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We ranked the best medical alert system watches based on form, function, and fashion so you can stay safe in style.
Updated December 12, 2024
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Caring for an aging loved one involves providing them with a safety net in case of a medical emergency. Our caregiving experts recommend a trusty medical alert system. But let’s face it, some seniors resist wearing an often bulky necklace pendant or button strapped to their wrist. Some prefer something more stylish – like a smart watch. And yes, medical alert systems that can be worn as watches do exist.
However, we have to find the balance between style, function, and reliability. We don’t want them to look like monitoring devices, but we don’t want them to be just there for the aesthetics either. Lives are literally on the line when choosing a medical alert system, so pick wisely.
To help you do that, let’s talk about MGMove by Medical Guardian, the SOS Smart Watch from Bay Alarm Medical, and the Apple Watch – the three solutions our caregiving experts recommend for seniors looking for a medical alert system they can wear as watches.
From Christopher Norman, a Board-Certified Geriatric Nurse Practitioner with the National Council on Aging (NCOA)
| Watches Tested | 12 |
|---|---|
| Top Feature | GPS Location Tracking |
| Test Duration | 7-10 days |
| Equipment Cost | $49.95+ |
| Monthly cost | $24.99+ |
Now, here are some of the best medical alert systems worn as watches.
A genuine smartwatch can cost well over $250. The MGMove by Medical Guardian costs $199.95. That sounds like a good deal, but it’s still a lot compared to what you would pay for a regular medical alert system.
MGMove isn’t just a regular medical alert system though. It combines form and function, having core features like a 24/7 direct connection to Medical Guardian’s monitoring centers, GPS and location tracking linked to caregivers’ devices, two-way talk directly through the watch, and more. It’s also extremely minimalist, having a slim profile and measuring just 1.25 inches across the rounded watch face.
We also like how it has a built-in ‘help’ button. That’s a must-have, and it perfectly complements MGMove’s direct connection to the monitoring center.
We’ve tested both generations of the MGMove from Medical Guardian. The newer one improves on the previous’ smartwatch offerings. It’s not quite like a Samsung Galaxy smartwatch or an Apple Watch in terms of technology, but it comes with useful features such as a weather app and a step tracker. There’s also a Reminder app for keeping track of medication and medical appointments, as well as two-way texting and voice chat, so seniors can stay in contact with friends, family, and caregivers.
Medical Guardian has us covered. The company’s new MGMove improves on its previous smartwatch offerings. It’s designed to keep seniors safe without sacrificing access to technology. Appearances aside, this is not a Samsung Galaxy smartwatch, but it does come with some nice tech features like a weather app and a step tracker. There’s a Reminder app for keeping track of medication and medical appointments. And there’s two-way texting and voice chat, so seniors can stay in contact with friends and family.
All of this comes in a sporty package. The watch features a rounded face that’s 1.25 inches in diameter, and it looks like serious tech while being easier to use than most smartwatches.
Be aware that the battery life is short at just 24 hours, but that’s typical with these devices. As long as your loved one charges it every night before they go to bed, they’ll be good to go all day long. Monitoring costs $39.95 a month, but that includes access to all the apps and features. You can get the full rundown on what this smartwatch can do by reading through our review of the Medical Guardian MGMove.
Pro Tip: While the MGMove isn’t currently on sale, new users can get 50 percent off an MGMini, MGMini Lite, or MGHome Cellular device. The company will also throw in a free month of service and a lock box.
| Connectivity | Landline, cellular, and Wi-fi |
|---|---|
| Fall Detection | $10/month |
| In-home Range | Up to 1,400 feet |
| Battery Backup | Up to 32 hours |
| GPS Option | Yes |
| Money-back Guarantee | None |
The Bay Alarm Medical SOS Smartwatch isn’t as feature-rich or as sleek-looking as the MGMove. It doesn’t have a Reminders app, nor does it offer text and voice messages. But those missing features aside, the SOS Smartwatch delivers where it matters.
First of all, it’s connected to a monitoring center. There’s a ‘help’ button that is easy to get to and press. Plus, it’s compatible with fall detection technology – you just have to activate it and pay the extra monthly cost.
Second, it has useful peripheral features. It has a step-tracker for seniors who like to be active, it can show the weather, and … of course… tell the time. It’s not a ‘smart’ smartwatch, but it’s wonderfully simple and functional.
The SOS Smartwatch looks identical to the latest MGMove and also offers many of the same features. Unlike other companies that offer smartwatches, this is more than just a button you can wear as a watch. This wearable lets you check the weather and track your steps. You also have a choice of several watch faces.
