LifeFone Medical Alert System Review 2025
Our tech experts found that LifeFone’s systems are easy to use, with plenty of options for at-home and on-the-go protection.
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LifeFone launched their first medical alert system in the 1970s, and their products have evolved considerably over the past 50 years. LifeFone now also offers GPS options that run on cellular networks for more flexibility. LifeFone earned an A+ rating and accreditation by the Better Business Bureau.
For this year’s review, I tested LifeFone’s At-Home Cellular system and the At-Home & On-the-Go VIP Flex package with fall detection. After testing LifeFone’s products, I give my stamp of approval for usability, price and transparency (no hidden fees here). Here's everything you need to know about LifeFone and how they stack up to the best medical alert brands, from the sign-up process and discounts to setup and testing.
Using LifeFone's fall detection pendant
Pros About LifeFone
- No up-front activation or equipment fees
- User-friendly systems
- Knowledgeable customer service representatives
- Best-in-class warranty
- Lifetime price guarantee
- Affordable fall detection
- Impressive in-home range up to 1,300 feet
- No long-term contracts
Cons About LifeFone
- Best rates require an annual plan
- Optional add-ons can add up
How Does LifeFone Compare?
LifeFone offers older adults a variety of affordable options for medical alert systems. Plus, with a lifetime price guarantee, you can rest easy knowing your monthly payments will never go up. But if you’re looking for lower costs and devices with a sleeker design, you may want to compare LifeFone to other options. Check out the top providers we have reviewed.
Overview of LifeFone
The Buying Experience
LifeFone's medical alert systems are easy to purchase through the company’s website or over the phone. I called to see if any discounts were available, and I’m glad I did! I learned that I could receive a free month of service for the package I was considering, and there was a further discount available if I chose the annual payment plan. I also asked about senior discounts, since some other providers offer them. The representative informed me that they have a modest discount for AARP members or veterans. Make sure to call to take advantage of this.
Buyer’s Tip: LifeFone offers a great referral program to help you save. For every customer you refer, you and your referral will receive a free month of service.
The Better Business Bureau's1 A+ rating is partly based on interactions with customer service. After my interactions with their friendly team (and the very short hold time I experienced on the customer service line), I can see why.
Setting Up My System
For this review, I tested LifeFone’s At-Home Cellular system, along with the At-Home & On-the-Go VIP Flex system. Both systems came in a small box with everything you need to use the system. The At-Home package had a base station, wall plug, help wristband and waterproof pendant (I chose the fall-detection option). The VIP Flex system came with a mobile device that looked like a wristwatch, along with a charging cradle and an instruction manual.
At-Home Setup
The At-Home system took only a few simple steps to set up. I plugged in the base unit console, turned it on and put on the pendant. The base station I tested was the cellular version, which has a digital display that says how many “bars” you have, just like a cell phone. I pressed the button on my pendant, and I was connected to a representative who asked if there was an emergency. I told them I was fine and just making a test call.
At-Home & On-the-Go, VIP flex Setup
To set up the VIP Flex unit, I plugged in the charging cradle and placed the mobile unit on it to let it fully charge. Once the mobile unit was charged, I pressed the device’s help button — the only button — to make a test call. After speaking with someone at the response center using the two-way audio, I felt confident that my system was ready and working.
Contracts and Warranty
LifeFone systems have a lifetime warranty, and all of the equipment is covered for normal wear and tear, including battery replacements at no additional cost. In my experience, the warranty is solid. Some other companies we’ve reviewed, such as Lifeline, offer only a one-year warranty for select systems. To top it off, LifeFone offers a protection plan for $5 per month that covers damage, loss or theft. I recommend adding it for people willing to pay for extra peace of mind.
LifeFone Systems at a Glance
| LifeFone product | Features | Starting price* | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|
| At-Home Landline |
|
$29.95 per month ($24.95 a month with annual payment plan) | Landline |
| At-Home Cellular |
|
$34.95 per month ($30.95 with annual payment plan) | Cellular (AT&T) |
| At-Home & On-the-Go VIP Flex |
|
$43.95 per month ($39.95 per month on annual plan) | Cellular (AT&T or Verizon) |
| At-Home & On-the-Go VIP Active |
|
$41.95 per month ($37.95 per month on annual plan) | Cellular (AT&T) |
| At-Home & On-the-Go VIPx |
|
$43.95 per month ($39.95 with annual plan) | Cellular (AT&T or Verizon) |
| At-Home & On-the-Go Safe Watch Active |
|
$47.95 per month ($37.95 per month with annual plan) | Cellular (AT&T) |
*Discounts also available with quarterly payment plans.
