LifeFone Review Overall Grade: A-plus

LifeFone is one of the most popular medical alert system providers in the US. With more than 40 years of experience in the industry, this company has a well-established reputation for providing quality products and services.

What makes LifeFone stand out among the competition is its long list of awards and recognitions, including an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (a consumers' website) and recommendations from leading health care providers as well as from national health education and consumer organizations.

On our list of top medical alert system providers, LifeFone earned the second spot. This is based on our evaluation of the company's products, services, and customer reviews which we will further discuss in this review.

Let's take a look at LifeFone's medical alert plans:

Listed below are the metrics we used to evaluate LifeFone's medical alert system:

We rated this company's home-based system features an A+. Their system is one of the most feature-rich systems we've reviewed. These subcategories helped LifeFone achieve this high rating:

Water Resistance

Accidents at home happen frequently, which is why we consider water resistance to be an important feature in a home-based system. LifeFone's help button is water-resistant, so users can feel confident wearing it even in the shower where most home accidents happen.

Range of Protection

LifeFone's home-based system has a range of up to 1300ft, which is one of the largest average ranges among the systems we've reviewed. This means users will be able to get help wherever they are at home and even if they're outside in their backyard.

Fall Detection

The company's home-based system also offers an optional fall detection feature for an additional cost. This is a great feature because if a user falls and is unable to push the help button, the device will automatically place a call to the monitoring center.

Cellular Fee

LifeFone uses AT&T 4G LTE cellular network to provide a reliable and fast connection for its home-based system and the company does not charge its customer an additional monthly fee for this.

LifeFone is also rated highly for its on-the-go system features. Below are the subcategories that contributed to this high rating:

Water Resistance

As we mentioned earlier, accidents can happen anywhere and at any time. That's why we think it's important for an on-the-go system to be water-resistant so users can feel confident wearing it even when they're out and about. LifeFone's on-the-go system is water-resistant, making it a great option for those who want an extra level of protection whether they're out in the rain or taking a dip in the pool.

Battery Life

LifeFone's on-the-go system offers devices that can last from 5 to 30 days. Their Voice-In-Pendant (VIP) device, in particular, has a battery life of up to 30 days which is one of the longest we've seen among the systems we've reviewed.This means users won't have to worry about charging their devices as often and can feel confident knowing they'll still be able to get help even if the power goes out.

GPS Location Tracking

All of LifeFone's on-the-go systems offer GPS location tracking, which is a great feature for those who want to be able to keep track of their loved ones location

Fall Detection

Out of the three on-the-go systems of LifeFone, only one of them does not offer a fall detection feature. The other two offer this fall detection for an additional $10 a month with At-Home and On-The-Go and an additional $5 a month with At-Home and On-The-Go VIPx.

Caregiver App

LifeFone offers VIPx Caregiver App which can be purchased for an additional $8 a month with AT-Home and On-The-Go VIPX plan. This app offers increased peace of mind for users and their loved ones as it allows users to share their location, send emergency alerts, and see a history of their alert usage.

Another important metric we looked at is the reliability and efficiency of the company's monitoring center. We rated LifeFone an A and these are the following subcategories we reviewed to come up with this high rating:

Location

LifeFone's monitoring center is 100% US-based. We prefer the medical alert system provider's monitoring center to be based in the US as this provides faster response time and more accurate location information. It's relieving to know that none of the providers we've reviewed have their monitoring centers based outside of the US.

Third-Party Certification

The company's monitoring center is recognized by various third-party organizations including The Monitoring Association which awarded them Five Diamond Certification. They are also UL-certified and FM-approved. This is important as it shows that the company's monitoring center is up to industry standards.

Response Rate

LifeFone's average response time is 15 seconds which is one of the fastest we've seen. This is important as every second counts when it comes to an emergency.

Multi-Lingual

The company's care agents are English and Spanish-speaking operators. Even if you don't speak either of these two languages, their care agents can still help you as they use translation services to accommodate all their users.

