Lively is a company that provides cell phones, medical alert devices, and other services for seniors. It offers a variety of cell phones, including the Jitterbug Smart4, Jitterbug Smart3, and Jitterbug Flip2. They also offer medical alert devices, such as Lively Mobile Plus and Lively on Apple Watch.
LifeStation and Best Buy Health joined forces to enrich lives through technology and meaningful connections. Since 2005, when Lively, formerly known as GreatCall, introduced the Jitterbug, the world’s first easy-to-use cell phone for older adults, they have been committed to helping seniors live more independently. In 2018, Lively joined forces with Best Buy Health, Inc., a company dedicated to enriching and saving lives through technology and meaningful connections. Together, they focus on enabling care at home.
Our comprehensive review centers around the Lively Mobile Plus, Lively's top-tier medical alert system. Compared to other mobile medical alert devices, the Lively Mobile Plus stands out for its rugged construction and exceptional audio quality. Unlike many companies that lease their equipment, Lively lets you own the Mobile Plus outright, and you won't need to return it when discontinuing your service. We evaluated the Lively Mobile Plus based on factors such as audio quality, emergency response time, call quality, and pricing, comparing it to other medical alert systems. While Lively offers medical alert services through their Jitterbug phones and Apple Watches, the Mobile Plus is the best option for a straightforward comparison.
Lively offers a diverse range of four products, including two specialized phones designed for seniors.
The Jitterbug Smart 3 is a smartphone tailored to meet the needs of older adults. It features large text, a simplified interface, and a conveniently accessible help button located on the home screen, providing a user-friendly experience.
The Jitterbug Flip, another offering from Lively, is a traditional flip phone. It allows seniors to conveniently contact their desired recipients while also incorporating a dedicated button for reaching an emergency response center, ensuring their safety and well-being.
Of all the fall detection sensors we’ve detected on mobile medical alert systems, the Lively Mobile Plus had the most accuracy. It’s not too sensitive and not too dull. It’s not perfect either, but it gives you the best shot of getting help if you fall and can’t press the help button.
Lively medical alert systems: Emergency response center
In every test we conducted, Lively Mobile Plus demonstrated the swiftest response time to calls. The average call response time of Lively Mobile Plus was remarkably twice as fast as the second-fastest medical alert service. The majority of calls were answered in less than 15 seconds, ensuring a prompt response. Additionally, the integration of GPS and WiFi tracking technology enables emergency responders to locate individuals more rapidly, facilitating a quicker response. A swift response plays a pivotal role in fostering physical and mental recovery.
The quick response times are attributed to Lively’s Urgent Response Center, which is owned and operated by Lively. This center handles calls from various sources, including home security systems and other services, simultaneously with customer calls for assistance. Operating 24/7 throughout the year, the center employs highly trained IAED-certified operators who remain on the line until help arrives.
Each test we conducted demonstrated the high level of training received by the operators. They consistently displayed concern for our well-being by repeatedly inquiring about our condition, maintained a calm demeanor throughout the calls, and verified our identity and location – all crucial elements in an emergency situation. Furthermore, this service recognizes that not all emergencies necessitate an ambulance response. They are prepared to contact a family member or neighbor for assistance, acknowledging that some situations can be managed without the need for an ambulance.
(Image credit: Lively)
One unique feature of Lively's Urgent Response Center is that it provides medical advice to seniors through its call center. This service goes beyond basic medical alerts; it enables individuals to receive expert guidance and recommendations regarding their health concerns.
Whether it's managing prescriptions and refills or seeking advice on important matters such as Covid-19 testing, Lively's Urgent Response Center is there to assist and support seniors in making informed decisions about their health and well-being.
Lively stands apart in an industry characterized by homogeneity and imitation. The company differentiates itself by frequently offering discounts and promotions, particularly to AARP members. Moreover, Lively operates without contracts, allowing customers to cancel at any time without incurring fees or having to return equipment. Additionally, the absence of aggressive marketing tactics and add-on services ensures a customer-centric approach, free from any pressure to make purchases.
With every product, they provide the Lively Link, a user-friendly smartphone app designed for your loved ones. This app ensures that your family and friends are always informed by sending them alerts when you press the help button. Additionally, they can access your appointments, assess your activity levels, and even retrieve your location in case of emergencies, providing you with an extra layer of security and support.
Lively medical alert systems: Pricing
The basic package for this mobile medical alert system costs $24.99 per month, making it more affordable than the average in-home landline system, which typically costs around $30 per month. While some landline systems may be available for around $20 to $25 per month, they are inferior to mobile medical alert systems. However unlike with Lively, the mobile system is often the most expensive package offered by most services, starting around $45 per month, and typically does not include fall detection.
For an additional $9.99 per month, Lively offers a fall detection feature as a separate add-on keeping it quite cost competitive.
Additionally, there is a Premium Plan option available for $34.99 per month. With this higher-cost plan, you will be assigned a Care Advocate who will collaborate with experts to develop a customized plan to meet your health and wellness objectives. You will also have access to a Nurse On-Call 24/7, including nights and weekends, for medical advice from nurses and doctors.
Lively medical alert systems: Support
Lively offers a number of ways for their customers to get support. The direct options include a direct customer support number, 1-800-733-6632, which is available at any time, and it goes to a 100% US based customer service. The other option is a support portal to get some help. Technically, there is also a direct mail address listed, but I doubt many folks would use that option in this day and age. We would have liked to see a chat option, and also a direct email address, but we did not find these options available.
Lively Mobile Plus is one of the best values, starting at just $24.99 per month. (Image credit: GreatCall)
There are also some self service options. These include a FAQ, to find answers to common questions about services, plans, and devices. There are also a limited number of “Quick Links and Resources,” to cover some common scenarios such as how to keep an existing phone number.
Lively medical alert systems: Final verdict
Our comprehensive tests revealed that the Lively Mobile Plus excelled in almost every category. Its superior audio quality sets it apart from old and used devices, while its lightning-fast call response times are attributed to the call center exclusively serving Lively customers. Moreover, the fall detection sensor outperforms all others we've tested within the medical alert system category. When you factor in the affordable pricing, along with the added benefits of the Lively Link and the Urgent Response Center, it becomes evident why Lively stands as the top choice for seniors seeking a medical alert system.
Why settle for an inferior in-home landline system with outdated communication technology when you can opt for a mobile medical alert system equipped with GPS location tracking at a lower cost? It's this combination of factors that solidifies Lively's position as the best overall choice among medical alert systems. The decision really is that straightforward.
The Garmin Vivosmart 5 was reviewed in October 2022, and the Vivosmart range hasn't been updated since then. However, it's still the cheapest tracker in Garmin's stable, and band-based fitness trackers haven't moved forward all that much as a category since its release. For our money, it's still a good buy for budding runners, cyclists, and generally active people especially as it can be found quite cheaply now. It provides access to the very sophisticated Garmin Connect app, which can help you comprehensively plan your training and recovery for specific events.
The rest of this review remains as previously published.
Two-minute review
The Garmin Vivosmart 5 is a lightweight fitness tracker that takes the fight directly to Fitbit – and fares well. It's certainly not as attractive as devices like the Fitbit Charge 5 and Fitbit Luxe thanks to its rather utilitarian design and monochrome screen, but it's practical and puts a huge amount of data right at your fingertips.
Key specs
Size: 19.5 x 10.7 x 217mm (small), 19.5 x 10.7 x 255mm (large) Weight with strap: 24.5g (small), 26.5g (large) Display type: grayscale OLED GPS: No Sports modes: 14 total, 10 available on watch at a time Operating system: Garmin Watch OS
The most obvious upgrade from the Vivosmart 4 is the larger, higher resolution screen. Garmin makes good use of all that extra space to cram in an impressive array of data – including graphs and charts to show trends, which is something you don't get on many fitness trackers this size. Despite the lack of color to differentiate different pieces of data, it's all clear and easy to interpret at a glance.
Unlike the Fitbit Charge 5, the Vivosmart 5 lacks on-board GPS, meaning it's dependent on a Bluetooth connection to your phone for monitoring your route and pace during outdoor activities. It can also use its on-board accelerometer to estimate distance and pace, but it's only a rough guide and shouldn't be relied upon if you're training for an event.
While some of Fitbit's best features (including advanced sleep and stress insights) are only available if you have a Fitbit Premium subscription, all of Garmin's data and stats are yours to browse free of charge in the excellent Garmin Connect app. You'll also find a selection of guided workouts to follow, plus adaptive training plans for cycling and running. You won't get the vast library of videos that you do with Fitbit's premium service, but Garmin doesn't lock anything behind a paywall.
The Garmin Vivosmart 5 looks very similar to the Vivosmart 4 at first glance, but there are several notable differences, including a new interchangeable band (Image credit: Future)
The Vivosmart 5 isn't quite as beginner-friendly as an entry-level Fitbit, putting statistics front and center, but if you're a bit of a data nerd then that approach will definitely appeal.
The Vivosmart 5 could also be a smart choice if you already own a full-fat Garmin sports watch but find it cumbersome for everyday wear in between training sessions. The Garmin Connect app supports multiple devices, and all your data is pooled together, regardless of which watch you were wearing.
Price and release date
Released April 2022
Cost $149.99 / £129.99 / AU$229 at launch
The Garmin Vivosmart 5 was released on 20 April, 2022 – four years after the Vivosmart 4 – with a recommended retail price of $149.99 / £129.99 / AU$229.
That's a standard price for a higher-end fitness tracker, but if you're starting to get serious about running and are looking for a watch with GPS that'll give you guidance on your training, you can currently pick up the excellent Garmin Forerunner 55 for only a little more.
The Vivosmart 5 is controlled using a physical button and a touchscreen (Image credit: Future)
Battery life
Seven days in smartwatch mode
Four days with all sensors and sleep tracking enabled
The Vivosmart 5 offers the same battery life as the Vivosmart 4. Garmin quotes a maximum runtime of seven days in smartwatch mode, but enabling SpO2 monitoring will cut that significantly. In our tests, the watch lasted four days and nights with 24-hour SpO2 monitoring enabled, and tracking one workout per day. We were able to recharge the battery from flat in a little over two hours.
The Garmin Vivosmart 5 uses the same proprietary charging cable as all the company's recent watches (Image credit: Future)
Design and display
Larger display than Vivosmart 4
Available in two sizes
New physical button on face
First of all, it's worth noting that the Garmin Vivosmart 5 comes in two sizes: small/medium (for wrists with a circumference between 122mm and 188mm), and large (for wrists with a circumference between 148mm and 228mm).
At first glance, both versions look very similar to the Vivosmart 4. The tracker itself has a slim build, and sits in a soft silicone band/case. This time around though, the band is replaceable; just bend the band back a little to pop the tracking unit out, then push it into the new strap – no tools necessary.
The Vivomove 5 lacks the aluminum bezel of its predecessor – a decision that makes it look a little less stylish, but almost certainly helped Garmin's designers save a few precious grams. The small/medium version we tested is just 24.5g including its band, while the large model is 26.5g, making it seriously lightweight.
Garmin has replaced the capacitive button of the Vivosmart 4 with a physical button that's easier to operate while wearing gloves (Image credit: Future)
Garmin has also swapped the capacitive button at the bottom of the watch's face for a physical one. This might seem like a strange choice as it interrupts the device's sleek lines, but it's a decision we welcome because it makes the Vivosmart 5 much easier to operate when you're wearing gloves, or have wet hands (the device is water resistant for swimming, though not for diving or fast watersports).
