Fall Detection Watches Compared
bestfalldetection.watch -
helping you make the best choice.
Christin Hill
Updated on: March 3, 2023
With multiple fall detection watches or wrist-based solutions now available, choosing the best one requires a comparison of the offerings. While all provide “fall detection,” the products are very different in functionality, ease-of-use and how much safety they actually provide the wearer.
We've tested some of the most popular fall detection watches and devices, and are presenting these options for you side-by-side for your convenience.
Kanega Watch
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24/7 Monitoring service/Emergency support included? -
Wrist-based fall detection?
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Voice and button activated alert options?
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Can handle non-911 emergencies?
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Can wear in the shower?
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Can wear 24/7?
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GPS tracking?
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Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity?
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Battery Life (More than 1 day)?
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Works out of the box?
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Simple to use?
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Other features? -
Price lock guaranteed?
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Partial refund if returned/cancelled?
- $199 one-time fee
$59.95 monthly subscription
MGMove by Medical Guardian
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24/7 Monitoring service/Emergency support included?
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Wrist-based fall detection? -
Voice and button activated alert options?
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Can handle non-911 emergencies?
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Can wear in the shower?
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Can wear 24/7?
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GPS tracking?
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Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity?
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Battery Life (More than 1 day)?
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Works out of the box?
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Simple to use?
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Other features?
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Price lock guaranteed?
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Partial refund if returned/cancelled?
- $199.95 one-time fee
$39.95 per month Subscription
WellBe Medical Alert Plus by HandsFree Health
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24/7 Monitoring service/Emergency support included?
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Wrist-based fall detection?
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Voice and button activated alert options?
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Can handle non-911 emergencies?
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Can wear in the shower?
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Can wear 24/7?
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GPS tracking?
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Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity?
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Battery Life (More than 1 day)?
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Works out of the box?
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Simple to use?
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Other features?
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Price lock guaranteed?
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Partial refund if returned/cancelled?
- $159.95 one-time fee
$44.95 monthly subscription
Lively
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24/7 Monitoring service/Emergency support included?
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Wrist-based fall detection?
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Voice and button activated alert options?
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Can handle non-911 emergencies?
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Can wear in the shower?
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Can wear 24/7?
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GPS tracking?
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Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity?
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Battery Life (More than 1 day)?
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Works out of the box?
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Simple to use?
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Other features?
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Price lock guaranteed?
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Partial refund if returned/cancelled?
- $49.99 to purchase
$34.99 monthly subscription
Apple Watch
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24/7 Monitoring service/Emergency support included?
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Wrist-based fall detection?
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Voice and button activated alert options?
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Can handle non-911 emergencies?
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Can wear in the shower?
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Can wear 24/7?
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GPS tracking?
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Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity?
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Battery Life (More than 1 day)?
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Works out of the box?
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Simple to use?
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Other features?
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Price lock guaranteed?
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Partial refund if returned/cancelled?
- $399 to purchase
Monthly cell plan additional
Samsung Watch
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24/7 Monitoring service/Emergency support included?
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Wrist-based fall detection?
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Voice and button activated alert options?
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Can handle non-911 emergencies?
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Can wear in the shower?
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Can wear 24/7?
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GPS tracking?
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Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity?
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Battery Life (More than 1 day)?
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Works out of the box?
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Simple to use?
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Other features?
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Price lock guaranteed?
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Partial refund if returned/cancelled?
- $329.99 to purchase
Monthly cell plan additional
Table of Contents
Choosing the Best Fall Detection Watch
It’s rare when comparing products to have one come out so far ahead. Xbox vs Playstation, Apple vs Samsung. Brands in a constant battle to be the best. One brings out a new feature, and the other responds, matching or bettering the offer.
Not so in the fall detection watch world. The Kanega watch is so far ahead of the competition, that it’s Kanega first, daylight second, and the others. Well. They are missing so much desirable functionality that we couldn’t give the best of the rest even 3 stars.