Now that we've gone through all the features and services LifeFone offers, it's time to talk about how much the cost will be. The company has a variety of plans to choose from so you can find one that best fits your needs and budget.

We rated them an A for their overall cost as they offer great value for your money. Here are the costs we have taken into account:

Monitoring Fees

The monthly fee paid by users purchasing LifeFone's plans ranges from $29.95 to $45.95. This price range is just around the average monthly fee for medical alert systems.

Device Cost

LifeFone does not charge any upfront fee for their devices. This is great news for users as it means you won't have to pay anything upfront before getting started with the service.

Cancellation Fee

The company does not require a service contract so users can cancel their service at any time without having to pay any cancellation fees. They only need to call or email LifeFone regarding their cancellation request and once the devices are returned, LifeFone will then process the pro-rated refund.

Spouse Monitoring

If users want their spouse or another family member to also be protected, they can do so by adding an extra button to their existing system for an additional $39.95. This is one of the expensive extra button fees we've seen but it's still cheaper than getting a separate system for your loved one.

Shipping Fee

Last on the list is the shipping fee. The company offers standard shipping for all its devices which costs $11.95.

Let's take a closer look at the plans and devices LifeFone has to offer

At-Home Landline

At-Home Landline is LifeFone's home-based medical alert system that can be purchased for a monthly cost of $29.95. It is connected to your home's landline telephone, has two-way communication, and has a range of up to 1300ft. The device also includes a backup battery in case of power outages that can last up to 32 hours. Plus, the device can come with water-resistant wearable fall detection for an additional $5 a month.

The At-Home Landline also features a room temperature sensor. This sensor will send an alarm to the user's caregiver or family member if the temperature in the home goes above or below the user's customized settings.

Finally, the device can answer incoming calls. So, if the user's landline phone rings, they can simply press their help button and the device will answer the call for them.

At-Home Cellular

If you do not have landline service, or if you want an additional layer of protection, LifeFone also offers an At-Home Cellular. This uses AT&T's 4G cellular network and can be purchased for a monthly cost of $34.95.

This plan is basically similar to their At-Home Landline, they only differ in the type of connection used. And since this system is connected to a cellular network, it requires a strong network signal in order to work properly. We recommend contacting LifeFone's customer support to check if your area has good coverage before purchasing this system.

What's included in LifeFone's home-based systems?

• Landline or 4G LTE-connected base unit
• Personal help button (pendant or wristband)
• Optional wearable fall detection

At-Home and On-The-Go

This plan is a great option for those who are often away from home, as it includes both home-based and mobile protection. With this, you'll be able to trigger the alarm from up to 1400ft away from the base unit, or up to 600ft away with the mobile device.

The system uses AT&T's 4G LTE cellular network and has GPS location tracking, so you can be located even if you're away from home. In addition, the system's mobile devices can last up to 30 hours on a single charge.

The system's base unit has more advanced features than its At-Home base unit. It features a lighted display that shows the time, date, and ambient temperature. It also has a backup battery that will last up to 32 hours in case of a power outage. And finally, it has a signal strength indicator to help you find the best location for the base unit inside your home.

LifeFone's At-Home and On-The-Go system can be purchased for a monthly cost of $39.95. A wearable fall detection pendant can be added to this plan at an additional cost of $10 a month.

What's included in LifeFone's At-Home and On-The-Go system?

• 4G LTE-connected base unit
• Mobile device
• Personal help button (pendant or wristband)
• Optional wearable fall detection

At-Home and On-The-Go VIP

LifeFone's At-Home and On-The-GO VIP plan consists of an all-in-one voice-in-pendant that can be worn as a necklace or on a belt clip and works with LifeFone's 4G LTE cellular service to provide nationwide coverage. The device has a battery life of up to 30 days and is water resistant, making it ideal for those who are often away from home.

