Freedom Alert Review | Medical Alert System 2022

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.

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
• Can answer incoming calls like a wireless home phone
• Automatically dials each number in an emergency until a connection is made
• Can connect 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
• User has to program emergency contacts (which could result in errors)
• Landline option only (no cellular service available)
• 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.

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

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 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.

Who Should Buy Freedom Alert?

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

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.

Author

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.

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

Other Medical Alert Systems That We Have Reviewed

• Medical Guardian Review
• MobileHelp Review
• Bay Alarm Medical Review
• LifeFone Review
• Life Alert Review
• GreatCall Lively Mobile Review
• GreatCall Review
• Medical Alert Review
• GetSafe Review
• Philips Lifeline Review
• Rescue Alert Review
• ADT Medical Alert Review
• Alert1 Review
• MobileHelp Smart Watch Review
• Apple Watch Medical Alert Review

Our Comparisons of Medical Alert Systems

• Life Alert vs Medical Guardian
• Medical Alert vs Medical Guardian
• Lively vs Medical Alert
• Life Alert vs Medical Alert
• Medical Guardian vs Bay Alarm Medical

Pricing is accurate as of March 16, 2022.