MobileHelp vs Bay Alarm Medical Comparison

Our editorial team has compared each company, costs, product specs and product add-ons. Scroll down to see our recommendation.

August 9, 2022 amie-clark

Author: Amie Clark | August 9, 2022

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Editor's Ratings	4.5 / 5	4.8 / 5
Company
Reputation	4.9/5	4.6/5
Costs
Equipment Costs	$0	$0 for Most Systems $79 for GPS Help Button $179 for SOS Smartwatch
Monthly Price Range	$19.95 to $44.95	$24.95 - $59.95
Activation Fee	$0	$0
Shipping Cost	Free	$9.95 for monthly and quarterly plans $0 for semiannual and annual plans
Contract	Not required	Not required
Return Policy	30-day risk-free trial	30-day risk-free trial
Product Features
Connection	Landline or Cellular	Landline or Cellular
Two-Way Talk	Yes	Yes
In-Home Backup Battery Life	30 hours	32 hours
In-Home Range	1,400 feet	1,000 feet
On-the-Go Battery Life	24 hours	3 days
Water-Resistant Help Button	Yes	Yes
GPS	Yes	Yes
24/7 USA-Based Monitoring	Yes	Yes
Add Ons
Fall Detection	$10/month	$10/month
Spouse Monitoring	Yes, with the Mobile Duo System	Free with purchase of additional help button ($35)
Wall-Mounted Help Buttons	No	Yes
Lockboxes	Yes	Yes
Contact
Phone Number	Call for best price: 800-915-8738	Call for best price: 855-675-0754
Website	View Packages	View Packages

*We recommend calling because representatives can sometimes offer special deals or pricing. We make every effort to provide and maintain accurate information on our site. However, the businesses reviewed on our site may periodically change their pricing, equipment, and packages and there may be a lag between the time they make such changes and the time we become aware of such changes. If you identify any outdated or inaccurate information, please contact us here.

Editors Recommendation

Generally, we recommend MobileHelp over Bay Alarm Medical for their high quality equipment, excellent customer service and unique smartwatch option. However Bay Alarm Medical may be a better fit if you need lower monthly costs for a simple, traditional in-home medical alert or are looking for an in-car alert system.

I’ve spent my career working with older adults and their caregivers, and one of the questions I’m asked regularly is, “What do I need to prepare for older age?” It feels like there are so many devices and systems out there that older adults may need as they get older, like home security systems, automated medication dispensers, and medical alert systems to name a few.

In my opinion, medical alert devices are one of the most important pieces of equipment for older adults to acquire. But with so many out there, which medical device is the best for your needs?

Most medical devices offer similar options, so the decision tends to come down to features like contracts, costs, and personal preference. In this piece, I’m looking at the similarities and differences between MobileHelp and Bay Alarm, both affordable, contract-free medical device systems that give older adults access to emergency help 24 hours a day.

MobileHelp Overview

MobileHelp is one of the best medical alert systems that focuses on creating devices that work both in and out of the home. As the name implies, the company manufactures cellular, in-home medical systems that don’t require you to have a landline. This is a great feature, considering less than 40 percent of U.S. adults have a landline installed in their homes these days.

The company, which was founded in 2008, is headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida. It’s an FDA-registered company known for affordable prices, no long-term contracts, and twenty-four-hour response centers. MobileHelp offers a variety of different models, depending on your needs. Let’s take a look at the company’s different options and who is best suited for each model:

MobileHelp Systems

System	Monthly Starting Cost	Connection	For Use	Ideal For
MobileHelp Classic	$19.95	Mobile	At-home	This is best for older adults on a budget or who spend a lot of time at home.
MobileHelp Wired Home	$24.95	Landline	At Home	This is best for older adults who spend most of their time at home and have spotty cell reception.
MobileHelp Duo	$41.95	Mobile	At-home and on-the-go	This is best for older adults who want a portable system and are looking for spouse monitoring.
MobileHelp Solo	$37.95	Mobile	At-home and on-the-go	This is best for older adults who like to spend time both at home and out on the town.

What We Love About MobileHelp

Mobile connection: As the name implies, most MobileHelp systems are hooked up to a cellular connection. The only device that needs a landline is the MobileHelp Wired Home.
Automatic Fall Detection: Falls are one of the most common emergencies older adults encounter. That’s why automatic fall detection is a non-negotiable feature when it comes to medical alert devices. Automatic fall detection technology alerts the response center when someone falls even if they can’t press the button on their device.
Free Lockboxes: Lockboxes are beneficial for caregivers and emergency response personnel. It’s a way for older adults to securely lock up their house keys in a place where outsiders can have access to them. MobileHelp offers customers free lockboxes with any subscription.
Monthly Contracts: MobileHelp customers can sign month-to-the-month contracts as opposed to long-term ones.

What We Don't Love About MobileHelp

No Professional Installation: It’s always helpful to have the option for professional installation, but MobileHelp only has a do-it-yourself option, meaning the customer is responsible for setting up their MobileHelp medical device.

You Should Know: Automatic fall detection technology means the emergency call center will be notified when you fall even if you aren’t able to press the push button.

