LifeFone vs. Medical Guardian

As we grow older, many of us will start to experience more health problems. These health problems can make it difficult to live alone, and can even be life-threatening. That's why it's important to have a medical alert system in place so that you can get help when you need it.

Medical alert devices have been around for decades, and they're only getting more popular as our population ages. These systems usually consist of a base unit that is connected to the telephone or cellular network, and a wearable device that can be worn around the neck or wrist. If the user falls or needs assistance, they can simply press the button on the device and they will be connected to a response or monitoring center.

These devices are not only used by seniors but they can also be used by anyone with a medical condition that could benefit from having quick access to help. Additionally, these devices can also be used by normal, healthy people who just want the peace of mind of knowing that they can get help if they need it.

We'll compare two of the most popular medical alert systems in the market: LifeFone and Medical Guardian. We'll cover features, pricing, and everything you need to know to help you decide which provider best fits your needs.

	LifeFone	Medical Guardian
Overall Grade	Overall Grade: A-plus	Overall Grade: A
Costs
Monthly Cost Price	$29.95 - $45.95	$29.95 - $39.95
Device Cost	$0	$0 - $199.95
Shipping Fee	$11.95	$12.5
Cancellation Fee	No fee	No fee
Fall Detection Fee	$0 - $10	$1 - $10
Cellular Fee	n/a	n/a
Spouse Monitoring	$39.95	$0 - $2.99
Features
Connectivity Option	Landline, Cellular or Cellular	Landline, Cellular or Cellular
Two-way Speaker & Microphone	Yes	Yes
Home-based Back Up Battery Life	32 hours or 30 hours	32 hours
On-the-go Battery Life	720 hours or 384 hours	120 hours, 120 hours or 24 hours
Button Range	1300 ft or 1400 ft	1400 ft, 500 ft or 1300 ft
Water Resistant	Yes	Yes
GPS Tracking	Yes, some plans	Yes, some plans
Caregiver App	Yes, some plans	Yes, some plans
Response Time	15 seconds	20 seconds
More Details	See All Plans	See All Plans

LifeFone

Pros:

• Well-established medical alert provider for over 40 years
• Offers devices that can cover a range of up to 1400ft
• Offers 100% lifetime warranty on all devices
• Does not charge activation and cancellation fees.
• 24/7 monitoring, including holidays
• Wall button, vanity pendant button, beaded lanyard and lock box can be add-ons
• Daily safety checks, activity tracking, and medication reminder service can be added for a fee
• Offers 30-day money-back guarantee; any unused prepaid amount will be refunded pro-rated
• With devices that can last up to 30 days

Cons:

• Pricing plans can be difficult to understand as the company's website can be overwhelming
• Costs for optional services and add-on features can add up quickly

Medical Guardian

Pros:

• Availability of fall detection feature
• GPS location tracking capability
• 24/7/365 US-based monitoring
• Plans can be customized according to needs
• Wide coverage of home-based devices

Cons:

• Spouse monitoring is not available on all devices
• Upfront costs can be expensive
• Offers limited add-ons

LifeFone Overview

Life Fone is a trusted medical alert provider for over 40 years. The company offers a wide range of alert devices from home-based to mobile devices that you can use at home or carry with you when you're outside. All of their devices come with a 100% lifetime warranty, and there are no activation or cancellation fees.

The company has received awards and recognitions from various third-party organizations such as an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, a popular consumers' website. The company also receives recommendations from leading health care providers as well as from national health education and consumer organizations. Life Fone is definitely one of the best providers in the market.

Medical Alert Systems

At-Home Landline

LifeFone's At-Home Landline is a home-based medical alert system that consists of a base unit, a personal help button that can be worn as a pendant or wristband, and can also come with optional wearable fall detection for added security and protection. This system can be purchased for a monthly monitoring fee of $29.95 and if users opt to add the waterproof automatic fall detection pendant, it will cost an additional $5 a month.

