WellBe HandsFree Health Review
Key Takeaways
- HandsFree Health offers two medical alert system devices: the Smart Speaker and the Smartwatch.
- Both the Smart Speaker and the Smartwatch come with helpful medical features, like medication reminders, caregiver updates, answers to health questions and more.
- WellBe devices connect to a TMA Five Diamond Certified Monitoring Center. However, the Smart Speaker can only do so by pressing a red button on its head, while the Smartwatch can connect anytime.
HandsFree Health provides two medical alert system devices in its WellBe line that look like they came straight from Amazon or Apple.
Today, Even the best medical alert systems don’t always boast modern, high-tech designs. This is not the case with HandsFree Health, as the company provides two medical alert system devices in its WellBe line that look like they came straight from Amazon or Apple.
The WellBe Smart Speaker launched in July 2020, and the Smartwatch followed in October. The company earned attention from the medical alert industry after winning PM360 Magazine’s Most Innovative Product award in December 2021.
But is WellBe the right medical alert system for you? We’ll walk you through the pros and cons, costs, comparisons to other systems and more.
Why You Can Trust Us
Our experts independently research and recommend products we believe provide value to the lives of our readers. We’ve collectively spent more than 1,700 hours conducting in-depth research on medical alert systems. Our team tested multiple medical alert devices, including HandsFree Health systems, to better understand features and provide the most accurate feedback and recommendations for our readers.
To decide on our top picks, here’s what we did:
- Engaged in ongoing independent research
- Consulted with geriatricians and adult caregivers
- Mystery-shopped the brands
- Surveyed medical alert system users
- Tested various medical alert systems
- Interviewed experts in the field
- Read hundreds of verified customer reviews from trusted third parties, such as Better Business Bureau and Consumer Reports
Better Business Bureau and Consumer Reports
Learn more about our in-depth medical alert system testing and scoring process.
HandsFree Health WellBe Pros and Cons
Pros
- TMA Five Diamond Certified Monitoring Center
- Hands-free calling
- Medication reminders and heart rate monitor
- Caregiver texts if medications missed
- Streams music, audiobooks, and news
- Wellness tracking through Virtual Assistant app
- Can call 911 from watch and cancel within 7 seconds
- Sleek designs for speaker and smartwatch
- Easy to learn
- WellBe speaker has no monthly cost
Cons
- Requires Wi-Fi and smartphone newer than 2019
- No fall detection
- No wrist or neck pendant options
- High startup costs
- Occasionally spotty watch reception
- Speaker can only call monitoring center through red button on device
Table of Contents
- Why You Can Trust Us
- HandsFree Health WellBe Pros and Cons
- Comparison of HandsFree Health Models
- HandsFree Health Plan Options
- How Much Does a WellBe Device Cost?
- WellBe Virtual Assistant App
- Customer Service and Satisfaction
- Comparing HandsFree Health to Other Brands
- How We Reviewed HandsFree Health
- Bottom Line
- FAQs
Comparison of HandsFree Health Models
| WellBe Models | Smart Speaker | Smartwatch |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $0 | $44.95 |
| Wi-Fi Connectivity? | ||
| Battery Life | 24-hour backup battery | 24 hours |
| Range | About 20 feet with voice activation | Unlimited |
| Can App Connect with Caregivers? | ||
| Fall Detection | ||
| Emergency Response Time | Under 15 seconds | Under 15 seconds |
| Warranty, Contract, Cancellation | One-year manufacturer warranty, no contract | One-year manufacturer warranty, no contract |
| Wearable Device Options | ||
| Ease of Use/Setup | Plug and go | Use Virtual Assistant to set up |
| Voice Activated | ||
| Health Monitoring Capabilities | Medication reminders | Heart rate monitor, pedometer, GPS location tracking |
MORE ADVICE Discover more tips for comfortably aging in place
HandsFree Health Plan Options
The WellBe Smart Speaker is your health assistant. Much like Amazon’s Alexa and other smart home devices, WellBe’s speaker requires Wi-Fi to use and responds whenever you say the words, “OK, WellBe.” The speaker has a nice range of about 20 feet, so you’ll be able to use the speaker from across the room.
WellBe’s Smart Speaker allows you to contact a loved one using only your voice. If you want to contact the emergency monitoring center, however, you’ll have to press a red button on top of the speaker or say, OK, WellBe, emergency.
