Medical Guardian Medical Alert System Review

Founded in 2005, Medical Guardian is a favorite medical alert system company among customers thanks to their members-above-all policy and award-winning customer service. In addition to offering 24/7 emergency monitoring services, they have a team of customer care specialists who are available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET to answer your questions and address your concerns. They also offer an extensive array of online resources and videos that can help you do everything from choosing the right system to learning more about their app.

We highly recommend Medical Guardian as the best medical alert system for customer service. They also have an impressive lineup of devices, including one of the smallest on-the-go alert systems and a smartwatch for the tech-savvy.

Whether your goal is getting a device with fall protection or accessing excellent customer service, our Medical Guardian medical alert system review will tell you everything you need to know to decide if one of their systems will help you or a loved one remain independent at home.

Pros and cons at a glance

Pros	Cons
Fall detection is available with all their systems.	90-day minimum commitment with no free trial period.
The MyGuardian app is free and works with all their systems.	One free month, a free lockbox, and free shipping are available only with an annual subscription.
The MGMini has an impressive battery life of five to seven days.	Canceling can be a hassle, especially with the MGClassic system, as it requires a restocking fee.
Spouses can be covered with in-home systems by purchasing an additional pendant for just $2.99 per month.	The cost of extras, like fall detection and protection plans, can add up fast.
Multiple-award-winning customer service.
Extensive online catalog of resources that include FAQ pages, videos, and more.

How Medical Guardian medical alert systems work

All Medical Guardian alert systems are designed to be extremely easy to use. Whether you have an on-the-go or an in-home system, all you have to do is push the button on your device, and you’ll be connected via two-way communication with a highly trained emergency operator who is standing by any time of day or night to help you with a medical emergency. You can expect to get a response in five to 15 seconds, which is much faster than the industry average of 30 seconds.

Operators can also help with nonmedical emergencies. Whether you’re experiencing the symptoms of a stroke, there has been a power outage, or you are simply feeling uneasy, an emergency operator will talk you through the situation. 

Emergency operators have access to your information as soon as you push the emergency button. Your home address is on file, and they will send emergency services there if you’re using an in-home unit. Mobile medical alert systems use GPS or Wi-Fi positioning to pinpoint your location. Operators can also contact family members, neighbors, and friends who are part of your Care Circle if you require non-emergency help.

For an extra $10 per month, you can add fall detection to your plan, which makes getting help even easier. If the mechanism in your fall-detection-enabled device registers a sudden change in your speed and orientation, it will automatically connect you to an emergency operator who will ask if you’re OK. If you cannot respond, they will call the phone number listed in your file. If they can’t get ahold of you, they will automatically send help your way.

If you’re moving and need to change your address or want to add someone to your Care Circle, you can change your account details by using the MyGuardian app or calling 1-800-313-1191 for assistance.

Benefits and features

Medical alert systems provide assurance that you or a loved one is protected at home, but Medical Guardian makes their medical alert systems even more appealing by offering a few benefits like:

• No contracts to sign.
• No hidden fees when signing up for a new system.
• Free activation.
• Optional fall detection for all their devices.

You do have to be careful, as some of their benefits come with fine print. For example, Medical Guardian lists free equipment as a benefit on their website, but only the MGClassic home system comes with free equipment. Because there is no equipment fee with the MGClassic home system, you’re technically renting it, which means it has to be returned if you cancel your service. All other equipment comes with a one-time equipment fee when you begin service, which means you own that equipment and don’t have to return it if you cancel.

It’s also important to note that if you have the MGClassic, you will pay more if you cancel your service. You have to return the equipment and pay for shipping or be charged a one-time payment of $350, and although there are no hidden fees when signing up for a new system, there is a restocking fee of $50 after you cancel service. 

In addition, although you do not have to sign a contract, there is a three-month minimum commitment for service with no free trial. With this fine print, you’ll want to make sure Medical Guardian is the right choice before signing up.

Free, easy-to-use app for users and caregivers

One of the best benefits of a Medical Guardian medical alert system is their MyGuardian app. This app is available for both Apple and Android devices and is completely free. It enables you to:

• Manage your billing information, like updating your bank account, enabling autopay, and making one-time payments.
• Change the friends and family listed in your Care Circle as well as their contact information.
• Create tasks and activity reminders to stay organized.
• Chat with members of your Care Circle directly in the app.

The MyGuardian app enables you to manage your account without calling in every time you need to make a payment or change your information, although customer service specialists will happily help you do so if you call. 

