AARP Hearing Center
Medical Guardian vs. Medical Alert: How Do They Compare?
These two medical alert companies have their own strengths and weaknesses — but only one earned “best overall” in our testing
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AARP Smart Picks
Choosing a medical alert system is among the most important purchases an older adult or their family member could make. After all, these systems provide crucial assistance and support in an emergency. In our April 2026 AARP survey of 300 adults who had purchased a medical alert system for themselves or a loved one in the last three years, 79 percent of respondents said they had bought a system after they or someone they care for experienced a fall or medical emergency.
But since there are many variations on these devices — which connect to a 24/7 monitoring center for a monthly fee — finding the right one can be somewhat stressful. To make the process easier, our AARP Smart Picks team recruited older adult testers ages 60 to 65 to find the best medical alert systems. Among the companies we tested were two leading ones: Medical Guardian and Medical Alert. We evaluated them on factors like call center response time, operator professionalism and speaker audio quality. We also considered findings from our AARP survey and focus group in our assessments.
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In general, both Medical Guardian and Medical Alert performed well in our testing across metrics such as ease of setup, call response time and operator professionalism. We tested two of the three devices that Medical Guardian offers: the MGMove, a GPS-enabled smartwatch,and the MGHome 2.0. We are in the process of assessing the Guardian Flex, the company’s newest GPS mobile device. Medical Alert offers three devices: a GPS-enabled smartwatch, an at-home medical alert system (Home System) and a GPS-enabled mobile device (Mobile System). We tested the at-home Medical Alert device and smartwatch. We are in the process of testing this company’s other mobile device (Mobile System), and we will update this review with the results.
So how do these two companies stack up? Read on to learn how Medical Guardian and Medical Alert fared in our testing — and see whether one of these systems might be a fit for you or your loved one.
Comparing key features of Medical Guardian vs Medical Alert
- Pros and cons
- Features
Pros
Excellent audio quality for the at-home device
Top-notch response times
Robust caregiver app
Cons
Complicated setup for at-home device
Expensive
Fall detection monthly cost: $10
Maximum at-home device range: 1,400 feet
GPS tracking: Yes, for wearable devices
Read more in our in-depth Medical Guardian review.
Key takeaways from our testing
We were impressed with the sound on both Medical Guardian devices we tested: MGMove (a smartwatch) and MGHome 2.0 (an at-home unit that includes a base unit you plug into a wall outlet and a wearable to pair with it). Each system includes volume controls. In our assessments, Donna, a 60-year-old tester, gave the two-way speakers of both devices a solid score, with the MGHome 2.0 earning a perfect score. Donna said she appreciated the “extremely loud” call volume for the Home 2.0. But in testing, the MGMove had slightly muffled sound quality once Donna connected to the monitoring center, although she said she could still understand the operator.” In general, strong two-way speakers are important because they facilitate communication with a monitoring center agent if you press the help button. For older adults with hearing loss, strong speakers are even more important.
The Medical Guardian MGHome 2.0 (seen here) earned a perfect score for audio clarity.
AARP Smart Picks
The Medical Guardian MGHome 2.0 (seen here) earned a perfect score for audio clarity.
Both Medical Guardian devices connected promptly to the monitoring center. During testing, we initiated three such calls by pressing each device’s help button. To pass the test, devices need to connect in under one minute. All Medical Guardian models we assessed passed, and their overall average response time was only 44 seconds — the fastest average of every medical alert company we tested.
We also like Medical Guardian’s mobile app, which lets caregivers stay connected to their loved one. The app tracks users’ steps, provides medication reminders and offers real-time location sharing. For an additional $5 per month, users can add up to four contacts, such as caregivers or family members, to keep in touch with via text messaging.
While Donna said the mobile device was easy to set up, she said she struggled to set up the MGHome 2.0 because of what she called a confusing manual and unclear device buttons. For these reasons, she gave the at-home device a middling rating for setup. So what do the at-home device buttons look like? On the back of the base unit, there is a circular red button, a pink button and a white button. All buttons are about the same size. "I wish they were labeled, because I ended up pressing the wrong button a couple of times,” she said. “The red and pink buttons in particular are pretty similar, which could be confusing," she said. Our lab team learned each button's function through trial and error, but as Donna noted, some users may struggle to figure it out. In addition to its monthly service cost, Medical Guardian also charges one-time equipment fees (from $149.95 to $199.95, depending on the device), which drives up the upfront cost of this system.
