MobileHelp Medical Alert Review

MobileHelp offers six systems that can protect users both in and out of the home. Here is an overview of each:

• Classic Cellular: This basic in-home system uses a base unit and a waterproof help button to contact emergency monitoring services. For an extra $10 per month, it can also be paired with MobileHelp’s fall-detection pendant.
• Classic Landline: This in-home system functions almost exactly the same as the MobileHelp Classic, but it operates through a landline connection instead of a cellular connection.
• Solo: This mobile system consists of a mobile unit and a pendant help button. Its built-in GPS capabilities can send accurate location information to the monitoring center, allowing it to help you no matter where you are.
• Micro: Weighing only 52 grams, the MobileHelp Micro is one of the smallest mobile medical alerts. It features a built-in speakerphone and GPS for location tracking; however, it is not compatible with fall detection.
• Home Duo Bundle: This system combines MobileHelp’s Classic Cellular and Solo systems at a discounted rate for those looking for protection both inside and outside their homes.
• Mobile Duo Bundle: The Mobile Duo is great for spouses since it combines two Solo mobile units into one system at a discounted rate.

Using MobileHelp Medical Alert System

I purchased the MobileHelp Home Duo Bundle. When it arrived, I opened the box and found the following:

• 1 in-home base unit
• 1 pendant help button
• 1 fall-detection pendant
• 1 mobile unit
• 1 wall help button
• 1 lockbox
• 1 instruction manual

MobileHelp Installation

To install my MobileHelp systems, I plugged the base unit’s power cord into an outlet, turned it on, and held down the test button. After holding the test button for six seconds, it said, “User auto test”; I was subsequently instructed to press the help button on my pendant. The base unit then said, “Test call sent to the emergency response center,” and “Thank you for testing your device.” Not too bad! Although I have a landline in my house, I didn’t need to use it since both devices use AT&T’s cellular network.

Testing MobileHelp

To use the pendant, I had to be within 1,400 feet of the base unit — one of the longest ranges I’ve seen from an at-home unit. It should work for the vast majority of homes. But, if you have an extremely large house, MobileHelp also offers cellular options that work everywhere.

After pressing the button, the base unit said, “Call in progress,” and then, “Please stand by for the operator.” A few seconds later, an emergency operator answered through the base unit. I told him it was just a test call, but I knew he’d coordinate the appropriate response with emergency responders if it weren’t a test.

To test my fall-detection pendant, I pretended to fall down by dropping the button from about three feet off the ground. About 20 seconds later, the button beeped and flashed yellow, prompting the base unit to announce, “Fall detected. Press and hold the button to cancel.” I wanted to cancel, so I pressed and held the button until it flashed green — saving the emergency operator’s precious time. It’s nice to know MobileHelp’s fall detection works well; although, like any fall-detection pendant, it won’t catch 100 percent of falls.

MobileHelp Connect

Another feature I was excited to try was the MobileHelp Connect caregiver portal. With this feature, caregivers can keep track of a system’s location, activity, and alert usage. When connected to my system’s fall-detection pendant, my partner could log on to our caregiver portal to track my movement and any inactivity periods. This feature would be useful for those caring for people from afar.

MobileHelp Medical Alert Systems Pricing

Like with most medical alert systems, I didn’t have to pay any up-front costs for MobileHelp. Instead, I rented the equipment, which required a monthly fee. For my MobileHelp Home Duo Bundle, I paid $44.95 per month plus an additional $11 monthly for fall detection ($5.50 for the Classic Cellular system and $5.50 for the Solo system).

The cost of each system varies, but MobileHelp offers discounts for annual, semi-annual, and quarterly payments. You can also pay on a monthly basis, but it will cost slightly more.

For more information on MobileHelp’s systems and their costs, take a look at my rundown of MobileHelp costs.

MobileHelp vs. Life Alert

At their core, MobileHelp and Life Alert work in the same way. Both companies provide in-home and mobile medical alert systems. At the touch of a button, a system from either company will connect you with trained monitoring agents.

That said, in our tests, Life Alert took far longer to pick up the calls. On average, MobileHelp answered our calls in under 30 seconds. Life Alert, however, usually took two minutes or longer to answer the calls. This is far longer than average.

Additionally, Life Alert costs far more than MobileHelp. Its systems start at $50 per month, while MobileHelp’s start at $24.95. Furthermore, Life Alert locks you into a minimum three-year contract, while MobileHelp contracts are only required on a monthly basis.

To read more about our experience with Life Alert, read our Life Alert review.