Bay Alarm Medical System Overview:

Bay Alarm Medical is one of the world leaders in medical alert systems. Founded in 1946, Bay Alarm is headquartered in Concord, California, and the company offers medical alert systems that are best for people who spend time both inside and outside the homes.

All Bay Alarm Medical Systems are powered by 4G LTE service, which is included in the subscription. The systems provide location tracking, automatic fall detection, caregiver access, and the company is known for its quick response times to emergencies.
Like MobileHelp, Bay Alarm offers a variety of systems. Here’s a glance at each system:

On-The-Go, Fall Detection, and Wearable Pendant from Bay Alarm Medical

Bay Alarm Medical Systems

System	Monthly Starting Cost	Connection	For Use	Ideal For
In The Home	$24.95	Landline or Cellular	At-home	This is best for those who spend most of their time at home.
GPS Button	$24.95 (plus $70 one-time equipment charge)	Cellular	On-the-go	This is best for those who want a mobile medical alert system with the automatic fall detection option.
SOS Smartwatch	$24.95 (plus $179 one-time equipment charge)	Cellular	On-the-go	This is best for those who want a discreet, mobile medical alert system.
In-Car Alert	$29.95	Cellular	In-the-Car	This is best for those who are frequent drivers and already have an in-home medical alert system.

What We Love About Bay Alarm

Affordable Prices: Bay Alarm offers medical alert systems at incredibly affordable prices. Starting at just $24.95, it’s one of the most affordable medical alerts on the market.
Discount options: In addition to affordable pricing, Bay Alarm offers discounts through AARP, AAA, and USAA.
Free spouse coverage Spouse monitoring is included in Bay Alarm subscriptions. That means if you go for a Bay Alarm medical system, your spouse can get coverage as well. Most companies offer this as an add-on feature, so this is a bonus to Bay Alarm.
In-the-car medical alert system: This is the first in-car monitoring alert system where people can get 24 hours, seven days a week monitoring with automatic crash detection. The in-car alert option also has location tracking so emergency response teams can easily find the victim in case of emergency.

What We Don't Love About Bay Alarm

Monthly fee for complete app access: Most medical alert systems offer smartphone apps so family, friends, and caregivers can keep track of their loved ones or those they care for. While many companies offer free app access with subscriptions, Bay Alarm charges customers for full access to the app.

Money Saving Tip: In addition to the discounts Bay Alarm offers, bundling in-home and on-the-go services is another way Bay Alarm helps you save money on your medical alert system.

MobileHelp and Bay Alarm Similarities

Here are some of the other similarities between MobileHelp and Bay Alarm:

No long term contracts
Automatic fall detection
Wall-mounted buttons
Waterproof pendants
Smartwatch alert systems
Smartphone apps
24/7 U.S.-based monitoring
30-day money-back guaranteed

Keep in Mind: Most falls happen in slippery areas, like the bathroom, so having waterproof pendants you can wear in the bath or shower is a feature to look out for when considering which medical alert system to purchase.

MobileHelp and Bay Alarm Differences

MobileHelp and Bay Alarm differences are few and far between. Both companies offer incredibly affordable medical alert systems with no hidden fees. Also, both companies have devices with GPS meaning call centers and response teams can locate the user wherever he or she goes. That being said, there are a few differences that are worth pointing out.

The Smartwatch

While both companies offer smartwatch options, MobileHelp’s smartwatch is more expensive than Bay Alarm’s. MobileHelp’s smartwatch is not available to lease, like the rest of the company’s equipment, and it costs a one-time fee of $349.95 and then a monthly cost of $24.95 per month or monitoring. On the flip side, Bay Alarm Medical’s smartwatch costs $179 plus $24.95 a month for monitoring, making it a little more affordable.

Bella Charms

Another bonus feature of Bay Alarm is the company’s Bella Charms. Not everyone wants people to know they are using medical alert systems, and the Bella Charms hide the alert system by making them look like stylish necklaces. There are four styles to choose from, meaning your medical alert system can add to your outfit as opposed to detracting from it.

Equipment Costs

MobileHelp has no upfront fees for equipment, and all devices are leased through the company. Bay Alarm, on the other hand, has a $79 activation fee for most of the systems.

The Verdict

As the population of older adults grows, medical alert devices are becoming increasingly popular as they enhance older adults’ quality of life. When it comes to deciding between MobileHelp and Bay Alarm, it comes down to personal preference, as both systems are pretty equivalent. If I had to pick one, I would say Bay Alarm is a bit more affordable, but I’m talking marginal. With both systems offering a risk-free, 30-day money-back guarantee, you’re in a win-win situation; try one and if you don’t like it within 30 days, you can try the other!

Written By

Amie Clark

Amie has been writing about senior care products and services for the last decade. She is particularly passionate about new technologies that help improve the quality of life for seniors and their families. Seeing her parents and grandparents age made Amie ask herself, “Would this be good enough for my loved ones?” In her spare time, Amie enjoys outdoor adventures and spontaneous road trips. Learn more about Amie here