By Emily Breaux
Medically Reviewed by Christopher Norman, MSN, APRN, APHN-BC, GNP-BC
Fact Checked
Life Alert Review: Key Takeaways
- Life Alert has an at-home and on-the-go system with 24/7 monitoring services.
- Monthly costs for Life Alert range from $49.95–$98.85, plus a $198 activation fee and a $197 installation fee.
- Pricing information is only available if you call the company and endure a lengthy sales pitch.
- The brand requires a three-year contract, which is one of the reasons our Reviews Team doesn’t recommend Life Alert.
For many, “Life Alert systems” have become synonymous with “medical alert systems.” While Life Alert is one of the oldest, most well-known brands in the industry, it has some major drawbacks compared to better medical alert systems, such as a high cancellation fee, a restrictive contract, expensive monitoring and installation fees, and no pricing information on its website.
Life Alert offers at-home and on-the-go medical alert systems designed for immediate assistance during a medical crisis, fall, or other emergency. Our Reviews Team hasn’t tested Life Alert devices because of the company’s strict contract requirement, but we conducted in-depth mystery shopping and research to get as much firsthand information as we could about the company and its services.
About Life Alert
Life Alert was founded in 1987 and is one of the oldest medical alert companies. Its classic slogan, “Help, I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!” helped establish Life Alert as a household name. The company claims on its website that it handles more than 2 million calls per year and saved 45,095 people from a catastrophe in 2020.
Our Reviews Team likes that Life Alert shares statistics about its emergency services and successful responses, but that’s some of the only information the brand shares online.
The outdated, slightly overwhelming Life Alert website does not list package prices, fees, services, or product specifications. You’ll need to call the phone number listed at the top right-hand corner of the website and speak with a salesperson to learn simple details that are readily available on other medical alert websites.
Why you can trust our expert review
Our Reviews Team spent more than 2,500 hours conducting in-depth research on medical alert systems. During our process, we:
- Engaged in ongoing independent research
- Consulted with licensed adult caregivers, doctors, and nurse practitioners who specialize in older adult care
- Mystery shopped 13 medical alert system brands
- Surveyed 1,000 medical alert system users
- Tested various medical alert systems
- Read hundreds of verified customer reviews from trusted third parties, such as Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot
Read more about our medical alert systems review methodology.
Pros and cons of Life Alert
Table 1 Comparison of Life Alert models, as of March 2023
Life Alert System | At-Home | At-Home + Wall Button* | At-Home + Wall Button + On-the-Go |
---|---|---|---|
Monthly fee | $49.95 | $79.90 | $98.85 |
Activation fee | $198 | $198 | $198 |
Device type | At-home | At-home | At-home, on-the-go |
Device range (feet) | 800 | N/A | 800 (mobile system works anywhere with a connection) |
Connection type | Cellular, landline | Cellular | Cellular |
Location tracking | N/A | N/A | Yes |
Wearability | Help button bracelet or wristband | Help button bracelet or wristband | Necklace |
Voice activation | No | No | No |
Water resistant or waterproof | Waterproof wearable help button | Waterproof | Waterproof |
Caregiver alerts | Yes | Yes | Yes |
*This package can include the at-home system and wall button or the at-home system and on-the-go system
Life Alert Review: Devices Offered
Our Reviews Team broke down each available Life Alert system below. Note: The at-home system is the only equipment that can be purchased on its own. The wall button and on-the-go system are not available as separate purchases and must be bundled with the at-home system.
Learn more about the three Life Alert package options in our costs section.
At-Home
- Monthly fee: $49.95
- Device type: At-home
- Device range: 800 feet
- Device dimensions: 8.5 inches x 6.7 inches x 2 inches (length x width x height)
- Device weight: 1.75 pounds (lbs)
- Connection type: Cellular, landline
- Battery life:
- 72-hour backup battery
- Up to 10 years (help button bracelet/wristband)
- Location tracking: N/A
The At-Home system includes a main base station and help button that can be worn as a necklace or bracelet. When you press the base station button or wearable help button, you’ll connect with the Life Alert 24/7 monitoring center, and monitoring center staff will dispatch emergency services to your home.
