HOME SECURITY SYSTEMS

 

 

Protect America was founded over 19 years ago and has served over a quarter of a million customers. They provide a state-of-the-art, reliable home security system at an extremely affordable price. You don't have to deal with any annoying dealers or salesmen in order to purchase and install an effective home security system. No one will come to your home and attempt to sell you more than you need. Instead, the Protect America toll-free customer service department
(1-888-951-5127) delivers good information so you can make an informed decision without the pushy salesman.

Protect America offers a choice of five wireless home security plans to meet your security needs. All plans come with a good list of equipment, including a Talking Control Panel, Internal Siren and Door Chime, Battery Backup, One Button Arming, Lifetime Warranties, Window Decals and a Yard Sign.

•  Copper - this package comes with 3 entry point detectors and a Motion Detector. The equipment is FREE and the monthly monitoring fee is $29.99.

•  Bronze - this package comes with 7 entry point detectors and a Motion Detector. The equipment is FREE and the monthly monitoring fee is $35.99.

•  Silver - Best Value - this package comes with 10 entry point detectors. The equipment is FREE and the monthly monitoring fee is $37.99.

•  Gold - this package comes with 12 entry point detectors and a Motion Detector. The equipment is FREE and the monthly monitoring fee is $39.99.

•  Platinum - this package comes with 15 entry point detectors and a Motion Detector. The equipment is FREE and the monthly monitoring fee is $42.99.

Generally you'll want to have a sensor located at all entry points and windows on ground level. For most homes, that can quickly add up to more than the 3 sensors provided in the basic Copper package. However, if you live in an apartment or an urban setting, the Copper package may be your best choice.

For most homeowners, we think the Silver plan offers the best value. In this package you get an impressive amount of home security equipment - including 10 entry point sensors and a motion detector - for absolutely no upfront cost. The only fee is the extremely competitive monthly 24/7 monitoring charge of $37.99.

These wireless home security systems are designed to be installed by the homeowner or renter. Directions are extremely straightforward and easy to understand. In case of any questions, the Protect America support staff is knowledgeable and friendly. Providing an easy-to-install wireless home security system allows you to save hundreds or even thousands of dollars from a paid installer.

In addition to the home security monitoring equipment provided in these packages, Protect America offers a long list of additional equipment, including:

•  Motion Detectors

•  Keychain remote control

•  Glass break detectors

•  Flood Sensors

•  Low temperature sensor

•  A variety of X10 equipment

After your home security system is activated, Protect America will send you a certificate of installation. Most insurance companies give a discount on homeowner's or renter's insurance premiums for homes with security systems in place. Providing this certificate gives proof that you have a monitored security system, and can qualify you for their reduced premium rates. This is an excellent way that your home security system can actually save you money.

Protect America sets the standard for home security systems. They offer a variety of packages that provide cutting edge technology and reliable nationwide monitoring. Combined with customer-focused pricing and knowledgeable support, Protect America is your best choice for home security protection.

 

 

FrontPoint Security is a relatively new alarm system company, but one worth taking notice of. FrontPoint has been in business since 2007, currently holds a very good Better Business Bureau A rating, and has hundreds of great customer testimonials and reviews. All security equipment is made by GE - a well regarded brand name in the industry. We found FrontPoint's home security system to be leading edge and effective.

The FrontPoint approach is to provide a customer friendly home security system that is flexible, easy to install, effective, and affordable. FrontPoint offers 24/7 professional monitoring for intrusion, fire, environmental, and life safety emergencies. FrontPoint's monitoring services are 100% cellular (no phone line required, and perfect for VoIP homes) and they start at just $34.99 per month.

With their Interactive monitoring ($42.99/month) and Ultimate monitoring ($49.99/month) solutions, you'll have the ability to access your alarm system through their smartphone app or any web-enabled device. These interactive services allow you to arm or disarm your system remotely, change user codes, set alerts and reminders, stream home security video, and much more.

FrontPoint's equipment is affordable and can be easily customized for your needs. You can build your own package and receive up to a $300 discount on equipment with a 3-year monitoring contract. Or, you can choose from 3 different package options that range in price from $99.99 to $199.93, with a 3-year monitoring contract.

Each of FrontPoint's packages are easily customizable to accommodate additional entry points and any other equipment that you need. The packages include:

•  Standard - This package includes a cellular control panel, 2 door or window sensors, a motion sensor, and 1 keychain remote. The package starts at $99.99 and the monthly monitoring fee starts at $34.99 per month.