The speaker also offers helpful medical information whenever you or a loved one need it. You can customize medication reminders and alerts through the Virtual Assistant app for iPhone and Android.
The speaker connects to the app and allows up to six family members to receive updates. You can also listen to music, audiobooks, or news updates through the speaker.
One of the most high-tech medical alert devices we’ve tested, the WellBe watch uses T-Mobile’s 4G LTE network. The Virtual Assistant is built into the Smartwatch, so you don’t need to use your mobile device for setup. The watch has a built-in heart rate monitor, pedometer to track your steps, GPS-location technology and two-way communication to the monitoring center in case of an emergency.
The watch has a sleek design that’s water-resistant and doesn’t feel heavy. You can hold non-emergency calls through the watch, use voice commands, listen to music through iHeartRadio and Spotify, get news and weather reports, and more. The watch will also remind you about doctor visits, medications, medical cost estimates, COVID-19 updates, and even keep track of your pet’s health info.
HandsFree Health offers a bundled plan with both the Smart Speaker and Smartwatch. The bundle comes with charging cables for both devices, screen protectors, manuals and instruction guides.
MORE ADVICE Discover more tips for comfortably aging in place
HandsFree Health’s emergency response monitoring center responded to our calls in less than 15 seconds. That’s faster than the national average and some of the other medical alert systems we’ve tested.
How Much Does a WellBe Device Cost?
| Plan | Equipment Cost | Monthly Cost | Total Upfront Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| WellBe Smart Speaker | $189.00 | $0 | $189.00 |
| WellBe Smartwatch | $119.95 | $44.95 | $164.90 |
| WellBe Medical Alert Plus | $159.95 | $54.95 | $214.90 |
WellBe Virtual Assistant App
The WellBe app is called the Virtual Assistant app for iPhone and Android. It’s a crucial component of the Smart Speaker, though not as critical for the Smartwatch. You’ll use the app to enter your information and manage your medications and appointments.
The Home dashboard lets you see the weather for the next three days, plus any upcoming appointments on your schedule. From there, you can access insurance, provider, pharmacy, medication and other records of your medical info.
Another great feature is that your loved ones will be able to download the app and join your “household,” which means they’ll also get access to your medical information.
Customer Service and Satisfaction
Located in Harleysville, Pennsylvania, HandsFree Health can be contacted through its website, although it doesn’t have a phone support number for non-customers. The company currently has 15 employees listed on LinkedIn, and its bio says the company has “over 130 years of combined healthcare experience.” The company has customers in all 50 states, plus Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico.
HandsFree Health is HIPAA compliant. It has a 6.1 score overall from Best Company, but has a high user review score of 4.7 out of 5 stars.
HandsFree Health’s emergency response monitoring center responded to our calls in less than 15 seconds. That’s faster than the national average and some of the other medical alert systems we’ve tested. While user experience will vary, we found the center to be responsive and helpful.
Comparing HandsFree Health to Other Brands
| Company | Cost | Special Features | Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| HandsFree Health | $44.95-$54.95 monthly, plus equipment fees | High-tech tracking through smartwatch, Virtual Assistant app, streams music and audiobooks | 20-foot voice range for speaker, unlimited range with watch |
| MobileHelp | $19.95-$64.95 monthly | Optional fall detection, add-ons like MDLive, Mobile Connections, and Mobile Vitals | 1,400-foot range, unlimited range with mobile systems |
| Medical Guardian | $30 monthly average, $10 monthly fall detection | Customer care portal, belt/purse clip, lightweight (1.7-ounce) wearable, waterproof | Up to a 1,400-foot range, unlimited range with mobile systems and watch |
| Bay Alarm Medical | $19.95-$39.95 | Smartwatch, caregiver tracking mobile app | 1,000-foot range, unlimited range with mobile systems and watch |
| Aloe Care Health | $24.99-$49.99 monthly, plus equipment fees | Fall detection, GPS-tracking, two-way talk capability, temperature and air quality monitors, powerful mobile app | 200-foot range for base, unlimited range for Mobile Companion |
How We Reviewed HandsFree Health
In determining AgingInPlace.org’s top picks, the most important criteria we considered were the quality and reliability of a company’s monitoring center. We did not consider any unmonitored alert systems or systems that fail to provide emergency service 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The gold standard in quality assurance of a medical alert system is a company’s designation as one of The Monitoring Association’s (TMA) Five Diamond Alert Monitoring Centers. You might see companies refer to this on their website as CSAA Five Diamond Alert Monitoring Centers. TMA was formerly known as Central Station Alarm Association (CSSA).