On the reverse, you'll find the optical heart rate and SpO2 sensors, plus the charging socket. The Vivosmart 5 uses the same proprietary charging cable as all other Garmin devices used in recent years, and it plugs in securely.
Perhaps the most obvious difference between the Vivosmart 5 and its predecessor is its new, larger OLED screen. The Vivosmart 5 has a higher resolution display than its predecessor, but it's still monochrome rather than color. This makes it less striking than the Fitbit Luxe, but Garmin's designers have used the limited space and palette in a smart way, conveying an impressive amount of of data on each screen. Rather than being cut off (as was sometimes the case with the Vivosmart 4), longer snippets of text scroll, and you can see at least three stats on screen at any one time.
The Vivosmart 5 has a significantly larger display than its predecessor, though it's still monochrome rather than color (Image credit: Future)
The Vivosmart 5 also has an ambient light sensor, which adjusts the brightness of the screen dynamically to suit the current conditions. We found it worked well, but it's also possible to pick a brightness level manually, adjust the timeout period before the screen goes to sleep, or even choose always-on mode (though all of these will have an impact on battery life).
Everyday health tracking
Excellent sleep tracking
SpO2 monitoring drains battery rapidly
All-day stress monitoring works well
The Vivosmart 5 monitors sleep automatically, and in our tests it accurately detected when we fell asleep and woke – and its sleep stage tracking largely aligned with that recorded by our Withings Sleep Analyzer. Each morning you'll be presented with a mini report, including a sleep score (based on your sleep duration and time spent in each stage), a tiny weather forecast for the day ahead, and a quick overview of your upcoming calendar eventes. You can explore your sleep data in more detail using the Garmin Connect app.
The only downside is that Garmin's sleep tracking doesn't account for naps, and if you grab 40 winks in the evening, it can throw out your nightly data. Naps are something Amazfit devices track well, and we've got our fingers crossed that Garmin will update its sleep and recovery algorithms to accommodate them soon.
The Garmin Vivosmart 4 tracks sleep automatically, measuring heart rate, movement, respiration, and stress (Image credit: Future)
You can also choose to enable SpO2 monitoring overnight, or 24 hours a day, but as mentioned earlier, this has a huge impact on battery life. Unless you're particularly concerned about oxygen saturation (if you suspect you may suffer from sleep apnea, or are training at altitude for example), leaving it off may be a sensible compromise.
Garmin combines data from your sleep and daily activities to generate a Body Battery score. Much like Fitbit's readiness score, this is an estimate of how much energy you have to tackle tasks throughout the day, but unlike Fitbit's metric, Garmin devices like the Vivosmart 5 allow you to see changes in real time and adapt your plans on the fly. If you were planning a tough training session but your body battery is running low, it might be wise to take it easier with a more gentle recovery session.
It's a useful tool, and your current Body Battery score is only a tap away on the Vivosmart 5. There's also a handy line graph showing how your score has changed over the last four hours, and a note to inform you whether your Body Battery is 'charging' or 'draining'. It's a lot of data to cram into such a small space, and reduces the need to open the app on your phone for more data.
The Vivosmart 5 displays your current Body Battery score, and tapping this will allow you to see a chart of your energy level over the last four hours (Image credit: Future)
All-day stress monitoring is another helpful feature. Unlike the Fitbit Sense and Charge 5, which measure stress by checking for changes in the electrical conductivity of your stress, the Vivosmart 5 uses an algorithm called Firstbeat Analytics that's based on heart rate variability.
It can't always determine the difference between physical and emotional stress, but is suspended during tracked workouts, so should give you a good general idea of your mental state. If you are starting to feel the tension, the Vivosmart 5 (like all recent Garmin watches) can lead you through a very basic but effective square breathing exercise to lower your heart rate.
The Vivosmart 5 will track your energy level throughout the day, with live updates on the watch itself, and measure stress via heartrate variability (Image credit: Future)
Workout tracking
Can store 10 workout tracking modes
No on-board GPS
Responsive heart rate monitor
First, it's important to note that (like last year's Garmin Lily) the Garmin Vivosmart 5 doesn't have an on-board GPS module. Instead, it uses your phone's GPS chip to track your pace and route during outdoor activities, so if you choose to run or cycle without your handset, you'll only see basic workout stats at the end.
There's a huge range of different sports profiles to choose from, but the little Vivosmart 5 can only store 10 at a time, so you'll need to take a moment to set up your preferred activities in the Garmin Connect app before hitting the pavement, the pool, or the gym. Once that's done, just press the button on the tracker's face, select Activities, and you're ready to get started.
The Vivosmart 5 doesn't have the same heart rate monitor as Garmin's recent sports watches, but it's responsive nonetheless, and its readings largely align with those recorded by the company's pricier wearables (Image credit: Future)
Automatic activity tracking also works well, and you can choose how long the Vivosmart 5 should wait before beginning to record.
However, bear in mind that the device won't connect to your phone's GPS unless you begin monitoring your workout manually. You'll still get distance measured using the device's accelerometer, but it won't be as accurate. In a measured 5km run, it was 150m short, and pace was quite dramatically off during an interval training session.
The Garmin Vivosmart 5 doesn't have on-board GPS, so if your phone isn't within Bluetooth range it can only estimate your pace and distance using its accelerometer (Image credit: Future)
The Vivosmart 5 doesn't use the same heart rate monitor as recent watches like the Fenix 7 and Forerunner 55, but nevertheless it proved accurate and responsive in our interval training tests. You can also choose to broadcast your heart rate to a paired device via ANT+ compatible devices like treadmills (look for the ANT+ logo on your machine or check its manual to find out if yours will play along).
Once your workout is over, data is shared with the Garmin Connect app almost immediately provided your phone is within Bluetooth range. The watch can store data from seven timed activities, so don't worry if you can't sync it straight away.
Other tools
No on-board music storage
App and call notifications
The Vivosmart 5 has no on-board music storage, but that's to be expected for a device this small. You can, however, use it as a remote control for your phone's media player, meaning you don't have to dig your handset out of a pocket or armband mid-run when you want to switch tracks.
You can't use it to take calls either (you'll need the Garmin Venu 2 Plus for that). You will, however, be alerted to incoming calls and texts via customizable vibration on your wrist, and you can see small snippets of SMS, email, and app notifications by tapping them when they appear on the Vivosmart 5's display.
Another handy feature is the ability to find your phone using the Vivosmart 5 or vice versa – even if your phone is on silent. It's very loud, and very effective if you're disorganized.
Companion app
Data syncs almost instantly
Well organized and easy to understand
Nothing behind a paywall
Like all Garmin fitness trackers and sports watches, the Vivosmart 5 syncs data with Garmin Connect. The app supports multiple devices, so if you own a chunky GPS watch and are thinking of picking up a Vivosmart to wear in between workouts, you'll have no trouble doing so – all your health and workout data will be collected together, regardless of which device was used to record it.
Garmin Connect is one of the best apps of its type, presenting a huge amount of data in a way that's clear and easy to understand. The app's homescreen is a dashboard containing stats for the current day such as heart rate, stress level, Body Battery (Garmin's name for your energy level), menstrual cycle, and recent workouts. You can add, remove, and rearrange these at will.
Tap any stat or dive into the app's menu, and you can drill down through increasingly detailed data on your health, fitness, and training.
There's no need to pay a subscription fee to see historic data in the Garmin Connect app (Image credit: Future)
Everything in Garmin Connect is free, but if you're thinking of trading in your Fitbit, you should be aware that there are far fewer instructor-led workouts on offer here. If you're a runner or a cyclist then you'll appreciate the adaptive training plans that are designed to help you hit a particular goal (like completing a sportive or setting a new half marathon personal best), but you don't get the huge catalog of video tutorials you do with Fitbit Premium membership.
Which fitness tracker suits you best will depend on the type of experience you're looking for. If you're already happily settled into a workout routine, then the data-rich Vivosmart 5 may be the device for you, but if you want inspiration and more of a community experience then it's worth considering whether Fitbit membership will fit into your monthly budget.
• Original review date: October 2021 • New Fenix 8 launched September 2024 • Launch price: $699.99 / £599.99 / AU$1,049 • Official price now: $699.99 / £599.99 / AU$1,049
Update: November 2024. The Garmin Genix 7 was recently supplanted by the Fenix 8 at the very top of Garmin's range. The new model for 2024 packs advanced GPS and a new heart rate sensor, but it is very expensive. The Fenix 7 wasn't cheap in its heyday either, but you can normally find a pretty good deal on one these days, making it an attractive pick.
Savings of nearly 30% off make the Fenix 7 an enticing pick over some of Garmin's mid-range models, or a great cheaper alternative to the Fenix 8. In fact, if you find the right deal, you might end up paying up to 50% less for your Fenix 7 compared to the newer model, which is a saving not to be sniffed at.
Two-minute review
The Garmin Fenix 7 is designed for anyone who gets a thrill from the competition and wants to push themselves to hit a new high – whether it’s a cycling sportive, a half marathon, an Ironman, or the gruelling sweat of a CrossFit competition. The Fenix 7 doesn’t assume that you’ve already nailed down a full training plan and know exactly how to balance work and recovery, though – it gives you tools that will help you understand your current fitness level, set a realistic goal, and train in a way that will help you achieve it.
It packs the same advanced workout tracking and training tools that made the Garmin Fenix 6 the best multi-sports watch around back in 2019, but also introduces some new features that make it all more accessible to new users.
The most obvious upgrade here is the introduction of a touchscreen. The watch still has the five physical buttons of previous Fenix watches (including a newly reinforced start button), but it's a huge help for panning across maps. It's been carefully implemented, though; the screen is locked by default during workouts to prevent accidental button presses, and Fenix purists can opt to deactivate touch entirely if they prefer.
The display is still memory-in-pixel rather than AMOLED like the Garmin Epix (Gen 2) or Garmin Venu 2. It's readily legible in most lights but lacks contrast, and the use of a blue rather than white backlight means its colors are sometimes muddy. However, it's part of what makes the Fenix 7 so frugal with its power usage. This is a watch that can keep running for weeks in the right conditions, and even the non-solar versions offer impressive longevity.
The Garmin Fenix 7 comes in three sizes, and is available in standard, Solar, and Sapphire Solar editions (Image credit: Future)
On the software side, there's a new real-time stamina meter that shows how your energy declines during a workout so you can adjust your effort accordingly. This is the first time it's been possible to see changes in stamina in a chart that you can read at a glance.
There's also a new on-screen race predictor that estimates how your current training regime will affect your 5k, 10k, and half marathon race times. This data was already available in the Garmin Connect app, but the new chart on your wrist allows you to see how your times are trending – and hopefully dropping – thanks to your efforts.
If you're already happy with your Fenix 6 then we wouldn't recommend rushing out to upgrade right away, but the Fenix 7 is packed with thoughtfully crafted new features and refinements that make a real difference in everyday training.
Garmin Fenix 7: Price and release date
Available to order now
Costs more than Fenix 6
The Garmin Fenix 7 series launched on January 18, 2022, and is available to buy direct from Garmin. Prices start at $699.99 / £599.99 / AU$1,049 for the standard version. The top-tier Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar is $999.99 / £859.99 / AU$1,499.
That’s a significant increase from the Fenix 6, which started at $599.99 / £529.99 / AU$949 when it launched in 2019. However, it’s much less than the Garmin Epix premium everyday watch, which launched the same day, starting at $899.99 / £799.99 / AU$1,399. While you're working out how to save, check out the Garmin promo codes currently available.
