Bay Alarm Medical Alert System Review: The Best Stylish Systems

Bay Alarm Medical has provided medical alert systems to seniors and their families for decades. They offer a full range of in-home and on-the-go medical alert system options and tech-friendly products and services, including a smartwatch and an app that customers and caregivers can use.

Bay Alarm Medical is regularly listed as a top medical alert system because of its reliable 24/7 emergency services. Trained U.S.-based agents are always standing by to help you in the event of a medical emergency. Separate customer service call centers operate seven days a week to help in non-emergency situations.

We are especially impressed by the appearance of their devices. Sleek on-the-go devices are all black without any markings identifying them as medical alert systems, making them much less noticeable than other buttons on the market. They also have a line of accessories that can completely disguise your traditional emergency button, making Bay Alarm Medical the best medical alert system for stylish device options.

Every medical alert system company has pros and cons, including Bay Alarm Medical. Here’s what you need to know about Bay Alarm Medical’s medical alert systems and services to decide whether they are right for you or your loved one.

Pros and cons at a glance

Pros:	Cons:
Stylish and discreet options, including Bella Charms and Bella Bands.	Equipment fees apply for some systems.
Smartwatch option.	Accessories to make buttons more stylish are not compatible with fall detection pendants and are not available with all systems.
Risk-free 30-day trial.	Location tracking, battery updates, and lost-device ringing through the app are available only with their SOS Mobile and All-In-One devices.
Free spouse monitoring with the SOS Home system.
Emergency response centers are strategically separated from day-to-day business operations.

How Bay Alarm Medical alert systems work

Like all medical alert systems, Bay Alarm Medical’s devices are designed to be extremely easy to use. All you have to do is push the emergency button on your device, and you’ll be connected to a trained U.S.-based agent. You speak directly to the agent via two-way communication about your situation to determine if you need emergency services or would like the agent to contact a friend or loved one instead.

Bay Alarm Medical is different from other medical alert systems because with their service, you keep your medical information in your own hands. Instead of updating an electronic profile with your medical history and needs, each subscription comes with a Vial of Life, a form you fill out by hand, place inside a plastic sleeve, and hang on your fridge. You can fill out and update your Vial of Life without having to contact customer service whenever your medical needs change. Agents will direct emergency responders to look for this information when they arrive at your home so they can learn about any allergies, medications, and other medical needs you may have, even if you can’t speak for yourself.

Depending on the system you choose, each medical alert button works a little differently. Their in-home system has a base station that pairs with an emergency button. All their other systems are fully portable with GPS location services. Their SOS All-In-One system can act like both: You can use the device on the go or place it in its charging cradle and wear a medical alert button in your home.

Most Bay Alarm Medical alert systems use a cellular connection, but you do not need a separate cellular contract or an internet connection for your device to work. You don’t need a smartphone to operate their smartwatch, either. All their systems utilize Verizon’s and AT&T’s 4G LTE cellular networks without a separate contract. The only exception is their SOS Home Landline system, which must be plugged into an operational phone jack.

Fall detection is available for an extra $10 per month. If fall detection is enabled, your device will automatically place an emergency call when it detects a sudden change in your orientation or speed. Fall detection can be enabled on the SOS Mobile, SOS Smartwatch, and SOS All-In-One devices without a separate button. You’ll need a separate fall detection button for the SOS Home systems. You can also wear a separate pendant with their SOS All-In-One system if you choose.

Benefits and features

A Bay Alarm Medical alert system comes with some great benefits, including:

• Risk-free 30-day trial period.
• Free shipping with a three-month commitment.
• Free shipping and one free month with the purchase of an annual plan.
• Free spouse monitoring with the SOS Home system.

There is some fine print to be aware of, though. If you decide to cancel your subscription, even within 30 days, you will not be refunded any shipping costs. All devices, even those with equipment fees, must be sent back within 30 days to get a full refund for both the service and the devices.

