Medical Guardian vs. Life Alert
Medical Guardian offers sleek, high-tech systems, while Life Alert is a household name that sticks to the basics.
SeniorLiving.org is supported by commissions from providers listed on our site. Read our Editorial Guidelines
| Medical Guardian | What we like | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
 |
|
|
| Life Alert | What we like | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
 |
|
|
Medical Guardian and Life Alert are two of the industry’s most well-known medical alert system providers. They protect thousands of older adults and ease the worries of their loved ones since help is available with a press of a button.
Though Life Alert and Medical Guardian are excellent companies with long-standing reputations, there are some factors to consider if you’re choosing between the two. Life Alert is one of the most expensive providers on the market, but if you’re looking for a simple system with quick response times and reliable service, they may be a great choice. Medical Guardian protects at a lower cost and has more bells and whistles for older adults looking for advanced technology and accessories.
Our senior tech experts have tested several systems from both providers over the years, evaluating them for price, value, durability, response times, useful features, coverage range, and more. We’ll cover our experience with the companies and who they’re best for below.
Testing out Medical Guardian's MGHome Cellular system
An Overview of Medical Guardian and Life Alert
Life Alert
Life Alert Base Unit and Wearables
Life Alert has been in business since 1987 and employs over 600 people. If any company is an expert in providing emergency monitoring for seniors, it’s Life Alert! The company has over three decades of experience backed by an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau1 and a Five Diamond2 certified call center, the highest certification given by The Monitoring Association. We wish they offered more optional features with their systems, such as fall detection, and we aren’t thrilled with their three-year contract requirement. However, if Life Alert’s systems meet your needs and budget, you won’t be disappointed with their service.
Fun Fact: There are nine Life Alert offices located across the U.S., all dedicated to serving older adults and their caregivers with emergency monitoring services.
Medical Guardian
Testing out Medical Guardian's MGMini Lite
Medical Guardian, founded in 2005, is headquartered in Philadelphia, PA. The founder, Geoff Gross, was motivated to help seniors after his grandmother experienced multiple falls at home. We are impressed with their five systems to choose from, as well as a variety of features and add-ons such as fall detection and caregiver monitoring through their My Guardian customer care portal and app. The company is one of our top picks for medical alert systems.
Breaking Down the Costs of Medical Guardian and Life Alert
Medical Guardian customers pay anywhere from $29.95 per month to $44.95 per month. Life Alert, on the other hand, is about $20 to $50 more expensive per month, and you’ll have to pay a $197 installation fee.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Starting rate | $49.95 per month when you select only the main system | $32.95 per month |
| Payment options |
|
$32.95 - $44.95 per month |
| Equipment fee | None |
|
| Installation fee | $197 | N/A |
| Contracts | Yes, three years | No |
| Money-back guarantee | No | No |
| Fall detection | No | $10 per month |
| Website |
Medical Guardian Pricing
Medical Guardian’s prices are comparable to other top providers, but there are a few more affordable options on the market, such as Bay Alarm Medical’s systems. When purchasing a Medical Guardian system online, you’ll see that there are three payment options: monthly, quarterly, or annual. We recommend selecting the yearly payment plan because it will save you up to $45 per year, and it includes free shipping and a free lockbox. We can’t pass up a great deal, and you shouldn’t either!
We found Medical Guardian’s online purchasing process to be simple, and their website was easy to navigate. To make sure we got the best deal, we called their customer-service line before finalizing our online purchase. We asked about seasonal specials, since the company runs them frequently. During our testing, we also used the live chat feature on the website and were surprised by the fast 10-second response time from a representative.
We asked the agent if Medical Guardian has a free trial period. The representative informed us that, similar to Life Alert, they don’t have one, which is a bit of a drawback with both brands. Medical Guardian also has a refer-a-friend program. Current customers will earn $25 when they refer a friend who joins.
Life Alert Pricing
Life Alert has an unusual pricing structure. All customers will need to select a bundled deal that includes the in-home Master Unit and at least one add-on device for $79.90 per month. Add-on devices from Life Alert include the On-the-Go + GPS unit and the Help Button. If you would like to add both devices, it will cost you $98.85. per month. Purchasing the Master Unit alone for $49.95 per month is not typically offered. If it is something you want, push the sales representatives on it because they sometimes make special exceptions. For older adults who want ultimate protection, we recommend going with the $98.85-per-month package, which includes mobile and in-home protection, as well as the wall Help Button that can be placed in the bathroom or other high-risk areas of the home.
