AARP Hearing Center
LifeFone Review: Our In-Depth Testing Experience
Learn how four medical alert devices from this company performed in our assessments for fall detection, audio clarity and ease of use
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AARP Smart Picks™
Medical alert systems — which include devices with a help button that connects users to 24/7 monitoring centers in emergencies — support older adults in preserving their autonomy and provide them with greater peace of mind as they age in place.
Our AARP Smart Picks team worked with adult testers ages 60 to 65 to find the best medical alert systems on the market. We assessed more than 20 devices, testing factors like monitoring center response time, operator professionalism, device appearance and speaker audio quality. One company, LifeFone, earned a spot in our review of the best medical alert systems for its top performance and discreet design. And testers said nobody would guess that its necklace or watch is a medical alert device because they are indistinguishable from wearable electronics.
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As part of our review process, we also conducted a survey in April 2026 of 300 adults who had purchased a medical alert system for themselves or a loved one in the past three years. Almost all respondents who had bought a LifeFone system (95 percent) said the accompanying medical alert device had made it easier for them or a loved one to stay in their own homes rather than going to an assisted living facility.
To date, we’ve tested four mobile devices from LifeFone: the VIP flex, VIPx2, Safe Watch Active and VIP Active. Read on to learn how they each performed — and whether one of them might work for you or a loved one.
Comparing LifeFone models
What to know about Lifefone
LifeFone offers four mobile devices and two at-home devices: one with a landline connection and another that uses a cellular network. Its mobile devices come in a variety of wearable options — a pendant, a smartwatch and a model that can be worn on a necklace, belt clip or wristband— and each excelled in many of our assessments. For instance, they all passed our GPS tracking and call connection tests — two key priorities for caregivers and users, according to our April 2026 survey.
During testing, we were impressed by LifeFone’s monitoring center operators, who received perfect marks from testers for professionalism and tone. Pressing the help button on a mobile medical alert device connects the wearer to an agent who can dispatch assistance if needed. Having access to professional agents is of great service when navigating an emergency and needing direction.
Another feature we like? The company offers a lifetime warranty and a 30-day risk-free trial, with no equipment or activation fees. If you cancel within 30 days, you’ll receive a refund for any unused months of prepaid service.
In addition, automatic fall detection — an optional add-on to some wearable devices that uses sensors to automatically detect when the user has fallen — is available for $5 per month. The industry standard is $10 per month, and LifeFone’s price is the lowest among all the medical alert systems we tested.
Another add-on we appreciate? There’s an app for the VIPx2 that allows caregivers to view their loved one’s location, history of pushing the help button and device battery level and to receive virtual boundary alerts (notifications of the user moving beyond a set location). The app costs $8 extra per month. This app is only compatible with the VIPx2, and not other LifeFone devices.
Read on for the specifics of our testing of LifeFone devices.
- Pros and cons
- Features
Pros
Long 18-day battery life
Exceptional call audio clarity
Caregiver app
Cons
Magnetic clasp on the wearable may come undone
Not adjustable
Device type: Mobile
GPS tracking: Yes
Waterproof: No, device is water-resistant
Key takeaways from our testing
The LifeFone VIPx2 is a pendant that can be worn as a necklace or on a belt. Donna, a 60-year-old tester, awarded it a top-notch score for setup, noting that it was “extremely easy to understand.” Another plus: The battery takes just two to three hours to charge, and stays charged for up to 18 days — one of the longest spans for any medical alert device we’ve tested. Most other mobile devices last about three to five days on a single charge. Plus, this device’s help button flashes red when the battery is low to prompt users to charge it. Long battery life and low-battery reminders can help those who find it difficult to remember to charge a device.
Tester Donna said the long 18-day battery life of the Lifefone ViPx2 (seen here) was exceptional.
AARP Smart Picks
Tester Donna said the long 18-day battery life of the Lifefone ViPx2 (seen here) was exceptional.