Bay Alarm Medical has some stylish upgrades that you’ll be hard-pressed to find with other medical alert systems. They have developed a line of accessories called Bella that are designed to make traditional emergency buttons that pair with home and all-in-one systems look more stylish. Bella Charms can be clipped over your help button to make it look like a necklace instead of an emergency help button. They come in four different colors and patterns. Bella Bands turn your button into a stylish watch-style device. They feature high-quality silicone, a stretchy elastic band, and an adjustable buckle, and they come in four different colors, so you can pick your favorite color or match it to your outfit. The only downside is that their Bella accessories are not compatible with their fall detection pendant. They’re also not available for every system, since traditional buttons that pair with base units are not compatible with all their system offerings.

Bay Alarm Medical has a free app for Apple and Android devices. It gives you the ability to:

• Maintain a safety plan that includes emergency contact details and home entry information.
• Update your mailing address, shipping address, and other personal account details.
• Make payments and update payment methods.
• Track your loved one’s location, monitor device battery levels, and ring the device if it’s lost.

Using the app is optional, but it is a great way to keep track of your account details and make changes with the push of a button. The biggest downside is that access is allowed for only one email address, the email associated with the account, which can make things tricky if both you and a caregiver want access to the account. It’s also important to note that not all the app’s services are available on all their devices. Location tracking, battery updates, and lost-device ringing are available only with their SOS Mobile and All-In-One devices.

Reliability

Bay Alarm Medical alert systems are known for their reliability. The company is regularly inspected by UL, a nationally recognized testing laboratory, and it is also inspected and certified by FM Approvals. Bay Alarm Medical is a member of the ESA (Electronic Security Association), and their emergency response centers are CSAA Five Diamond certified for undergoing a rigorous annual certification process.

They have two separate response centers in Utah and Idaho. Should one center go offline for any reason, the other one will still receive your emergency call, so you know you’re always covered in the event of an emergency.

They also strategically separate their technical support and customer services from their emergency monitoring services. Existing customers who need customer or tech support can call 1-877-522-9633 or 1-925-677-1400 Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. PST and Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. PST. If you’re experiencing a medical emergency, you can push your button any time of the day or night. This separation of services ensures your medical emergency is prioritized ahead of other concerns.

Other than their landline system base station, all Bay Alarm Medical alert equipment utilizes a 4G LTE network without a separate cellular contract. As long as your Bay Alarm Medical account is active and your device receives a signal, you can push the button and receive help. If you aren’t sure if you’re receiving a signal, simply test your device by pushing the button and inform the agent that you’re testing your system.

Bay Alarm Medical devices utilize both AT&T and Verizon towers without the need for a separate cell phone plan. If you use their SOS Mobile device, Bay Alarm Medical allows you to choose which network you want to use, so it’s a good idea to know which company has better coverage in your area before placing your order. If you do not have adequate cellular coverage with either company where you live, you should choose their SOS Home Landline system instead.

Their in-home units have a 32-hour backup battery for an extra layer of protection, ensuring you’re covered if there’s a power outage. Their mobile units have impressive battery lives, too. The SOS Mobile can go a whopping six days between charges, while their SOS All-In-One system has a battery life of up to three days. Their smartwatch is less impressive: It lasts only six to 12 hours, depending on how heavily you use it and whether you’ve enabled fall detection. If you want more consistent protection, it’s best to choose one of their other systems.

Help buttons that pair with their Home and All-In-One systems are waterproof, meaning you can wear them in the bath or the shower, and they have a five-year battery life. Their other devices are water-resistant. Fall detection buttons have a two-year battery life. You’ll never have to worry about your battery running low, though: A signal is sent to Bay Alarm Medical’s monitoring station, and they will notify you that your emergency button’s battery is running low so you can change the battery or buy a new button.

Product offerings

Bay Alarm Medical offers a range of medical alert systems, including in-home and on-the-go options. All their systems can include fall detection for an additional monthly fee, and depending on the system you choose, you can add additional help buttons to your order.