LifeFone System and Product Details
LifeFone offers six systems with various features and prices that all come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. We’ll look at the details of each system below.
- Safety features: Does this system offer all of the essential safety features you want, such as fall detection or 24/7 monitoring?
- Price: Does this system fit your budget?
- Ease of use: Does this system seem like something you will actually use? Or is it too complicated?
- Extra features: Does this system offer the additional features you want, like caregiver monitoring, a sleek design, or health tracking?
At-Home Landline
Cost
CostStarting at $24.95 per month with an annual payment plan, this at-home system is LifeFone’s most affordable package. There are a few cheaper options on the market, but this is pretty comparable to most other providers. For example, MobileHelp’s prices also start at $24.95 per month for in-home coverage. You also can get a $2 monthly discount if you pay quarterly.
Pro Tip: If you’re comparison shopping for emergency alert systems, check out our guide to medical alert prices and deals in 2025.
There are no activation or equipment fees, and you can add automatic fall detection for $5 per month. That’s inexpensive considering some companies, such as Medical Alert and ADT Medical Alert, charge $10 or more per month for the feature.
Equipment
The At-Home Landline system includes a wearable help button and a base station with a 32-hour backup battery in case you lose power. The base unit has a high-output speaker and a sensitive microphone for clear two-way communication. The wearable help button allows you to call for help anywhere in the 1,300-foot base-to-button range, so there’s no rush to get to the phone or base station.
This at-home system offers a few features I like. If you have a home phone connected to your landline, you can answer calls using your LifeFone system. Simply press your wearable help button when you hear the landline phone ring. The base unit also has a built-in temperature sensor. If the temperature gets way above or below the norm, the system will automatically send an alarm.
Service and Monitoring
At-Home Landline is for those who — you guessed it — have a landline. It’s also my pick for older adults who spend a great deal of time at home or are on a tight budget. In an emergency, press your wearable button or the help button on the base unit. The system will connect you to a live operator who can dispatch the right help. LifeFone’s monitoring center is available 24/7, so you’ll be covered at all times.
At-Home Cellular
Testing out LifeFone's At-Home Cellular system
Cost
At $34.95 per month, the system is $5 more than the landline option. You’ll pay $32.95 per month with a quarterly plan or $30.95 per month with an annual plan. (Customers currently get an additional price break on the annual plan that works out to $28.37 per month.) Like the rest of LifeFone’s systems, there are no activation or equipment fees. You can also add fall detection for $5 per month.
Equipment
At-Home Cellular is essentially the same system as the landline option, with a base station and wearable help button. The main difference is that it doesn’t require a landline. The base station has a room-temperature sensor that sends an alarm if your home temperature falls below or rises above your customized settings. It also features optional caregiver tools, like daily check-in calls, which are great for caregivers who want to keep a closer eye on their loved ones.
Service and Monitoring
LifeFone’s At-Home Cellular is excellent for those who like to spend most of their time at home. This system doesn’t use a landline; it operates on AT&T’s cellular network. You don’t have to be a current AT&T customer, because LifeFone provides the AT&T service. If you live in an area with reliable AT&T coverage and don’t have a landline, At-Home Cellular is a good option. If there isn’t solid coverage in your area, I’d recommend the landline system to save a few bucks.
At-Home & On-the-Go VIP Flex
Charging LifeFone's VIP flex system
Cost
At $43.95 per month, VIP Flex costs just a few dollars more per month than the VIP Active LifeFone system, but the design is much more convenient to wear. (You can wear the VIP Flex as a watch, belt or pendant. More on that below.)
You can add fall detection for $5 per month, and there are no activation or equipment fees. If you decide to cancel your subscription, you can do so at any time and you’ll pay only for the amount of time you’ve used the service.
If you want to save money and plan to use VIP Flex long-term, consider a quarterly or annual plan. VIP Flex costs $43.95 per month when paid monthly. When you pay quarterly, however, you’ll pay the equivalent of $41.95 per month and your fourth month is free. Paying annually will save you even more. Your price will drop to the equivalent of $39.95 per month, and your 12th month is free. The quarterly and annual plans come with free shipping, and the annual plan also includes a free lockbox. Talk about a deal!
Equipment
According to LifeFone, VIP Flex is their smallest, lightest and most versatile mobile alert device. You can wear it on a wristband, your belt clip or a necklace as a pendant.
The battery lasts for up to five days, but adding fall detection may reduce the battery life. You can easily recharge the battery by putting the device on the cradle. LifeFone alerts you when your battery is running low with a text and email reminder, so you can plan ahead to charge the device.
