Bay Alarm SOS All-In-One 2 Review, Hands-On Test
SOS All-In-One 2: Key Findings
- In our 10 test calls, the SOS All-In-One 2 connected us to help in an average of 16 seconds, on par with other Bay Alarm Medical devices.
- The SOS All-In-One 2 costs $34.95 per month ($10 extra for fall detection), making it a bit costlier than other mobile medical alert systems.
- The SOS All-In-One 2 includes free access to the Bay Alarm Medical caregiver app, allowing loved ones to track the device’s location.
FYI: If you’re looking for a more affordable medical alert system, check out our updated guide to the best cheap medical alert systems.
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Our team of caregivers, experts, and health-care professionals conducted over 5,000 hours of in-depth research and testing. The results helped us recommend the most reliable brands and devices. In this process, our team:
- Tested 50 medical alert devices from 15 different brands.
- Surveyed 1,250 seniors and caregivers on medical alert system usage.
- Consulted with nurses, EMTs, and caregivers who are experts at caring for older adults.
- Published dozens of videos that demonstrate our medical alert system testing.
- Evaluated verified customer reviews of medical alert companies from the Better Business Bureau.
- Continues to monitor developments in the world of medical alert systems and revises our findings accordingly.
How We Tested the SOS All-In-One 2
To test and evaluate the SOS All-In-One 2, we used the following criteria:
- Response times: We placed 10 test calls with the SOS All-In-One 2 and calculated the average response time.
- Ease of use: Through testing and design analysis, we ensured the device was easy to use, particularly for those with visual impairments and manual dexterity issues.
- Customer care: We conducted extensive interactions with Consumer Cellular’s customer care teams and monitoring agents to ensure they offered adequate support.
- Affordable pricing: We analyzed the costs of the SOS All-In-One 2 and compared them to similar systems from other companies.
- Flexible contracts: We read the fine print of our SOS All-In-One 2 service agreement, ensuring there were no unexpected fees or obligations.
- Extra features: Apart from conducting test calls, we also tested the SOS All-In-One 2’s fall detection, water resistance, and GPS capabilities.
SOS All-In-One 2 Pros and Cons
Pros
- Quick response times: Averaging 16 seconds in all of our test calls, the SOS All-In-One 2 delivered consistently quick access to help.
- 60-hour battery life: Lasting nearly three days on a single charge, the SOS All-In-One 2 can stay powered on if you forget to charge it.
- Accurate GPS: Our location was accurately tracked by both monitoring agents and loved ones (via the Bay Alarm Medical app).
- No long-term contracts: If you don’t like your device, you can cancel your service at any time and stop making monthly payments.
Cons
- Ugly design: With its bold contrasting colors and clinical design, the SOS All-In-One 2 is not as discreet as other devices, like the Iris Ally.
- Somewhat complicated: The SOS All-In-One 2 features a system of multiple help buttons, which might be too complicated for some users.
Did You Know: Bay Alarm Medical offers multiple mobile medical alert devices. To learn about our experience with each of them, read our full Bay Alarm Medical review.
SOS All-In-One 2 Video Review
SOS All-In-One 2 Specs
| Size | W: 1.85″ H: 2.87″ D: 0.73″ |
| Battery Life | 60 hours |
| Fall Detection | $10 per month |
| Cellular Connection | 4G LTE |
| GPS | Yes |
| Caregiver Portal | Included |
| Health Monitoring | Not available |
Testing the SOS All-In-One 2
After receiving my SOS All-In-One 2 in the mail, I unpacked the device and found the following:
- 1 SOS All-In-One 2 device
- 1 lanyard attachment
- 1 charging cradle
- 1 belt clip attachment
- 1 external help button
- 1 wristband attachment (for external help button)
- 1 pendant attachment (for external help button)
Unlike ADT’s medical alert systems, the SOS All-In-One 2 has fall detection built into the device — no extra wearables were required to use this feature.
Installation
Setting up the SOS All-In-One 2 was remarkably quick and easy. The device arrived pre-programmed with a SIM card. So, all I needed to do was place it in the charging cradle and wait for it to power on. While it was powering up, I attached the lanyard to the mobile unit.
Once the device was fully charged, I pressed the help button to initiate my first test call. An agent promptly answered, confirming that the device was functioning correctly.
Performance
Once my system was charged, I conducted a series of 10 test calls — five inside my home and five around my neighborhood. Each call was answered quickly, with an average wait time of about 16 seconds from pressing the button to an agent picking up.