Looking at the Bay Alarm Medical smartwatch
The watch is also water resistant and has a water-resistant rating of IP67. That’s just a fancy way of saying it can be submerged in 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes. That makes things like showering, going for a quick swim, or doing the dishes a breeze.
FYI: Keep in mind that while 30 minutes should be the threshold, most users report some technical issues if they’ve had the watch fully submerged for that long or even a minute more. So, to be safe, we recommend not going over that time limit.
One of the more important aspects of the watch is the ability to add fall detection. Because the SOS Smartwatch has built-in fall detection, you can add it at any point for just an extra $10 per month. This price is a bit lower than the industry standard of $15 per month. Something unique about this watch is that it uses AI technology that learns movements the more you wear it to improve accuracy.
Unlike some other devices, you are required to buy the equipment. Currently, Bay Alarm has the watch on sale for $149, or $179 normally. Both options are still cheaper than the MGMove, which costs $199.95. Of course, you’ll only pay that once and then the device is yours to keep forever – unless you decide to return it for a full refund within their return window. The SOS Smartwatch also requires you to pay $39.95 per month – or $49.95 with fall detection – for ongoing service.
You can learn more about the watch and the provider in our Bay Alarm Medical Review 2024.
| Connectivity | 4G LTE SIM card |
|---|---|
| Fall Detection | $10/month |
| Battery Life | Up to 16 hours |
| GPS Location Tracking | Yes |
| Money-back Guarantee | 30-days |
Of course, if you’re looking for a smartwatch with the most technology and features, you’re not going to do better than the Apple Watch. This isn’t just the gold standard in medical alert smartwatches. It’s the gold standard in smartwatches. Period. It turns out that the Apple Watch also offers enough medical apps to make it a usable medical alert device, including an Emergency SOS system.
Of course, you can probably guess the main downside. You’ll pay a smart watch price for a true smartwatch. It’s also worth noting that the Apple Watch’s many functions aren’t easy to master if you’re not tech-savvy. That can be a concern for some older adults.
FYI: See our list of the best security systems that work with Apple for more on how the industry-leading brand can help you stay safe in your home.
Somewhere amongst all the tens of thousands of apps you can download from the App Store, the Apple Smartwatch includes apps that function as medical alert systems. For instance, there’s an Emergency SOS system that can contact caregivers and emergency responders with the touch of a button. And with the right equipment, it can keep track of your heart rate. You can download apps that regulate what you eat and apps that tell you which parts of town are safest. In short, the Apple Smartwatch can operate as a medical alert system on steroids.
These watches even offer fall detection, though you have to enable this feature. If the watch detects a fall followed by no movement, it sends you an alert. If you don’t respond, the Apple Watch taps your wrist and sounds an alarm. If you still don’t respond, it calls emergency services.
FYI: It’s extremely important to note that Apple Watches are not monitored by medical professionals. The wearer won’t have the assistance of a trained associate available, and vital health information will not be immediately available to emergency personnel.
Because the Apple Watch is a smartwatch that can be used as a medical alert device rather than the other way around, it offers features you’re not going to find with any other devices on this list such as the ability to make calls, text, and surf the web. If the senior in your life is tech-savvy, you can’t underestimate the value of those functions.
If you’re trying to decide whether the Apple Watch is a good fit for you, remember that it wasn’t designed as a medical alert system. It is a smartwatch with some medical alert system capabilities. It enables older adults to press an emergency help button, but it does not connect to a 24/7 monitoring center. It includes fall detection, but because it is worn on the wrist, it might not operate the way you expect.
Another drawback, of course, is the cost. The most recent version of the Apple Watch — the Ultra — costs $800. Older iterations are available, mostly from third-party retailers. You can sometimes find one for as little as $200, though that means sacrificing all the latest and greatest features. And $200 still isn’t cheap.
Need an alert system for someone who rarely leaves their home or yard? We’ve tried out plenty of those. Want a device that wears like a smartwatch? We’ve tested those too, as you can see from our list above. Don’t want to fuss with multiple contraptions or new technology? Yep, we’ve seen products for these folks, as well.
Medical alert systems enable older adults to maintain their independence and age safely in place. If this is your first time learning about these devices, you will probably be amazed to see the variety of products for differing tastes and needs. To help you make sense of the variety, our buyer's guide to medical alert systems is a great resource.
FYI: Maybe you’ve heard these systems referred to as Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS). Different name; same around-the-clock protection for seniors.
While medical alert watches are a unique type of medical alert system, they’re still medical alert systems. It can be useful, then to understand exactly what a medical alert system is and how it operates.