The Garmin Fenix 7 has a thinner bezel than previous models (Image credit: Future)
Garmin Fenix 7: Design
Touchscreen and physical buttons
No increase in weight
Premium materials
Design score: 5/5
The Fenix 7 comes in three sizes (42mm, 47mm, and 51mm), with standard, Solar, and Sapphire Solar variants:
We tested the standard 47mm Sapphire Solar edition, which is the first watch that combines the advantages of its sunlight-harvesting Power Glass with tough crystal.
Our review watch had a graphite gray titanium case and a black silicone strap, but various other colorways are available. The silicone band is a good choice for sport and is easy to clean, but you can also choose a watch bundled with an additional leather or woven strap for everyday use.
The watch uses Garmin's QuickFit bands, which are released from the case housing by pushing down on a plastic clip. They're extremely easy to swap, but aren't interchangeable with the old-style quick-release bands, which are removed by pushing a pin to the side. The Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar weighs 73g with the silicone strap attached, and 50g without.
That’s almost exactly the same as the Fenix 6 Solar, which comes in at 72g with its strap, and 49g without. It’s impressive that Garmin has managed to keep the weight consistent while increasing battery life substantially, and improving the screen technology.
The watch has the same five-button setup as the Fenix 6, but adds a touchscreen (Image credit: Future)
The Fenix 7’s interface will be immediately familiar to Fenix 6 users, and consists of five physical buttons together with a touchscreen that locks automatically during activity tracking to avoid accidental pausing or cancelling of activities. If you’d prefer to stick with just the buttons, you can choose to disable the touchscreen completely. It’s also possible to switch it off during sleep to avoid accidental touches at night, but we didn’t find this to be a problem.
Rather than equipping the Fenix 7 with an AMOLED screen like that of the Venu 2 and Epix watches, Garmin has stuck with a transflective memory-in-pixel display. It’s a sensible choice that helps conserve battery life, though it’s not as bright as we might have liked.
It's easy to read in most lighting conditions, but we found it a little lacking in contrast compared to watches like the Garmin Instinct Solar (shown below on the left) and often needed to use the backlight. The fact that this light is blue rather than white means that the screen colors can sometimes look muddy; particularly red and purple shades.
The Garmin Fenix 7 (right) has noticeably lower screen contrast than the Instinct Solar (left) (Image credit: Future)
When it comes to charging, the Fenix 7 uses the same proprietary USB cable as all other Garmin watches released during the last couple of years. This may come as a disappointment to anyone hoping for contactless charging this time around, but the cable is easy to use and plugs securely into the back of the watch.
The Fenix 7 is water resistant to depths of 100m, making it suitable for pool and open water swimming, plus activities like kayaking, windsurfing and stand-up paddleboarding (all of which have their own profiles), but for diving, you’ll want a specialized swimming watch like the Garmin Descent Mk2.
(Image credit: Future)
Garmin Fenix 7: Battery life
Largest model lasts up to five weeks
Customizable battery saving settings
Solar and Sapphire Solar versions available
Battery life score: 5/5
Battery life has always been one of the selling points of Garmin's sports watches, and the Fenix 7 range really delivers. First, though, it's important to note that the life of each watch in the range will depend on the size of its battery, whether it has a solar cell, and the size of that cell.
The Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar we tested is equipped with the Garmin's Power Glass, which harvests energy throughout the day to keep the watch’s battery topped up. You’ll still need to plug the watch in occasionally, but the solar cell extends its battery life significantly.
To clarify, you can't charge the watch via solar charging only; it merely reduces the battery drain. You can't just leave the watch out on the sun all day and expect it to be fully charged by the time you collect it in the evening. Exactly how often you'll need to recharge will depend on how you use it and which sensors you choose to enable. These are the figures given by Garmin itself for this particular model:
All of those figures are a huge upgrade on the equivalent Fenix 6 Solar, and real-world performance proved even better. Despite us making regular use of the backlight, tracking an average of one workout per day using GPS, and keeping nocturnal SpO2 monitoring enabled, the watch kept running for three weeks before needing a top-up from its charging cable.
We were also able to try the non-solar Garmin Fenix 7S, and despite having the smallest battery capacity in the range, it retained 56% of its charge after a week of use. That far exceeds Garmin's suggested battery life of 11 days in smartwatch mode alone.
It’s now easier to see the remaining charge level; one of our chief complaints with the Fenix 6 Solar was that you could only see power remaining measured in days, but the Fenix 7 gives you the option of checking the percentage as well. It’s a small but welcome touch.
You can toggle the general Battery Saver mode on and off through the watch itself, or make more specific tweaks through the Garmin Connect smartphone app by disabling certain tracking metrics.
You can adjust battery settings on the watch itself, or within the Garmin Connect app (Image credit: Future)
Garmin Fenix 7: Smartwatch features
Excellent GPS navigation tools
On-board music storage and Garmin Pay
No microphone for hands-free calls
Smartwatch feature score: 4/5
The Garmin Fenix 7 features all the sensors you’d expect from a top-end smartwatch, including the company’s latest generation Elevate 4 optical heart rate monitor, altimeter, compass, SpO2 (blood oxygen) sensor, and temperature sensor.
SpO2 monitoring can run continuously, overnight, or only on demand during spot-checks. The Garmin Fenix 6 recently received a firmware update that alerts you if you move your wrist too much while the watch is taking an SpO2 reading, and that’s a feature you’ll also see here with the Fenix 7.
The Fenix 7 boasts impressive mapping tools, which are ideal for everyday navigation as well as during training (Image credit: Future)
On the subject of travel, the Fenix 7’s GPS tracking and mapping are excellent. The watch recorded our pre-measured 5km test route to within 50 meters, making it the most accurate running watch we've tested to date.
The Fenix 7 excels for everyday navigation as well, removing the need to have your phone out and clearly visible in an unfamiliar place where it could be easily stolen. The Fenix 7 can even highlight points of interest for you, such as stores and cafes. It’s well thought through and really enhances the Fenix 7 as a watch for everyday use rather than just sports.
Until now, if you wanted a set of maps for your Garmin watch, you'd have to pay for and download them through the Garmin Connect app, but no longer. The Fenix 7 Sapphire editions come with a full set preinstalled, which is extremely useful, and users of the standard models can download their preferred packs directly through the watch using its new Map Manager.
The touchscreen makes panning across maps far easier than using buttons alone, though the MiP display doesn't refresh as quickly as an AMOLED screen, resulting in less smooth scrolling, and the blue-tinted backlight means things aren't always as easy to distinguish as we might like.
The course plotter in Garmin Connect can create a measured route that you can follow with turn-by-turn directions on the Fenix 7 (Image credit: Future)
If you’re tired of your usual running, cycling or walking routes, you can use the course creation tool in Garmin Connect to create a new one; just select a starting point, a distance, and an overall bearing (north, south, east, or west) and the app will generate a suitable route in a couple of seconds. You can then sync this to your Fenix 7, which will give you turn-by-turn directions as you go.
There’s also Garmin’s extremely useful TracBack feature, which lets you tag your starting point and then directs you back there once you’re ready to finish your walk, bike ride or run. It’s ideal for occasions when you want to go on a little adventure, though if you’re out hiking or orienteering, then you should always have a paper map and compass to be safe; the Fenix 7’s multi-band GPS is excellent, but no device is infallible.
Sleep monitoring is also impressive, accurately detecting changes between sleep and wakefulness that sports watches often fail to differentiate. Each morning you’ll receive a sleep score, together with some tips on how to get a better night’s rest, but this data will also be factored into stats such as your body battery, which shows how you're balancing work and recovery.
There’s storage for music, too (the Sapphire editions of the watch give you more space for saving maps and tracks), and you can use the Fenix 7 to listen to songs, podcasts and audiobooks through your phone’s default media player.
When you’re on the move, you can use Garmin Pay to make contactless payments in stores and pay for public transport in many locations. Sadly, most UK-based banks aren't supported, but at least it's also valid for a range of public transport services, including Transport For London.
One feature that’s conspicuously lacking from the Fenix 7 is the microphone featured in the recently released Garmin Venu 2 Plus, which allows you to receive phone calls and use your phone’s voice assistant directly from your wrist. It’s an extremely useful feature to have at your disposal mid-workout, and we’ve got our fingers crossed that Garmin might introduce it at a future date in a Garmin Fenix 7 Plus.
Garmin Fenix 7: Fitness tracking
One of the most accurate GPS watches we've tested
Real-time stamina tracking to help with pacing
Training load guidance for balancing rest and work
Tracking score: 4.5/5
The Fenix 7’s upgraded training tools help you balance work and recovery and make the abstract concept of training load easy to understand. It’s still a watch tailored to serious athletes, but Garmin’s advanced features are now more accessible for those taking their training to the next level.
Perhaps the best example of this real-time stamina tool, which shows how much fuel you have in the tank during your workout. This helps you avoid bottoming out and lets you more accurately judge when to turn around during an out-and-back run.
It’s a practical addition that’s extremely simple to use and accurately reflects your energy levels based on your training load. During runs on tired legs, our reported stamina drained much faster than when we were fresh, and we were able to adjust our training on the fly accordingly.
The Fenix 7 shows how your training affects your race time predictions (Image credit: Future)
The watch’s heart rate monitor is extremely responsive, making this an excellent watch for high-intensity interval training (which is now available as an activity profile). A colored bar at the top of the watch screen allows you to see your current heart rate training zone at any time, so you can increase the effort when you want to push to the next level and see the effects immediately.
Once your activity is finished, the Garmin Connect app will reveal how your stamina decreased – and whether your effort matched your potential. It’s another useful insight that lets you know whether you’re pushing yourself hard enough or holding back as you start to tire.
The Garmin Connect app makes it easy to manage your training load and check the effects of your workout on your fitness (Image credit: Future)
Another new motivational tool is the race predictor, which uses your current performance to estimate how long it will take to complete a 5k, 10k, half marathon, and marathon based on your current fitness. It’s only an estimate, but a graph showing how your predicted time changes based on your training can really galvanize your efforts. It’s all available right on your wrist, so there’s no need to delve into Garmin Connect to find it.
In our tests, Garmin's predicted race times were roughly accurate – erring on the optimistic side – and changed rapidly in response to your most recent performance. We set out to beat our predicted 5k time, and although we didn't quite manage it, the watch set us a tougher goal in response.
The Fenix 7's super-accurate GPS tracking is extremely useful for pacing, and you can check your splits in the Garmin Connect app post-run (Image credit: Future)
You can see your seven-day training load at a glance on the watch face, with advice on whether you need to dial up the intensity, take your foot off the gas, or stay where you are for optimal results.
The Fenix 7 isn’t just a runner’s watch, though – it also has an impressive set of tools for cyclists and can be connected to the company’s line of bike computers and lights. Garmin has recently expanded its range of cycling modes and takes factors like incline and terrain into account when calculating your exerted effort.
Mapping for cyclists is particularly impressive. The watch won't just map a route for you; it also gives you the option to avoid toll roads, narrow trails, unpaved roads, and major highways, letting you customize your ride to suit your bike, your preferences, and your level of confidence. Touches like this really show that this was a watch developed by people with a genuine passion for their sport and who want to make it accessible to a wider range of people.
The watch can detect climbs automatically as well; its ClimbPro feature identifies when you've begun an ascent and presents you with info on the gradient, distance, and elevation gain of the entire hill so you can manage your effort and avoid setting out too hard or keeping too much in reserve.
