Alert1 vs Life Alert Comparison
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November 10, 2023
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| Editor's Ratings | ||
| Costs | ||
| Monthly Price Range | $20-$62 | $50-$90 |
| Set-Up Fee | None | $95 and up |
| Contract Required | No | 3 year |
| Shipping Cost | Free with a 10-month subscription. | Free |
| Contracts | Monthly and Annual options | 3-year contract |
| Return Policy | Equipment can be returned at any time | Only in the event of a move to a care facility or death |
| Product Features | ||
| Connection | Landline or Cellular | Landline or Cellular |
| Two-Way Talk | Yes | Yes |
| In-Home Range | 600 feet | 800 feet |
| On-the-Go Battery Life | Depends on model | Ten years |
| Water-Resistant Help Button | Yes | Yes |
| GPS | Yes | Yes |
| 24/7 USA-Based Monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Add-Ons | ||
| Fall Detection | $10/month | No |
| Spouse Monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Wall-Mounted Help Buttons | Yes | Yes |
| Lockboxes | Yes | Yes |
| Contact | ||
| Website | View Packages |
*We recommend calling because representatives can sometimes offer special deals or pricing. We make every effort to provide and maintain accurate information on our site. However, the businesses reviewed on our site may periodically change their pricing, equipment, and packages and there may be a lag between the time they make such changes and the time we become aware of such changes. If you identify any outdated or inaccurate information, please contact us here.
Editors Recommendation
Generally, we recommend Alert1 over Life Alert for their month-to-month (no contracts) service agreements and equipment variety. Alert1’s products are also priced at a lower monthly cost and do not require any installation fees.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), falls are the number one cause of injury among adults 65 years of age and older. The risk of serious injury increases when a person falls and cannot reach for a phone or a way to call for help. One of the best ways to avoid this kind of danger of being stuck after a fall is to consider buying a medical alert system. There are many options to explore when it comes to these systems, and they range in cost as well as the range of services offered.
Two popular medical alert system companies are Alert1 and Life Alert. Each of these companies operates nationwide and has more than 30 years of experience in the medical alert industry. Alert1 and Life Alert both offer a wide range of services for seniors that could benefit from an added sense of medical and physical security.
FYI: AARP offers a guide to understanding medical alert systems, as well as a list of tips when it comes to approaching mobility issues.
Alert1 Overview
Alert1 is a medical alert system company founded in 1988. Serving all fifty states, Alert1 provides unlimited button presses and talk time, even in the event that a user just wants to have a conversation and doesn’t have an immediate emergency. Alert1 devices have automatic fall detection, and the company does not lock customers into long-term contracts. Alert1 prices are highly affordable.
To learn more about this provider, read my Alert1 review.
Alert1 Systems
| System | Monthly Starting Cost | Connection | For Use | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In-the-Home | $19.95 | Landline | at home | Those who are looking for peace of mind around their home. |
| In-the-Home + Fall Detection | $27.95 | Landline | at home | Those who are looking for peace of mind around their home and would like the added feature of fall detection. |
| On-the-Go | $36.95 | Cellular | away from home | Those who are looking for a system that will protect them while they are away from home. |
| On-the-Go + Fall Detection | $44.95 | Cellular | away from home | Those who are looking for a system that will protect them while they are away from home and would like the added feature of fall detection. |
| On-the-Go + In-the-Home + Fall Detection | $52.95 | Landline + Cellular | at home, in the car, away from home | Those looking for the full package: protection at and away from home with the added feature of fall detection. |
FYI: Costs can vary when it comes to medical alert systems, and it is a good idea to consider when and how insurance coverage for medical alerts works with these systems when exploring your options.
What We Love About Alert1
- No Long-Term Contract: Alert1 does not require that customers sign a long-term contract with the company in order to sign up for their services.
- No Extra Charges for Button-Presses: All Alert1 plans include unlimited button presses, and there is no additional fee for accidental button presses.
- Array of Languages: Alert1 offers its services in 190 languages for easy, effective communication during a crisis.
- No Cancellation Fee: There is no fee to cancel an Alert1 plan.
- Warranty: Alert1 allows you to purchase a warranty that includes free replacements, repairs, and standard shipping costs.
- Fall Detection: In addition to the help button that can be pressed at any time, Alert1 technology has automatic fall detection and will alert an operator that will call to check on you and send help if needed.
What We Don't Love About Alert1
- Difficult Cancellation: While Alert1 customers are not locked into long-term contracts, the process for requesting a refund can be confusing and time-consuming.
- No Mobile App:Alert1 does not offer users a mobile app for easy monitoring of systems and services.
Life Alert Overview
Life Alert is one of the most popular medical alert systems in America. Founded in 1987, Life Alert claims to save a life once every eleven minutes, and they handle over two million calls a year. Providing services for falls in the home, the shower, or even out and about with the GPS feature, Life Alert notifies the appropriate first responders to get help to where it is needed as quickly as possible. They also offer a free lifetime warranty on their products.