A sales representative told our Reviews Team the base station doesn’t connect to a traditional landline or cellular network, but instead, has its own self-contained connection. This contradicts the cellular or landline connection option listed on the Life Alert website, and it’s one of several examples of the company not providing straightforward answers.
You can contact the monitoring center with your wearable button up to 800 feet from the base station, which is about the length of two football fields. This range is longer than at-home systems from ADT (300–600 feet) and the landline at-home MobileHelp system (600 feet), but shorter than Bay Alarm Medical (1,000 feet) and Medical Guardian (1,300–1,400 feet).
Our Reviews Team likes the large, round “Help” button displayed clearly on the base station as well as the separate “Cancel” button at the top right. Many medical alert base stations don’t include a specific button to cancel a call to the monitoring center. Instead, you often have to press the help button again to cancel a call.
Typically, medical alert base stations plug into a wall outlet and include backup batteries in case the power goes out. The Life Alert at-home system’s 72-hour backup battery is the longest of the popular medical alert systems we’ve reviewed.
Wall Button
- Monthly fee: $79.90 (must be bundled with at-home system)
- Device type: At-home
- Device range: N/A (wall button doesn’t need to be within range of base station)
- Device dimensions: 2.8″ L x 1.75″ W x 0.75″ H
- Device weight: 1 ounce (oz)
- Connection type: Cellular
- Battery life: 10 years
- Location tracking: N/A
One of the biggest perks of the Life Alert wall button are its standalone features: It connects directly to the monitoring center—meaning it doesn’t have to be within a certain range of the base station—and has a built-in microphone and two-way speaker. Popular medical alert brands like Bay Alarm Medical, Medical Guardian, and ADT also offer wall buttons, but you can’t speak with a monitoring center staff member directly from the button.
The wall button has an adhesive back and is designed to be placed in the shower, bathtub, or bathroom, and it’s functional even when completely wet. While falls can happen anywhere in the home, the bathroom is a high-risk area due to transfers in and out of the shower or bathtub, and wet, slippery floors and surfaces. The bathroom is the most common place for older adult falls, according to Stanford Medicine.1
Unfortunately, the wall button is not available as an additional accessory for a monthly or one-time payment—it must be purchased as part of a package. Upgrading to a package that includes a wall button will add $30–$50 to your monthly monitoring fee.
On the Go
- Monthly fee: $98.85
- Device type: On-the-go
- Device range: Anywhere with a connection
- Device dimensions: 2.75″ L x 1.75″ W x 0.75″ H
- Device weight: 2 oz
- Connection type: Cellular
- Battery life: 10 years
- Location tracking: Yes
The on-the-go system connects to the monitoring center both inside or outside your home. This mobile device is designed if you want to stay connected to the 24/7 monitoring center while driving, walking in the park, or doing any other activities outside your home.
The compact device is about the size of a pager and is lighter than a deck of cards, allowing you to wear it as a necklace or tucked into your pocket or purse. When you press the center button, you’ll connect with a monitoring center staff member who can detect your location using global positioning system (GPS) technology and send emergency services directly to you. The on-the-go also has a built-in speaker and microphone.
The on-the-go system is one less device to remember to charge. Unlike most mobile medical alert systems, this has a battery with a 10-year life that never requires charging. Life Alert tracks the battery life during monthly tests and will replace the battery when it’s low.
Unlike most medical alert mobile systems we’ve tested and reviewed, a significant downside of the on-the-go system is fall detection is not available.
How much does Life Alert cost?
Life Alert monthly prices range from $49.95–$98.85, depending on the equipment you choose. These are high monthly prices compared to average medical alert system costs.
The pricing structure is unique compared to other medical alert brands and can be divided into three packages, with the at-home base unit being the only equipment that can be purchased on its own. The wall button and on-the-go system must be included with the at-home system and can’t be purchased separately.