Purchases have to be made by phone since the company’s website does not have an online purchasing option. Overall, Life Alert is more expensive than Medical Guardian, but their systems are simple and reliable.
Medical Guardian and Life Alert Product Lineup
Both Medical Guardian and Life Alert offer in-home and mobile medical alert systems for seniors. Medical Guardian has five high-tech systems to choose from while Life Alert has a simplified selection with a Master Unit and two add-on options to boost protection in the home or on the go.
Medical Guardian Equipment
One of our favorite Medical Guardian systems is the MGMove. This unique system features a smartwatch design, step tracker, and weather app, along with other optional apps for texting with loved ones and calendar reminders. During our testing, we liked being able to send and receive messages to our contacts, a feature that can be added, along with calendar alerts and reminders, for $5 per month. The watch looked just like a regular smartwatch, so no one realized we were wearing a medical alert system!
Pressing in the red SOS button on the side of the MGMove
For older adults who want a small but mighty mobile device, the Mini Guardian is hard to beat. It is half the size of traditional mobile medical alert devices and holds a charge for five days. For a cheaper, more classic option, older adults who mostly stay home will benefit from the MGClassic, but you’ll need a landline to connect it to.
Testing out Medical Guardian's MGHome Cellular system
| Medical Guardian system | Mini Guardian | MGMove | MGMini Lite | MGHome Cellular | MGClassic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | $39.95 | $39.95 | $44.95 | $37.95 | $32.95 |
| Device fee | $149.95 | $199.95 | $149.95 | $149.95 | None |
| GPS location tracking | Yes | Yes | Yes | N/A | N/A |
| Fall detection available | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Water-resistant | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Battery life | 5 days | Up to 24 hours | Up to 36 hours | 32-hour backup battery | 32-hour backup battery |
Life Alert Equipment
Life Alert offers bundles for homebodies and active seniors. The Master Unit comes with a base system and a pendant. As mentioned above, customers typically need to bundle the Master Unit with either the On-the-Go + GPS add-on or the Help Button add-on. You can also select both for $98.85 per month. Apart from Life Alert’s two add-ons, there was no other equipment — unlike Medical Guardian, which offers add-ons such as lockboxes and voice-activated wall help buttons.
We found that Life Alert’s equipment was easy to set up. We placed Life Alert’s Help Button in the bathroom near the shower, a common place for falls. Installation was easy. All we had to do was remove the adhesive’s covering and stick it to the wall.
Life Alert Mobile with GPS
The Master Unit has a base-to-button range of 800 feet, which is sufficient for most homes. It also has a two-way speaker and a 72-hour backup battery in case you ever lose power. The pendant is waterproof and has a 10-year battery life. Their On-the-Go + GPS device has a 10-year battery life and GPS tracking. That’s impressive since most mobile devices on the market require a charge every few days! For example, LifeStation, another popular brand, has mobile devices that last about five days before requiring a charge.
The Help Button is waterproof and equipped with two-way communication so that you can place it in the shower. When we tested Life Alert’s emergency response, it took about two minutes to connect to a live operator. The industry average is about 15 to 45 seconds, so this is fairly long, especially since every second counts in an emergency.
Watch our video review below to learn more about our experience with Life Alert.
| Life Alert system | Master Unit | Master Unit and Help Button (or On-the-Go + GPS)* | Master Unit and Help Button and On-the-Go + GPS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | $49.95 per month | $70.90 per month | $98.85 per month |
| Installation fee | $197 | $197 | $197 |
| GPS location tracking | No | Yes | Yes |
| Fall detection available | No | No | No |
| Water-resistant | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Battery life | Pendants up to 10 years | Up to 10 years | Up to 10 years |
| Best for | All Life Alert customers | On-the-go seniors or those prone to falls | Seniors who want complete protection |
*You can select the Master Unit and Help Button or the Master Unit and On-the-Go + GPS add-on.
Accessories and Add-ons
When it comes to add-ons, Medical Guardian has more to offer than Life Alert. Life Alert’s add-ons are their Help Button and On-the-Go + GPS. They don’t have lockboxes, caregiver benefits, or fall detection available like Medical Guardian. For older adults who want to purchase some of these accessories and add-ons from Medical Guardian, keep in mind they each have an additional fee.
Since one in four Americans aged 65 and older experience a fall each year,3 it may be worth considering automatic fall detection from Medical Guardian. If you or your loved one has a history of falling or fainting, we recommend it. An emergency operator will be alerted and send help if a fall is detected, even if your loved one cannot press the help button.
