Automated Medication Dispensers: Pill Dispensers for Seniors
For those willing to pay a monthly fee, Hero offers the most reliable medication dispenser.
1
Hero – Best Overall Medication Dispenser
2
Pria – Best Smart Features
3
MedaCube – Best Tamper Proof Device
Every year, between 7,000 and 9,000 people die1 through medication errors. These can include taking the wrong medications, taking an improper dosage, or even missing a round of meds altogether. Automatic medication dispensers offer a secure and straightforward way for caregivers to manage medication for their loved ones.
These devices, while varied in terms of their features, streamline the process of administering medication. At their core, medication dispensers function as an upgrade from classic pill organizers you know, those plastic trays with individualized compartments for each day of the week. Today’s automated pill dispensers add several high-tech features that make them indispensable for those with intricate medication regiments.
Automatic Medication Dispensers Features and Pricing
The comparison chart below shows a quick comparison of each of the systems we looked at. Keep reading for more in-depth reviews and differentiating features of each pill dispensing system.
Medication Dispenser Comparison
| Company | Doses | Upfront Cost | Monthly Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hero | Up to 10x/day | $99 | $29.99* |
| Pria | No Limit | $299.99 | $9.99 |
| MedaCube | Up to 20x/day | $1,399 (New) $1,199 (Refurbished) | $0 |
| Philips | Up to 6x/day | $0 | $59.95 |
| Livi | Up to 24x/day | $49 | $99 |
*Monthly price reflects the cost per month when the user pays for two years up front.
Benefits of Automatic Pill Dispensers
For seniors, an automatic pill dispensing system takes the stress out of remembering medication doses. With 40 percent of older adults2 living with memory impairment, establishing a medication regimen can be a lifesaver.
Loved ones can relax, knowing the system will issue a reminder when the next dose is due, and since the dose will come ready measured, there is no chance of taking the wrong amount. Using an automatic pill dispenser helps support independence in the home.
For caregivers, knowing their loved one has a system at hand for keeping track of meds is a relief. They get peace of mind knowing that even if they are not there, their loved one’s medications are measured and ready to be dosed out at the right time. Some pill dispensers also offer monitoring options for caregivers who want to keep a closer watch on their loved ones.
Best Automatic Medication Dispensers
- Hero : Best Overall Medication Dispenser
- Pria : Best Smart Features
- MedaCube : Best Tamper Proof Device
- Lifeline Medication Dispenser : Best On-Demand Dispensing
- Livi : Best Cellular Medication Dispenser
Top Automatic Medication Dispensers
These days, there are many options when it comes to medication dispensers. Luckily, we at The Senior List have done the legwork for you. Through months of testing, we’ve examined the most popular devices in the industry and have narrowed them down to only the top-performing dispensers.
Without further ado, here is our list of the best automatic medication dispensers of 2025.
Overview
Hero is one of the newest automated medication dispensers on the market. It combines all of the features we love into an attractive unit that fits nicely on your countertop.
First off, it can hold up to ten different medications per day for up to a 90-day supply. It also comes with a companion smartphone app that makes it easy for caregivers to keep track of medication adherence. With this app, you’ll receive alerts any time your loved one misses a dose or, conversely, takes too many pills. Additionally, Hero will emit an audible alarm to alert you when it’s time to take your meds.
Another great feature of Hero is the ease with which you can fill it. Unlike other dispensers with clunky, time-consuming fill processes, the Hero streamlines this process through its intuitive sorting mechanism, which could potentially save you hours.
What’s more, Hero is one of the most affordable automated medication dispensers. Although you’ll have to rent the device, as opposed to owning it, you’ll only have to pay $99 upfront, followed by a monthly $29.99 subscription fee, which gives you access to the caregiver app.
For a more detailed look at Hero, take a look at our full review.
Overview
Manufactured by Black and Decker, the Pria automatic medication dispenser is a durable device that gives a facelift to automatic medication dispensers’ staid designs. With its compact size and adorable LED facial expressions, Pria has personality by the pound.
In terms of medication storage, Pria’s pill wheel has 28 separate compartments, meaning that it could potentially hold up to 28 days worth of meds. With that said, your loved one will likely take more than one batch of medication daily, so you’ll have to reload Pria more than other devices on this list.
What we love most about Pria, however, is its array of smart features. With your Pria subscription, you’ll receive access to the Pria app. With this tool, you can enter your medication schedule, in addition to other handy reminders such as doctor appointments or social events. Additionally, through this app, caregivers can track the user’s medication history, receiving notifications for missed or late doses. You can even make video calls using Pria’s camera and speaker.
In terms of cost, Pria is highly affordable, at an initial cost of $299. While this is higher than Hero’s activation fee, you’ll actually own Pria as opposed to renting it. This, combined with the Pria’s $9.99 subscription fee, makes it one of our favorite automatic medication dispensers.
If Pria sounds like the medication dispenser for you, then check out our Pria review
How We Judged the Automatic Medication Dispensers
When it came to evaluating each automatic pill dispenser, I had many options to review. Each device offers its own unique set of pros and cons, so, despite the number appended to each of them, the real question you should ask yourself is which dispenser is right for you. Still, there are some overarching qualities that I looked for.
Here is how I rated each device:
- Durability: Whether you rent or purchase your automatic pill dispenser, there’s no getting around the fact that these devices cost a pretty penny. With this in mind, I tested each of them for their ability to withstand falls and drops. All of the devices on this list can handle this likely wear and tear. What’s more, they’ll even hold onto your medications in the event of being tipped over.
- Reliability: The goal of a medication dispenser is to automatically give users predetermined medications at designated times. So naturally, with each of these devices, I tested them to ensure that pills were consistently given at the appropriate moment.
- Customization: You’d be hard-pressed to find two people with the same medical regiment, so the more in-depth a dispenser’s customization features, the better. While some devices allow for a greater breadth of options, every dispenser on this list demonstrated a high level of tailor-made medication plans.
- Tamper-Proofing: With some high-risk medications (such as painkillers), people can demonstrate med-seeking behaviors3. To prevent this, several of these medication dispensers can be locked, thus preventing your loved one from accessing more pills than necessary.
- Caregiver Features: For many, a medication dispenser allows them to care for their loved one from a distance. Because of this, I looked for devices that included a variety of caregiving features such as video chatting and notifications of missed doses.
In Closing
Whether you need monitoring, independence in the home, or a simpler solution for medication dispensing, there should be a device on this list to suit you. Investing in an automated medication dispensing system means peace of mind for seniors and caregivers, mitigating the risk of medication mistakes and hospital visits as a result.
Automatic Medication Dispenser Frequently Asked Questions
How do automatic pill dispensers work?
Automatic pill dispensers work by storing doses of medication. These doses are preloaded by the user (or caregiver) and then dispensed at customized intervals. Some devices will also dispense doses on an on-demand basis through the click of a button. Some, however, will prevent this type of at-will dispensing, which is a good feature for those with higher risk medications such as painkillers.
Will Medicare pay for an automatic pill dispenser?
Unfortunately, Medicare does not pay for any sort of pill dispensing or reminding service, however, some automatic pill dispensers qualify for coverage as part of remote therapeutic monitoring (RTM) services.
Can I still use my medication dispenser without paying a monthly fee?
Some of the devices on this list require no monthly subscription cost. These devices tend to have higher up-front costs. Monthly charges, however, tend to cover the cost of renting the device itself, in addition to giving you access to smart features such as caregiver apps and web portals.