Life Alert packages and costs can be broken down into the following:
- At-home system: This system costs $49.95 per month plus a one-time $198 activation fee, making the upfront cost for a standard at-home system almost $250. For comparison, most at-home medical alert systems cost about $20–$30 per month.
- At-home system plus the wall button or the on-the-go system: When you add the wall-button or mobile system it costs $79.90 per month plus the $198 activation fee.
- At-home system, wall button, and on-the-go system: All three Life Alert medical alert system devices bundled cost $98.85 per month plus the $198 activation fee.
A sales representative told our Reviews Team the $198 activation fee covers shipping costs and a lifetime warranty. Even if this fee covers two costs, it’s still a significant expense. The representative didn’t tell us what was included in the warranty, but our Reviews Team gathered from third-party Life Alert reviews that the lifetime warranty covers general wear and tear and free battery replacement.
Most medical alert brands charge $10–$15 for shipping (some even offer free shipping), and equipment protection plans are usually available as an optional add-on for $4–$6 per year. You’d need to have your Life Alert system for at least 30 years for the lifetime warranty to cost the same as purchasing a protection plan for $6 per year.
If you choose to have your equipment professionally installed there is a $197 installation fee, but you can waive this fee if you install the system yourself. A sales representative assured our Reviews Team installation is simple and only requires following a few instructions. While it’s reassuring that you can opt out of the $197 installation fee, we don’t like that the company charges such a high fee when the equipment has a simple “plug and play” setup process.
How to pay
You can only purchase your Life Alert package over the phone, which often requires sitting through a 30- to 45-minute sales pitch. An option to purchase your system online is not available.
Life Alert accepts payments in the form of a cash, credit card, or check.
Contract and cancellation penalty
When our Reviews Team asked about the brand’s strict three-year contract in the past, we were told the contract could only be terminated if the user dies or a loved one can prove the user is receiving 24-hour nursing care.
During a more recent call with a Life Alert sales representative, they told us the contract was a service agreement that guarantees your monthly prices don’t increase within the first three years of service.
The representative assured us users can get out of the contract, but they would be penalized with a penalty fee. This penalty fee equals two months of monitoring fees. Depending on the package you choose, it would cost almost $100–$200 to cancel your Life Alert service.
Our Reviews Team could not find any supporting information about this penalty fee or policy online, in the mail-in brochure, or during other calls with the Life Alert sales team.
It’s important to note that no other medical alert system our Reviews Team has tested requires a contract.
Ways to save
Typically, medical alert systems are not covered by insurance, which includes Traditional Medicare (Medicare Parts A and B). But some Medicare Advantage plans (Medicare Part C) may offer full or partial coverage for medical alert systems. Since coverage varies from state to state, check with your insurance provider to confirm whether coverage for a medical alert system is available with your Medicare Advantage Plan or private insurance plan.
Money in a flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) can be used to pay for medical alert system equipment and monthly monitoring fees, but they have strict limitations. FSA funds can’t be used once you’re retired, and HSA funds can’t be accessed once you’re enrolled in Medicare.
Explore potential cost-saving programs for medical alert systems in your area with NCOA’s BenefitsCheckUp tool.
Life Alert accessories
Life Alert does not include add-on accessories, such as a lockbox ⓘTypically attached to the outside of your home, a medical alert lockbox is a common add-on accessory that stores a house key, giving emergency responders access to the home., caregiver app, or fall detection. When our Reviews Team asked if we could include a lockbox with our system we were told Life Alert does not sell lockboxes. House key lockboxes are a common add-on accessory for many medical alert systems.
The sales representative informed us a lockbox code can be added to a user’s Life Alert account information if they have a lockbox or purchase one from another company. The monitoring center staff member will give the code to emergency dispatchers if the user can’t get to the door during an emergency.
Life Alert customer reviews
Life Alert has 4.1 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot based on 47 reviews. Positive reviews cite pleasant, helpful monitoring center staff, a knowledgeable sales team, and great customer service. Many reviewers explicitly mentioned they never felt pressured to buy when speaking with a salesperson. One reviewer called out how quickly Life Alert dispatched emergency services to her home when her mother had a stroke.