Garmin Fenix 7: The Garmin Connect app
All data presented clearly and explained
Lots of extra tools including gear tracker
Personalized workouts and training plans
Companion app score: 5/5
Like all Garmin watches, the Fenix 7 syncs with the Garmin Connect app for iOS and Android. Connecting the watch is a breeze, and the watch syncs data automatically whenever you complete a workout, or open the app.
If you’re upgrading from an older Garmin device, all the data will be pooled together seamlessly, though selecting a training session will allow you to see which device recorded it.
Garmin Connect is one of the best-developed fitness apps and puts much more information at your fingertips than the likes of Huawei Health or even the official Coros app. All your most recent stats (such as heart rate, workouts, sleep, and menstrual cycle) are shown on a central dashboard that you can rearrange and customize at will. Don’t want to see your step count? Just slide it to the right, and it’s gone.
The Garmin Connect app presents daily and weekly data insights in a customizable dashboard (Image credit: Future)
Tapping on any of these stats will allow you to drill down through the data in more detail, and every graph and table is accompanied by an info panel that explains exactly what the information means and how you can use it. The app also provides suggestions where appropriate so you can improve your training habits.
Open up the app’s main menu, and you’ll discover a huge array of extra tools, all specifically designed with sportspeople in mind. For example, there’s a gear tracker so you can keep track of how long you’ve been using your various pairs of running shoes and work out when it’s time to replace them, and you can set up emergency contacts who should be alerted if the Fenix 7 detects an accident.
You can connect with other Garmin users as well, though most users are more likely to make use of the app’s Strava compatibility instead.
After a workout, you can drill down into detailed stats on your performance and your body's response (Image credit: Future)
There are customizable training plans for runners and cyclists, which set you certain sessions to complete during the week and adjust based on your performance, plus various Peloton-style instructor-led workouts. It’s all free of charge, and there’s no indication that Garmin plans to implement a Fitbit Premium-style subscription to access it.
You can download third-party apps, new watch faces, and extra data fields (which are presented on screen during workouts) through a second app called Garmin Connect IQ.
There isn’t a huge array of apps to download, but many of those available have been created by passionate Garmin users and solve a real need – such as the unofficial Parkrun apps, which display your personal barcode, so you don’t have to carry it on a keychain or wristband. There are also apps for popular services, such as mapping tool Komoot, which are favored by runners and cyclists.
First reviewed January 2022
Garmin Fenix 7: New updates
Since its launch, the Fenix 7 range has received a number of software updates, and Garmin very kindly added quite a few features to the watch that were previously only available on newer Forerunners, such as heart rate variability tracking, Training Readiness Score, Race Day widget and more.
One of the most significant improvements is the addition of SatIQ. This system automatically scans for GPS signals and changes the GPS settings in real-time to conserve battery life without compromising GPS accuracy. Considering how good the battery life on the Fenix 7 is, the addition of SatIQ turns the watch into an absolute battery powerhouse, only overshadowed by the Garmin Enduro 2, a watch that has a battery life that shouldn't be possible on a wrist wearable.
Garmin added other features as well, like the morning report and improved the running power feature, making the Fenix 7 an even more competent multisport watch than before. There really isn't anything the Fenix 7 isn't good for, from running training and outdoor adventure tracking to cycling recovery.
Buy it if
You want to crack a new personal best The Garmin Fenix line has always offered some of the best training tools, but the new additions offered by the Fenix 7 make it easier to balance rest and recovery, and help you see the long-term benefits of the work you're putting in today.
You want to explore For long camping trips, the excellent battery life will keep the watch running for days even with regular use of the watch’s navigation tools. Its multi-band GPS is extremely accurate, and its turn-by-turn navigation and TracBack functions make it easy to try out unfamiliar routes or just go exploring.
You're tough on your watches The Fenix 7 is built to last, and the new Sapphire Solar version means you no longer have to choose between maximum battery life and durability. You can also rest safe in the knowledge that Garmin will continue to support it with firmware updates for many years to come (the Fenix 6 received a major update just the day before the Fenix 7 launched).
Don't buy it if
You’re a casual sportsperson The Fenix 7 is a joy to use, but will be serious overkill for casual runners, cyclists and gym-goers. Other watches in the Garmin range, including the entry-level Forerunner 55 and the all-purpose Venu 2 Plus, are a better choice if you’re not planning to kick your training up to the next level.
You’re happy with your Fenix 6 The Fenix 6 has stood the test of time, and received a major firmware update the day before the launch of the Fenix 7 that brings its workout tracking profiles and fitness algorithms right up to date. The Fenix 7 is a seriously premium watch, and if you’re satisfied that you’re making the most of your existing watch’s training tools, it’s tough to justify the extra cost.
Medical Alert is a leading provider of medical alert systems in the country, trusted by numerous families, hospitals, and healthcare organizations. They offer a wide range of in-home and mobile medical alert systems with a focus on affordability and value.
Their systems feature PERS devices such as the MyTrex MXD3G, known for its loud speakerphone. While Medical Alert's offerings share similarities with those of other companies, their competitive pricing makes them a compelling option for budget-conscious individuals.
The systems allow users to quickly call for assistance at the touch of a button, connecting them with trained specialists who assess the situation and send appropriate help, such as contacting family, friends, or emergency services.
Medical Alert: Medical alert systems
Best quality package
Medical Alert's most recommended offering is their Mobile System. The audio quality of the system was usually very good, with both loud and clear sound. However, there were occasional instances where the audio clarity was not as consistent. The quality of these systems may also vary, likely influenced by factors such as the duration of their use.
Pro Tip 💡
Each time a customer cancels their subscription, they return the system to Medical Alert. It’s cleaned and sent out to new customers. Over time, you can expect a speaker’s audio quality to deteriorate. If this is the case with your system, we recommend returning it and asking for a new one.
One minor downside of the pendant is its limited range. Despite being advertised as having a range of approximately 600 feet, our tests revealed an average range of only 70 feet. However, the signal strength remained consistently excellent, even when faced with obstacles like multiple walls and furniture.
Considering the typical size of apartments and homes, a range of 70 feet may seem short at first glance. However, for most users, it should be sufficient. It is important to note that if you require a mobile medical alert system, a medical alert smartwatch might be a better option due to its wider range.
Medical Alert sells the common MyTrex MXD medical alert system. (Image credit: Future)
The On-the-go medical alert system is bulky compared to other mobile medical alert systems, and the audio isn’t great. It comes with a wireless pendant, allowing you to use it like an in-home system while it’s charging in the base station.
Medical Alert fall detection
Medical Alert's in-home system includes a teardrop-shaped pendant for fall detection. While some fall detection pendants can be overly sensitive, we found Medical Alert to be more accurate than most. However, it's not foolproof, and can sometimes trigger false alarms.
One advantage is that it detects falls immediately, unlike some sensors that wait 30-60 seconds before calling for help. It's important to be cautious, though, as it can occasionally mistake other random events for falls. Additionally, if you're out of range of the base station, it might be difficult to determine if it's sending an emergency alert.
Medical Alert: Emergency response center
During our initial three-week testing phase, Medical Alert's average call handling time was approximately 78 seconds. This was significantly slower than industry averages, making it a disappointing result, especially compared to Lively's impressive average of 20 seconds per call.
However, in the subsequent three-week daily testing phase, Medical Alert showed substantial improvement, achieving an average call handling time of around 35 seconds. While still slower than Lively's remarkable average of 15 seconds, this marked a significant increase in competitiveness. In situations where every second counts, this improvement is highly significant.
Medical Alert had above-average response times in our second round of tests. (Image credit: Medical Alert)
The emergency call center's quality was generally good but not outstanding. Most calls were handled excellently, with operators typically confirming the callers' identity and periodically inquiring about their well-being throughout the conversation.
However, there were some instances where operators deviated from the standard script. Occasionally, they assumed the caller was the account holder (posing a potential security risk), and in other cases, they neglected to inquire if assistance was needed.
A positive aspect of Medical Alert is that it includes coverage for spouses at no additional cost, providing additional pendants with each in-home system. Additionally, the 365Access Caregiver App, available with the On-the-go mobile system, allows loved ones to track the user's location and receive alerts if assistance is needed.
Medical Alert provides a lot of resources for caretakers and seniors. (Image credit: Medical Alert)
Medical Alert: Pricing
With Medical Alert you can choose from monthly, semi-annual or annual subscription packages to save money.
Medical Alert’s Home System package is an excellent bet if you've got a budget to stick to. It starts at $19.95 per month, it’s one of the more affordable medical alert systems that we’ve reviewed. And with an above-average call response time, it’s an excellent value, despite the aging technology. Also keep in mind that the fall prevention is an optional additional cost of $10/month.
However, the cost of the other packages is somewhat higher.
The Mobile System plan price varies based on how long you sign up for. At the monthly price of $47.95/month it is quite expensive. However, with a 6 month commitment it drops down to $34.95/month and includes free shipping, and with an annual commitment it goes down to an affordable $29.95/month and also has a free lockbox to provide medics a key included. You should also factor in that there is a $99.95 one-time programming fee on top of the above costs.
(Image credit: Medical Alert)
Medical Alert: Support
If there is an issue with Medical Alert, there are a few options to get some help. You can reach out directly on the phone to Customer Care at 800-906-0872; the hours of operation are not listed. The other option is a Support Portal, which will get back to you via email or phone.
A shortcoming is that there are no other direct support options, as we did not find a chat, a direct email, a fax, or a mail address.
On the self support side, it was also not quite robust. We did find product guides specific to the device, and some answers to general questions presented as a FAQ, but there were no other options, such as a forum, whitepapers, or video content.
Medical Alert offers affordable and competitive pricing. (Image credit: Medical Alert)
Medical Alert: Final verdict
Medical Alert's medical alert system has some key points to consider. These include the pros of a fast and reliable emergency response, the effective fall detection pendant, and the simple and limited packages. We also like the good customer service, especially for non-English speakers. Also keep in mind the cons such as the limited features with less functions than some competitors, that customer service could be more proactive, and that this service offers less educational resources than some others.
Overall, Medical Alert is a good option for users who are looking for a basic and reliable medical alert system with good customer service. However, if you are looking for a system with more features or educational resources, you may want to consider other options.
Updated: January 2024: We reviewed the Fitbit Sense 3 in 2022, during which we praised it and called it the best Fitbit watch device overall. Since then, quite a few Fitbit devices have come and gone, including the Fitbit Versa 4: but due to the removal of some community and music features, we didn't rate the Versa 4 as highly as the Versa 3. Therefore, we still think the Versa 3 is a great buy, and although the official price has gone down, you can find deals on the Versa 3 even cheaper with third parties.
The rest of the review remains as previously published.
Two-minute review
The Fitbit Versa 3 has finally fixed our biggest gripe about the Versa line of smartwatches, and we can recommend it as a great buy. Depending on price, we've even ranked it above the Fitbit Sense in our list of the Best Fitbits, earning the top spot. The Versa 3 now comes with integrated GPS to track – in real time – the pace and distance of your walks, runs, bike rides or hikes if you choose to leave your phone behind.
While that’s definitely a step up from the Versa 2, as is the larger and truly gorgeous display, there are still little things about the Versa 3 that make it oh-so-frustratingly-close to being one of the best wearables on the market.
Key stats
Price: $229 / £199 / AU$399 Case size: 40.48mm x 40.48mm Display tech: AMOLED On-board GPS: Yes Max battery life: 6 days
Don’t get us wrong – the Versa 3 is a serious contender to be the best fitness tracker on the market, especially given its relatively affordable price tag and the plethora of fitness tracking capabilities it has, which also includes an SpO2 sensor to measure blood oxygen levels while you sleep. However, a lot more useful information is locked behind the Fitbit Premium paywall, and the redesign of the side button has made it frustrating to use.