Reliability

Medical Guardian is a great pick if you’re searching for the best medical alert system for seniors because their innovative devices are extremely reliable. The MGMini is especially impressive. Although it is the smallest and lightest mobile device on the market, it has a battery life of up to 168 hours (seven days). Note that their other on-the-go systems should be charged every day.

Base stations plug into wall outlets, so they don’t have to be charged, but they do contain a 32-hour backup battery so that you’re still protected in the event of a power outage. Help buttons that pair with the in-home cellular and landline base stations have a battery life of up to five years without charging. You simply call in to have your buttons replaced for free when the low-battery indicator lights up on your base station.

Medical Guardian’s monitoring centers are among the best in the industry. It’s one of the reasons why they are so often listed as one of the best medical alert systems. They are TMA Five Diamond certified, which means The Monitoring Association (TMA) has confirmed that the company’s monitoring centers meet or exceed their levels of excellence in customer service. They are a certified member of the Electronic Security Association (ESA), the largest trade association in the U.S. for electronic security and life safety, and they are approved by UL (Underwriters Laboratories), an independent laboratory that tests products for safety and reliability. Centers are based in the U.S. with operators who speak both English and Spanish and can use translation services to communicate in other languages.

Product offerings

Medical Guardian offers both in-home and on-the-go medical alert systems, all of which can be combined with fall detection services to help protect you from falls both inside and outside the home. They also have a smartwatch, an excellent option for tech-savvy seniors who want protection and usability without compromising on style.

Medical Guardian product offerings include:

• MGMini on-the-go medical alert system.
• MGMini Lite on-the-go medical alert system.
• MGMove on-the-go medical alert system.
• MGHome Cellular home medical alert system.
• MGClassic home medical alert system.
• Extras.

MGMini on-the-go medical alert system

You can order an extra emergency button if you want to be able to use the MGMini while it’s in the charging cradle. In this case, you would push the emergency button and speak through the MGMini like a base station. If operators are unable to communicate with you because you’re too far away from the device, they will try calling your home number. If you don’t answer, they will send emergency services to your location based on GPS coordinates.

The MGMini is compatible with the MyGuardian app, providing hourly GPS updates in the app where caregivers can access the information. Fall detection can be activated within the device for an additional $10 per month. 

This device comes with your choice of an adjustable or nonadjustable lanyard as well as a belt clip, so you can wear it around your neck, clipped to a belt, or clipped to your purse. Unfortunately, the device cannot be worn around the wrist. If you prefer a wrist button, you’ll want to check out the MGMini Lite.

The MGMini Lite on-the-go medical alert system

This device has to be charged daily, but it needs only three hours in its charging cradle for a full charge. It does not pair with any other pendants or buttons, so it’s a good idea to charge your device during a period of rest, like while you’re sleeping or watching TV, so that you are nearby while it’s charging.

The MGMini Lite is compatible with the MyGuardian app, which is especially handy if you want to track your steps or a caregiver wants to track activity levels throughout the day. You can also upgrade to fall detection. This device uses Wi-Fi positioning to pinpoint your location. It is a great choice if you want a simple emergency button you can wear around your wrist to get protection inside and outside your home.

MGMove on-the-go medical alert system

The additional features of the MGMove make it special among Medical Guardian’s alert systems. Like other smartwatches, it allows you to count steps, set and track goals, and check on the weather. It is compatible with the MyGuardian app, but if you want to view activity and daily reminders and message caregivers in your Care Circle from your watch, you’ll want to sign up for the Social Circle app. The Social Circle app costs an additional $5 per month, but it enables you to access all the smartwatch’s capabilities.

MGHome Cellular home medical alert system

The base station plugs into a wall outlet, but it also contains a 32-hour backup battery so that you’re still protected if the power goes out. It has a two-way speaker, a large emergency button, and a smaller self-testing button so you can ensure your system is working properly. Indicator lights on the base station will alert you if the battery in your emergency pendant is running low so you can call customer service for a replacement.

This medical alert system comes with one water-resistant emergency button in either black or white that can be worn around the neck or wrist. You can get additional buttons for just $2.99 per month, which is perfect if you live with a partner who also wants to use the MGHome Cellular system. You can upgrade to fall detection, but fall detection pendants are different: They come in only one color and must be worn around the neck.

The MGHome Cellular alert system is compatible with the MyGuardian app, which means caregivers and users can stay connected, monitor activity levels, and communicate directly through the app.