Common issues in negative reviews include caregivers receiving monthly bills after the user passed away, dealing with rude, pushy sales representatives, and overall poor customer service. The most common complaint across negative reviews on Trustpilot was difficulty getting out of the three-year contract.
Life Alert has 3.45 out of 5 stars on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) based on 164 customer reviews. The company is also accredited by the BBB with an A+ rating, meaning Life Alert works to respond to every customer complaint.
Positive BBB reviews praised the company’s quick response during an emergency. Some reviewers cited specific accidents where emergency services were dispatched in less than 10 minutes. Other positive reviews were more general and stated that Life Alert services helped them stay independent and feel safe in their homes.
The majority of negative reviews cited the same issues mentioned on Trustpilot, including difficulty getting out of the contract and speaking with rude, pushy sales representatives. A handful of reviewers had issues getting out of the three-year contract when their loved one entered a 24-hour nursing facility. Some reviewers weren’t pleased they had to send a death certificate to cancel their loved one’s service.
Life Alert responded to multiple BBB reviews and complaints stating they were either untrue or had been resolved. While we appreciate that the company responds to almost all customers, some of the responses were defensive or accusatory.
Based on our Reviews Team’s experience, most medical alert companies responding to negative reviews on review sites like Trustpilot and the BBB will send a customer support email address to encourage the reviewer to continue the conversation privately.
Life Alert customer service and satisfaction
The Life Alert customer service and sales team is available by phone. Online contact options are not available.
- Phone: 800-338-9090
- Hours: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. PT, Monday through Saturday
Our Reviews Team called customer service to learn more about pricing and services. As soon as we mentioned we had questions about Life Alert products, we were asked if we’d like a brochure mailed to our home. Our Reviews Team made it clear we didn’t want to wait to receive answers from a product brochure, so we were transferred to a “product specialist,” or sales representative.
During our first call, the product specialist was friendly, empathetic, and knowledgeable. They asked us a few questions to better understand the situation and to help recommend the right system and walked us through each Life Alert medical alert system, its function, as well as costs and service fees.
While this call was helpful and provided a majority of the information in this article, it lasted more than 30 minutes.
Our Reviews Team called Life Alert customer service a second time to verify the information we received in our initial call. This time, the sales representative refused to answer our direct questions about product range, costs, or prices. They told us, “This is not how we do things.”
The representative said they could only give us information if we went through a 45-minute information session on a “specific loved one.”
We called a third time to try and get answers but were transferred to the billing department, service department, and, finally, the marketing department. Our Reviews Team left a message with the marketing department and haven’t received a response, as of this writing.
When contacting the company in the past, our Reviews Team also had poor experiences when calling Life Alert. We’ve spoken with sales representatives who were pushy, pressured us to buy, or did not directly address questions about prices or contracts.
Who should consider Life Alert?
Life Alert may be a top option if you prioritize industry experience and brand recognition when shopping for a medical alert system. The brand’s three equipment types—at-home base station, wall button, and mobile system—may be an advantage if you don’t need a wide variety of options, or you like the idea of a long battery life or the unique two-way speaker in the wall button.
Choosing Life Alert requires signing a three-year contract. If you’ve never used a medical alert system and are unsure if you want to commit to one without a trial period or money-back guarantee, Life Alert may not be the right option for you.
If you’re at a higher risk of falling, our Reviews team does not recommend Life Alert since fall detection is not available with any packages. Medical alert systems with fall detection are designed to contact the monitoring center automatically when the built-in sensor detects downward motion.
While fall detection isn’t 100% accurate, two recent studies report 80%–93% accuracy. A 2020 research survey2 reported an average accuracy rate of 93% for fall detection devices, while a 2019 review that analyzed seven systematic reviews reported an 86.4% average or greater rate for detecting falls.3
Fall detection is not designed to prevent falls, but it can alert emergency services to help you get medical attention quickly after a fall. Lying on the floor for more than an hour after a fall may lead to serious health consequences, including muscle damage, pressure sores, and dehydration, according to research from Cambridge University.4
Help assess your risk of falling by speaking with a health care professional who specializes in older adult care and taking NCOA’s Falls Free CheckUp.