Of the thousands of alarm companies in operation in the United States, roughly 200 earn TMA’s Five Diamond designation, a hallmark of quality emergency service.
You’ll also see companies advertise that they are “UL-listed,” another quality indicator. UL stands for Underwriter’s Laboratory, and UL-listed products have been tested by this independent, nationally recognized laboratory and determined to meet specific safety requirements.
After analyzing the quality of a company’s call centers, we considered these additional variables:
- Response time ranging from 1-45 seconds
- Price of equipment, installation, and monthly service
- Warranties, contracts, and hidden fees
- Comfort, appeal, and wearability of mobile devices
- In-home range of equipment
- Water resistance of wearable devices
- Battery life and recharging requirements
- Ease of setup and use
- Customer service accessibility and performance
- Customer satisfaction reviews
- Expert opinions
- Special features like automatic fall detection, smartphone apps for family members, and location tracking
MORE ADVICE
Best Medical Alert Systems With Fall Detection in 2022 - A medical alert system with automatic fall detection can save a life — just be sure to go with a trusted brand. Read MoreBottom Line
When it comes to high-tech medical devices, HandsFree Health’s WellBe products are some of the sleekest options on the market. With fast response times, helpful alerts to caregivers, and great extra features like music and audiobooks, both the Smart Speaker and Smartwatch stand out from other medical alert systems.
That doesn’t mean they’re for everyone. The best personal emergency response systems seem specifically designed to respond to emergencies. By contrast, HandsFree Health’s devices seem more like helpful medical products to make your life easier. The focus on responding to emergencies is secondary.
That doesn’t mean using a WellBe device won’t save your life, but these products are designed first as helpful assistants for your health care that also come with a lifesaving PERS function.
The Smartwatch truly shines, though. It’s rare to find a discreet, medically focused smartwatch that offers so much. If you don’t mind the cost, we recommend opting for the Smartwatch, at least. It just might change your life.
FAQs
Is HandsFree Health medical alert worth it?
HandsFree Health provides medical alert systems that rank highly in our testing methodology. While the up-front cost of HandsFree Health’s WellBe systems might be high, the Smart Speaker doesn’t come with a monthly subscription, which means you won’t have to pay a monthly fee to use it.
How much does HandsFree Health cost per month?
HandsFree Health’s WellBe Smart Speaker doesn’t have a monthly cost on its own. The Smartwatch costs $44.95 per month since it uses a 4G LTE network connection. The WellBe Plus bundle comes with the Smart Speaker and Smartwatch and costs $54.95 per month.
Does Medicare cover HandsFree Health devices?
No, health care insurance usually doesn’t cover medical alert systems. However, HandsFree Health recently partnered with eternalHealth, a Medicare Advantage Plan provider, to make WellBe products available to all its members.
Do you need Wi-Fi for HandsFree Health?
You’ll need Wi-Fi to set up and use the WellBe Smart Speaker. But the medical alert Smartwatch can be set up and used without Wi-Fi since it uses a 4G network connection.
What types of HandsFree Health systems are available?
HandsFree Health provides two WellBe medical alert systems: the Smart Speaker and the Smartwatch. You can get both systems in a bundle plan called the WellBe Medical Alert Plus bundle.
Other Medical Alert Systems That We Have Reviewed
- Medical Guardian Review
- MobileHelp Review
- Bay Alarm Medical Review
- LifeFone Review
- Life Alert Review
- GreatCall Lively Mobile Review
- GreatCall Review
- Medical Alert Review
- GetSafe Review
- Philips Lifeline Review
- Rescue Alert Review
- ADT Medical Alert Review
- Alert1 Review
- MobileHelp Smart Watch Review
- Apple Watch Medical Alert Review
Our Comparisons of Medical Alert Systems
Author: Zach Riggs
About Author:
Zach Riggs has worked as a professional writer since 2016, covering topics in healthcare, tech, and personal finance for various publications, including Forbes, MarketWatch, Gizmodo and more.
Pricing is accurate as of April 13, 2022.
MobileHelp vs. Life Alert Comparison
Everything you need to know about MobileHelp vs. Life Alert medical alert systems.
Medical Guardian vs. Medical Care Alert
Find out more about these two medical alert brands and how they compare.