Life Alert Medical Alert System Review 2024

Overview of Life Alert

The Buying Experience

When I first browsed Life Alert’s website, I was confused about how to navigate the products. At first glance, it appears that Life Alert offers a Master Unit, a Help Button, and a GPS + Mobile device as separate services. There are no prices listed online, and you can’t make an online purchase. The only way I could learn more was by calling Life Alert, which I’d highly recommend for getting answers to any questions.

Here’s a helpful tip I wish I’d known: The phone number listed on the website only takes you to a call center that can send you a brochure. It’s not the customer service or sales line, so they won’t answer any questions. After a quick Google search, I found a separate phone number for customer service. You can reach the Life Alert customer-service team at 800-338-9090. When I called, a friendly woman named Esmeralda was able to answer my questions.

I asked for clarification on their product lineup, and she informed me that every Life Alert customer must have the standard Master Unit for service. You can then get the Help Button and GPS + Mobile device as add-ons. I wanted more details on the systems and their pricing, so Esmeralda transferred me to the sales line to get all the details.

Cindy from Life Alert’s sales team cleared up my remaining questions. She informed me that, rather than offering each system separately, Life Alert offers bundle plans: one with all three items ($89.95 per month) and one with a Master Unit and a choice between the Mobile + GPS and the Help Button ($69.95 per month). I decided to order the plan with all three items to get the best deal and better understand Life Alert’s services.

Setting Up My System

Medical alert systems are designed for simple setup and use. Typically, you can install them on your own without a problem, but I’d recommend professional installation with Life Alert. Here’s why:

• Your activation fee pays for it anyway. Life Alert’s activation fees for both plans are almost $200, and opting for DIY installation won’t save you any money.
• It’s less stressful for you. Few companies offer professional installation, so I would take advantage of this service. The technician will help you set up your system correctly and find the best place for it in your home.
• A technician may already be on the way. Depending on where you live, Life Alert may have a technician deliver the system to you rather than ship it separately.

I recommend professional installation for Life Alert, but I set up the system myself to get a better feel for the equipment.

Master Unit Setup

To set up my Master Unit, I plugged it into the wall and put on my pendant. I placed the base unit in the kitchen, a central location in my home. To make a test call, I pressed the large, yellow-and-white button labeled “HELP” in red letters on the base unit. A robotic voice informed me that the dispatch center was being called and to stand by. After about two minutes I was connected to a Life Alert dispatcher. The dispatcher asked if I needed help, and I told them I was running a test using the two-way talk feature.

I noticed that Life Alert’s speaker is very loud, which is excellent if you have hearing loss or you’re connecting to the base unit from another room. There’s also a small gray “cancel” button at the top of the base unit, so you can cancel the call in case of a false alarm.

Next, I tested the pendant by walking across the house into the living room and pressing the gray help button. I could hear the base unit firing up to make a call, and I was connected again to a dispatcher in around two minutes. All of the operators I spoke with were incredibly helpful and attentive. Customer reviews commend Life Alert’s operators for staying on the line with them until help arrives.

Compared to most medical alert systems, Life Alert’s average two-minute response times are pretty slow. From all of my medical alert tests, I’ve found that the industry average for connecting with a live operator is about 15 to 45 seconds. Still, many Life Alert customer testimonials mention that first responders arrived quickly after a fall. If you’re looking for a system with faster response times, check out our Bay Alarm Medical review. The company has average response times of around 15 seconds.

Mobile + GPS Setup

I tested my GPS unit while running errands and found that it worked easily all over town! There’s no setup involved, so all I had to do was put on the necklace strap and press the help button (also the only button) on the pendant, and I was connected to the response center. I then used the two-way speaker to communicate with the dispatcher.

Expert Insights

From Taylor Shuman, Senior Tech Expert

Setup advice: If you opt for DIY installation for the Help Button, place it in a spot where a fall is most likely to happen — such as the bathroom, bedroom, or stairs — and remember to set it at a height you could reach after a fall.

Help Button Setup

I decided to place my Help Button next to the shower in the bathroom. To set it up, I removed the adhesive’s covering and attached the button to the wall. It stuck with no problem. I pressed the red button and was connected to a Life Alert dispatcher, just like with the Master Unit.

Contracts and Warranty

When I asked Cindy, the sales rep, if Life Alert offers a product warranty, she told me the company would cover any defective equipment and provide new batteries for the Master Unit if needed. She also informed me that they have several protection plans you can add to your monthly service, but she would not divulge what all of them were.

The minimum contract length for Life Alert is three years, which is not as convenient as some competitors we’ve reviewed, such as ADT Health, that offer contract-free options. Additionally, the only way to cancel Life Alert’s contract is if the customer passes away or moves into assisted living. After the three-year agreement, however, month-to-month payments are possible.

Life Alert Systems at a Glance

*In some cases, the Master Unit can be purchased alone at a $49.95 per month.

Life Alert System and Product Details

Life Alert System

Before you start shopping, it’s important to understand how Life Alert’s product lineup works, because it’s different from most medical alert companies. Life Alert offers one main system: the Master Unit. The other pieces of equipment it offers — the Life Alert + Mobile GPS pendant and the Help Button — can’t be purchased as stand-alone systems. They have to be purchased as add-on services with the Master Unit.