Instead of a physical button, like there is on the Versa 2, there’s now an indent on the left side of the chassis that’s similar to the inductive button that debuted on the Fitbit Charge 3. Unfortunately, it’s not as well implemented on the Versa 3, and it takes a few tries to find the exact spot you need to press to bring up apps and sub-menus.
Other than that, though, the Versa 3 is a beautiful wearable that does a lot of what the Fitbit Sense can do, with the exception of stress management and advanced heart monitoring. That means it’s cheaper than the Sense, although it is slightly more expensive than the Versa 2 in some markets (it costs the same £199 in the UK as its predecessor). However, built-in GPS, a larger 1.58-inch AMOLED display (the same as the one on the Sense) and an SpO2 sensor more than justifies the slightly higher launch price of $229 / AU$399.
There’s also a lot more fitness monitoring features on the Versa 3, making the on-device interface a lot busier than what was available on the Versa 2 at launch. There are ways to manage them all, but they do take time to get used to.
Despite that, performance is excellent, as we've come to expect from Fitbit devices. Battery life is about six days on a dim screen setting, but it drops to half that if you have the display set to always-on. GPS isn't as pinpoint accurate as on some other bands we've reviewed, but for the average user that won’t matter very much. The heart rate monitor is now a bit more precise than the Versa 2, but without a chest strap to compare, it’s hard to judge exactly how accurate it is.
Alexa is, of course, on board to help you answer some questions that are displayed on the device, and with Google buying Fitbit, a firmware update some time in the future will add Google Assistant to the wearable as well.
There’s still a dearth of productivity apps for Fitbit’s smartwatches but, as we said in our Versa 2 review, these are first and foremost fitness trackers that have a few smartwatch perks.
One of the Fitbit Versa 3's best features is its high-resolution AMOLED display (Image credit: TechRadar)
Fitbit Versa 3 price and availability
Cheaper than Fitbit Sense
Pricier than Fitbit Versa 2 in some markets
Available in three color options
Fitbit announced the Versa 3, along with the Sense and the Fitbit Inspire 2, at a virtual conference in August 2020. It went up for pre-order the following day and began shipping by late September. The Versa 3 is currently available to buy directly from Fitbit and from major retailers around the world.
Interestingly, in the UK, both the Versa 2 and the Versa 3 are listed for the same price of £199. In the US and Australia, though, the Versa 3 carries a higher price tag than its predecessor, retailing for $229 and AU$399 respectively. That makes the Versa 3 the middle child – it’s no longer the flagship, with the Fitbit Sense taking over that role and costing a lot more at $329 / £299 / AU$499.
Unlike the Versa 2, which had a more expensive Special Edition version available, the Versa 3 comes in just the standard issue in three different colors – two soft gold cases with a Pink Gold and Midnight Blue strap, and a black chassis with a black band.
The Fitbit Versa 3 has essentially the same design as the Fitbit Sense, with a large square display and rounded corners (Image credit: TechRadar)
Design and display
40mm AMOLED display
Easy strap removal mechanism
Redesigned side button
At first glance the Versa 3 looks identical to its predecessors, but a closer look reveals a few design tweaks that make the new device a bit sleeker. In fact, a change in the color of the aluminum chassis makes the Versa 3 look rather elegant. The ‘soft gold’ case is neutral, but a black option keeps the Versa 3’s universal charm.
The change in chassis color isn’t the biggest design change though; it’s the size of the screen. The display is now a larger 40mm AMOLED panel as compared to the 39mm on the Versa 2, with a higher resolution of 336 x 336 pixels (the Versa 2 is 300 x 300). It’s a bright, crisp and very clear display that looks absolutely stunning even at its ‘dim’ setting at pretty much any viewing angle. The bezels, though, still remain quite thick, similar to the Versa 2.
Navigating through the menus and apps via the screen is also a walk in the park – not once did the screen lag during our testing period, and swiping to bring up different functions works remarkably well.
Another design change is the side button, or rather the lack thereof – and it’s perhaps our biggest complaint about the Versa 3. Instead of a physical button, there’s a capacitive indent on the left side of the watch that, when pressed correctly, sends a short vibration to indicate you’ve activated the smartwatch. It’s located below the lip of the chassis, so you need to feel for it, and finding the exact spot to press is not especially easy. We've been using the Versa 3 for over a month now and we still need a few tries to find the exact spot. Thankfully, you don’t always need to use this “inductive” button to interact with the watch – you can set the watch to wake with a tap on the screen, then swipe to bring up whichever menu you need. That said, there are ‘shortcuts’ (like bringing up Alexa) that can be set on the watch, and these require either a tap-and-hold or double-tap-and-hold action to activate them. And they can be frustrating to bring up due to that button inconsistency.
The Fitbit Versa 3 has a redesigned side button that's easier to operate (Image credit: TechRadar)
On the right edge of the watch chassis is a tiny mic and a speaker which, in theory, should allow you to take calls.
Fitbit has also changed the strap mechanism – the same as in the Fitbit Sense – and we think it’s better than the mechanism on the Versa 2. A small button acts as a latch, which when pulled slightly down releases the clasp. It gives the watch a much more streamlined look and makes it remarkably easy to swap out the default sporty strap it comes with.
This silicone strap is also different to the one that comes with the standard edition of the Versa 2. Fitbit calls this new model the "Infinity Band", as it lacks a buckle – it’s the same one that ships with the Sense as well.
Another major difference between the Versa 2 and the new iteration is the charger. Instead of the older box-like USB charger, there’s a small magnetic dock that tops up the juice extremely quickly – we went from 64% battery to 100% in under 15 minutes.
The Versa 3, like its predecessor, is also water resistant to 50m/164ft – meaning you can wear it in the shower or head out for a swim with it on your wrist. It can even survive a dip in salt water, although Fitbit recommends you not wear it in a hot tub or sauna.
The large screen makes menus easy to scroll through (Image credit: TechRadar)
Smartwatch features
Alexa support, with Google Assistant coming in the future
Limited productivity apps
Phone call support
As a smartwatch, the Versa 3 functions exactly the same as its predecessor. It’s still a pared-back, no-frills experience as compared to something like an Apple Watch, but there should still be enough apps to keep many users happy. For example, a Philips Hue app is available to control smart lights, and there's a map app as well. That said, some apps are geo-specific to the US, UK or other regions, so the range of apps available to you will vary depending on your location. Fitbit Pay, though, should be a convenient option for most countries, with many banks around the world now supporting the cashless payment method.
It's worth reiterating that many of the better Fitbit apps are paid, just as they are on Apple Watch or Android Wear OS devices, so you'll need to pony up if you want some of the expanded functionality they provide.
Fitbit has a decent range of clock faces to choose from, so it should be easy to find something you like... although strangely, switching to a new face takes a while to apply. Amazon's Alexa is also on board to help with quick questions and, if you set up the Alexa app on your phone and sync your Amazon account, you can do a lot more, like set reminders and control your smart home devices. With Google set to buy Fitbit, Google Assistant support is also due to be added, but there's no firm timeline on when that is due to occur yet.
As before, there's Deezer and Spotify music-streaming support available, but if you’re leaving your phone behind when on a workout, the only way to get access to your tunes offline is via Deezer. There’s still no offline Spotify feature, which is certainly quite disappointing.
The Fitbit Versa 3 comes with various handy tools, including an alarm that can wake you up without disturbing your partner (Image credit: TechRadar)
With a built-in mic and speaker, you should, in theory, be able to take calls, although at the time of writing we were unable to test this functionality. We were able to answer an incoming call, but it seems Fitbit needs to enable this feature so users can use the device’s Bluetooth connection to their phone to speak to a caller (and hear them) by just raising their wrist close to their mouth. Fitbit lists this feature as "coming soon" on its website, so we’ll update this review when the company rolls out a firmware update to fully enable it.
As before, you’ll get all your phone notifications on your wrist, and you can choose which apps can push notifications to the Versa 3 in the Fitbit app. Most commonly used messaging apps are supported, including Slack and WhatsApp, along with emails and Uber.
Android users can reply to text via the Versa 3 with a handful of preset messages, but iPhone users don’t have that option. If you're an iOS user and keen on more smartphone functionality from a wearable, then you could consider opting for the Apple Watch SE. Unfortunately, having an onboard mic doesn’t mean you’re able to dictate messages and send them on any platform.
The Fitbit Versa 3 has a wide range of tracking modes for indoor and outdoor activities (Image credit: TechRadar)
Fitness and health tracking
SpO2 monitoring
GPS enabled
Several workout options
Like the previous iteration, fitness and health are the areas where the Versa 3 shines. Admittedly, it doesn’t have as many health tracking features as the Sense does, but there’s enough here for the average user to stay on top of things, thanks to 24/7 activity and heart monitoring.
There are guided breathing exercises available now, with ways to track your mindfulness and the ability to listen to meditation tracks on the Fitbit app. You can set up hourly reminders to move around a little, set your fitness goals and keep tabs on your sleep quality. The Versa 3 will also monitor your blood oxygen level while you sleep (provided you wear the device to bed), and this can be important in detecting disorders like sleep apnea.
The Fitbit mobile app is available for both iOS and Android devices (Image credit: TechRadar)
Your daily activities are broken down into step counts, steps taken, calories burned and zone minutes. You can get a pretty good picture on how you’re tracking, but if you want to delve deeper, you’ll need to be a subscriber to the Fitbit Premium service, which costs $9.99/£7.99/AU$15.49 per month. This gives you access to the new Health Metrics dashboard that offers advanced statistics on breathing rate, oxygen saturation and heart rate variability. While you won’t get notifications when your heart rate spikes (like on the Sense), there will be a record of it in case you’re monitoring yourself closely. Like the Sense, the Versa 3 vibrates when you’re moving between heart rate zones – useful when you’re working out and can’t keep looking at the clock face to check your pulse.
There are several workout options to choose from, including circuit training and interval workouts, covering most people’s needs. As mentioned earlier, you can even wear the Versa 3 during a swim, either in the pool or the sea.
The Fitbit Versa 3's on-board GPS means it can track your route on runs and walks even if you leave your phone at home (Image credit: TechRadar)
And now, thanks to the Versa 3’s onboard GPS, all your outdoor activities can be mapped in real time. The GPS isn’t always very precise and does momentarily drop out, but despite that it’s a huge step up from the Versa 2. Keep in mind that the GPS only gets activated when you select a workout mode manually. Fitbit’s SmartTrack feature – which automatically detects and records movement that’s 15 minutes or longer as exercise – will not activate the GPS. Maps are available on the Fitbit app almost immediately after you’ve ended the exercise, with pace, heart rate and calories burnt graphically denoted as well.
The Fitbit Versa 3 features an SpO2 sensor on the rear to track blood oxygen saturation (Image credit: TechRadar)
Battery life
Up to 6 days of battery
2-day battery with always-on display
Charges quickly
Battery life is another thing Fitbit does really well, far better than Apple or Samsung. Like the Versa 2 before it, the Versa 3 offers up to 6 days of juice on a full charge, with the display set at normal brightness and the GPS being used no more than 2-3 times a week. The more you use the GPS, though, the quicker the battery drains; we measured a roughly 8% drop for 30 minutes of GPS use.
Keeping the screen always-on, though, drains the battery significantly, giving you no more than two days on a full charge. And if you use the GPS combined with the always-on display, you’ll need to charge the battery every day.
