Life Alert Medical Alert System Price and Value in 2025
Life Alert is a name you can trust, but their prices are fairly high, starting at $49.95 per month with hefty installation fees.
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As an industry leader since 1987, Life Alert is one of the most recognizable medical alert system providers in America. Most people are familiar with the name, or at least their iconic commercials. In an industry full of new brands and services, a familiar name with long-term experience goes a long way.
Compared to the best medical alert systems of 2025, however, Life Alert’s rates are expensive, ranging from $49.95 to $89.95 per month. That’s about $25 to $40 per month more than the industry average. Life Alert offers impressive monitoring services and reliable equipment though. If you’re looking for the peace of mind that comes with a company backed by decades of experience, Life Alert is a viable option. We found that out after testing its systems. We’ll get into all the details of Life Alert’s products and value, including pricing and money-saving tips.
Life Alert at a Glance
- An industry leader since 1987
- Response times of 15 to 20 seconds
- Company-owned dispatch center
- Professional installation
- Prices ranging from $49.95 to $89.95 per month
- Three-year contracts
- In-home and on-the-go systems
The Fast Facts: Life Alert’s Equipment and Pricing
| Product | Function | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master Unit | In-home system |
|
|
| Mobile + GPS | Add-on: On-the-go monitoring device | $20 per month** |
|
| Help Button | Add-on: Emergency alert device | $20 per month** |
|
*Master Unit must be bundled with add-on devices in most cases.
**Device can’t be purchased as a stand-alone system. It must be bundled with the Master Unit.
Looking for a More Affordable System? Check Out These Quality Alternatives
Life Alert is one of the most trusted names in medical alert systems, but there are several more affordable options with newer tech. When shopping for a medical alert system, remember to examine your needs and budget. You should never take risks with your health, but you also shouldn’t pay for equipment or services you don’t need. If you’re not set on Life Alert, here are a few of the best alternatives we have reviewed.
A Closer Look at Life Alert’s Systems and Value
Life Alert offers one main system — the Master Unit — and two add-on devices: the Mobile + GPS unit and the Help Button. Unlike most medical alert providers, which have stand-alone systems, Life Alert typically requires customers to bundle their products together. Every customer is required to purchase the Master Unit, and it must be bundled with one of the add-on devices for $69.95 per month or both for $89.95 per month. In select cases, you can purchase the Master Unit on its own for $49.95 per month, but you’ll need to get special approval from a Life Alert representative to get this plan.
Did You Know? Life Alert is so confident in their service that if a customer passes away within their first three years with Life Alert because they didn’t receive emergency aid in time, Life Alert will offer a full refund of their monitoring fees.
The Master Unit
Life Alert Base Unit and Wearables
The Master Unit is Life Alert’s standard, in-home system featuring a base unit and a pendant. It costs $49.95 per month on its own, but most customers are required to bundle it with one or both of Life Alert’s add-on devices. Bundles start at $20 more per month, so you’ll get more value when you bundle instead of purchasing the Master Unit on its own.
The base unit has an emergency button, a two-way speaker and a 72-hour backup battery. The pendant, which can be worn around the neck or wrist, is waterproof, so you can wear it in the shower or bath. It also features a 10-year battery — no charging required! The pendant has a good signal range of 800 feet from the base unit (for comparison, LifeFone’s range is 600 feet and ResponseNow’s range is 500 feet), but it does not have automatic fall detection.
FYI: The biggest contributors to falls among older adults are lower-body weakness, vitamin D deficiency and taking medications such as sedatives and antidepressants, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.1
Since Life Alert’s Master Unit operates independently from a landline or a cellular network, a Life Alert technician must install the unit and any other devices. There is a $197 fee for delivery and installation, one of the most expensive installation fees we’ve seen. However, having a professional set up your system and walk you through how to use it does add to the peace of mind.
Add-on Accessories: Pricing and Features
You’ll typically have to bundle Life Alert’s Master Unit with one or both of its add-ons. So you’ll need to decide: Do you want an on-the-go unit, a wall button or both with your in-home system?
