Medical Guardian is the top-rated medical alert system according to the NCOA, achieving a 9.9/10 score in our evaluations for its rapid response times, user-friendly interface, and beneficial features.
Monthly costs for Medical Guardian equipment range from $31.95 to $49.95, though users can reduce these fees by opting for quarterly or annual billing cycles.
With four distinct models available—ranging from in-home setups to mobile and smartwatch options—Medical Guardian provides solutions tailored to various lifestyles and care requirements.
The primary disadvantages involve price and flexibility: Medical Guardian is generally more expensive than many rivals and does not provide a trial period.
Medical Guardian is an excellent choice for those prioritizing an intuitive system with high-end features, though the total cost may be a concern for shoppers on a strict budget.
At NCOA, we dedicate ourselves to researching, testing, and recommending products that support a healthier lifestyle. We have invested over 3,000 hours into analyzing medical alert systems to provide the most reliable product reviews. To identify the top systems, we:
Put each medical alert system through our rigorous testing process at our in-house lab
Consulted doctors and licensed adult caregivers who specialize in working with older adults
Mystery shopped more than 15 brands
Surveyed over 1,000 medical alert system users
Tested 35 medical alert systems
Read thousands of verified customer reviews
We continuously evaluate new medical alert systems to ensure our recommendations remain accurate and current.
Medical Guardian is our top choice for the best medical alert system. It features a unique array of safety tools, a broad selection of options and price points, and earned the highest overall score during our hands-on testing.
The company provides four devices: The MGHome Landline, MGHome Cellular, the Guardian Flex, and the MGMove. In this Medical Guardian review, we will examine how these units performed during our testing, which features we suggest, and the factors you should weigh when selecting a medical alert system.
We selected Medical Guardian as our best overall medical alert system because it offers some of the fastest average response times, impressive battery life, a robust set of helpful features, and a diverse range of device styles. After evaluating the features and testing the units ourselves, we awarded Medical Guardian a 9.9/10 score.
Free equipment with the code: NCOAFREE
If you are interested in learning more about Medical Guardian, watch our video review below. You can observe how the brand’s devices function, who stands to benefit the most, and why we recommend them. The information in this article may differ slightly from our video review, as pricing can fluctuate and our team is constantly testing new models.
When evaluating medical alert systems, we conducted hands-on research. We also reviewed customer feedback and sought guidance from experts. Our process prioritizes the factors that matter most: managing fall risks and ensuring quick response times. We assessed how medical alert features accommodate mobility issues, dexterity challenges, and chronic health conditions.
Our testing includes more than 60 data points across factors like:
The MGHome Landline is the most budget-friendly, entry-level option from Medical Guardian. It utilizes a landline connection to reach the monitoring center. The MGHome Landline includes a wristband or necklace help button that communicates with the in-home base station. If you need a reliable, basic, and affordable medical alert device and already have a landline, the classic MGHome Landline is a solid choice.
Average response time: 36 seconds
Max. battery life: Plugs in, but backup battery lasts 32 hours in a power outage
Caregiver alerts: Yes, for an extra fee
The MGHome Cellular is another in-home model from Medical Guardian, but it operatess Voice Assist technology. The MGHome is $7 more per month than the MGHome Landline, but the added features and LTE connectivity may justify the cost
Connection type: LTE and Wi-Fi
The Guardian Flex is the GPS-enabled mobile device in the Medical Guardian catalog. It is a sleek, compact square that replaces both the MGMini and the MGMini Lite. While the Flex lacks a screen, it functions as a pedometer. Our testers were impressed by the personalization options. The Guardian Flex is available in three colors, with two choices each for lanyards and wristbands.
Average response time: 15 seconds
The MGMove is Medical Guardian’s exclusive smartwatch offering. Designed for active users, it includes apps to monitor steps, check the weather, and more. It is the most advanced device in the Medical Guardian lineup and the only one featuring a touchscreen. It is also one of our top picks for the best medical alert watches.
