Medical Guardian and Bay Alarm Medical offer medical alert pendants that allow family members and emergency response teams to be contacted in the event of a fall or other health issue. Each system is technologically advanced and offers quick response times.
Key Similarities
- Medical Guardian and Bay Alarm Medical products are about the same price.
- Both Medical Guardian and Bay Alarm Medical are based in the U.S.
- Both Bay Alarm Medical and Medical Guardian offer 24/7 services.
Key Differences
- Medical Guardian allows its wearers to message others in addition to just the company’s consultants.
- A few Medical Guardian products cost more than Bay Alarm.
- Bay Alarm does not use the mobile app to send push notifications.
If you’re in the market for a medical alert system, you can’t go wrong with Bay Alarm Medical or Medical Guardian. The companies’ products are about the same price and offer similar value.
Both companies, however, have certain qualities that surpass the other in terms of user accessibility, simplicity, and costliness. After testing the companies' products ourselves, we’ll break down which one will give you a better bang for your buck and make you a happier customer.
Bay Alarm Medical vs. Medical Guardian: Company Overviews
Bay Alarm Medical has been around since 2007, as a subsidiary of Bay Alarm. The company is known for its easy-to-learn products, reliable customer support, and low prices.
Medical Guardian was established two years before Bay Alarm Medical, but its products are more high-tech. Much like Bay Alarm Medical, it has exceptional customer support and is one of the most reliable medical alert systems on the market.
Looking at the Bay Alarm Medical smartwatch
User Experience
While trying Medical Guardian’s and Bay Alarm Medical’s products, we found that both had quick response times upon clicking the response button. With Bay Alarm Medical, we were able to get in contact with monitoring agents within 20 seconds using the SOS Smartwatch device.
FYI: Our guide to the best medical alert systems will tell you how Bay Alarm Medical and Medical Guardian stack up against the top brands in the industry based on our hands-on testing.
There wasn’t much of a difference with Medical Guardian, but its response times were slightly quicker. After pressing the response button on the Medical Guardian Home 2.0, we had to wait only 17 seconds before getting connected.
Privacy Policies
One of the top concerns in the U.S. is privacy, especially when signing up for a new service. That’s not a concern with either Medical Guardian or Bay Alarm Medical. You will need to share information with the companies, but both follow strict cybersecurity policies that help prevent the data you share from leaking.
Bay Alarm Medical doesn’t collect personal information from you unless you have already provided it. The company will have access to everything you include on the forms on the website.
When we looked into its privacy policy further, we saw that Bay Alarm Medical will share your information with third parties, but only in ways that are outlined when you sign up for one of its plans. Transparency there was solid.
Medical Guardian adheres to similar policies regarding your personal information. It may be shared with third parties, but it will often be for products or services that will probably interest you and your needs.
Customer Support
The websites for both Bay Alarm Medical and Medical Guardian offer clear ways to contact customer support.
Medical Guardian
We could reach out to Medical Guardian’s customer support by phone or through a live chat on the website. For the website’s live chat, you are only required to enter your name, although you can also submit your phone number.
The company’s Life Safety Consultants are available seven days a week from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET. Customer care is also offered all week, but the times differ between weekdays and weekends. From Monday to Friday, the hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET, and on weekends they are available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.
Testing Bay Alarm Medical home device
Bay Alarm Medical
We had more options when reaching out to Bay Alarm Medical, including email, live chat, and phone. The company’s customer support line is open seven days a week.
From Monday to Friday, the lines are open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET. On Saturdays and Sundays, the line is open from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET.
To use the live chat on Bay Alarm Medical’s website, you will be prompted to leave your name, phone number, email, and an option to clarify whether you are already a customer.
Bay Alarm Medical vs. Medical Guardian: Detailed Comparison
Plans and Pricing
Both Bay Alarm Medical and Medical Guardian have reasonably priced plans. Medical Guardian is the pricier of the two, but its more complex technology makes it worth the extra cash.
Did You Know? If you’re in the market for a smartwatch, you may want to check out our review of the best medical alert systems worn as watches. Trust us, they’re not all made the same.
We had a choice between on-the-go products and at-home options when we bought packages from both companies.
Bay Alarm Medical
Bay Alarm systems
Bay Alarm Medical’s Home products are its cheapest options. The SOS Home plans include necessary devices without an up-front cost and range from $19.95 per month to $39.95 per month.
Bay Alarm Medical also offers the SOS All-In-One 2 plan, which can be used both at home and on the go with prices that range from $39.95 per month to $49.95 per month.
For people who are more active outside the house, SOS Mobile or Smartwatch options are the way to go. The SOS Mobile has plans that range from $29.95 a month to $54.95 a month.
Deal Alert: The SOS Mobile devices are usually $99. Right now, they’re on sale for $79 with any plan.
If you’re looking for a fashionable device that can offer you more than help in an emergency, the SOS Smartwatch plans are your best, with plans ranging from $34.95 a month to $59.95 a month.
