Life Alert Reviews
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About Life Alert
Life Alert was founded in 1987, making it one of the first personal emergency response companies in the United States. The company’s systems have a base hub and a help button that can be worn around the neck on a pendant or wristband. Life Alert advertises that its pendants have a 10-year battery life and don't require charging. Monitoring centers are UL-certified and have the Five Diamond designation from The Monitoring Association.
- 24/7 professional monitoring
- Pendants don't require regular charging
- Waterproof equipment
- Upfront fees range between $50 and $200
- Requires three-year contract
- Not ideal for online shoppers
Featured Reviews
Life Alert devices
Life Alert base unit
Pricing varies
Includes 24/7 monitoring. Backup battery lasts 72 hours. Works on cellular or landline connections.
Life Alert emergency pendant
Pricing varies
Pendants are fully waterproof and last for 10 years. Works within 1,000 feet of the base unit.
Life Alert help button
Pricing varies
Waterproof wireless button that connects to the monitoring center. Batteries last up to 10 years.
How Life Alert works
Life Alert offers a medical alert system you can wear as a pendant or bracelet. It connects you to a monitoring center with trained professionals who can help in an emergency.
The pendant has a range of up to 1,000 feet from the base unit, and microphones can amplify up to 150 feet away.
Here's how it works: When you press the button on your Life Alert device, it's like sending up a flare to let the monitoring center know you need help. The help button is designed to be easy to use, even if you have mobility challenges or difficulty with your hands.
When pressed, the pendant transmits a signal to the base unit, notifying the monitoring center. Once connected to the monitoring center, you can speak to an operator through the device. Tell the operator what you need, and they'll dispatch help. If there's no response, Life Alert automatically contacts the proper authorities.
Life Alert costs
Expect to pay $200 upfront to get started. One quote for Life Alert’s monthly service ranged between $50 and $100 — meaning a 36-month contract could total roughly $2,000 to $3,600. Pricing can vary, so it’s best to contact the company directly for the most current rates.
How does Life Alert compare?
Compare Life Alert costs and services with similarly rated medical alert companies.
| Company | Monitoring fees | Equipment cost | Activation fee | Fall detection | Trial period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Life Alert | Get Pricing | $49.95-$69 | $0 | $198 |  | |
 Medical Guardian | Get Pricing | $31.95-$46.95 | $0-$199.95 | $0 |  | |
 Medical Alert | Learn More | $27.95 to $47.95 | $0 | $99.95 to $159 programming fee | Available | No |
 ADT Medical Alert | Get Pricing | $31.99-$41.99 | $0 (excludes add-ons) | $99 | | |
 Lifeline | Learn More | $29.95-$58.95 | $0 | $79 to $99 | | |
Life Alert FAQ
Does Life Alert require a landline?
Life Alert can run on a landline or cellular connection.
Does Life Alert have GPS?
Yes, Life Alert offers systems with built-in GPS.
How much does Life Alert cost per year?
You’ll need to pay an activation fee of $198 to get started. A quote at the time of publication placed annual Life Alert costs between $2,000 and $3,600 per year for monitoring, with monthly costs ranging from $50 to $100.
Is Life Alert covered by Medicare?
Life Alert systems usually aren’t covered by Medicare. However, some Medicare Advantage plans might cover some of the cost of Life Alert for seniors — it depends on your provider. You might also qualify for medical alert coverage under your long-term care insurance plan.
What are the alternatives to Life Alert?
For some great Life Alert alternatives, check out our guide to finding the best medical alert companies:
- Our top pick overall: Bay Alarm Medical
- Our pick for customer service: Life Alert
- Our pick for in-home safety: MobileHelp
- Our pick for on-the-go use: Medical Alert
- Our pick for a risk-free option: LifeStation
Is Life Alert worth it?
Yes, Life Alert offers a valuable service that most reviewers say is worth it. Life Alert reviews on our site are generally positive, highlighting the company’s reliable service and quick response time, though some say it’s difficult to cancel.
While the price is higher than the average cost of a medical alert system, the company has a long reputation for quality service. You can find cheaper systems with more advanced features, like longer in-home ranges and fall detection, but many people might prefer Life Alert's streamlined set of features and easy-to-understand operation.
Life Alert Reviews
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- 4,858,738 reviews on ConsumerAffairs are verified.
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- We use intelligent software that helps us maintain the integrity of reviews.
- Our moderators read all reviews to verify quality and helpfulness.
Reviewed Dec. 16, 2025
I fell in the kitchen – up against the refrigerator with my arm under my body – I couldn’t get my arm out to push myself up. I needed someone to get me up. This was the first time I needed Life Alert – Thank God I had it.
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Reviewed Dec. 12, 2025
I have used my Life Alert many times. It saved my life. I fell and broke my knee cap. I have a heart emergency. I had fluid around my heart, and other emergencies. It is the best thing that I have. I love it. I am 88 years old.
Reviewed Dec. 2, 2025
I fell in my entryway and broke my nose. My arms were pinned under me and I knew needed help. I wiggled enough so I could get to my Life Alert button. I pressed it and they responded very quickly. I could hear the ambulance and other help coming within minutes. I couldn't reach the deadbolt lock and I was laying right behind the door. The EMS workers managed to get the deadbolt unlocked and carefully stepped over me. I told them I was getting ready to walk my dog when I fell. One of the workers asked if he could walk her and I told him where her leash was. After they got me sitting up, they washed the blood off my face and then checked for any other injuries. They took me to the hospital (my first ambulance ride) to be checked out. Only injury was my broken nose. The First Alert workers have always been very courteous and polite to me, even when I have accidently hit the call button.
