Best Medical Alert Bracelets (September 2023)

Medical alert bracelets (commonly called Life Alert bracelets) are safety devices worn around one's wrist. The best ones are comfortable and capable of calling help quickly.
ADT Help Button Wristband
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Best Medical Alert Bracelet for Seniors

Best Medical Alert Bracelets
The best medical alert bracelets are comfortable, discreet, and able to be worn throughout your home.

Pro Tip: Not interested in bracelets? Then check out my pick for this year’s best medical alert system, featuring a narrowed-down list from 30 top brands.

Our Methodology

Companies evaluated 25
Hours of research 100+
Hours of product testing 150+
Ranking criteria 4
Finalists chosen 6

Since nearly every medical alert company offers some form of a bracelet, we had our work cut out for us when it came to choosing the best. Here’s how we evaluated each company and its systems:

Top Picks for the Best Medical Alert Bracelets

1. Bay Alarm Medical - Quick Response Times

Bay Alarm Medical
4.8 / 5
View Packages
Call for best price:
855-675-0754
What We Like Most:
  • 30-day risk-free trial
  • Optional fall detection
  • Location tracking on mobile units
  • Systems starting at $24.95 per month

Cost: Starting at $24.95 per month

Bay Alarm Medical Equipment
Bay Alarm Medical systems include either a wristband or pendant help button.

Bay Alarm Medical is well known in the medical alert community for its reliable equipment and friendly, helpful customer service. Bay Alarm Medical prices are also surprisingly affordable, with their landline system costing as low as $24.95 per month.

In terms of bracelets, Bay Alarm offers wristband help buttons for their in-home systems, along with a fall detection button for an additional $10. These bracelets are comfortable enough to wear at all hours, and they have an impressive 1,000-foot connectivity range, which is more than enough to cover even larger homes and even some portions of outdoor spaces.

What’s more, you can even purchase additional Bay Alarm help buttons in the form of a pendant for your spouse or partner for a one-time payment of $39. This is what makes Bay Alarm one of my favorite medical alerts for couples.

To learn more about this company and its systems, check out my full review of Bay Alarm Medical.

Pros
  • One-time $35 fee for additional help buttons
  • $15 per month for additional fall buttons
  • 1,000-foot in-home range
  • Two U.S.-based monitoring centers
  • 32-hour in-home backup battery
  • Water-resistant devices
Cons
  • Equipment fees for some systems
  • Extra cost for fall detection

2. ADT - Best In-Home Bracelets

ADT Medical Alert - Logo
4.6 / 5
View Packages
Call for best price:
855-571-0361
What We Like Most:
  • Waterproof help buttons
  • Optional fall detection
  • Quick response times
  • Straightforward pricing

Cost: Starting at $29.99 per month

ADT Help Button Wristband
ADT’s help button can be worn as a wristband (shown) or pendant.

ADT doesn’t just sell security systems; they also sell medical alert systems. When it comes to their streamlined medical alert product offerings, I was quite impressed. Their On-The-Go Medical Alert system uses advanced GPS technology to track the user’s whereabouts. When selecting this system, I was happy to note the multiple pendant options available for users who prefer pendants or wristbands. I chose the black wristband, which was super comfortable and discreet when I put it on.

I liked that there was an option to upgrade to Automatic Fall Detection for $10 per month. This is a great feature for older adults that may be prone to falls or need extra protection. I liked that this option was available, along with other benefits such as a handy mobile base unit and free shipping and activation. Plus, instead of worrying about battery problems, I enjoyed the peace of mind of automatic free battery replacement courtesy of ADT, which is a plus in my book.

To learn more about ADT, read my hands-on ADT medical alert review.

Pros
  • Waterproof help buttons
  • No long-term contracts
  • Automatic fall detection
  • Personalized response plans
  • Quick response times
  • Landline options available
Cons
  • Relatively small in-home range
  • No smart features
  • No caregiver tracking

3. MobileHelp - Most Affordable Bracelet

MobileHelp logo
4.5 / 5
View Packages
Call for best price:
800-915-8738
What We Like Most:
  • Starting at $19.95 per month
  • Flexible contracts
  • Mobile and in-home protection
  • Free equipment and activation

Cost: Starting at $19.95 per month

MobileHelp easy to use wrist button
MobileHelp’s bracelet help button

MobileHelp offers both in and outside of the home medical alert devices for older adults that want to stay protected and safe. In terms of wearable bracelets, MobileHelp costs start at $19.95 per month, making them the most affordable option on this list.

I was impressed with their waterproof help button that can be worn as either a pendant or wristband bracelet. I liked that the design imitates a smartwatch and is both discreet and comfortable for everyday wear.

Additionally, I liked that the sleek design responsiveness of the help button could provide me with 24/7 protection while running errands or away from home. I also didn’t even realize I was wearing the wearable for the full day because it was so lightweight and breathable around my wrist. With accurate GPS tracking features and compatibility with the MobileHelp Fall button, this wearable bracelet is available in colors white or black and is great for everyday wear.

To learn more about MobileHelp, read my hands-on MobileHelp review.

Pros
  • Duo is one of the only two-in-one systems available
  • Flexible pricing plans
  • No landline required for in-home systems
  • Stylish smartwatch option, great for men
  • Two pendants included with every system
  • No long-term contracts
  • Simple, easy to understand pricing
  • High quality equipment
  • Free lockbox with all orders
  • FDA-compliant
Cons
  • Fall detection and cellular are two separate units
  • Initial set-up fee for in-home unit (monthly plan only)

4. Medical Guardian - Best Smartwatch Option

Medical Guardian Logo
4.9 / 5
View Packages
Call for best price:
877-947-4512
What We Like Most:
  • No long-term contracts
  • Quick response times
  • Fall detection available
  • 24/7 U.S. based monitoring

Cost: Starting at $29.95 per month

Medical Guardian's MGMove
Medical Guardian’s MGMove

Medical Guardian is a popular and reliable service with an impressive range of options for both in and out of the home. Medical Guardian systems also include a medical alert smartwatch — the MGMove smartwatch.

