Medical Guardian vs Bay Alarm Medical
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October 22, 2024
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Key Findings
- Medical Guardian systems answered our test calls in an average of eight seconds, while Bay Alarm Medical systems did so in 16.
- Bay Alarm Medical systems start at $29.95 for a cellular system, while Medical Guardian’s start at $37.95.
- Both companies offer useful caregiver apps, as well as fall detection features that performed well in our tests.
FYI: Bay Alarm Medical and Medical Guardian performed well in our tests, but neither is the most affordable company. To find medical alert systems for $20 per month, read our rundown of this year’s top-rated medical alerts.
Why Trust TheSeniorList?
Our team of caregivers, experts, and health-care professionals conducted over 5,000 hours of in-depth research and testing to recommend the most reliable brands and devices. In this process, our team:
- Tested 50 medical alert devices from 15 different brands.
- Surveyed 1,250 seniors and caregivers on medical alert system usage.
- Consulted with nurses, EMTs, and caregivers who are experts at caring for older adults.
- Published dozens of videos that demonstrate our medical alert system testing.
- Evaluated verified customer reviews of medical alert companies from the Better Business Bureau.
How We Test Medical Alert Systems
Most medical alert companies sell a variety of systems, including smartwatches and in-home and mobile systems. Each device has its own unique features, but they all offer the same basic function: connecting users to help in an emergency. With this in mind, we evaluate every medical alert system on the following criteria:
- Response times: The faster a medical alert system connects you to help, the better. For each system, we performed 10 test calls, counted how long it took to receive a response, and calculated an average.
- Ease of use: In an emergency, it's important that a user can successfully activate their system. So, we carefully evaluated each device's design — with simplicity at the forefront.
- Customer care: A human touch is key to caregiving. With this in mind, medical alert companies must offer impeccable customer service — from their agents at monitoring centers to their support personnel.
- Pricing and contracts: We analyze device costs, subscription costs, contract requirements, and other fees associated with a medical alert system purchase.
- Extra features: We test out voice commands, caregiver apps, fall detection, activity monitoring, and any other features included with a medical alert system.
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| Editor's Ratings | ||
| Starting Price (Home System) |
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| Starting Price (Mobile System) | $29.95 per month | $39.95 per month |
| Minimum Contract Requirement | 1 month | 1 month |
| Average Response Times | 16 seconds | 8 seconds |
| Fall Detection | $10 per month | $10 per month |
| Caregiver App | Included | Included |
| Smartwatch Option | Yes | Yes |
| Contact | ||
| Phone Number |
Call for best price:
877-947-4512 |
Call for best price:
855-675-0754 |
| Website | View Packages | View Packages |
Bay Alarm Medical Systems Overview
One of the most affordable medical alert companies, Bay Alarm Medical is also one of our favorites. This distinction is due to its simple devices that offer ample protection. For in-home devices, they offer the SOS Home; this system can be used with a cellular or landline connection. For mobile systems, they offer the SOS Micro, the SOS All-In-One, and the SOS Smartwatch.
In our tests with Bay Alarm Medical systems, their monitoring agents answered our calls in an average of 16 seconds, which is faster than average. The company’s response agents were also professional and helpful.
To learn more about our experience with this company, check out our Bay Alarm medical alert review.
Bay Alarm Medical Devices Compared
| System | Monthly Cost | For Use | Additional Features |
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| SOS Home |
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At home |
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| SOS All-In-One | $34.95 | At home and on the go |
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| SOS Micro | $29.95 | At home and on the go |
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| SOS Smartwatch | $39.95 | At home and on the go |
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Medical Guardian System Overview
Medical Guardian currently offers five systems. The MGClassic and MGHome Cellular are their landline systems, while the MGMini, MGMini Lite, and MGMove are the mobile systems. Across all systems, we found the Medical Guardian response agents answered our test calls quickly.
To learn more about our hands-on experience testing these devices, read our full Medical Guardian review.
Medical Guardian Devices Compared
| System | Monthly Starting Cost | For Use | Additional Features |
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| MGClassic | $32.95 | At home |
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| MGHome Cellular | $37.95 | At home |
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| MGMini | $39.95 | At home and on the go |
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| MGMini Lite | $44.95 | At home and on the go |
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| MGMove | $39.95 | At home and on the go |
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Costs and Contracts
Medical Guardian and Bay Alarm Medical have a similar approach to contracts. Both companies allow you to subscribe on a month-to-month basis. While long-term contracts aren’t required, both companies allow you to pay in advance for three months or an entire year for a discount on the monthly price. That said, I generally advise people to pay the month-to-month price to avoid being locked into a device that their loved one might not use.
In terms of actual costs, Bay Alarm Medical prices are objectively lower on all systems. The company’s in-home and mobile systems cost roughly $10 less per month than comparable devices from Medical Guardian. The one exception would be the company’s smartwatch offerings. Both the SOS Smartwatch and the MGMove cost $39.95 per month.
Overall, Medical Guardian systems cost more than those from Bay Alarm Medical.
FYI: Bay Alarm Medical systems are not the cheapest. To find more budget-friendly options, read my guide to the most affordable medical alert systems.
Performance
While Medical Guardian systems cost a bit more, they performed slightly better in our tests. In our series of 10 test calls with each Medical Guardian system, we received responses in an average of eight seconds. This is the fastest response time of any medical alert company.
Bay Alarm Medical systems, on the other hand, took an average of 16 seconds to connect us to help. That said, we should note that 16 seconds is still faster than average. So, while Bay Alarm Medical is not quite as fast as Medical Guardian, it still puts up pretty good numbers.
From both companies, we found fall detection worked well. However, there was some variance among devices. The MGMini Lite, for example, detected 8 out of 10 test falls, while the MGMini detected only one. Bay Alarm Medical systems performed similarly in terms of fall detection: capturing between 6 and 8 of 10 test falls.
Our Top Choice
When it comes down to it, there’s no wrong choice between Bay Alarm and Medical Guardian; they’re two of the top medical alert systems. Each provides durable equipment and excellent customer service. Plus, they both bring a wide range of devices that can protect you both in and out of the home. Perhaps most importantly, neither company requires long-term contracts.
The primary difference, in our eyes, would have to be pricing. If you’re looking for something slightly more affordable, Bay Alarm Medical is likely the better option. If, however, you don’t mind paying extra for slightly faster response times, then Medical Guardian is a great choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Which is better: Bay Alarm Medical or Medical Guardian?
Bay Alarm Medical systems cost slightly less, while Medical Guardian systems gave us slightly faster response times. Both companies consistently rank among our favorite medical alert companies.
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Does Bay Alarm Medical have the same equipment as Medical Guardian?
Occasionally, Bay Alarm Medical and Medical Guardian offer identical systems under different names. For example, the SOS Micro and the MGMini Lite are the same device, just marketed differently.
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Does Bay Alarm Medical or Medical Guardian have better fall detection?
Fall detection varies by the particular system from each company. However, we’ve found that the MGMini Lite and SOS Mobile offer accurate fall detection.