possibility.  Learn More About Medical Alert Find out more about Medical Alert by reading a full write-up of its pros, cons, and recent customer reviews. Learn More Monthly Monitoring Price: $21.95–$37.95 Fall Detection Cost: +$10 per month Equipment Fee: None Activation Fee: None Contract: None Warranty: Lifetime Extra Protection Warranty: +$5 per month Range/Distance from Base Station: 500 feet Voice prompts for battery level notifications The majority of medical alert companies have two-way voice technology, but they don't have voice-activated prompts for alerts such as battery notifications. LifeStation's medical alert pendant includes automatic voice prompts that give you battery-level updates. so you never have to worry about it dying before you're notified of the battery being low.  Lightweight button For most medical alert users, size and convenience is an important factor when selecting a medical alert button. LifeStation has a miniature lightweight button that weighs less than half an ounce. This means you won't be distracted by a bulky pendant, whether you're wearing it as a necklace or watch. Hopefully, it'll be small enough that you won't even notice it's there most of the time. Positive reviews LifeStation has more than 2,000 reviews on BestCompany.com. Of those reviews, more than 80% are 4 or 5 stars. Customers are happy enough with the company's products and services that negative reviews are minimal.  Partnership with Uber Health LifeStation is partnered with Uber Health to make sure medical alert users have transportation to get to their appointments. LifeStation's care specialists book rides to and from the user's appointment to make the process as seamless as possible. LifeStation's team will also stay on the phone with medical alert users if they desire until the ride is successfully completed. Learn More About LifeStation Find out more about LifeStation by reading a full write-up of its pros, cons, and recent customer reviews. Learn More Alert1 and Florida Telehealth have fewer reviews than the previously compared companies, but it is a big enough sample size to see general feedback from consumers. Florida Telehealth is especially impressive with 99% of its customer reviews being 4 or 5 stars. Find out more about both companies below.  Monthly Monitoring Price: $19.95–$52.95 Fall Detection Cost: +$8 per month Equipment Fee: None Activation Fee: $19.95 Contract: None Warranty: Extended Extra Protection Warranty: +$8 per month Range/Distance from Base Station: 600 feet Cheaper if you pay for 10 months at a time If you pay for 10 months of service at a time, Alert1 will waive the $19.95 activation fee. All package prices are also more affordable if you opt for the 10-month plan. If you compare a month-to-month plan to a 10-month plan, you'll save upwards of $100. Alert1 also offers a free month of service and free shipping if you pay for the longer plan.  Competitive pricing for fall detection Alert1 only charges $8 extra per month for fall detection. Most competitors charge $10 per month, so Alert1's pricing is a bit cheaper.  Compatible with pacemakers All Alert1 medical alert pendants are compatible with pacemakers. This is convenient for any customers who already have pacemakers and want to continue to use them with their medical alert system.  Refer-a-Friend discount Alert1 offers a referral program for all customers. If you refer a friend, both of you will receive one month of service for free. The discount will be applied at the end of your billing cycle. If you're enrolled in the 10-month plan, you may have to wait quite a while to receive the discount.  Learn More About Alert1 Find out more about Alert1 by reading a full write-up of its pros, cons, and recent customer reviews.  Learn More Monthly Monitoring Price: $39–$85 Fall Detection Cost: +$10 per month Equipment Fee: $99 Activation Fee: None Contract: None Warranty: 1 year Extra Protection Warranty: +$5 per month Range/Distance from Base Station: Cellular only Family member text alerts Florida Telehealth's medical alert product is called RescueTouch and includes text message capabilities so loved ones and/or caregivers can receive updates in an emergency.  Family monitored medical alert option In addition to a professionally monitored plan, Florida Telehealth also has a family monitored plan. If you choose this plan, rather than having a professional monitoring center respond to your emergency calls 24/7, you select family members to be notified instead.   Fall detection available Florida Telehealth has fall detection available for family monitored plans as well as professionally monitored plans. It's not an add-on similar to what other medical alert companies do; the company instead offers fall detection as part of its more robust plans. You can't choose to opt-out of fall detection for a cheaper monthly fee.  Discounts available Florida Telehealth offers discounts for AARP members, anyone with disabilities, nurses, first responders, as well as veterans. Learn More About Florida Telehealth Find out more about Florida Telehealth by reading a full write-up of its pros, cons, and recent customer reviews.  Learn More The final two Life Alert alternatives are LifeFone and ADT Home Health. Both have mostly positive customer reviews and solid medical alert offerings we'll discuss below.   