Life Alert Review: Why We Don’t Recommend This Medical Alert System Brand
Life Alert didn’t pass our testing—see what other brands we recommend instead.
- We don’t recommend Life Alert as a medical alert system because of its predatory practices, high cost, and lack of important features such as fall detection.
- Life Alert’s home device costs $69 a month, while most other medical alert systems offer similar devices for $25–$35 a month.
- When choosing a medical alert system, look for hidden equipment or activation fees and compare company warranties and trial periods.
At NCOA, we take the time to research, test, and recommend products that can help you live a healthier life. We’ve spent more than 3,000 hours researching medical alert systems to give you the most accurate product reviews. To find the best medical alert systems, we:
- Consulted with doctors and licensed adult caregivers who specialize in working with older adults
- Put more than 35 devices through a series of 16 different tests at our in-house lab
- Mystery shopped more than 15 brands
- Surveyed more than 1,000 medical alert system users and caregivers
- Interviewed experts on older adults falls risk
- Worked with older adults to test medical alert systems and get their opinion
- Read thousands of verified customer reviews
We’re constantly testing new medical alert systems to continue to share the most accurate and up-to-date recommendations. Read more about our medical alert system review methodology.
Life Alert has long been synonymous with a medical alert system. It’s often advertised on TV and through leaflets in the mail—and popularized the phrase “Help! I’ve fallen, and I can’t get up,” portraying older adults as weak and helpless. Despite Life Alert’s memorable marketing, the brand doesn’t offer the medical alert system features its competitors do, is expensive, and requires long-term contracts for their services. For this and other reasons, which we’ll explain below, NCOA does not recommend Life Alert.
“Although Life Alert is widely known, it might not necessarily be the best fit for you,” said Celina Hawthorne, OTD, an occupational therapist and owner of Grace in Motion Rehab in Nacogdoches, Texas. “When choosing a medical alert system, it’s important to find one that fits your lifestyle, is easy and comfortable to wear, and reliably provides quick communication in an emergency. Think about your daily routines, whether you need coverage outside your home, and if you prefer extra features like automatic fall detection or GPS tracking.”
We’ve put together a list of our top Life Alert alternatives to help you find a more affordable medical alert system with great customer service, desirable features, and no long-term contracts so you can get the best value for your money.
- Several model types for different preferences
- Five-Diamond Certified Monitoring Center
- Longest at-home range
Shop these Life Alert Alternatives:
Table 1 Comparison of Life Alert Devices
| Micro Voice Pendant System | Micro Voice Pendant Button and Help Button* | Micro Voice Pendant Button, and Help Button, and On-the-Go + GPS | |
| Monthly fee | $69 | $89 | $109.85 |
| Activation fee | $248 | No additional fees** | No additional fees** |
| Device type | At-home | At-home | At-home |
| Location tracking | No | No | Yes |
*This package can include the at-home system and wall button or the at-home system and on-the-go system
**The Help Button and the On-the-Go + GPS device cannot be purchased without the Micro Voice Pendant System
Why we don’t recommend Life Alert
We’ve spent years researching medical alert systems so we can help older adults maintain their independence and feel safe in their homes for as long as possible. Every time we test medical alert systems, Life Alert stands apart from the rest, but not in a good way.
Here are the top six reasons why we discourage using Life Alert:
1. No pricing transparency
When researching medical alert systems, we usually have no trouble understanding the pricing options. We can easily find monthly subscription fees, equipment or activation fees, package options, warranty and trial period information, and more.
Life Alert shares none of this information online. To learn about Life Alert’s pricing structure, its activation and setup fees, and any other important details about their devices, you’ll need to call the company directly.
2. No online transactions
The customer service staff one of our testers spoke with told her they don’t do any online transactions. So getting started with Life Alert takes time. They mail you a paper copy of your contract (more on that later), a HIPPA form for medical information, and any other information they need, and then you sign those papers and mail them back to the company to get started.
If you’re looking to get started with a device quickly, this is not the best option.
3. Life Alert is (very) expensive
Life Alert’s monthly subscription rate is double the price of other medical alert brands. Its at-home Micro Voice Pendant System, which includes a home base device and a waterproof necklace with a help button, costs $69 a month. The next most expensive at-home device is Medical Guardian’s MGClassic, which costs $36.95 a month.