Table 2 - Life Alert vs. other medical alert systems, as of March 2023
Brand | Life Alert | Medical Guardian | Bay Alarm Medical | MobileHelp | ADT | LifeFone |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Score (out of 5) | 1.52 | 4.3 | 4.5 | 4.1 | 4.5 | 4.1 |
Starting monthly cost | $49.95 | $29.95 | $24.95 | $19.95 | $29.99 | $29.95 |
At-home device range (feet) | 800 | 1,300–1,400 | 1000 | 600–1,400 | 300–600 | 1300 |
Connection type | Cellular, landline | Cellular, landline | Cellular, landline | Cellular, landline | Cellular, landline | Cellular, landline |
Fall detection (cost per month) | N/A | Yes, $10 | Yes, $8–$10 | Yes, $11 | Yes, $10 | Yes, $5 |
Battery life | Up to 10 years | Up to 5 days | Up to 5 days | Up to 3 days | Up to 40 hours | Up to 16 days |
Response time (seconds) | N/A | 1–15 | 1–15 | 1–15 | 1–15 | 15–25 |
Location tracking | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Water resistant or waterproof mobile system | Waterproof | Water resistant | Water resistant | Water resistant | Water resistant | Water resistant |
Warranty | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Recommended alternatives to Life Alert
Medical Guardian
- Score: 4.3/5
- Starting monthly fee: $29.95
- Device range: Up to 1,300 feet (Classic Guardian) and 1,400 feet (Home 2.0)
- Connection type: Landline, AT&T, or Verizon cellular
- Battery life:
- Up to five years (medical alert bracelet)
- 32-hour backup battery (at-home system)
- Up to five days (mobile systems)
- Response time: 1–25 seconds
Medical Guardian packages
Medical Guardian offers two at-home and mobile systems, as well as a smartwatch option. Choose from the following packages:
- Classic Guardian: The brand’s at-home system has a landline connection and a range of up to 1,300 feet between the help button and base station. If you add a fall detection necklace, you’ll pay a one-time $30 equipment fee in addition to $10 per month. ($29.95 monthly monitoring fee without fall detection)
- Home 2.0: The at-home system connects to the monitoring center via cellular network and has a 1,400-foot connection range. ($149.95 equipment fee plus $37.95 monthly monitoring fee)
- Mobile 2.0: This on-the-go device has a built-in speaker and five-day battery life. Optional fall detection is available, but you must wear a separate necklace specifically for fall detection. ($44.95 monthly monitoring fee)
- Mini Guardian: A more compact system than the Mobile 2.0, this mobile device weighs less than two AA batteries and is available in three colors: black, silver, and white. If you choose to include fall detection, the feature is built into the device—no additional necklace is required. ($149.95 equipment fee plus $39.95 monthly monitoring fee)
- MGMove: This medical alert system doubles as a smartwatch and includes a help button, step tracking, and a weather app. Voice-to-text messaging ($5 per month) and reminders ($2.99 per month) are also available. ($199.95 equipment fee plus $39.95 monthly monitoring fee)
Fall detection is available for $10 per month for all systems except the MGMove smartwatch.
Our Reviews Team recommended Medical Guardian over Life Alert in a previous review, and we continue to recommend Medical Guardian as a better alternative to Life Alert. Medical Guardian offers an extensive at-home system range of up to 1,400 feet, lower prices, transparent online information, a caregiver app, and a 30-day trial period.
In a survey conducted by our Reviews Team of 1,000 medical alert system users, we found that Medical Guardian was the most popular option among our respondents, with 43% of respondents reporting they use Medical Guardian, compared to 16.5% respondents reporting they use Life Alert. Of the respondents who used Life Alert, 8% said they had a poor experience, compared to 2% who said the same thing for Medical Guardian. Read our Medical Guardian review to learn more.