Additionally, this plan includes a personalized emergency care plan that customizes the response of LifeFone's care agents in case of an emergency. The portable device also comes with a clear two-way voice communication that allows you to speak directly with a care agent. It also has GPS location tracking that uses WiFi and cellular technology, so users can be located even if they're away from home.

The At-Home and On-The-GO VIP plan can be purchased for a monthly cost of $43.95. Unfortunately, this system does not offer a fall detection function.

At-Home and On-The-Go VIPx

This system includes a small, lightweight, and powerful device that uses Verizon or AT&T 4G LTE cellular service for nationwide coverage. The device is water-resistant so users can wear it in the rain or in the shower where accidents are more likely to happen and it has a clear two-way voice communication that allows you to speak directly with a response agent.

Additionally, the device has GPS location tracking and optional fall detection that costs an additional $5 a month. It also has a battery life that can last up to 16 days. To recharge, just simply place the device in its charging stand. LifeFone also sends a text and email reminder when the battery begins to run low.

The At Home and On-The-Go VIPX system is available in black, white, and silver colors. It is slightly more expensive than the VIP plan at $45.95 a month. A fall detection pendant can be added at an additional cost of $5 a month.

With this plan, an optional caregiver app can also be added for an additional $8 a month. The app allows caregivers to track the location, activity, first motion of the day, button presses, and battery levels of their loved ones.

How does LifeFone’s Medical Alert System work?

All of LifeFone's plans come with a personalized emergency care plan. With this service, the user's caregivers and family members can receive phone, email, and text notifications in case of an emergency. This will customize the response of LifeFone's care agents based on the user's individual needs and preferences.

LifeFone's medical alert systems are designed to give you and your loved ones peace of mind, knowing that help is just a button press away. Here's how they work.

In the event of an emergency, you may simply press the button on the base unit, mobile device or your personal help button. This sends a signal to LifeFone's 24/7 response center, where one of their response agents will assess your situation and send the appropriate help.

Then, your emergency care plan will be displayed to the response agent assisting you. This plan includes your personalized contact information, medical conditions, and preferences. Based on this information, the care agent will then dispatch the appropriate help, whether it's emergency responders or a family member.

Additionally, by wearing the optional fall detection pendant available for some system plans, the base unit will automatically call for help if it detects a fall. So, if you have a medical emergency and are unable to press your button, help will still be on the way.

Monitoring Center

LifeFone's monitoring center is 100% US-based and it operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year. They have a team of caring, compassionate, English and Spanish-speaking care agents who are trained to provide the best possible help in any situation.

Calls and alerts are typically answered within 15 seconds, and their coverage is available nationwide. With LifeFone, you can be sure that help is always just a button press away.

The company's monitoring center is also recognized by a number of third-party organizations. They are TMA Five Diamond Certified, UL-certified, and FM-approved. This means that their response center meets or exceeds the highest standards in the industry.

LifeFone's unique emergency care plan allows users, their caregivers and family members to customize the company's care agents' response to fit their specific needs. This way, you can be sure that you're getting the help that you need, when you need it.

Why Consider LifeFone?

No activation or device fees

There are no activation or equipment fees required to pay upfront when you sign up for LifeFone's medical alert services.

30-day money-back guarantee

If you're not satisfied with the service for any reason, LifeFone offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. You will be refunded, no questions asked.

100% lifetime warranty

Your security and peace of mind are the company's top priorities that's why every LifeFone unit comes with a lifetime warranty. So, if your system ever breaks, they will quickly replace it for free.

Nationwide coverage

LifeFone's medical alert systems work anywhere in the United States, so you can have peace of mind knowing that help is always nearby.

24/7 monitoring

LifeFone's team of care agents are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year. Whether it's 3 am or 3 pm, help is always just a button press away.

Customizable care

Users of LifeFone may customize the company's care agents' responses to fit their needs using the emergency care plan.