Bay Alarm Medical vs. MobileHelp

Falls, especially among seniors can have devastating consequences - not just physically, but emotionally and financially as well. A fall can lead to a loss of independence, and for some seniors, a fear of falling can be just as debilitating.

That’s where medical alert systems come in. Medical alert systems are designed to give users and their families peace of mind by providing a way to get help in the event of a fall or other emergency. These devices allow our loved ones to age in place, safely and independently.

Medical alert systems are usually classified in two ways: home-based and on-the-go. Home-based systems are stationary units that are placed in the home and require the user to be within a certain range in order to work. On-the-go or mobile medical alert systems are designed for users who want the freedom to move about outside the home without being tethered to a base station.

Bay Alarm Medical and MobileHelp are popular medical alert system providers that offer both home-based and mobile solutions. Let's take a closer look at each company to see how they compare.

	Bay Alarm Medical	MobileHelp
Overall Grade	Overall Grade: A	Overall Grade: A
Costs
Monthly Cost Price	$19.95 - $49.95	$19.95 - $54.95
Device Cost	$0 - $159	$0 - $49.95
Shipping Fee	$12	$15
Cancellation Fee	No fee	No fee
Fall Detection Fee	$0 - $10	$10
Cellular Fee	n/a	n/a
Spouse Monitoring	$39	$0 - $2
Features
Connectivity Option	Cellular or Landline	Cellular or Landline
Two-way Speaker & Microphone	Yes	Yes
Home-based Back Up Battery Life	32 hours	30 hours or 30 hours
On-the-go Battery Life	6-18 hours or 72 hours	24 hours or 24 hours
Button Range	1000 ft	1400 ft or 600 ft
Water Resistant	Yes	Yes
GPS Tracking	Yes, some plans	Yes, some plans
Caregiver App	Yes, some plans	Yes
Response Time	20 seconds	21 seconds or 21 seconds
More Details	See All Plans	See All Plans

Bay Alarm Medical

Pros:

• Flexible payment terms
• Offers 30-day trial period
• No hidden charges
• Plans can be customized according to needs and budget
• Dedicated to providing the best service
• Offers caregiver app with geofencing capability
• 24/7 monitoring

Cons:

• Charges $99 and $159 one-time device fee for mobile GPS help button and smartwatch, respectively
• Fell detection costs $10 a month

MobileHelp

Pros:

• Monitoring charges are reasonably priced
• Home-based systems have two connectivity option: landline or cellular
• Does not require long-term contracts
• Partner with Rapid Response Monitoring Services
• Offers tablet-like base station

Cons:

• There is an extra cost for the fall detection feature
• Doesn’t offer a smartwatch device
• Their monitoring center is not company-owned

Bay Alarm Medical Overview

Bay Alarm is a trusted medical alert provider with over 70 years of experience in the industry. The company offers a wide range of medical alert systems to meet the needs of any user, whether they are at home or on the go.

Bay Alarm’s monthly monitoring fees start from $19.95 up to $49.95 and they do not require a long-term contract so users may cancel their service at any time. The company offers a 30-day risk-free trial for its systems so users can try them before officially signing up for a plan.

This company is committed to excellence and experience, offering 24/7 monitoring service through their own CSAA Five Diamond Certified professional monitoring centers. Their monitoring centers undergo random inspections by the UL testing facility to make sure they are keeping up with the standards.

Additionally, their emergency response operators are trained and taught well to provide the best possible service to their users. They have an impressive average response time of 20 seconds and they can accommodate calls even from non-English users.

Medical Alert Systems

In-Home Basic

The In-Home basic is the most basic plan that Bay Alarm offers and it costs $19.95 a month. If users opt to add the optional automatic fall detection feature, it costs an extra $10 a month. The system includes a base unit and a waterproof personal help button that can cover a range up to 1000ft.

In-Home Preferred

The In-Home Preferred is similar to the In-Home Basic but it connects to a cellular network. It comes with a monthly monitoring fee of $29.95 plus an extra monthly cost of $10 for the optional automatic fall detection feature. This plan is popular because it offers free shipping when you pay quarterly, and free shipping plus a free one-month monitoring fee when you pay annually.

In-Home Premium

This plan includes a base unit, a help button, and four wall buttons. It is basically an In-home Preferred plus four wall buttons for added security and protection. This plan costs $39.95 a month plus an extra monthly cost of $10 if users opt to add the automatic fall detection feature. Users may also get this plan at a discounted rate when they opt to pay quarterly or on annual basis.

SOS Mobile Lite

This ultra-compact and lightweight on-the-go device comes with a monthly monitoring fee of $29.95 Unlike their home-based system, SOS Mobile requires a one-time device payment of $99. Plus an additional $10 a month for the optional fall detection feature.

This device connects to both AT&T and Verizon 4G-LTE networks. It comes with a caregiver tracking app and GPS location tracking feature. The device is IPX6 water-resistant so users won't have to worry about the device getting damaged when it gets wet. It also lasts up to 3 days on a full charge.

