Lively Mobile2 Medical Alert Review
We know Lively best for its popular Jitterbug phones for seniors, but recently, our team put their Lively Mobile2 medical alert system through extensive testing. The sleek device combines GPS tracking, a clear speakerphone, and advanced fall detection in one portable unit perfect for active older adults who spend time at home and on the go.
Our hands-on testing involved real-world scenarios inside and outside the home, examining performance, reliability, pricing and how it compares to similar devices from other companies. Here’s what we discovered during our comprehensive evaluation.
The Lively Mobile2 is one of our favorite mobile medical alerts. If your loved one spends most of their time at home, however, we’d recommend a stationary system. To find home medical alert systems from $20 per month, read our guide to this year’s best medical alert systems.
Pros and Cons of Lively Mobile2
Pros
- Complete mobile solution: Unlike systems that require separate pendants, the Mobile2 integrates a help button, speakerphone, GPS and fall detection in one device.
- Budget friendly: At $24.99 per month, it’s among the most affordable medical alerts we’ve tested, significantly cheaper than Life Alert’s $49.95 starting price.
- Waterproof protection: With an IPX7 rating, the device withstands 30 minutes of water immersion, making it safe for shower use.
- Advanced caregiver features: The Lively Link app provides real-time location tracking and emergency notifications for family members.
- Rapid response: The 13-second average response time is among the best in the industry.
Cons
- Limited battery life: The Lively Mobile2’s 32-hour battery requires daily charging, unlike the MGMini Lite, which can last up to four days on a single charge.
- Fall detection false alarms: While the Mobile2 detects most falls accurately, occasionally, false positives occur.
Lively Mobile2
Time Spent Testing: 168 hours
Starting Price: $24.99 per month
Contract Minimum: 1 month
Average Response Time: 13 seconds
Battery Life: 32 hours
Lively Mobile2 Video Review
Using Our Lively Medical Alert System
Once the Lively Mobile2 arrived at our office, we opened the box and found the following:
- One Lively Mobile2 device
- One charging dock
- One magnetic lanyard
- One belt clip
Activation
As with most mobile systems, the setup process was quick and easy:
- We plugged the charging dock into an outlet.
- We placed our device on the charger and waited until the device was powered on.
- We called the number in our Lively instruction manual. On this call, an associate activated our device. Alternatively, you can activate the device through Lively’s website.
We were disappointed to learn, however, that you have to pay an additional one-time $35 activation fee regardless of which activation method you choose.
Performance
With our system installed and charged, we started testing its basic features. First, we placed a series of test calls in one of our homes. All agents at Lively’s Urgent Response monitoring center answered each call promptly and politely. To test the waterproofing on the device, one of us brought it into the shower and found that it still performed the same.
To test the cellular connection, we took our Lively Mobile2 on a trip around town. At the park, at the library and even on a short hike through the woods, we found that our calls were able to connect. On average, we waited 13 seconds for a monitoring agent to respond.
One of our favorite parts about our Lively Mobile2 was that we could place an Urgent Response call both in emergencies and for general assistance. Each time we connected to a monitoring agent, they took the time to understand our situation and plan a proper response. For example, if one of us had fallen and needed medical attention, they would have contacted emergency responders. However, if we’d simply locked ourselves out of one of our homes, they would have contacted a loved one to come help.
Another impressive feature of the Lively Mobile2 was its fall detection. Each time we simulated a fall (which is about as glamorous as it sounds), our device automatically placed a call and connected us with an agent. A couple of times, our device detected a fall when this was not the case. Luckily, when that happened, we could easily cancel the call by pressing and holding our device’s call button.
FYI: According to CDC data, over 36 million older adults fall each year1, making fall detection technology increasingly valuable for active seniors.
Caregiver Features
The interface of the Lively Mobile2 is incredibly simple. Unlike a medical alert watch or a Fitbit, which can have any number of extra controls and buttons, the Lively Mobile2 just has one primary button. However, it also has some features on the back end for caregivers.
With the Lively Link app, loved ones can remotely check on the device’s location, ensure that the device is powered on and check on the activity levels of the user. Through this app, they can also receive push notifications every time a user presses their Urgent Response button.
So if the user of this device has some loved ones who live nearby, we think this app would be a great way to keep them in the loop.
FYI: One study found that as many as three out of five people with dementia will wander2, so it’s important to develop a strategy to keep track of your loved ones.
Extra Features
In addition to Urgent Response calling and the Link app, Lively plans come with some optional features tailored to older adults.
Care Advocate: With the Care Advocate service, Mobile2 users can be connected with what Lively calls care advocates. These “senior care coaches” (as we like to call them) are trained to help locate the proper resources to support your care. This can range from health and personal care to finances and education. These trusted advisors can help you set your goals and determine the best way to achieve them.
Nurse On-Call: This popular wellness feature allowed us the opportunity to directly engage with registered nurses and doctors. In addition to offering valuable medical advice, they’re also able to prescribe common medications over the phone, 24 hours a day.
Did You Know: In addition to its medical alert systems, Lively is also one of our favorite cell phone providers for seniors.
Lively’s Pricing and Plans
The Lively Mobile2 costs a one-time $79.99 payment, although, as of August 2025, it’s on sale for 40 percent off, $47.99, but this offer ends on October 5, 2025. You’ll also have to pay a one-time activation fee of $35.
Additionally, you’ll have to choose one of Lively’s two plans: Basic for $24.99 per month or Premium for $34.99 per month.