When calling the monitoring center, I got through quickly, and the operator was very professional and easy to hear,” said Donna. Despite the loud background noise in her environment, the operators were still able to hear and understand her voice when she stood about three feet away from the pendant. As a result, the device earned stellar scores for call audio clarity and operator professionalism. Another notable feature? The VIPx2 is the only model from this company that comes with an optional caregiver app. This allows caregivers to view the user’s location, check the device’s battery level, receive notifications when a user summons help, see the user’s first motion of the day, set geographical boundaries and get alerts if the user leaves a designated area. These capabilities could benefit both the caregiver and the user.
We identified a couple of drawbacks to this device in our testing. First, the pendant has a magnetic clasp, which could be helpful for someone with dexterity issues, but could also be pulled open and fall off if it snagged on something like a door or a user’s clothes. In addition, the necklace can’t be adjusted to change its length.
- Pros and cons
- Features
Pros
Extended battery life
Easy to set up
Reliable fall detection
Cons
Midrange design scores
Audio was slightly muffled
Device type: Mobile
GPS tracking: Yes
Waterproof: No, device is water-resistant
Key takeaways from our testing
The VIP Active is another pendant that can be worn around the neck and has a help button in the center. In testing, this device received a perfect score for ease of device setup. All you have to do is remove it from the box and charge it. It also has a long battery life (up to five days), which can be helpful if the user regularly forgets to charge the device.
Tester Donna said the Lifefone VIP Active pendant (seen here) connected quickly to the monitoring center.
AARP Smart Picks
Tester Donna said the Lifefone VIP Active pendant (seen here) connected quickly to the monitoring center.
Automatic fall detection can be added as an extra option for $5 per month. This technology is designed to automatically register a fall and contact the monitoring center, but it’s not 100 percent accurate. To pass our fall detection tests, each device must successfully register at least nine of 12 falls from different positions, such as falling forward off a chair or dropping to the knees. The VIP Active successfully registered nine of 12 falls — the same as LifeFone’s VIPx2 and Safe Watch Active. For more information on fall detection, see our review of the best medical alert systems with fall detection.
During testing, Donna said the VIP Active was average in terms of comfort and discreetness. She said the necklace cord was stiff and not adjustable, and that the pendant felt more obtrusive. She also said she didn’t love the audio quality, noting that the two-way speaker was generally clear but sometimes sounded muffled due to its placement on the underside of the device. If appearance and always-clear audio matter to you, you might explore other options.
- Pros and cons
- Features
Pros
Superb setup and charging
Versatile wearability
Solid score on device reliability
Cons
Audio is hard to hear at times
Lacking in discretion when compared to other devices
Device type: Mobile
GPS tracking: Yes
Waterproof: No, device is water-resistant
Key takeaways from our testing
In testing, the VIP flex performed well in terms of user-friendliness and charging capability. “This device was really easy to set up. All I had to do was take it out of the box and make sure it was charged,” said Donna, noting that it arrived already positioned in the charger, so there was no question about how to activate it. Another pro? The VIP flex battery lasts up to five days on a single charge and can send text and email reminders to recharge it when the battery is low. These features resulted in perfect ratings for ease of setup and charging.
Tester Donna said the Lifefone VIP Flex (seen here) was comfortable to wear and easy to set up.
AARP Smart Picks
Tester Donna said the Lifefone VIP Flex (seen here) was comfortable to wear and easy to set up.
Users can wear the VIP flex as a bracelet or necklace or they can clip it to a belt loop. During testing, Donna said she found it easy to incorporate the device into her daily routine. “With the belt clip and [bracelet] option, it could blend easily in with regular day-to-day outfits,” she said. With regard to one of the most important metrics for a medical alert system — reliability — it received a favorable rating. “I feel like I can rely on this device in an emergency, especially if it were on my wrist,” Donna said. She considered the bracelet option best because it was easy to access the help button, even during a tumble, as opposed to a belt clip or necklace that can land underneath the user’s body or fall off.
During our assessments, Donna noted that it was sometimes hard to hear through the VIP flex’s two-way speaker. “The audio wasn't the absolute clearest,” she said. “It sounded a bit broken up.” She also noted that the device was more clinical-looking than others she’d tested. If you have hearing loss or prefer a device that looks more like a smartwatch, this model may not be a good fit. Instead, you may want to consider the LifeFone Safe Watch Active, which has a more inconspicuous appearance and a stronger speaker.
