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Alert1 Review
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Overall Rating4.5/5
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Products & Services:4/5
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Cost:4/5
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Ease of Use:4/5
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Customer Support & Reviews:3/5
Alert1 offers a variety of systems and add-on accessories to make it easy for seniors to stay safe. While the packages aren’t customizable, there are enough options to find a system that meets your needs. Alert1 has options for both at-home and on-the-go use that include cellular connection and fall detection.
Find What You Need
Products & Services
Home System
- Landline connection
- 600 ft. range
- Waterproof alert button
- 24-hour backup battery
- Custom response contacts
- Wall-mounted and tabletop options
- Necklace or wristband help button
The Alert1 Home Medical Alert is the company’s most baseline and budget-friendly offering. Customers receive a landline-connected base station and your choice of a wrist or neck pendant help button. Both types of help buttons are waterproof for protection, even while you’re showering or bathing.
The base system allows 600 ft. of protection between the help button, which is suitable for most homes. If you feel the base system is too far from other areas in your home, you can upgrade to a combined On-the-Go unit or purchase an add-on voice extender.
When you purchase the Home system, you have the option to be wall-mounted or for the tabletop to fit your space and preferences. The system is easy to install on your own and offers a 24-hour backup battery if it goes out.
Home Fall Detection
- Landline or T-Mobile cellular connection
- Automatically detects falls and sends alert
- 400 ft. range
- Waterproof alert button
- 24-hour backup battery
- Fall detection pendant with two-year lifespan
- Wall-mounted and tabletop options
Home Fall Detection is an upgraded version of the Alert1 classic Home system. With fall detection included, loved ones and caregivers don’t have to worry about seniors who live alone or might be recovering from surgery or illness.
The base station can connect through landline or completely wireless through the T-Mobile cellular network. With the base station, you’ll receive a waterproof fall detection pendant that automatically sends a signal when it detects a fall.
This base station only offers a 400 ft. range to connect with the alert button, so it may not be broad enough for larger homes. Like the original Home system, you can choose a tabletop base station or opt to mount it on your wall. The system also comes with a 24-hour backup battery for emergencies.
The fall detection pendant doesn’t need charging, so it’s great for seniors who live alone and may have trouble remembering to charge the device. Instead, it has a total battery life of about two years, and it’ll alert the user when it needs to be replaced.
On-The-Go System
- Two-way communication through pendant
- 30-day battery life
- Verizon cellular connection
- WiFi support
- Waterproof alert button
- Includes belt clip attachment
Alert1’s On-the-Go system is best for seniors who still live an active lifestyle yet need the added security of a simple medical alert. The device is easy to use, and you only have to worry about a small neck pendant and a charger.
To use the system, all you need to do is push the alert button in an emergency. You can wear the pendant around your neck or wear it using the optional belt clip if you’d like something less prominent. After you press the button, you can communicate directly with a live responder through the pendant.
The pendant uses the nationwide Verizon cellular network to place calls to Alert1’s monitoring center. Verizon is known for being one of the largest and most reliable networks in the U.S., so you’ll have protection nearly anywhere you go.
The neck pendant has a 30-day battery life, so you don’t need to worry about charging it often. The pendant will alert you when it needs charging. Like Alert1’s standard pendants, the On-the-Go system is also waterproof so that you can use it in the shower and bathtub.
On-The-Go Fall Detection
- Automatically detects falls and sends alert
- GPS and WiFi location services
- Two-way communication through pendant
- Waterproof alert button
- AT&T and Verizon cellular connection
- 5-day battery life
At a slightly higher price point than the standard On-the-Go system, Alert1 customers can choose On-the-Go Fall Detection. Since falls are among the most common forms of injury for seniors, the added fall detection helps keep them safe no matter where they are.
The On-the-Go Fall Detection device, also known as the Kelsi Pro, is a small, lightweight device that comes on a neck pendant. The device comes with fall detection technology, two-way communication, and an emergency alert button.