Bay Alarm Medical
- Score: 4.3/5
- Starting monthly fee: $24.95
- Device range: Up to 1,000 feet
- Connection type: Landline, AT&T, or Verizon cellular
- Battery life:
- Up to five years (medical alert bracelet)
- 32-backup battery (at-home system)
- Up to five days (mobile systems)
- Response time: 1–15 seconds
Bay Alarm Medical packages
Bay Alarm Medical has four types of equipment—an at-home base station, two mobile systems, and a smartwatch—and offers a variety of packages for each system. The four main systems are:
- SOS Home: The Bay Alarm Medical at-home system has a 1,000-foot range and is available in three packages: SOS Home Landline ($24.95 per month), SOS Home Cellular ($31.95 per month), and SOS Home Cellular With Fall Detection ($39.95 per month).
- SOS All-in-One: This small, compact device connects to a help button necklace or wristband and can be used as an in-home base station or mobile device. It’s available without fall detection for $39.95 per month plus a $99 equipment fee. With fall detection, it’s $49.95 per month plus a $129 equipment fee.
- SOS Mobile: The SOS Mobile is slightly bigger than the All-In-One and doesn’t come with a help button bracelet or necklace. It’s available in three packages: SOS Mobile ($31.95 per month); SOS Mobile With Fall Detection ($39.95 per month); and SOS Mobile 360 Bundle, which comes with the at-home base station, mobile system, and fall detection ($51.95 per month). All packages include a $99 equipment fee.
- SOS Smartwatch: The medical alert smartwatch includes a help button and location tracking but does not support fall detection. The SOS smartwatch is available on its own for $34.95 per month or bundled with the at-home base station for $51.95 per month. Both packages include a $159 equipment fee.
Fall detection is available for $8 per month (previously $10) for the SOS Home and SOS Mobile.
Bay Alarm Medical offers a variety of medical alert systems, including a smartwatch and two separate on-the-go devices. The brand’s mobile systems are some of the lowest priced compared to Life Alert and other brands. Low monthly fees combined with packages bundling two medical alert systems for one price have earned Bay Alarm Medical the title “Best for the Price” from our Reviews Team.
See our Bay Alarm Medical review for a detailed overview of all packages, accessories, and services.
MobileHelp
- Score: 4.1/5
- Starting monthly fee: $19.95
- Device range:
- 600 feet (Wired Home and MobileHelp Touch)
- 1,400 feet (MobileHelp Classic)
- Connection type: Landline, AT&T cellular
- Battery life:
- Up to five years (medical alert bracelet)
- Up to 30 hours backup battery (at-home system)
- More than 24 hours (mobile systems)
- Response time: 1–15 seconds
MobileHelp packages
MobileHelp offers eight packages, including packages bundling two medical alert systems for one monthly price:
- Wired Home: The MobileHelp brand’s at-home system connects to the monitoring center via landline and has a 600-foot range between the base station and wearable help button. ($24.95 monthly monitoring fee)
- Classic: The at-home system with cellular connection has a 1,400-foot range and includes your choice of a help button necklace, wristband, or wall button. ($19.95 monthly monitoring fee)
- Touch Classic: This unique smart tablet base station includes a photo gallery, Sudoku, and optional add-on features like messaging, medication reminders, and vitals monitoring. ($54.95 monthly monitoring fee)
- Solo: MobileHelp’s original on-the-go system includes GPS tracking and is water-resistant. ($37.95 monthly monitoring fee)
- Micro: This mobile system is more compact and almost a full ounce lighter than the Solo. It also has GPS tracking and is water resistant. ($39.95 monthly monitoring fee)
- Duo: A bundle package, the Duo includes the Classic at-home system and on-the-go Solo device. ($41.95 monthly monitoring fee)
- Mobile Duo: Designed for two people, the Mobile Duo bundles two Solo devices in one package. ($44.95 monthly monitoring fee)
- Touch Duo: This bundle includes the Touch smart tablet at-home system and on-the-go Solo system. ($54.95 monthly monitoring fee)
Fall detection is available for all systems for an additional $11 per month.