- Pros and cons
- Features
Pros
Accurate GPS tracking
Strong speaker
Discreet design with bonus features
Cons
Requires daily charging
Average comfort rating
Device type: Smartwatch
GPS tracking: Yes
Waterproof: No, device is water-resistant
Key takeaways from our testing
The Safe Watch Active is a mobile smartwatch with a help button, touch screen display and rubber watchband. It aced our tests for location awareness and verification, which refers to how accurately monitoring center agents can pinpoint our testers’ location when the device’s help button is pressed. “I appreciated that the agent confirmed my exact location,” said Will, a 65-year-old tester. “The representative was very professional, responded without hesitation and had a kind tone,” he added. Will also said he could hear the call center operators clearly, even with this smartwatch at arm’s length.
Will gave this device a top-notch score for being discreet because it looks like a standard smartwatch. “No one would know this is a medical alert system,” Will said. “The watch blends seamlessly with my clothing and does not stand out.” Another feature we like? The Safe Watch Active can track daily steps and calories on its easy-to-read, backlit screen. In addition to its built-in GPS tracking technology, it offers an optional service that allows caregivers to be notified via text of their loved one’s current location.
Tester Will said the Lifefone Safe Watch Active (seen here) was “100 percent discreet” because “no one would know it was a medical alert device.”
AARP Smart Picks
Tester Will said the Lifefone Safe Watch Active (seen here) was “100 percent discreet” because “no one would know it was a medical alert device.”
While we like many of this device’s features, there are a couple of cons to consider. First, its battery only lasts 24 hours (although this is common for medical alert smartwatches). The second con? Testers gave it a so-so comfort score. It’s rather large compared to normal smartwatches, and Will said its band rubbed uncomfortably against his skin. If you have sensitive skin, this device may not be a good fit.
How we test medical alert systems
To test medical alert systems, we work with testers ages 60 to 65 and ask them to provide unbiased feedback. They test call response times, GPS-tracking accuracy and operator professionalism.
Testers also answer questions like: Was this device easy to set up and use? How comfortable is it to wear? Could you see yourself using it every day?
In addition, we perform a series of lab-controlled tests assessing the following criteria, which survey respondents, focus group participants and experts told us were most important:
- Fall detection
- Call connection speed
- Audio clarity
- Operator professionalism
- GPS location tracking
For more details on our process, see our medical alert testing methodology page.
Does Medicare cover LifeFone medical alert systems?
No, original Medicare (Parts A and Part B) typically doesn’t cover medical alert systems. Some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans offer full or partial coverage. You can contact your insurance provider for more information about your coverage.
Does insurance cover LifeFone medical alert systems?
In general, most private insurance providers do not cover medical alert systems. However, some insurers may reimburse you for a device if it’s medically necessary, though they might require a prescription or doctor's order. Check with your provider to confirm.
How much do LifeFone medical alert systems cost?
The lowest starting price of the LifeFone devices we tested ranges from $41.95 to $47.95 per month for monitoring. LifeFone’s prices for monthly monitoring vary depending on the device and type of plan you choose.
For example, the lowest monthly monitoring price is for the VIP Active, which costs $41.95 per month. The most expensive is for the Safe Watch Active, at $47.95 per month. However, these rates do not include the cost for optional add-ons, such as automatic fall detection ($5 per month).
How to save money on Lifefone medical alert systems
If you like this company but would like to save money on its services, there are a few ways you can potentially pay less for a Lifefone medical alert system.
- Pay for monitoring in advance. Opting for an annual or quarterly plan rather than a monthly plan can slightly reduce costs. For example, at the time of writing this review, paying for the LifeFone VIPx2 annual plan in advance effectively made the monthly payment $36.62 per month, while the monthly plan was $43.95 per month — a savings of a little over $7 per month, or $48 per year.
- Watch for sales. You also can keep an eye out for Lifefone’s seasonal promotions and holiday sales. Its deals throughout the year may depend on the device and plan you choose and can include service-related promotions such as a free month of service, with other deals including free shipping and a complimentary lockbox to store your keys so emergency services can enter your home.