The Kanega Watch has the smartest fall detection engine that learns when a fall is not a fall, never needs to be taken off to charge, is simple to use, works out of the box, and needs no other devices to operate. The Kanega watch is a purpose-dedicated watch, with fall detection built into it. It doesn’t require a connection to a secondary device such as a phone, or pendant.
All of the others provided some level of fall detection but struggled with being complex to use, not having native fall detection, and in all ways just not being as complete a solution for someone looking for a fall detection solution.
Kanega Watch
The Clear Winner
The clear winner. Simple to use, with the smartest fall detection, and with its “never remove” charging option, the Kanega watch ticks all the boxes.
Kanega Watch
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24/7 Monitoring service/Emergency support included?
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Wrist-based fall detection?
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Voice and button activated alert options?
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Can handle non-911 emergencies?
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Can wear in the shower?
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Can wear 24/7?
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GPS tracking?
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Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity?
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Battery Life (More than 1 day)?
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Works out of the box?
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Simple to use?
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Other features?
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Price lock guaranteed?
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Partial refund if returned/cancelled?
24/7 Monitoring service/Emergency support included?
US-based monitoring agents are available 24/7 to assist you through your watch, even if you are not responsive. Agent has your GPS location and can dispatch appropriate care (EMS, police, fire, friend, family member, etc.)
Wrist-based fall detection?
Comes standard.
Voice and button activated alert options?
Alert can be activated by a button and/or voice commands.
Can handle non-911 emergencies?
US-based monitoring agents can contact a friend, family member, doctor, etc. to provide you with non-emergency help at your request.
Can wear in the shower?
Water-resistant and safe to wear in the shower.
Can wear 24/7?
The patented rechargeable battery system ensures you never have to take it off your wrist to charge - providing real 24/7 protection.
GPS tracking?
Monitoring agents can pinpoint your location via the watch's built-in GPS functionality.
Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity?
Employs both Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity.
Battery Life (More than 1 day)?
Kanega Watch batteries can last up to 36 hours. They can be easily swapped out from the device, which can hold two batteries at a time, one on each side of the watch. The device comes with 4 rechargeable batteries, which means that users can always have 2 fully charged batteries on standby and never have to switch their watch off to charge or replace batteries.
Works out of the box?
No set up required.
Simple to use?
The Kanega watch has a high-contrast monochrome and bright OLED screen. This makes it easier to read for users who have compromised vision such as macular degeneration and glaucoma. The device also supports voice control. It has few options by design.
Other features?
Medication reminders
Price lock guaranteed?
Unlike other medical alert systems, UnaliWear offers a price lock guarantee for its Kanega Watch subscription service.
Partial refund if returned/cancelled?
UnaliWear offers a refund for the Kanega Watch as long as it is returned in good condition along with all accessories that came with it. UnaliWear will initiate a refund process which may take up to 30 days upon receiving the returned Kanega Watch. They will also cancel monitoring services and discontinue billing, and give their customers a prorated refund for the remaining subscription months that were not used.
Pricing
$199 one-time fee
$59.95 monthly subscription
$59.95 monthly subscription
MGMove by Medical Guardian
Underwhelming
One of the better-known brands, but disappointing overall. Not an actual watch, the MGMove can be worn on the wrist, but still requires the user to wear a pendant.
MGMove by Medical Guardian
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24/7 Monitoring service/Emergency support included?
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Wrist-based fall detection?
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Voice and button activated alert options?
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Can handle non-911 emergencies?
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Can wear in the shower?
-
Can wear 24/7?
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GPS tracking?
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Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity?
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Battery Life (More than 1 day)?
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Works out of the box?
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Simple to use?
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Other features?
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Price lock guaranteed?
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Partial refund if returned/cancelled?
24/7 Monitoring service/Emergency support included?
US-based monitoring agents are available 24/7 to assist you through your watch, even if you are not responsive. Agent has your GPS location and can dispatch appropriate care (EMS, police, fire, friend, family member, etc.)