Bay Alarm Medical’s alert system offerings include:

• SOS Home (landline and cellular options).
• SOS Mobile.
• SOS Smartwatch.
• SOS All-In-One.
• Accessories.

SOS Home

You can choose between a landline system that must be plugged into a traditional landline telephone jack or a cellular system that utilizes a cellular signal. The cellular version of the in-home system is handy because it’s easier to set up. All you have to do is plug the device into a power outlet and turn it on. You can also move the device around your home, which means you can take it with you into the bedroom at night. With a 32-hour backup battery, you can even take it outside. You can also bring it with you when you go on vacation. Just make sure you update your address with customer service, as the address they have on file is where they will send emergency services if needed.

The SOS Home Cellular system does not require a separate cellular contract. Cellular coverage costs are included in your payment to Bay Alarm Medical. However, if you don’t get good cellular service where you live, the landline version is your best option.

This system is an especially good choice if you’re looking for protection for both you and your partner. Spouse monitoring is free with both the landline and cellular systems, so you can both be protected in your home without paying any additional fees other than purchasing a second wearable button. You can also upgrade to a fall detection pendant for an extra $10 a month plus a one-time charge for the pendant itself. Since this system uses traditional emergency pendants, you can purchase Bella accessories to make your button more stylish (although the charms are not compatible with fall detection pendants).

SOS Mobile

It looks sleek, too. It’s an all-black device without any obvious markings, so it won’t stand out when you wear it.

The SOS Mobile device has built-in fall detection capabilities that you can activate for an additional $10 per month. It comes with a charging cradle, a belt clip, and a neck lanyard. The free Bay Alarm Medical app provides caregiver tracking and battery level monitoring with this system.

When you experience an emergency and push the button or if your device detects a fall, it uses a combination of GPS, cellular, and Wi-Fi capabilities to triangulate your location to ensure you receive the help you need no matter where you are.

SOS Smartwatch

This device shows the strength of your cellular signal. The watch face displays your connection signal with bars indicating signal strength, so you know you’re covered. If you place an emergency call, agents will use GPS, cellular, and Wi-Fi capabilities to determine your location.

This water-resistant watch also has other capabilities. It has a built-in step tracker that allows you to set daily goals and other features that you would expect from a smartwatch, like weather updates. Fall detection is also available for an extra $10 per month.

Although the smartwatch is compatible with Bay Alarm Medical’s free app, it currently isn’t compatible with some of the app’s features, like location tracking and battery updates. It also has an underwhelming battery life that only lasts up to 12 hours on a single charge. If you use fall detection or other features on the watch, you could get as little as six hours. It has to be charged at least every night, but you may find that it needs to be charged more often. It takes two to three hours to fully charge, which can cause problems if you’re looking for more complete protection. If so, consider adding an in-home unit to your order or choosing a different on-the-go system.

SOS All-In-One

When the device is charging, you can wear a neck or wrist pendant and use the device like a traditional in-home base station while it is charging. It’s also handy if you’d rather wear a smaller pendant in the shower or the bath or when you’re just hanging around the house. Then, when you leave your house, you can take the all-in-one device instead. Its signal range is smaller than that of their in-home systems at 600 feet, though, so you will want to make sure you keep your mobile device close by if you’re using a separate pendant.

At 1.85 inches by 2.87 inches, it is a little bit bigger than the SOS Mobile system, but it’s just as discreet with its all-black design. Because it is compatible with traditional separate emergency buttons, you can also dress up your buttons with Bella Charms and Bella Bands. Just remember that if you want fall detection, you’ll have to wear the all-in-one device.

This medical alert system is compatible with the app, including its enhanced features like location and battery tracking for caregivers.

Accessories

These accessories are perfect for those who have been putting off using a medical alert system because they’re worried about how they will look. However, they work only with the traditional buttons available with their SOS Home and SOS All-In-One systems. They are also not compatible with fall detection pendants, so it’s not a good choice if you or your loved one is prone to falls. If falls are a concern, you can upgrade to a fall detection pendant for an additional $10 per month.

