The 3 Best Fitness Smartwatches for Seniors in 2025

Cost: $199.95 equipment charge; $42.95 per month for monitoring
Battery life: 20 hours
Average emergency response time: 10 seconds

Striking an ideal balance between health tracking capabilities and emergency response features, the MGMove from Medical Guardian tops our list as the best fitness smartwatch with medical alert capabilities. This smartwatch combines the discreet appearance of a modern wearable with reliable monitoring that can protect seniors in the event of a fall or emergency.

>> Further Reading: Medical Guardian Systems Review

The MGMove consistently delivered the fastest emergency response times of any medical alert watch we evaluated, connecting users to response agents in an average of just 10 seconds. This rapid response capability is crucial for seniors who maintain active lifestyles and may exercise in various locations.

The watch’s GPS tracking proved remarkably accurate during our outdoor tests. When we placed test calls from parks, walking trails, and public spaces, Medical Guardian’s response team could pinpoint our exact location every time, often identifying nearby landmarks and street intersections with impressive precision.

The MGMove includes a built-in pedometer that reliably tracks daily steps and movement. While not as comprehensive as some dedicated fitness trackers, its activity monitoring provides sufficient data for seniors focused on maintaining daily activity goals. The watch’s weather app also helps users plan appropriate outdoor exercises based on current conditions.

The MGMove truly excels in caregiver connectivity. Through the MyGuardian portal, family members can send text messages directly to the watch. This feature also enables caregivers to set medication reminders and exercise prompts, helping seniors maintain consistent fitness routines.

Beyond fitness tracking, the MGMove offers valuable caregiver features through its companion app. During emergencies, the app gives caregivers real-time location information. Outside of emergencies, it provides location data (updated every hour) and activity levels. We also like that you have the option to enable voice messages to and from the smartwatch. In addition, there’s a reminder feature that can be helpful for users who take medication.

Some of The MGMove’s features, such as fall detection, are only available for an additional fee. The watch is capable of detecting falls and automatically alerting Medical Guardian and caregivers, but you need to pay an additional $10 per month to activate fall detection. Similarly, the voice messaging and reminder feature require another $5 per month, which feels unnecessary given the already substantial monthly monitoring cost.

We also found the MGMove basic fitness tracking features adequate but not as comprehensive as those offered by dedicated fitness smartwatches like the Apple Watch.

>> Read More: The Best Fall Detection Devices

The MGMove requires a one-time equipment purchase of $199.95, which is similar to medical alert smartwatches (like Bay Alarm below) but affordable compared to general-use smartwatches. The latest generation Apple Watch costs $399 – double that of the MGMove.

Keep in mind that a monthly fee is required to use its medical alert features. The subscription starts at $42.95 per month, whereas you only need a cellular plan to call 911 from an Apple Watch. So in the long run, the MGMove will cost more. Also remember that features such as fall detection and reminders cost extra even though they are features built into most smartwatches (including the Apple Watch).

>> Learn More About: Medical Guardian Costs

MGMove’s industry-leading response times, accurate GPS tracking, caregiver features, and optional fall detection make it our top recommendation for seniors seeking both fitness monitoring and emergency response capabilities in one device.

To learn more about this device, read our full MGMove review.

Cost: $199 equipment charge; $39.95 per month for monitoring
Battery life: 14 hours
Average emergency response time: 16 seconds

The SOS Smartwatch is a medical alert smartwatch just like the MGMove, but with a slightly better fall detection performance. That makes it great for seniors who want to stay active but are worried they might experience a fall in the middle of activities. The SOS Smartwatch from Bay Alarm Medical earns our recommendation for seniors who prioritize fall detection during their fitness activities. With reliable monitoring and a straightforward interface, this smartwatch provides essential fitness tracking and potentially life-saving safety features at a competitive price.

>> Further Reading: Bay Alarm Medical Systems Review

During our tests, the SOS Smartwatch connected us to monitoring agents in an average of 16 seconds, which exceeds industry standards but does not quite match MGMove’s performance. Bay Alarm Medical’s monitoring center has consistently demonstrated professionalism and accuracy in identifying our location during outdoor fitness tests.

The watch also performed reliably across various environments, maintaining consistent cellular connectivity even in more remote park locations. The clear two-way communication allowed for easy conversation with monitoring agents, even in noisier outdoor settings.

While more basic than the features of dedicated fitness devices, we found the step tracker accurate for measuring daily movements. This feature allows seniors to set and monitor walking goals, which research indicates can help reduce the risk of several age-related diseases.

The watch’s weather feature displays current temperature and basic forecast information, which helps users plan appropriate times for walks or other outdoor activities.

Where the SOS Smartwatch truly stands out is its fall detection capability, which is available for an additional $10 monthly. In our 20 simulated fall tests, the watch accurately detected 15 falls, a solid performance for this critical safety feature. Medical Guardian’s fall detection, on the other hand, accurately detected only 12 of our 20 simulated falls.

