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Medical Guardian vs. Life Alert
With better battery life for mobile systems, faster response times, and no long-term contracts—all at a more affordable starting price—Medical Guardian offers superior service when compared to Life Alert systems.
Great variety
Call chain for caregivers
Sleek, stylish wearable devices
Long-standing reputation
24/7 emergency monitoring
Three-step response system
Updated:
At a glance:
- Though Medical Guardian devices are more expensive than other options ($28–$40/month), they’re still more affordable than Life Alert devices ($50–$70/month). Both typically have one-time equipment fees, but only Life Alert requires long-term contracts.
- Medical Guardian offers some of the best response times, averaging at only eight seconds. On the other hand, Life Alert has a much longer average response time of 68 seconds.
- Medical Guardian systems generally have better battery life (around three to five days), while on-the-go Life Alert systems can last up to three days.
Many older adults can benefit from medical alert systems, but with so many mobile and in-home devices to choose from, it can be hard to know what to invest in. The best brands not only deliver timely emergency services but also clearly outline monthly fees and add-on features that you and your loved ones can easily navigate.
If you’re not sure where to start, don’t worry! We’ve researched the various at-home and on-the-go systems offered by two popular brands—Medical Guardian and Life Alert—so you can make wise investment decisions.
Medical Guardian vs. Life Alert: Side-By-Side Comparison
| Pricing and features | Medical Guardian | Life Alert |
|---|---|---|
| In-home base unit starting price | $31.95/month (landline) $38.95/month (cellular) | $49.95/month (landline) $69.95/month (cellular) |
| Mobile device starting price | $39.95/month | $69.95/month |
| Fall detection price | $10/month | Not Available |
| Minimum contract required | One month | Three-year |
| Average response time | 8 seconds | 68 seconds |
| Smartwatch option | Yes | No |
Comparing Medical Guardian and Life Alert Functions and Features
Finding the best medical alert system for your situation requires a bit of know-how, especially when there are so many medical alert companies to choose from. Below, our Life Alert and Medical Guardian review analyzes the features of both brands, so you can make informed decisions with peace of mind.
Activation Fees and Monthly Costs
- Medical Guardian: Though not the most budget-friendly option, Medical Guardian’s in-home landline systems (starting at $31.95/month) and mobile systems (starting at $39.95/month) are more affordable than Life Alert systems. Some mobile devices have one-time equipment fees of $149-$199, but there are no activation fees.
- Life Alert: One of the most expensive brands, Life Alert devices have monthly fees starting at $49.95 for their landline-based in-home system. You’ll also need to sign a three-year contract and spend $197 for professional installation.
Emergency Response Speed
- Medical Guardian: Has one of the fastest response times among medical alert companies. You’ll receive access to emergency services far quicker than you would with Life Alert—in as little as eight seconds on average.
- Life Alert: Highly variable response times, with some hearing back from responders within only 15 seconds, while others report waiting for up to 120 seconds (two minutes). On average, this gives Life Alert a lengthy response time of 68 seconds.
Battery Life and Reliability
- Medical Guardian: Offers longer battery life for mobile systems, averaging between three and five days. Seniors, caregivers, and loved ones can also track battery life and receive charging alerts through the company’s Caregiver app.
- Life Alert: Respectable mobile battery life, lasting up to 72 hours. In-home base units also have a backup battery that can last an equal amount of time during outages.
Mobile App Integration
- Medical Guardian: One of the best mobile app integrations. The Caregiver app includes location tracking, alert notifications, status updates for battery life and cellular connection, and a 24/7 connection to the company’s monitoring center.
- Life Alert: No mobile app compatibility. Instead, all location tracking and monitoring services are integrated directly with the base unit or wearable device.
Customer Support and Privacy Policies
- Medical Guardian: Medical Guardian offers well-reviewed US-based customer support, with users reporting short hold times, clear technical support, extensive tutorials, and 24/7 monitoring. The brand also has decent privacy practices, limiting third-party sharing.
- Life Alert: Offers 24/7, US-based customer support for emergencies, with limited customer service hours outside of emergencies. Privacy policies are less transparent compared to other brands.
Medical Guardian
Great variety
Call chain for caregivers
Sleek, stylish wearable devices
Life Alert
Long-standing reputation
24/7 emergency monitoring
Three-step response system
Available Features and Add-ons
| Additional feature | Medical Guardian | Life Alert |
|---|---|---|
| Fall detection | All devices | Not available |
| GPS location tracking | Advanced tracking with pinpoint accuracy | Basic tracking for mobile options |
| Health tracking | Available on smartwatches | Not available |
| Mobile app features | Caregiver app | Not available |
| Lockbox | All devices | Not available |
| Two-way communication | All devices | All devices |
| Wi-Fi connectivity | Available for select devices | Not available |
| Wall button | Available for select devices | Available for select devices |
Examples of Medical Guardian Systems
Medical Guardian offers several different in-home, mobile, and all-in-one systems, from wristbands to smartwatches. Most in-home systems only require monthly fees, but many of the brand’s mobile devices include a one-time equipment fee ranging from $149–$199.
Great variety
Medical Guardian
- Call chain for caregivers
- Sleek, stylish wearable devices
| Medical Guardian system | Monthly starting cost | Device type | Additional features |
|---|---|---|---|
| MGHome Landline | $27.95 | At home (landline) | Waterproof help button, app compatibility |
| MGHome Cellular | $34.95 | At home (cellular) | Fall detection, waterproof help button, app compatibility |
| MGMini | $39.95 | Mobile and at-home (cellular) | Fall detection, GPS tracking, app compatibility, five-day battery life |
| MGMini Lite | $42.95 | Mobile and at-home (cellular) | Fall detection, GPS tracking, app compatibility, five-day battery life |
| MGMove | $38.95 | Mobile and at-home (cellular) | Fall detection, GPS tracking, app compatibility, three-day battery life, messaging features |
Examples of Life Alert Systems
Life Alert has a limited selection of both in-home and hybrid mobile systems. You’ll need to sign a three-year contract and commit to a one-time, $197 installation fee to use any of these systems.
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 monitoring center |
Frequently Asked Questions
In general, medical alert systems work through a landline or cellular network that connects to a dedicated monitoring center. When you push the help button, you’ll immediately connect to the center for assistance.
Most of Medical Guardian’s devices include automatic fall detection as an optional add-on—$10 additional a month. Life Alert does not offer this feature.
Medical Guardian has some of the best response times in the industry, averaging at only eight seconds. Life Alert tends to fall behind in this category, with variable response times that average at 68 seconds.
Life Alert does require a three-year contract for all devices, including cancellation fees. Medical Guardian only requires a short-term, one-month contract, and there are no cancellation fees.
Both Life Alert and Medical Guardian have waterproof help buttons, but not for all devices. Some mobile devices and base stations are water-resistant, but this isn’t the same as being fully waterproof. If you’re worried about slips in the shower or rain, always read the device description carefully before purchasing.
Other commonly-cited medical alert companies include Bay Alarm Medical, Lifeline, and MobileHelp.
Our Conclusion
While Life Alert offers respectable battery life, especially during power outages, Medical Guardian surpasses it in almost every other metric. Seniors who choose Medical Guardian will have access to faster response times, automatic fall detection, and the Caregiver app, all at a lower monthly cost and without signing long-term contracts.
While we personally recommend Medical Guardian, we also suggest reaching out to both companies and asking questions. This way, you can better understand which medical alert device is the right fit for you.
For comparisons with other medical alert systems, read: