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Guardian vs Intoxalock

Your state's approved list decides first: in most states you can only choose from the companies on it. Where both are approved, the device, the service centers near you and the fees are what differ.

Guardian logoGuardianGuardian AMS 2500 (name from NM directory; site names no model)16 of 44 state lists
PASSED
Intoxalock logoIntoxalockIntoxalock 1001A37 of 44 state listsApp Store 1.7 from 899 ratings

Where each one is approved

AlabamaAlaskaArizonaColoradoFloridaGeorgiaIndianaKansasMaineMassachusettsMinnesotaNew JerseyNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOklahomaPennsylvaniaSouth DakotaTexasWyomingConnecticutMissouriWest VirginiaIllinoisNew MexicoArkansasCaliforniaDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaHawaiiIowaKentuckyMarylandMichiganMississippiMontanaNew HampshireNew YorkOhioOregonTennesseeUtahVirginiaWashingtonWisconsinNebraskaSouth CarolinaIdahoNevadaVermontLouisianaRhode Island
BothOnly GuardianOnly IntoxalockNeitherNo list we could read
Both 13

Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Texas, Vermont

Only Guardian 3

Georgia, Indiana, Rhode Island

Only Intoxalock 24

Alaska, Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming

Guardian vs Intoxalock: the devices

GuardianIntoxalock
SensorFuel cell. Guardian says the device uses fuel cell alcohol-specific technology.1Fuel cell, on both the 1001A and the eLERT.2
Warm-upGuardian gives no warm-up figure. It says you may see a slightly longer warm-up during extreme cold.3About 6 seconds normally. Intoxalock says it can take up to 3 minutes in extreme heat or cold.4
Operating temperatureGuardian says accuracy exceeds NHTSA specifications of -40° to 180° F. This is a marketing claim.5Not published
Size and weightGuardian says the handset is similar in size and shape to a cell phone, and it is removable. No weight is given.6Not published
MotorcyclesGuardian says it does not install its device on motorcycles.7Not supported. Intoxalock says its devices are not designed for motorcycles.8
How you blowNot publishedBlow, inhale, then blow again into the mouthpiece. No humming is mentioned.9
CameraNot publishedOptional or state-dependent on the 1001A. The eLERT includes a camera.10
GPSNot publishedAvailable on the 1001A in Class II/III configurations. The eLERT includes GPS.11
Real-time reportingNot publishedAvailable on the 1001A as an advanced add-on. The eLERT includes it.12
Rolling retest windowNot published6 minutes, according to the Intoxalock FAQ. Your state sets the actual rule.13
ScreenNot publishedLED text display. It shows your breath alcohol reading only in states that allow it.14
Electric and hybrid carsNot publishedNo exclusion is stated. Intoxalock asks you to tell your representative to get an estimate.15
BatteryNot publishedA New Mexico manual says to start the vehicle 4 days a week for 5 minutes to keep the battery charged.16
AppNot publishedThe Intoxalock Mobile App is for your account, on Android and iPhone. Bluetooth on the handset is not stated.17

Guardian vs Intoxalock fees

FeeGuardianIntoxalock
Monthly lease$50-$120/monthNational18$70-$120/monthNational, varies by state and vehicle19
Installation$0 total upfrontColorado, New Mexico and California only20~$100Texas21
CalibrationNot published$3.00Filed in New York22
RemovalNot published$75.00Filed in New York23
Lockout or violation resetNot published$75.00Filed in New York24
Closing or admin feeNot published$59.99Filed in New York25
Enrollment or set-up$0 total upfrontColorado, New Mexico and California only20$27.50Filed in New York26
Damage or lossNot published$150-$3,000Filed in New York27
Insurance or protection planNot published$10/monthNational, advertised; not available in GA or WA28

In Texas

GuardianIntoxalock
Certified service centers10532
Advertised~$3/day$89.99–$101.99/mo
Installfree~$100

Texas DPS service center list; prices advertised Oct 23, 2026. Texas interlock guide

InterlockCompare is independent and isn't affiliated with either company. Not legal advice.

Sources 28 sources from 4 sites, including guardianinterlock.com, criminaljustice.ny.gov, nmtsc.unm.eduShow

Every fact on this page comes from one of these.

  1. The Guardian IID features cutting-edge fuel cell alcohol-specific technologyguardianinterlock.com/guardian-ignition-interlock-device
  2. Utilizes fuel cell technologycriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Intoxalock-Device-and-Fee-Schedule-8-15-2021.pdf
  3. you may see a slightly longer warm-up period during extreme coldguardianinterlock.com/support/faq
  4. Intoxalock may take up to 3 minutes to preparenmtsc.unm.edu/wp-content/uploads/New-Mexico_Intoxalock_Users-Manual.pdf
  5. Accuracy exceeds NHTSA specifications (-40° to 180° F)guardianinterlock.com/guardian-ignition-interlock-device
  6. similar in size and shape to a cellular phoneguardianinterlock.com/support/faq
  7. No, we do not install our device on motorcyclesguardianinterlock.com/support/faq
  8. Intoxalock IIDs are not designed for use on motorcyclesintoxalock.com/ignition-interlock-devices/faq
  9. blow, inhale, and blow again into the device’s mouthpieceintoxalock.com/ignition-interlock-devices/faq
  10. many states now require interlock devices with camerasintoxalock.com/ignition-interlock-devices/faq
  11. Intoxalock 1001A (Camera, GPS, & RTD)criminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Qualified Manufacturer Listing Devices-01202026.pdf
  12. a camera to verify driver identity, real-time reportingintoxalock.com/ignition-interlock-devices
  13. you’ll have a 6-minute window to provide a breath sampleintoxalock.com/ignition-interlock-devices/faq
  14. LED screen reading of breath alcohol content (BrAC)intoxalock.com/ignition-interlock-devices
  15. Let your Intoxalock representative know if you drive an electric-powered vehicle or hybridintoxalock.com/ignition-interlock-devices/faq
  16. at least four (4) separate days per week for five (5) minutes eachnmtsc.unm.edu/wp-content/uploads/New-Mexico_Intoxalock_Users-Manual.pdf
  17. Download the Interlock App for Android and iPhoneintoxalock.com/app
  18. Leasing an ignition interlock device generally costs between $50-$120 per monthguardianinterlock.com/ignition-interlock-pricing
  19. typically ranges from $70 to $120 per month but varies by state and vehicle typeintoxalock.com/ignition-interlock-devices/faq
  20. Offer valid in Colorado, New Mexico, and California onlyguardianinterlock.com/ignition-interlock-pricing
  21. roughly $100 to install, and $2.50 and $3.50 per day to leaseintoxalock.com/state-requirements/texas
  22. Data Processing Feecriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Intoxalock-Device-and-Fee-Schedule-8-15-2021.pdf
  23. Removal Feecriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Intoxalock-Device-and-Fee-Schedule-8-15-2021.pdf
  24. Lockout Reset Feecriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Intoxalock-Device-and-Fee-Schedule-8-15-2021.pdf
  25. Administrative Closing Feecriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Intoxalock-Device-and-Fee-Schedule-8-15-2021.pdf
  26. Account Set Up Feecriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Intoxalock-Device-and-Fee-Schedule-8-15-2021.pdf
  27. Damage, lost, stolen or unreturned device feecriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Intoxalock-Device-and-Fee-Schedule-8-15-2021.pdf
  28. a device protection plan is available for just $10 a monthintoxalock.com/ignition-interlock-devices