Life Alert charges an extra $20 a month to add a wall button for the shower, making the cost for both devices $89/month. Most brands include the shower button with the home device, or charge a one-time fee to add it on. For example, buying extra wall-mounted help buttons through Bay Alarm costs $35 each, or you can buy four buttons for $130. There are no extra subscription fees.
To bundle the home device, the shower button, and Life Alert’s mobile device with GPS, it costs another $20 a month, bringing the total monthly costs up to $109.85 if you want an at-home and on the go plan. To compare, MobileHelp’s Home Duo bundle, with the at-home and on the go devices, costs $44.95 a month. If you add an extra waterproof wall-mounted button to your Mobile Help Home Duo bundle, the total cost is $47.94 a month.
But Life Alert’s high prices aren’t limited to its monthly fees. The brand also charges a one-time $248 activation and setup fee. The next most expensive setup fee for an at-home device is $99.95 for a home device through Medical Alert, costing less than half of Life Alert’s fee.
4. Life Alert doesn’t offer fall detection
Even though Life Alert’s entire marketing campaign is based on the phrase, “I’ve fallen, and I can’t get up,” the brand does not offer fall detection, a feature you can find in most other medical alert systems and even in the Apple Watch.
Fall detection uses accelerometer sensors to determine if a person fell based on their speed and positioning. If you are considered a fall risk due to a history of falls, visual problems, reduced muscle strength, or a number of other reasons, choosing a medical alert device with fall detection can be a wise move, offering an extra layer of protection.
When one of our testers spoke to Life Alert about this feature, the customer service staff told her, “Life Alert invented fall detection.” He also told her “fall detection doesn’t work, it’s a gimmick,” and “it drains the device’s battery.”
While it’s true that fall detection isn’t 100% accurate, it’s close. A research study conducted in 2020 found fall detection devices to have an average accuracy rate of 93%.
If Life Alert did invent fall detection, they don’t appear to have patented it, as our scouring of patent records failed to show any patents owned by Life Alert.
5. Life Alert requires a contract
Most medical alert systems we’ve researched don’t require a contract. All of the brands on our list of the best medical alert systems offer no-contract subscriptions. But Life Alert requires its users to sign a 36-month “membership agreement.” When our tester asked for more details about the contract or membership agreement, her Life Alert customer service rep told her she could back out of the agreement within a week of signing it. Otherwise, she needs to prove the primary user had died or moved to a full-time care facility.
When our tester pushed to find out about cancellation fees if she needed to cancel the contract for another reason, the customer service employee told her she just needed to “call him directly” and he would take care of it. He never fully answered her question. Unfortunately, Life Alert won’t send you the contract to review without first receiving credit card information, so we’re still unclear on the terms.
6. We experienced predatory sales tactics
You cannot receive concrete information on pricing or details about Life Alert without calling directly. Once you’re on the phone, the initial customer service representative will not transfer you to someone who can answer your questions without first receiving your name, address, and phone number.
When our tester made it clear they didn’t want a brochure, they received one anyway. When one of our testers spoke with customer service, the representative made a number of false or misleading claims, including:
- CLAIM: Life Alert is the only doctor-recommended service
- TRUTH: While it’s difficult to confirm this claim, Stephen Yeh, MD, a board certified emergency physician in Charlotte, North Carolina, recommends medical alert system shoppers consider “Cost, ease-of-use, and fall detection” when purchasing a device. Two of those three factors remove Life Alert from being a top pick for doctors.
- CLAIM: Life Alert is the only device compatible with pacemakers and heart monitors
- TRUTH: This is false. The majority of medical alert systems are safe for use by those with pacemakers.
- CLAIM: Life Alert calls emergency services directly, bypassing 911
- TRUTH: This is false. We contacted emergency services, who informed us they only receive dispatch calls from 911.
- CLAIM: Life Alert has no short-term members
- TRUTH: This is true, but most likely due to its required three-year contract.
Along with Life Alert’s wobbly relationship with the truth, the sales team is persistent. One of our testers received 12 calls and six texts from Life Alert in the month following her mystery shopping call. Another tester had to block their number within a few days to stop the calls from coming.
