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The $200 smartwatch from Medical Guardian, the MGMove, offers GPS tracking, two-way audio, and an intuitive app for caregivers.
Updated August 6, 2025
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Apple and Samsung smartwatches are packed with health and fitness features that can be beneficial for older users – heart rate monitoring, step counters, activity tracking, and fall detection, just to name a few. But normal smartwatches fall short when it comes to medical emergency alerting, which is why smartwatches from medical alert systems exist.
We tested multiple smartwatches from the best medical alert system providers and found two great options – the MGMove by Medical Guardian, and the SOS Smartwatch from Bay Alarm Medical. We also compared these two with the Apple Watch and found that while they are better overall for senior users who need medical emergency monitoring, the Apple Watch can also be a good enough option for some users. Let’s run through our findings.
Our team tested smartwatches with medical alerting capabilities
From Christopher Norman, a Board-Certified Geriatric Nurse Practitioner with the National Council on Aging (NCOA)
We find the best way to compare and rank medical alert smartwatches is to test them ourselves. That way, we can fully grasp how each option would work in different scenarios and see their features in action.
Our team of experts tested a total of eight smartwatches with medical alerting functions within a span of 12 weeks. The team involved in this review include:
We wore them all day, tested every function and feature, and ran medical emergency simulations to see how they would perform. We tested them both at home and while on the move. We also consulted with nurses, caregivers, and seniors for additional insight, giving them a chance to test drive each product. Our team used the following criteria to identify the best three watches:
Between our comprehensive review process and our expertise in senior safety, we’re confident our recommendations below will provide you the information and insight you need to pick the best medical alert smartwatch for you or an aging loved one.
MGMove’s features such as cellular connectivity, GPS, and large touch screen are some of the reasons it’s in our top spot. You don’t need to carry around a smartphone to use it, and the real-time location data helps emergency responders find you wherever you are. It’s also rated IP67, which means you can wear it in the shower.1
>> Keep Reading: Best Mobile Medical Alert Systems in 2025
Medical Guardian’s prices are usually higher than other medical alert systems, and the MGMove is no different. It’s worth it, though. We paid $199.95 for the MGMove and $42.95 per month to access Medical Guardian’s TMA Five Diamond Certified monitoring center.2 This plan also includes the caregiver app, a feature LifeStation’s Sidekick Smart lacks. Fall detection is an extra $10 per month and for $5 more per month, you can use the Messages and Reminders apps. Here’s a full breakdown:
| MGMove | |
|---|---|
| Equipment Cost | $199.99 |
| Monthly Cost | $42.95 |
| Fall Detection | $10 per month |
| Other Extras Monthly Cost | Lockbox $2.95
Protection Plan $6.99 Carer Alerts $2.99 Support Circle Apps $5 |
From Our Experts: Accidental falls are the leading cause of injury among adults over 65. According to a recent study, it happens to 1 in 4 older adults.3 That’s why we always recommend paying for automatic fall detection for help during these accidents. See our list of the best medical alert systems with fall detection.
The MGMove’s emergency button is designed to prevent accidental triggers. It’s large and easy to press, but requires holding it for five seconds to get a response. In our MGMove review, we found it took an average of 23 seconds to get connected to Medical Guardian.
The MGMove has a built-in speaker and mic for two-way talk with monitoring agents. We think it’s suitable for older adults who are at home, but might be an issue if you’re out and about regularly. We found the volume too soft in crowded areas like shopping centers and parks. In our experience testing Medical Guardian products, the monitoring center will still send help even if they can’t hear you. They’ll find you using the built-in GPS.
Speaking of locating the wearer, caregivers can also monitor the watch’s whereabouts using the MyMedicalGuardian app. However, location data is updated hourly and not in real-time, likely to save battery. If you’re a caregiver and tracking real-time location is important to you, consider the SOS Smartwatch. It’s our next pick.
| Connectivity | Landline, cellular, and Wi-fi |
|---|---|
| Fall Detection | $10/month |
| In-home Range | Up to 1,300 feet |
| Battery Backup | Up to 76 hours |
| GPS Option | Yes |
| Money-back Guarantee | None |
The SOS Smartwatch and MGMove have the same hardware, but different features. For example, the SOS Smartwatch doesn’t support message or reminder apps. Another difference is that Bay Alarm packages are often discounted and the monthly fees are cheaper, making the SOS Smartwatch a more budget-friendly option.
