Medical Guardian vs. MobileHelp

For most seniors, staying at home as they age serves a positive effect on their overall quality of life as they are able to retain their independence. With this in mind, seniors and their loved ones alike want to make sure that they are protected while in their homes, or away.

Medical alert systems, as defined, are personal emergency response systems intended for the elderly or people with serious medical conditions who require immediate attention. These devices are designed to heighten the survival rate of the users when an emergency occurs.

Medical Guardian and MobileHelp are two medical alert system providers that specialize in providing protection to the elderly with their devices. Generally, their products offer seniors a low-cost solution to help them retain their independence.

Using our objective-based tool, we have assessed the standards of these two systems to provide you a thorough comparison based on their features, cost, and services. Let’s take a closer look at the quality of their features and services and help you decide which suits your preferences better.

	Medical Guardian	MobileHelp
Overall Grade	Overall Grade: A	Overall Grade: A
Costs
Monthly Cost Price	$29.95 - $39.95	$19.95 - $54.95
Device Cost	$0 - $199.95	$0 - $49.95
Shipping Fee	$12.5	$15
Cancellation Fee	No fee	No fee
Fall Detection Fee	$1 - $10	$10
Cellular Fee	n/a	n/a
Spouse Monitoring	$0 - $2.99	$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	120 hours, 120 hours or 24 hours	24 hours or 24 hours
Button Range	1400 ft, 500 ft or 1300 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

Medical Guardian

Pros:

• Offers automatic fall detection feature
• Offers GPS location tracking feature
• 24/7 US-based monitoring
• Highly customizable plans
• Wide in-home range capacity
• Anytime cancellation policy
• Comprehensive systems

Cons:

• Spouse monitoring is not available on all devices
• Expensive upfront costs and fees

MobileHelp Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Offers low-cost monthly monitoring fees
• Offers a touchscreen tablet that functions as a base console
• Systems connected to landline and cellular networks
• Does not require long-term contracts

Cons:

• Fall detection comes with an extra monthly cost
• Does not offer a modern, high-tech medical alert device

Medical Guardian Overview

Medical Guardian’s headquarter is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with monitoring centers that have coverage in all 50 states. This company is widely known in the medical alert industry for its highly-trained operators, innovative technology, and sleek systems

Their U.S-based monitoring center is TMA-Five Diamond certified and UL-listed, which gives assurance on the customers as it adheres to the standards of excellence and reliability that are set by these third-party organizations.

Medical Guardian offers several systems to choose from, including Classic Guardian (landline), Home 2.0, Mobile 2.0, Mini Guardian, and Active Guardian. Their systems can either connect to a standard landline connectivity or through the AT&T Cellular Network. The company's devices are water resistant with a built-in two-way speaker and microphone, which allows you to communicate with their 24/7 response center.

Medical Alert Systems

Classic Guardian

This plan is the least expensive system that Medical Guardian offers, as it only costs $29.95 per month. One of the pros of Medical guardian is that they do not require any long-term contracts, and they offer a flexible payment method.

Classic Guardian comes with a water-resistant necklace or wristband, which can be installed with a fall detection option for an additional $10/month. The base unit has a range of 1300ft and can last up to 32 hours on battery backup. Plus, this device also features an SOS flashlight which can come in handy when an emergency occurs.

Home 2.0

This system is a step-up of the Classic Guardian, with few additional features. It costs $34.95 per month, with a one-time device fee of $124.95. The system includes a base unit and help button, which connects through the AT&T cellular network. The system allows several options, from its help button which either comes as a pendant or wristband in either white or black, and an optional wall-mounted button is also available on this model. Users may also opt to add a wearable fall detection device for an additional $10 per month, which is the industry’s standard charge for this feature.

It features a two-way communication which allows clear communication with the emergency operators. It also has a backup battery that can last up to 32 hours. The device range is up to 1400ft from the base unit, which is an extensive range that can provide protection anywhere in your home.

Mobile 2.0

The Mobile 2.0 is best for seniors who want reliable in-home and on-the-go coverage. This system comes with a portable, lightweight base unit that can be clipped to your belt or carried in a purse. This system can be purchased for a monthly monitoring fee of $39.95 with a one-time device cost of $124.95.

