Choosing a locked pill dispenser usually comes down to trust: will the alerts actually get noticed, and will the lock actually keep the compartments secure? MedReady’s 1700FL is one of the most established keyed dispensers on Amazon.ca, with a real lock-and-key design and decades of manufacturing history behind it. PillBuddie Lockable takes a similar keyed-security approach but pairs it with a touchscreen interface and optional remote alert mirroring. Here’s how the two compare on cost, features, and day-to-day usability.
How the Two Dispensers Compare
MedReady 1700FL
The MedReady 1700FL is a 28-compartment automatic pill dispenser priced around CA$227 on Amazon.ca, backed by a 4.2-star rating across 374 reviews. It uses a real physical lock and key (two keys included) rather than a touchscreen PIN, and pairs a loud 85-decibel audible alarm with a flashing red LED, both of which can be toggled independently. Power comes from an AC adapter with up to 48 hours of rechargeable NiMH battery backup if the power goes out. The base 1700FL model has no app or remote monitoring; a separate cellular MR-357FL model exists for that. It’s manufactured, assembled, and serviced by MedReady Inc. in Torrance, California, a company with more than 25 years in the medication-dispensing business.
PillBuddie Lockable
PillBuddie Lockable is a one-time C$299.99 purchase with 28 compartments and support for up to 28 scheduled dispensing events per day, so the refill interval scales with how often doses are set. It uses a keyed lid for physical security along with a lockable touchscreen LCD control panel, so the schedule itself can’t be tampered with even by someone who gets past the lid, backed by persistent LED and audible reminders until a dose is taken. For households that want off-site visibility, the optional PillBuddie Mini (C$125) mirrors alerts remotely over Wi-Fi, something the base MedReady 1700FL doesn’t offer without stepping up to a different model. Every unit is designed and manufactured in Nova Scotia, Canada.
Feature Comparison
- Price: PillBuddie Lockable C$299.99 one-time vs. MedReady 1700FL ~CA$227 one-time
- Security: PillBuddie Lockable uses a keyed lid plus a lockable touchscreen LCD control panel, adding a second layer against tampering; MedReady 1700FL uses a physical lock and key with two keys included
- Alerts: PillBuddie Lockable gives persistent LED and audible reminders, with optional remote alert mirroring over Wi-Fi via the PillBuddie Mini; MedReady 1700FL pairs an 85-decibel audible alarm with a flashing red LED, each independently toggleable, but has no remote monitoring on this base model
- Made in: PillBuddie is designed and manufactured in Nova Scotia, Canada; MedReady 1700FL is manufactured, assembled, and serviced by MedReady Inc. in Torrance, California
Which One Is Right for You
If you want a well-established brand with a straightforward physical lock and key, and you don’t need remote visibility into whether doses were taken, MedReady’s 1700FL is a proven, lower-cost option with decades of manufacturing history behind it. If you want a touchscreen interface built around Canadian manufacturing, plus the option to add remote alert mirroring for a caregiver who isn’t in the room, PillBuddie Lockable is the better fit. Neither device is a medical device: both are vending-style dispensers that release pre-loaded doses on a schedule, and the user or caregiver remains responsible for what goes into each compartment and for confirming doses are taken correctly.
Explore PillBuddie
Ready to compare specs side by side? Check out Pill Buddie Lockable, or browse our FAQ for answers on setup, dosing schedules, and support.