With our years of experience buying and testing Bay Alarm products, we know it offers discounts more often than Medical Guardian. We got our SOS Smartwatch for just $159 (20-percent off). We could have even chosen a bundle option. For $64.95 a month and $199 upfront (cost of the smartwatch), you’ll get the SOS Smartwatch for on-the-go protection and a cellular-based in-home system. Here’s the breakdown.
| SOS Smartwatch | |
|---|---|
| Equipment Cost | $199 |
| Monthly Cost | Starting at $39.95 |
| Fall Detection | $10 per month |
| Add-Ons | Lockbox $30
Extra Charger $49 Extra Vial of Life Kit 48 |
Since it has the same hardware as MGMove, our SOS Smartwatch experience was similar. It is easy to call for help, and two-way audio is available on the watch itself. The SOS Smartwatch also tops our list of the Best Medical Alert Systems with GPS. We found the tracking just as accurate as the MGMove, except the SOS Smartwatch offers carers real-time tracking instead of hourly updates.
Our tester checking out the SOS button on the side of the Bay Alarm medical alert smartwatch
In our testing, we found Bay Alarm’s response time was faster than Medical Guardian, averaging 21 seconds (including the 5-second button hold to trigger the alarm) compared to 24 seconds. We think the SOS Smartwatch is a better option for older adults with medical conditions that require rapid attention. Plus, when we bought our SOS Smartwatch, we got to choose whether to use the AT&T or Verizon network.
Fall Detection Test: MGMove detected nine while the SOS Smartwatch detected eight of the 10 simulated falls. Based on these results, we think the MGMove is better for older adults with a history of falls. See more Bay Alarm vs. Medical Guardian comparisons here.
| Connectivity | 4G LTE SIM card |
|---|---|
| Fall Detection | $10/month |
| Battery Life | Up to 16 hours |
| GPS Location Tracking | Yes |
| Money-back Guarantee | 30-days |
Technically, the Apple Watch isn’t a medical alert smartwatch. It just includes some of the common features like an SOS button and fall detection. The Apple Watch also has some excellent fitness tools, which we think would benefit older adults. We even believe the apps can help improve sleep, lower the risk of developing heart disease, and enhance independent living.4
Checking out the Apple Watch as a potential medical alert smartwatch
Apple Watches are more expensive than MGMove and SOS Smartwatch. The cheapest model, the Apple Watch SE, starts at $249. We recommend spending an extra $50 for the GPS and cellular connectivity version. The Apple Watch 10 you see above is the model we tested. It’s $499 for the GPS + Cellular model, double the price of the MGMove and SOS Smartwatch. On the plus side, you don’t have to pay a monitoring fee. Here’s an overview of Apple Watch prices:
| Apple Watch | |
|---|---|
| Equipment Cost | Starting at $249 |
| Monthly Cost | $10 to $15 per month depending on the carrier. May require a one-off activation fee. |
| Fall Detection | N/A |
Money-Saving Tip: If you’re already an iPhone user, you don’t need the GPS + Cellular model. The cheaper GPS model will do. Connect it to your iPhone and you’d be able to use the Emergency SOS function.
Our main concern was Apple Watch’s performance in a medical emergency. Instead of going to a monitoring center like Medical Guardian or Bay Alarm, the watch calls 911 directly. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, but response quality can vary.
Not paying extra for fall detection is a bonus, though in our tests the Apple Watch detected just six out of ten falls. While we wouldn’t recommend it as a medical alert smartwatch, we recommend the Apple Watch for active older adults who want to stay fit, while having easy access to 911 just in case.
The idea of medical alert smartwatches was born out of mobile medical alert systems. Both are portable devices that can connect you to emergency responders wherever you may be — made possible by features such as GPS tracking.
To be clear, though, medical alert smartwatches and mobile medical alert systems are not one and the same. They have differences, and there are reasons to choose one over the other. It all comes down to what you really need.