Reviewed Dec. 2, 2025
I’ve been looking for a good option for my mother-in-law as she lives alone now. I remembered Life Alert from the commercials so I called. Alicia B. answered my call and she went above and beyond answering questions, and was also as friendly, knowledgeable and helpful as can be! I SO appreciated her amazing customer service!
Reviewed Aug. 4, 2025
We had gotten Life Alert for our mom after her stroke. I can't express enough how grateful I am to them. She had to press her button a few times and within seconds they notified us with her emergency. She had used it for a few years. Sadly my mom passed away a couple of years ago but I would recommend Life Alert to everyone.
Thank you for your wonderful feedback. We are always here to help.
Reviewed April 6, 2026
I would never recommend Life Alert! We had one instance where my mother-in-law fell. I needed help, pressed the button and never got a response. I was eventually able to get her up and she was okay but I should not have had to do it by myself. If this were the only problem we’ve had, I could overlook it but the problems with billing and lack of communication have led me to my review. We cancelled the service due to a move into assisted living. Life Alert arranged pickup of the equipment by UPS but the equipment never made it back to Life Alert. We have continued to be charged monthly and we have been told that will continue until UPS sends payment to cover the lost equipment. UPS is currently waiting on additional info from Life Alert to settle this claim.
I have called multiple times and keep getting referred to a manager and she will not return my calls. We have now paid for 3 months of service that we are not getting. Life Alert arranged for the pickup and it was done as scheduled. This dispute is between Life Alert and UPS yet we are paying monthly for something we have absolutely no control over and we can’t get anybody on the phone at Life Alert other than customer service people who can’t do anything other than transfer us to a voicemail which never gets returned.
Thank you for contacting us regarding your account. We understand your frustration and appreciate the opportunity to clarify the situation. When UPS picked up your equipment, it appears the shipment was lost in transit. Per our policy, all equipment must be confirmed as received before an account can be closed. Because we were unable to verify receipt of the equipment, your account remained active and billing continued in accordance with that policy. We want to assure you that this policy exists to protect both our customers and our company. Unfortunately, we do encounter situations where only partial equipment is returned, with some components having been discarded or misplaced before the return is made. Please know we are not suggesting this was the case with you — we are simply explaining why our policy requires all equipment to be received fully before an account can be cancelled. Our records show a representative reached out to you and a refund is being processed. Your account is now closed.
Reviewed March 12, 2026
I had no issue with the service. However, after my father passed the problems began. I called to cancel a week after he died to cancel his service. They assured me it was cancelled, charged me $50 for the pendant the hospital lost, THEN told me to recycle the equipment, not return it. A week later I get a call saying the unplugged life alert had gone off. Mind you my dad has been dead for two weeks, the machine is unplugged and the pendant is lost. I tell them this, they transfer me twice.
Two weeks later I see they have taken another $80 from my account. I call. They say, "Oh yeah. It cancelled, let me get you to billing." Another ten minutes on hold. She “graciously” offers to refund a prorated amount from the day before billing to now. Even tho I cancelled two weeks before the billing deadline, and not the week after. Frankly, it’s easier to get a gym membership out of your bank account than it is to get life alert out of it. I clearly missed the fine print that all of his decedents must be dead before they stop charging you. I will continue to write a review a day until they stop taking money and give me the full refund for March 2026. Do not fall for their scam. In retrospect there are cheaper and better monitoring systems available. See tomorrow’s review for those names.
Sincerely,
Life Alert
Reviewed March 10, 2026
Absolutely horrible customer service. First they had to replace our cables to the boxes to “make sure they were working correctly. “HELLO are you serious?" This is supposed to be a no fail system for emergencies. My mother is going into a facility so I called to cancel and send their equipment back and the rude representative stated I would have to provide a letter stating specifically that she was going into a long term care facility. Now that’s just what I need to deal with at this time in our lives. The rep was MORE THAN RUDE and proceeded to threaten to turn my mother over to a collections agency. Worst company for dealing with the elderly. They will nickel and dime you to death and then threatened an 87-year-old woman who is sick and has to leave her home. Now this makes me want to have them monitoring a home for safety. ALL THEY WANT IS MONEY!!! BEWARE!!!!
We respectfully disagree with this review as our documentation and recorded calls indicate something different. We take all reviews seriously and want to provide some important context regarding this situation. We understand that caring for an aging parent is incredibly difficult, and we have genuine compassion for families navigating these situations. We made multiple attempts over several months to reach you regarding your mother's equipment — unfortunately, you did not return our calls.
That said, our service agreement is a binding obligation to our customer, and we have a responsibility to uphold it. When a cancellation is requested due to transiting into a facility, we are required to obtain supporting documentation — not to be difficult, but to protect our customers and to release our legal obligation. This is quite standard in our industry and is fairly easy to obtain, as our agent advised to you. Moreover, this is listed in the agreement, which you were made aware of when ordering our services. Also, we must address that at NO TIME did we mention a collection agency, that is simply not true. Our friendly and accommodating agents remain ready and willing to assist you the moment the documentation is provided. Please contact us directly at 800-803-6320 X-6400. We are committed to assisting you in this matter.
Reviewed Feb. 27, 2026
I fell and could not get up. Life Alert answered my pendant and called the police to assist me.
Reviewed Feb. 27, 2026
I reported falling down. Life Alert sent paramedics quickly and took me to hospital. Workers were very nice and determined.
Life Alert Company Information
- Company Name:
- Life Alert Emergency Response, Inc.
- Website:
- www.lifealert.com
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