Monthly Monitoring Price: $24.95–$39.95 Fall Detection Cost: +$5–$10 per month Equipment Fee: None Activation Fee: None Contract: None Warranty: Lifetime Extra Protection Warranty: +$5 per month Range/Distance from Base Station: 1,300 feet High star rating LifeFone has a 4.6/5 star rating with 78% of its reviews coming in at 5 stars. Its customer reviews highlight the company as a great medical alert provider with an impressive and friendly staff, rapid responses, versatile equipment and plan packages, and more.  Free spouse protection Similar to other leaders in the industry, LifeFone offers spouse protection for free. If you purchase an additional medical alert device, LifeFone will offer monthly monitoring completely for free so you don't have to pay an additional fee every month.  Optional daily check-in You can opt into a daily check-in service that will ensure a Lifefone agent will give a call to the medical alert customer every day. This can be a simple check to see if the user is okay or it can be customized further to be more of a daily reminder call for whatever you'd like. You can also decide which time of day you'd like to receive the call. You can respond to the call by simply pressing a button on your base unit so it doesn't have to be a time-consuming call.  Lifetime price and equipment guarantee Lifefone offers a lifetime price and equipment guarantee for all of its customers. This means your monthly price will never increase unless you add additional services. Your equipment will also be ensured for as long as you have it, so you don't have to worry about a short equipment warranty expiring during the lifetime of your medical alert service.  Current LifeFone promotion LifeFone has a current promotion that gives customers the following: 1 month free Free shipping Free lockbox Free activation Price-lock guarantee To redeem the offer, use code Safe20.  Learn More About LifeFone Find out more about LifeFone by reading a full write-up of its pros, cons, and recent customer reviews.  Learn More Monthly Monitoring Price: $29.99–$39.99 Fall Detection Cost: +$10 per month Equipment Fee: None Activation Fee: None Contract: None Warranty: Lifetime Extra Protection Warranty: +$5 per month Range/Distance from Base Station: 600 feet ForeveRate™ guarantee ADT Home Health offers what it calls its ForeveRate™ guarantee. This ensures your monthly rate will never increase, no matter how long you have ADT's services.  Free next-day shipping As long as your order is placed by 2 PM, ADT Home Health will ship your medical alert system package by the next business day.  Home temperature monitoring A unique offering ADT has is home temperature monitoring for all its medical alert packages. This is great for customers who are also interested in home automation.  Multiple payment plans ADT Home Health gives customers a discount if paid quarterly or annually. You still have the choice to pay month-to-month, but it is cheaper if you pay for more months of service upfront.  Learn More About ADT Home Health Find out more about ADT Home Health by reading a full write-up of its pros, cons, and recent customer reviews.  Learn More Monthly Monitoring Price: $49.95–$89.95 Fall Detection Cost: No fall detection available Equipment Fee: $95–$198 Activation Fee: None Contract: 3 years Warranty: Lifetime Extra Protection Warranty: Not available Range/Distance from Base Station: 800 feet Poor customer reviews Life Alert's review score is 206.9% lower than the average review score of the top-recommended medical alert company, Medical Guardian. With more than 100 reviews, Life Alert's customer review score is 1.4 out of 5, with 83% of its reviews being 1 star. In a nutshell, customers aren't happy with Life Alert. The most common complaint is the company's three-year contract.  Out of all of the four Life Alert alternatives we've discussed above, none of them require a contract, whereas Life Alert binds customers into a three-year contract, which is almost unheard of in the medical alert industry. . . almost.   Three-year contract             Customers are being locked into this 36-month contract and they aren't happy. With the majority of medical alert companies having month-to-month plans, it's disappointing Life Alert forces its customers into a lengthy commitment.  No fall detection available Life Alert is one of the few medical alert companies that does not offer fall detection. With fall detection being one of the main selling points of medical alert devices, Life Alert falls short by not offering this feature. Fall detection is the medical alert capability that will notify the emergency monitoring center if a fall occurs while the user is wearing a fall detection pendant. Without this, medical alert users have to press the medical alert pendant manually, which may be impossible if the user is unable to move or is currently unconscious.  If you want extra peace of mind, we suggest selecting a medical alert company with fall detection capabilities, especially if the potential medical alert customer is ever left alone.  