Fall Detection
Fall detection can offer peace of mind to individuals who want to age in place or those at increased risk of having a medical emergency. If you live alone or in a home with rugs or stairs, or you have fallen before, you may be a good candidate for fall detection. In the recent survey of medical alert system users conducted by AgingInPlace.org, medical alert system owners ranked fall detection as the most important factor in their decision to purchase their system.
Bay Alarm Medical reps explained they don’t believe fall detection is reliable technology for use in a wristwatch because it causes too many false alarms. As a result, they don’t offer it in their devices and have no plans to add it to their watch. However, Medical Guardian has it in development and plans to add it to their watch by late 2022 or early 2023. Meanwhile, BellPal has done intensive research on designing accurate and responsive automatic fall detection. Kanega and Apple Series 7 include fall detection in all of their watches. The Kanega boasts fall detection learning the longer you wear the watch, which means it becomes more accurate by learning what repeated false alarms look like.
Voice Activation
For users who want to activate their watch without having to find the right button, or for those with visual impairment, a voice-activated watch may be the most appropriate fit. Some customers prefer to access watch features, like weather apps or even the help button, with a verbal command. In an emergency, you don’t have to fiddle with manual buttons or a confusing technical interface.
Battery Life
Medical alert watches run the gamut of battery types and life. Most of them run for 18–24 hours and require nightly charging, but the Kanega is meant to be worn around the clock and provides you with four rechargeable batteries, while the BellPal battery runs for four to seven months then requires replacement by a professional, more like a standard wristwatch.
Style
For many, the appeal of medical alert watches is the aesthetics. When compared to other medical alert pendants or clip-ons, watches do not appear to be a medical device. The BellPal watch is the only device on our list that does not have a digital interface. It instead uses a classic analog watch face with the option of mesh, steel, or leather bands.
Some users will gravitate to a more modern look, like the MGMove or Kanega. As mentioned previously, you can even use the Apple Watch as a medical alert system and enjoy all the interchangeable wristband colors, styles, and textures. These watches also have large touch screens for users to easily see and access watch features.
Durability
As mentioned before, water resistance is key to lengthening your watch’s lifespan. A medical watch is only useful if you’re wearing it, so all the watches we’ve included in our list are at least water-resistant and can get slightly splashed from hand washing or a quick passing through rain. Most medical alert watches use scratch-resistant glass to protect the screen as well as materials that protect the integrity of the technology in the watch. The Apple Watch Series 7 goes one step further with the promise of a crack-resistant face.
Warranty
When making an investment in a complex piece of medical equipment, it’s wise to consider the warranty before purchase. Many medical alert watches have a one-year warranty. However, customers have to pay extra for Apple Care to protect the Apple Watch and Medical Guardian’s MGMove warranty is an added monthly cost.
Comfort
A medical watch is designed to be worn all day, every day, and during a range of activities, from exercising to gardening. Consider what makes a watch most wearable for you: style, texture, or weight? You may find that you’re more comfortable using soft but durable silicone bands, or a more classic leather or metal wristband that has the feel of a conventional watch. Medical watches are generally lightweight and discreet.
Response Time
Most companies quote a 10–30 second response time when you or your device’s automatic fall detection activate a call for help. That is the amount of time that it takes for an operator to reach back out to you. The time can vary and depends mostly on the strength of your connectivity at the time of the call. If you are in a part of your home with a poor cellular connection, it will take longer to reach an operator. That’s why it’s important to discuss connectivity with a sales rep and be sure to use a connection provider that works well all over your home and yard or one with backup Wi-Fi like UnaliWear.
Pros and Cons of Medical Alert Watches
Wearable, discreet, and stylish
Extra features are often available
May be complicated to set up and use
Generally more expensive than more traditional medical alert systems
Doesn’t always include fall detection
How We Research and Test Medical Alert Systems
Our experts independently research, analyze, and recommend products we believe provide value to the lives of our readers. We’ve collectively spent more than 1,700 hours conducting in-depth research on medical alert systems. Our team tested multiple medical alert devices to better understand features and provide the most accurate feedback and recommendations to our readers.
To choose our top picks we:
- Engaged in ongoing independent research
- Consulted with geriatricians and adult caregivers
- Mystery shopped the brands
- Surveyed medical alert system users
- Tested various medical alert systems
- Interviewed experts in the field
- Read hundreds of verified customer reviews from trusted third parties such as Better Business Bureau and Consumer Reports
Learn more about our in-depth medical alert system testing and scoring process.
Bottom Line
Medical alert watches are a more modern alternative to classic medical alert buttons and pendants. The best medical alert watches are suited for people who want peace of mind as they continue living an active lifestyle. You can spend an afternoon in the garden, playing golf, or walking in the park knowing that help is basically in the palm of your hand.
Most medical alert watches serve as personal safety devices that double as a smartwatch with other health and communication functions. Our top pick is the MGMove due to its user-friendly features, like talk-to-text, and its simple, stylish interface, which accommodates both tech-savvy and non-tech users.
Active customers might try the Apple Watch, which allows users to track activities and monitor their heart rate. The BellPal AI is a great fit for the style-minded customer or for users who are averse to wearing a medical device—only the buyer will know that this vintage-inspired watch is equipped with fall detection and an alarm that sends a signal to your cell phone. Finally, the Kanega is a great smartwatch for older adults who are not in the habit of carrying their phone on them at all times, as this watch runs on its own cell signal.