For Medical Guardian’s in-home systems, you have a choice of help button styles: either a pendant or a wristband. Additionally, you can purchase more help buttons for $2.99 per month. With that said, fall detection requires a pendant, one that will cost an extra $10 per month.

If you’re looking for a medical alert bracelet that can protect you outside of the home, then I’d recommend looking into Medical Guardian’s smartwatch, the MGMove. This device features GPS technology and a 4G cellular connection, allowing the wearer to contact help from just about anywhere. Medical Guardian costs are also pretty affordable.

To learn more about this company, read my full Medical Guardian review.

 

Pros
  • All-in-one mobile system
  • Landline and cellular options
  • Smartwatch option
  • Accurate location tracking
  • Fall detection available on most systems
  • No long-term contracts
  • Free month of service on annual subscriptions
  • Up to seven-day mobile battery life
Cons
  • Occasional false alarms with fall detection
  • Limited activity monitoring

5. Aloe Care Health - Most Comfortable Bracelet

Aloe Care Health Logo
4.4 / 5
What We Like Most:
  • Voice Commands
  • Useful Caregiver App
  • Check-In System
  • Optional Fall Detection

Cost: Starting at $24.99 per month, in addition to equipment costs.

Aloe Care Essentials package
The Aloe Care Essentials package includes a voice-activated base station and a wearable bracelet help button.

Aloe Care Health is one of the newer providers of medical alert systems. It offers in-home systems with comfortable bracelets and a sophisticated array of voice commands. What’s more, Aloe Care Health pricing is reasonable, starting at only $24.99 per month for their Mobile Companion system.

Upon receiving my Aloe Care Essentials system, I was struck by just how comfortable their bracelet help button was. It was adjustable to any size of wrist, and its lightweight, silicon build made it easy to wear around the house. It was also waterproof, so I could take it with me into the shower, which is a frequent site of falls for aging adults.

While they offer a mobile system, I was most impressed by their aforementioned in-home system and its variety of voice commands. Simply by speaking, I could make emergency calls, contact caregivers, or even check the temperature of my home. And unlike most medical alert systems, which require an additional pendant for fall detection, Aloe Care Health uses a wall-mounted fall detection button that digitally maps your bathroom and detects when a person falls.

To learn more about Aloe Care Health, read my Aloe Care Health review.

Pros
  • Voice-activated calls
  • Non-emergency call capabilities
  • Activity, temperature, and air quality monitoring
  • No long-term contracts
  • Affordable mobile system
  • Detailed app for caregivers
  • Fall detection at no extra cost
Cons
  • Higher start-up costs
  • No spouse monitoring

6. Life Alert - Best Customer Service

Life Alert Logo
3 / 5
What We Like Most:
  • Tailored customer care
  • 3-year battery life on mobile system
  • All-in-one wall button
  • Water-resistant devices

Cost: Starting at $49.95 per month

Wristband and necklace attachments for your help button
Your Life Alert system will include bracelet and necklace attachments for your help button, allowing you to wear it however you see fit.

While Life Alert systems cost a bit more than every other system on this list, the premium you pay gives you reliable bracelets and customer service that is always there to help. 

After purchasing my Life Alert bracelet, I was connected with a “care counselor.” This person, despite living across the country from me, shared her personal phone number with me and walked me through any questions I had about installing and using the device. She even offered practical advice with regard to caring for a parent.

In terms of equipment, my Life Alert bracelet connected me to help quickly every time I pressed the button. The monitoring agents took the time to ensure that I was not experiencing an emergency and verified that my device worked properly.

To learn more about this Life Alert bracelet, check out our hands-on Life Alert review.

Pros
  • Customized and compassionate customer service
  • Easy installation and use
  • Quick emergency response times
  • Long-lasting batteries
Cons
  • $49.95 minimum monthly price
  • Three-year contract required

What Is a Life Alert Bracelet?

Medical alert bracelets (often called Life Alert bracelets) are wearable buttons that, when pressed, connect the user to a 24/7 Urgent Response call center. When a call center agent answers the call, they will arrange the proper help for the user, whether this means EMTs or a neighbor.

In this video, our Managing Editor, Ryan Molloy, walks you through how these devices work.

The Limits of Engraved Medical Bracelets

Engraved medical bracelets inform first responders and care staff if a wearer has a medical condition. Further, medical personnel may be permitted access to the wearer’s medical history for individuals who make their online health records available.

However, there are some things that engraved bracelets simply can’t do, such as:

Once an EMT is on the scene, the bracelet draws their attention to an older adult’s medical history. But even the best medical alert bracelets don’t give seniors a way to get help or talk to someone if they need it. One of the downsides is that if you were hypothetically unconscious or unable to talk, the engraved bracelets wouldn't be able to detect this or help you get emergency assistance.

That’s why we think medical alerts that can be worn as bracelets are a much better idea.

Types of Medical Alert Bracelets

There are three types of medical alert systems that can be worn as bracelets:

Whether aging adults are active in their local community or spend most of their time at home, there’s a medical alert bracelet out there to suit them.

To learn more about my favorite medical alert systems, check out our other guides:

Frequently Asked Questions

ryan-molloy
Written By
Ryan Molloy

Ryan has years of experience researching and testing products that help people successfully age in place. After years of working for various publications such as Boston Magazine and The Believer, he has found his home at The Senior List, writing about all things related to caregiving and senior healthcare.

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