Limited online information Life Alert has an outdated way of doing business. To receive pricing information, you have to request a brochure and you can't even request that the brochure be emailed to you; you have to wait for the company to mail the brochure to you and you must do this by calling Life Alert directly. This not only makes the researching and purchasing process more lengthy, but it's much more difficult when compared to all the Life Alert alternatives we've discussed in this article who state all of their pricing and package details online and even allow online ordering.  Life Alert's website is also extremely outdated and provides little information. Unless you have the time to call and request a brochure and wait for it to be delivered, which may take weeks, Life Alert likely isn't worth it.   Customer Review: Ginger Barnes from Boulder, CO "I called Life Alert twice to get some pricing as my mom just passed away and I needed something for my dad. They hung up on me twice because I would not give them my full address. I just had 2 questions and they would not answer them for me — I was told they are in 'the free brochure they will mail me.' So ridiculous. They just lost a customer."

Medical Guardian is a well-known medical alert system company from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded in 2005, Medical Guardian sets itself apart from its competition with its five core values: Customers above all else Innovation as motivation Passion for purpose Building meaningful relationships Excellence in results For nearly a decade, Medical Guardian has stayed at the top of our rating charts, earning the number one spot for the best medical alert system company on the market. With its high ratings never faltering, we wanted to ask how — how has Medical Guardian stayed consistent and remained at that top spot all of these years? The simple answer to that question is Medical Guardian has outstanding customer reviews. When we give a score to medical alert companies, customer reviews are the most heavily weighted factor when determining where companies land on our Best Medical Alert Systems List. Other aspects are considered as well, such as pricing, upfront fees, contract length, time in business etc. But customer reviews make up 75 percent of a company's score. We want to ensure the companies that are earning those top spots are giving customers the treatment they deserve.  To earn that #1 medical alert spot year after year, Medical Guardian reviews have to be top-notch — and they are. A whopping 69 percent of Medical Guardian reviews are 5 stars, and 88 percent of Medical guardian reviews are either 4 or 5 stars. That tells us the company is doing something right for consumers to rate the company so high, especially more than seven years in a row.  So what makes Medical Guardian so liked by its customers? We took a sample of Medical Guardian's reviews, delving into hundreds of ratings, separating them into categories, and identifying the specific areas where Medical Guardian excels.  After reading through hundreds of reviews, we determined Medical Guardian excels in multiple areas. One-third of all sampled reviewers also cited at least two positive experiences that prompted their review. So quite often, consumers aren't appreciative of just one aspect of the company; they're satisfied with multiple. Below we'll break down each section and provide specific Medical Guardian reviews that highlight customers' thoughts about the company.  Equipment Quality Customer Service Response Times Affordable Pricing Peace of Mind Review Responses Equipment quality and ease of use Because you or your loved one's life can depend on this device, medical alert equipment must be high-quality, trustworthy, and simple to use. Of the reviews we sampled, almost half mentioned Medical Guardian's quality equipment and its ease of use as a reason for the customer's high review rating.  Customer Review: Martha from Lorain, Ohio "I went through the testing process of the equipment and it all went very smoothly. I followed the directions that came with what I was sent and it was very clear how to do the process. It was very easy." From initial set up to using the equipment on a day-to-day basis, you want the functionality to be straightforward, and that's exactly what consumers noted as a convenience of Medical Guardian is the simple yet high-tech equipment.  Customer Review: Susan from Pennsburg, Pennsylvania "I had used another previously, and Medical Guardian is so much better in quality of product and customer service." For the equipment to be effective for customers, there needs to be versatility and customization, which is something Medical Guardian also makes a priority. The company knows that medical alert systems aren't one size fits all, so there are a variety of medical alert packages to choose from.  Customer Review: Steve "They are responsive and very helpful in the setup process. They also helped in choosing the best equipment and appropriate response plan." Here's a breakdown of Medical Guardian's medical alert packages if you're interested in seeing what individual plans the company offers and what specific equipment comes with each one. All of Medical Guardian's medical alert packages include 24/7 professional monitoring, waterproof medical alert devices, and two-way communication. If you want to purchase a fall alert pendant, you need to upgrade your selected package. You also have the option to add extra medical alert buttons, wall-mounted buttons, voice-activated wall buttons, lockboxes, and more to your selected plan.  