MobileHelp offers eight different packages, including a unique smart tablet base station, as well as one of the longest at-home system ranges at 1,400 feet. Optional features like medication reminders and telehealth services help make MobileHelp services part of a holistic care plan for users and caregivers.
Read our full MobileHelp review to learn why it earned the title “Best All-Around System” from our Reviews Team.
ADT
- Score: 4.1/5
- Starting monthly fee: $29.99
- Device range:
- 300 feet (Medical Alert Basic)
- 600 feet (Medical Alert Plus)
- Connection type: Landline, AT&T cellular
- Battery life:
- Up to five years (medical alert bracelet)
- Up to 20 hours backup battery (at-home system)
- Up to 24 hours (mobile system)
- Response time: 1–15 seconds
ADT packages
ADT offers three medical alert packages, making it a good choice for shoppers who may get overwhelmed with too many options:
- Medical Alert Basic: The ADT brand’s landline at-home system has a 300-foot range and a built-in home temperature monitor. It includes a help button bracelet or necklace, but fall detection is not available. ($29.99 monthly monitoring fee)
- Medical Alert Plus: The cellular at-home system has a 600-foot range, home temperature monitoring, and a help button bracelet or necklace. ($35.99 monthly monitoring fee)
- On-the-Go: This mobile system works anywhere with cellular service. You can wear the help button necklace or bracelet up to 100 feet away from the mobile system. ($39.99 monthly monitoring fee)
Fall detection is available with the Medical Alert Plus and On-the-Go for $10 per month.
Our Reviews Team named ADT “Best for No Extra Fees” since the brand doesn’t charge activation fees or equipment fees and offers free shipping. Read our full ADT review to learn more about the well-known security brand’s medical alert packages and services.
Life Alert Review: Bottom line
Life Alert is a well-known medical alert company that has been in business for more than 30 years. Although it’s one of the oldest brands in the industry, our Reviews Team doesn’t recommend Life Alert medical alert devices due to the brand’s three-year contract, high monthly fees and equipment costs, lack of transparent product and pricing information online, and no fall detection.
Medical Guardian, Bay Alarm Medical, MobileHelp, and ADT are some of our Reviews Team’s top medical alert system options and are excellent alternatives to Life Alert. Starting monthly fees for all four brands are lower than the lowest-priced package from Life Alert ($49.95 per month), the equipment can be purchased online, there are more device options and features, and you aren’t locked into a contract.
Here’s a breakdown of starting monthly fees for the four alternative medical alert systems we reviewed:
- Medical Guardian starting monthly fee: $29.95
- Bay Alarm Medical starting monthly fee: $24.95
- MobileHelp starting monthly fee: $19.95
- ADT starting monthly fee: $26.99
All medical alert brands listed above offer a refund when you return your equipment within the first 30 days, so you can try out your system without being penalized if you return it.
See our Review’s Team medical alert system buyer’s guide to help narrow down your options and find the right system for you or your loved one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about this review? Email us at reviewsteam@ncoa.org.
Sources
- Stanford Medicine. Reducing Falls for Older Adults. Scope. Jan. 15, 2021. Found on the internet at https://scopeblog.stanford.edu/2021/01/15/reducing-falls-for-older-adults-what-are-the-trouble-spots-in-your-home/
- Ramachandran, Karuppiah, et al. A Survey on Recent Advances in Wearable Fall Detection Systems. BioMed Research International. Jan. 13, 2020. Found on the internet at https://www.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/2020/2167160/
- Aziz, Chiari, et al. Validation of Accuracy of SVM-Based Fall Detection System Using Real-World Fall and Non-Fall Datasets. PLoS One. July 5, 2017. Found on the internet at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5498034/
- Lord, Menz, et al. Falls in Older People: Risk Factors and Strategies for prevention. Cambridge University Press. 2001. Found on the internet at https://www.stayonyourfeet.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Falls-in-Older-People-Risk-Factors-and-Strategies.pdf.