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“Medical alert watches are one type of medical alert system designed to provide users with immediate help in emergencies,” says Kara Watthanasuntorn, M.D., a geriatrician and medical director at the Center for Better Aging in Chicago. Among the older adult population, medical alert systems, including watches, may help individualsage in place safely.

To activate a medical alert watch, users can press a help button to contact emergency services, and some models also include features like fall detection and GPS tracking, as well as health monitoring tools like a heart rate sensor or medication reminders, says Dr. Watthanasuntorn.

For the purposes of this testing, we categorized smartwatches as a type of medical alert watch, given that they’re commonly worn and include features that may be useful in emergency situations. While smartwatches aren’t intended to function solely as medical alert systems, there’s a lot of overlap—which is why we included them in our lineup.

Best Medical Alert Watches We Tested

Are these popular wearable gadgets helpful when it comes to emergency situations? Here’s what Forbes Health discovered through extensive research and hands-on product testing.

Apple Watch (Series 10)

5.0

All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.

• Equipment fee: Starting at $499
• Service fees: None
• Connectivity: Cellular signal, Wi-Fi and GPS
• Fall detection: Included
• Use case: In-home and mobile
• Battery life: 36 hours

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On Amazon

To determine the best medical alert systems of 2025, the Forbes Health editorial team evaluated 15 products from 13 noteworthy brands, with each product’s star rating determined by evaluating a variety of metrics, including its battery life, ability to detect falls automatically and cost. Medical alert systems for home use and mobile-friendly medical alert systems were evaluated slightly differently based on their distinct use cases, and smartwatches had their own evaluation criteria.

Each featured medical alert device also underwent internal testing for usability, ease of setup and fall detection capability.

Genuine fall detection was measured through intentional falls onto an exercise mat. Seated slips from a chair were also performed to simulate falls from a wheelchair or mobility scooter. The results of these tests are factored into the methodology detailed below.

• Cost (including equipment cost, subscription fees, activation fee and money-back guarantee period length): 25%
• Staff testing score (ease of setup, emergency response time, fall detection false positives, standing fall detection, seated fall detection): 20%
• Features (fall detection, GPS and voice activation): 30%
• Battery life: 5%
• Ability to sync with mobile apps: 5%
• Additional monitoring of steps and heart rate: 5%
• BBB and Trustpilot reviews and ratings, including BBB complaints-to-reviews ratio: 10%

Read more about our medical alert systems review methodology.

The Apple Watch Series 10 starts at $499, and the Samsung Galaxy Watch7 costs $349.99 for the 40 millimeter version and $329.99 for the 44 millimeter option.

Does Insurance or Medicare Cover Medical Alert Watches?

Medical alert watches typically aren’t covered by Medicare because they don’t fall into the category of medically necessary durable medical equipment. However, other medical alert systems may be covered.

Medicare coverage depends on which program you’ve signed up for, according to the National Council on Aging (NCOA). Government-provided Original Medicare Parts A and B don’t cover the costs of medical alert systems, but some Medicare Part C or Medicare Advantage plans (provided by private insurance companies) may partly or fully cover the cost of a medical alert system.

To find out if a medical alert system is covered by private health insurance, contact your insurance provider to inquire about your specific coverage details. Of note, you may need to give a medical reason for your device in addition to a note from your health care provider, according to the NCOA.

“Both are medical alert devices, but medical alert bracelets primarily focus on emergency alerts when the help button is pressed,” says Dr. Watthanasuntorn. “They are easy to use with one-button operation and typically have a long battery life,” she adds.

Medical alert watches, on the other hand, often look like a regular smartwatch but include features like a built-in emergency call button, fall detection, GPS tracking and often two-way communication, says Jennifer Prescott, RN, co-founder of Blue Water Homecare and Hospice in Austin, Texas.

A smartwatch is similar to a medical alert watch because it often includes features that can be useful in emergency situations—like an emergency call button and GPS tracking—but it’s typically not designed to function first and foremost as a medical alert system.

While smartwatches may be useful for overall health monitoring, such as heart rate tracking, they may not be the top choice for an emergency medical alert device. Since neither smartwatch registered any falls during Forbes Health testing, these devices aren’t suitable for individuals relying on a medical alert system for fall detection. However, these smartwatches do conveniently feature health metric monitoring, as well as other emergency response settings. Plus, they typically include GPS, which means the wearer can be located by emergency personnel.

Focus on the person’s specific needs based on their health and lifestyle, says Prescott, noting that you should think about the following:

• Fall detection. If the potential user has problems with balance, consider a medical alert watch that features fall detection—though it’s important to note that this technology does not always accurately detect falls.
• GPS tracking. A device with GPS capability can help accurately locate the medical alert watch wearer should they need emergency medical help or become lost.
• 24/7 emergency response availability. Round-the-clock operator monitoring or emergency response availability may involve a monthly fee but can offer peace of mind for the wearer’s safety.
• Ease of use. Anyone who wears a medical alert device should find that it is easy for them to use, comfortable to wear and aesthetically pleasing to ensure they will wear it every day, says Prescott.

Additional elements to consider, according to Dr. Watthanasuntorn, include:

• Watch complexity. Does the person wearing this device have limitations in cognitive ability, vision or hand dexterity? If so, consider very simple medical alert devices with large emergency buttons. If cognition is a significant issue, a medical alert device may not be useful; consult your health care provider for advice.
• Cellular coverage and connectivity. Many devices depend on cell coverage to operate, so make sure that service is strong where the user will be located while wearing any medical alert device.
• Battery life. Consider how often a device needs to be charged. If remembering to change a battery could be a problem for the medical alert device user, then look for a device that provides a notification when the battery is running low.