In-Home Medical Alert Packages Classic Guardian ($0.97 per day) — Medical alert system for in and around the house that connects to your landline. Wearable medical alert button that can function up to 1,300 feet away from the base station. Home Guardian ($1.13 per day) — Medical alert system for your home that doesn't require a landline. Wearable emergency button functions up to 600 feet away from the base station. On-the-Go Medical Alert Packages Mobile Guardian ($1.35 per day) — Built-in GPS technology that keeps you protected up to 350 feet from the base station. Reliable cellular connection through AT&T with 24/7 professional monitoring. Mobile Guardian base can be worn around the neck or with a belt clip, while the pendant that comes with it can be worn around the neck or wrist.  Active Guardian ($1.35 per day) — Portable medical alert system with built-in GPS and Wi-Fi technology. Not limited by a range. Worn around the neck or with a belt clip. Freedom Guardian ($1.45 per day) — Lightweight smartwatch medical alert device. GPS and Wi-Fi positioning systems that can determine your exact location. Text-to-speech text messaging, reminders and alerts, and weather forecast capability.  Mini Guardian ($1.29 per day) — Lightest device Medical Guardian offers at half the width of the other devices. Built-in fall detection and a five-day battery life. GPS and WiFi location tracking. Worn around the neck or with a belt clip.  Superior customer service Nearly 40 percent of reviewers mentioned a positive experience with Medical Guardian's customer service. That's a comforting number when you're trying to decide if Medical Guardian has a responsive staff you want to do business with. Medical alert devices aren't something you purchase once and then you never speak with the company again; you are going to be dealing with Medical Guardian at least monthly to do frequent system checks that ensure your system is working. You'll also likely contact the company with questions about billing or equipment, for example. You want to know the company takes consumer concerns seriously and makes a concerted effort to provide excellent customer service. Medical Guardian reviews demonstrate just that.  Customer Review: Melissa Freeman from Elkin, North Carolina "Medical Guardian has the best ratings on the Internet. Customer service thus far has been tops!!" As the #1 rated medical alert provider, Medical Guardian strives to live up to its impressive reputation. A brand could easily be a disappointment if it didn't make the effort to impress the majority of its customers with treatment that is valued and appreciated.  Customer Review: Hubert from Scarsdale, New York "Once or twice I have been called by them just to see if everything was okay. They were just testing the device and seeing if I'm okay so I found that to be terrific customer service." The above review demonstrates how Medical Guardian's customer service goes above and beyond what you typically see in companies. Medical Guardian contacts customers even when nothing has been reported, just to ensure they are doing okay and that their medical alert system is operating how it should be. That alone could save a life if for some reason the device wasn't working and that phone call was able to detect a problem before an emergency took place.  Customer Review: Anthony "I think that their service is very good. We test it once a month and the people are very efficient, very nice, they answer very quickly and it just makes you feel confident. My every interaction with them has been a positive one."   Quick response times A quick response time in a medical alert provider is key. If you or a loved one experiences a fall, you want to know the monitoring center will respond to your button push within minutes — even seconds. Of the reviews we sampled, 33 percent were impressed with Medical Guardian's response times, saying the company responds almost instantly every time their button is pressed.  Customer Review: Linda "They answered the call immediately. I got stuck in the pantry and fell. I just pressed the button and my son came immediately and everything was taken care of. It was a good experience." With any medical alert system, you're most likely going to experience quite a few false alarms where you accidentally press your button and contact the monitoring center. Although this may seem inconvenient to both you and the company, it's actually a great way for both parties to test the medical alert device to not only ensure it's working, but also to check that the company's response rate is acceptable. Countless reviews we went through mentioned customers accidentally pushing their buttons but being thankful that they did because that showed them that Medical Guardian responded immediately and that their systems were functioning effectively.  Customer Review: Mark "I never actually needed help, but have accidentally pushed the button a few times and someone responded immediately." Customers also appreciated Medical Guardian's response times weren't just quick for certain types of alerts. For example, if you push your button and/or experience a fall and make contact with Medical Guardian's monitoring center, you can tell the operator —or decide beforehand — if you want the monitoring center to contact an ambulance or one of your family members instead. This way, you don't need to worry about an ambulance showing up at your home if it's just a minor fall that a family member can help with.  