There are many more medical alert systems on the market offering similar (or better) features at a much lower price, with fair sales and contractual practices. To help you find a better device, we’ve recommended three alternative brands below that have done well in our firsthand testing.
To learn more about researching and purchasing a medical alert system, see our medical alert buyer’s guide.
How Life Alert falls short
- No fall detection
- Highest monthly fees on the market
- Charges $248 installation fee even though the at-home setup can be done by yourself like any other system
- Hard (and sometimes impossible) to cancel your contract
- Restrictive three-year contract
- Aggressive and predatory sales practices
How Life Alert stands out
- Long 10-year battery life for help buttons (industry average is five years)
- “Concierge” service—we haven’t tested this so we don’t know if it’s valuable
Compare Life Alert to better medical alert system alternatives in 2025
| Life Alert | Medical Guardian | Bay Alarm Medical |
| |
| Our rating | N/A | 9.9/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.7/10 |
| Max. battery life (days) | N/A | 5 | 3 | 1 |
| Fall detection (monthly cost) | N/A | $10 | $10 | $11 |
| Warranty | Limited, can add protection plan for $6.99/month | Limited, can add protection plan for $6.99/month | Lifetime on equipment, add protection plan for $4.95/month | Can add protection plan for $6.99/month |
| Equipment or Activation fees? | $248 installation fee | $0–$149.95 equipment fees, depending on system | $0–$139.30 equipment fees, depending on system | None |
Our reviews of the top Life Alert alternatives
Medical Guardian
Medical Guardian is our top Life Alert alternative because of its ease of use, range of product offerings for different lifestyles, and strong value for the features offered. We found Medical Guardian to outperform Life Alert in all of the areas we find most important, like responsive fall detection, easy setup, affordability, and more.
- Avg. response time: 29 seconds
- Max. in-home device range: 1,400 feet
- Max. battery life: Five days
- Fall detection: Yes, $10 extra/month
- GPS tracking: Yes
- App available: Yes
- Contract required: No
Pros
- Five models to choose from
- Easy to set up and use
- Intuitive app with caregiver functionality
- Highest scores from testing
Cons
- High prices
- Equipment fee on most devices
Why we prefer Medical Guardian to Life Alert
Unlike Life Alert’s limited device options, Medical Guardian offers a range of different devices. The MGMini is a lightweight, compact mobile system typically worn as a necklace or on a belt loop, making it easy to carry and travel with. The MGClassic and MGHome Cellular are the base-level in-home systems. Lastly, the MGMiniLite and MGMove are smartwatches worn on the wrist with sizing similar to an Apple watch. Medical Guardian also has a variety of prices, all of them costing less than Life Alert’s $69/month. Here are your options when choosing Medical Guardian:
- MG Classic: An in-home device that connects through a landline and costs $36.95 a month with no equipment fees
- MG Home Cellular: An in-home device that connects through a cellular network and costs $38.95 a month with a one-time $149 equipment fee
- MGMini: An on-the-go device with GPS, that costs $39.95 a month and a one-time equipment fee of $149
- MGMove: An on-the-go device with GPS that costs $42.95 a month and a one-time equipment fee of $199
- MGMini Lite: An on-the-go device with GPS that costs $46.95 a month and a one-time equipment fee of $149
While Life Alert does offer an app, it doesn’t offer the same level of support as other brands. The Life Alert app serves as another way for users to contact the monitoring center, and also offers a flashlight, and a whistle or yelling alarm.
In comparison, Medical Guardian also has an optional app to review past calls and battery status and create reminders for appointments or medication dosages. The app also features a caregiver portal for those who want to stay connected to care partners. With 14% of the population caring for older adults in the United States (about 37 million people), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, this feature can be necessary for many.2
Our testing experience with Medical Guardian
One of our testers was impressed with how fast the device charged and how easy the setup was. “There was care put into making the unboxing process easy for someone with dexterity issues,” one tester noted. “The entire package is just two pieces so it’s really easy to open and set up.”
Testers said using the “testing mode” was intuitive and easy to navigate. But our users had some difficulty being able to cancel test calls. “Testing was easy and successful, but there should be a way to cancel a test without having to go through the whole process,” reported one tester.
