MobileHelp Medical Alert System Review 2024

Overview of MobileHelp

The Buying Experience

MobileHelp’s product line can be difficult to navigate, in part because the names aren’t self-explanatory. I’d recommend that you call the company for help with choosing a system, as speaking with a representative is an easy way to clear up any confusion and find the best deal. When I called, the representative let me know there was a monthly discount if I paid annually instead of monthly.

During my call, the representative explained each system’s features and helped me choose which one fit my needs. I wanted to test a cellular system designed for at-home and on-the-go use, so she recommended I try the Home Duo Bundle, which comes with an in-home base station and mobile unit. Overall, I was satisfied with my customer service experience, and all of my questions were answered.

Setting Up My System

My Home Duo Bundle package came with a base station, a wearable pendant, a mobile help button, and a charging cradle. All I had to do was plug the base station into an outlet, charge the mobile unit, and put on the pendant. From start to finish, I was set up in under five minutes.

You’ll need to test both the base station and the mobile unit. To test the base station, I simply pressed the “Test” button. The base station prompted me to press the button on my pendant or the emergency button on the base station itself. If you hear “User autotest completed,” you know that the base station and pendant are working properly. You can also do this after unplugging the base station to make sure the backup battery is working.

Testing out MobileHelp's wearable help button

To test the mobile unit, simply hold down the mobile help button for two seconds and release it. It will connect to the emergency response center, and you’ll communicate through the mobile device itself (like a walkie-talkie) to an agent. The U.S.-based monitoring center answered my call and asked if I needed help. I let them know that I was running a test, and that was it! MobileHelp recommends testing your system once per month to ensure that your equipment is working properly.

Contracts and Warranty

MobileHelp’s plans come with a lifetime warranty, so whether you’re a customer for two or 20 years, you’ll be set. Like most medical alert system warranties, the protection covers normal wear and tear. MobileHelp offers Connect Premium, a protection plan that costs $6 per month for equipment that is lost, stolen, or damaged. In addition to this protection, Connect Premium provides discounts on extra products and services and also locks in your monthly rates for two years.

It is good to know that MobileHelp doesn’t require long-term contracts. However, they encourage you to choose a quarterly, semiannual, or annual payment plan by waiving the activation fee and offering discounted rates. If you cancel your service, MobileHelp will issue a prorated refund for any unused service for quarterly, semiannual, and annual payment plans.

MobileHelp's Equipment at a Glance

Cellular

MobileHelp System and Product Details

Classic Cellular

MobileHelp Classic Base Unit

Cost

The Classic Cellular is my pick for those who are on a budget. The monthly fee starts at $24.95 (a real bargain). For comparison, Bay Alarm Medical’s prices for in-home systems start at $19.95 per month, while Medical Guardian’s monthly cost is $32.95.

Equipment

This at-home cellular system comes with a base station that includes two-way talk and your choice of a waterproof help pendant worn on a lanyard, black wristband, or white wristband. Whether you’re a master chef in the kitchen or you have a green thumb and spend most of the day in the garden, you’ll be covered anywhere within 1,400 feet of the base station. During an emergency, press the help button on either the pendant or the base station, and you’ll be connected to MobileHelp’s response center in a matter of seconds. In a power outage, the base unit includes a backup battery that lasts up to 30 hours.

Service and Monitoring

Classic Cellular is great for those who rarely leave home and live in an area with solid AT&T coverage. In addition to 24/7 monitoring, MobileHelp offers fall detection through a wearable neck pendant. This pendant can detect falls and alert the monitoring center, even when you’re unable to press your help button. This service costs an additional $11 per month, which is similar to the industry standard of around $10 per month.

Classic Landline

Cost

At $24.95 per month, the Classic Landline is a cost-effective system compared to many other at-home systems. You can also save a few bucks per month when you opt for a payment plan other than the month-to-month option.

Equipment

The Classic Landline is an in-home system best for people who spend most of their time in the house. Except for the connection type, it works exactly as the Classic Cellular. It also has two-way communication, a 30-hour backup battery, and a 600-foot range for in-home use. The base unit comes with a waterproof help button worn on the wrist or as a lanyard.

Service and Monitoring

If you live in an area with spotty cellular coverage, Classic Landline is a good option. This baby runs on a landline connection, so you won’t have to worry about poor coverage during an emergency. One thing to note with the landline system is that fall detection is not available. Unfortunately, you can’t add automatic fall detection to this system.

MobileHelp Solo

Cost

At $34.95 per month, the MobileHelp Solo is right in line with the price of other on-the-go brands. There are discounts available if you choose a payment plan other than the monthly option. For a closer look at cost and getting the best deal with MobileHelp, visit our MobileHelp pricing guide.

Equipment

MobileHelp Solo is my pick for single users who spend time out on the town, whether it’s shopping, hiking, or catching up with friends. MobileHelp Solo comes with one mobile help button. This system can also be used in the house. I don’t know about you, but I hate clutter. MobileHelp Solo is small and wearable, so you don’t have a bulky base station taking up precious counter space. Even if you spend a lot of time at home, it’s still a great choice. The system comes with a charger and a help button.

