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Freedom Alert offers two-way voice communication you can use in emergencies. You can reach four contacts, plus 911.
The medical alert system stands out from other systems because it doesn’t come with a monthly fee. You’ll only need to pay once for the equipment.
Freedom Alert lacks a monitoring center, which means you’ll need to call your emergency contacts yourself if you experience an emergency or fall.
You’ll need to program your emergency contacts into the device on your own.
Freedom Alert lacks features like fall detection, GPS location tracking, and a mobile app.
Freedom Alert stands out from the best medical alert systems we’ve tested. Its website describes it as “the world’s first 2-way emergency pendant communicator.” It skips the 24/7 monitoring center and the monthly subscription cost that comes with it. Instead, it gives seniors a long-range “walkie-talkie” to call either 911 or four programmable contacts in an emergency.
It skips the 24/7 monitoring center and the monthly subscription cost that comes with it. Instead, it gives seniors a long-range “walkie-talkie” to call either 911 or four programmable contacts in an emergency.
Why You Can Trust Our Expert Review
You deserve the best products for a better quality of life.AgingInPlace.org strives to create honest, helpful reviews backed by firsthand shopping, testing, and research. Our content is medically reviewed and unbiased to help you choose the right medical alert system for you or your loved one.
From more than 1,000 hours of research, we chose 11 of the top brands we believe are the best medical alert systems. We did the following throughout our research process:
Consulted with geriatricians and adult caregivers
Mystery-shopped the brands
Surveyed medical alert system users
Tested various medical alert systems
Interviewed experts in the field
Read hundreds of verified customer reviews from trusted third parties, such as Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot
Freedom Alert Health Pros and Cons
Pros
No monthly subscription cost or monthly monitoring fees
Long-lasting, rechargeable battery
No contracts or activation fees
Small, water-resistant device at 1.4 ounces
Answers incoming calls like a wireless home phone
Automatically dials each number in an emergency until a connection is made
Connects up to four pendants or wall buttons
May be covered by Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
Cons
Not a monitored medical alert system
No medical monitoring or medication reminders
Possibility of user error in programming emergency contacts
Landline option only
No fall detection option
No GPS location tracking
No mobile app
No extended warranties
Freedom Alert Stats: What You Should Know
Freedom Alert is owned by LogicMark, which is based in Louisville, Kentucky. The medical alert company has been in business since 2006.
Medical Alert System
Cost
Connectivity
Battery Life
Home Range
Wearability
At-Home or On-The-Go
Fall Detection
Freedom Alert
$249.95 or 3 payments of $84.95
Landline
Six months; charger on base unit
600 feet
Lanyard, wrist/wheelchair strap, and belt clip.
At-Home
Medical Alert System
Freedom Alert
Cost
$249.95 or 3 payments of $84.95
Connectivity
Landline
Battery Life
Six months; charger on base unit
Home Range
600 feet
Wearability
Lanyard, wrist/wheelchair strap, and belt clip.
At-Home or On-The-Go
At-Home
Fall Detection
Freedom Alert: How It Works
Freedom Alert’s regular package comes with:
One base unit
One voice pendant
Two rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries for the pendant
Four rechargeable AA batteries for the base unit
Charging cords
Lanyard
Belt clip
Wrist or wheelchair strap
You won’t be able to choose which contact you want to call. Instead, the pendant will cycle through each contact until someone picks up. Once they do, you’ll be able to speak with them and hear their voice through the pendant.
Base Unit
To set up Freedom Alert, you’ll plug the base unit into a power outlet and landline connection. The back of the base station has two telephone jack inputs and a place to connect the power supply. It also has a toggle switch that lets you select which mode you want to set the unit to. The mode options include:
911 Only
Friends Only
Friends & 911
Learn Mode
Freedom Alert works with any standard landline and has touch-tone capabilities. It also works with Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). That means you can route and transfer calls to your system if you have an Internet connection.
You can also connect a home phone to the second telephone jack on the back of the unit. You’ll be able to answer regular incoming calls on your voice pendant, although you won’t be able to dial calls.
To connect wirelessly to the voice pendant, the base unit uses Digital Enhanced Cordless Technology (DECT), which is different from Bluetooth. Using DECT means less chance of interference and stronger reliability in emergencies. The product also meets UL 1637 requirements, a standard for Home Health Care Signaling Equipment. Finally, the base station has a 24-hour emergency battery backup in case of a power loss.
