7 Best GPS Panic Button Devices – For Emergency Situations

Are you an international truck driver traveling in unsafe locations? Maybe your kids often wander after school and you want to make sure they aren’t getting into any trouble. Or maybe you have a senior loved one showing signs of dementia who wanders out of their home or care facility? These are all difficult situations, but there is good news! Home automation, video surveillance, and GPS tracking are the latest tools that can solve personal safety issues for family, friends, and employees. And the best part? These personal safety devices have never been easier to use or more affordable.

Outside the home or facility, your IoT devices or security cameras won’t protect those you care about. Personal, portable GPS trackers like the seven in this list will provide that last layer of security to ensure peace of mind. Seniors who have Alzheimer’s disease or dementia have a higher risk of getting lost or experiencing a fall, so the ability to quickly find them is crucial. Children who get bullied or wander outside safe zones also need fast ways to call for help.

Panic buttons on a GPS tracker provide essential, life-saving positioning data first responders and family members need to get that help. Read on to discover why these seven security devices made the list of our best GPS panic button devices!

Evershop – Best Keychain Alarm For Protection

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It has become common for lone workers and women to carry articles for self-defense when walking back to their homes or car. Vehicle theft has always been an issue, but mugging and robberies are also rising in all areas. Surprisingly, Alaska has the highest violent crime rate of all 50 states. Of course, GPS panic SOS buttons may alert the authorities, but they’re minutes away at best. Alerting anyone in the immediate vicinity to your emergency with a siren and strobe light may be the fastest way to get help.

These Evershop safety devices have a powerful 130-decibel siren that can grab attention from up to 900 feet away! That’s quite an ear-piercing scream at close range! Compare that to the World Health Organization’s recommendation to limit consistent noise levels to below 70 dBA to prevent hearing loss. Featuring a large and easy-to-use emergency button that will sound for up to 50 minutes, a strobe flashlight will also blink for people to see you at a distance.

What’s cool about the Evershop Alarm Keychain:

Two ways to set alarm: panic button and pull chord
Light-weight keychain
Long battery life: 6 months standby
USB charging
4.3 out of 5 stars on Amazon

What’s not so great:

IP44 waterproofing: wipe with damp cloth for cleaning
No GPS tracking
No two-way calling

Specifications:

Siren volume: 130dB
Battery type: rechargeable lithium
Weight: 1.06oz
Dimensions: 2.7 x 1.4 x 0.6 inches

Jiobit – Best Overall GPS Tracker With Panic SOS Button

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As a kid, adult, or senior safety measure, the Jiobit mini portable personal tracker is ideal for keeping an eye on your family’s movements. With tight detection radiuses and remote access through mobile apps, this realtime tracking unit can work indoors or out for up to 10 days safely!

Guardians watching over children with special needs or taking care of their aging parents who have Alzheimer’s or dementia must take special care to ensure tracking devices stay with them. A proprietary locking mechanism guarantees the GPS device cannot be removed, save by the caretaker’s unique key. Clipping it onto their shirt, backpack, pants or purse guarantees you’ll be able to find them when they get lost or experience a nasty fall.

Calling for help is easy with just two clicks of the Jiobit logo alert button. The emergency call system will connect with nannies, parents, grandparents, and any other members included in a care team and update everyone with an exact GPS location.

What we like about the Jiobit Personal GPS Tracker:

Thousands of ratings on Amazon
Geo-fencing
10-second updates
Panic button alerts
No cell phone required
Up to 10 days of battery
Safety clips
Low monthly fees

What we didn’t like:

Small alarm button
High regular price

Specifications:

Weight: 0.8 oz
Dimensions: 1.96 x 1.45 x 0.47 inches
Battery type: Lithium polymer
Connectivity: 5G, 4G, 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth
IPX8: water and shock-resistant

SecuLife SOS Wristband For Seniors With Dementia

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Many personal GPS trackers on this list have some gimmick that marks their design for something specific, so the simplicity of the SecuLife alarm watch is refreshing. This wristband GPS device has 4G LTE connectivity, is designed for seniors with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, and is nothing fancy. A large and easy-to-see panic button on the GPS unit’s face sends a text message, push notification, or email to emergency contacts with an updated position from anywhere in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The complexity of technology is a source of frustration for many elderly parents. That frustration is done away with in this design. Two call buttons above the GPS panic button enable wearers to call preset phone numbers even if not in an emergency, making the SecuLife SOS wristband an ideal GPS-tracking device for keeping in contact with immediate family members and caregivers.