One great benefit of this device is that it uses GPS and WiFi location services to pinpoint the users’ location. If the user falls and isn’t able to communicate with a responder, the Alert1 responder will still be able to see where they are and send help.
This device uses reliable AT&T and Verizon cellular connection to place calls nearly anywhere in the U.S. The system is also waterproof for use throughout any activity.
This system has a shorter battery life than most of Alert1’s other models. The user will need to charge the device every five days to hold a full charge, which may be difficult for some users to remember.
On-The-Go + Home Fall Detection
- Automatically detects falls and sends alert
- GPS location services
- Two-way communication through pendant
- Waterproof alert button
- AT&T cellular connection
- 5-day battery life for on-the-go pendant
- 2-year battery life for fall detection pendant
If you’re looking for the most comprehensive protection, Alert1 offers it in its On-the-Go + Home Fall Detection package. Customers receive a landline base station with a fall-detection pendant and an On-the-Go system with fall detection.
While the system is very comprehensive, this means there are more products for the user to keep track of managing. When you receive the system, you’ll need to make sure that everything’s there, and you understand the differences between the On-the-Go and Home Fall Detection package.
Whether you’re at home or on the go, you can press your corresponding alert button. If the user is outside the house, the On-the-Go model includes GPS location services for responders to send help quickly.
Each pendant has a different battery life – the On-the-Go pendant will need charging every five days while the at-home pendant lasts about two years and doesn’t need to recharge.
Additional Features and Services
Alert1 offers a variety of additional products and accessories to help complete your experience. Customers can choose from the following products:
- Medication reminder and organizer
- Voice extender
- Fall protection package
- Mobile fall detection pendant
- Lockbox
- Wall-mounted emergency button
- Extra pendants
- Monitored smoke detector
Like the extra pendants, many of these accessories can replace lost products or supplement your current package without significantly increasing the cost. Some products offer standalone benefits as well.
For example, the medication reminder and organizer is a simple device that lets a user or caregiver add medications and program the correct dosage and schedule. An audible alarm will notify the user when it’s time to take a dose, and an auto-lock feature denies access to missed doses.
Some users may also benefit from the voice extender, which amplifies the users’ voice to reach their home base system better. While each system automatically comes with a built-in microphone for two-way communication, it may not be powerful enough to register some soft-spoken users or for use in big, two-story homes.
Another great product for seniors who live alone is the monitored smoke detector. Rather than investing in smart home technology, the smoke detector is a simple way to make sure that uses are safe at home even when it comes to fire. The smoke detector offers an affordable monthly cost for monitoring through the Alert1 call center.
PRODUCTS & SERVICES RATING:
4/5
Alert1 Cost
Alert1 costs are mostly in line with the rest of the industry, though they offer some unique cost savings.
The cheapest option is the Home Alert System, which starts at $16.95 per month. For any system you choose, you can opt for monthly, quarterly, annual, or 30-month subscriptions. The more you pay upfront, the more you save in the long run. For example, the Home Alert System is $28.95 if you pay monthly, which is nearly 70% more than if you pay upfront for 30 months.
While you can find great deals on the comprehensive systems, we did notice that some of Alert1’s add-on accessories cost more than other companies in the industry.
Additional Fees
Alert1 often runs promotions where it waives fees for shipping, equipment, and activation. You can also get bonus discounts if you pay more upfront, such as six free months if you pay for a 30-month subscription.
The only additional fees you might pay for are extra user costs and add-on accessories. Alert1 customers can pay for up to two users with the same system. The users need to be in the same home, and it’s an extra $10 charge per month.