Customer reviews show that whether you opt for an ambulance or a family member to assist you, Medical Guardian's response times are equally quick.  Customer Review: Julia "Unfortunately my dad fell, and he pressed his alert tag, within minutes I received a call that my dad fell, the operator was so kind and patient with me as I was on the way to his home! This company was everything we signed up for and more!! Extremely pleased." Affordable pricing Price is always going to be a major factor when deciding when to do business with a company. Thankfully, numerous reviews we looked at noted that Medical Guardian has an affordable price that is definitely worth the quality service you receive.  Customer Review: Aaro Rice "Very good product and friendly staff! Product is quality and price is affordable." Medical Guardian's monthly price starts at $29.95 and ranges up to about $44.95. When compared to other top medical alert providers, like Life Alert that charges closer to $70 per month, Medical Guardian has one of the most affordable prices on the market. Medical Guardian also doesn't require any activation or equipment fees, unless you're purchasing the smartwatch medical alert device or the Mini Guardian. This means that with almost all of the company's packages, you won't have to spend any money upfront except for the monthly payment.  Customer Review: Lynne Yates "Very good product and service. Like the pricing and the people are very nice." Medical Guardian also doesn't require a contract. Competing medical alert companies like Life Alert require up to three-year contracts, so it can provide peace of mind to customers that Medical Guardian doesn't lock its customers into long-term agreements. This means no hefty cancellation fees and no added stress for you or your loved one if you need to cancel the medical alert service.  Customer Review: Linda Cox from Waterloo, Iowa "I found that Medical Guardian was less expensive than Life Alert. I think the customer service was knowledgeable, professional, helpful, and very nice." Peace of mind Medical alert systems can primarily be a precautionary measure that gives you and your loved ones peace of mind that if an emergency or fall takes place, help will be contacted and sent immediately. As we read through reviews around this topic, customers were noting that even if they haven't had to use their medical alert device yet, they were still thankful for the service. For most customers, paying a monthly monitoring fee is worth the peace of mind and sense of independence alone. Customer Review: Annabelle Weaver "It gave me peace of mind because I was all alone. It's a comfort to know that I have it hanging around my neck. All I have to do is push the button if I need it. Now I have family close by so I can get help if I fall. Most of the times I've used it was by accident when I turned over in bed. They have called me to make sure things are working right for me and that everything is ok." Detailed review responses Not only are customer review ratings important when determining if a company is trustworthy, but so are the company's responses to those reviews. If a business is receiving bad reviews online and making no moves to rectify its customers' concerns by responding to those reviews, that's a sign that you may not be able to trust that company.  It's nice to see that Medical Guardian makes it a priority to respond to its reviews. Here are a couple of examples of Medical Guardian responding to specific customer concerns: Medical Guardian also sends reviewers a private message and provides contact information so the customer has a way to contact them personally regarding the problem they're having.  Key Takeaway: Medical Guardian customer reviews reveal the company excels in multiple areas. Equipment quality and ease of use Superior customer service Quick response times Affordable pricing Peace of mind Detailed review responses Medical Guardian Medical Alert Systems Learn more about Medical Guardian's medical alert system offerings and read additional customer reviews. Learn More

Medical alert devices have been around for decades and largely serve the same purpose they always have, so how can you know which company is the best? Two of the most well-known names in the medical alert industry, Life Alert and Medical Guardian, both serve thousands of customers and feature 24/7 monitoring by certified emergency representatives, but what are the key differences between the two? Allow us to break things down for you. Price Medical Guardian's systems cost anywhere between $29.95 to $49.95 per month. The least expensive system is the Classic Guardian system that plugs into a landline connection and features 1300 feet of range. The most expensive unit is the Premium Guardian, which is roughly the size of a deck of cards and is GPS-enabled, so you can take it with you anywhere. This means that wherever you go, emergency responders will be able to pinpoint your exact location, even if you're outside. Unfortunately, Life Alert doesn't disclose any prices on its website, so it's hard to