You can get even more protection in your home if you purchase additional wall buttons. They are great for high-risk areas, like the bathroom or next to the stairs. Wall buttons are available with the SOS Home and SOS All-In-One systems. They are not compatible with the SOS Mobile or SOS Smartwatch.

Additional emergency pendant buttons can also be added to your order when you choose the SOS Home or SOS All-In-One System, but they are not compatible with the SOS Mobile or SOS Smartwatch.

Pricing and subscription plans

Bay Alarm Medical pricing is relatively affordable, but you do have to be careful. The cost of their medical alert systems can add up fast. Their website nicely lays out their prices so you can compare the costs associated with each system.

System	Price per month	Equipment fee
SOS Home Landline	$24.95	None
SOS Home Cellular	$29.95	None
SOS Mobile	$34.95	$99.00
SOS Smartwatch	$34.95	$159.00
SOS All-In-One	$39.95	$170.00

If you want fall detection for either system, you’ll pay an additional $10 per month. You’ll also pay an extra one-time fee for accessories like Bella Charms, Bella Bands, extra wall buttons, and lockboxes.

Additional service or product	Price
Additional traditional pendant*	$39.00
Fall detection pendant*	One-time $30.00 device fee plus $10.00 per month
Bella Charms*	$25.00 each or $90.00 for all four
Bella Bands*	$17.00 each or $60.00 for all four
Lockbox	$30.00
Wall button*	$39.00

Bay Alarm Medical’s warranty plan is an extra $2.95 per month. It allows for one free base system replacement per year and 50% off accessory replacements. It also includes a lifetime help button low-battery replacement. If the battery in your emergency button gets low, they will notify you, but if you haven’t signed up for their warranty plan, it will be up to you to figure out how to change the battery or buy another pendant. At such an affordable price, we recommend adding the warranty plan to your order.

They offer free shipping with a three-month commitment. You can get free shipping and one free month if you sign up for an annual plan. However, this can make their 30-day risk-free trial tricky: If you cancel within 30 days, you won’t be penalized, but the freebies you originally got will be negated. That means you’ll owe shipping costs. To get your full refund, including for any equipment you’ve purchased, you also have to send back all the devices you purchased. After the 30 days are up, you can still cancel your service without any additional fees, and you may be prorated for any unused months of service, but the equipment can’t be returned, so you won’t be refunded any equipment fees.

If you truly want to test out the system, we recommend starting with a monthly plan. Bay Alarm Medical doesn’t offer reduced prices for quarterly and annual plans, so you don’t have to worry about missing out on savings. Plus, it makes the cancellation process a little less frustrating if you decide a Bay Alarm Medical alert system isn’t right for you.

Equipment installation and setup

Bay Alarm Medical’s on-the-go medical alert systems are all extremely easy to set up. Because they utilize a cellular signal, you just plug the SOS Mobile, Smartwatch, or All-In-One system charger into a power outlet and place the device in the charging cradle.

Both the SOS Mobile and SOS All-In-One systems have indicator lights that let you know when they are fully charged. When the battery reaches 10%, both devices will flash a red indicator light to let you know it needs to be charged. The SOS Smartwatch works similarly. Once it is fully charged, the light will change from red to green. It’s recommended that you charge the watch fully each night.

How you set up your SOS Home system will depend on whether you choose the cellular or landline system. The cellular system only has to be plugged into a power outlet. If you have the landline system, you’ll have to plug the base station into a power outlet and a telephone jack. The nice thing about both traditional home systems is that charging is unnecessary. The base station stays plugged into the wall, and emergency buttons have batteries that last up to five years before they need to be replaced.

Testing your system is easy. Simply push the emergency button and let the emergency response agent know you’re testing your system. If your system isn’t working properly, you can call them at 1-877-522-9633 or 1-925-677-1400, and a customer service representative can help you troubleshoot the problem.