Mobile 2.0 includes a portable help button that can be worn as a pendant or wristband, which works up to 500 ft away from the mobile base unit. It also has a built-in speaker and microphone for efficient two-way communication

Mini Guardian

The Mini Guardian is among the lineup of Medical guardian for its on-the-go devices. It comes with a lightweight, wearable help button that can be purchased for a monthly monitoring fee of $39.95 and a one-time device cost of $149.95. Considering the size, it fits the seniors who want a medical alert device that may otherwise be virtually unseen. Additionally, it has a long-lasting battery that can last up to 5 days. This device is water-resistant, so it is safe to use even in damp environments.

It also includes an HD speaker and microphone which ensures a clear communication with the responder in case of an emergency. Mini Guardian can be upgraded to include automatic fall detection for an additional $10 a month, which will automatically call for help if the user falls and is unable to press their button.

MG Move

MG Move is a smart way to stay safe and connected anywhere you go. It comes with a water-resistant Smartwatch that offers a full suite of advanced monitoring tools, as it includes a touch screen display, a built-in speaker and microphone, and an SOS button. It also features a step tracker and a weather app. It connects to a cellular connection, so it works anywhere with a strong cellular signal. The device costs $39.95 a month with a one-time equipment fee of $199.95..

MobileHelp Overview

MobileHelp was founded in 2006, and is one of the companies that integrates advanced tech in their systems. Their wide array of systems do not support the ‘one-size-fits-all’ principle, as they purposefully designed their products and services to fit the unique needs of their users. To provide professional monitoring, they work with the U.S.-based Rapid Response monitoring centers with over 25 years of experience.

They offer 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. They offer discounted bundled systems that are great for seniors who have a planned budget for a medical alert system. Also, their devices are compatible with fall detection and GPS tracking, so you can customize and configure your packages according to your preferences.

Medical Alert Systems

MobileHelp Classic

MobileHelp Classic is a great choice for seniors who rarely leave their home and live in an area with a strong cellular connection. This system features an in-home base unit with two-way communication paired with a waterproof wearable help button. It costs $19.95 a month with a one-time equipment fee of $49.95. It has a maximum range of up to 1400 ft, plus the battery backup can last up to 30 hours, which makes sure that the device is still serviceable in the event of a power outage. The system is also compatible with the automatic fall detection button for an additional $10 a month.

MobileHelp Wired Home

Unlike the MobileHelp Classic, this home-based system requires a standard landline connection to work. This system requires a monitoring fee of $24.95 a month, and includes a base unit synced with a waterproof wearable pendant or wristband. The two-way communication lets the user speak to the emergency operator through the base unit speakerphone. It also has a backup battery that can last up to 30 hours, and a range coverage of up to 600ft. An upgrade for a fall detection button costs an additional $10 a month.

MobileHelp Touch Classic

MobileHelp Touch Classic can be purchased for a monthly monitoring fee of $54.95. While the price is high, this system includes high-tech features not offered by other providers. The system includes a help button, and an 8-inch touch screen tablet that has a variety of extra features which include a rotating gallery of pictures, medication reminders, cognitive games such as Sudoku, and a soft key touch emergency button.

This system has a coverage of up to 600ft and has a backup battery that can last up to 30 hours. Additionally, it connects to a cellular network so no need for a standard landline connection

MobileHelp Solo

With MobileHelp Solo, users can easily access help through their two-way talk, they can be monitored anywhere through GPS, and they can also have added protection through the optional fall detection feature. The system includes a waterproof portable device that functions as a mobile base station and a waterproof personal help button that can be worn as a necklace or wristband.

Valued at a monthly monitoring fee of $37.95, you can already have a premium mobile protection. The device can last for 1 whole day so you can take it with you anywhere without worrying about recharging it.

MobileHelp Micro

The MobileHelp Micro is the smallest and lightest version of the company's mobile device weighing only 52 grams, for only $33.95 a month with no long-term contract, making it an affordable option for those who need it. This is also the most stylish, as it comes with an elegant black help button and features a very sleek, sophisticated casing. Users can either wear it as a pendant with its detachable lanyard or just carry it in their pocket.

The device is water resistant, making it usable in the shower or even under any weather. It comes with a high-quality audio speaker system for clear two-way communication and its battery life lasts up to 24 hours on a single charge. It connects to the AT&T cellular network, and has an accurate GPS location tracking so users can be easily located in the event of 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

This system can be purchased for only $41.95 per month and can be upgraded to have a fall detection for a standard $10. The plan includes an in-home base unit, a mobile unit, and a waterproof wearable pendant or wristband. It uses a cellular connection via AT&T network, so it can function mostly anywhere with a strong cellular connection. The system is directly linked to MobileHelp’s monitoring centers so any emergency situation is assured to be immediately responded with just one press on the help button.