When the Versa 3’s battery needs some juice, topping it up is thankfully very quick. As we mentioned earlier, a 15-minute stint on the new USB charger gave us 36% more power.
First reviewed October 2020
The Fitbit Versa 3 comes with a handy weather app preinstalled (Image credit: TechRadar)
Current official price: $159.99 / £219.99 / AU$224.95
Updated: January 2024: There are two reasons why we think the Fitbit Sense is worth buying over its successor, the Fitbit Sense 2. For one thing, since its launch, the Fitbit Sense has drastically dropped in price. And for another, the Fitbit Sense 2 has arrived on the heels of Fitbit's gutting of several community and music-related features in its watches going forward. At this very attractive price (and you can get it even cheaper during deals events at third-party stores like Best Buy in the US and Currys in the UK) the Sense remains worthy of inclusion in our best Fitbit list, and a relevant cheap watch for Fitbit enthusiasts.
The rest of this review remains as previously published.
Two-minute review
The Fitbit Sense is one of the best Fitbits, and builds on the success of the Fitbit Versa line with several thoughtful upgrades. It's designed to put you in charge of your wellbeing, helping you understand your body and mind, and make changes to improve your physical and mental health. It succeeds, for the most part – even better than its sequel, the Fitbit Sense 2.
Fitbit Sense: Key specs
Case size: 40mm x 40mm x 12mm Weight with strap: 49.5g Display type: color OLED GPS: yes Sports modes: 20 Operating system: Fitbit OS
Like many of the best smartwatches and best fitness trackers, it includes an ECG sensor to detect signs of atrial fibrillation, but its stress monitoring function is what really stands out, and is something everyone can benefit from and use every day – not just in a health crisis. It's a shame that many of the tools for managing your stress levels (such as meditation sessions and mindfulness tutorials) are only available to Fitbit Premium subscribers, but the Sense comes with a six-month free trial, so you can get a lot of benefit from them even if you choose not to extend the subscription afterwards.
The fitness tracking features offered by the Sense are also impressive, particularly if you're interested in training using heart rate zones. There's a wide range of activity tracking options, and together the watch and Fitbit app provide you with a set of workout appropriate stats once you've finished.
The ECG feature wasn't available at launch, but was activated in October 2020 via a firmware update. In June 2021, Fitbit began rolling out a new firmware update for the Fitbit Sense and Versa 3 that added audible Google Assistant notifications, new goal celebrations, and the ability to more easily change the watch face. Some users also received a new 'snore detection' tool as part of a public beta test.
The Sense isn't perfect though, and we can also see room for improvement within the Fitbit companion app - particularly the menstrual tracking tool, which would benefit from integration with the skin temperature sensor and stress-monitoring functions.
Price and availability
Fitbit Sense: Price and availability
At the time of writing, the Fitbit Sense is available directly from Fitbit and from third-party retailers, and currently costs $159.99 / £219.99 / AU$224.95. It's not available from Fitbit in the US due to the release of the Fitbit Sense 2, so the price above was pulled from Best Buy.
Contrast this with the Sense 2, which costs $299.95 / £269.99 / AU$449.95.
The Fitbit Sense's color OLED display is clearly visible in all lighting conditions, though using always-on mode will drain the battery more rapidly (Image credit: Future)
Fitbit Sense: Design and display
Bright, clear display
Comfortable Infinity Band strap
Wide range of watch faces
The Fitbit Sense is a good-looking smartwatch. It has a very similar, almost identical
screen design to the Fitbit Versa line, with a square face and rounded edges that Fitbit's designers say are inspired by the lines of the human body.
The case is stainless steel, giving the sense a premium look, with a small touch-sensitive button on the left-hand side that can be set up for quick access to your most frequently used apps. A single-press will open one app (this is Alexa by default), and a double-press will display four shortcuts to other apps. We found this particularly useful for accessing our favorite workouts without scrolling through the watch's menus, and for quickly starting an EDA scan (more on that below).
You can adjust the watch's brightness, volume, and other options through the settings menu (Image credit: Future)
The color display (covered with Gorilla Glass) is bright, sharp and responsive. Swiping to the right reveals various settings, including access to sleep mode, which dims the screen and deactivates vibrations, volume, screen brightness, always-on screen, and do-not-disturb mode. Swiping down from any screen will reveal a shade containing your notifications, which can be customized in the Fitbit app.
The Fitbit Sense comes with an Infinity Band strap, which is made from soft silicone with no hard buckles or catches. It’s very similar to the band on the recently released Polar Unite, and has the same issue of being ever so slightly tricky to fasten as you have to feed the end of the band underneath the strap to secure it. However, once you've mastered it, the band is extremely comfortable, and we found we barely felt it, which is particularly useful at night.
Fitbit recommends wearing it a little tighter while you’re working out to ensure an accurate heart rate reading, cleaning the band regularly with soapy water, and taking it off periodically to allow your skin to breathe.
The Fitbit Sense has a smart aluminum case and soft silicone strap (Image credit: Future)
Like most Fitbits, the Sense is supplied with two bands to fit a range of wrist sizes. The smaller band fits wrists 5.5-7.1 inches in circumference, while the larger one fits wrists 7.1-8.7 inches in circumference.
There’s a huge array of watch faces to choose from in the Fitbit app (including the newly released SpO2 face), and you can pick four to save to your Sense for quick access. However, their location on the Sense is a little counterintuitive. Although the watch’s settings menu allows you to change various settings related to its face, including setting the brightness and toggling always-on mode on and off. However, if you want to change the design of the watch face, you need to access a separate menu labelled ‘Clocks’.
Fitbit Sense: Features
Supplied with Alexa voice controls; Google Assistant coming soon
Daily stress tracking and mood logging
Wide range of mindfulness and meditation tools
The Fitbit Sense offers a maximum battery life of six days, but regular use of its various sensors will reduce that time significantly – as will use of the always-on screen. When it's time to top it up, charging is simple; the Sense comes with a small USB charger with a square dock that attaches to the watch’s pack using magnets. It’s very easy to use, and the magnetic connection means it’s impossible to misalign.
It offers all the usual smartwatch features you'd expect from a high-end Fitbit, including voice controls via Alexa (Google Assistant is coming towards the end of 2020) and Fitbit Pay (provided your bank is among those supported).
You will also receive call and SMS notifications from your phone, and can dictate responses to text messages using the Sense's built-in microphone. We'll be testing these features in depth over the coming days and updating this review based on our findings. Bluetooth call-answering is coming later in 2020.
The large display of the Fitbit Sense makes navigation easy (Image credit: Future)
The Sense's standout feature is stress monitoring, which is measured in the form of electrodermal activity (EDA) responses, which are caused by the conductivity of your skin. This is affected by sweat, which is in turn affected by your adrenal glands. It’s worth noting that emotional stress isn’t the only factor that can affect EDA responses – physical stress like exercise and heat can affect it as well.
To run a scan, make sure you have the Sense secured well so that it can record your heart rate accurately, then swipe left, select ‘EDA scan’ and place your free hand over its face for two minutes. You’ll feel a gentle vibration when the scan begins and another when it’s completed. The fewer EDA responses the watch records, the calmer you (probably) are.
Once the scan is done, you’ll also be prompted to enter a quick record of how you’re feeling at that moment – very calm, calm, neutral, stressed or very stressed. You can then review these measurements in the Fitbit app.
Stress monitoring falls under the category of ‘Mindfulness’ within the Fitbit app. Here you can find a record of all past scans, plus a calendar showing your mood variations over time and a set of exercises to help you manage your stress. You can set ‘Mindfulness goals’, which will prompt you to perform an EDA scan, record your mood and practice mindfulness exercising over the course of several days. You can then look back at how your mood fluctuates over time and get an understanding of the factors that affect it.
You can download additional faces for the Sense through the Fitbit mobile app for Android and iOS (Image credit: Future)
There are various tools for managing stress within the Fitbit app, but it’s worth noting that most of these require a subscription to Fitbit Premium. The Sense comes with six-month free trial of Premium, but you may well want to continue subscribing after this expires to get the most out of the device.
The Sense can also measure skin temperature at night, allowing you to monitor it for trends over time. It can’t explicitly tell you whether you’re suffering from an infection, but raised temperatures can be a sign that something is amiss.
After three nights, the Fitbit app will be able to establish a baseline temperature for your skin, and show you how it fluctuates as you sleep (some changes overnight being normal). The graph only shows variation, but this is sensible, as skin temperature on your wrist will be vastly different to core temperature, so the trends are more useful than the specific value and skin temp is better used to inform your overall sleep score than provide accurate core temperature readings.
If you choose to, you can take your core temperature with a thermometer and enter it manually.
The Sense offers advanced sleep tracking, though you'll need a Fitbit Premium subscription to access full insights (Image credit: Fitbit)
The Sense also tracks blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) as you sleep, which can help you spot signs of conditions such as sleep apnea, in which you stop breathing periodically during the night, resulting in disturbed sleep and fatigue in the morning. You will need to activate the sensor manually in your device's settings, and bear in in mind that doing so will cause the battery to drain a little faster.
Menstrual tracking is present in the Fitbit app, and although it's not recommended as a form of contraception, it shows when you're likely to be most fertile and allows you to log symptoms of PMT so you can be better prepared each month. This could be improved by integration with the mood tracking tools, so you can more easily see the impact of monthly hormonal fluctuations. We'd also like to see it incorporate data from the skin temperature sensor, which could be a useful indicator of ovulation.
Fitbit Sense: Performance
Great choice of workout options
Good for heart rate zone training
On-board GPS and Strava support
Workout options for the Fitbit Sense include bike, bootcamp, circuit training, elliptical, golf, hike, interval workout, kickboxing, martial arts, pilates, run, spinning, swim, stair climber, tennis, treadmill, weights, workout and yoga – which should cover pretty much everyone.
Get moving and raise your heart rate to earn Active Zone Minutes, and the Sense will notify you when you achieve your goal (Image credit: Future)
The Sense is water resistant to 50m, making it suitable for swimming in the pool or the sea (though Fitbit advises rinsing the strap with clean water afterwards).
We took the Sense for a pretty intense spin session and noticed no unexpected dips in heart rate that indicate an issue with fitness trackers. Our heart rate shown on the watch face mirrored our efforts on the bike, with only a slight delay as you'd expect from any wrist-mounted heart rate monitor.
The Sense vibrates to indicate when you're moving between heart rate zones, which is a very useful for training. We also liked the fact that the heart rate was displayed prominently on the screen at all times – something not all fitness trackers do.
The Fitbit Sense can alert you if your heart rate is unusually high or low, and the app can track your menstrual cycle (Image credit: Future)
The only issue we encountered was that the Fitbit Sense logged quite a few steps while we were on the static bike, even though we were using the dedicated Spin exercise mode. It seems like it would be wise for cycling modes to temporarily turn off the watch's pedometer, though we're not sure how feasible that would be.
The Sense also features on-board GPS, so you can map out your runs, walks and bike rides without the need to carry a phone. The GPS will only be activated if you select the correct workout mode manually (it won't be activated if the device detects that you've begun exercising by itself), but this makes sense as it conserves battery life.
Once you've finished, your maps are visible in the Fitbit app straight away, and you can connect your Fitbit account to Strava so they are synced automatically.
Physical and mental wellbeing can have a huge effect on one another, and this is the first smartwatch we've seen that puts an equal focus on both. It still has some quirks to be ironed out, but these are mostly on the software side, so we anticipate the Sense will become even more useful over time.
