The Lowdown
Despite its few quirks, I’ve come to depend on the MOBI Smart WiFi Automatic Pill Dispenser. It’s not cheap, but if you are getting older (like me) or are the main caretaker for a relative and manage their meds, this can be a big stress reliever (and possibly a lifesaver), knowing that the meds are correctly scheduled and only the required dosage is securely released.
Overall
Pros
- It’s easy to set up
- It can be used either connected to the app—or not!
Cons
- The slots that hold the pills are small
- There is no way to manually bypass the dosage time to retrieve pills earlier—unless it’s connected to the app
Do you enjoy getting older? Neither do I—who does? As we get older, health issues can become more prominent, leading to taking more medicine. I do not enjoy looking at the bottles of pills I have to take daily because of an inherited lung condition. Not only do I abhor taking so many drugs, but it can also get confusing because this pill is once a day and this pill is two times and … you get the idea. What can help is a pill manager, such as the MOBI Smart WiFi Automatic Pill Dispenser.
What Is It?
The MOBI Smart WiFi Automatic Pill Dispenser is a secure countertop device that helps people keep track of their daily meds.
What’s Included?
- Dispenser
- Key
- Pill tray
- 9 Daily Dosage Rings
- 4 AA batteries
Tech Specs
- App based use—or not
- UV pill protection
- WiFi
- LCD digital screen
- Dosage reminder
- Safety locks
Design and Features
Let’s clarify something about the MOBI Smart WiFi Automatic Pill Dispenser: It’s a one-trick pony. Once set up, it alerts the user that it’s time to take their meds. That’s pretty much it. However, it does that one task very well.
When unwrapped, you’ll notice that the MOBI Smart WiFi Automatic Pill Dispenser divides pills into small, individual compartments that can be set for one to nine doses per day. It’s powered by an outlet (via USB) and includes battery backup (4 AA) for power outages. It comes with a clear lid for easy pill identification. The lid has built-in UV protection for light-sensitive meds.
The dispenser includes a safety lock to prevent children from accessing the medication. An included key keeps the lid (and the battery compartment) locked. Note to self: Do not lose the key!
The MOBI Smart WiFi Automatic Pill Dispenser is designed for safety and security. It can be used either connected to the MOBI smartphone app (iOS/Android) or independently—off the grid, so to speak. The app can help set up daily alarms, track progress, and log each time medication is taken. The app will then create a history of when doses were taken (or missed).
The MOBI app connects to your personal Wi-Fi, so it can connect to all other MOBI CONNECT devices in one app, such as the Smart Blood Pressure Monitor, Bluetooth Pulse Oximeter, or the Smart WiFi Scale.
When setting up the MOBI Smart WiFi Automatic Pill Dispenser, I initially connected it to the MOBI app. I later cleared that setup and reconfigured it without the app because I only needed basic visibility into my meds. The manual explains how easy it is to set up with or without the app. The app can be helpful for more complex medication regimens that require tracking, but my needs are simpler.
Setting up requires pressing a few buttons to set the digital clock, alarm times, and alarm volume. Then the correct paper Dosage Ring needs to be placed over the hub. Once done, you’re good to go!
When it’s time to take the meds, an alarm announces it. If ignored, it gets louder and starts beeping. It’s annoying, but it should be. Thankfully, the alert volume can be adjusted. There’s also a built-in LED alarm light that blinks. Once the alarm sounds, the circular tray that holds the pills rotates one section to expose the needed pills behind a sliding door. When the door is opened and the pills are removed, the alarm voice says, “Thank you,” and the alarms stop.
MOBI supplies 9 different “Daily Dosage Rings” that encircle the center hub—depending on how many doses you need per day. Since I take my pills twice a day, I use ring #2. Easy math. The ring moves with the tray as it rotates, so you know which dosage you’re taking. For instance, I have two alarms set—one for morning and one for evening. My ring rotates to #1 when the morning alarm sounds and to #2 when the evening alarm sounds—and so on until it’s time to refill.
Note that the tray has 28 pill slots. Since I take two doses per day, I am allotted 14 days of pills before it needs reloading. Someone needing more doses will have fewer days of pills. For instance, 7 doses per day only gives you 4 days’ worth of pills.
After a few weeks of using the MOBI Smart WiFi Automatic Pill Dispenser, a few minor issues have cropped up. The slots in the tray are small. When filling, if a pill is accidentally dropped into the wrong slot, it’s difficult to remove. My fingers don’t fit well into the slots, so I need a utensil to help remove a pill.
On days or nights when we are not at home, it is necessary to empty the appropriate slot of pills for later use while we are out. I cannot find a way to manually advance the tray rotation. However, in the app I can press the “Take in Advance” button, which rotates the tray and lets me remove pills on demand. This is a great feature, but it requires using the app.
Note:
MOBI sent out 3 other products with the dispenser. They are not being reviewed, but we thought it would be appropriate to mention them.
MOBI Smart Bluetooth Arm Blood Pressure Monitor
My wife has been using the $49.99 MOBI Smart Bluetooth Arm Blood Pressure Monitor every day since her doctor said her BP was slightly elevated. She says it’s very easy to use and accurate.
MOBI Smart Fingertip Bluetooth Pulse Oximeter
My lung issues make it important to check my oxygen levels. So far, so good on the levels, and having the $34.99 MOBI Smart Fingertip Bluetooth Pulse Oximeter work with the MOBI app is an added bonus.
So far, I have only used the $34.99 MOBI Smart Wi-Fi Scale to check on my weight. I’ve lost about 20 pounds over the last 6 months. The scale says I’m overweight, which I am (about 10 pounds), but the app says my ideal weight is 138 pounds, which is way off. My goal is to use the scale more and keep an eye on the findings. I trust my doctor more. It is also available on Amazon.
Final Thoughts
Despite its few quirks, I’ve come to depend on the MOBI Smart WiFi Automatic Pill Dispenser. It’s not cheap, but if you are getting older (like me) or are the main caretaker for a relative and manage their meds, this can be a big stress reliever (and possibly a lifesaver), knowing that the meds are correctly scheduled and only the required dosage is securely released.
The MOBI Smart WiFi Automatic Pill Dispenser retails for $129.99; it is available directly from the manufacturer and on Amazon.
Source: Manufacturer-supplied review sample
What I Like: It’s easy to set up; It can be used either connected to the app—or not!
What Needs Improvement: The slots that hold the pills are small; There is no way to manually bypass the dosage time to retrieve pills earlier—unless it’s connected to the app