Voice Pendant
The voice pendant is small at 1.4 ounces, 2.75 inches tall, 1.5 inches wide, and 0.75 inches thick. It has a single emergency button on the front. Pressing this button will automatically dial 911 or one of your approved emergency contacts.
You won’t be able to choose which contact you want to call. Instead, the pendant will cycle through each contact until someone picks up. Once they do, you’ll be able to speak with them and hear their voice through the pendant.
The pendant also has a button on the back. You’ll press this button when you want to check your pendant’s battery. It can also let you know when you’re out of the 600-foot range to the base unit. The pendant will also automatically alert you when the battery is low.
Since it’s water-resistant, the pendant can safely be worn in the shower, as long as it doesn’t get totally submerged in water. We recommend using the lanyard to hang it around the shower knob for easy access.
Programmed Contacts
Freedom Alert comes with a simple plug-and-play installation. However, programming in your contacts takes a little more work. You can program up to four contacts into your Freedom Alert unit. To do so, you’ll need to plug a landline home phone into the second telephone jack on the back of the base unit. Then, you’ll set the base unit to “Learn Mode” with the toggle switch on the back.
After that, you’ll use the home phone to call any other phone, like your cell phone, to establish a connection. You’ll then follow these instructions:
Enter the access code that comes with your Freedom Alert unit, plus #
Enter the phone number you want to program into Freedom Alert, plus #
Repeat this same process with up to four phone numbers
Press # four times
While programming doesn’t take too long, we’re concerned these steps could result in errors for some seniors. For this reason, if you or your loved one program in your contacts, make sure to test each contact by pressing the button on the voice pendant.
How Much Does Freedom Alert Cost?
Freedom Alert costs $249.95 or three payments of $84.95. Unlike most medical alert systems, Freedom Alert doesn’t have monthly subscription or activation costs. There are no hidden fees. Once you buy your device, you won’t need to pay anything else for as long as you use it.
Freedom Alert offers three separate add-on accessories you can buy. You can also purchase replacement batteries for $19.95 each.
Freedom Alert Accessories
Freedom Alert offers three separate add-on accessories you can buy. You can also purchase replacement batteries for $19.95 each.
Emergency Wall Communicator
Freedom Alert provides a large, two-way communicator that can be mounted to a wall. It acts like a voice pendant, except it’s non-mobile and much bigger. You can install it on bathroom walls, basement walls, stairs or anywhere falls are more likely to occur.
The communicator has a giant red help button that’s easy to press and much larger than the voice pendant button. It runs on four standard AAA batteries, which means you’ll need to regularly check them. Up to four wall units can connect to the base station, so you can install them throughout your home.
Extra Voice Pendant
If you need an extra voice pendant for you or a partner, Freedom Alert sells them separately for $99.95 each. You can connect up to four voice pendants to the base unit at one time.
Lockbox
Freedom Alert also offers a lockbox for $29.95 in case someone needs to enter your home in an emergency. You can set a spare key inside the lockbox that is protected by a four-digit code. Emergency responders, a friend, or family members can then access the spare key in order to reach you.
Freedom Alert Customer Service and Satisfaction
Freedom Alert devices have a 30-day money-back guarantee. They also come with a one-year limited warranty that protects them from defects. The company does not offer extended warranties.
You can contact Freedom Alert at 800-953-5211 during business hours for sales, technical setup help, replacement parts, or warranty questions. You can also email them at [email protected] or reach them by standard mail.
Some Freedom Alert reviews from consumers mention problems like recharging the batteries. The reviews also cite difficulties with troubleshooting and testing programmed contacts. Because of these issues, and because Freedom Alert lacks 24/7 customer care, we recommend Freedom Alert only for seniors who don’t need constant support with their medical alert system.
Comparing Freedom Alert to Other Top Medical Alert Systems
Water-resistant; 72-hour backup battery; wall-mounted button for shower; spouse monitoring
Home Range
Up to 800 feet
Who Should Buy Freedom Alert?
Since Freedom Alert lacks features like fall detection, people who need a medical alert device that automatically calls 911 should look elsewhere.
Freedom Alert devices are suitable for anyone who mostly stays at home, doesn’t want to pay a monthly fee, and doesn’t need a 24/7 monitoring alert center. Since Freedom Alert lacks features like fall detection, people who need a medical alert device that automatically calls 911 should look elsewhere.
But, if you need a reliable backup plan in the event of an emergency at home, Freedom Alert works well for a great price. Just make sure you or your loved one feel comfortable programming your emergency contacts before you buy from Freedom Alert.
