How Bay Alarm Medical and Philips Lifeline Compare

Key Takeaways

• Bay Alarm Medical and Philips Lifeline are medical alert system brands that offer both in-home and mobile options. 
• Bay Alarm Medical is a more affordable option than Philips Lifeline, with plans starting at $24.95 per month. 
• You don’t need to worry about long-term contracts and cancellation fees with either company. 
• Options with fall detection are available from either Bay Alarm Medical or Philips Lifeline.

Overview of Bay Alarm Medical vs. Philips Lifeline

Bay Alarm Medical Overview

If you’re in search of a medical alert system that provides quality and value, Bay Alarm Medical might be the pick for you. It’s also one of the only systems that comes with complimentary monitoring for your spouse. 

The brand offers several system options, including landline, cellular, and mobile systems. 

When you opt for a Bay Alarm Medical system, you won’t have to worry about cancellation fees should you wish you to cancel the service. You also have 30 days to return the product if you change your mind. 

The brand promises that it will not suddenly raise plan prices on you. Once you’re locked into a plan and price, your payment amount will always remain the same if no changes are made to your plan. 

Speaking of price, the cost of Bay Alarm Medical systems starts at $24.95 per month. Keep in mind, however, that plans with unique features, such as GPS locator technology, will cost a bit more. Plus, fall detection will be an extra $10 per month, which is something to consider if this feature is essential to you. 

Here’s an overview of the company’s offerings:

Philips Lifeline Overview

Philips Lifeline, or Lifeline by Philips, is part of the Connect America brand of medical alert system devices. Other Connect America brands include Medical Alert, Be Safer At Home, and others. 

Lifeline is a Connect America brand that charges customers an activation fee for services. It is also more expensive than other brands with comparable features. 

The medical alert systems, however, have the reputable Philips name behind them. The systems also come with the Philips Cares platform, which provides helpful tools for caregivers and family members.

Plans start at $29.95 for the landline option and $44.95 for the cellular system. 

Systems include a wearable help button—pendant or wristband—which has long-lasting batteries that Philips says it will replace as needed. 

Automatic fall detection can be added to both in-home plans for a slightly higher monthly fee. 

Philips also sells a mobile system called the GoSafe 2, which is priced at $49.95 per month and features location technology along with built-in fall detection. The $99.95 one-time device activation fee is the only downside of this device.

The one advantage of paying a device fee is that you own the device and don’t have to worry about returning it at a later date. 

Similarities and Differences Between Philips Lifeline and Bay Alarm Medical

Here’s an overview of the similarities between both services:

• Both companies offer landline, cellular, and mobile systems.
• Neither Philips nor Bay Alarm Medical requires you to sign long-term contracts.
• Both companies offer 2-way communication and 24/7 response center services.
• Both the Philips and Bay Alarm Medical mobile devices offer GPS locator technology.
• Both brands offer waterproof wearable devices.
• Neither company provides a free lockbox with purchase.

There are also some notable differences between Philips Lifeline and Bay Alarm Medical, among which include:

• Philips Lifeline plans start at $29.95 and Bay Alarm Medical plans start at $24.95.
• You’ll pay an activation fee for a Philips Lifeline medical alert system plan.
• Bay Alarm Medical offers optional wall mount buttons, but Philips Lifeline does not.
• The Philips Lifeline mobile system battery life is slightly better than the Bay Alarm Medical system.
• Philips Lifeline doesn’t offer extra wearable devices.
• Only Bay Alarm Medical offers spousal monitoring services. 

What Customers Are Saying About Both Brands

Reviews for Philips Lifeline products are typically positive. Several people comment that they like how the devices are reliable and provide peace of mind. A few people, however, reported issues with customer service, especially when attempting to replace lost or stolen devices.

Bay Alarm Medical reviews from customers are also positive. In fact, the brand has more than 7,000 favorable Google reviews.

A few complaints center around Bay Alarm Medical’s customer service, with lackluster experiences regarding ongoing and follow-up customer service. 

Why You Can Trust Us

You deserve the best products for a better quality of life. We strive to create honest, helpful reviews backed by firsthand shopping, testing, and research. Our content is medically reviewed and unbiased to help you choose the right medical alert system for you or your loved one. 

From more than 1,000 hours of research, we chose 11 of the top brands that we believe are the best medical alert systems. We did the following throughout our research process: 

• Consulted with geriatricians and adult caregivers
• Mystery shopped the brands
• Surveyed medical alert system users
• Tested various medical alert systems
• Interviewed experts in the field
• Read hundreds of verified customer reviews from trusted third parties such as Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot

Pricing accurate as of May 31, 2022.