Welcome to our comprehensive showdown between Medical Guardian and Life Alert – two titans in the world of medical alert systems. If you’re seeking the ultimate safeguard for your loved ones or yourself, you’re in the right place. We’re about to dive deep into this comparison to help you make an informed choice.
In this no-nonsense review, we’ve gone the extra mile, enlisting the expertise of Dr. Naheed Ali, a leading authority in the field. He’s meticulously scrutinized the nation’s top medical alert companies and crowned Medical Guardian and Life Alert as the crème de la crème, offering top-notch medical alert devices. If you’re keen on the nitty-gritty details of Dr. Naheed’s extensive research, don’t forget to check out his in-depth analysis in the “Top Ten Best Medical Alert Systems for Seniors.”
But let’s cut to the chase – when it comes to Medical Guardian and Life Alert, which one reigns supreme? Join us as we embark on a side-by-side comparison of these medical alert giants:
Comparison Chart of Medical Guardian Vs. Life Alert medical alert systems:
| Feature | Medical Guardian | Life Alert |
| Pricing transparency | Yes | No |
| Prices | $27.45–$44.95 Per Month | $49.95–$89.95 Per Month |
| Activation & Equipment Fees | $149.95–$199.95 | $198 |
| All-In-One Systems (home+mobile) | $39.95 per month or $439 ($36.62 if paid annually) | $69.95 per month |
| Price | $39.95 per month or $439 ($36.62 if paid annually) | $69.95 per month |
| Contract Required | No Contracts, Cancel Anytime | Three years |
| Contract length | N/A | Three years |
| Warranty | Standard warranty: 1 year (Upgrade to a comprehensive full-coverage “Protection Plan” for $6.99 per month) | Three years |
| Warranty details | Standard warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship for one year. Full-coverage protection plan covers accidental damage, loss, and theft. | Three-year warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship. |
| Fall Detection | Cost: $10 | Cost: $10 |
| 24/7 monitoring? | Yes | Yes |
| In-Home Range of Use | 1,300 feet | 800 feet |
| Battery Life | 24 hours to up to 5 days, depending on the device | Lasts for ten years or longer and never needs charging |
| Customer Service Hours | Monday – Friday, 9 am – 8 pm EST. Saturday, 9am – 5pm EST. | 24/7 |
| Weekend hours | Yes | Yes |
| BBB Rating | A+ | A+ |
| BBB Accredited? | Yes | Yes |
| Time in Business | 17 years | 45 years |
| Years in business | 17 | 45 |
| Average customer review rating | 1/5 | 4.1/5 |
Who is Medical Guardian?
Medical Guardian is a relatively newer player in the medical alert industry, yet it has rapidly gained popularity. They offer a diverse range of devices, including in-home, mobile, and wearable options.
All of their devices are easy to use and come with a variety of features, such as fall detection, GPS tracking, and two-way voice communication.
Medical Guardian’s products are among the many innovative products on the market that help seniors live at home longer and maintain their independence, avoiding nursing home placement until they are ready for that last stage of life. Senior stair lifts, walk-in tubs, and hearing aids are all viable products to consider purchasing for elderly individuals who are struggling with physical disabilities, hearing, and memory problems.
Who is Life Alert?
Life Alert is one of the oldest and most well-known medical alert companies in the world. They are most known for their iconic commercial featuring an elderly woman who falls and says, “Help! I’ve fallen, and I can’t get up!”
The “Help I’ve Fallen and I Can’t Get Up” Commercial
The commercial, which first aired in 1987, has become a pop culture phenomenon and is still used by Life Alert today.
It serves as a potent reminder of the importance of medical alert systems for seniors and others susceptible to falls.
How fast do Life Alert dispatchers respond to emergencies?
In practice, Life Alert dispatchers consistently answer calls within a matter of seconds. We’ve confirmed this response time through feedback from Life Alert customers who have reported that their medical alert systems, particularly those with fall detection, often result in emergency dispatchers responding and providing assistance within approximately two minutes or less.
Does Life Alert offer 24/7 monitoring services?
The company is known for its 24/7 monitoring service, ensuring that help is available anytime, day or night.
Life Alert dispatchers are extensively trained to handle various emergency situations. Their training typically includes:
- Emergency Protocols: Dispatchers are trained in established emergency response protocols, which may involve medical emergencies, falls, fire, or other situations where immediate assistance is required.