Lifeline is perhaps the most recognizable name in the medical alert industry (formerly known as Philips Lifeline), behind only Life Alert. In 1972, gerontologist Andrew Dibner envisioned a personal emergency response system for older adults, and in 1974 The Dibners founded Lifeline Systems and expanded their business to hospitals and other healthcare organizations in the U.S. and Canada. Lifeline grew and went public in 1983 introducing advancements such as waterproof personal alert buttons and centralized Response Center operations. Technology progressed again, and in 2010, Lifeline introduced automatic fall detection technology. Connect America acquired Lifeline in 2021, with Philips maintaining an equity stake, with the combined business offering an enhanced personal emergency response system portfolio.
In our evaluation of Lifeline's medical alert systems, we hoped for a more remarkable performance. While the company provides systems not commonly offered by others, which is commendable, the overall structure closely resembles other services, including landline, cellular, and mobile packages. However, the performance and pricing aren't sufficiently distinctive.
Philips Lifeline: Medical alert systems
Our tests revealed that HomeSafe has the most extended average range among medical alert systems, spanning 149 feet. We conducted the testing in an apartment complex with multiple walls and floors separating the pendant from the base station. This range allows users to move a considerable distance from the base station and still make an emergency call. Notably, the average range for other systems was around 77 feet. While 149 feet may be an extensive range for some seniors, it demonstrates HomeSafe's exceptional signal strength and reliability.
Bear in mind that the more you move away from the base station, the less likely you are to successfully communicate with the emergency operator. On the one hand, if the operator cannot effectively communicate with you, they will dispatch an ambulance. On the other hand, you may easily receive a false alert from this distance and be completely unaware that your pendant has called for help, particularly if you are using a fall detection pendant.
Although the HomeSafe has excellent audio quality, the lack of loudness compared to the MyTrex and MobileHelp CBS-02 raises concerns about its long range capabilities. However, the clarity of the audio is a redeeming factor.
The Philips Lifeline base station has excellent audio. (Image credit: Future)
The On the Go mobile solution, a mobile medical alert system, provides a substantial improvement over its predecessor. Unlike the previous GoSafe, which combined a mobile system with an in-home system, the On the Go mobile solution features a better speaker and a similarly shaped "pill" device that is aesthetically more pleasing to wear and use than most other mobile medical alert systems we've tested, although some seniors may prefer a smartwatch. This resolves the communication issues we experienced with the pendant in the previous model.
Through a series of simulated falls, the On the Go mobile solution's fall detection showed average performance. We evaluated the pendants' sensitivity and accuracy, and the auto fall feature functioned approximately 50% of the time. While not being overly sensitive, this strikes a balance between false alarms and reliable fall detection.
Philips Lifeline: Emergency response center
The Lifeline website previously claimed a 22-second average response time from the moment a user presses the help button to when they are answered by an operator, but this has been subsequently removed. Our testing, however, revealed a different experience. In the first round, the average response time was 54 seconds, making it the seventh fastest among the services tested. GreatCall, for comparison, had an average of 20 seconds. In the second round, Lifeline averaged 49 seconds, which is roughly average. As we never encountered a response time close to 22 seconds, it is fair that the claim of 22 seconds has been removed.
The HomeSafe's fall detection pendant worked about 50 percent of the time in our tests. (Image credit: Future)
We also weren’t impressed with the quality of the calls. Lifeline’s operators were often difficult to understand, as they often spoke fast or with a strong accent, resulting in many requests to repeat themselves. In some cases, the operators sounded bored, speaking in a monotone reserved for those with little interest in what they’re doing.
Philips Lifeline: Medical alert service
Lifeline's medical alert systems are manufactured by the company itself, which is a unique feature that sets it apart from other services. However, the training and quality of these systems left us unimpressed. Furthermore, the pricing erodes any potential value that these features might have. Additionally, the company owns and operates its own monitoring center, which means it has complete control over the training and quality of the staff.
The Philips Care app, included with every medical alert system, offers a centralized platform for caretakers and family members. Through the app, family members can check in on you remotely and receive text notifications whenever you press the help button, keeping you connected and supported. You can also check on the charge status of the battery.
Philips Lifeline: Cost comparison
After its acquisition, Lifeline has become one of the most competitively priced medical alert services. The HomeSafe landline system's monthly fee of $29.95 is average, while the cellular version costs $39.95 per month, comparable to other in-home cellular systems. It's worth noting that adding the AutoAlert fall detection feature will increase the monthly cost by $10. Each package has an activation fee of $99.95.
Each system requires a one-time activation fee. (Image credit: Philips Lifeline)
Philips Lifeline: Support
In line with industry standards, the company offers only a direct support phone number, 1.800.635.6156. However, the support hours and days of operation are not provided. The support options are limited mostly to this phone number, as we could not find access to a chat, email, fax, or a portal for submitting a ticket, but we did find that support is available through a phone app.
On the self-support front, the company provides some useful resources, including quick setup guides for each device and FAQs related to setup and billing issues. Notably, the company offers a satisfaction guarantee to instill confidence in customers.
It is also not reassuring that Lifeline had a cybersecurity incident in 2022, with a potential breach of personal info. While this company indicates that it has provided free credit monitoring, and also enhanced its security, it still gives us pause.
Philips Lifeline: Final verdict
Lifeline has the resources to develop and manufacture medical alert systems that no other service uses. This alone makes it an interesting option in a sea of medical alert clones, but the overall performance and pricing fails to stand out.
Despite owning their own monitoring center, the quality and speed of the calls simply doesn’t compare to most of the services we tested. And while the range of the wireless pendant of the HomeSafe was impressive, the cost of the packages is only average. To put it simply, look carefully when choosing a medical alert system and consider all the options.
Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Livewell Alert is dedicated to providing medical alert systems and wellness services to individuals and healthcare organizations. Their focus is on empowering seniors and at-risk individuals to live longer, healthier, and more independent lives in their own homes. Through advanced technological solutions like the Mini, WellBe, and Mobile, Livewell Alert allows its clients to live with comfort and security.
In addition to offering products, Livewell Alert goes above and beyond by delivering exceptional customer service, providing innovative wellness support, and eliminating equipment costs, contracts, and setup fees. Their commitment to exceptional service sets them apart.
Among their offerings, Livewell Alert features the popular MyTrex MXD in-home system, compatible with both landline and cellular networks. Known for its loud speakerphone, the MyTrex system rivals options like MobileHelp CBS-02. The company also offers two cutting-edge mobile medical alert systems: the Belle Mobile Alert and the Numera Libris, which includes fall detection technology, providing an extra layer of protection.
Livewell Alert: Medical alert systems
The MyTrex MXD is a prominent medical alert system for indoor use. Its pendant range is around 600 feet, but our tests showed an average of approximately 77 feet. The system features a powerful speaker that outperforms competing medical alert systems. This is a significant advantage, especially if you have fallen in a room far from the base station. However, the exceptionally loud speaker can sometimes lead to damage to the speaker itself.
After testing multiple MyTrex systems from different services, we observed significant variation in audio clarity. We speculate that this inconsistency is influenced by the system's circulation and age. When customers cancel their subscriptions, the returned systems are cleaned and resold. Consequently, audio quality may deteriorate over time due to extensive usage. To ensure satisfaction, we advise testing the audio quality and returning the system if it does not meet the desired standards.
Livewell Alert offers three mobile medical alert systems and two in-home systems. (Image credit: Livewell Alert)
Livewell Alert offers three mobile systems, including the widely used Belle and Numera Libris. The iHelp 3G, a relatively new system, is comparable to the others but provides unique features. Like the other systems, it includes GPS tracking and fall detection. Additionally, it sends text alerts to designated family members when the help button is pressed.
Among the mobile medical alert systems we have evaluated, the Numera Libris is a prominent choice, standing out as the most well-received mobile alert device. It boasts an exceptional speaker, delivering audio with remarkable quality. Furthermore, the device features a highly effective fall detection sensor. However, the GreatCall Lively Mobile is the sole mobile system in the market that surpasses the Numera Libris in terms of performance.
The Numera Libris is a bulky mobile medical alert system. It comes with a cumbersome belt clip that is challenging to use and uncomfortable to wear. Alternatively, you can wear it around your neck, but its size makes it uncomfortable and not discreet.
Livewell Alert: Emergency response center
LiveWell Alert's call center performance was mediocre, with an average response time of 56 seconds during the first round of daily tests. While faster than the overall average, it lagged far behind GreatCall's 20-second average. In the second round of testing, LiveWell Alert improved to 47 seconds on average, but again, this was only marginally better than the overall average. Meanwhile, GreatCall further improved to a remarkable 15 seconds per call.
Livewell Alert partners with a 5Star Monitoring cener. (Image credit: Livewell Alert)
The quality of the monitoring center’s calls was generally satisfactory, but there was room for improvement. The operators were attentive, spoke clearly, and inquired about the caller's well-being multiple times. However, the lack of identity confirmation raised concerns. Confirming the caller's identity is a crucial security measure, as medical alert systems can be used to discreetly alert operators in emergency situations, such as home invasions or senior abuse. By confirming the caller's identity, the operators can look for red flags that might indicate that the senior loved one is in a compromised situation.
Livewell Alert: Pricing
Livewell Alert offers three main medical alert system options, each with different features and pricing:
The first is Mobile Alert (iHelp 3G) at a price of $33 per month. It features a landline-based system with cellular backup, fall detection, and two-way communication with the emergency response center. We also like that the device is water-resistant, with a long battery life.
Next up is the Mobile Alert plan at a price of $39 per month. The notable features include a mobile device with GPS and Wi-Fi for location tracking, that no cell phone or service is required, and has fall detection. It has two-way communication with the emergency response center, is water-resistant, and has a long battery life. Finally it has a caregiver app with notifications and messaging.
The iHelp 3G is the newest offering by Livewell Alert. (Image credit: Livewell Alert)
At the top is the mobile alert watch (Numera Libris) at a cost of $49 per month. The includes all features of the Mobile Alert system, and adds medication reminders, appointment reminders, social event reminders, and has a touchscreen display.
Also keep in mind that Livewell Alert offers discounts for paying annually or semi-annually, with no additional fees for activation, shipping, or service charges. Finally, they offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Livewell Alert: Support
Support for Livewell Alert has some options starting with phone support at 1-888-358-6667; the hours are not listed. The other direct support option is for a support portal. We did not find chat, and it is not clear if the direct email we found is only for sales or also support.
Livewell Alert's pricing is mostly competitive if you pay annually. (Image credit: Livewell Alert)
There is some limited self support including a blog. However, it was last updated in 2020. There is also a FAQ for over a dozen topics, including if the pendant can be used in the shower (the answer is yes).
Overall, we were also impressed with the customer service. Livewell Alert certainly goes out of their way to make sure you have all the information you need. We were never pressured to buy unnecessary add-ons and we weren’t funneled into an upsell call when we wanted to cancel the account. Overall, if one thing stands out with Livewell Alert, it’s the customer service.
Livewell Alert: Final verdict
Livewell Alert presents the well-known MyTrex in-home medical alert system with cellular and landline connectivity. This system is a suitable choice with a loud speaker, however, the audio quality can be inconsistent, ranging from good to poor.
In addition to the MyTrex, Livewell Alert offers three mobile medical alert systems. While all three systems are good options, they are not as competitively priced or perform as well as the GreatCall Lively Mobile. The new iHelp 3G is the most affordable option, but the cost increases substantially with fall detection. The Belle has a good speaker and is moderately priced, while the Numera Libris is an outstanding mobile medical alert system with reliable fall detection, although it might be bulky for some individuals.