Both plans include Ask Lively, an operator service, Urgent Response calling and the Lively Link app for caregivers, but Premium enables the Care Advocate and Nurse On-Call features.
With either plan, you can add fall detection for $9.99 per month.
Lively Mobile2 Plan Comparison
| Basic | Premium | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $24.99 | $34.99 |
| Urgent Response | Yes | Yes |
| Lively Link App | Yes | Yes |
| Care Advocate | No | Yes |
| Nurse On-Call | No | Yes |
If you want a more detailed breakdown of Lively’s pricing, check out our rundown of Lively medical alert pricing.
Medical Alert Efficacy: Studies indicate that medical alert system users experience fewer emergency room visits due to faster, more appropriate emergency response.
Lively Mobile2 vs. Life Alert
When it comes to medical alert systems, Life Alert is undoubtedly the most popular option; however, in terms of price and features, we think that the Lively Mobile2 is the superior option.
For starters, there is the cost. Life Alert systems start at $49.95 per month (not to mention activation fees). Plus, to get Life Alert’s mobile system, you’ll have to pay an additional $20 per month. In other words, you cannot purchase its mobile unit on its own, only with a home system.
The Lively Mobile2, however, starts at $24.99 per month. This price rises to $34.99 per month if you want fall detection, a feature Life Alert does not offer.
The Lively Mobile2 also offers a caregiver app, Lively Link, which allows loved ones to receive notifications on their phone when a user presses their help button. They can also use the app to track the location of the Lively Mobile2 unit. Life Alert offers none of this functionality.
While the Lively Mobile2 is technically a mobile system, requiring daily charging, you can easily use it as a mobile system on its own, which makes it an all-around better option than Life Alert.
To learn more about our experience with Life Alert, read our Life Alert review.
Final Thoughts on Lively
Overall, we had a good experience buying, setting up and testing our Lively Mobile2. It’s undoubtedly one of the best mobile medical alert systems, even if the battery life leaves something to be desired. Still, for active older adults, it’s a functional and reliable way to keep safe anywhere.
We’d recommend Lively if you’re looking for:
- An affordable mobile system: Starting at $24.99 per month, the Lively Mobile2 is one of the most affordable cellular medical alerts on the market, but the price will go up if you want features such as fall detection.
- Detailed caregiver tracking: It takes a village to care for a loved one. Lively’s smartphone app simplifies this process, keeping any loved ones updated on your activity throughout the day.
- Quick response times: In our tests, Lively had some of the fastest response times of any system we’ve tried. This made us feel confident that a Lively device could protect a loved one when they need it most.
- No long-term contracts: Life Alert’s high cost partially comes from its three-year minimum agreements. Luckily, Lively allows you to pay monthly and cancel your service at any time.
We wouldn’t recommend Lively if you want:
- An in-home system: Lively doesn’t offer traditional in-home systems. If you’re looking for an affordable one, we recommend checking out the Bay Alarm Medical review.
- Long battery life: Although a 32-hour battery life is enough to get you through the day, mobile systems from Medical Guardian offer a greater battery life of up to four days.
- A medical alert bracelet: You can wear the Lively Mobile2 either on the pendant or on a belt clip. To find a bracelet option, be sure to check out our guide to the best medical alert bracelet.
Methodology
Our Lively Mobile2 evaluation involved comprehensive testing over 30 days in multiple scenarios and locations. We evaluated the device based on:
Performance Factors
- Emergency response speed and quality
- GPS accuracy and cellular connectivity
- Fall detection accuracy and false alarm rates
- Battery life in various usage conditions
- Water-resistance and durability
Value Assessment
- Monthly cost comparison with 12 major competitors
- Feature analysis relative to pricing tiers
- Setup complexity and activation costs
- Customer service quality and availability
Real-World Testing Conditions
- Indoor testing in various rooms of our homes and office
- Outdoor testing in urban, suburban, and rural locations
- Weather exposure, including rain and temperature extremes
- Extended wear testing for comfort and discretion
Family Experience Evaluation
- Caregiver app functionality and notification accuracy with family members
- Location tracking precision and update frequency
- Emergency response coordination testing with our designated contacts
- Overall user experience assessment for both the wearer and caregivers
As technology reviewers with experience evaluating medical alert systems, we purchased the Lively Mobile2 at full retail price to ensure an unbiased, authentic user experience that reflects what consumers can expect. Our testing approach focuses on real-world scenarios that older adults and their families actually encounter in daily life.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What products does Lively sell?
Currently, the company sells the Lively Mobile2, the Jitterbug Flip2, and the Jitterbug Smart4.
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How much are medical alert systems from Lively?
Medical alert systems from Lively cost $79.99 for the equipment normally, but currently, there is a sale that lowers the price to $47.99 until October 5, 2025. On a monthly basis, they cost $24.99 to $34.99, plus $9.99 for optional fall detection. There is also a one-time activation fee of $35.
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What will I pay monthly with Lively?
For the Lively Mobile2, the monthly cost will range from $24.99 to $44.98 per month.
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Can I return my Lively Mobile2?
You can return your Lively Mobile2 within your first 30 days after purchase to receive a full refund on both your device and your subscription. After that period, you can’t return the device for a refund.
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What's included with my Lively Mobile2?
You receive the device, charging dock, magnetic lanyard, belt clip, and access to 24/7 emergency monitoring, GPS tracking, and the Lively Link caregiver app.