Average response time: 20 seconds
Connection type: LTE, GPS, and Wi-Fi
Extra features: Weather, step, and activity tracking
You may recognize Life Alert from its famous commercials featuring the tagline, “Help! I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!” Although it is one of the most well-known brands in the medical alert industry, our team does not recommend it.
Life Alert is typically more expensive and provides fewer features than Medical Guardian. For instance, Life Alert does not offer automatic fall detection, even as an optional add-on. Its base system range is also limited to 1,000 feet, which is shorter than what many competitors currently provide.
Another disadvantage is accessibility. Life Alert’s website offers minimal information about its products, and you cannot place orders online. Instead, you must call to request a brochure and then complete your order over the phone. Furthermore, Life Alert mandates a three-year contract with very limited cancellation options, locking customers into a long-term commitment.
Medical Guardian, by contrast, offers greater transparency and flexibility. You can view product specifications and order directly online, and there are no long-term contracts, meaning you can cancel at any time without penalty.
Medical alert system expenses include initial costs, monthly subscription fees, and optional add-ons. Medical Guardian’s starting monthly rates range from $31.95 to $49.95, depending on the system and your chosen subscription.
Service fees are separate from equipment costs. The one-time equipment fee for the Guardian Flex is $149.95. This amount does not decrease when you select an annual payment plan, but the monthly rate is lower if you choose a quarterly or annual subscription.
You can reduce your expenses on Medical Guardian alert systems by selecting annual plans instead of monthly subscriptions. Most companies provide discounts for paying upfront. For example, the MGHome Landline system costs $31.95 for a monthly subscription. However, if you pay the full $335.40 annually, it averages out to $27.95 per month, resulting in a $48 annual savings.
“Look into discounts through community organizations, veterans’ groups, senior centers, or local agencies on aging to also help lower medical alert system costs,” said Celina Hawthorne, OTR, OTD, OTA, a doctor of physical therapy and founder and director of Grace in Motion Rehab in Nacogdoches, Texas.
Medical Guardian and similar medical alert systems are generally not covered by Medicare or Medicaid. Some private insurance policies, including certain Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans, may provide full or partial coverage. You might also be able to pay for a medical alert system using your health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA). Medical Guardian also offers occasional promotions that can help lower costs.
Medical Guardian provides a variety of accessories and services for an additional monthly fee. These options allow you to customize your system to better fit your specific needs. In our review of Medical Guardian, we found many customers were satisfied with these add-ons, which also impressed our testing team. Some of Medical Guardian’s optional services and devices include:
A fall detection necklace can identify a fall and alert the monitoring center if you are unable to press the help button. Medical Guardian’s fall detection service costs an extra $10 per month.
“The longer a fall goes unattended the greater the risk of a serious medical condition, a head bleed, a broken bone, a seizure, a stroke, etc.”
—Karl Knopf, MA, Ed.D, author, founder and former president of the Fitness Educators of Older Adults
Medical Guardian users can add wireless wall buttons to their plan for $2.99 a month, or $5.00 a month for the voice-activated wall button. This is a great solution for those who prefer not to wear a button while at home.
Medical Guardian’s alert system, On-Guard, can notify your emergency contacts in real time, 24/7. This caregiver feature is accessible through the app and costs $2.99 per month.
Available exclusively on the MGMove smartwatch, the Social Circle app allows you to chat with family and caregivers directly from the watch. This feature functions similarly to how standard smartwatches allow for wrist-based texting. Social Circle costs $5 per month.
Medical Guardian includes a one-year manufacturer’s warranty that covers product defects. Users can purchase a monthly protection plan for an additional fee. This covers you if your devices are lost, damaged, or stolen, and costs $6.99 per month.
A lockbox allows emergency responders to access the code provided by the monitoring company when you require assistance. It enables emergency workers to enter your home without damaging your door or windows. Adding a lockbox to your plan costs $2.99 per month, though it is free with an annual subscription.
