Your home is your safe place, you haven, so it’s only natural that you want to do whatever is necessary to protect your home and your belongings, which is why security systems are so popular. With so many options, we’ve scoured the internet, the reviews, and in-person to come up with everything you need to know about security systems and the best companies to buy from.
What to know about security systems? With so many options out there it can feel overwhelming. It’s important to start by asking yourself some key questions, such as: What do I want to protect? What is my budget? How do I want it installed? What features do I want to have? To understand some of the basics, we’ve put together a guide, Choosing A Home Security System.
To dig in deeper, we’re taking a look at some of the biggest home security brands and what to know, what to look out for, and what our overall thoughts are.
Starting with one of the most well-known brands, Brinks Home Security. With over 1 million customers, Brinks is a tried and true brand offering a wide range of services. From DIY to professional, Brinks offers pre-packaged or customized solutions. A downside to a solution such as Brinks is that they lock customers into a 3-year contract that begins at a one-time fee of $199 + $39/mo. This is a base plan, costs can be higher depending on the services selected. However, a major positive we found from Brinks is the extensive equipment options available. From video doorbells, indoor and outdoor cameras, smoke detectors, window alarms, and garage sensors, Brinks covers the full spectrum of home security devices.
Vivint Home Security is another very popular option, positioning itself as a custom smart home security system designed for you. Vivint home security systems feature their Smart Deter technology, which is engineered to identify and deter real threats. Vivint security system scares away lurkers before they become burglars by using light and sound. Being a smart home security company, the equipment is integrated with a wide variety of 3rd party homes automation systems, such as Amazon Echo, Google Home, Nest, and more. The Vivint Smart Home security system begins at $599 and goes up depending on the components selected. Paying for the equipment upfront lets you operate on a month-to-month contract. If you’d prefer to finance, Vivint offers a 42- or 60-month financing plan with no interest. After the equipment is paid off, you will be turned into a month-to-month customer. Overall, Vivint is a great option for those looking for smart home features and professional installation.
SimpliSafe is the third company to round out our reviews of top companies. Simply put, SimpliSafe is great for the average person looking for a solid, cost-effective DIY option. There are no long-term contracts required and the budget-friendly equipment options will satisfy most DIY customers. SimpliSafe’s base package costs $229 and scales up from there. There are no contracts or requirements. A detailed review can be found here.
While Brinks, Vivint, and SimpliSafe are the winners in our books, it’s important to take your time to research before making a decision. Ask yourself questions such as: Should I be looking at wireless home security systems? Do I need a home security camera? Are DIY home security systems right for me?
Once you have your requirements, some other companies we recommend checking out are: ADT home security, Xfinity home security, Blink home security, Ring home security and AT&T home security.