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Portable medical alert systems give you the flexibility you need to live your life safely and free of restrictions. Check out our top mobile medical alert devices below.
Updated August 18, 2022
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A mobile medical alert system is a great fit for that person who leaves home frequently on her own, whether it is going across town to shop or across the country on a vacation. With this type of medical alert system, you should expect a minimum of 24/7 emergency assistance, two-way talk with the emergency monitoring center, GPS location detection, and optional fall detection. However, don’t be surprised to find systems that go above and beyond these inclusions.
In fact, medical alert providers are constantly updating their offerings with new features, new prices, and new products. A great example is Medical Guardian’s smartwatch, the MGMove, which was released in 2022 and offers several unique features.
We have reviewed and analyzed the best systems on the market and have pinpointed four systems that we think lead the pack with their mobile offerings. Read on for our synopsis.
Did You Know? Bluetooth brings lots of flexibility to the world of medical alert systems, but how does it all work? Our roundup of the best bluetooth medical alert systems shares everything you need to know.
The AT&T-powered Bay Alarm Medical alert system gave us 24/7 emergency response protection and 72 hours of battery life on a single charge. Bay Alarm also offers three different packages and four different ways to bundle their services, which you can learn about in full detail in our Bay Alarm Medical pricing and package guide. This allows you to save money by customizing their equipment in a way that best suits your particular needs. The Bay Alarm Medical system with GPS has been voted Editors’ Choice by PCMag.com and they have a 4.7-Star Google rating from almost 1,500 customers. Additionally, they have been in business for 70 years and have an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
Bay Alarm Medical offers two on-the-go options: a recently updated traditional mobile device (SOS Mobile) and a sleek smartwatch device (SOS Smartwatch).
If you are someone who is active, likes techy devices, or wants a medical device disguised as a trendy watch, we recommend the SOS Smartwatch. It includes two-way talk, GPS location tracking, and a step tracker. The monthly fee is $29.95, a price lower than what you will find with many other mobile systems. However, it does come with a one-time $159 equipment fee. For more details read our full Bay Alarm Medical review.
If you are someone with a chronic medical condition or at a high risk for falls, we recommend the SOS Mobile. It is one of the most recent offerings in the industry, so you can count on it having the latest and greatest designs and features. This includes advanced location detection, your choice of either a Verizon or AT&T connection, optional location tracking for caregivers, and importantly, fall detection.
While we love the smartwatch medical alerts that have hit the market, most are unable to include fall detection because of the persistence of false alarms. And for some folks, like those mentioned above, fall detection is a necessity. The SOS Mobile costs $29.95 per month and comes with a $79 equipment fee.
| Connectivity | Landline and cellular |
|---|---|
| Fall Detection | $10/month |
| In-home Range | Up to 1,400 feet |
| Battery Backup | Up to 32 hours |
| GPS Option | Yes |
| Money-back Guarantee | 30-day |
Medical Guardian has been in business for 12 years and has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
In our full Medical Guardian review, we discuss how the system operates and which products and packages are available. You can also learn more about the popular brand’s prices in our in-depth Medical Guardian cost and package page. Their systems operate with either AT&T or Verizon cellular service, depending on the product you choose. You will pay a few dollars more each month as their products come with equipment fees, and at $39.95, their monthly fees are higher than some, but in exchange, you will be receiving high functionality and the choice of three unique on-the-go systems.
Medical Guardian has three mobile medical alert options. All three cost $39.95 per month and come with equipment fees that range from $124.99 to $199.99.
The Mobile 2.0 includes a portable device and a help button that work within 300 feet of each other. It offers advanced location detection, optional fall detection and access to the MyGuardian portal.
The Mini Guardian, a tiny, flat, lightweight device, has a five-day battery life and is offered in three colors. It also includes advanced location detection, optional built-in fall detection, and access to the online portal.
And our featured device is the MGMove. It is a great option for those who are techy, fashion-forward, or want discretion. The MGMove can be purchased for a one-time cost of $199.95 and requires a monthly monitoring fee that starts at $39.95. With this option, you get two-way talk, GPS location detection, step tracking, a weather app, your choice of a digital or analog watch face, an adjustable black band, and oversized icons. It also includes access to the MyGuardian portal, which has location and activity tracking for caregivers, and a reminder and chat app as an optional add-on.
| 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 |
Lively is a well-known brand that has been accredited with the Better Business Bureau since 2006 and currently has an A+ rating. They have certified 5Star agents, use patented GPS technology, and have an automatic fall detection service that you can add-on to your chosen package.