MGClassic home medical alert system

The MGClassic is also a good choice if you live in a rural or isolated area with unreliable broadband or cellular service. It plugs directly into a landline telephone jack to provide you with 24/7 protection.

Some users may also appreciate the more visual nature of this medical alert system compared with the MGHome Cellular system. It has a large emergency button that is clearly labeled. In addition, it has power, connectivity, and warning indicator lights so you can tell if your base unit isn’t connected to your landline properly or has been accidentally unplugged from the wall.

It has a coverage area of 1,300 feet and a 32-hour backup battery, and it integrates with the MyGuardian app.

The MGClassic system comes with one water-resistant emergency button that can be worn around the neck or wrist. Like the MGHome Cellular system, you can purchase an additional button that a partner or spouse can wear to protect them, too. You can also upgrade to a fall detection pendant, but this pendant must be worn around the neck.

Extras

Medical Guardian offers some unique extra products worth mentioning.

They offer a lockbox to ensure emergency services and loved ones can enter your home without breaking in. You can pay for additional wearable buttons for the home systems and the MGMini, but Medical Guardian has other types of buttons, too. They offer a wireless wall button that can be placed in high-risk areas, like the bathroom or kitchen, for extra protection. They also have a unique voice-activated wall button. It has an emergency button and a red pull cord, but you can also get help by saying, “Call Medical Guardian, call Medical Guardian!” These buttons can be added to either of their home systems and the MGMini medical alert system.

Medical Guardian’s most unique offering is their Elite 911 speaker box. It works with all their systems on any available cell network, providing you with an unlimited range of coverage anywhere in the United States and Canada. Instead of connecting you with a Medical Guardian emergency operator, it connects you directly with 911. It’s a great option for those who have serious medical conditions that require emergency services and who want to get help immediately without talking to a Medical Guardian operator first.

Medical Guardian also offers some extra features. You can sign up for OnGuard Alerts, which keep your Care Circle informed about you via real-time text and email notifications during an emergency. They also have a protection plan so you can get replacement equipment in the event of an accident or malfunction, as well as tech support, repairs, and discounts on additional equipment.

Pricing and subscription plans

Medical Guardian is not available in stores. Although you can find third-party sellers online, we recommend you go directly to Medical Guardian when purchasing devices and setting up service. Their website has a handy comparison chart for their systems’ features.

Signing up for an annual plan will save you some money in the long run. Quarterly and monthly plans cost slightly more per month. Another benefit of signing up for an annual plan is that you’ll receive one free month of service, a free lockbox, and free shipping. 

System	Price per month*	Equipment fee
MGClassic	$27.45	None
MGHome Cellular	$27.45	$149.95
MGMove	$36.62	$199.95
MGMini	$36.62	$149.95
MGMini Lite	$41.20	$149.95

*with annual subscription

Medical Guardian offers many extra products and services you can add to your subscription to tailor your medical alert system experience to your needs. Note that all costs are per month rather than one-time fees.

Additional service or product	Price per month
Fall detection	$10.00
MG Protection Plan	$6.99
OnGuard Alerts	$2.99
Wireless wall button	$2.99
Voice-activated wall button	$5.00
Elite 911	$9.99
Lockbox	$2.99
Additional pendant	$2.99
Social Circle apps (for use with MGMove smartwatch only)	$5.00

Equipment installation and setup

The simplest way to sign up for service with Medical Guardian is to make your purchase directly through their website, as purchasing from third-party sellers, like Amazon, can be confusing. If you aren’t sure which system is right for you, they have a handy quiz you can take to figure out what they recommend. You can also contact a Life Safety Consultant at 1-800-668-9200 seven days a week from 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET to get their recommendations for what you need — and what you don’t.

Once you receive your equipment, it’s easy to get everything set up, whether you have a home or on-the-go system. Base stations and charging cradles must be plugged into an outlet in the wall. If you have the MGClassic medical alert system, you will also have to plug it into a landline telephone jack. In-home emergency pendants use batteries that never need to be charged. You simply call in for a replacement when the battery is running low, as indicated by a light on the base station. 

Your system can be taken with you when you move, but it’s important to update your contact information in the customer portal by using the MyGuardian app or calling customer service. You should also notify Medical Guardian if you plan to take your system with you on vacation.

Make sure you test your system when you first install it and then at least once a month. You can test an in-home system by pushing the reset or information button on the base station. For mobile devices, simply push the emergency button and notify the operator that you’re just making sure it’s working properly.

