LogicMark Freedom Alert Max Review

The LogicMark Freedom Alert Max is a unique two-in-one cell phone and medical alert. We tested it hands-on to find out of it's a worthwhile purchase, and honestly, we're impressed. It boasts tons of thoughtful safety features, like sensitive fall detection, geofencing, and emergency video calls. In this review, we'll explain how we tested the LogicMark Freedom Alert Max, how it performed, and who might consider buying it. 

The LogicMark Freedom Alert Max detected a fall every time we dropped or slid the device, provided it hit a hard surface. If it hit a soft surface like a couch, it bounced and didn't trigger an alert. We also wore the device and attempted to fall forward from a seated position. We're not exactly stuntpeople, but our efforts were enough to trigger a fall alert in this sensitive device.

We love how the Freedom Alert Max loudly announces a fall within one second of hitting the floor. It doesn't leave you wondering whether the device worked or not. You'll have the option to tap the screen to call for help or to cancel the alert. 

Our only complaint is how long it takes to call the monitoring center if you do nothing. Let's say you've fallen because you're having a seizure or you've fainted. You won't be able to press the button to confirm you need help. The device will wait three minutes before placing a call to the monitoring center. That's a long time, especially when every second counts in an emergency.  

The Freedom Alert Max's sensitivity is definitely a good thing, but it can lead to some false alarms. Sometimes it would bang into things while we were wearing it, and the impact would be mistaken for a fall. For example, it hit my knee when I got up from the floor, and later it smacked against the washing machine. 

Wearing fall detection devices over the breastbone can help prevent false alarms by keeping them out of the way, but we couldn't get the provided lanyard short enough. You may need to use a different lanyard for the best fit.

Monitoring center agents also have access to the Freedom Alert Max's GPS data during an emergency. When we placed test calls to the monitoring center, we asked each agent to confirm our location. We did this at three different residential addresses. The agents provided the correct address in two instances, but in the third test call, the agent provided the address of the house behind us.

If you spend time alone at more than one address, consider filing those addresses with LogicMark so that monitoring agents have a better idea of where you might be if you're unable to speak. 

We believe it's important for monitoring center agents to quickly answer emergency calls. When medical alert devices ring and ring and ring, anxiety can set in. Is the device working? Is anyone going to answer? Am I going to get help in time?

LogicMark's monitoring center agents answered our test calls in an average of 35 seconds. In my experience, this is actually quite fast.  I have sometimes waited more than 90 seconds for someone to answer when testing other medical alert devices.

An icon is shown on the Freedom Max Alert screen when a call is being placed, and the screen turns red when an agent connects. All of the agents were easy to understand and had a friendly attitude. Their voices sounded crystal clear, and they confirmed that they could hear us as well. The LogicMark Freedom Max Alert is one of the few medical alert devices I've seen with volume controls, so you can make the call louder or softer as needed.

The LogicMark Freedom Alert Max goes above and beyond to equip caregivers with remote monitoring tools. Here are some of the things caregivers can do in the Care Village app:

• Schedule shifts so that emergency calls can be directed to different caregivers at different times, easing the burden of responsibility. 
• Remotely access front-facing and rear-facing cameras on the Freedom Alert Max during an emergency call, which helps them gather more information about what's going on. 
• See the device's current location during an emergency call.
• Initiate a three-way call with the monitoring center.
• Set up medication reminders.
• Create geofences (costs an extra $9.99 per month).
• Monitor battery life and activity level (step count).
• Enable "simple calling" so that one tap is all it takes to call a caregiver or the monitoring center.
• Receive notifications whenever a fall is detected or the monitoring center is called, and view a timeline of these notifications.
• Manage more than one device.

However, the app could use a few changes to make it more user-friendly. We had a hard time finding the menu that allows caregivers to change call settings, add geofences, and more. Expect to consult the user manual a few times. 

If the caregiver doesn't answer, calls should automatically forward to the monitoring center. However, this didn't work during our tests. The device continued to display the "Calling Caregiver" message and gave no indication that it was forwarding the call to the monitoring center. After waiting one minute, we cancelled the call.

We informed LogicMark of the glitch and hope it can be resolved with a software update. In the meantime, consider disabling simple calling so that the user can cancel the caregiver call and manually switch to the monitoring center. 

To prepare our LogicMark Freedom Alert Max review, we tested the device and Care Village app hands-on. LogicMark loaned us  a Freedom Alert Max and  caregiver phone that had already been configured, so we weren't able to test ease of set up. Here's how we tested the device:

• Wore the device on the provided lanyard to evaluate comfort and convenience.
• Dropped the device on hard and soft surfaces to mimic falls and test fall detection.
• Wore the device while "falling" out of a chair to test fall detection. 
• Practiced cancelling calls.
• Placed emergency calls to the caregiver phone and enabled video and location features.
• Placed test calls to the monitoring center, timed how long we waited for an answer, and asked the agent to confirm our GPS location.
• Used all other features, including medication reminders, flashlight, and dial pad.
• Charged device and observed its battery life with normal use.

Learn more about how we test and review products on the SafeWise methodology page.

Although we encountered some minor hiccups while testing the LogicMark Freedom Alert Max, we believe this is a reliable, high-quality product overall. It offers a refreshing take on medical alert systems, and we hope it pioneers a new wave of tech that's useful for caregivers and care partners alike. 

• Go ahead and buy the LogicMark Freedom Alert Max if you want a mobile device that can call caregivers or a professional monitoring center, or if accurate fall detection is a priority. 
• Keep shopping if you're on a slim budget and don't mind sacrificing some features to keep costs low.