When you need help, an immediate response from a monitoring center staffer is essential. “Getting timely help is critical because the quicker you receive care after an emergency—like a fall or sudden illness—the better your chances of avoiding serious complications or long-term disability,” explained Hawthorne, the occupational therapist in Texas. At 29 seconds, Medical Guardian had the fastest average response time of all brands we tested.
Across all models, Medical Guardian received positive feedback from our testers about the sound quality when connecting with the monitoring company.
Bay Alarm Medical
Bay Alarm Medical is our favorite Life Alert alternative for those who value great customer service. In all of our interactions with Bay Alarm, we found their staff friendly, personable, and professional, no matter if we were speaking with customer service or their monitoring center. We also appreciate the number of languages Bay Alarm Medical supports—about 170. Life Alert only supports one.
- Average response time: 51 seconds
- Max. in-home device range: 1,000 feet
- Max. battery life: Three days
- Fall detection: Yes, $10/month extra
- GPS tracking: Yes
- App available: Yes
- Contract required: No
Pros
- Great customer service and monitoring center experience during testing
- 170 supported languages
- Bella Charms help disguise wearable help buttons
Cons
- Equipment fees
- Limited free shipping
- Smartwatch has a short battery life (six to eight hours)
Why we prefer Bay Alarm Medical to Life Alert
Bay Alarm Medical offers both in-home and on-the-go systems and has been a long-time maker of medical alert systems with excellent customer service. After sitting through pushy sales calls with Life Alert, where the representative made many false claims, we put even more weight in Bay Alarm’s outstanding customer service.
When testing Bay Alarm, we used the chat feature to ask questions about its devices and warranty, and the representative was prompt and friendly with their responses. Life Alert’s website has no chat feature, and few details about their devices. No pricing or warranty information is listed online. Those interested in learning more about Life Alert are forced to call and engage with their often aggressive sales team.
Our team has tested all of Bay Alarm’s devices, and we like the range of options available. Bay Alarm’s device and subscription options are significantly less expensive than Life Alert's. Here are your choices from Bay Alarm Medical:
- SOS Home: An at-home device with a monthly cost of $24.95. The SOS Home requires no equipment fee and users can choose between a landline or cellular connection for the same price.
- SOS Micro: An on-the-go device costing $34.95 a month, the SOS Micro can be worn as a wristband, belt clip, or necklace. It has a one-time equipment fee of $149.
- SOS All-in-One 2: Also an on-the-go device costing $34.95 a month, the SOS All-in-One 2 uses GPS for location tracking and can be worn on the belt or as a necklace. It has a one-time equipment fee of $149.
- SOS Smartwatch: An on-the-go smartwatch costing $39.95 a month, the SOS Smartwatch includes local weather information and step tracking. It has a one-time equipment fee of $199.
Its monitoring center had quick response times (average time of 51 seconds), and staff was helpful and kind every time we called the monitoring center for test calls. Testers said the monitoring center staff put them at ease by answering the phone by first saying their name and confirming the name of the tester. “They're very cheerful and kind. I like how they tell me their name and say mine,” a tester said. This is the only medical alert company we’ve tested that always answers the phone by saying their name and verifying the name of the user.
The in-home device isn’t as discreet as other models we tested, such as the MGHome Cellular from Medical Guardian, but Bay Alarm’s systems are lower in monthly cost. We also appreciated that Bay Alarm Medical provides customer support for more than 170 languages, 169 more languages than Life Alert.4
Our testing experience with Bay Alarm Medical
Setting up the Bay Alarm At-Home system was seamless, and our tester was able to connect the device to the network without any concerns. Our testers had positive experiences with the monitoring center. It was an easy and pleasant experience, notes one tester. “The staff sounded cheerful and ready to help. The device is loud and screeches a little when the call first connects, so it was hard to sometimes catch their name. They ask if I need help, and that part of their sentence can be heard clearly.” We’ve found some other brands have staffers who aren’t as personable, but our tester for the SOS All-In-One model said the staff answered the test call identifying themselves by name each time and were efficient but thoughtful in their responses.
Our testers preferred to wear their devices on their belt loop or in their purse or pocket. According to one tester, “If you're wearing it as a necklace, the lanyard is thick and not that pretty, and it's obvious it's a medical alert system.”