You can also check out Bay Alarm Medical’s extensive list of online resources. They have handy online help guides for all of their systems as well as a video page that can help you with everything from setting up your system to testing the system and even adjusting and replacing their lanyards.

User experience and ease of use

Bay Alarm Medical has one of the most straightforward and easiest-to-navigate websites in the industry, which makes shopping for and comparing their systems a breeze. The medical alert systems themselves are designed for ease of use. All you have to do is push the emergency button to connect to a fully-trained U.S.-based agent.

We especially like that fall detection is an option with all their systems, although we wish their line of Bella accessories would accommodate their fall detection buttons.

Their mobile systems have some of the best battery lives in the industry, with the SOS Mobile boasting an impressive six-day battery life, so you don’t have to worry about charging or forgetting to charge your device all the time.

Their Vial of Life is also handy for those who don’t want to have to call in and talk to a customer service representative or navigate an app every time their medical information changes. Because it’s a physical sheet of paper posted on your refrigerator, you can update your medical information quickly and easily to ensure emergency services have your most up-to-date medical information.

Customer support and assistance

Like all medical alert system companies, Bay Alarm Medical offers 24/7/365 emergency services to their subscribers. They also dedicate their emergency line to emergencies only, unlike other providers who let you push your emergency button whenever you have a question or a concern. Instead, you should call 1-877-522-9633 or 1-925-677-1400 to keep the emergency line clear for those experiencing a medical or other type of emergency. That can give you peace of mind in knowing that when you push your emergency button, the line will be clear so you can get the help you need.

When you push the button, emergency response agents don’t automatically send emergency services to your location. Instead, they speak with you about the emergency situation you’re experiencing. If the situation doesn’t require emergency services, they can contact a friend, family member, or neighbor instead. If your pendant detects a fall or you push the button and cannot communicate, the agent will automatically send emergency services to your location.

The Bay Alarm Medical website is a great resource. In addition to separate pages for their help guides and how-to videos, Bay Alarm Medical also has an extensive FAQ page with answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about their services and devices.

Testimonials and success stories

Bay Alarm Medical features videos of actual calls on their website that you can listen to in order to get a feel for what will happen if you push your button and speak to an emergency response agent. The videos show what happens if you have a false alarm in addition to the calls that take place between agents and caregivers after speaking with the person who pushed the button.

You can find an extensive list of reviews on their website that have been gathered from all over the internet. If you’re looking for less biased reviews, you can go directly to Trustpilot, where you’ll find that Bay Alarm Medical has a rating of 4.7 stars out of 5 with over 1,000 reviews.

One such positive review is a testament to the training that their agents receive in communicating with customers: “The gentleman was so patient with all of my questions, and he even had follow-up questions for me to be sure I really understood the features on the alarm. Bedside manner is HUGE!”

Negative reviews are mixed, with some citing a failure of their device while others are upset about the cancellation process and customer service issues. They do have a history of responding to negative reviews in an attempt to resolve problems, which demonstrates Bay Alarm Medical’s commitment to the customer experience.

Final thoughts on Bay Alarm Medical alert systems

Bay Alarm Medical has the best medical alert system for seniors looking for unassuming or even stylish emergency buttons. With all-black mobile devices, a sleek-looking SOS Smartwatch, and their Bella Charms and Bands, you don’t have to worry that you’ll be embarrassed by wearing a clunky medical alert system pendant.

They also offer a full range of in-home and on-the-go systems, with fall detection available with each one. However, if you’re hoping to get fall detection and a stylish pendant, you’re out of luck, as their Bella Charms and Bella Bands are not currently compatible with their fall detection pendants.

Bay Alarm Medical can be a bit more costly than other medical alert systems. If you’re looking for a more affordable fall detection option, consider LifeFone. If you’re looking for the lowest starting price, consider MobileHelp medical alert systems.