Though one of the most recognizable names in medical alert systems, Life Alert does have some drawbacks, such as long contracts and a high cost compared to other similar systems. Life Alert prices start at $50 per month.
To learn more about this company, read my full Life Alert review.
Life Alert Systems
| System | Monthly Starting Cost | Connection | For Use | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Life Alert Basic | $19.95 | Landline | at home | Those who are looking for peace of mind around their home. |
| Life Alert Basic + Shower Button | $59 | landline or cellular | at home | Those who are looking for peace of mind around their home with added protection from falls in the bathroom. |
| Life Alert Basic with Shower Button + Mobile | $89 | landline or cellular | at home and on the go | Those who are looking for peace of mind around their home with added protection from falls in the bathroom. |
What We Love About Life Alert
- Family Notification Feature: In addition to contacting the proper first responders when users need help, Life Alert will send notifications to your family members in the event of an emergency.
- Warranty: Life Alert services come with a free lifetime warranty.
- On-the-Go+GPS: This feature allows users to call for help even when they are away from home with the press of a button. This technology uses GPS to allow emergency services to find you when you are in need no matter where you are.
- No Cancellation Fee: There is no fee to cancel an Alert1 plan.
- Warranty: Alert1 allows you to purchase a warranty that includes free replacements, repairs, and standard shipping costs.
- Fall Detection: In addition to the help button that can be pressed at any time, Alert1 technology has automatic fall detection and will alert an operator that will call to check on you and send help if needed.
What We Don't Love About Life Alert
- No Fall-Detection Technology: Life Alert does not offer automatic fall detection with any of their plans or services.
- Cost: Life Alert is more expensive than many comparable medical alert systems when it comes to startup and recurring costs. Additionally, costs are not listed on the Life Alert website, and interested individuals must call the company to inquire about prices.
- Long-Term Contracts: Life Alert requires customers to sign three-year contracts while many other companies offer shorter-term or even month-to-month contracts.
Life Alert and Alert1 Similarities
Most Medical Alert Systems function in basically the same way. With the press of a button, users can contact a monitoring center that will immediately send help to their location. Depending on the lifestyle and need of the individual, different levels of services and products are offered by these companies, including buttons for the shower and optional GPS technology for help needed on the go. Life Alert and Alert1 share these qualities as well as some others.
Some other similarities include:
- Pendants and Wall-Mounted Help Buttons: Life Alert and Alert1 each offer pressable pendants that can be worn around the neck as well as buttons that can be mounted on the walls (or in the shower) to call for help.
- Five Diamond Certified Monitoring Center: Life Alert and Alert1 Medical Alert Systems boast a Five Diamond Certified monitoring center. These centers meet rigorous standards, employing highly trained operators to provide effective assistance for any emergency. They will stay on the phone with you through the duration of the emergency.
- Connectivity: Both Life Alert and Alert1 have landline and cellular options, so those without a landline are still able to utilize these services; both companies also offer GPS for mobile use.
- Water-Resistant equipment: Life Alert and Alert1 each offer water-resistant products, including buttons specifically designed for use in the shower.
Alert1 and Life Alert Differences
While Alert1 and Life Alert share many similarities in the services they offer, there are some significant differences:
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- Fall Detection: Alert1 offers optional Fall Detection technology with all of their products. Fall Detection provides extra peace of mind by providing an automatic call when a fall has been detected. Life Alert does not provide this service.
- Cost and Contracts: Alert1 offers monthly and yearly subscriptions, so there is less of a risk in signing up to try it out. Life Alert requires members to sign a three-year contract. Life Alert is also more expensive when it comes to start-up as well as recurring costs.
- Emergency Response & Call Centers: Both Alert1 and Life Alert have Five Diamond Certified Monitoring Centers, with operators that are highly trained and dispatch emergency services immediately and stay on the line through the duration of the emergency. However, Alert1 has the added benefit of 190 language options for customers that may not be able to effectively communicate in English during a crisis.
Our Favorite
Alert1 and Life Alert provide many of the same basic functions. They both offer wearable pendants, wall-mounted help buttons, and GPS technology for mobile use. Life Alert is one of the most recognizable names in the business, but this brand name comes at a higher cost and a longer commitment, while Alert1 offers similar services for less.
When it came to our tests, it was hard to tell much of a difference between Life Alert and Alert1. Both medical alert systems contacted monitoring agents in a prompt manner, and they addressed our needs accordingly. Since Life Alert costs nearly twice as much as Alert1 (not to mention the required three-year contract), it’s hard to wholeheartedly recommend this provider. Alert1 also has the option of fall detection, which can be a real life-saver.
Additionally, be sure to check out our rundown of the best medical alert systems of 2024.
FYI: Some medical alert systems come with extra features like Bluetooth medical alerts and voice-activated medical alerts. You should be sure to explore your options before making the choice that works best for you.