During every call, the agent confirmed I was just testing the system and not in need of assistance. To conclude the call, they asked me to verify my name and address.
For the calls made outside, I requested location confirmation from the agents. Every time, they accurately identified my location, including nearby cross streets. This feature would be invaluable in an emergency away from home, as the agent could direct EMS to the exact spot.
Overall, I was impressed with the device's performance. It was compact and comfortable to wear. Plus, the speaker was loud enough to communicate clearly, even outdoors in windy conditions.
Fall Detection
In my series of 10 test falls, the SOS All-In-One 2 detected six of them (three fast and three slow falls). While I did appreciate that fall detection required no extra devices, I was somewhat disappointed in this feature’s lack of accuracy. If you’re looking for a device with more accurate fall detection, check out my rundown of the best fall detection devices.
Multiple Help Button Options
While the SOS All-In-One 2 device has a built-in help button, Bay Alarm Medical also includes an external help button; you can wear it as a bracelet or a pendant. This allows a user to place emergency calls through the external help button and carry out the call through the main device. For example, while the device is charging, a person could press the external help button to trigger a call from afar.
While this feature could definitely be useful, I wonder if this system of multiple buttons might be overcomplicated for some users. Additionally, while the external help button can connect with the main device from up to 600 feet away, the main device’s speaker is small. I found that when I made test calls from a distance, it was difficult to communicate with monitoring agents. I can imagine this being even more difficult for users with hearing loss.
The other potential issue with the multiple help buttons lies in appearances. Often, I find that many people are resistant to wearing a medical alert device due to its ugly appearance. Adding on a second help button means a person will have to wear multiple devices, and it’s easy to imagine many people not wanting to do so.
Remember, a medical alert device is useless if a person refuses to wear it every day.
Caregiver Features
Included with the SOS All-In-One 2 — as well as Bay Alarm Medical’s other systems — is free access to the Bay Alarm Medical app. Through this app, loved ones can track the device’s live location, monitor its battery life, and locate the device through a ring.
The app also supports sending notifications when a user places an emergency call or experiences a fall. However, in my experience, I found that these notifications did not consistently work. Many of my test calls resulted in no notifications.
That said, the app is free, and its other features worked well. So, I appreciated its addition.
SOS All-In-One 2 Pricing
The SOS All-In-One costs a one-time $149 fee. This covers the price of your equipment. You’ll also have to pay a monthly monitoring fee of $34.95. If you want fall detection, it will cost an extra $10 per month, and the caregiver app is included at no extra charge.
Overall, these prices are a bit higher than average. For example, the Lively Mobile2, which has similar features, costs a one-time $79.99 fee and $24.99 monthly. Alternatively, the Iris Ally from Consumer Cellular costs an $89 one-time fee and $25 monthly, and it includes fall detection.
On the plus side, Bay Alarm Medical does not require long-term contracts. So, if you don’t like your device, you can cancel your service at any time and stop making monthly payments.
Final Thoughts
Just about everything with the SOS All-In-One 2 worked well. It gave me quick access to help. Its GPS was accurate, and its free caregiver app was useful. That said, with its price being $34.95 per month ($44.95 with fall detection), I can’t help but recommend a different device.
The Lively Mobile 2 costs $24.99 per month ($34.99 with fall detection), and it has a much more discreet design. Additionally, its caregiver app had notification features that actually worked. So, while the SOS All-In-One 2 worked decently well, it’s hard to recommend this device when there are others that perform equally well (if not better) for a lower price.
To learn more about our experience with these and other medical alert systems, be sure to check out our full rundown of this year’s best medical alert systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How much does the SOS All-In-One 2 cost?
The Bay Alarm Medical SOS All-In-One 2 costs $149 upfront and a monthly payment of $34.95. No long-term contracts are required.
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How long is the SOS All-In-One 2’s battery life?
In our tests, the SOS All-In-One 2 lasted for 60 hours on a single charge. However, this battery life may vary based on usage.
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Does the SOS All-In-One 2 have features for caregivers?
The SOS All-In-One 2 includes free access to the Bay Alarm Medical app. It can be used to track a device’s location, monitor its battery life, and receive alerts when a user places emergency calls.
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What is the SOS All-In-One 2 range?
The SOS All-In-One 2’s external help buttons can connect with the device from up to 600 feet away. However, since the main device’s speaker is small, we recommend keeping the main device on your person.
