Best Medical Alert Bracelets: Tested And Reviewed

To determine the best medical alert bracelets of 2025, the Forbes Health editorial team evaluated 15 products from 13 noteworthy brands, with each product’s star rating determined by metrics including its range of use, battery life, ability to detect falls automatically and cost. Each featured medical alert device also underwent internal testing for usability, ease of setup, emergency response speed and fall detection capability. Fall detection pendants’ tendency to detect false positives was evaluated through drops onto a hard floor and by testers plopping down with force onto a chair when worn.

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 and activation fees): 25%
• Features (fall detection, device signal range, battery life, GPS and voice activation): 25%
• Staff testing score (ease of setup, emergency response time, fall detection false positives, standing fall detection, seated fall detection): 20%
• Additional monitoring of steps and heart rate: 5%
• Whether a plan includes extra alert buttons/devices or offers the option to add a lockbox for emergency responders: 5%
• If the service employs multi-lingual emergency response operators: 5%
• NPS scores (including ease of setup, general ease of use, fall detection reliability, cost transparency, customer service and quality of emergency response scores): 10%
• Length of free trial period: 2.5%
• Number of device types available: 2.5%

“Medicare doesn’t typically cover the cost of alert bracelets,” says Joseph Palumbo, M.D., a senior medical advisor at the online health care platform Treated. “There might be exceptions for some plans but usually they’re not deemed to be a medical necessity, and so you’d have to get them privately.”

Medical alert bracelets can serve as a crucial tool for anyone who may find themselves in an emergency situation, explains Dr. Palumbo, such as an individual living alone who is at risk of falling. These devices may also play an important role in communicating health information clearly to medical personnel if the wearer is unable to provide it.

The right medical alert bracelet or device depends on what you or a loved one needs, such as ease of use and style. Designs range from simple, rubber wristbands to advanced devices with more features.

Factors to consider when selecting a medical alert bracelet may include:

• Overall cost, including equipment fees and monthly fees
• Automatic fall detection
• Battery life
• GPS tracking
• Compatible apps for caregivers
• Water resistance
• Maximum signal range

“Patients might consider more expensive versions, with more features, if they want the security of knowing they can contact a family member or support easily,” says Dr. Palumbo.