The 4 Best Fall Detection Devices in 2025, Tested by Caregivers

Due to their lightning-fast response times, Medical Guardian systems have long been among our favorites. The MGMini Lite, a mobile medical alert bracelet, combines the company’s reliable monitoring with the most accurate fall detection we’ve seen.

In our 10 test falls, the MGMini Lite detected all five fast falls and three slow falls, making it the most accurate device we tried. We were also impressed that, during our week wearing the device, it triggered no false alarms — something only the Apple Watch SE could match.

Once falls were detected, it was easy to communicate with monitoring agents via the device’s voluble speakerphone. Much like other Medical Guardian devices, the MGMini Lite connected us to help in an average of eight seconds.

After each fall, the MGMini Lite also notified our loved ones via the MyGuardian app. The app allowed them to track the device’s live location and monitor its battery life. Worn as a bracelet, the MGMini Lite was also noticeably more comfortable than the pendant options we tested.

The MGMini Lite had the most accurate fall detection, but we can’t ignore that it’s one of the most expensive devices on this list. It costs a one-time $149.95 fee, followed by monthly payments of $52.95. (That was with fall detection, which added $120 per year, all paid in one up-front annual payment of $635.40. If I wanted to pay on a monthly basis, the cost would go up to $56.95.) Medical Guardian’s MGMini is slightly less expensive, with the same $149.95 equipment cost. It’s only $46.95 per month with fall detection with an annual plan or $49.95 with a monthly plan though. In our MGMini review, however, we found that the device’s fall detection was not nearly as accurate.

To learn more about the costs of Medical Guardian systems, read our guide to Medical Guardian costs.

Reliable, comfortable and capable of detecting the vast majority of falls, the MGMini Lite is our top-rated fall-detection device. It costs more than other devices on this list, but its reliability makes it worth the higher price.

To learn more about our experience with Medical Guardian’s other systems, read our full Medical Guardian review.

If the MGMini Lite is too expensive, Bay Alarm Medical’s SOS All-In-One 2 may be a better option. At $44.95 per month (fall detection included), it’s one of the most affordable fall-detection devices.

In our 10 test falls, the SOS All-In-One 2 detected four fast falls and three slow falls. That isn’t quite as accurate as ADT’s On-the-Go system, but the SOS All-In-One 2 ranks more highly because it triggered far fewer false alarms. Additionally, the SOS All-In-One 2 has fall detection built into its compact unit, which means it’s much more comfortable to wear than ADT’s multipendant system (more on that below).

In our test calls, we found that the SOS All-In-One 2 quickly connected us to help, averaging 16 seconds in our 10 calls. That’s not quite as fast as Medical Guardian’s response times, but it’s still faster than average.

With the SOS All-In-One 2, we also got free access to the Bay Alarm Medical app. Through the app, loved ones could track our device’s location and receive notifications each time a fall was detected. For those with friends and family who live nearby, the feature would be highly useful.

The primary drawback of the SOS All-In-One 2 is that it performed ever so slightly worse than the MGMini Lite. Its response times were, on average, eight seconds slower. Plus, it detected seven falls vs. the MGMini Lite’s eight. That said, Bay Alarm Medical’s systems are more affordable. For some users, the savings may be worth it.

To learn more about the pricing for these systems, read our guide to Bay Alarm Medical costs.

The SOS All-In-One 2 performed slightly worse than the MGMini Lite, but we’d still trust it to protect our loved ones. Plus, it will do so at a significantly lower price.

To learn more about the company, read our hands-on Bay Alarm Medical review.

ADT charges $11 per month for fall detection (slightly higher than the standard $10). Its On-the-Go system detected eight out of our 10 test falls, however, making it among the most accurate devices.

ADT’s On-the-Go detected five out of five fast falls and three out of five slow falls. That said, we ranked the SOS Mobile more favorably due to ADT’s proclivity for false alarms. After wearing the device for one week, our testing team counted 12 false alarms. Deactivating the alarms was easy enough, but their frequency got pretty annoying.

We can’t ignore the rapid response times from ADT’s monitoring center. In our 10 test calls, their agents answered in an average of 14 seconds. Additionally, agents were able to consistently report our GPS location.

False alarms aside, the biggest problem we had with ADT’s On-the-Go system was the need for an additional pendant in order to use fall detection. The system detected a high percentage of our falls, but it’s hard to imagine many people wanting to wear both pendants around the clock.

Additionally, no ADT medical alert system supports any type of app or communicative features for caregivers. When a fall is detected, the device will contact only ADT’s monitoring center. If caregiver connectivity is important to you, then I’d recommend the MGMini Lite.

With accurate fall detection both in and out of the home, ADT is a solid option for a medical alert device. To learn more about our experience with ADT’s systems, read our full ADT medical alert review.

In our recent survey of medical alert system users, the vast majority of respondents reported using an Apple Watch as a medical alert system. In our tests, we found that the device may be a worthwhile option as long as the wearer can use its interface.

The Apple Watch SE detected four fast falls and zero slow falls. So why did we include it on this list?

First, we appreciate the caregiver features of any Apple Watch. With this device, loved ones could track our location. When the watch detected our fast falls, we could automatically alert our loved ones. The Apple Watch is also the only device on this list that allows you to place phone calls and send text messages directly from the watch.

Second, the Apple Watch SE is deceptively affordable. The device costs $249, but its monthly costs are incredibly low. I currently use an iPhone, which means I had to pay no extra monthly fees for my Apple Watch. Fall detection is included at no extra cost. Adding GPS would have been $249 a year, or $20.75 a month, while adding GPS and cellular would have been $299, or $24.91 a month — lower subscription costs than any other option on this list. Supported carriers include T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T and Boost Mobile.

>>Read more: The Best iPhones for Seniors

The Apple Watch SE proved useless when it came to detecting slow falls, but its biggest drawback is its complicated design. Compared to the other devices on this list — all of which contain one button that contacts help — the Apple Watch has countless capabilities. That’s usually a good thing, but not when they’re all contained on a roughly 1.5-inch touch screen.

Many older adults will be able to operate an Apple Watch, but those with vision or manual dexterity issues would likely be better served by the other three options on this list.

Provided you don’t need slow fall detection, an Apple Watch may be an ideal fall-detection device. It also comes with a variety of health, communication and entertainment features not seen on traditional medical alert systems.

To learn more about how an Apple Watch can keep your loved ones safe, read my guide: Apple Watches vs. Medical Alert Systems.