SOS Mobile Plus

This plan is very similar to SOS Mobile Lite but the only difference is the automatic fall detection that comes free with this plan. This plan has a monthly monitoring fee of $39.95 plus a one-time equipment fee of $99.

SOS Mobile 360° Bundle

This system is a combination of home-based and mobile devices that offers complete protection and peace of mind. For $49.95 per month, on top of the one-time device cost of $99, you may have the In-Home Preferred + Mobile device + Fall Detection. This plan is cheaper than having the In-Home Preferred and SOS Mobile Lite separately.

SOS Smartwatch

This system comes with a monthly cost of $29.95 plus an additional one-time device fee of $159. The SOS Smartwatch offers optimal display lighting, clear two-way communication, an SOS button, and a step tracker. The device connects to the 4G-LTE cellular network and has GPS location tracking. It is waterproof, modern-looking, and has a battery life that can last from 6 to 18 hours. It's also worth mentioning that this device does not have an automatic fall detection feature.

In-home + Smartwatch

This is yet another package they offer. The plan costs $49.95 a month. You'll save money by taking advantage of this plan, which also includes access to 24/7 monitoring service, location tracking, and in-home protection.

MobileHelp Overview

MobileHelp has been providing assistance to seniors, those with medical conditions and their loved ones for over 15 years. They offer a variety of system plans to meet customer needs and preferences.

The company is well-known for its bundle plan that provides customers with two help buttons for the price of one. Imagine not having to pay for two separate contracts or monthly monitoring fees! What a steal, right?

Additionally, some of the plans they offer come with a sleek tablet-like mobile base station that has a number of extra features such as a gallery of images and pre-installed cognitive games. This is great for those who want a little more from their system than just the ability to call for help.

Medical Alert Systems

MobileHelp Classic

The MobileHelp Classic includes an in-home base unit with two-way communication and a waterproof help button that can be worn even while in the shower. The system can be purchased for only $19.95 a month, with a one-time equipment fee of $49.95. The base unit has a range of 1400ft, which is more than enough to cover most homes. There is also no need for a landline as the system uses cellular technology.

Additionally, it has a backup battery that can last up to 30 hours in the event of a power outage and the system is also compatible with the automatic fall detection button for an additional $10 a month.

MobileHelp Wired Home

MobileHelp Wired Home uses a landline as connectivity option instead of a cellular network. So, it might be the best option for users who do not have a strong cellular connection in their homes. The system comes with a base unit that is easy to install and a waterproof wearable help button with a lanyard or wrist strap and costs only $24.95 a month.

Moreover, it offers two-way communication so you can speak directly to the emergency response operator through the base unit speakerphone and a backup battery that can last up to 30 hours. Plus, the system offers wide coverage of up to 600ft and can be upgraded with a fall detection button for an additional $10 a month.

MobileHelp Touch Classic

MobileHelp Touch Classic features a unique 8-inch touch screen tablet and a wearable help button that can be worn around the neck or wrist. The touch screen tablet functions as a base station with a variety of added features such as rotating gallery of pictures, medication reminders and cognitive games like Sudoku.

Additionally, the touch screen tablet has a soft key touch emergency button, features two-way communication, and has a backup battery that can last up to 30 hours. This system uses cellular technology and has a coverage of up to 600ft.

MobileHelp Solo

MobileHelp Solo comes with a waterproof mobile device and a personal help button that can be worn as a necklace or wristband. It can be purchased for a monthly monitoring fee of $37.95. The system uses the AT&T cellular network, which means it can only be used in areas where there is good cellular coverage.

The portable device has both two-way communication and GPS tracking capabilities, which makes it easy to locate users in case of an emergency. For added protection, the system is also compatible with the optional fall detection button. The device can last for a whole day without needing to be recharged.

MobileHelp Micro

The MobileHelp Micro is a lightweight water-resistant mobile device that can last up to 24 hours on a single charge. It uses AT&T's cellular network as connectivity option and offers clear two-way communication and accurate GPS location tracking. This device is elegantly colored in black and features a very sleek, sophisticated casing. Users can choose to wear it as a pendant with its detachable lanyard or carry it in their pocket.

The device costs $33.95 a month and is a great option for those who want the peace of mind that comes with knowing they can get help in an emergency. Users may opt to upgrade their experience and add the optional built-in fall detection sensor for only $10 a month.

MobileHelp Duo

Users can use the MobileHelp Duo, which includes an in-home base station, a mobile unit, and a wearable help button to stay protected and have peace of mind no matter where they are. If users are at home, the in-home unit will provide coverage while they charge their mobile device in the cradle. If users are out and about, they can bring the portable unit with them and wear the help button for protection anywhere that has AT&T cellular coverage. This system is perfect for those who want to be prepared for anything and have the assurance that help is always available.