- Effective Communication: They are trained to communicate calmly and effectively with subscribers and assess the severity of the situation.
- Medical Knowledge: Dispatchers receive training in basic medical terminology and procedures to better understand and respond to medical emergencies.
- Equipment Usage: They are trained to provide guidance to subscribers on how to use Life Alert equipment and devices effectively.
- Customer Service: In addition to emergency response, dispatchers are trained to provide excellent customer service, including understanding the needs and concerns of the subscribers.
Life Alert takes the training of its dispatchers seriously to ensure that they can deliver a prompt, professional, and effective response to all emergencies. The company’s long-standing reputation and A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau reflect its commitment to quality service and customer satisfaction.
Life Alert’s most famous commercial features an older woman who has fallen and is unable to get up. She presses a button on her Life Alert device and a dispatcher immediately answers. The dispatcher sends help to the woman’s location, and she is able to get the care she needs.
Medical alert systems like Medical Guardian and Life Alert can provide peace of mind for both the individual and their family members, especially for older individuals who are losing their memory or entering a stage of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
Does Medical Guardian or Life Alert offer better features with their medical alert devices?
Medical Guardian offers a wider range of features with its medical alert devices than Life Alert, including:
- Smart voice assist
- GPS location tracking
- Step counting
- Fall detection
- Wall-mounted help buttons
- Message and medication reminders
- Text and email notifications to caregivers
- Access to all emergency responders: police, fire, and doctors
- 24/7 customer portal
Where Life Alert wins:
Life Alert’s medical alert systems have a longer battery life and do not need to be charged.
Which company has better prices: Medical Guardian or Life Alert?
Medical Guardian has better prices than Life Alert.
Both companies offer monthly and annual plans, but Medical Guardian’s monthly prices are almost half of Life Alert’s.
As shown in the table above, Medical Guardian’s monthly cost ranges from $27 to $44.95 per month, while Life Alert’s monthly cost falls in the range of $49.95–$89.95 per month.
Both companies charge equipment and setup fees, which are roughly similar, totaling nearly $200.
Which company is more transparent and honest: Medical Guardian or Life Alert?
Medical Guardian is more transparent and upfront than Life Alert. Medical Guardian provides detailed prices for all its medical alert systems on its website.
In contrast, Life Alert does not disclose detailed prices on its website, making it challenging for customers to obtain this information.
For instance, one of Medical Guardian’s key products, the “Active Guardian,” is priced at $49.95 per month for monthly subscribers, $44.95 per month for quarterly subscribers, and $27.45 per month for annual subscribers. In contrast, Life Alert does not offer the same level of price transparency.
MGMove Smartwatch by Medical Guardian |
|
| Type of Device | Smartwatch |
| Battery Life | 24 hours (must charge daily) |
| Water Resistant | Yes |
| Two-Way Talk Outside Home | Yes |
| GPS location tracking | Yes |
| Counts Steps | Yes |
| Fall Detection | Yes |
| Wall Mounted Help Button | No |
| Message Reminders | Yes |
| Ratings | Excellent |
| MGMove Smartwatch Monthly Cost | $39.95 (get 16% discount if paid annually) |
| Comprehensive Protection Plan Warranty Cost | $6.99 per month |
| Lockbox | $2.99 per month |
| Elite 911 (Looks like a small cell phone used to communicate with a 911 at the Press of a Button) | $9.99 per month |
These details were obtained directly from Medical Guardian’s website. Life Alert makes it difficult to obtain prices on its medical alert systems, failing to disclose detailed prices on its website.
Does Medical Guardian or Life Alert require long-term contracts?
Medical Guardian does not require long-term contracts and allows customers to cancel their service at any time. In contrast, Life Alert has a three-year contract requirement. This means that Life Alert customers are locked into their service for a minimum of three years, making it less flexible than Medical Guardian.
What is the warranty coverage like for Medical Guardian and Life Alert?
Medical Guardian offers a one-year standard warranty for its equipment, covering defects in materials and workmanship. However, they also offer a comprehensive full-coverage “Protection Plan” for $6.99 per month, which covers accidental damage, loss, and theft. Life Alert, on the other hand, provides a three-year warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship. The warranty details differ between the two companies, with Medical Guardian offering additional coverage for accidental damage, loss, and theft through their protection plan.
What is the range of use for in-home devices from Medical Guardian and Life Alert?