Systems operate either via landline connection or a cellular connection. Most companies that sell medical alert systems offer one or more of three types of systems: in-home, mobile, and hybrid. Of course, smartwatch alert systems are hybrid; they can be used at home and on-the-go, and they are powered via a cellular signal (no landline required).
In-home systems work well for seniors who live alone since they usually provide emergency aid when a person isn’t able to communicate with an alert monitoring center. Normally, they include a base unit that is placed in a central location in the home. This unit acts as the system’s central nervous system – everything else runs through it. You can use it to talk directly to professional healthcare monitors, but often it provides backup options such as fall detection that allow monitors to respond even if they don’t hear from you directly.
The Smart Hub, or base unit, from Aloe Care Health’s At-Home System
Many systems include a help button that you or your loved one will wear around the neck or wrist. Some, but not all, systems also include help buttons that can be placed in different locations around the house, usually in spots that are high risk for falls such as the bottom of the staircase. If you or your loved one is wearing a smartwatch style alert system, you won’t have to worry about reaching a wall-mounted button, as help is right there on your wrist!
We think the mobile systems offer lots of value and peace of mind for seniors who are on the go. They come in various forms. Some are help buttons worn around the neck. Others are smartwatches, as noted, or help buttons that can be attached to a belt. And some are specifically made for cars.
Now, imagine that you are having a medical emergency, perhaps a fall or symptoms of a heart attack. You push a help button either on a button placed in your home or on your smartwatch. You often can communicate directly through this button. If the button does not include two-way talk, you can speak through the base unit.
Wearing the One Call Alert Fall Detection Wristband
A trained response center associate will respond to you, usually in 30 seconds or less, and ask you a few questions to assess the situation. If you are unable to speak, the associate will call 911 and your predetermined contacts. The response center also has your medical history and contact information on file, so they are able to quickly provide EMS important information.
Still not sure if this is something you want or need? Most companies offer a trial period of 30 days. And we definitely recommend having some sort of medical alert coverage as you or your loved one ages.
Medical Alert’s On-the-Go System
Before selecting a medical alert smartwatch system, it is important to know what features are available. Here are some of the most important features of medical alert watches.
Unfortunately, medical emergencies happen without warning, and often in the middle of the night. So having access to emergency responders at the push of a button is absolutely priceless. 24/7 emergency response isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. Look for this essential feature in your alert watch, and don’t even consider a device without it.
Communication is key in times of crisis. If you experience a medical emergency, having a smartwatch with two-way voice makes all the difference. This feature connects you directly with emergency personnel, allowing you to talk and listen via your device or base station. Responders can gather the full story, and then take the best course of action to assist you.
Medical alert watches with cellular monitoring deliver on-the-go coverage. That’s right, visit the grocery store, the driving range, or heck, travel to another state. Cellular monitoring has you covered. Alert watches with this technology use cell towers (just like a cell phone), so you can go forth knowing that help is literally close at-hand. Active seniors love this feature.
Hold a charge for days! Medical alert watches with extended battery life are incredibly popular among active seniors. And for good reason. This feature allows you to go days — sometimes even weeks — without having to charge your smartwatch. Choose extended battery life on your alert watch, and keep moving with one less thing to think about.
Nearly all alert watches offer fall detection as an upgrade. And it’s worth every penny. The moment this feature detects a fall, it sends an automatic alert to the monitoring center. The emergency personnel then jumps into action, contacting a caregiver or first responders, depending on the situation. And to think all of this is built into a sleek and stylish watch.
Another feature for the active senior, GPS comes built-into many medical alert watches. And it’s powerful. Anywhere you go — whether it’s a quick trip to the grocery store, the community center, or hiking nearby trails — GPS will track your alert watch and keep you covered on-the-go. If an emergency occurs, the monitoring center can identify your exact location for a caregiver or first responders.
Medical alert watches combine form and function — and now far-flung adventures! OK, even if you’re not up for adventures, you can still travel anywhere in the U.S. with Nationwide Coverage. This feature comes with most mobile alert smartwatch systems. So long as you choose cellular coverage, you’ll have the freedom to roam as you wish.
Let’s face it, a frustrating setup process ruins all the fun. That’s why medical alert watches offer Easy Setup. And by “easy,” we mean plug-and-play and you’re off to the races... in a matter of minutes. Companies are eliminating any chance of overwhelm. It’s never been easier for a senior to purchase, activate, and begin using a smartwatch alert system.
Accidents and medical emergencies can happen anywhere, anytime, for anyone. So Mobile Monitoring is a must-have smartwatch alert feature — especially if you’re an active senior who leaves home frequently. These alert systems are powered by Wi-Fi or cellular signal, and they are downright reliable. Get on-the-go protection with a Mobile Monitoring alert watch.