The Mobile and Smartwatch plans also offer a 360° bundle that costs an extra $25 a month. The plan includes in-home protection and several accessories, making it one of the company’s best deals.
Below is an overview of Bay Alarm Medical’s plans, prices, and features.
| Plans | Device purchase | Cost | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| SOS Home Landline | n/a | $19.95 per month, $59.85 quarterly, or $239.40 annually |
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| SOS Home Cellular | n/a | $29.95 per month, $89.85 quarterly, or $359.40 annually |
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| SOS Home Cellular With Fall Detection | n/a | $39.95 per month, $89.85 quarterly, or $359.40 annually |
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| SOS All-In-One | $129 | $39.95 per month, $119.85 quarterly, or $479.40 annually |
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| SOS All-In-One With Fall Detection | $129 | $49.95 per month, $149.85 quarterly, or $599.40 annually |
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| SOS Mobile | $79 | $29.95 per month, $89.85 quarterly, or $359.40 annually |
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| SOS Mobile With Fall Detection | $79 | $39.95 per month, $119.85 quarterly, or $479.40 annually |
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| SOS Mobile 360° Bundle | $79 | $54.95 a month, $164.85 quarterly, or $659.40 annually |
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| SOS Smartwatch | $159 | $34.95 per month, $104.85 quarterly, or $419.40 annually |
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| SOS Smartwatch With Fall Detection | $159 | $44.95 per month, $134.85 quarterly, or $539.40 annually |
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| SOS Smartwatch 360° Bundle | $159 | $59.95 per month, $179.85 quarterly, or $719.40 annually |
|
Medical Guardian
Medical Guardian on-the-go systems
Much like Bay Alarm Medical, Medical Guardian has plans that will cover you both at home and when you’re out and about. The cheapest plan is the MG Classic, which is the only plan that doesn’t have an up-front charge for the device. It costs $32.95 a month.
Medical Guardian’s other at-home device is the MGHome Cellular, with a monthly fee of $37.95 on top of the $149.95 up-front device fee.
Medical Guardian’s on-the-go systems are its most expensive options. The MGMini is the cheapest, costing $39.95 a month on top of the $149.95 device fee. The MGMini Lite device is the same price as the MGMini, but it has a higher monthly fee of $44.95 a month. It also, on the other hand, has a stronger battery life and a Wi-Fi positioning system that helps identify your location more accurately.
The MGMove has the highest device fee, at $199.95, but the monthly fee is the same as the MGMini, at $39.95 a month.
Below is an overview of Bay Alarm Medical’s plans, prices, and features.
| Plans | Device purchase | Cost | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| MG Classic | n/a | $32.95 per month, $98.85 quarterly, or $362.45 annually |
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| MGHome Cellular | $149.95 | $37.95 per month, $113.85 quarterly, or $417.45 annually |
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| MGMini | $149.95 | $39.95 per month, $119.85 quarterly, or $439.45 annually |
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| MGMini Lite | $149.95 | $44.95 per month, $134.85 quarterly, or $494.45 annually |
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| MGMove | $199.95 | $39.95 per month, $119.85 quarterly, or $439.45 annually |
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Medical Equipment and Features Comparison
Bay Alarm home system
Bay Alarm Medical is more beginner-friendly in terms of technology, with fewer add-ons resulting in a lower price than Medical Guardian. Medical Guardian’s products have a sleeker look, higher-powered tech, and better range than Bay Alarm Medical. Both companies’ products use GPS and Wi-Fi for location tracking and can be powered through landline or cellular.
Here’s a comparison of the capabilities of Medical Guardian and Bay Alarm Medical’s equipment.
| Bay Alarm Medical | Medical Guardian | |
|---|---|---|
| User interface | Beginner friendly | Intermediate friendly |
| Can be used at home | Yes | Yes |
| GPS location tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi location tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Caregiver app | Yes | Yes |
| Range | Up to 1,000 feet | Up to 1,400 feet |
| Connection type | Landline; cellular (AT&T/Verizon) | Landline; cellular (AT&T/Verizon) |
| Fall detection | Yes (as an add-on for $10 a month) | Yes (as an add-on for $10 a month) |
| Battery | 5 days | 5 days |
| Water resistance | Yes (IP67) | Yes (IP67) |
| Response times | Within 25 seconds | Within 25 seconds |
Response Times and Reliability
While trying Medical Guardian’s and Bay Alarm Medical’s products, we found that both had quick response times when we pressed the emergency button. Bay Alarm Medical got us in contact with its monitoring agents within 20 seconds using the SOS Smartwatch device.
There was a slight difference with Medical Guardian. After pressing the response button on the Medical Guardian Home 2.0, we had to wait around 19 seconds before getting connected. That’s one second faster.
Did You Know? If you’re still on the fence about what system you need, our medical alert system buying guide will tell you exactly what to look for in a device. If saving as much money as possible is your priority, skip ahead to our guide on the cheapest medical alert systems.