Medical Guardian’s in-home devices have an impressive range of use, with a coverage area of up to 1,300 feet. This means that customers have the flexibility to move around their home without losing connectivity to the medical alert device. In contrast, Life Alert’s in-home devices offer a range of 800 feet, which is shorter than Medical Guardian’s coverage area.
What is the battery life like for Medical Guardian and Life Alert devices?
Medical Guardian devices have varying battery lives, with some lasting for up to 5 days on a single charge, depending on the device and usage. In contrast, Life Alert’s devices have an advantage in terms of battery life. Life Alert’s devices are designed to last for ten years or longer and never need charging, offering a more maintenance-free option.
What are the customer service hours for Medical Guardian and Life Alert?
Medical Guardian’s customer service hours are as follows: Monday – Friday, 9 am – 8 pm EST, and Saturday, 9 am – 5 pm EST. On weekends, they offer a shorter service window than on weekdays. In contrast, Life Alert provides 24/7 customer service, ensuring that help and support are available at any time, day or night.
What are the BBB ratings and accreditations for Medical Guardian and Life Alert?
Both Medical Guardian and Life Alert have A+ ratings from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), which reflect a high level of trustworthiness and customer satisfaction. Both companies are also BBB-accredited, which further demonstrates their commitment to upholding the highest standards of business ethics and customer service.
How long have Medical Guardian and Life Alert been in business?
Medical Guardian has been in business for 17 years, while Life Alert has a significantly longer history, with 45 years in the industry. Life Alert’s extensive experience in the medical alert industry has contributed to its reputation as one of the most recognized and trusted names in the field.
What is the average customer review rating for Medical Guardian and Life Alert?
The average customer review rating for Medical Guardian is 1/5, which is concerning. However, this information should be cross-referenced with other sources, as online reviews can vary. Life Alert, on the other hand, has an average customer review rating of 4.1/5, indicating a higher level of customer satisfaction. Life Alert’s long history in the industry and its iconic status contribute to its positive customer reviews.
Medical Guardian vs. Life Alert Customer Reviews: Who’s Are Better?
| Medical Guardian | Life Alert | |
| BBB Rating | A+ | A+ |
| BBB Accredited? | Yes | Yes |
| Time in Business (years) | 17 | 45 |
| Average customer review rating | 1/5 | 4.1/5 |
| Customer Service Hours | Monday – Friday, 9 am – 8 pm EST. Saturday, 9am – 5pm EST. | 24/7 |
| Trustpilot Reviews | 3.7 out of 5 based on 889 reviews | 4.7 out of 5 based on 224 reviews |
Medical Guardian and Life Alert are both reputable medical alert companies, A+ BBB-rated and accredited. Medical Guardian has 17 years in business, while Life Alert has 45 years in business. Life Alert does have a higher average customer review rating at BBB, with a 4.1 out of 5-star rating.
Life Alert Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Excellent BBB customer reviews: 296 customer reviews at the BBB with an average rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars
- Established time in business: 45 years versus Medical Guardian’s 17 years in business
Cons:
- Lawsuits: The New York Attorney General issued a lawsuit against Life Alert in 2021 for charging thousands of dollars to its customers without transparently disclosing these fees and then rejecting customers’ requests to cancel their contracts. Life Alert has denied the allegations and the lawsuit is still pending.
- Lack of price transparency: Life Alert does not disclose detailed prices on its website. Customers have to contact the company to get a quote.
- Long-term contracts: Life Alert requires customers to sign a three-year contract.
Medical Guardian Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Offers excellent options for elderly patients with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease: Medical Guardian offers a variety of features that can help protect people with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease from wandering off, such as GPS tracking and geofencing.
- Reliable and fast emergency response time: Medical Guardian is one of the largest and most experienced medical alert providers in the industry. They have a strong track record of fast and reliable emergency response times.
- No long-term contracts: Medical Guardian does not require customers to sign long-term contracts. Customers can cancel their service at any time.
- Wide range of products and services: Medical Guardian offers a wide range of medical alert products and services, including in-home systems, mobile devices, fall detection, and medication reminders.
- 24/7 customer support: Medical Guardian has a team of customer service representatives who are available 24/7 to answer questions and provide support.
- 30-day money-back guarantee: Medical Guardian offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all of its products and services.
- Customization options: Medical Guardian offers a variety of customization options for its medical alert systems, such as different types of wearables and alert devices.
Cons:
- Extra charges for add-ons: Medical Guardian charges extra for some add-on features, such as caregiver notifications.