Overall, the setup process was straightforward and largely intuitive for our testers. We appreciated that some models included visual aids in the user manual. The devices were simple to operate, and we found the monitoring center staff to be responsive and professional. Online reviews of Medical Guardian generally align with our findings, with most customers expressing satisfaction with their devices and service.
“The whole unboxing and setup process was simple and straightforward,” one of our testers said. While the MGHome units can be slightly more challenging to connect, our testing team gave the Medical Guardian GPS wearables perfect scores for setup.
“I have found that they are useful to almost anyone who is at risk of falling or has a medical concern or mobility issue. Even if you don’t live alone, you might at some point be alone while your spouse or significant other is out shopping or on a trip. Thus, if you can’t make it to the phone, you might be lying in a dangerous or uncomfortable position, and you could definitely benefit from the medical alert system.”
Battery life varies by device. For on-the-go systems, battery life ranges from 24 hours for the MGMove to up to 5 days for the Guardian Flex before requiring a recharge. The MGMove smartwatch is intuitive, featuring simple icons on the watch face that allow you to call for help, test the device, or access apps.
The Guardian Flex and MGMove utilize GPS for location tracking. The home-based units offer a range of 1,400 feet.
Warranty and trial period: Medical Guardian’s one-year manufacturer’s warranty covers device defects. The warranty does not cover damage from spills, drops, or normal wear and tear. Medical Guardian does not offer a free trial period.
Returns: You can cancel your service at any time without incurring cancellation fees. If you cancel an annual plan, the company will prorate your refund for the unused months, though a restocking fee may apply. You are required to return any unpurchased equipment to Medical Guardian when you stop using the service.
Customer service: Visit the Medical Guardian customer support page to complete an online contact form, call, or send an email.
Phone: 800-313-1191, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m to 8 p.m. ET, and Saturday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET (Technical support only)
Email: info@medicalguardian.com
Chat: Located in the bottom right corner of the website to answer questions or provide re with a live representative
You can choose from four Medical Guardian devices, each worn differently and offering unique features. Consider your lifestyle: Do you prefer staying at home? Are you looking for a basic device to call for help when it is needed most? Or do you want a device that blends in while you are out, at the gym, or shopping?
You should also factor in your budget and any specific health concerns. Do you have conditions that increase your fall risk? Are you comfortable with technology? Considering these questions will help you select the best option for your needs.
Before purchasing a medical alert system like Medical Guardian, ask yourself:
How much do I want to spend on a medical alert system?
Am I more of a homebody, or do I like to be on the go?
What features are important to me?
What features would my loved ones find important?
How much technology do I want to have?
What type of signal coverage do I have in my home or area?
Depending on the system, you will pay between $31.95 and $49.95 per month for a Medical Guardian subscription. This fee covers 24/7 professional monitoring. You will also pay a one-time equipment fee ranging from $149.95 to $199.95, depending on the device you select.
The Guardian Flex had the fastest response time at 15 seconds. When we test medical alert devices, any time under 60 seconds is considered “good.” The Medical Guardian family of devices connects to the monitoring center in an average of 30 seconds.
If you need assistance, such as after a fall, you can press the help button on your Medical Guardian device to alert the 24/7 monitoring center. A professionally trained staff member will speak with you through the device to determine the level of help required and then contact the appropriate emergency services.
If you select a fall detection device, it can automatically detect a fall and request help. If you are unable to communicate with the monitoring center, they will dispatch assistance to ensure your safety.
Medicare does not cover Medical Guardian or any other medical alert devices. However, you may be able to secure coverage through private insurance, including certain Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans.
Medical Guardian can be a worthwhile investment for peace of mind. It is reassuring to know that help is available if needed during an emergency like a fall. It is slightly more expensive than some other medical alert brands, such as MobileHelp. However, Medical Guardian is more affordable than brands like Life Alert, which is more expensive and has questionable business practices. Medical Guardian offers a diverse range of devices, from home systems to on-the-go watches.
Questions? Email us at reviewsteam@ncoa.org.
One thought on “Our Testers Love This Medical Alert System”