Wrist-based fall detection?
Requires the wearing of a neck pendant for an additional monthly fee.
Voice and button activated alert options?
Button activation only.
Can handle non-911 emergencies?
US-based monitoring agents can contact a friend, family member, doctor, etc. to provide you non-emergency help at your request
Can wear in the shower?
The watch band is made of TPU, a highly durable and hypoallergenic plastic that is safe for skin and odorless.
The MGMove is not waterproof but water-resistant, this means it can handle minimal contact with water such as droplets from an accidental spill, walking in the rain, or hand washing. It should not be submerged in water.
Can wear 24/7?
Needs to be removed daily to charge off the wrist.
GPS tracking?
Monitoring agents can pinpoint your location via the watch's built-in GPS functionality.
Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity?
The MGMove does not support a Wi-Fi connection.
Battery Life (More than 1 day)?
The battery lasts for 24 hours, however, this lifespan reduces over time with frequent use.
Works out of the box?
Requires some relatively simple setting up out of the box.
Simple to use?
The touch screen and multiple buttons may both be hard for certain wearers to operate.
Other features?
Step counter, heart rate, medication and appointment reminder functionality.
Price lock guaranteed?
Medical Guardian does not have a price lock guarantee for its subscription services and reserves the right to change its prices at any time.
Partial refund if returned/cancelled?
MGMove users are entitled to a full refund for an unopened box that is returned within 14 days. If a box is returned beyond 14 days, Medical Guardian will still offer a refund, but charge a $50 restocking fee. They will not accept returned devices beyond 30 days. Users who are subscribed to annual plans, are free to cancel their subscription at any time and will receive a refund for the unused months of monitoring. However, this refund only covers the subscription fees and not the watch itself.
Pricing
$199.95 one-time fee
$39.95 per month Subscription
$39.95 per month Subscription
WellBe Medical Alert Plus by HandsFree Health
One of the cheaper options, but a lower price is reflected in its lower specs. Lacks wrist-based fall detection, has limited battery life, and despite its minimal functionality is not overly simple to use.
WellBe Medical Alert Plus by HandsFree Health
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24/7 Monitoring service/Emergency support included?
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Wrist-based fall detection?
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Voice and button activated alert options?
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Can handle non-911 emergencies?
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Can wear in the shower?
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Can wear 24/7?
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GPS tracking?
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Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity?
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Battery Life (More than 1 day)?
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Works out of the box?
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Simple to use?
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Other features?
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Price lock guaranteed?
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Partial refund if returned/cancelled?
24/7 Monitoring service/Emergency support included?
US-based monitoring agents are available 24/7 to assist you through your watch, even if you are not responsive. The agent has your GPS location and can dispatch appropriate care (EMS, police, fire, friend, family member, etc.)
Wrist-based fall detection?
Does not have fall detection.
Voice and button activated alert options?
Alert can be activated by a button and/or voice commands.
Can handle non-911 emergencies?
US-based monitoring agents can contact a friend, family member, doctor, etc. to provide you with non-emergency help at your request.
Can wear in the shower?
Water resistant and safe to wear in the shower.
Can wear 24/7?
Needs to be removed daily to charge off the wrist.
GPS tracking?
Monitoring agents can pinpoint your location via the watch's built-in GPS functionality.
Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity?
Employs both Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity.
Battery Life (More than 1 day)?
The watch battery lasts 20 to 24 hours depending on device usage and the Smart Speaker lasts 48 hours on battery power.
Works out of the box?
Setting up the WellBe Medical Alert Plus is quite a lengthy process considering that the user sets up two different devices: the Watch and the Speaker. Both devices need to be connected to a power outlet during setup, however, they can both be set up separately. After connection, users need to switch on the devices and then download the WellBe Virtual Assistant App from either the App Store or PlayStore and then create an account. After creating an account they will add a new device to their account - whichever device they are setting up at that particular time and then follow the instructions as shown through the App. In addition, users need a WellBe subscription to set up their devices.