User experience and ease of use

Medical Guardian is an excellent choice if you or a loved one is recovering after a fall. Every single one of their systems has a fall detection option that you can add to your plan for $10 per month.

One of the best things about Medical Guardian is their reputation for outstanding service. Whether you’re experiencing a medical emergency or another problem, like a burglary, simply push your button, and a highly trained care operator will determine if emergency services need to be sent to your location or if it would be best to involve a member of your Care Circle.

We love that their in-home medical alert systems have backup batteries and that their MGMini has a battery life of five to seven days. The MGMini Lite is a nice option if you want a less cumbersome, simpler medical alert system that straps to your wrist without the bells and whistles of the smartwatch. Just make sure you’re prepared to charge your device daily if you’re using the MGMini Lite or the MGMove smartwatch.

Customer support and assistance

No other medical alert system company does customer support and assistance quite like Medical Guardian.

They have received multiple awards, including Best Company’s “Customers Love Us” award in 2022, in addition to topping their list of the best medical alert system providers. Medical Guardian won the Silver Stevie Award for Sales and Customer Service in 2018, along with the Caregiver Friendly Award, not to mention that they have been named one of the best places to work in Philadelphia for several years in a row. When you push your emergency button, you’ll know without a doubt that you’ll receive the highest level of support possible.

Medical Guardian also has a dedicated team of customer care specialists. You can call 1-800-313-1191 for non-emergency assistance, like replacing your equipment if your device is malfunctioning. Their team can also help you order new accessories or make changes to your account.

We love the resources Medical Guardian has on their website. You can take a product quiz to determine which medical alert system is right for you. There’s also a two-minute risk assessment on their homepage to help you decide if you or a loved one needs a medical alert system.

Their website contains a wealth of information, including FAQ pages, videos, and product setup instructions, which you can check out by visiting their support page. It’s a great resource for learning more about their service and systems before you make a purchase, and it’s also helpful for learning how to set up and make the most of your system once it arrives on your doorstep.

You can order an old-fashioned paper buyer’s guide at the bottom of the home page, which is helpful for seniors who don’t have access to a computer and loved ones who want a concrete way to start a conversation with a parent or grandparent about potentially using a medical alert system.

Testimonials and success stories

The Medical Guardian website is a great place to start when reviewing testimonials and success stories. They have a dedicated page where you can view videos from customers and caregivers who use one of their medical alert systems. You can watch reviews about specific aspects of the company, like customer service, life-saving stories, and fall detection.

For more unbiased reviews, you can visit Trustpilot, where Medical Guardian has an overall 3.7 rating. There are many positive ratings there, like this one:

“We purchased the Medical Guardian necklace for my mother. She has had to use it multiple times this past year. Emergency crews were sent to the house within a few minutes. They also notify me each time! Everyone is so kind and efficient. Medical Guardian has truly been a lifesaver and a comfort!”

A large chunk of those who give Medical Guardian a negative review cite the difficulty they had when canceling their service. For example, some are frustrated about being billed for the service after canceling. It’s important to be aware of Medical Guardian’s cancellation policy before signing up for service so you aren’t caught by surprise if you have to cancel. Cancellations can take up to 30 days to process once a cancellation letter is received for systems with purchased equipment or 30 days after equipment is received for rented equipment. In addition, you’ll have to pay a restocking fee for rented equipment. If the rented equipment isn’t returned, you will be billed $350. Keep in mind that they also require a 90-day minimum commitment. If you cancel before the 90 days, you’ll still be charged for service.

Medical Guardian has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. They consistently address complaints through the BBB website. Multiple complainants follow up with messages saying they are satisfied with the company’s response to their initial problem, which is a testament to Medical Guardian’s dedication to customer service.

Final thoughts on Medical Guardian medical alert systems

If you want a system that offers a robust library of online resources, print resources, and apps for users and caregivers, and if you’re searching for a medical alert system company with award-winning service, look no further than Medical Guardian. They truly put their users first, providing customers with complete emergency and non-emergency support.

Their range of devices ensures you’ll find one that fits your lifestyle, but be aware that the cost of medical alert systems can add up, especially if you’re purchasing equipment or additional features. If you’re looking for a system with fall detection, one of those additional features that can add to the cost of a Medical Guardian system, you may want to consider a LifeFone medical alert system, which has cost-effective options for fall detection. You’ll also want to be as certain as possible that a Medical Guardian alert system is right for you or a loved one because they don’t offer a free trial period like others, such as MobileHelp.