make a solid comparison. However, it appears as though Life Alert offers similar products to Medical Guardian. There are even mobile apps available with Life Alert. But since we don't know the prices of Life Alert's products, we can't know for sure if the customer is in for a bargain. Winner: Medical Guardian (by default) Equipment Fee Medical Guardian offers no equipment fee for its systems. This means that you won't have to pay extra just because the system shows up at your door. Thankfully, Life Alert doesn't charge an equipment fee, either. Winner: Tie Activation Fee Medical Guardian charges no activation fee for any of its packages. When the product comes in the mail, just plug it into your wall outlet and/or landline connection, and it should be ready to go. All of your contact information comes pre-loaded and assigned in accordance with the unit you ordered. Life Alert charges an activation and installation fee of $95 to $295 depending on the package. This can be frustrating because this could equate to a month's worth of groceries or several months of emergency monitoring. Many top medical alert companies are doing away with these fees, and Life Alert would do well to do the same. Winner: Medical Guardian Contract Medical Guardian operates based on a month-to-month basis. If a customer needs to cancel services for any reason, there isn't a hefty contract binding you into monthly payments regardless of your need. Just ship the equipment back to Medical Guardian headquarters and you're good to go. However, there is a 90-day service agreement, so you must pay for the first three months of service. If you want to return the device before the 90-day period expires, Medical Guardian will refund you the remaining amount in due time, but you must pay for the first three months beforehand. On the other hand, Life Alert operates based on a 3-year contract. This means that the customer will be required to pay every month until the 36-month period has expired, and this can be incredibly frustrating if funds are running low or you don't need the product anymore. The customer may have the option to buy out of a contract, but depending on how much time is left, that can cost upward of $1,000. Winner: Medical Guardian Warranty Both Life Alert and Medical Guardian offer lifetime warranties on their equipment. This means that if anything goes wrong with the equipment you've purchased, the company will replace it free of charge. Winner: Tie Range Medical Guardian's most basic system (Classic Guardian) offers 1300 feet of range, which is one of the greatest distances currently available on the market. The Home Guardian, which is $5/month extra, only offers half that range. Remember, though, that Medical Guardian has a more expensive GPS-enabled system that allows it to operate anywhere. In comparison, Life Alert's system offers 800 feet of range. This is still an impressive number, but Medical Guardian's most basic system can outshine this by 500 feet. There is a mobile option available to Live Alert customers that is also GPS-enabled, but the price of the product is unknown. Winner: Medical Guardian Time in Business Life Alert has been in the medical alert industry for 30 years at the time of this article's publication. The company established itself in the late 1980's with the television commercials featuring an elderly woman crying, "I've fallen and I can't get up!" These popular commercials have helped Life Alert to be the most well-known name in the medical alert industry. Medical Guardian has only been in business for 12 years at the time of this review. However, we found that Medical Guardian has a much more robust and navigable website in comparison to veteran company Life Alert. Life Alert would do well to follow Medical Guardian's lead with an organized blog, clearly outlined package pricing, and informative videos. Winner: Life Alert Customer Reviews According to BestCompany.com, Medical Guardian boasts over 1,400 customer reviews with an average rating of 8.6/10. The majority of customer reviews indicate quick response times, friendly customer representatives, and easy setup. Comparatively, Life Alert currently has a 1.6/10 rating based on 45 customer reviews. Most of the reviews complain about poor customer service and rigid contracts with overwhelming buyouts. Winner: Medical Guardian Overall Comparing the two companies, the obvious choice is Medical Guardian. The company offers several pricing options boasting different functions that should complement most customers' budgets. Even the most basic package has one of the best ranges of any device in the industry, and higher-priced units are GPS-enabled so you can take the product anywhere. The company also has excellent customer feedback based on over 1,400 experiences. This speaks to the company's customer service and ease of use. Life Alert is one of the pioneers in the medical alert industry, but according to feedback from customers and a lack of pricing transparency on the company's website, the organization seems to be a little out of touch. The lifetime warranty and lack of equipment fee are definitely encouraging but aren't enough to set the company apart from other companies in the medical alert industry. Looking at customer feedback is especially discouraging. Winner: Medical Guardian