The system functions the same way as the company's Classic and Solo plans and can be purchased for only $41.95 a month. This can also be paired with the optional fall detection button for an additional $10 monthly

Mobile Duo

The Mobile Duo consists of two waterproof help buttons. It’s ideal for couples, siblings, or any pair of individuals who live together and want the peace of mind that comes with knowing they can get help in an emergency.

This system costs $44.95 a month which is just $7 more expensive than the MobileHelp Solo plan. Basically, users get two devices for just a few additional bucks. It's a 2-for-1 bundle so you're getting more value for your money. The Mobile Duo offers the same features as the other plans such as two-way communication, GPS location tracking, and compatibility with the optional fall detection button that costs an additional $10 a month. However, with two mobile devices, this system provides even more protection and peace of mind.

MobileHelp Touch Duo

The Touch Duo system is MobileHelp's most expensive service plan. It includes a portable, all-in-one medical alert device as well as a tablet that provides features not available elsewhere. The tablet and mobile unit work together for the benefit of users and their caregivers as they can be connected through the MobileHelp Connect web portal.

The plan also includes a wearable help button that can be used in times when users can't get to the tablet or mobile device. The MobileHelp touch is a great option for people who want all of the features that MobileHelp has to offer in one comprehensive system.

This system can be purchased for $54.95 a month and can be upgraded with the optional fall detection button for an additional $10 monthly.

When it comes to choosing a medical alert system, the cost is often a major deciding factor. Bay Alarm Medical and MobileHelp both offer a set of comprehensive features that can provide security and protection for you or your loved ones. But which company offers the best value for your money?

Bay Alarm offers systems that range from $19.95 to $49.95 a month, while MobileHelp charges $19.95 to $54.95 a month for their services. Although MobileHelp's most expensive plan is on the higher end, it does offer a unique device that justifies the price. Plus, the company does not charge a one-time equipment fee except for the Classic plan. This is quite a difference since Bay Alarm charges its customers a one-time device fee for all of their on-the-go plans which are priced from $99 to $159.

When it comes to shipping fees, Bay Alarm charges slightly less than MobileHelp with its $12 shipping fee as compared to the latter's $15. Additionally, both companies offer an optional fall detection button for an additional cost of $10 a month. However, two of Bay Alarm's plans come with a built-in fall detection feature which means it's free for those specific plans.

Finally, an extra button for spouse monitoring costs an additional $39 with Bay Alarm, whereas MobileHelp offers a plan with two help buttons which only costs $7 higher than its base price of $37.95 a month.

Bay Alarm and MobileHelp offer almost similar features and benefits to their customers. Both companies provide a base unit with an emergency help button that can be worn around the neck, or wrist. Their systems can be connected to either a landline or cellular network, giving customers the option to choose the service that best suits their needs. Plus, their devices have clear two-way communication and can cover a range of up to 1000ft.

One of the differences between the systems that the two companies offer is the battery life. Bay Alarm's home-based systems have a battery backup that can last up to 32 hours, while MobileHelp's systems can only last up to 30 hours. Furthermore, Bay Alarm's on-the-go devices can last up to 72 hours or 3 days, while MobileHelp's portable devices can only last up to 1 whole day on a single charge.

Moreover, Bay Alarm's most expensive plan includes a smartwatch while MobileHelp's includes a tablet. Both devices offer security and protection but they also offer a very different set of features and benefits.

Monitoring Center

Both Bay Alarm and MobileHelp have monitoring centers located in different states across the US that operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays. This means that there will always be someone available to attend to your emergency needs.

One of the key differences between their monitoring services is that MobileHelp's monitoring centers are not company-owned. All of MobileHelp's systems are connected to Rapid Response Monitoring's UL-listed, CSAA awardee response centers that are staffed by highly trained and experienced emergency response operators.

These operators can attend to an alert as fast as 21 seconds and can accommodate non-English speaking customers who speak Spanish or other languages through LanguageLine, an interpreting service that translates more than 240 languages.

Meanwhile, Bay Alarm's monitoring centers are located in Utah and Idaho which are strategically placed away from their daily business activities to make sure their monitoring services will never be interrupted. Both of their monitoring centers are CSAA Five Diamond Certified and they undergo annual random inspections by the UL testing facility.

Their emergency response operators can accommodate up to 170 languages which means they can give out help and support even to non-English callers and their average response time is an impressive 20 seconds.

OUR PICK

Comparing Bay Alarm Medical and MobileHelp is like comparing apples to oranges. Both are great companies that offer quality medical alert systems, but they each have their own unique features that set them apart.

Both companies are excellent choices when it comes to medical alert systems. They both have top-notch monitoring centers that are staffed by highly trained and experienced emergency response operators who are available 24/7. They also have a wide array of features and benefits that make them two of the best in the business.

But when it comes to value for money, Bay Alarm Medical takes the cake. Their monthly fees are significantly more affordable than MobileHelp's. They also offer a wide range of features and benefits that make their medical alert system one of the best in the market. So if you're looking for a quality medical alert system at a reasonable price, then Bay Alarm Medical is the way to go!