The VIP Flex is a small, discreet device at 1.57 inches tall and 0.7 ounces. It’s water-resistant, which means you can wear it in the rain or shower. Its black color will coordinate well with outfits, and it has a more modern look than the LifeFone VIP Active pendant. The option to wear the VIP Flex on your belt or as a watch gives you more versatility too.
Service and Monitoring
The VIP Flex is a great choice for anyone looking for extra peace of mind when they’re alone, whether they’re working in the yard or spending time in the house. The device is equipped with advanced location technology, allowing you to summon help by pressing the single button to contact LifeFone’s U.S.-based call center. The call center can use the device’s cellular, Wi-Fi and GPS technology to identify your location. The device uses either AT&T or Verizon cell signals, so you’ll be covered on the go.
Buyer's Tip: Want to compare providers that offer fall detection? Visit our list of the best medical alert systems with fall detection.
At-Home & On-the-Go VIP Active
Cost
This system costs $41.95 per month, and you can save a few dollars if you choose the quarterly or annual payment plan. You’ll pay $5 per month if you add fall detection.
Equipment
The Voice-in-Pendant Active system is a convenient, all-in-one wearable unit. Everything you need is built right into the pendant, so all you have to do is wear the necklace wherever you go. The black pendant features a two-way speaker and offers vibration feedback to help those with vision or hearing loss. This system has up to a five-day battery life. If you have a hard time remembering to charge your devices (like I do), that could be a major selling point.
Service and Monitoring
This system is as streamlined as it is low-maintenance; it works through LifeFone’s AT&T cellular network. The necklace is equipped with Wi-Fi and GPS location technology, so help can be sent straight to you, and caregivers can quickly access your location through a text to LifeFone or the LifeFone mobile app.
At-Home & On-the-Go VIPx
LifeFone's VIPx system
Cost
The At-Home & On-the-Go VIPx costs $39.95 per month with an annual plan. Although it’s a few dollars more than comparable systems from other brands, keep in mind that LifeFone does not charge equipment or activation fees and fall detection costs only $5 per month rather than $10, the price you will find from most other brands.
Equipment
The “x” in VIPx is definitely there for a reason. Compared to the VIP Active, the system has lots of extras. The device is tiny and feather-light at only 1.3 ounces, and its battery stays charged for up to 10 days. It also comes in three colors: black, white and silver.
Service and Monitoring
Like the VIP Active, you can choose a VIPx unit that runs on Verizon’s or AT&T’s cellular network. Its advanced location-tracking system uses both Wi-Fi and GPS to pinpoint a user’s location. Finally, this all-inclusive system offers optional fall detection for $5 per month (through a pendant) and a caregiver’s app loaded with additional functions.
At-Home & On-the-Go Safe Watch Active
At-Home & On-the-Go Safe Watch Active
Cost
The Safe Watch Active costs $47.95 per month ($40.29 if paid annually), making it one of the company’s more expensive systems. Similar to LifeFone’s other systems, you can score a discount if you pay for your system quarterly or annually. You can also add fall detection for $5 per month.
Equipment
The Safe Watch Active is LifeFone’s smartwatch system. It is sleek and discreet, with a black face and band and your choice of an analog or digital display. It is chock-full of features, including a step tracker, heart monitor, weather app, two-way talk and vibration feedback. The watch’s battery lasts up to 24 hours for all-day use. It even has a low-battery warning to remind you when it’s time to charge the device.
For comparison, Bay Alarm Medical offers the SOS Smartwatch, but the battery only lasts up to 18 hours per charge compared to LifeFone’s 24 hours. Fall detection costs $10 monthly with Bay Alarm, which is twice as much as LifeFone charges. You’ll also pay a $179 equipment fee for Bay Alarm Medical, whereas LifeFone has no equipment fees.
Service and Monitoring
The Safe Watch Active runs on AT&T’s cellular network. In addition to advanced location tracking, it also offers optional fall detection, which is a rarity among other medical alert smartwatches.
Add-On Features and Accessories
LifeFone offers a ton of add-on services and accessories, which can be daunting. Here are a few of my favorites to consider.
- Activity Assurance caregiver tool ($6 per month): To help with daily check-ins, this tool allows a caregiver to pick a custom check-in time for the user. If the user doesn’t call within 15 minutes of that time, LifeFone will call them.
- Fall detection ($5 per month): I’d highly recommend this add-on if it fits in your budget. The fall-detection pendant will automatically sense a fall and call for help, even if you can’t press your help button.