The device is connected to the user's home landline telephone, has two-way communication, and covers a range of up to 1300ft. The device also includes a backup battery that can last up to 32 hours in case of a power outage. This system 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. And lastly, 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

This system is perfect for users who don't have a landline phone or would prefer not to use one. The At-Home Cellular system includes the same devices and features as the Landline system, but instead, it uses cellular technology to connect to the LifeFone monitoring center.

This system starts at $34.95 a month with no long-term contract required. We recommend contacting LifeFone's customer support to check if your area has good coverage before purchasing.

At-Home and On-The-Go

This system is a great option for users who want the flexibility of having a home-based system but also want the ability to take their device with them when they leave the house. The At-Home and On-The-Go system includes the same features as the other two systems, but it also comes with a mobile device that functions the same as the base unit.

Additionally, the system's base unit has more advanced features than its At-Home base unit. It has a lighted display that displays the time, date, and ambient temperature. It also includes a backup battery that will keep running for up to 32 hours in the event of a power outage. Finally, it features a signal strength indicator to help you find the best spot for the base unit inside your house.

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

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

At-Home and On-The-Go VIP

LifeFone's At-Home and On-The-Go VIP plan includes an all-in-one voice pendant that may be worn as a necklace or on a belt clip and works with 4G LTE cellular service to provide nationwide coverage. The device has a battery life of up to 30 days, is waterproof, and is perfect for individuals who are frequently away from home.

This also has clear two-way voice communication that allows you to communicate with a care agent directly. GPS location tracking present in the device lets caregivers keep track of your location.You can purchase this plan for a monthly cost of $43.95.

At-Home and On-The-Go VIPX

A small, lightweight, and powerful device that uses Verizon or AT&T 4G LTE cellular network for worldwide coverage is what comprises this system. The device is water-resistant, so users may wear it in the rain or in the shower where accidents are more likely to occur. It also has a clear two-way voice connection that lets you talk directly to 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. The At Home and On-the-Go VIPX system comes in black, white, and silver colors. It is slightly more expensive than the VIP plan at $45.95 a month. For an extra $8 per month, you may add an optional caregiver app to this plan. The app allows caregivers to monitor their loved ones' location, activity, first movement of the day, button presses, and battery levels.

Medical Guardian Overview

Medical Guardian is a top-rated medical alert system company that has been in business for years. The company offers several different types of monitoring systems to accommodate the demands of both elders who live alone at home and those who are active and on the go.

Medical Guardian offers both home-based systems and on-the-go systems, both of which connect through a landline or cellular network. The cost of a home-based monitoring service from this company begins at $29.95 a month and includes an extra $10 for fall detection. Whereas their on-the-go systems offer a fixed monthly monitoring fee of $39.95 with a one-time equipment fee that differs depending on the device.

Medical Alert Systems

Classic Guardian

The Classic Guardian is a home-based medical alert system that connects through the user's landline telephone and costs $29.95 a month. This plan comes with a base unit that has a two-way speaker and microphone that allow users to communicate with the monitoring center's response agent 24/7.

In case the power goes out, the base unit comes with a backup battery that can last up to 32 hours. A waterproof personal help button also comes with this system. This button can be used as a pendant or wristband and can cover a range of up to 1300ft from the base unit. This system can be upgraded to include automatic fall detection for an additional $10 a month.

Home 2.0

This plan includes a base unit and a help button just like the Classic Guardian, but this one connects through a cellular network. Home 2.0 costs $34.95 a month with a one-time device fee of $124.95. The base unit has the same features as the Classic Guardian but the range of the help button for Home 2.0 can cover up to 1400ft. You may also opt to add a wearable fall detection device that costs an additional $10 a month.

Mobile 2.0

The Mobile 2.0 plan comes with a portable, lightweight base device that can be clipped to your belt or carried in a purse, as well as a personal help button that may be worn as a pendant or wristband. This system costs $39.95 a month plus an upfront equipment cost of $124.95.

The base device has a built-in speaker and microphone for clear two-way communication, as well as a battery that lasts up to 5 days once completely charged. In addition, the device is waterproof, so you won't have to worry about it getting damaged if it gets wet. You can even take it with you in the shower or out in the rain. Plus, the personal help button can work as far as 500ft away from the base unit.

