Best Smartwatches and Wearables for Seniors

The best senior smartwatches and wearables have a mix of emergency features—like fall detection and an SOS button—and health or fitness tracking. Some older adults also benefit from devices that are linked to a loved one's smartphone for easy GPS tracking. We also considered accessibility and ease of use to round out our list. 

Our number-one choice is none other than the Apple Watch. It has the best combination of senior-friendly features: automatic fall detection, an SOS button, gobs of health monitoring metrics, and a large, easy-to-see screen. Plus, Apple recently partnered with Lively to offer professional emergency monitoring services.

But caregivers still can't track the Apple Watch's location, and—surprisingly enough—there's also no video calling. We've filled in those gaps with other worthy contenders in the best smartwatches list below. 

Best senior monitors and wearables

Sure, its sleek design, dozens of health-tracking apps, and messaging features are attractive. But what turned our heads is the Apple Watch’s automatic fall detection. This feature is common in medical alert systems but still pretty unique among smartwatches like this one. When the Apple Watch detects a sudden change in speed and altitude, it triggers an alert asking if you need assistance. If you’re unresponsive, it will call for help within 60 seconds.

Just like your phone, the Apple Watch’s screen is customizable. You can download health apps based on your needs. Apps focus on heart health tracking, sleep tracking, activity tracking, food tracking, and even blood glucose tracking.

Older adults can keep in touch with loved ones through text and audio calling on their Apple Watch 9. Anyone new to smartwatches may experience a learning curve, but if you can operate an iPhone, you can operate this smartwatch.

The device itself is sleek with a clear screen that makes it easy to read. There are also tons of wristbands available users can change out based on their style or comfort level. And the battery lasts up to six days without charging.

This isn't a professionally monitored medical alert watch, so pressing the SOS button for three seconds alerts caregivers. We like that the Angel Watch will call two more caregivers if the first one doesn't answer. If no one picks up, the watch tries calling everyone a second time.

There's also a way to dial 911 if caregivers aren't available or the situation is serious enough to warrant a direct call to first responders.

The Angel Watch works outside the US, and its interface can be displayed in around 18 languages. It doesn't include any extra apps like the Apple Watch, so it's slightly less useful for tech-savvy seniors.

Learn more about why the Apple Watch is the best smartwatch in our full Apple Watch review.

Let's get MGMove's biggest disadvantage out of the way—there's no automatic fall detection. Medical Guardian believes that fall detection devices work best when work around the neck. This approach cuts down on false alarms in the MGMove but means it may not be right for you if you're at risk of falling. 

MGMove supports caregiver messaging for an extra $5 a month. You'll receive text messages and can respond with a voice recording.

That extra $5 also unlocks reminders on the MGMove. The reminders can be about anything—from taking your medication to attending a family get-together. The best part is that caregivers set up the reminders from the Medical Guardian caregiver portal or app.

Learn more about this smartwatch for seniors in our full Medical Guardian review or in our Medical Guardian product guide.

This isn't a professionally monitored medical alert watch, so pressing the SOS button for three seconds alerts caregivers. We like that the Angel Watch will call two more caregivers if the first one doesn't answer. If no one picks up, the watch tries calling everyone a second time.

There's also a way to dial 911 if caregivers aren't available or the situation is serious enough to warrant a direct call to first responders.

The Angel Watch works outside the US, and its interface can be displayed in around 18 languages. It doesn't include any extra apps like the Apple Watch, so it's slightly less useful for tech-savvy seniors.

Learn more in our full Angel Watch review.

It’s meant to be worn around the neck and isn't the most stylish option on our list, but it is the best one for people who are starting to experience some confusion. If you get lost on your way home from the store, your loved one will know exactly where you are, thanks to the wearable pendant.

Learn more in our Get Safe Medical Alert System review.

The watch face is large enough for older adults to read easily. And it has an always-on option that makes it easier to access your information. Plus, the battery lasts up to six days, meaning you won’t have to charge it constantly. And like the Apple Watch 5, you can swap out bands based on your comfort level and style.

Its health-tracking features, large screen, and built-in smart assistant make it a good starter monitor for older adults who want to stay active. But it lacks a few key features that could save lives—like location tracking and fall detection.

The AngelSense watch is a good pick if you're looking for something that's not "gadgety." It doesn't offer an app store, games, or video. What it does offer is tons of tracking features. It can tell you how fast your mom's car is going, if your dad has left the senior center, and if your loved one has fallen.  We also like the big screen and the fact that it can auto-answer when you call it.

The Road ID is an affordable, stylish, and customizable medical ID bracelet. While we focused our line-up of senior wearables on those with advanced technology that allows you to get help when you're alone during an emergency, it's worth mentioning this simple solution for getting appropriate help when you're surrounded by Good Samaritans. 

Without a medical ID bracelet, emergency medical personnel won't know about important conditions or allergies that would affect your treatment. For best results, combine this wearable ID with a long-form Vial of Life. 

The Tango Belt is a discreet wearable airbag for your hips in case of a fall. It looks like a normal belt but wears more like a fanny pack. When the device detects a change in altitude and speed, it will deploy the cushions like the airbags in your car, breaking your fall instead of your hip. Unfortunately, it’s not available yet, but we’re watching for news on this cool device.

The Mobile Guardian comes from the same company as the MGMove smartwatch. It’s more of a traditional wearable alert designed as a necklace. Its basic one-button design makes it easy to call for help in an emergency, and it’s waterproof, making it safe to wear in the shower.

You can also opt for a stylish metal option that looks like normal jewelry. The only problem is it’s a two-piece wearable. You’ll need to keep the necklace and tracking device close (at most 350 feet apart) for this system to work, making it hard for active older adults to use.

None of these wearable tech devices are helpful unless users wear them every day in case of an emergency. So prioritize comfort and convenience in smartwatches for seniors before flashy features like texting and video calling. Activity and fitness tracking are attractive too, but don’t choose them over essentials like location and emergency calling. The best wearable devices for older adults should help them live independently and safely.

Wearable trackers need to be just that—wearable. So we prioritized comfort and easy wearing over bells and whistles. We looked for monitors with adjustable sizes that don’t get in the way of normal activities. The more comfortable the wearable, the more inclined users are to wear them. After all, wearable senior monitors aren’t helpful if nobody wears them.

Tracking features are also important. GPS location features, health tracking, and fall detection are the most important types we considered. The devices with the most tracking abilities scored higher in our lineup.

Finally, we looked for devices with senior-friendly features like a big screen or button, easy fasteners that don’t hurt arthritic joints, and simple setup and operation. Take a look at our methodology to see how we reviewed this and other products.

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