>> Compare: The Best Mobile Medical Alert Systems
Our tester holding up the MGMini from Medical Guardian
Mobile medical alert systems, like the one shown above, have existed for over a decade. They are wearable, portable devices with GPS connected to a monitoring center over cellular signals. When the wearer presses the emergency button, the mobile medical alert system patches them through the monitoring center via built-in two-way audio.
These devices are some of the most affordable medical alert systems money can buy. That’s not the only reason you might prefer them over medical alert watches. Here are some others that come to mind:
Medical alert smartwatches can come with useful features such as weather apps
Smartwatch-type medical alert systems also have advantages, primarily of which is style. Medical alert systems are useful only when the user is willing to wear them, and for some, mobile medical alert systems are too bulky and clunky. Smartwatches, on the other hand, are stylish. Our friends couldn’t even tell we were wearing a medical alert device during testing.
Besides style, though, most medical alert smartwatches also offer additional useful features, like activity and fitness tracking. These features make them a great option for more active older adults. Not only do smartwatches provide emergency medical help when needed; they can also help their wearers stay more active and fit.
We believe the future of on-the-go medical alert systems lies in medical alert smartwatches. However, we must admit that not all medical alert smartwatches available now have the right capabilities to keep you safe. That’s why we recommend looking for these features when choosing a medical alert smartwatch to buy:
>> Related: The Best Waterproof Medical Alert Wearables
Our top three medical alert watches all include fall detection. Medical Guardian and Bay Alarm Medical offer the feature as an optional add-on. With Apple Watches, an alert sounds and a message appears on the screen confirming the fall. If no movement is detected after 60 seconds, the watch calls for help.
Fall detection systems use a series of sensors to detect sudden changes in movement. These include accelerometers and gyroscopes, which measure acceleration and rotation. Medical alert smartwatches combine this data with algorithms to distinguish between normal activity and falls.
According to research, fall detection sensors on the head, torso, or pelvis have a 95-percent accuracy.5 Other factors that influence the accuracy are the type of sensors used, the velocities of body parts during descent, and the impact severity.
The best medical alert smartwatches offer a great balance between style, function, and safety features. MGMove by Medical Guardian is our top pick because of the company’s fast response time and thoughtfully-designed caregiving app.
As a more affordable option, though, we also recommend the SOS Smartwatch from Bay Alarm. In exchange for more advanced features such as voice messaging and reminders, Bay Alarm offers the watch and monitoring at a lower price than Medical Guardian.
And lastly, for seniors who want a fitness companion that can connect them to 911 services during emergencies, there’s nothing better than the Apple Watch.
Yes, medical alert smartwatches can function as an at-home medical alert system, provided there’s good cellular coverage. However, we recommend getting a separate medical alert system dedicated for use at home. This allows you to increase your protection, as dedicated systems often come with optional accessories like voice-activated and wall-mounted help buttons.
This depends on the smartwatch, but typically, medical alert smartwatches come with built-in cellular connectivity. This means the cellular cost is already covered by your monitoring fee.
In most cases, no. Medical alert smartwatches can function as standalone devices. However, there are some options in the market that allow you to connect your smartwatch to your phone for things like syncing fitness and activity data to a smartphone app or receiving text and call notifications.
Medical alert smartwatches cost anywhere from about $100 to $200. While there’s usually no activation fees, a monthly monitoring fee is required. This often ranges from $35 to $60 depending on the package.
Not everyone needs fall detection, but we highly recommend getting it anyway. Falls can happen to anyone, and a wearable like a smartwatch is the perfect device to detect accidental falls.
International Electrotechnical Commission. (2025). Ingress Protection (IP) ratings.
https://www.iec.ch/ip-ratings
The Monitoring Association. (2025). About TMA.
https://tma.us/about/about-tma/
Center for Disease Control. (2024). Older Adult Falls Data.
https://www.cdc.gov/falls/data-research/index.html
Center for Disease Control. (2024). Physical Activity Benefits for Adults 65 or Older.
https://www.cdc.gov/physical-activity-basics/health-benefits/older-adults.html
National Library of Medicine. (2025). A Decade of Progress in Wearable Sensors for Fall Detection (2015–2024).
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11991334