Testing out a Medical Guardian fall detection help pendant
Our Recommendations for Life Alert and Medical Guardian
Medical Guardian and Life Alert both offer reliable medical alert monitoring. Below is a breakdown of our recommendations for each company.
Pros About Life Alert
- Seniors who value brand reputation and don’t mind paying extra.
- Older adults who don’t want to worry about charging devices.
- Seniors who prefer simplicity over high-tech features.
Pros About Medical Guardian
- Active seniors who are on the go.
- Older adults looking for discreet, innovative technology.
- Those looking for a smartwatch system.
Other Important Considerations
Before you finalize your purchase, you’ll want to review the fine print and policies. Below are the main points to consider with Medical Guardian and Life Alert.
Contracts
Life Alert requires all customers to sign a three-year contract, which is unusual since most medical alert providers do not require contracts. After three years, you can start paying month to month. Life Alert does allow you to get out of the contract under certain circumstances, such as moving to a long-term care facility, with proper supporting documentation.
Like other popular brands — including MobileHelp, Bay Alarm Medical, and ADT — Medical Guardian does not require a contract. If at any point you want to cancel your service, they will refund you for any unused months. You may, however, have to pay a restocking fee.
Warranties
Life Alert has a lifetime warranty for defective equipment or malfunctions. If you lose or damage the equipment, you will have to pay to replace the device. When we called Life Alert’s customer support to ask about product warranties, the friendly agent said they cover any defective equipment and provide new batteries for the Master Unit.
When we called Medical Guardian customer service to ask about warranties, we were told the company offers only a limited 90-day warranty for malfunctions or technical issues. The company does offer a protection plan for $6.99 per month. It covers a replacement for the base unit once per year and help buttons twice per year. Without the protection plan, you could pay a few hundred dollars to replace a damaged or lost unit. Depending on your lifestyle, we think it’s worth considering a protection plan from Medical Guardian.
The Final Verdict
Life Alert has an extensive history of serving older adults and their caregivers; according to the company, they save a life every 11 minutes. Though it does cost a pretty penny to become a subscriber, older adults who value brand recognition and simplicity may find their service worth the money. You’ll want to remember that you’ll need to sign a three-year contract at the time of purchase.
If you are an active, on-the-go senior, Medical Guardian may be the better fit for you.
Medical Guardian is great for tech-loving older adults. With a wide range of devices and prices, they offer a system for most budgets and lifestyles. Though we aren’t fans of the device fee on some of their systems, they don’t require long-term contracts, which is always an A+ in our book.
If you want to learn more, head over to this year’s Medical Guardian review and our latest Life Alert review.
Our Methodology: How We Tested and Reviewed Medical Guardian and Life Alert
Testing out Medical Guardian's MGHome Cellular system
Our expert researchers spent more than 100 hours testing Medical Guardian and Life Alert systems. We evaluated their ease of setup, safety alert features, response times, device and plan costs, and customer service. Here’s a sample of our testing process:
- Our team of tech experts researched Medical Guardian and Life Alert by visiting the company websites and reaching out to customer representatives via phone, email, and chat. We reviewed each company’s product offerings, costs, contract requirements, seasonal promotions, service fees, activation processes, return policies, and other criteria.
- We ordered systems from both providers and tested them for a week. We used the systems at home, on walks, and while running errands.
- We conducted 10 test calls to each company’s 24-hour response center, taking note of average response times.
- We assessed each device’s efficiency, performance, ease of use, speaker volume, water resistance, coverage range, and additional features to determine the overall value for aging adults.
Following our testing period, we focused on the following criteria to determine our rating for each provider.
- Pricing: We reviewed monthly costs, service fees, installation fees, cancellation policies, and fees for add-ons to provide a more accurate cost and value assessment.
- Contracts: We evaluated whether either company required a contract, its length, and the terms and options for exiting a contract early.
- Device features: A variety of features can make one company stand out from another. We evaluated fall detection, GPS tracking, two-way communication, range, response times, equipment aesthetics, and battery life to inform our rating.
- Response time and monitoring: We tested how fast operators respond to alerts, the monitoring center quality and certifications, and whether urgent response provides language support.
Better Business Bureau. (2020). Life Alert Emergency Response, Inc.
TMA. (2020). Five Diamond Designated Monitoring Centers.
NCOA. (2023). Get the Facts on Fall Prevention.
