Best Buy Medical Alert Systems: A Buyers Guide

As medical alert systems rise in popularity, more third-party retailers are offering them in stores and online. One third-party retailer that offers numerous medical alert system brands is Best Buy, a leading electronics retailer.

Best Buy offers both monitored and unmonitored medical alert systems, providing a wide range of emergency devices for a variety of users.

Monitored Medical Alert Systems

Monitored systems are the most popular form of medical alert systems, providing 24/7 monitoring for a monthly fee. Pressing an emergency response button on a monitored system does not simply contact 911, but rather it dials an operator at a monitoring center who can assess the type of emergency and help dispatch the appropriate services. Monitored systems frequently offer fall detection as an option with an additional monthly fee, which is a vital feature for senior users at higher risk of falls.

Best Buy offers monitored medical alert systems by Medical Guardian and BlueStar.

Medical Guardian

Medical Guardian is the most widely carried brand at Best Buy. Four Medical Guardian systems are available at Best Buy: Active Guardian, Classic Guardian, Home Guardian, and Freedom Guardian.

Active Guardian

Active Guardian is a complete mobile medical alert system with built-in fall detection sensors. Best Buy sells the Active Guardian for $39.99 with two free months of service, which is followed by a monthly fee of $49.95. When worn on a lanyard, the device provides emergency communication to users at home or on the go, and during falls no matter where they occur.

Classic Guardian

Classic Guardian is the simplest home-based system Medical Guardian has to offer. It has the fewest options and is the lowest cost at $29.99, including two free months of service followed by a monthly fee of $29.95. The system uses a landline connection to contact emergency services through the base unit when the emergency button is pressed.

Home Guardian

Home Guardian is similar to the Classic Guardian in its basic function, but it connects via 3G AT&T cellular service instead of a landline. This home-based unit can be purchased at Best Buy for $59.99 and includes two free months of service, followed by a $34.95 monthly fee.

Freedom Guardian 

Freedom Guardian is a medical alert system smartwatch. It is sold at Best Buy for $149.99 and includes two free months of service, which is followed by a $49.95 monthly service fee. The device uses 3G AT&T technology and features a touch screen with large text and read-aloud options for text messaging, weather, reminders, and more. A mobile app can be used by caregivers to receive notifications and updates on the user’s location, daily tasks and messaging status.

BlueStar Ranger

BlueStar Ranger is a personal emergency response system sold at Best Buy for $39.99. The device includes one month of free service, which resumes at a monthly fee of $29.95. Ranger also has fall detection when worn as a pendant, but requires an extra $5 monthly fee.

The device uses 4G cellular technology on the AT&T network and provides two-way calling capabilities with a monitoring center operator, 911 or personal contacts. It can also be used with a caregiver app that provides real-time location updates, GeoFence tracking, notifications of emergency calls, weather alerts, battery status, medical information and more.

Unmonitored Medical Alert Systems

Another option for Best Buy medical alert systems is unmonitored systems. These devices do not have a monthly fee because 24/7 monitoring service is not an option. Instead, an unmonitored system acts as a two-way communication device allowing a user to contact 911 in the event of an emergency. These devices have a high up-front cost for the device and typically lack fall detection technology, which is an essential feature for senior users at higher risk of falls and flu-related injuries.

Best Buy carries two brands of unmonitored medical alert systems: LogicMark and 911 Help Now.

LogicMark Notify 911+

Notifi 911+ is an emergency response pendant with two-way communication for the sole function of contacting 911. It is a relatively high priced unmonitored device available for $119.99 at Best Buy. A centralized red emergency button makes the call utilizing the device’s 3G cellular network. It features a battery standby time of three months.

911 Help Now

911 Help Now is a small, no-frills emergency pendant sold at Best Buy for $64.99. It has no monthly fee, as it provides two-way communication for 911 calls accessible by pushing a single button. The device can be carried in a pocket, or worn on a belt clip or lanyard, both of which are included with purchase. The device is not rechargeable, however, and uses AAA batteries.

Think It Over

Best Buy has a decent selection of monitored and unmonitored medical alert systems for a third-party retailer. All devices carried by Best Buy are different, and the features will not be suitable for all users’ needs. It’s important to compare prices and features before making the purchase.