Mini Guardian

For a monthly monitoring fee of $39.95 and a one-time device cost of $149.95, you can purchase Mini Guardian which comes with a lightweight, mobile help button. This device has a built-in HD speaker and microphone that is used when communicating directly with an emergency response operator, and it also has a long-lasting battery that can go up to 5 days without being charged.

This mobile device can be used anywhere there is a good cellular signal, and it is even waterproof, allowing you to wear it in the shower or during a rainstorm. In addition, the button may be attached to the user's belt or clothing, or placed in a pocket.

MG Move

Medical Guardian's MG Move is a Smartwatch-style medical alert device with built-in fall detection, battery life of up to 24 hours, and a few extra functions such as a step tracker and weather app.

Users will be charged $39.95 a month for this plan, with a one-time payment of $199.95 for the watch. The device also comes with reminders for events or medications, and a button to call for help in an emergency. With local real-time weather data, the user can be prepared for any weather conditions before heading outside.

Now that you know a little more about each company, let's do a side-by-side cost comparison.

Both companies offer affordable plans with both starting at $29.95 a month. LifeFone's most expensive plan costs $45.95 a month while Medical Guardian's top-tier plan is $39.95 a month. It's important to note that these monthly rates do not include the cost of equipment, which will be an additional upfront payment. LifeFone does not charge customers for their equipment while Medical Guardian charges a one-time fee ranging from $124.95 to $199.95 depending on the plan you choose.

Furthermore, automatic fall detection costs an additional $5 a month with LifeFone while Medical Guardian charges an additional monthly fee of $10 for the same service. LifeFone also charges a cheaper shipping fee of $12 while Medical Guardian's shipping fee is $12.50. Last but not least, an extra button for spouse monitoring can be purchased for a one-time fee of $39.95 with LifeFone while Medical Guardian offers the same service for only $2.99 a month.

When it comes to price, LifeFone seems to be the more affordable option overall. However, it's important to take into account the features and services that each company offers before deciding on which one to go with.

In addition to price, another important factor to consider when choosing a medical alert system is the features that each company offers. Both LifeFone and Medical Guardian have basic features such as landline and cellular connectivity options, two-way communication, fall detection, and GPS location tracking. However, some key differences set these two companies apart.

For instance, LifeFone offers an on-the-go device that can last up to 30 days while Medical Guardian's devices can only last up to 5 days. This is important to consider if you plan on traveling frequently or if you live in an area with spotty cellular coverage as it affects a device's battery life.

In terms of coverage, LifeFone's devices can cover a range of up to 1400ft which is the same with range of Medical Guardian. In addition to this, Life Fone offers a caregiver app for an extra monthly cost of $8 while Medical Guardian offers it for free.

Monitoring Center

The monitoring center is the most important part of any medical alert system as it is responsible for contacting emergency services in the event of an accident or medical emergency.

Both LifeFone and Medical Guardian have US-based, TMA Five Diamond Certified monitoring centers that are operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year. Their monitoring centers have nationwide coverage ensuring that help is always close by, no matter where you are in the country.

LifeFone's average response rate is 15 seconds while Medical Guardian's is 20 seconds. Every second counts in an emergency so this is an important factor to consider. Plus, LifeFone's care agents are English and Spanish-speaking which means that they can assist a wider range of customers.

OUR PICK

When it comes down to it, both LifeFone and Medical Guardian are great medical alert systems with a variety of features that set them apart. However, if we had to choose one, we would go with LifeFone as they offer more affordable plans, their devices have a longer battery life, and their monitoring center is UL-certified and FM-approved.

LifeFone's systems may offer standard features, but the company's focus on affordability and its dedication to customer service are what set it apart from the competition. They may not offer a Smartwatch like some of the other companies, but their systems are reliable and their customer service is top-notch.

Medical Guardian is a great company as well, but their higher prices and shorter battery life for their devices are what put them behind LifeFone in our opinion. However, if you're looking for a medical alert system with more high-tech features, Medical Guardian may be a better option for you.