We continued testing the products throughout the week, and the response times fluctuated. Sometimes Medical Guardian would have a quicker response time of around 17 seconds, and one time we had to wait 22 seconds for Bay Alarm Medical. We never had to wait more than 30 seconds to get in contact with either company’s monitoring agents.
Accessories and Add-Ons
Medical Guardian’s Smartwatch, the MGMove, offers plenty of additional apps, including an add-on for a Support Circle App. We liked the app, since it gave us access to a messaging app to contact our friends and family, as well as a reminders app.
The MGMove also offers apps for counting steps, the weather, and, of course, telling time. It also let us pick from several distinct watch faces, including ones designed like a typical clock and others that feature the time in bold, easy-to-read numbers.
Bay Alarm Medical’s Smartwatch option, the SOS Smartwatch, offers similar features, including step tracking, goal tracking, weather, and time. Unlike Medical Guardian, however, it didn’t allow us to contact anyone other than the company’s monitoring agents.
Medical Guardian help dispatched
Both Medical Guardian and Bay Alarm Medical offer automatic fall detection as an add-on for an additional $10 a month. You may be disappointed to learn that the feature costs extra, but it is worth the price — especially in severe emergencies where you are unable to move your body.
Pro Tip: If fall detection is a top priority for you and you don’t want to pay extra, check out our guide to the best medical alert systems with fall detection.
Bay Alarm Medical also offers several add-ons when purchasing a device.
- $2 to $3 a month for an extended warranty
- $30 lock boxes
- $8 for Vial of Life emergency medical information
- $39 one-time fee for an extra help button
- $49 for an additional charge
If you subscribe to one of Bay Alarm Medical’s annual or quarterly billing plans, you’ll receive free shipping when ordering your device. The annual billing plan also offers a free month.
Medical Guardian offers similar add-ons.
- $6.99 a month for a protection plan
- $2.99 a month for an extra help button
- $2.99 a month for enhanced emergency notifications
You are also expected to pay for shipping for Medical Guardian products, which is around $12.50. Shipping is free if you subscribe to an annual plan though.
Mobile App
Both Medical Guardian and Bay Alarm Medical offer apps for smartphones that allow caregivers and family members to keep track of your location. Bay Alarm Medical’s app technology is a bit more outdated than Medical Guardian’s.
The Bay Alarm Medical app sends users notifications only through email, which got tedious. Medical Guardian sent us push notifications on our smartphones.
Recap: Bay Alarm Medical vs. Medical Guardian
When it comes to getting the assistance you need efficiently, you can’t go wrong with either Bay Alarm Medical or Medical Guardian. Bay Alarm Medical’s products aren’t as intricate or high-tech as Medical Guardian’s, but they’re the perfect choice for people who want an easy-to-use system. For those who want more from their medical alert system, Medical Guardian is the way to go.
Pick Bay Alarm Medical if you’d like…
Bay Alarm Medical devices are your best bet if you’re looking for affordability and an easy-to-navigate user interface. If you get overwhelmed by the mere sight of a collection of apps, you won’t have to worry about that with Bay Alarm Medical.
Since the company’s offices operate on Pacific time, it’s the better option for people living on the West Coast.
Pick Medical Guardian if you’d like…
Medical Guardian devices are a perfect purchase if you aren’t worried about paying extra for something high-tech. Medical Guardian’s products have more of a learning curve, but if you have a lot of time on your hands and you don’t mind technology that is a bit more complicated than some of its competitors, it’s worth the higher price.
Medical Guardian’s offices operate on Eastern time, which makes it the better option for people living on the East Coast or in the Midwest.
Medical Guardian vs Bay Alarm Medical FAQs
- Is Bay Alarm Medical better than Medical Guardian?
That depends on what you’re looking for in a medical alert system. Medical Guardian will be more satisfying for tech-savvy customers, but Bay Alarm Medical is the perfect fit for people who don’t want extra accessories and apps, and plan to use the product only for its main purpose: calling for help.
- What is the monthly cost of the Medical Guardian Alert?
Medical Guardian’s plans start at $29.95 per month, and its three on-the-go plans start at $39.95 a month. There are also additional fees, such as On Guard Alerts for an extra $3 a month and automatic fall detection for $10 a month.
- What is the monthly cost of the Bay Alarm Medical alert system?
Bay Alarm Medical’s plans start at $27.95 a month, while plans for the on-the-go devices start at $34.95 a month. You can pay an additional fee of $10 a month for automatic fall detection.
- Does Medicare pay for Bay Alarm Medical or Medical Guardian?
Unfortunately, Medicare does not cover medical alert systems.
- Do Medical Guardian and Bay Alarm Medical devices work away from home?
Yes. In addition to their classic at-home devices, both Medical Guardian and Bay Alarm Medical offer on-the-go devices, including smartwatches.
