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5 min readLifeline (formerly Philips Lifeline) gives its users the flexibility to feel safe at home and on the go with features like AutoAlert fall detection, up to six forms of GPS tracking, and easy-to-install equipment.
That said, Lifeline isn’t a budget-friendly medical alert system. It costs about the same as an internet bill, making it a tough sell for many people without the extra cash. Plus, additional charges like activation fees and even self-installation fees can hike up the price.
Advanced fall detection prevents false alarms
6 location technologies for bringing help to you
Medication dispenser service
Custom help list 
Self-installation charges
No wall or shower buttons Lifeline costs a minimum of $29.95 per month, which is about average for a medical alert system. But the equipment on sale for this price requires a landline and isn’t designed for more active adults. Even with this modest price, you’ll still have to pay an activation fee of $50 and pay for installation whether you hire a professional ($99) or do it yourself ($24.95).
Every plan requires an installation fee. Even do-it-yourselfers will have to account for an additional $25 tacked onto their initial bill. Thankfully, this isn’t a feature seen in many medical alert systems, but at least the installation fees are consistent for every plan. Self-installation is always an extra $20, and professional help is an additional $100 no matter what package you choose.
The good news is there are more affordable medical alert systems, but they may not have the features Lifeline does. So while you pay a hefty fee for this service, the tech you get is high quality.
With an AARP membership, you can get a 15% discount on a Lifeline medical alert system, in addition to discounts on hotels, restaurants, prescriptions and more. You also get the AARP magazine, access to virtual learning programs, and can connect with other AARP members in your community.
Package | Monthly price starts at | Installation fees | Other fees | Fall detection | Location technology | Connectivity | Learn more |
| $29.95 | $24.95 (self) or $99.00 (pro) | $50.00 activation fee |  No | No | Landline or cellular | View Packages | |
| $44.95 | $24.95 (self) or $99.00 (pro) | $50.00 activation fee |  Yes | No | Landline or cellular | View Packages | |
| $49.95 | $24.95 (self) or $99.00 (pro) | $99.95 device fee | Yes | Yes | Cellular | View Packages |
Info current as of publish date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Lifeline has three main packages for all activity levels. The emergency pendant is the heart of all these systems. In the HomeSafe Standard package, you can wear the Lifeline as a bracelet or pendant and call for help with a single button.
These alert devices are all waterproof too, so you can take them in the shower, pool, or out in the rain.
The HomeSafe Standard and HomeSafe with AutoAlert connect to your landline or local cellular network. We’re personally fond of the AutoAlert system because it comes with automatic fall detection, making it easy to call for help if you fall.
Both systems have long battery life and are easy to set up. The cellular and landline systems take only a few minutes to install, but you can opt for professional installation and orientation for $99.
The On the Go medical alert from Lifeline is designed for independent older adults. It's a fully cellular, pendant-only package that comes with built-in AutoAlert for falls and five forms of location technology.
While the On the Go device costs nearly $50 per month, it’s a good investment if having a fall outside your home is a possibility.
Lifeline's voice extender is a unique piece of equipment that very few medical alert companies sell. It acts like a secondary base station for larger homes, making it possible for you and Lifeline's professional monitors to hear each other during an emergency.
The Lifeline voice extender costs an extra $10 a month.
Most medical alert systems consider fall detection a separate service, selling it as an add-on in a different pendant or wristband. Lifeline’s fall detection, also called AutoAlert, comes included in two of its packages.
The Lifeline fall detection pendants use an accelerometer, a barometer, and specially designed algorithms to measure speed, height, and pressure to sense falls. If you take a sudden spill on the stairs, your Lifeline pendant will notice and allow you 30 seconds to get up on your own.
If you’re unable to move or respond, a monitoring professional will contact you through the two-way communicator on the device. Falls are a serious threat to adults 65 and older. So, while this feature can be expensive, it may be worth the investment. We consider it one of the best medical alert systems for fall detection.
The location technology in the Lifeline medical alert system uses multiple methods of tracking and pinpointing so help can find you no matter where you are.
A-GPS: Also called “assisted GPS,” this technology uses a satellite network to pinpoint the device’s location. It’s the most common form of location technology used in medical alert systems and can be helpful in public places like malls or parks. Learn more about how GPS works.
Wi-Fi: You’d be hard-pressed to find a place without Wi-Fi. That’s why Lifeline added a feature that connects to nearby Wi-Fi hotspots in hotels, restaurants, or homes to help first responders find your location.
Location breadcrumbs: Unlike Hansel and Gretel, you won’t get lost in the woods with this tech. This feature takes ongoing snapshots of your location throughout the day to create a digital trail of where you’ve gone.
Two-way communication: If these other systems fail or cannot connect, the two-way intercom built into the device lets you speak to a Lifeline pro. These trained professionals will call for help from your friends, family, or first responders depending on your needs.
Audio beacon: This feature emits a loud siren to help assistance get to you faster. The audio beacon is especially useful if you’re stuck in a dark place or hidden from plain view.
In-home communicator: This feature sends a signal to the in-home communicator to contact help from Lifeline. You’d have to opt for one of the GoSafe units for this feature, though.
Brand | Best for | Lowest monthly price | In-home range | Backup battery |
| Best overall | $24.95/mo. | 1000 ft. | 32 hrs. | |
| Best wearable options | $29.95/mo. | 1300 ft. | 32 hrs. | |
| Best for fall detection | $27.95/mo.* | 800 ft. | 30 hrs. | |
| Best at-home system | $29.95/mo. | 1,300 ft. | 32 hrs. | |
| Most trusted name | $29.99/mo. | 600 ft. | 20 hrs. |
Info current as of publish date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Lifeline is expensive, but you get what you pay for. The engineers and designers at Lifeline have thought their product through. The HomeSafe and On the Go packages are well designed, durable, and created to give you peace of mind. Just be ready to carve out room in your budget for this equipment.
Yes, you may be eligible for a free medical alert system from Lifeline if you're enrolled in one of the following plans:
Learn more: Are Medical Alert Systems Covered by Medicare?
Yes, AARP members get a 15% discount on Lifeline's monthly monitoring fee. The activation fee ($50 value) and shipping fees are also waived.
Lifeline has an in-depth website with information about its equipment, policies, and pricing. So we read all of it. We combed through product manuals, customer reviews, fine print, and more to get a complete picture of what it’s like to be a Lifeline customer before creating this review.
We’ve also done the same with Lifeline's competitors like Bay Alarm Medical and Life Alert. Learning more about these other companies gave us a frame of reference to how Lifeline’ prices and product packages compare to similar services.
To learn more about our policies for reviews and articles like this one, read our full methodology.
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