Lively offers two mobile medical alert devices and three different health and safety service packages. The Lively Mobile option is a wearable device that can be purchased for $49.99 plus a monthly plan and activation fees. The Lively Wearable can be purchased for $49.99 plus a monthly plan and activation fees. This smartwatch-like option turns your smartphone into an emergency response device with optional fall detection, thus giving you a wide variety of helpful convenience features in addition to its medical alert feature.
One important point to note — the Lively Wearable alert system has been discontinued. However, you can still find it online with some retailers. And the Lively Mobile +, which also offers fall detection, continues to be sold through all of Lively’s retail partners.
Lively also offers three different health and safety packages which range from $19.99 per month to $34.99 per month. The plans include a variety of features that increase with the upper tiers. Look for an on-demand telehealth service, location detection for caregivers, and fall detection. Visit our full Lively costs and packages breakdown to get a bigger picture of how much a Lively system is going to cost you. And, read our comprehensive analysis of the Lively system, where we explore exactly how the system works and all the important features you should know about.
| Connectivity | Cellular |
|---|---|
| Fall Detection | Included in some plans |
| In-home Range | N/A |
| Battery Backup | Up to 82 hours |
| GPS Option | Yes |
| Money-back Guarantee | 30-day |
ADT specializes in home security and automation systems, but has recently added a variety of medical alert systems to their lineup; however, only one of them is a mobile system. We love the simplicity of purchasing and using this system. It works off of the AT&T network and the equipment is very easy to use. We’ve got the full breakdown of how ADT does medical alerts in our ADT Health Medical Alert review.
ADT Health features an On-the-Go Medical Alert System. They don’t charge an activation fee and there is no cost for the equipment. You simply pay a monthly monitoring charge of $39.99. This price will never increase with ADT’s price-lock guarantee. For those who like to keep things simple, this mobile system is the way to go.
The system comes with a two-way voice communication mobile unit, as well as a waterproof pendant or wristband. Extra accessories such as additional pendants, wristbands, and a leather carrying case are available for a one-time charge. Additionally, ADT Health offers a fall detection option for $10 per month. Get the full picture of ADT’s costs in our ADT Health Medical Alert pricing guide.
| Connectivity | Landline and cellular |
|---|---|
| Fall Detection | $11/ month |
| In-home Range | Up to 600 feet |
| Battery Backup | Up to 30 hours |
| GPS Option | Yes |
| Money-back Guarantee | 6-month |
Each of the mobile alert systems on our list offer 24/7 Emergency Response. And good thing — because emergencies happen day and night. Rest assured that response centers never take a holiday or leave you helpless when you need it the most. Get the coverage you deserve with 24/7 Emergency Response, a must-have feature you cannot do without.
Keep your mobile medical alert system on while you shower, bathe, wash dishes, garden — you name it. Water resistant alerts function just fine with a little water exposure. And waterproof systems take it a step further, allowing you to fully submerge your device. However, it’s important to ensure you understand the water resistance specs of a specific device before you make a purchase.
Active seniors, this one’s for you. Look for Extended Battery Life, another top feature for mobile medical alert systems. This allows you to leave home and hit the grocery store, the trails, the community center, and other places — all while enjoying quality coverage without stressing about battery life. Hold that charge, as you never know when you might need it.
Fall Detection technology is always evolving. Even though it’s not yet 100% accurate, this feature is saving lives every day. These sophisticated devices detect a fall and automatically contact the response center for you. If you become unconscious or unable to press the help button, you’re in good hands, help is on the way.
Gone are the days of being tethered to a base station, relying on a landline to keep you safe. Most mobile alert systems today are powered by cellular technology. With cellular monitoring, your device pings a cell tower to alert emergency responders when you need help. Step into a true wireless experience with cellular monitoring.
Seniors typically don’t like to fuss with newfangled technology. And who could blame them? Thankfully, mobile medical alert systems now offer easy, plug-and-play setup. Simply connect the base station to a power outlet, follow the intuitive instructions, and you’re in business. Who knew medical alert systems could be so easy?
Mobile medical alert systems offer coverage in all 50 states. Nationwide Coverage is a key feature that makes mobile systems so attractive. It allows you to travel far and wide without compromising your safety. From Seattle to St. Pete, help is always close at hand. With that said, be sure you understand your network and coverage, as cell-signal range varies.
This is perhaps the single most impressive feature of mobile medical alert systems. The devices are long range by nature — they can receive coverage pretty much anywhere in the country. Contrast this with the traditional landline-based alert systems that range 400 to 1,200 feet (from the base station in the home), and you can see why mobile is so amazing.
Mobile medical alert companies are stacking the value with GPS Location Services. The GPS tracking feature is ideal for active seniors always on-the-go. It pinpoints your exact location if you become lost, disoriented, or incapacitated in any way. This allows caregivers and/or first responders to find you and deliver the care you need. Yet another brilliant feature that could save your life.
