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Life Alert vs. Medical Alert
While Life Alert’s mobile systems have more predictable and potentially longer battery life, Medical Alert offers lower prices, faster response times, more features, and the benefit of no long-term contracts.
Long-standing reputation
24/7 emergency monitoring
Three-step response system
U.S.-based monitoring with multilingual support
Caregiver mobile app
No contract required
Updated:
At a glance:
- Medical Alert systems offer cheaper monthly and annual plans ($28–$40/month; $20–$35/month paid annually) and the benefit of no long-term contracts, while Life Alert systems cost between $50–$70/month and require a three-year contract.
- Medical Alert’s devices have a middle-of-the-road average response time of 28 seconds, compared to Life Alert’s much longer average of 68 seconds.
- Life Alert offers medical alert systems with long-lasting battery life, potentially working for up to 72 hours on a full charge, while battery life for Medical Alert’s systems is unclear.
For older adults who want to take their health care into their own hands, mobile or in-home medical alert devices are a great solution. When medical emergencies occur, these monitoring systems connect you with emergency responders for an annual or monthly fee. That way, even if you choose to age in place, you, your family members, and other loved ones can have daily peace of mind.
However, with several of these personal emergency response systems (PERs) available on the market, it can be hard to determine the best choice. In this comparison, we pit Life Alert and Medical Alert, two popular brands, against each other to determine which has the best features. From automatic fall detection and other important add-ons to calculating set-up fees, read on to learn more.
Life Alert Vs. Medical Alert: Side-By-Side Comparison
| Pricing and features | Life Alert | Medical Alert |
|---|---|---|
| In-home base unit starting price | $49.95/month (landline) $69.95/month (cellular) | $27.95/month (landline) $37.95/month (cellular) |
| Mobile device starting price | $69.95/month | $42.95/month |
| Fall detection price | Not Available | $10/month |
| Minimum contract required | Three-year | No contract required |
| Average response time | 68 seconds | 28 seconds |
| Smartwatch option | No | Yes |
Comparing Life Alert and Medical Alert Functions and Features
More than just weighing upfront or month-to-month costs, the best medical alert system for senior living depends on several factors. From response times to the availability of on-the-go smartwatches, every medical alert company offers something slightly different. Below, we compare both Life Alert and Medical Alert systems:
Activation Fees and Monthly Costs
- Life Alert: Landline-based in-home systems have a monthly fee of $49.95, and you’ll also pay a high upfront cost—$197 for professional installation. Life Alert also requires you to sign a three-year contract for their services.
- Medical Alert: Prices are generally more affordable, especially if you opt for annual payments. Landline-based, in-home systems start at around $27.95/month, while mobile devices start at $42.95/month. Paid annually, system costs are as low as $20–$35/month. You’ll also be responsible for a one-time equipment fee of $100–$159, with no long-term contracts.
Emergency Response Speed
- Life Alert: Response times are unpredictable, with some hearing back from responders in as little as 15 seconds, while others report waiting for up to 120 seconds (two minutes). Combined, real-time responses take 68 seconds on average.
- Medical Alert: While not the best response times within the industry, pressing the alert button typically elicits a response within 28 seconds. That means you can access the call center for emergency services in less than half the time, on average.
Battery Life and Reliability
- Life Alert: Strong battery life, with mobile devices staying charged for up to 72 hours and in-home base units including a backup battery that lasts the same amount of time during power outages.
- Medical Alert: Limited information about battery life makes it difficult to gauge how long devices last on a full charge, giving Life Alert the advantage.
Mobile App Integration
- Life Alert: Not compatible with any mobile apps; all location tracking and monitoring services are integrated directly with the base unit or wearable device.
- Medical Alert: TheMedical Alert Connect app allows users to manage their device, receive notifications, check battery status, track device location, and communicate with caregivers.
Customer Support and Privacy Policies
- Life Alert: Life Alert provides 24/7 US-based customer support for emergency calls, but non-emergency calls must be addressed on weekdays. The brand also has less transparent privacy policies.
- Medical Alert: Medical Alert offers 24/7 nationwide support through a U.S.-based monitoring center, meaning you can reach customer support any time. They also state that they do not sell personally identifiable information for commercial purposes.