Simple to use?
Touch screen and multiple buttons could be confusing/challenging for some wearers to operate.
Other features?
The WellBe Medical Alert Plus also has other helpful lifestyle features such as a Virtual Health Assistant that helps users with medication reminders, appointment management, and tracking vitals such as blood pressure, blood glucose, and weight. The Speaker also plays audiobooks, music, the news and provides weather forecasts.
Price lock guaranteed?
HandsFreeHealth reserves the right to change their subscription fees.
Partial refund if returned/cancelled?
For Medical Alert devices and services purchased directly from HandFree Health, the company offers a refund for items returned to the company within 30 days from the day of receipt. A refund process will begin after their warehouse receives, inspects and processes the return.
Pricing
$159.95 one-time fee
$44.95 monthly subscription
$44.95 monthly subscription
Lively
The Budget Option
The best of the budget fall detection devices and worth considering if you are very price sensitive. Not a true fall detection watch and requires tethering to a 2nd device. Must be removed to charge the battery, but the battery does at least last for more than 1 day. It’s also one of the more simple to use devices
Lively
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24/7 Monitoring service/Emergency support included?
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Wrist-based fall detection?
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Voice and button activated alert options?
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Can handle non-911 emergencies?
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Can wear in the shower?
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Can wear 24/7?
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GPS tracking?
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Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity?
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Battery Life (More than 1 day)?
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Works out of the box?
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Simple to use?
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Other features?
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Price lock guaranteed?
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Partial refund if returned/cancelled?
24/7 Monitoring service/Emergency support included?
US-based monitoring agents are available 24/7 to assist you through your watch, even if you are not responsive. The agent has your GPS location and can dispatch appropriate care (EMS, police, fire, friend, family member, etc.).
Wrist-based fall detection?
Requires the wearing of a neck pendant for an additional monthly fee.
Voice and button activated alert options?
Alert can be activated by a button and/or voice commands.
Can handle non-911 emergencies?
US-based monitoring agents can contact a friend, family member, doctor, etc. to provide you with non-emergency help at your request.
Can wear in the shower?
The device is water-resistant and is safe to use in the shower.
Can wear 24/7?
Needs to be removed every few days to charge off the wrist.
GPS tracking?
Monitoring agents can pinpoint your location via the watch's built-in GPS functionality.
Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity?
Cellular connectivity only.
Battery Life (More than 1 day)?
The Lively mobile+ can last up to 80 hours on standby, this of course reduces over time according to how frequently the device is being used. A red flash will appear on the battery indicator to signal the user that it needs to be charged.
Works out of the box?
No set up required.
Simple to use?
Very simple interface. Designed for those with limited tech experience or interest.
Other features?
The Lively mobile+ is a single-purpose device and does not have any other features apart form fall detection and two-way communication with their Urgent Response Agents.
Price lock guaranteed?
Partial refund if returned/cancelled?
Restocking fee charged within 30 days
Pricing
$49.99 to purchase
$34.99 monthly subscription
$34.99 monthly subscription
Apple Watch
Just Too Complex
One of the two Smart Watches in the mix, but not really a true fall detection solution. Yes. The Apple Watch can detect a fall, but it’s an afterthought add-on, not a well-thought feature. The Apple Watch is simply too complex for most people who need a fall detection device, plus combine this with its need to be removed to charge, the battery not even lasting a day, and its inability to do anything other than call emergency services… it’s not actually very useful. We dread to think about emergency services having to manage all the “not actually a fall” calls made by this device.
Apple Watch
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24/7 Monitoring service/Emergency support included?
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Wrist-based fall detection?
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Voice and button activated alert options?
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Can handle non-911 emergencies?
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Can wear in the shower?
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Can wear 24/7?
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GPS tracking?
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Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity?
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Battery Life (More than 1 day)?
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Works out of the box?
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Simple to use?
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Other features?
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Price lock guaranteed?