- Restrictive refund policy: Medical Guardian has a restrictive refund policy. Customers who cancel their service within 30 days will receive a full refund, but customers who cancel after 30 days will only receive a partial refund.
Medical Guardian Customer Service and Payment Options
Medical Guardian is known for its excellent customer service team and flexible payment options. Customers can view their billing information online, make payments, change their payment method, and more through the MyGuardian Customer Portal.
To make a payment online, customers can log onto the MyGuardian Customer Portal and go to the “Billing” tab.
Payments can also be made by mail to the following address:
Medical Guardian PO Box 713269 Chicago, IL 60677-1269
Medical Guardian makes it easy to cancel services.
Customers who cancel their service will receive a refund within 30 days of the date that Medical Guardian receives the device back in its warehouse. Promotional discounts will be forfeited if any changes are made to the initial order within twelve (12) months of the date of sale.
A lost or damaged equipment fee of up to $350 will be charged for the Leased Equipment and a lost or damaged equipment fee of up to $150 will be charged for the Elite 911.
Life Alert Customer Service and Payment Options
Life Alert offers excellent customer support and flexible payment options, but requires a three-year contract with early cancellation only possible in the event of death or 24-hour nursing care. This lengthy and restrictive contract is a major reason Life Alert is not recommended by our team.
Customer service and payment options:
- Life Alert’s customer service team is available by phone at 1-800-338-9090 from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Pacific Standard Time (PST), Monday through Saturday.
- Life Alert accepts payments by check, credit card, or check by phone.
- The monthly costs listed below are based on the three-year contract requirement.
Medical Guardian: Best and Most Popular Devices
| Device Type | Connection | Range | Battery Life | Water Resistance | Help Buttons | Location Tracking | Fall Detection |
| Classic Guardian | At-home | Landline/Cellular | 1,300 feet | 32 hours | Yes | Yes | No (as add-on) |
| Freedom Guardian | On-the-go | Cellular | Unlimited | 24 hours | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| MGMove | On-the-go | Cellular | Unlimited | 24 hours | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| MG Mini Lite | On-the-go | Cellular | Unlimited | 5 days | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| MGMini | On-the-go | Cellular | Unlimited | 5 days | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Smart Watch | Smartwatch | Cellular | Unlimited | 24 hours | Yes | Yes | No |
| Fall Detection Pendant | Pendant | Cellular | Unlimited | 5 days | Yes | Yes | No |
| Mobile Guardian | Mobile | Cellular | Unlimited | 5 days | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Medical Guardian Classic Guardian
The Classic Guardian is a medical alert system designed to provide seniors and their families with added peace of mind. It is an affordable, easy-to-use system that allows individuals to call for help in the event of an emergency.
The system comes equipped with a waterproof button, which can be worn around the neck or on the wrist, allowing for quick access whenever help is needed. Additionally, Classic Guardian also offers a built-in two-way voice communication system, allowing users to connect with their designated emergency contacts easily.
Features:
- Affordable and easy to use
- Waterproof button
- Built-in two-way voice communication system
- 1,300-foot range
- 32-hour battery life
Medical Guardian Freedom Guardian
The Freedom Guardian is a medical alert system designed for active individuals. It is a lightweight and waterproof device that can be worn continuously. The Freedom Guardian has a long battery life and offers GPS tracking capabilities, allowing individuals to receive help no matter where they are.
Features:
- Lightweight and waterproof
- Long battery life
- GPS tracking capabilities
- Unlimited range
Medical Guardian MGMove
The MGMove is a medical alert system designed to provide 24/7 emergency response and monitoring for seniors. It offers its services over cellular networks, providing coverage even in remote areas. The system includes a two-way speaker communicator with GPS location tracking and a fall detection feature.
Features:
- 24/7 emergency response and monitoring
- Cellular network coverage
- Two-way speaker communicator
- GPS location tracking
- Fall detection
- Unlimited range
Medical Guardian MG Mini Lite
The MG Mini Lite is a personal emergency response system (PERS) from Medical Guardian. It provides individuals with 24/7 access to professional medical help at the press of a button. It is a small device that is packed with features, including two-way voice communication, fall detection, and GPS location tracking.
Features:
- 24/7 access to professional medical help
- Two-way voice communication
- Fall detection
- GPS location tracking
- Waterproof
- Long-lasting battery life
- Cellular network coverage
Medical Guardian MGMini
The MGMini is a medical alert system that offers seniors and their families a complete solution to help them stay safe, independent, and connected. Unlike other medical alert systems, MGMini does not require a long-term contract. It also includes features such as fall detection and GPS tracking.
