Pros / The base station has an above-average battery life.
Cons / This service charges activation and equipment-delivery fees.
Verdict / Philips Lifeline is one of the best-known names in the medical alert community and provides reliable service.
This fall alert system is designed as wearable fall detection with a neck pendant that automatically detects if you take a fall. The necklace is waterproof so you can wear it in the shower or bath. The fall detection sensor has a long battery life and does not require recharging.
Along with the fall detection pendant, the Philips Lifeline AutoAlert system comes with a communicator intercom and access to 24-hour assistance via its U.S.-based response center, which can provide you with emergency assistance when you need it. The fall detection pendant also includes a help button, which you push in the event of an emergency.
Fall detection technology is designed to work anywhere in your home that is within range of the base station communicator. However, the range may vary depending on the construction of your home. In our hands-on range tests, Philips AutoAlert performed above average. The company lists the maximum range at 400 feet; however, we found the pendant communicated with the base station at up to 625 feet in our maximum range field test. In our indoor range tests, the pendant had a reach of 160 feet.
We also tested the battery life of the base units to see how long they would continue to monitor your activity in the event of a power average. Philips AutoAlert's base unit lasted for 28 hours without an additional power source, which is above average in our tests.
The AutoAlert is a subscription-based system. Philips Lifeline's options all come with a monthly fee, which varies depending on the service you choose. However, Philips is one of the only companies on our lineup that charges fees for activation and for equipment delivery.
If you want to add more to your medical alert system with fall detection, Philips gives you the option of adding premium features. For a fee, you can choose add-ons such as a lockbox or a voice extender.
If you need to contact Philips customer service, you can do via email or telephone. Philips is also one of the few services on our lineup to offer assistance via live chat. Philips scored an 80 percent in our customer service tests. Representatives were helpful and respectful during our phone interactions; however, some responses were slow over email.
The Philips Lifeline fall detection sensor can be there for you in the event of a fall when no one else is. The system automatically sends an alert to emergency services so you can have help on the way in no time. You can simply wear the pendant 24 hours a day to give you and your family members' peace of mind.