Add-on fees will vary depending on what you choose to include with your plan. We’ve listed some of the most popular Alert1 accessories below:
- Medication reminder and organizer – $149.94
- Voice extender – $99
- Monitored smoke detector – $10/mo
- Emergency lock box – $39.95
- Extra alert pendant – $19.95
- Extra alarm bracelet – $19.95
| Home System | Home Fall Detection | On-the-Go | On-the-Go Fall Detection | On-the-Go + Home Fall Detection | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | $19.95/mo | $29.95/mo | $29.95/mo | $39.95/mo | $49.95/mo |
| Extra Fees | Optional add-ons | Optional add-ons | Optional add-ons | Optional add-ons | Optional add-ons |
| Fall Detection | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Two-Way Communication | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| On-the-Go Use | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Savings Opportunities
Alert1 offers a 30-day refund policy for all customers, which helps improve customer satisfaction overall. If you’re unhappy with your products or service, you can call Alert1 customer support to send back your devices and request a refund.
In addition to appealing deals on long-term service, Alert1 also offers zero-contract service, meaning you don’t have to worry about cancellation fees if you’re ever unhappy with your services. However, if you choose to save money on a long-term subscription, you may be locking yourself into long-term use to get your money’s worth.
COST:
4/5
Monitoring and Customer Support
Monitoring and Technical Support
Alert1 has two TMA 5-Diamond Certified call centers based in the U.S.; however, it’s unclear if Alert1 uses a proprietary call center, but it states that specialists undergo training from The Monitoring Association instead of Alert1 itself.
Staffed to support 190 languages, The Alert1 call centers are highly accessible for all customers. Call centers available 24/7, so you’re protected for emergencies throughout the day.
One unique aspect of Alert1 is that you’re able to customize the response from each system. Once you receive your device, you can choose whether Alert1 specialists contact family, friends, neighbors, or 911 responders during an emergency. No matter whom they call, the Alert1 specialists will stay on the line until you receive the help you need and make sure you are cared for and safe.
When it comes to technical support, Alert1 offers comprehensive troubleshooting guides for nearly every problem online. The company makes it easy for users to solve problems quickly on their own. If the problems persist, you can always reach the Alert1 technical support line. Through the support line, you can also request professional installation if it’s needed.
Customer Reviews
Where Alert1 offers cost-effective systems and add-ons, it lacks in customer service. We looked through reviews on Consumer Affairs and the Better Business Bureau, and we found some dissatisfaction with the company’s subscription model.
Unfortunately, customers found it hard to cancel their service and were disappointed in the company’s refund policy. Even though the company doesn’t operate with contracts, the attractive long-term subscriptions will still lock customers into long-term use. We recommend starting with a monthly plan before moving to a cheaper long-term plan once you know you’re satisfied.
Even though customers were disappointed in the company’s billing practices, customers did leave positive reviews about the overall products and services. Happy customers felt that Alert1 devices always worked properly, and the company did a good job of keeping caregivers notified when there was an emergency.
“I am extremely happy with Alert services. My mom has mentioned several times how secure she feels, knowing she has this system in her home. Every time my mom has used the alert button, you’ve responded almost immediately. Also, Alert calls me to let me know my mom has pressed the button and is in distress. Thank you.”
Diane, Las Vegas, NV
CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SUPPORT:
3/5
Company Background
Alert1 has more than 30 years of experience in the medical alert industry. Based in Pennsylvania, the company focuses on innovative services for users throughout all 50 states.
Alert1 sets itself apart by making its products highly accessible. Unlike its competitors, it works with a variety of cellular networks and staff call centers with multilingual specialists.
The Bottom Line
Alert1 is a great option for seniors and caregivers looking for a budget-friendly and reliable medical alert system. Though the pricing can be confusing, you can find a great deal if you take the time to find the best package to meet your needs. We recommend Alert1 for seniors who live alone, active aging adults, and senior couples who need ongoing protection.
The information featured on this page is based on our best estimates of pricing, package details, contract stipulations, and service available at the time of writing. This is not a guarantee. All information is subject to change. Pricing will vary based on various factors, including, but not limited to the customer’s location. For the most accurate information, please ask your customer service representative. Clarify all fees and contract details before signing a contract or finalizing your purchase.
