Best Speakerphone Medical Alert Systems of 2023

Medical alert systems have built-in two-way speakers enabling older adults to talk directly with the monitoring center in the event of an emergency.

August 24, 2023 amie-clark

Author: Amie Clark | August 24, 2023

Share: copied!

The Senior List is compensated when you click on the provider links listed on this page. This compensation does not impact our ratings or reviews. Click here to learn more about our editorial review process and click here to learn more about how we are compensated.

Best Systems Overall

Overall Rating:

4.8 / 5

Every Bay Alarm system, from their in-home device to their smartwatch, offers a loud speakerphone that enables you to contact help.

View Packages

Call for best price:
855-675-0754

What We Like ↓

Most Durable Speaker

Overall Rating:

4.1 / 5

The Lively Mobile Plus is an all-in-one mobile system with a voluble speakerphone that’s completely waterproof, making it perfect for active users who need protection in the shower or tub.

View Packages

Call for best price:
833-695-0501

What We Like ↓

Best Mobile Device

Overall Rating:

4.9 / 5

All six Medical Guardian systems feature built-in speakerphones that provide quick access to their trained monitoring staff.

View Packages

Call for best price:
877-947-4512

What We Like ↓

Best Speakerphone Medical Alert Systems of 2021

Bay Alarm Medical : Best Systems Overall
Lively Mobile Plus : Most Durable Speaker
Medical Guardian : Best Mobile Device

Most home medical alert systems have a traditional base station and button setup. The user wears the button at all times, and if they fall or feel ill, they can press the button for help.

The speaker used to communicate with the medical monitoring center is in the base station itself. In most cases, it’s possible to communicate through this base station even if the wearer is in another room of the house.

Two-way speakers are a bit different. The wearer has a handheld unit with a speaker in it, through which they can communicate with the monitoring center. The unit can usually be worn on a lanyard or wristband, clipped to a belt, or carried in a purse.

Although two-way speaker units are a bit bigger than the traditional button pendant, they have a clear benefit: Users can talk to someone no matter where they are, so long as their two-way unit is charged and has accessible cell service. This provides extra reassurance for both users and their loved ones.

Pro Tip: If you’re looking for our favorite devices overall, then you should check out my list of the best medical alert systems for seniors.

How We Chose the Best Medical Alert Systems With Speakers in the Pendant

Companies evaluated	25
Hours of research	150+
Hours of product testing	900+
Ranking criteria	5
Finalists chosen	3

Nowadays, most medical alert providers offer a form of a pendant with a built-in speakerphone. Here is what we looked for when choosing our favorites:

Size: Speakerphone pendants tend to be a little larger than traditional help buttons, so we looked for devices with small profiles, making them comfortable to wear at all times. Additionally, we looked for devices that could be worn on the belt, in addition to a pendant.
Waterproof: It’s important to know that the unit can be worn in the bathroom or out in the rain. In some cases, you might find the unit has a separate waterproof and wearable button, while the main mobile unit is not water safe. We recommend you find a unit that’s fully waterproof, if feasible.
Battery life: Since wearable speakerphones must be recharged, we looked for the devices with the longest battery life, with a minimum of two days on a single charge.
GPS capabilities: Medical alerts with GPS allow you to be tracked by monitoring personnel. That way, help can arrive wherever you are, even if you’re away from home.
Straightforward pricing: Most reputable medical alert providers offer the option for month-to-month contracts, so we looked for companies with flexible payment and return policies.

1. Bay Alarm Medical - Best Systems Overall

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

Overview

Bay Alarm Medical has been around for over 70 years, and their dedication to customer service is outstanding. We also love that they’re always innovating and looking for new ways to serve their customers.

Bay Alarm Medical Equipment — Bay Alarm In-Home System

Bay Alarm Medical’s GPS help button is a mobile unit with a built-in speakerphone. Bay Alarm also offers something we haven’t seen anywhere else 一 a car-specific mobile device. This also has a two-way speaker and is perfect for aging adults who are still active enough to drive but need a little backup. Since it only works in the car, we’d recommend purchasing it in addition to their On the Go system.

The GPS help button is water-resistant enough to wear in the shower or during a rainstorm. In The Car, however, is not watertight. The GPS help button also has a battery life that lasts for nearly three days on a single charge, based on our tests.

Bay Alarm Medical prices are pretty low. The GPS help button starts at $29.95 per month, which is less than average when compared to other mobile systems. Additionally, their traditional in-home system starts at $21.95 per month, making it one of the cheapest medical alert systems.

To learn more about Bay Alarm Medical, read my hands-on Bay Alarm Medical reviews.

Learn more: New to the world of medical alert systems? Check out my guide to medical alert devices.

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. Lively Mobile Plus - Most Durable Speaker

4.1 / 5

View Packages

Call for best price:
833-695-0501

What We Like Most:

Uses Verizon’s Cellular Network
No Limit on In-Home Range
Fully Waterproof System
Fall Detection, Two-Way Talk, and GPS, All in One

Overview

Lively, the company behind Jitterbug phones for seniors, offers a sleek, compact medical alert: the Lively Mobile Plus. In addition to offering direct access to professional monitoring agents, the unit features a host of benefits.

Smaller than your average mobile medical alert, the Lively Mobile Plus has a built-in speakerphone, GPS, and fall detection, making it the ideal solution for those with more active lifestyles. Additionally, this device is completely waterproof, meaning it can easily withstand a shower and could even be submerged in a tub without compromising its functionality.

Lively Medical Alert prices start at $24.99 per month; however, if you want to take advantage of their smartphone app and fall detection, you’ll want to go with the Ultimate package, which costs $39.99 per month.

To learn more about my experience with this system, read my Lively Mobile Plus review.

Pros

Waterproof Device
First 30 Days Are Free
No Contracts or Cancellation Fees
Add-On Features Included in Every Service Plan
Uses Verizon’s Cellular Network

Cons

Device Needs to Be Charged Daily
Higher Startup Costs
Can Only Be Worn as a Pendant

3. Medical Guardian - Best Mobile Device

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

Overview

Medical Guardian is both well known and well liked, offering a range of modern, powerful medical alert options for seniors at all stages of life. Every system is designed for easy use.

Medical Guardian Classic Guardian — Classic Guardian

All four of Medical Guardian’s mobile units — Mobile Guardian, Active Guardian, MGMove, and Mini Guardian — have a two-way speaker. Mobile Guardian is a GPS unit with a two-way device and a separate help button too. Active Guardian is a combined, all-inclusive GPS and Wi-Fi unit device, which means there’s no need for a separate button. Mini Guardian features the same functionality as the Active Guardian but it’s in a smaller size, and the MGMove watch offers protection in a discreet package.

In terms of battery life, the Active Guardian has the longest one I’ve seen in a mobile unit, lasting up to seven days in our tests. The Mini Guardian also boasts an impressive five-day battery life.

Medical Guardian prices are also reasonable, starting at $39.95 per month for the Mini Guardian and $44.95 for the Active Guardian. None of their systems require long-term contracts; however, you can receive discounts if you pay on an annual or quarterly basis, as opposed to monthly.

To learn more about this company, read my full review of Medical Guardian. Also, check out my hands-on review of Active Guardian.

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

Written By

Amie Clark

Amie has been writing about senior care products and services for the last decade. She is particularly passionate about new technologies that help improve the quality of life for seniors and their families. Seeing her parents and grandparents age made Amie ask herself, “Would this be good enough for my loved ones?” In her spare time, Amie enjoys outdoor adventures and spontaneous road trips. Learn more about Amie here