Service and Monitoring

With MobileHelp Solo, you are able to access two-way talk, GPS location detection, and optional fall detection through a separate pendant. Just like MobileHelp’s other on-the-go systems, it runs on AT&T’s network.

MobileHelp Micro

Cost

In line with the cost of other advanced on-the-go systems, the monthly monitoring fee for the MobileHelp Micro is $34.95. The system doesn’t have an activation or equipment fee, and you can add Connect Premium for $6 per month to protect your equipment from damage or theft.

Equipment

The MobileHelp Micro is a sleek and discreet little number, weighing in at under two ounces. The system comes with two-way talk, GPS location detection, and optional fall detection. The Micro will arrive with a detachable lanyard, charging station, and free lockbox. Simply throw on your Micro like a necklace and take it with you wherever you go for 24/7 protection.

Expert Insights

From Taylor Shuman, Senior Tech Expert

MobileHelp recently updated their mobile units from previous models so that they’re smaller and more sleek. I appreciate these upgrades, as older adults are more likely to wear a medical alert system when it’s more discrete.

When I spoke with customer service, the representative recommended keeping the device on the charger at night just to make sure it is always at full charge and ready for any potential emergency situations.

Service and Monitoring

With AT&T cellular service, you can travel just about anywhere you like and still be protected. No cellular contract is required on your part; this device will operate using MobileHelp’s cellular plan.

Home Duo Bundle

Cost

At $44.95 per month, this system comes with an in-home base unit and the convenience of a mobile unit for when you're away from home. Considering that many on-the-go systems cost between $35 and $40 per month, $44.95 for a hybrid system with at-home and on-the-go protection is a good deal. You can use the in-home system and mobile alert device simultaneously. Keep in mind that there’s just one mobile device, so only one person can use the system outside the home at a time.

Equipment

This is the system I tested, and it comes with an in-home base station, two waterproof pendants, a mobile alert device (which functions as a second base station on the go), and a charger for the mobile device.

I set up the base station in the living room, a central location, and made a test call from the bedroom to confirm it was within range. Later, I took the mobile unit on a walk around the block, and it worked just as seamlessly. Both provide two-way communication to MobileHelp’s response center in case of an emergency.

The battery life of the mobile unit is 24 hours. Mobile units from other providers have battery lives ranging from one to five days, so this is decent. I’d recommend charging your unit every night when you go to bed. The extra help pendants are lightweight and don’t require a new battery for up to five years.

Service and Monitoring

Both the at-home and mobile systems use AT&T cellular. When traveling with the on-the-go system, I was able to use my mobile device, as long as the area I was visiting had AT&T coverage. A fall-detection pendant is available for an additional $11 per month.

Mobile Duo Bundle

Cost

At $49.95 per month, you are basically getting two on-the-go systems for nearly the price of one. Like MobileHelp’s other systems, discounts are available with select payment plans.

Equipment

Mobile Duo is an excellent fit for couples or roommates who are active and spend most of the day away from home. I love the flexibility that this system offers; if you go fishing with your buddies around the same time your wife goes to her book club or bunco group, you’ll both be covered.

The system comes with two of the same mobile units that come with MobileHelp Duo and two help buttons and chargers. Unlike MobileHelp Duo, Mobile Duo doesn’t come with an in-home base unit, but you can easily use your mobile unit at home.

Service and Monitoring

The mobile devices use AT&T coverage, one of the most widely used cellular services in the industry. The mobile devices offer GPS location detection, and you can add fall detection (which costs an additional $11 per month) through a separate pendant.

Add-on Features and Accessories

Fall-Detection Pendant

Fall detection is the most important add-on in my book. Falls can easily happen in the shower, on the porch steps, or anywhere else in the home. MobileHelp offers fall detection for an extra $11 per month with any system except the Wired Home. One in four adults aged 65+ falls each year, so fall detection is an essential feature in my book.

Wall Buttons

MobileHelp Wall Button

You can stick wall buttons anywhere — in the bathroom, at the bottom of a staircase, or by the bed. All you need to do is press the help button, and it will connect to your base station to call for help. An additional help button costs an extra $2 per month, and a waterproof wall button costs $2.95 per month.

MobileHelp Connect Premium

MobileHelp Connect Premium offers online tools and discounts for subscribers and their families. This add-on also includes discounts on extra equipment, a warranty that covers any lost or damaged equipment, and it lets you lock in your monthly rates for two years. MobileHelp Connect Premium is $6.99 per month.

The Bottom Line on MobileHelp

Overall, I was more than satisfied with MobileHelp’s alert systems. As I interacted with the company, I could see that they take pride in caring for older adults. All of the equipment was light, durable, and worked as expected. I appreciate that MobileHelp has expanded its products over the years to include advanced features for loved ones and caregivers. Overall, MobileHelp offers well-made and affordable alert systems with the flexibility to use at home and on the go.

Want to compare MobileHelp to other popular providers? Visit our list of this year’s top medical alert systems.