Overall, Livewell Alert provides good medical alert systems with above-average performance, but the company does not particularly excel in any specific area compared to its competitors.
In the realm of medical alert services, RescueTouch stands apart as a unique and innovative option. The company, now known as Florida Health Alert and Technology, has recently expanded and rebranded to focus on telehealth solutions, with RescueTouch being a key facet of its offerings. What sets RescueTouch apart is its specialized focus on providing a single, feature-rich mobile GPS device that empowers individuals to live safely and independently in their homes.
In our comprehensive RescueTouch review, we highlight the exceptional Chit-Chat feature, which is a unique offering that allows senior couples to communicate with each other like walkie-talkies through the device. This innovative feature enhances communication between senior loved ones, making it an ideal solution for couples who want to stay connected and feel safe. The Chit-Chat feature is a standout characteristic that sets RescueTouch apart from other medical alert systems, solidifying its position as our top choice for the best medical alert system for senior couples.
RescueTouch: Medical alert systems
RescueTouch provides a single mobile medical alert system with various features. The device is waterproof, has GPS capabilities, and can detect falls. It comes in various colors and connects to either AT&T or T-Mobile.
Multiple packages are available to suit different needs:
Family Response: The device calls a family member or neighbor for assistance instead of an emergency response center.
Family Response with Fall Detect: This package adds fall detection to the Family Response package.
Chit-Chat Twin-Pack: Allows two devices to chat with each other while also contacting family members or neighbors.
9-1-1 Direct: Calls 911 directly; it is the most affordable medical alert system on the market.
The Whole Shebang!: Includes everything from family connection to fall detection and connects to an emergency response center instead of 911, although direct 911 calling remains an option.
Chit-Chat Monitored: Can contact an emergency response center while also providing a chit-chat feature with an added device.
We also like that the pendant is waterproof, does not need a landline, and is lightweight.
The RescueTouch SOS GPS medical alert system is waterproof. (Image credit: Future)
Throughout our testing, the RescueTouch seldom encountered any problems. Initially, we believed we had received a defective unit due to its inability to charge. However, we eventually discovered that it requires a firm push into the docking unit, accompanied by a perceptible vibration, to initiate charging. Notably, we did not experience any false alerts with the RescueTouch. The only other service that makes a similar claim is GreatCall.
While the RescueTouch speaker quality could be improved in terms of clarity and loudness, it is adequate for effective communication. Compared to other mobile medical alert systems with larger speakers, it falls short in terms of clarity. However, RescueTouch excels in fall detection, with an impressive success rate of 70%, which is considerably higher than most fall detection pendants and mobile devices, which are known to be either overly sensitive or miss some events.
RescueTouch: Emergency response center
RescueTouch is associated with AvantGuard, a distinguished monitoring center in Ogden, Utah, where we conducted our service evaluation. AvantGuard also maintains a call center in Rexburg, Idaho, ensuring redundancy in the event of capacity issues. This monitoring center handles various services, including home security, carbon monoxide, and fire. Consequently, the operators receive comprehensive training.
The SOS mobile GPS device charges in a cradle. (Image credit: Future)
Despite this promising partnership, the performance was underwhelming. RescueTouch's call response times were below average, with an average of 80 seconds in the first round of testing and 85 seconds in the second round. In comparison, GreatCall, a competing service, achieved significantly faster response times, averaging 20 seconds in the first round and 15 seconds in the second round.
The quality of the customer service calls was underwhelming. A significant portion of our requests were handled by indifferent and rushed operators. They neglected to verify our identity and seldom inquired about our well-being. The service was not terrible, but it fell short of expectations. When evaluating an emergency response service, "sufficient" is simply not enough; it needs to be exceptional.
RescueTouch: Medical alert service
RescueTouch stands out in the medical alert and health monitoring industry due to its exceptional service approach. They have opted for mobile systems, which are superior and safer for seniors, eliminating the need for in-home systems. Moreover, RescueTouch offers unique features like the family chat. This allows seniors to easily connect with family members or neighbors through text or calls, making them more likely to press the emergency button when needed. It also acknowledges that not all situations require an emergency response, providing a practical solution for minor assistance.
RescueTouch focuses on senior couples like no other service. (Image credit: Rescue Touch)
The highlight of the service is the Chit-Chat feature, especially appreciated by senior couples living together. This feature allows them to communicate with each other from different rooms, flirting, keeping an eye on each other, or seeking assistance when necessary. Unlike many medical alert services that assume seniors live alone, this service recognizes the needs of senior couples.
RescueTouch: Cost comparison
RescueTouch offers affordable medical alert packages, including the 9-1-1 Direct package. This package costs just $29 per month and allows users to call 911 with the press of a button. It is a mobile system, which is safer than some in-home landline systems. However, it only calls 911 and does not have features like fall detection or family text alerts.
The Whole She-bang option is the best value. (Image credit: RescueTouch)
The company's other packages are similar to those offered by other companies. The Whole Shabang package costs $49 per month and includes fall detection and GPS features. The Chit-Chat package costs $74 per month and includes two devices and allows users to communicate with caregivers.
RescueTouch: Support
The options for support are limited, and we put our antenna up when we see a phone number for sales, and also an email, but only the latter for support. There is also a support portal, but it is not clear if it is for sales, support, or both. There is also a chat, but it was offline in the late afternoon, while sales stays open from 8 am to 8 pm 7 days a week.
We also did not find any self help options, such as videos, guides, FAQ’s or a forum.
RescueTouch: Final verdict
RescueTouch may be the solution for you if you're dissatisfied with what other medical alert services have to offer because it operates differently from the competition. It only provides mobile medical alert systems and comes with exclusive packages like family monitoring—which lets you call your loved ones when you're in need of assistance—and the chit-chat option, which lets you talk to your spouse.
RescueTouch's packages vary greatly from other providers, making it challenging to draw comparisons between them. However, we weren't pleased with the phone response times or call quality if you choose to use the full monitoring program. Still, the fall detection was quite good, and the pendant has its advantages like being fully waterproof making this provider worth a close look, especially for an elderly couple.
Rescue Alert is a family-owned company headquartered in South Jordan, Utah. With over thirty years of experience, they have been setting industry standards through innovation and development of medical alarms and monitoring services. Their mission is to provide peace of mind and independence to seniors and their loved ones. In 1981, Richard Bangerter and others developed their first product, an emergency communication system called SOSTEN. It was a “smart,” stand-alone system that didn’t require monitoring and used existing telephone service lines.
In this Rescue Alert review, we examine the MyTrex MXD, a current home medical alert system manufactured by Rescue Alert for seniors and featuring cellular and landline options. Notably, many medical alert services utilize this system. As such, Rescue Alert and MobileHelp are the prominent manufacturers of medical alert systems in the US. However, we favor the MobileHelp CBS in-home system over Rescue Alert's MyTrex system due to its superior audio quality and pricing.
Rescue Alert: Medical alert systems
Rescue Alert offers a limited product range, featuring only the MXD in-home system and a mobile GPS medical alert system (presently out of stock). The MXD system stands out for its extensive history of usage, spanning decades, originally as a landline system and later adapting to cellular technology. A key advantage of the MXD is its powerful speaker, allowing for clear audio output. Furthermore, it seamlessly integrates with various telecommunication systems, including VoIP, cable, and cellular adapters, enhancing its versatility and compatibility.
Among the devices we tested, the MXD had the highest volume. It can produce impressive sound, ensuring that your elderly loved one can hear the emergency operator even from a distance of multiple rooms. However, the speakers' quality can be compromised due to the high volume. While the audio was generally excellent, there were instances of distortion.
The MyTrex MXD is used by over 60 percent of the industry. (Image credit: Rescue Alert)
When the volume of a medical alert system's speaker exceeds its limits, it can cause distortion, making it difficult to have a clear conversation. This is particularly concerning during emergencies when clear communication is essential. Since medical alert systems are often returned and repackaged for new customers, there is a risk of receiving an old system with worn-out speakers. If the speakers sound poor during test calls it's advisable to return the device and request a new one for better sound quality and reliability.
While Rescue Alert offers the myActive Alert fall detection pendant, our evaluation found it somewhat unreliable. In our tests, the myActive Alert consistently failed to detect falls, even when dropped forcefully. While this wasn't unique among the pendants we tested, as many struggled with sensitivity, it highlights ongoing challenges in this technology's reliability. It appears fall detection pendants still need significant improvement before offering truly dependable results.
Rescue Alert: Emergency response center
In our tests, the emergency call response time for Rescue Alert fell short of the average. Although they were not the slowest to respond (three other services had longer average response times), Rescue Alert was six times slower than GreatCall, which averaged approximately 15 seconds per call.
This is all the parts included with the Rescue Alert GPS. (Image credit: Rescue Alert)
The quality of the calls left much to be desired. Each call began by immediately assuming it was an emergency and asking for the address. This approach heightened the anxiety of seniors who were already hesitant to press the help button. To mitigate this issue, it would be better to have an emergency response call that is composed, reassuring, and sincere. Additionally, since we recommend seniors test their medical alert system weekly, the operators should always ask to confirm our identity and address. In some instances, the operators seemed eager to end the call once they learned it was a test, without taking the time to ensure we were okay and not in need of assistance.
Rescue Alert has been around for nearly forty years, making them one of the first medical alert services to hit the market. And as a manufacturer of medical alert systems, they have a big impact on the rest of the industry. We like that they aren’t aggressive with their marketing and they are transparent about their pricing structure and product information.
Rescue Alert: Cost comparison
In comparison to MobileHelp, Rescue Alert's medical alert systems tend to be slightly more expensive. For instance, their landline system starts at $32.95 monthly, while Medical Care Alert provides the same system for $29.95. While Rescue Alert's price drops to a competitive $29.95 per month with quarterly payments, the initial outlay of $89.85 for three months may not be feasible for seniors on a fixed income.
The Rescue Alert GPS costs $44.95 per month. (Image credit: Rescue Alert)
Moreover, Rescue Alert's mobile medical alert system, the Rescue Alert GPS, costs around $45 per month, increasing to $54 with fall detection. These prices are comparable to other services, but GreatCall offers a more advanced mobile GPS medical alert system with a faster call response time for $25 per month.
Rescue Alert: Support
We get a little nervous when we easily find the contact info for the sales department, but not for the service; unfortunately this is the case with Rescue Alert. We find a number designated for sales, but the other just says “Toll free,” which we hope handles the support needs. Similarly there is a direct email that is info@rescuealert.com, which appears more promising for finding out about the product than using it. We did not find a chat, or a support portal.
We also did not find any self help support, so there was no forum, no guides, a FAQ, or how to videos, which is disappointing compared to competitors.
Rescue Alert's pricing is average. (Image credit: Rescue Alert)
Our customer service interactions have been remarkably positive. In our conversations with representatives, we appreciate the absence of sales pressure, which is uncommon. Representatives are consistently skilled at addressing our questions and never appear evasive. Furthermore, the return policy follows industry standards and is straightforward to navigate.
Rescue Alert: Final verdict
Among the most well-liked home medical alert systems on the market since 2011, the MXD by Rescue Alert has received a lot of praise. Despite being the loudest medical alert system available, the sound can occasionally become distorted, compromising communication quality. The pendant has a great range, but the fall detection pendant did not meet our expectations.
We were not satisfied with the emergency call center's call quality or response time. Many other services provide quicker responses, so we believe that the call response time, which averaged about a minute, is below average. The operators also lacked the soothing demeanor required to give elderly people the confidence to call when it matters. Overall, given these issues, we recommend users to consider other options in the medical alert category.