- Use FSA or HSA funds. Lifefone medical alert systems are generally considered eligible for a flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA), if you have one, to purchase the device. These tax-advantaged accounts help pay for eligible medical expenses not covered by insurance.
- Check with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). If you’re a veteran, the VA may pay for a medical alert system. The department recommends talking with your health care provider to see if you qualify.
Is Lifefone right for you?
You have several options when choosing a medical alert system. Wondering whether a LifeFone system is right for you? Consider keeping the following factors in mind.
Device type and wearability
LifeFone offers both at-home and mobile devices. If you’re looking for a medical alert system, you may want to first think about whether you want a system for your home or a system to use at home and on the go.
- At-home. We have not yet tested LifeFone’s at-home products. But they include a base station that connects to a monitoring center, as well as wearables equipped with help buttons. These systems work by plugging the base station into a traditional home phone jack or using LifeFone’s cellular network (AT&T and Verizon). The company offers two at-home options: One that connects to the monitoring center via a landline (with monthly monitoring at $29.95 per month) and one that connects via cellular networks (with monthly monitoring at $34.95 per month). Both have a coverage range of 1,300 feet — meaning that the wearable help button must be pressed within that distance from the base unit to initiate a call to the monitoring center — and backup battery life of 32 hours in case of a power outage. Users can wear the pendant as a necklace or on a wristband.
- Mobile. All four devices we tested in this review operate at home and on the go. And you can wear them in different ways. For instance, the VIPx2 and VIP Active can be worn as a necklace or belt clip. The VIP flex works as a necklace, belt clip or bracelet, and the Safe Watch Active is a smartwatch for those preferring a more discreet choice. Each allows the user to reach the monitoring center at home — or with cellular service. The VIPx2 stood out for its long battery life, while the smaller VIP Active excelled in GPS location tracking. The VIP flex is a less-discreet device with a help button that’s easy to charge, and the Safe Watch Active has advanced features such as heart rate monitoring and step tracking.
Battery life
If you or your loved one find it hard to remember to charge electronic devices, you may want to consider one with a long battery life. The mobile VIPx2 provides the longest battery life of those on this list: up to 18 days on a single charge. In addition, its optional app allows caregivers to view the device’s battery level, so they know when it needs to be charged. Meanwhile, the Safe Watch Active has a battery life of just 24 hours.
Automatic fall detection
Each of LifeFone’s mobile products offers optional fall detection. This technology uses sensors to analyze movement and alerts the monitoring center as soon as it detects a fall. A two-way speaker allows the user to communicate directly with the center’s operators. If there is no response from the user after an alert has been sent, a monitoring center agent dispatches emergency services to the user’s location.
While this technology is not always 100 percent accurate, it adds an extra layer of safety for you or your loved one. LifeFone offers this feature for an additional $5 per month.
FAQs
Where can you buy LifeFone devices?
You can purchase the company’s devices from its website, as well as through Amazon. LifeFone is primarily a direct-to-consumer medical alert company and doesn’t have standalone brick-and-mortar stores.
Does LifeFone offer a free trial period?
Yes, the company offers a free 30-day trial period that begins three business days after your system is shipped. If you decide you don’t want the system within that time frame, you can ship it back to LifeFone at your expense, and the company will refund your money minus any shipping costs you may have paid when you signed up.
Is there a monthly cost for LifeFone?
Yes, like other medical alert systems, LifeFone provides 24/7 monitoring services for a monthly fee. The company has monthly, quarterly and annual plans. The monthly fee varies depending on the device, billing frequency and optional add-ons. For example, on a monthly plan, rates range from $41.95 per month for the VIP Active to $47.95 per month for the Safe Watch Active. On an annual plan, rates range from $34.79 per month for the VIP Active to $40.29 per month for the Safe Watch Active.
Does LifeFone have fall detection?
Yes, LifeFone offers fall detection, an optional add-on to its wearable devices that uses sensors to automatically detect when the user has fallen. This feature can be added to your monthly monitoring plan for $5 per month.
Questions or feedback? Email us at AARPSmartPicks@aarp.org.
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