Life Alert
Long-standing reputation
24/7 emergency monitoring
Three-step response system
Medical Alert
U.S.-based monitoring with multilingual support
Caregiver mobile app
No contract required
Available Features and Add-ons
| Additional feature | Life Alert | Medical Alert |
|---|---|---|
| Fall detection | Not available | Available for select devices |
| GPS location tracking | Basic tracking for mobile options | Full GPS tracking for mobile devices |
| Health tracking | Not available | Available for select devices |
| Mobile app features | Not available | Medical Alert Connect app |
| Lockbox | Not available | All devices |
| Two-way communication | All devices | Available for select devices |
| Wi-Fi connectivity | Not available | Limited access |
| Wall button | Available for select devices | Available for select devices |
Examples of Life Alert Systems
Before you sign up for a three-year contract with Life Alert and commit to the $197 installation fee, it’s important to understand the available devices and what they offer. Life Alert’s systems include:
Long-standing reputation
Life Alert
- 24/7 emergency monitoring
- Three-step response system
| Life Alert system | Monthly starting cost | Device type | Additional features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master Unit | $49.95 | At-home (landline) | Waterproof help button, 72-hour backup battery |
| Master Unit + Help Button | $69.95 | At-home (landline) | Waterproof wearable help button, wall button |
| Mobile + GPS Unit | $69.95 | Mobile and at-home (cellular) | GPS tracking, waterproof help button, 72-hour battery life |
| Help Button (Wall-Mounted) | $69.95 | At-home (landline) | Always-on connection to the monitoring center |
Examples of Medical Alert’s Systems
Medical Alert offers a wide range of both in-home help buttons and on-the-go devices, including a smartwatch. Keep in mind that you will have to pay a one-time, upfront fee of $99.99 for most devices. The smartwatch, in particular, has a one-time, $159 equipment fee.
U.S.-based monitoring with multilingual support
Medical Alert
- Caregiver mobile app
- No contract required
| Medical Alert system | Monthly starting cost | Device type | Additional features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home System (landline) | $27.95 | At-home (landline) | Waterproof help button, two-way speaker, 800-ft range within the home, base unit with backup battery |
| Home System (cellular) | $37.95 | At-home (cellular) | Waterproof help button, two-way speaker, 800-ft range, 30-hour backup battery |
| Mobile System (standard) | $42.95 | Mobile (cellular) | Fall detection, waterproof help button, GPS location tracking, two-way communication |
| Mobile system (mini) | $47.95 | Mobile (cellular) | Fall detection, waterproof help button, GPS tracking, two-way communication |
| Smartwatch | $39.95 | Mobile (cellular) | Fall detection, waterproof, GPS location tracking, two-way communication |
Our Conclusion: Medical Alert Outperforms Life Alert
Medical Alert stands out as the better medical alert system brand, as it’s affordable while offering more reliability and safety features. For example, Medical Alert’s response times are over twice as fast as Life Alert’s, and you’ll also have access to add-ons like automatic fall detection.
While Life Alert has strong, clearly outlined battery life, its policies and systems fall behind in most other categories. However, in the end, choosing the best brand depends on your unique budget and medical needs.
Lift Alert vs. Medical Alert FAQs
Both Life Alert and Medical Alert systems work by using either a landline or cellular network to keep users connected to a 24/7 monitoring center. If a medical emergency or fall occurs, seniors can press the help button to immediately contact the center.
Medical Alert offers three mobile systems, with fall detection as an optional add-on for $10 extra per month. Life Alert, on the other hand, does not offer fall detection.
Medical Alert has better response times than Life Alert, averaging at 28 seconds. Life Alert’s average response time is a much longer 68 seconds.
Life Alert requires you to sign a three-year contract for services, which includes cancellation fees. Medical Alert does not require long-term contracts, and there are no cancellation fees.
Several of Medical Alert’s systems are waterproof, including their mobile devices and smartwatches. Both companies provide water-resistant base stations, but that’s not the same as being fully waterproof. If you want to wear your device in the shower or while swimming, be sure to read the description before you make a purchase.
We’ve reviewed several medical alert companies, with some reliable options including Bay Alarm Medical, Medical Guardian, MobileHelp, Lifeline, and more.