MobileHelp
MobileHelp is our top choice for those who want the most for their money. Unlike Life Alert, MobileHelp’s pricing is transparent. There are no activation or equipment fees, and the company offers discounts periodically. If you pay annually, you also can receive a free lockbox, which helps if emergency services need to enter your home.
- Avg. response time: 49 seconds
- Max. in-home device range: 600 feet
- Max. battery life: 24 hours
- Fall detection: Yes, $11 extra/month
- GPS tracking: Yes
- App available: Yes
- Contract required: Yes, three-month agreement
Pros
- No activation or equipment fees
- Good value for the money
- Lowest starting monthly price at $24.95 (tied with Bay Alarm Medical)
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- No smartwatch device
- Three-month service commitment
Why we prefer MobileHelp to LifeAlert
Like Life Alert, MobileHelp offers three devices: The MobileHelp Classic, the MobileHelp Micro, and MobileHelp Solo. Yet the brands’ similarities end there. When you purchase one of MobileHelp’s Classic systems, either landline or cellular, it costs $24.95 a month, with no equipment fees. If you purchase the Micro Voice Pendant system from Life Alert, it’s $69 a month, with a $248 activation fee. If you want to add a waterproof help button to your MobileHelp Classic Cellular system, it’s an extra $2.99 a month. If you want to add a help button to your Life Alert Micro Voice Pendant system, it’s an extra $20 a month.
Another standout feature of MobileHelp is the ability to bundle devices to save money—you can bundle an at-home and GPS device for $44.95 per month, or bundle two GPS devices together for $49.95. Here is a breakdown of the MobileHelp devices and their fees:
- MobileHelp Classic: Offered as either a landline or cellular option, this at-home device is $24.95 a month with no activation or equipment fees.
- MobileHelp Solo: An on-the-go, GPS enabled device costing $34.95 a month with no activation or equipment fees.
- MobileHelp Micro: An on-the-go, GPS-enabled device costing $34.95 a month with no activation or equipment fees.
- Home Duo Bundle: An at-home and an on-the-go, GPS enabled device for $44.95 a month with no activation or equipment fees.
- Mobile Duo Bundle: Two on-the-go, GPS-enabled devices for $49.95 a month with no activation or equipment fees.
MobileHelp medical alert system devices are one of the more affordable alert systems on the market, while Life Alert’s are one of the most expensive. With no start-up or equipment fees, you MobileHelp users only pay for monthly monitoring. And if you choose to pay annually, the company also provides a free lockbox.
Our testing experience with MobileHelp
We tested the Classic and Solo devices and found the user manual contained helpful pictures to follow along during the setup process. One tester had difficulty connecting the Classic model to the network and had to call customer service. They got the device up and running after the customer service representative installed an update to the device.
During testing for the Classic model, our reviewer reported the sound quality had some static and was softer, but the Solo was clear and easy to understand.
Our tester thought the Solo wasn’t the most comfortable to wear. “The device itself is heavy on my chest and bounces a bit as I walk. If I jog or make more sudden movements, the device swings back and forth and hits my chest.” Still, a necklace can bring more peace of mind if you use fall detection. Studies show wearing a fall detection device around the neck at chest level provides the greatest level of accuracy.3 And the lanyard is adjustable, so positioning the device higher on the neck could help it feel steadier.
Frequently asked questions
We chose Medical Guardian, Bay Alarm Medical, and MobileHelp as our top alternatives to Life Alert for their customer service, affordability, helpful features, and ease-of-use. The best alternatives to Life Alert are the devices that fit your lifestyle, are reliable in an emergency, and are easy to use and comfortable to wear.
The monthly cost of the Micro Voice Pendant System from Life Alert is $69, with an extra $20 for either the help button or on-the-go GPS device. There is also a $248 activation and set-up fee.
The Life Alert help button battery can last up to 10 years because it doesn’t ever need to be charged, according to the company. But you’ll pay a premium for these devices that don’t include fall detection or other features that many other brands offer. Comparable buttons from other medical alert companies last about five years.
Medicare doesn’t usually cover medical alert systems, but some private insurance plans do, along with Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans. You may be able to use your health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA) to pay for Life Alert or another medical alert system.
Questions? Email us at reviewsteam@ncoa.org