Mobile Duo

MobileHelp’s Mobile Duo is an ideal plan for a pair of individuals living together, as this is basically a 2-for-1 bundle. You get to have two wearable help buttons so two persons can enjoy medical alert coverage and protection at home and outdoors.

The Mobile Duo costs $44.95 a month, and offers the same features such as two-way communication, GPS location tracking, and compatibility with the optional fall detection button that costs an additional $10 a month.

MobileHelp Touch Duo

The MobileHelp Touch Duo is the premier option among the lineup of systems offered by MobileHelp. Aside from the advanced technology that this device offers, it also boasts extraordinary range and features that provide top-quality monitoring and response. The system includes a portable, all-in-one medical alert device and a tablet that offers a unique system and a wearable help button. 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.

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.

Medical Guardian and MobileHelp offer different products that have their own, unique solutions that improve the quality of life of the elderly. Let’s dig deeper into the cost comparison of these two medical alert providers to see which suits your budget better.

When compared side by side, MobileHelp wins the category for a more budget-friendly rate, as their at-home systems start for as low as $19.95 per month. Compared to Medical Guardian, their rates are practically more affordable for similar products. MobileHelp also has the best bundle price, as they are widely known for having two-for-the-price-of-one systems, particularly its Mobile Duo which offers two two help buttons for only $44.95 a month.

Medical Guardian, on the other hand, is renowned for its hybrid systems that offer the most modern features a medical alert system could have, but of course, the tech comes with a price. They also charge $124.95-$199.95 for its devices, as compared to MobileHelp's $49.95 upfront device fee. Medical Guardian ships for a standard charge of $12.50, only slightly less expensive with MobileHelp’s $15 charge for shipping. Both offer an additional $10 for an optional fall detection, and both have almost similar charges for spouse monitoring.

Medical Guardian and MobileHelp are two top-tier medical alert system providers that offer modern devices to suit the unique needs of the elderly.

MobileHelp has a lineup of eight different medical alert systems which ranges from the basics up to their most hybrid touchscreen systems. Medical Guardian keeps up with the challenge of having wide options and array of features, as they have five different systems to choose from. All of their systems come with round the clock monitoring and superb quality of emergency response systems.

Both have two-way communication, can connect to either landline or cellular connection, have GPS location tracking, and are compatible with fall detection features. Both mobile systems also offer compact, lightweight, water-resistant devices equipped with GPS location tracking that is great for those who are always on the go

When it comes to features, Medical Guardian contests an edge with its modern, high-tech solutions integrated in its systems. One thing we also like about Medical Guardian is how they design their devices to not look like a medical alert device, which some seniors are discouraged with. This allows seniors to feel more young at heart, without having to worry about their safety as well.

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Monitoring Center

It is reassuring to know that both Medical Guardian and MobileHelp’s monitoring centers operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year. Both are 100% US-based and have nationwide coverage across all 50 states in the country.

MobileHelp offers professional monitoring services in partnership with Rapid Response Monitoring. All of MobileHelp's systems are connected to Rapid Response's UL-listed, CSAA awardee response centers that are staffed by highly trained and experienced emergency response operators.

Medical Guardian, on the other hand, boasts their TMA Five Diamond certified monitoring center which can respond to an alert in as fast as 20 seconds. On average, MobileHelp can also dispatch the same help within the same timeframe.

MobileHelp has the capacity to support non-English speaking seniors through LanguageLine, an interpreting service that translates more than 240 languages. Medical Guardian keeps pace as they can support both English and Spanish, while also using a translation service to accommodate other languages.

OUR PICK

The bottom line here is that choosing either Medical Guardian or MobileHelp is a win if you are after the tech that these providers offer. But, as there are no two systems that are alike, there will always be one that can give better services over the other. For this comparison, Medical Guardian takes the spotlight because of its top of the line tech that gives ultimate comfort and convenience to its customers.

While some of their systems may be relatively expensive, the modern hybrid systems of Medical Guardian can contest the price. For seniors who can do away with the budget to go with premium protection and services, Medical Guardian is a great option.