Mobile + GPS
Life Alert Mobile + GPS
Life Alert’s Mobile + GPS device is a good option for those who want to take Life Alert’s monitoring on the go. It costs $20 per month to add the Mobile + GPS device to your Master Unit, which is around $20 to $30 cheaper than Medical Guardian’s monthly rates and Medical Alert’s prices for on-the-go systems. It will work wherever a GSM cell phone is available. Unlike their competitors that rely on a single big-name carrier such as AT&T or Verizon, Life Alert utilizes service from multiple carriers, so their system offers great coverage almost everywhere.
The device’s battery lasts for 10 years and doesn’t require a charge. On-the-go GPS units from other companies we’ve reviewed, such as MobileHelp, have batteries that last half that long. The Mobile + GPS device can be worn or carried anywhere convenient for the user, whether as a necklace, in a pocket or on a belt clip. During an emergency, just press the help button on the unit and use the built-in speaker to communicate with a live operator. Thanks to GPS technology, Life Alert will pinpoint your exact location and send help straight away.
The Help Button
Life Alert Help Button
The Help Button is one of our favorite Life Alert add-on devices. It’s a waterproof red button with a two-way speaker. Other competitors offer emergency button add-on devices, but not many have two-way-speaker capabilities. The adhesive allows you to place it anywhere it’s needed, and the battery lasts up to 10 years. Thanks to the waterproof design, it’s great for places where falls are more likely to happen — especially in the shower. Bundling the Help Button with your Master Unit and the Mobile + GPS device will give you the most well-rounded Life Alert package for complete protection.
FYI: Falls are the leading cause of injury for people 65 and older in the U.S., and 1 in 4 older adults report a fall every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.2
How to Get the Best Deal With Life Alert
During our research, we found that Life Alert wasn’t offering any promotions or deals, but it never hurts to ask a representative when ordering your system! To get the most bang for your buck, we’d recommend bundling the Master Unit with the Mobile + GPS unit and Help Button if your budget allows. It will cost you $20 per add-on. Many mobile units from other providers cost $30 to $40 on their own, so you’ll basically be getting both add-ons for the price of one mobile unit. The total cost ($89.95 per month) is pretty steep, however, so it may not be ideal for older adults on a fixed income.
Pro Tip: Not sure what’s a healthy weight for you as you age? Seniors need fewer calories, but the same amount of nutrients. Visit the NIH’s National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases to learn more about nutrient-dense foods.3
Compare Life Alert to Other Providers
Is Life Alert Right for Me?
Here are some questions to help you determine whether or not Life Alert is right for you.
Does Life Alert fit in your budget?
This is probably the most critical factor to consider, because Life Alert’s services are on the pricier side for the industry. Bundles range in price from $69.95 to $89.95 per month, depending on the package. Keep in mind that there is a one-time shipping and installation fee of $197 for each package, which is one of the highest installation fees we’ve seen.
Do you need fall detection or other add-ons?
All of Life Alert’s devices have essential features such as long-lasting batteries and two-way speakers, but they don’t currently offer extra features such as fall detection, jewelry pendants or activity tracking. If you’re looking for those bells and whistles, check out Bay Alarm Medical packages or read our Aloe Care Health review.
Are you willing to sign a three-year contract?
All new Life Alert customers must sign a three-year contract. Month-to-month plans become available after the initial three years, but Life Alert may not be the right choice for you if you’re looking to avoid a long-term contract.
Did You Know? According to Life Alert, the company’s systems save a life every 11 minutes.
Life Alert vs. the Competition
Life Alert leads the pack in name recognition among medical alert systems, but they are also among the most expensive systems. Other companies, such as MobileHelp, offer similar products for much cheaper. MobileHelp systems start at $24.95, as do LifeFone systems. Not only are Life Alert’s monthly monitoring fees higher than many other companies, but they also charge a hefty activation fee of $200.
