| Time Spent Testing | 168 Hours |
| Starting Price | $29.95 per month |
| Contract Minimum | 1 Month |
| Average Response Time | 8 Seconds |
| Customer Service Response Time | 10 Seconds |
With a wide range of technology, Medical Guardian offers protection for nearly any kind of user, from active adults to people who spend most of their time at home. Here I’ll look at the most affordable of its several product offerings: the Classic Guardian. I’ll highlight some pros and cons of the company, test its service and support, and take a broader look at the company as a whole.
If you prefer watching instead of reading, check out my Medical Guardian video review. Otherwise, keep reading for all the important information I gleaned from testing the Classic Guardian system.
If you just want a high-level chat about whether Medical Guardian is good, I’ve got you covered. Here are a few quick things I liked and didn’t like about the Classic Guardian system.
Pro Tip: New to the ins and outs of medical alert systems? Read my guide to medical alert devices to learn more.
Medical Guardian has five distinct medical alert systems, each geared toward different customer types. Not only does the company offer the affordable, stripped-down Classic Guardian system, but it also has systems to accommodate mobile users who want to carry their alert system with them on walks or errands, as well as alerts built into smartwatches.
Since the Classic Guardian is one of the more basic models in the medical alert market, there isn’t a whole lot to the packaging, which helped keep things simple. When the unit arrived, it included:
One thing that struck me immediately with the Classic Guardian is how sleek the hardware is. It’s often easy to tell when a medical alert company hasn’t updated its hardware design for a while, because the units may be oversized or feel outdated aesthetically. That Medical Guardian has newly updated hardware says a lot about its commitment to growth and innovation, which gives me confidence as a customer.
The base unit has a large, easily pressed emergency call button on the top, as well as three indicator lights representing power, phone-line connection strength, and malfunction. These lights are helpful to stay up to date on the device’s functions, and to make sure it’s operating properly.
The installation and setup process for the Classic Guardian was straightforward and intuitive. The first step was connecting the base station to a phone line. I then plugged in the base station and plugged my landline phone into the back of the base station, which was nice since it only required one wall port. The next step was powering on the device; I just needed to plug it into the wall using the included adapter.
Once the base station was powered on and connected to the phone line, I was instructed to call a phone number that would put the unit in test mode. Once in test mode, I pressed the emergency call button on the base unit and received a message stating that the device was functioning properly.
The Classic Guardian is an extremely straightforward device, and I was also impressed with its reliability and functionality. To test it, I first pressed the main emergency call button. After an emergency alarm sounded (which informs anyone nearby that you may need help), I was put in contact with a Medical Guardian operator. The operator I spoke to was calm and friendly, and helped assess my situation to determine whether I needed emergency services.
I also tested the device by pressing the emergency call button on the pendant. Once activated, the base unit performed the same function: sound the alarm, call the operator. I tested the range of the two-way communication by standing in the next room, away from the device. The operator was still able to hear me clearly. It’s reassuring to know that if the operator wasn’t able to hear me, emergency services would be contacted after a period of no response.
The time between activating the unit and being connected to an operator was about a minute, which is about standard. It can feel like an eternity, though, especially when you factor in that the average response time for an ambulance is about eight to 15 minutes.
The fall detection on my system was also highly accurate. During each of my simulated falls, my pendant was able to detect a drop and contact the monitoring center without my pressing a button. I did not experience any false alarms, but a mistaken call would be easy to defuse. All I’d have to do is communicate the error to the response agent.
Available on both smartphones and computers, the MyGuardian App allowed me to keep track of monthly billing and emergency contacts. For example, using this platform, I was able to add contacts who would receive notifications whenever I placed an emergency call with my system.
Additionally, if you have either the Mobile 2.0 or Mini Guardian systems, you can keep tabs on a system’s location, battery life, and connection.
My Classic Guardian system with fall detection costs $39.95 per month, which is a bit higher than average for an in-home system. Medical Guardian offers discounts when you pay for your system annually as opposed to monthly.
With so many systems and add-ons, the price of your Medical Guardian system will likely vary. To learn more about Medical Guardian’s many devices and their prices, take a look at Medical Guardian costs page.
There is a reason I chose Medical Guardian as one of the best medical alerts. The company offers many unique systems for every lifestyle, from homebound users to older adults who travel and go outside every day. Medical Guardian is the peak of what a medical alert system can be. The Classic Guardian is a simple, affordable system that does the basics flawlessly. I was blown away by its 1,300-foot range, as well as its easy setup and clear two-way communication.