- Pros and cons
- Features
Pros
Simple setup for at-home unit
Pendant for at-home use is adjustable and convertible
Excellent monitoring center experience
Cons
Wearable at-home device isn’t discreet
Lower at-home range
Fall detection monthly cost: $10
Maximum at-home device range: 800 feet
GPS tracking: Yes, for wearable devices
Read more in our in-depth Medical Alert review.
Key takeaways from our testing
Setting up the Medical Alert Home System device was straightforward for Donna, a 60-year-old tester. "Everything was clearly laid out and easy to follow in the instruction manual,” she said. “It was mostly a matter of plugging it in and making sure it was on." Setting up a smartwatch is typically more involved than plugging in a home system, but Donna said she was also satisfied with the setup for the Medical Alert Smartwatch. In testing, both the devices earned a perfect rating for ease of use. The home device includes a help-button pendant powered by lithium batteries, which syncs with the base unit to access the monitoring center. “Since I wouldn’t need to charge the help button, it’d be easy to use every day,” Donna said.
While tester Donna said the Medical Alert wearable help button (seen here) wasn’t discreet, she said it was adjustable and easy to wear around the house.
AARP Smart Picks
While tester Donna said the Medical Alert wearable help button (seen here) wasn’t discreet, she said it was adjustable and easy to wear around the house.
While Donna said she wished the pendant of the home device was slightly more stylish, she also said it was comfortable to wear around her neck. "I like how the pendant is adjustable," she said. Another nice feature? Users can convert this pendant into a bracelet by using the included attachments to secure the button to the wristband. Older adults who want to switch up the style of their wearables — say, for different activities — may appreciate this option. Donna said the smartwatch's charging dock connected smoothly to the device, and the dock was small enough to fit on her nightstand easily for daily charging.
Donna gave the Medical Alert Home System only a passable style score. She said the Medical Alert Smartwatch was bulky on her smaller wrist. She thought the home system pendant looked “obviously [like] a medical alert device.” “It isn’t very stylish,” she said about the at-home wearable. “But since you’re wearing it just at home, that’s not too much of an issue for me.” Another con? Medical Alert’s at-home device range of 800 feet is almost half that of Medical Guardian’s 1,400 feet. While 800 feet is more than the length of two football fields, it is still less coverage distance than you get with Medical Guardian. If an at-home device user is outside of this 800-foot range and presses the wearable help button, they will not be able to connect to the monitoring center. So this could be a dealbreaker for older adults who spend time in large backyards, stroll around their condo complex or pop over to their neighbors for a visit.
How we test medical alert systems
To test medical alert systems, we work with testers ages 60 to 65 and ask them to share their unbiased feedback. They test call response times and GPS tracking accuracy, as well as comfort, design, ease of setup and operator professionalism.
Testers also answer questions like: Was this device easy to set up and use? How comfortable is it to wear daily? Could you see yourself using this device every day?
In addition, we perform a series of lab-controlled tests assessing the following criteria, which survey respondents, focus group participants and experts told us were most important:
- Fall detection
- Call connection speed
- Audio clarity
- Operator professionalism
- GPS location tracking
For more details on our process, see our medical alert system testing methodology page.
Which system is better for caregivers?
If you’re a caregiver, being able to keep track of your loved one through an app can be helpful and reassuring. For example, in our focus group, Thomas, a 63-year-old participant from New York City, said he likes the idea of having a GPS-enabled medical alert device to show him where his mother-in-law is located (she lives in a different borough of New York City), because she enjoys being out and about but has fallen several times. While both Medical Guardian and Medical Alert offer caregiver apps, Medical Guardian offers more robust app features.
Medical Guardian
This medical alert system includes a customizable free app called MyMedicalGuardian that alerts caregivers when their loved ones press the medical alert button for help. The app also allows caregivers to set medication reminders, view the weather, keep track of a mobile device’s battery level — which can be helpful for active older adults who are on the go — and see real-time and historical location data.
MyMedicalGuardian’s CareCircle optional feature allows a user to add up to four contacts who can send and receive text messages through the app. While the MyMedicalGuardian app is free to download, CareCircle costs an additional $5 per month.