» Learn More: LifeFone Review
Life Alert devices are not the most high tech, either, but we appreciate the steps they’ve taken to modernize, such as the recent introduction of the Micro Voice Pendant. We were also impressed with the sturdiness of their Help Buttons, which come equipped with two-way speakers. The ability to communicate with operators even if you’re not wearing your alert device in an emergency is a huge plus. We noted in some of our tests, however, that it sometimes took two full minutes for an agent to respond to our alert, which is a concerning delay. In some tests, however, agents responded much faster.
Life Alert also does not offer a free trial period to test their products, unlike the LifeStation system we tested or Bay Alarm Medical’s systems. LifeStation’s devices work within a shorter range (600 feet) than Life Alert’s, but the new Micro Voice Pendant works within 1,000 feet of the base unit. If your home is large, consider researching base units with a much broader range, such as MobileHelp. The company says their devices work up to 1,400 feet from the base unit.
» Learn More: Bay Alarm Medical Review
Overall, Life Alert offers durable products and reliable protection from a venerable company. If you have particular priorities, though, another company may be a better fit. If you’re looking for a company that does not require a long-term contract, for example, check out our Medical Guardian review. If, on the other hand, you prefer a system designed for couples, check out MobileHelp’s packages.
Our Methodology
Our team of senior tech experts spent over 50 hours evaluating several key factors users should consider when shopping for a medical alert system. We test every system ourselves and consider device durability, price, the buying experience, accuracy and overall value to give readers insights based on our hands-on evaluation of Life Alert’s products. We also ask older adults for feedback on the systems whenever possible. We then use all our research and personal experience with the products to give each company a rating out of five so our readers can easily compare systems.
For a closer look at how we test medical alert systems, here’s some more information on the factors we consider.
- Price: Because older adults have varying budgets, we strive to find reliable options that fit every budget.
- Value: We look at not only the price, but also the overall value of each system, as well as whether the features and capabilities justify the price. That includes looking at basic systems and available add-ons.
- Emergency-response times: We also test how well each system responds to medical alerts, conducting several tests to measure average response times. When running the tests, we also measure the consistency and overall quality of the response we get from monitoring agents.
- Ease of use: We like high-tech systems, but overly complicated ones can compromise users’ safety. That’s why we make sure every function is accessible and easy to use even for older adults who are less tech-savvy.
- Purchasing experience: In addition to ease of use, we test how easy it is to find and purchase a suitable system from the company. We look at how much information is available on the company’s website, and we speak with customer-service representatives to gauge their helpfulness.
- Equipment: Once we have the systems, we test the equipment for their quality, durability and reliability. We run the tests at home for in-home systems and on the go for mobile systems. We also do fall-detection tests.
- Features and add-ons: We look at the available optional features, such as vanity pendants, fall detection and caregiver apps. We also gauge if they are worth the additional price.
Final Thoughts on Life Alert’s Pricing and Value
With nearly 40 years of experience and one of the most recognizable names in the industry, Life Alert offers peace of mind to older adults and their families. Their monthly rates and installation fees are very high and a three-year contract is required, but Life Alert is a solid option for simple, reliable protection. You’ll be able to count on the devices for years to come, so Life Alert is worth considering if it fits your budget. Read our 2025 Life Alert review to learn more about the provider.
Check out our hands-on video review of Life Alert’s systems below for a closer look.
Frequently Asked Questions About Life Alert
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Is Life Alert waterproof?
The Life Alert pendant and Help Button are waterproof, so they’re perfect for use in the shower or tub.
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What is the return policy for Life Alert?
A customer-service representative informed me that you can return your system only within the first couple of business days before getting locked into a contract if your system is shipped. Some locations send out a technician, who will bring the contract with them. If a technician delivers the system, there is no return window.
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Do you have to have internet for Life Alert?
No, Life Alert’s base unit does not require Wi-Fi to connect to emergency response agents.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Older Adult Falls Data.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Facts About Falls.
National Institutes of Health. (2019). Health Tips for Older Adults.