Freedom Alert System Reviews by Actual Customers
“For our purposes this system is perfect. Allows my mother to contact me directly, at which time I can contact 911 and give them the information (address, house code, etc.) My mom is 95 and would likely get confused or not remember our address if she had to call 911 herself.”
STELLA FROM TOLEDO, OHIO (REVIEW FROM BESTCOMPANY.COM)
“I think direct calling of choice of relative, friend or 911 is much better than calling a monitoring company. If no answer to first contact, it automatically calls second contact or 911. Easy to program. Friends with other system were left laying on the ground for hours waiting for responder. This is no fail.”
SUNNY FROM BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA (REVIEW FROM BESTCOMPANY.COM)
How We Review Medical Alert Systems
In determining AIP’s top picks, the criteria we considered most important were the quality and reliability of a company’s monitoring services center. We usually do not consider any unmonitored alert systems or systems that fail to provide emergency service 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In the case of Freedom Alert, though, we made an exception due to its popularity.
The gold standard in quality assurance of a medical alert system is a company’s designation as one of The Monitoring Association’s (TMA) Five Diamond Alert Monitoring Centers. You might see companies refer to this on their website as CSAA Five Diamond Alert Monitoring Centers. TMA was formerly known as Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA).
Of the thousands of alarm companies in operation in the United States, roughly 200 earn TMA’s Five Diamond designation, which is a hallmark of quality emergency service.
You’ll also see companies advertise that they are “UL-listed,” which is another quality indicator. UL stands for Underwriter’s Laboratory, and UL-listed products have been tested by this independent, nationally recognized laboratory and determined to meet specific safety requirements.
After analyzing the quality of a company’s call centers, we considered these additional variables:
Response time ranging from 1-45 seconds
Price of equipment, installation, and monthly service
Warranties, contracts, and hidden fees
Comfort, appeal, and wearability of mobile devices
In-home range of equipment
Water resistance of wearable devices
Battery life and recharging requirements
Ease of setup and use
Customer service accessibility and performance
Customer satisfaction reviews
Expert opinions
Features like automatic fall detection, smartphone apps for family members, and location tracking
Bottom Line
Freedom Alert’s medical alert system swaps the monitoring center (and the monthly fee) for a more streamlined, do-it-yourself approach to emergency communication. For those who need regular monitoring, more features, or a mobile app, Freedom Alert won’t be the answer. But, for anyone who wants total control in an emergency, Freedom Alert devices will work great.
A simple, straightforward design that works for any mid-sized home, Freedom Alert lets an elderly person contact their loved ones or 911 any time they’re needed.
What to Consider Before Buying a Medical Alert System
For the best personal emergency response systems, it’s important to consider cost first. How much do you want to spend based on your budget? If you want a 24/7 monitoring center, be prepared to pay a monthly subscription fee plus any equipment or activation fees for the devices.
After considering what fits your budget, you’ll want to find a medical alert system that suits your unique needs. Do you need constant protection on the go or just at home? Are features like GPS location tracking and Bluetooth important to you? How many caregivers need to have access to the system?
Fall detection is another important feature for many people. Systems with fall detection will automatically detect if you have fallen and contact the monitoring center if you can’t reach your help button. We reviewed the best medical alert systems with fall detection for 2022.
FAQs
LogicMark makes Freedom Alert medical alert systems. The company was founded in 2006 and has its headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky.
LogicMark’s Freedom Alert systems allow two-way emergency communication. The Freedom Alert base unit connects to a landline through a telephone jack. A small two-way voice pendant pairs wirelessly with the base unit from up to 600 feet.
In an emergency, you can press the button on the pendant to dial 911 or your pre-programmed contacts. The pendant will keep dialing until someone picks up. You can then use the pendant to communicate with them.
Freedom Alert does not work with cell phones. Only a landline option is available. But you can use a cell phone to remotely program emergency contacts into the Freedom Alert unit.
Freedom Alert has a simple plug-and-play setup. All you have to do is connect the base unit to a power supply and a landline telephone cord. You can also connect a separate home phone into a second landline jack. After that, you’ll follow instructions to program your contacts into Freedom Alert.
Yes. Freedom Alert allows up to four devices to pair to one base system.
Zach Riggs has worked as a professional writer since 2016 covering topics in healthcare, tech and personal finance for publications including Forbes, MarketWatch, Gizmodo and more. He currently specializes in coverage on hearing aids and medical alert systems.