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Partial refund if returned/cancelled?
24/7 Monitoring service/Emergency support included?
Only contacts 911.
Wrist-based fall detection?
Comes standard.
Voice and button activated alert options?
Alert can be activated by a button and/or voice commands.
Can handle non-911 emergencies?
Can only contact 911.
Can wear in the shower?
Water-resistant and safe to wear in the shower.
Can wear 24/7?
Needs to be removed daily to charge off the wrist.
GPS tracking?
GPS functionality, but 911 may not receive that info to provide help if you are not responsive.
Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity?
Employs both Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity.
Battery Life (More than 1 day)?
The Apple Watch can last up to 18 hours. This is reduced to 14 hours with family setup - this is for watch wearers who do not have an iPhone of their own and whose device was set up using a family member's iPhone.
Works out of the box?
Extensive set up required.
Simple to use?
Touch screen may be challenging for certain wearers to operate.
Other features?
A diverse set of health and lifestyle offerings included and/or can be added through the App store.
Price lock guaranteed?
Lively's services are not price lock guaranteed and they reserve the right to change their rates, fees, and charges.
Partial refund if returned/cancelled?
Apple gives users up to 15 calendar days from the date of receipt to return an Apple Watch. Once Apple received the returned watch, they initiate a refund. How long the refund process takes depends on the original payment method that was used. For health and wellness subscription services, refund policies vary on the service provider users subscribe to through the App Store.
Pricing
$399 to purchase
Monthly cell plan additional
Monthly cell plan additional
Samsung Watch
All the issues of the Apple Watch, are mirrored in the Samsung Watch. It’s just not a device suitable for the elderly, its fall detection ability is not very accurate, its a lot of effort to set up and get working, and when it detects a fall, all it can do is call emergency services.
Samsung Watch
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24/7 Monitoring service/Emergency support included?
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Wrist-based fall detection?
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Voice and button activated alert options?
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Can handle non-911 emergencies?
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Can wear in the shower?
-
Can wear 24/7?
-
GPS tracking?
-
Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity?
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Battery Life (More than 1 day)?
-
Works out of the box?
-
Simple to use?
-
Other features?
-
Price lock guaranteed?
-
Partial refund if returned/cancelled?
24/7 Monitoring service/Emergency support included?
Only contacts 911.
Wrist-based fall detection?
Comes standard.
Voice and button activated alert options?
Alert can be activated by a button and/or voice commands.
Can handle non-911 emergencies?
Can only contact 911
Can wear in the shower?
Water-resistant and safe to wear in the shower.
Can wear 24/7?
Needs to be removed daily to charge off the wrist.
GPS tracking?
GPS functionality, but 911 may not receive that info to provide help if you are not responsive.
Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity?
Employs both Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity.
Battery Life (More than 1 day)?
With regular use, the Samsung Watch 4 can last up to 40 hours.
Works out of the box?
Extensive set up required.
Simple to use?
The touch screen may be challenging for certain wearers to operate.
Other features?
A diverse set of health and lifestyle offerings included and/or can be added through the App store.
Price lock guaranteed?
No price lock guarantee.
Partial refund if returned/cancelled?
If an order was placed directly through Samsung, they give customers up to 15 days to request a return. After placing a return request, they then give an additional 15 days to mail the Return Shipping label. To be eligible for a full refund, all items that came in the original package must be returned to Samsung, including promotional items. If any promotional items are found missing, they deduct their value from the final refunded amount.
Pricing
$329.99 to purchase
Monthly cell plan additional
Monthly cell plan additional
Conclusion - so which Fall Detection Watch to Buy?
In almost all cases, the best option is going to be the Kanega Watch. It’s the only true, made-for-purpose fall detection watch. Other devices have wrist-wearing capability or can be set up to provide some level of fall detection service, but they let the user down with unnecessary complexity, poor charging options, or just a low cleverness when it comes to fall detection.
The Kanega Watch, is the clear winner.