What’s fantastic about the SecuLife GPS locator:

Geofences
Location History
Splash resistant
7 days a week live support
International tracking
Emailed user manual
Real-time tracking
Lifetime warranty

What we didn’t like:

Supports only two pre-programmed numbers
Standard clasp design; no special key for removal
Few ratings on Amazon

Specifications:

Weight: 1.2 oz
Dimensions: 2.04 x 1.65 x 0.59 inches
IP67 water resistance

Alphahom – Best Security Alarm For Women’s Safety

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Of the products listed here, only Alphahom’s GPS panic device is specifically designed for women by resembling a tube of lipstick! It’s perfect for hitting the clubs, driving for rideshare services, or investigative reporting. Due to its discreet design and defaulted mute mode, no one would suspect a thing just by looking at your keychain.

This keychain GPS device pairs with a smartphone, meaning it doesn’t require a separate monthly subscription. While many other gadgets on this list will cause you to adjust your monthly budget, the Alphahom simply piggybacks off your phone’s cellular service.

This self-defense personal GPS tracker connects with a “protector” application to connect the user with an emergency contact’s phone. With a simple twist of the cap, the GPS tracker provides a trace of every movement. Pulling on the cap will activate the tracker’s SOS function to update protectors of an emergency situation immediately.

What’s to like about the Alphahom Personal GPS SOS device:

Easy setup
One-year standby battery
Bluetooth directional
GPS locator 30-day money-back guarantee
Few hundred high ratings on Amazon
Privacy-centric; does not store location data
Critical alerts sound the alarm even if the protector’s phone is on silent

What’s not so great:

Critical alerts are only available on iOS, not Android
Apple Maps, by default
Needs to stay within 100ft of a paired smartphone
Extra setting to enable alarm; muted by default

Specifications:

Weight: 0.44 oz
Battery type: Lithium-ion
Dimensions: 0.59 x 0.59 x 2.64 inches

POM Safe Smart Protector – Best For Fake Phone Calls

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Sometimes, undesirable conversations are unavoidable. When confronted by aggressive cat-callers, drunks, or an awkward date, unexpected phone calls can be a lifesaver. Did you know there’s a way to get a call exactly when needed?

Discreetly activate fake phone calls whenever you need them with the POM Safe Smart Protector! It’s a tiny GPS-tracking self-defense keychain with an emergency button capable of notifying law enforcement or POM’s emergency response unit of your exact position. When encountering a frightening situation, click the button to connect with these first responders quickly!

Give this personal GPS tracker to loved ones as a gift or to lone workers as a fleet-tracking safety device! Your field reporters, delivery drivers, and service workers deserve that extra peace of mind from being able to call for help quickly.

What’s great about the POM Emergency Call system:

10-day battery life
Responsive alert systems
Large emergency button 2-way speaker
Low monthly fee

What’s not-so-awesome:

A subscription is required to activate POM response team
30ft Bluetooth range to a paired phone

Specifications:

Weight: 4 oz
Dimensions: 1.7 x 5 x 1.7 inches
Battery type: Li-polymer

Garmin InReach Mini – Best Global Tracker With 2-WayMessaging

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From a name trusted to provide accurate positioning, the Garmin InReach has intense GPS alert systems. No other tracking systems on this list can provide updates from services such as Lockheed Martin Flight Services or the Adverse Condition Alerting Service to protect pilots from flying in severe weather conditions!

Of the GPS tracking devices in this list, only the Garmin InReach has a display to show your position, weather stats, and text messages! This real time GPS tracker’s SOS buttons will automatically connect you with emergency response teams available in over 140 countries.

What’s to love about this personal GPS tracking device’s best features:

Digital display
Downloadable maps
24/7 search and rescue with a subscription
Global GPS tracking system
Thousands of Amazon rankings with 4.7 stars
90-hour battery life at 10-minute updates
24 days in power-saving mode
Money back guarantee

What’s not awesome:

High initial cost
Maps displayed on paired phones or tablets

Specifications:

Weight: 3.5 oz
Dimensions: 2.04 x 1.03 x 3.9 inches
Battery type: Li-ion Water/dust resistance: IPX7
Display: 128 x 128 pixels
Display size: 0.9 x 0.9 inches

ZOLEO – Best Satellite GPS Tracker With SOS Alerting

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Are you an outdoor adventurer in need of a GPS satellite communicator with awesome coverage? Then check out this personal GPS with SOS. The ZOLEO GPS tracker SOS button and emergency services caller promises no gaps in your global cellular coverage, perfect for world travelers and adventurists. Hikers, bikers, rafters, boaters, and drivers can rest easy knowing help is just a click away.