Medical Alert
Medical Alert has an app called Medical Alert Connect, which is also free to download. Some key features of the app include location tracking, battery status for mobile devices and emergency notifications. While this app doesn’t offer a feature like Medical Guardian’s CareCircle, which connects people and supports text messaging, it can provide real-time alerts about a user’s whereabouts to caregivers during emergencies, often via push notifications.
Who is Medical Guardian best for?
The MG Move is a smartwatch that comes with a range of features. And it earned stellar scores in testing on the metric of discretion for its appearance. “For active older adults, portability is key. Wearable devices like pendants or smartwatches with GPS are best, especially for those who go outside often,” says Annika Kariniemi, a family nurse practitioner and founder of Activ8 Health in Phoenix, Arizona. She also says reliable cell coverage, long battery life and fall detection are important.
So could this system be a fit for you? According to our survey of 300 adults, more than 26 percent chose Medical Guardian, the third most common brand of medical alert systems. And while individual preferences and needs may vary, the following people may appreciate this system.
Who Medical Guardian may be best for:
- Older adults who live in rural areas or areas with unreliable cell service
- Older adults who want the option of different medical alert devices to fit their lifestyles
- Long-distance caregivers who want robust monitoring features in an app
- Older adults who want the assurance of a warranty for the alert system
- Older adults who prefer a longer range for at-home units
Who is Medical Alert best for?
When we tested Medical Alert’s at-home device, it performed well in the setup and charging processes, and testers found it easy to integrate into their daily routines, as the wearable pendants weren’t obtrusive.
But the at-home system has a shorter range and a less discreet smartwatch design than the Medical Guardian devices we tested. And although Medical Alert’s app allows caregivers to monitor loved ones from afar, it doesn’t have as many features as other apps that we’ve tested, including the app by Medical Guardian.
So could this system be right for you? About 11 percent of our survey participants said they chose Medical Alert as their system. And while everyone’s preferences and needs will vary, Medical Alert may be best for:
- Older adults who want an at-home device that’s easy to set up
- Older adults who want a basic at-home device and don’t need a lot of device options
- Older adults with a reliable cellular network
- Older adults who want a simple device setup
Comparing costs of Medical Guardian vs Medical Alert
So how do Medical Guardian and Medical Alert stack up, price-wise? Medical Guardian has a more affordable at-home device, and the Medical Alert mobile device we tested has a lower price (Mobile System). Both Medical Guardian and Medical Alert offer optional fall detection for an additional cost of $10 per month. You can see the breakdown of relevant costs in the chart below.
FAQs
Which at-home system is easier to set up: Medical Guardian or Medical Alert?
In on our testing, Medical Alert received higher scores for ease of setup than Medical Guardian did. While our tester was able to easily set up the mobile devices that we evaluated, one of our testers had difficulty with the Medical Guardian home unit system. She said that this system had a confusing manual and unclear buttons. Meanwhile, Medical Alert received perfect setup scores for both the home unit and the smartwatch.
How much does a Medical Guardian system cost per month?
Medical Guardian medical alert systems range in cost from $149.95 to $199.95 for the one-time equipment fee and from $31.95 to $49.95 for the monthly monitoring fees. In general, Medical Guardian devices cost more than other medical alert devices we have tested when you factor in the equipment fees.
Does Medical Alert sell a watch?
Yes, Medical Alert offers a smartwatch, which we evaluated in this review. This mobile medical alert device includes GPS tracking, heart rate monitoring and step tracking. But our testers found the medical alert smartwatch to be slightly larger and bulkier than a traditional smartwatch.
Do Medical Guardian and Medical Alert both offer fall detection?
Yes, both Medical Guardian and Medical Alert offer optional fall detection, which is an add-on that can automatically detect a fall without needing to press a help button. However, fall detection isn’t included in the monthly monitoring price; both companies charge an additional $10 a month for this feature.
Does Medicare cover medical alert systems?
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover medical alert systems because they aren’t classified as durable medical equipment. You may be able to get some coverage through Medicare Part C. Eligibility requirements vary, so you can check with your plan to confirm coverage. If you don’t have coverage for medical alert systems, you may be able to use your FSA/HSA funds (if available), featured discounts, annual payment plans or leasing options to offset some of the cost.
Questions or feedback? Email us at AARPSmartPicks@aarp.org.
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