Features:
- No long-term contract
- Fall detection
- GPS tracking
- Cellular network coverage
- Two-way voice communication
Life Alert’s Best and Most Popular Devices
| Feature | Life Alert Classic | Life Alert Ultimate Plus | Home Guardian System |
| Type | At-home | At-home | At-home |
| Connection | Landline/Cellular | Landline/Cellular | Landline/Cellular |
| Range | Up to 600 feet | Up to 1,000 feet | Up to 1,300 feet |
| Battery life | 24 hours | 24 hours | 32 hours |
| Water resistance | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Help buttons | Yes (pendant) | Yes (pendant) | Yes (pendant and base station) |
| Location tracking | No | Yes | No |
| Fall detection | No | Yes | No |
| Additional features | Two-way voice pendant | Two-way voice pendant, GPS tracking, and fall detection | Two-way voice pendant and a variety of additional features (e.g., medication reminders, door and window alarms, etc.) |
Life Alert Classic
Life Alert Classic is a medical alert system that gives seniors access to emergency help 24 hours a day. It is one of the most popular and trusted medical alert systems on the market today and has been helping seniors stay safe for over 30 years.
The Life Alert Classic includes a base station, a two-way voice pendant, and a range of up to 600 feet. The base station is equipped with a built-in speakerphone, allowing users to communicate with the monitoring center in case of an emergency. Additionally, the pendant is waterproof and comes with an emergency button that allows for quick access when help is needed.
Life Alert Ultimate Plus
The Life Alert Ultimate Plus is a medical alert system that provides seniors and other at-risk individuals with 24/7 emergency help. It includes a base station and waterproof pendant, allowing users to communicate directly with the monitoring center in case of an emergency. Additionally, it comes standard with GPS tracking capabilities and fall detection technology that can detect when a user has fallen down and automatically call for help. The Ultimate Plus also features a longer range of up to 1,000 feet, providing users with more coverage than competing systems.
Home Guardian System
The Home Guardian System is a medical alert system from Life Alert that provides seniors and their families with complete peace of mind. This system includes an emergency button, which can be worn around the neck or on the wrist, as well as a base station with a variety of features, including:
- Two-way voice communication
- GPS tracking
- Fall detection
- Medication reminders
- Door and window alarms
Other Life Alert Devices
In addition to the devices listed above, Life Alert also offers a variety of other devices to choose from, including:
- Mobile medical alert systems
- In-home medical alert systems
- Medical alert watches
- Medical alert bracelets
- Medical alert wall buttons
Conclusion
Life Alert is a well-known and trusted provider of medical alert systems. They offer a wide range of devices to choose from, so you can find the one that best meets your needs. Life Alert’s systems are also waterproof and have a long battery life, ensuring that they can be worn at all times. They offer both in-home and mobile options, allowing individuals to maintain their independence while still having access to help when needed. Life Alert has a dedicated emergency response team that is available 24/7, ready to dispatch the appropriate help in case of an emergency.
Why you can trust our expert review of medical alert systems
We hunt down the best experts in every industry we write about. For medical alert systems, we turned to Dr. Naheed Ali, an experienced medical writer and a physician by education who attended Harvard Medical School’s lifestyle medicine program and holds a Ph.D. in holistic health.
Dr. Ali spent months reviewing the best medical alert systems, and from her list of the top 10 best medical alert systems for seniors, both Life Alert and Medical Guardian made the rankings. However, Medical Guardian is the #1 rated medical alert system for seniors in 2023 with a 9.1 out of 10 star rating, while Life Alert received 8th place in our rankings, with a review rating of 6.0 out of 10.
Our ranking criteria were based on factors that matter most to seniors, including cost, features, reliability, and customer reviews. We awarded extra points to medical alert systems that offered the most features, including fall detection for no extra cost. We also looked at reliability factors such as GPS tracking accuracy, battery life, and the responsiveness of emergency responders. Finally, we read and analyzed customer reviews to get a sense of what real-world users think about each product.
We used all of these important factors to develop our rating algorithm. In this blog post, we are simply sharing our findings and the facts as they are. We believe that knowing the facts is all you need to make an informed decision about which medical alert system is right for you: Medical Guardian or Life Alert.