For seniors who maintain active lifestyles, this automatic protection provides valuable peace of mind during walks, hiking, or other physical activities where falls pose a potential risk. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of four older adults falls each year, making this feature particularly relevant for senior fitness enthusiasts.

The most significant limitation of the SOS Smartwatch is its relatively short battery life of 14 hours, which may not be sufficient for seniors who are very active throughout the day. Users must be diligent about charging the device overnight to ensure it remains functional during daytime activities.

Additionally, the watch lacks caregiver connectivity features, which competitors like the MGMove have. While loved ones can track the device from afar, they cannot message the watch directly.

We found the SOS Smartwatch to be slightly cheaper than the MGMove, especially in the long run. The device itself costs $199, but the monitoring fee starts at $39.95, which is $3 cheaper than the MGMove’s starting monthly cost. Adding automatic fall detection, however, will increase the monthly fee by $10, bringing monthly costs up to $49.95.

>> Read More About: Bay Alarm Medical Costs

For seniors who prioritize reliable fall detection and basic fitness tracking, the SOS Smartwatch delivers reliable performance at a reasonable price. While it lacks some advanced features competitors offer, such as voice messaging, the SOS Smartwatch fulfills its core function of keeping active seniors safe during their fitness routines.

To learn more about this device, read our full SOS Smartwatch review.

Cost: $279 (one-time purchase)
Battery life: 18 hours
Monitoring: Calls 911 directly

The Apple Watch SE offers the most robust set of health and wellness features for tech-savvy seniors seeking comprehensive fitness tracking in a mainstream device. While lacking the professional monitoring services of our other recommendations, the Apple Watch SE excels in activity tracking, health metrics information, and overall functionality. Plus, it supports Emergency SOS as a substitute to dedicated medical emergency monitoring.

>>Read More About: Apple Watch vs. Medical Alert Systems

Unlike our other top picks, the Apple Watch SE doesn’t connect to a professional monitoring center. Instead, it calls 911 in emergency situations. This approach has both advantages and disadvantages. While emergency services are always available and they typically respond faster, 911 operators won’t have immediate access to the user’s medical information or precise location data, which professional monitoring centers typically maintain for subscribers.

The watch’s performance for fitness tracking, however, is exceptional. Its sensors accurately measure steps, distance, heart rate, and calories burned during various activities. We also found the GPS tracking for outdoor exercises like walking, hiking, and cycling precise and reliable.

Where the Apple Watch SE truly shines is its comprehensive fitness functionality. The watch offers:

• Detailed activity tracking with customizable goals
• Heart rate monitoring with irregular rhythm notifications
• GPS tracking for outdoor exercises
• Automatic workout detection
• Swimming tracking with water resistance
• Sleep tracking
• Guided breathing exercises

The Activity app uses a ring system that provides intuitive visual feedback on daily movement goals, making it easy for seniors to understand their progress. The National Institute on Aging suggests that tracking and recording fitness goals in this manner can help increase physical activity levels among seniors.

Surprisingly, the Apple Watch SE is capable of automatic fall detection. And unlike the MGMove and SOS Smartwatch, fall detection is a free built-in feature. The caveat is that it doesn’t immediately call emergency services when a fall is detected. It sends an alert to the wearer, and if there’s no response within 60 seconds, only then will it automatically call 911 and notify emergency contacts. On the plus side, if the wearer has fallen unconscious, the watch automatically shares their location to emergency responders.

In addition to fall detection, there are tons of other extra features you’ll enjoy with the Apple Watch SE, including text messaging, phone calls, and calendar reminders. As mentioned earlier, Medical Guardian charges an extra $5 per month for those features.

The primary limitation of the Apple Watch SE for seniors is its lack of professional monitoring services. In emergency situations, the watch can only contact 911, which may not be ideal for all seniors. For example, an ambulance might be unnecessary if a user has fallen and can’t get up but is uninjured.

Additionally, the Apple Watch requires pairing with an iPhone or paying for an additional wireless line for the watch, adding to the overall cost and complexity for seniors who don’t already use Apple products. The watch also has a steeper learning curve than dedicated medical alert watches, although tech-savvy seniors generally adapt quickly.

The Apple Watch SE is sort of like a budget-friendly version of the Apple Watch. It starts at $249, which is only $50 more than the MGMove and SOS Smartwatch. There are no required monthly fees or contracts, either. But you will need to pair it with an iPhone with a cellular plan or buy a dedicated cellular plan for the device to use Emergency SOS. Some third-party apps may also charge additional subscription fees.

For seniors who already use iPhones and are comfortable with technology, this represents excellent value for a device that combines comprehensive fitness tracking with basic emergency features.

For active, tech-savvy seniors who prioritize fitness tracking and are comfortable calling 911 in emergencies, the Apple Watch SE offers a smartwatch’s most comprehensive health and activity monitoring. Its extensive fitness features, combined with fall detection and emergency calling, make it an excellent choice for those who don’t require professional monitoring services.