From our Aloe Care Health review and Medical Alert review, you’ll notice that other companies offer mobile systems that you can purchase separately from their in-home base units. Life Alert encourages customers to buy what I call a double- or triple-play bundle that includes the Master Unit, the GPS pendant, and/or the Help Button. You’ll need to work with a sales agent if you want to purchase the Master Unit on its own, since it’s offered only on a case-by-case basis.

Life Alert’s Master Unit

Cost

Depending on which bundle you select, you’ll pay $69.95 to $89.95 per month. You’ll also pay a $197 activation fee, which is pretty steep. As I’ve mentioned, the Master Unit isn’t typically sold without one or both of Life Alert’s add-ons. However, if you work with a sales agent and are approved to purchase it on its own, the price is $49.95 per month. If you’re new to medical alert systems, know that Life Alert’s prices are high compared to other providers. Visit our Medical Guardian pricing page and our Bay Alarm Medical cost page to compare Life Alert’s pricing to other leading companies’ prices.

Equipment

The Master Unit is ideal for older adults who spend most of their time around the house. My system came with a base unit with an emergency button, a two-way speaker, and a waterproof help pendant that can be worn as a necklace or wristband. The waterproof pendant works within an 800-foot range of the base unit, but it does not feature a two-way speakerphone itself. If you press the pendant’s help button and the unit is too far away to pick up your voice, Life Alert’s dispatcher will call you by phone. If no one answers, the company will automatically dispatch paramedics to the home. The Master Unit also has a three-day backup battery in case of a power outage.

Expert Insights

From Taylor Shuman, Senior Tech Expert

Life Alert does not offer fall detection, which is very unusual for the industry. Other leading providers, including Bay Alarm Medical, Medical Guardian, and MobileHelp, offer various fall-detection solutions. If that’s important to you, check out our list of the best medical alert systems with fall detection.

Service and Monitoring

I really like that the Master Unit doesn’t require setup through a landline or traditional cellular service. The representative I spoke with told me that Life Alert has their own line that operates independently from landlines and cellular networks, which is excellent for homes with poor cell reception.

Add-on Features and Accessories

Unlike Lifeline's products or LifeFone’s equipment, Life Alert does not offer add-ons like lockboxes or stylish accessories for pendants, but it does offer two add-on pieces of equipment. Just remember, while the Life Alert Mobile + GPS pendant and Help Button seem like they should be stand-alone systems, they should be treated as accessories to the Master Unit.

Life Alert Mobile + GPS

Life Alert Mobile with GPS

Life Alert’s Mobile + GPS device is perfect for someone who’s always on the move and enjoys an independent lifestyle. Because the company uses multiple cellular networks, the device will work wherever GSM cell phones do, which means you can wear it while running errands, visiting friends and family, or on a road trip. Life Alert’s dispatchers will be able to send help straight to your location, no matter where you are, thanks to GPS technology.

The pendant is waterproof, so you can wear it in the shower, tub, or swimming pool. The device is small and lightweight with a built-in two-way speaker, so you can wear it as a necklace, clip it to a belt, or place it inside a purse or pocket. The pendant’s batteries last up to 10 years. Yes, you heard me right: You won’t have to charge or replace the batteries for an entire decade. This is the longest-lasting battery I’ve seen for an on-the-go GPS unit. For comparison, other mobile systems from companies we’ve reviewed, including LifeStation, only last around five days before needing a charge.

Life Alert Help Button

Life Alert Help Button

Hands down, this is my favorite Life Alert product. The Help Button is great for places where a fall may happen, like in the bedroom, near the stairs, or in the bathroom. The large, red, waterproof button features a two-way speaker, so you can install it in the shower or tub without any issues. Because of its permanent adhesive, you can place the Help Button anywhere in the house, and it makes the perfect supplement to the Master Unit.

Several companies offer help buttons, but I haven’t seen many with a built-in two-way speaker. Plus, the battery lasts for a full 10 years, so you won’t have to worry about a dead battery during an emergency.

The Bottom Line on Life Alert

I appreciate Life Alert’s long-term experience and trusted name in the industry. As for the company’s equipment, I’m a big fan of the 10-year battery life for the Help Button and GPS + Mobile Unit, which is longer than most other medical alert systems I’ve tested. I found the systems to be simple and reliable, even for the most technology-averse seniors.

Life Alert has its drawbacks though. Its systems are about $30 to $40 more expensive than the competition, and they require long-term contracts. If you’re looking for a more flexible, budget-friendly option, you may want to consider other top medical alert providers. Life Alert’s systems are also very old-fashioned; they’re not sleek or discreet. You may, however, find that the price is worth it for the high-quality products and peace of mind that comes with the brand.

Our Methodology

Our team evaluates several key decision-making factors that users should consider when shopping for a medical alert system. Those factors include reliability, ease of use, customer service, price and value, response times, and available features. We test every system for ourselves to give readers a hands-on look at the product. We also ask older adults for feedback on the systems whenever possible. We then use all our research and personal experience with the products to give each company a star rating out of five. That way, our readers can easily compare systems. You can check out our medical alert system page for more details on our review process.