It doesn’t have a built-in display like the Garmin InReach, but its GPS tracking capabilities are no less! Shock-, water- and dust-resistant, this rugged machine can go wherever the adventurer does with super strong global coverage. Text messages are relayed to your smartphone to start a conversation with first responders to let them know if you’ve fallen, broken a leg, or lost your way.

What’s amazing about the ZOLEO Communicator:

Flip-top cover to SOS button prevents false alerts
Accurate to within 8.2 feet
200+ hour battery
Works when outside of cellular coverage using the Iridium satellite network
Quick check-in button to update office, friends, and family

What’s not-so-hot:

Phone required to receive and send text messages
High initial cost

Specifications:

Weight: 5.3 oz
Dimensions: 3.58 x 2.6 x 1.06 inches
Protection: IP68
Battery type: Li-ion
Operating Temperature: -4° to 131° F

What You Should Look For In A GPS Tracker SOS System

Dedicated Cellular

Connectivity GPS tracking devices with built-in SIM cards offer the tightest detection possible. Often, they’ll still work with your iPhone or Android to help pinpoint your exact location, but if your phone gets damaged or loses battery, a GPS tracker’s SOS emergency call or text feature can mean the difference between life and death. Alphahom’s device is fantastic but requires a smartphone to send out emergency notifications, so something like the POM keychain might be better for those not used to carrying around a cell phone.

Large SOS Buttons Who would want to fiddle around to find tiny GPS panic buttons? Whether the tracker’s SOS is meant for an elderly person or as a kid’s GPS device, a GPS tracker panic button should be a prominent button that’s easy to find in an emergency. While the Jiobit is excellent for ensuring a stronghold with its proprietary locking mechanism, the SecuLife’s big SOS panic button can easily be seen by those with poor eyesight.

Vehicle Tracking

Could a GPS vehicle tracker provide the data you’re looking for? An OBD vehicle tracker can solve significant problems experienced by managers dealing with lone workers like supply chain drivers or plumbers. Trends of excessive idling and route mapping help dispatchers to improve time spent on the road and reduce fuel consumption. Some OBD 2 tracking systems can also integrate with a GPS tracker SOS button to get help to drivers or locate a stolen vehicle.

Versatility

What would work best for your situation? Are there multiple environments where a tracker would be beneficial? Watching over dementia patients in a care facility isn’t so different from ensuring kids remain in class during school hours, but throw driving a car into the mix; now, you need constant updates to locate the tracker accurately. Devices that activate only when the user presses a button won’t cut it. In this instance, the Jiobit will excel with a 10-second update interval to provide the most accurate positioning.

GPS Tracker SOS FAQs

What Is A Panic Button GPS Tracker?

Realtime location tracker SOS buttons provide a user with peace of mind. If they get lost or into trouble, a tracker’s SOS alert systems will immediately notify first responders, friends, and family of their position. They come in many forms, such as watches, keychains, and pendants, built into vehicles or under counters at gas stations or banks.

How Does A Personal GPS Tracker With SOS Work?

Personal GPS trackers with SOS panic buttons are designed to send out emergency alerts to law enforcement, a family member, or a friend if the person wearing the personal GPS bracelet or non-removable watch is in need of help. Emergency panic buttons can help if a senior is lost, stranded after an auto mechanical failure, or something much more serious. Often, a cellular connection is required for the real time tracking device to work. This connection can be either through dedicated SIM cards built into tracking devices or a Bluetooth signal paired with activated smartphones. The GPS locator will also gather position data from positioning satellites to include in emergency notifications.

What Are The Benefits Of Emergency SOS Buttons

Send an alert if the senior is to wander far from their living quarters
Emergency calling with a simple one-touch panic SOS button
GPS cellular data that can pinpoint location in real time
Quickly locate a missing senior with the help of a live safety app

Does A Panic Button Call The Police?

Many tracking devices do call police or emergency response teams. However, they often send an emergency call or text to phone numbers or emails of friends, coworkers, family members, or caregivers entered into a list of approved contacts. Constant false alerts sent to emergency responders may cost the user a hefty chunk of data fees, so it’s best to start with the people you know.

Sage Curby

Sage is a freelance writer with a background in information technology.

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