Here are some of the other useful add-on services available:
- Daily check-in calls ($19 per month): With this service, a LifeFone agent will call and check in with you daily.
- Location services (free for select systems): Caregivers and family members can access your location through an online portal.
- Protection plan ($5 per month): Protects you from needing to spend several hundred dollars on a new system if yours is lost, damaged or stolen.
- VIPx Caregiver app ($8 per month): Allows caregivers to be alerted to the first motion of the day, check the button-press history and more.
- Mobile Alert app: For those who do not want to use a medical alert device. It works on the user’s cellular network.
And here are some additional add-on products:
- Lockbox: You can store an extra key outside your door in this box so first responders can easily access your home without breaking down your door.
- Wall-mounted help button: This button adheres to a wall or surface for extra protection in high-risk areas such as the bathroom or stairs.
- Vanity pendant: You can spruce up the design of your pendant with this stylish necklace for $49.95. (Note that it works only with the At-Home Landline and At-Home Cellular Systems and does not include fall detection.)
This many add-on options can be overwhelming. I’d recommend chatting with a LifeFone representative to learn more and help you choose the right accessories for your needs.
Our Methodology
Our team of senior tech experts spent over 50 hours testing and evaluating LifeFone’s systems. Below is a closer look at the criteria we consider in our medical alert reviews. To learn more about our review process, head to our medical alert system methodology guide.
- Safety and tech features: Seniors have different priorities, so we rigorously test each safety element of emergency systems to make sure they deliver the features older adults want and need. We look for devices that are water-resistant and have fall-detection capabilities, location-finder options for caregivers and voice-command features, which could be important for older adults who have problems with dexterity. It’s crucial that these safety features perform like they’re supposed to.
- Connection: Because it’s so important that medical alert system devices are able to connect with help agents quickly, we thoroughly test and log each system’s average response times. We also note how easy or difficult it is to hear and communicate with agents.
- Price: We do our best to find reliable alert systems to fit most budgets, including simple systems that provide a lifeline in a crisis and sleek, high-tech options that double as health trackers. We also make sure we understand each company’s up-front and ongoing monthly fees and ask about discounts that may help keep costs down.
- Ease of use: We look for simple, intuitive designs, such as large, easy-to-press help buttons and volume buttons that are easy to control. We carefully consider device design and function, and note whether products are lightweight, sturdy and durable.
- Add-on features: We note device and service options, such as GPS location tracking, device finder capabilities, health tracking and apps or location alerts for caregivers. We also make sure the features function properly during testing.
- Customer service: We contact customer service agents to make sure calls are answered in a prompt, courteous, helpful and patient manner.
- Contracts and terms of service: We do our best to gauge each company’s transparency about their policies, such as whether service contracts are required or whether companies appear to honor lifetime price guarantees and 30-day free trials. We ask questions such as: Do they promptly replace batteries when needed? And how difficult is it to fix or replace faulty equipment?
Compare Lifefone to Other Providers
LifeFone Medical Alert Video Review
There is a lot of material about LifeFone’s lineup of products and services in this review, but seeing truly is believing. You can check out my hands-on experience with LifeFone’s products in the video below. You’ll also get to see what the devices look like and how they function in real time. Take a moment to watch before you make your final decision on which medical alert device to purchase.
The Bottom Line on LifeFone
Overall, LifeFone is a solid choice for a medical alert device. The company’s systems offer the essential features you need to stay protected, including fall detection, wide coverage ranges, 24/7 monitoring and caregiver tools. With lifetime warranties, no up-front costs or activation fees, and seasonal discounts, there is an option for most budgets. The company also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, which I appreciate. There are some higher-tech systems on the market, but LifeFone is still an excellent option.
Frequently Asked Questions About LifeFone
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How much does LifeFone cost per month?
Pricing varies by the product you go with and how you pay for service. Prices start as low as $24.95 per month when you pay annually and range up to $47.95 paid monthly for top-tier packages.
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What is the return policy for LifeFone?
LifeFone allows you to cancel service at any time, for any reason. There are no long-term contracts, and you will receive a refund if you paid for your service in advance.
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What happens if I push the button and I’m not able to communicate?
If you push the button and LifeFone’s care agent can’t hear you, they will call your home phone. If they can’t reach you there, they’ll follow your previously provided emergency care instructions and dispatch emergency services to your location.
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Can I take my device with me when I go on vacation?
Regardless of how long you will be relocating, all it takes to change your system’s location for a vacation is a simple phone call to LifeFone’s emergency response center. If you use the At-Home Landline system, you just need to make sure your new location has a landline.
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Better Business Bureau. (2025). Business Profile LifeFone.