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Guardian vs LifeSafer

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
LifeSafer logoLifeSaferLifeSafer L25034 of 44 state lists

Where each one is approved

AlabamaAlaskaArizonaColoradoFloridaGeorgiaIndianaKansasMaineMassachusettsMinnesotaNew JerseyNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOklahomaPennsylvaniaSouth DakotaTexasWyomingConnecticutMissouriWest VirginiaIllinoisNew MexicoArkansasCaliforniaDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaHawaiiIowaKentuckyMarylandMichiganMississippiMontanaNew HampshireNew YorkOhioOregonTennesseeUtahVirginiaWashingtonWisconsinNebraskaSouth CarolinaIdahoNevadaVermontLouisianaRhode Island
BothOnly GuardianOnly LifeSaferNeitherNo list we could read
Both 15

Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont

Only Guardian 1

Nevada

Only LifeSafer 19

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, District of Columbia, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming

Guardian vs LifeSafer: the devices

GuardianLifeSafer
SensorFuel cell. Guardian says the device uses fuel cell alcohol-specific technology.1Not published
Warm-upGuardian gives no warm-up figure. It says you may see a slightly longer warm-up during extreme cold.2Up to 3 minutes in extreme cold. You can pre-program warm-up periods.3
Operating temperatureGuardian says accuracy exceeds NHTSA specifications of -40° to 180° F. This is a marketing claim.4-40 °C to +85 °C, according to LifeSafer Europe's L250 page.5
Size and weightGuardian says the handset is similar in size and shape to a cell phone, and it is removable. No weight is given.6About 12.52 cm high and 6.24 cm wide, and 4 oz. (114 g).7
MotorcyclesGuardian says it does not install its device on motorcycles.8Available in some states. LifeSafer says it is the only provider that installs on a motorcycle.9
How you blowNot publishedTake a deep inhale, then blow and hum a consistent tone. The hum is saying "DO".10
CameraNot publishedOptional or state-dependent. Some states require a camera.11
GPSNot publishedAvailable on Class II and III configurations.12
Real-time reportingNot publishedAvailable on the RTD configuration. New York lists a separate cellular service fee on Class 2 and 3.12
Rolling retest windowNot published3 to 10 minutes, depending on your jurisdiction.13
ScreenNot publishedA simple screen. It looks monochrome in the product photo.14
AppNot publishedNo consumer app found on the LifeSafer site.

Guardian vs LifeSafer fees

FeeGuardianLifeSafer
Monthly lease$50-$120/monthNational15$86.88Class 1, filed in New York, Feb 2025 v2 schedule16
Installation$0 total upfrontColorado, New Mexico and California only17$50-$150National, varies by state and provider18
CalibrationNot published$20Class 1, filed in New York, Feb 2025 v2 schedule19
RemovalNot published$62.50Class 1, filed in New York, Feb 2025 v2 schedule20
Lockout or violation resetNot published$56.25Class 1, filed in New York, Feb 2025 v2 schedule21
Missed appointmentNot published$30Class 1, filed in New York, Feb 2025 v2 schedule22
Enrollment or set-up$0 total upfrontColorado, New Mexico and California only17Not published
Damage or lossNot published$150Class 1, filed in New York, Feb 2025 v2 schedule23
Insurance or protection planNot published$11.40Class 1, filed in New York, Feb 2025 v2 schedule24

In Texas

GuardianLifeSafer
Certified service centers10138
Advertised~$3/dayunder $3/day
Installfree$50–$150

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 24 sources from 4 sites, including guardianinterlock.com, lifesafer.com, lifesafer.euShow

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. you may see a slightly longer warm-up period during extreme coldguardianinterlock.com/support/faq
  3. device may take up to 3 minutes to warm uplifesafer.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/l250-clienthandbook.pdf
  4. Accuracy exceeds NHTSA specifications (-40° to 180° F)guardianinterlock.com/guardian-ignition-interlock-device
  5. Temperature: -40 °C to +85 °Clifesafer.eu/device
  6. similar in size and shape to a cellular phoneguardianinterlock.com/support/faq
  7. Approximately 12.52cm H x 6.24cm Wlifesafer.eu/device
  8. No, we do not install our device on motorcyclesguardianinterlock.com/support/faq
  9. Yes, in some states. In fact, we are the only interlock provider who can install on a motorcyclelifesafer.com/faqs
  10. deep inhale, blow and hum a consistent tonelifesafer.com/devices
  11. Some States require the addition of a cameralifesafer.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/l250-clienthandbook.pdf
  12. LifeSafer L250 (Camera, GPS, RTD)criminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Qualified Manufacturer Listing Devices-01202026.pdf
  13. typically between 3 and 10 minutes, depending on your jurisdictionlifesafer.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/l250-clienthandbook.pdf
  14. deep inhale, blow and hum a consistent tone) and a simple screenlifesafer.com/devices
  15. Leasing an ignition interlock device generally costs between $50-$120 per monthguardianinterlock.com/ignition-interlock-pricing
  16. Monthly Leasecriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/LifeSafer NY_Pricing 123 February 2025 v2.pdf
  17. Offer valid in Colorado, New Mexico, and California onlyguardianinterlock.com/ignition-interlock-pricing
  18. installation and monthly rental fees range from $50 to $150lifesafer.com/faqs
  19. Calibration Feecriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/LifeSafer NY_Pricing 123 February 2025 v2.pdf
  20. De-installation Feescriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/LifeSafer NY_Pricing 123 February 2025 v2.pdf
  21. Lockout Override/Violation Feecriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/LifeSafer NY_Pricing 123 February 2025 v2.pdf
  22. Missed Appointmentcriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/LifeSafer NY_Pricing 123 February 2025 v2.pdf
  23. Partial/Other Damagecriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/LifeSafer NY_Pricing 123 February 2025 v2.pdf
  24. Optional Insurancecriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/LifeSafer NY_Pricing 123 February 2025 v2.pdf