•  Enhanced - This package includes a cellular control panel, 2 door or window sensors, a motion sensor, smoke and heat sensor, keychain remote, yard sign, window decals, web and mobile access, unlimited email/text alerts, and the patented "crash and smash" protection. The package starts at $164.94 and the monthly monitoring fee starts at $42.99 per month.

•  Light Control - This package includes a cellular control panel, 2 door or window sensors, a motion sensor, 2 wireless light controls, keychain remote, yard sign, window decals, web and mobile access, unlimited email/text alerts, and the patented "crash and smash" protection. The package starts at $199.93 and the monthly monitoring fee starts at $42.99 per month.

FrontPoint offers a wide variety of high tech sensors for each entry point and monitoring area, including doors and windows, freezer, water and flooding, garage door, glass breakage, and more. The contract length is flexible with plans available from 1-3 years. The longer the contract is, the cheaper your initial cost. All equipment at FrontPoint Security is wireless and monitored through a cellular connection, which allows for easy installation, no land line requirements, and a higher level of security.

FrontPoint's focus is on customer service. Should you have any questions or issues, you can contact the knowledgeable associates at FrontPoint for assistance with their toll-free number (1-866-363-8426). Your package comes with a 30-day money back guarantee, in case you're not satisfied with your order in any way. The GE home security equipment comes with a 2 year warranty. Another customer friendly aspect at FrontPoint is the abundance of educational videos and information available on the website to help you make your decision.

While priced a little more than some home security options, you'll save significantly on installation costs and flexible contract periods. We liked the high quality nature of the GE product line, the all-cellular products, and the easy installation process. The website is very customer friendly and informative. If you're in the market for a home security system, FrontPoint Systems is a great choice to consider.

 

 

ADT has been in business for many years and most people are familiar with this common name in home security. ADT provides a number of home security plans to fit your needs. These plans can accommodate both land lines or cellular users, fire detection, or simple intruder protection. With ADT you can speed several hundred dollars or your life savings establishing your home security system, depending on the amount of security equipment you want to fill your house with.

ADT prefers to send an associate for their evaluation of your home security needs prior to installation. Most of the systems are wireless but hard coding is required with certain add-on equipment. Video surveillance is an option with ADT if you want to personally and visually monitor your home as well.

ADT offers a basic home security package for a $99 customer installation charge plus a monitoring fee of $35.99 per month. The equipment in this package includes

•  A wireless touchpad

•  3 entry point sensors

•  Motion Sensor

•  Wireless keychain remote

This is a competitive initial price point when looking at the competition.  However, most homeowners will probably want more than the three entry point sensors that come in this package, which means additional equipment cost.

ADT provides a good toll-free customer service department
(1-866-305-4104) with a knowledgeable staff that can answer most questions.

Overall, ADT provides dependable home security systems with all the bells and whistles that you may be looking for. Their equipment is designed to meet the needs of anyone, buy comes at a price point that is slightly higher than others. Still, if you have needs for a very unique security system and don't mind spending the extra money required, ADT may be an option worth considering.

 

 

LifeShield Security provides a hassle-free product without the sales pitch or two- to three- year contract. While you have a much higher upfront cost due to your equipment purchase, you aren't signing up for a multi-year monitoring contract.

With LifeShield Security, you purchase and install all your own equipment from the options provided by LifeShield. They offer a basic package for $299 which includes the following:

•  Two keypads

•  8 entry sensors

•  Keychain remote

Additional equipment can be purchased as needed. Most of their equipment is current technology and they have a good selection of wireless options. After you select the equipment you want from the options provided by LifeShield, you'll await delivery, after which you'll install all the equipment in your own home. Once installed, you contact LifeShield to begin your 24/7 monitoring.

The monthly monitoring fee is $29.99, which is competitive with the top home security systems in our review.

While you must pay upfront for all your equipment, the convenience of no long-term monthly contract is noteworthy. With LifeShield, after you pay for the equipment you pay-as-you-go with the monthly monitoring as needed.

LifeShield Security is a no-frills home security system provider. If you don't want a multi-year monitoring agreement, and don't mind spending hundreds of dollars upfront to purchase your home security equipment, LifeShield Security is worth your consideration.

 

 

Broadview Security (formerly Brinks Home Security) generally provides the same system as our higher selections, but at a higher price and without the convenience of a wireless installation. Broadview does a good job of charging for options that should be standard. Before the customer realizes it, they are paying significantly more for home security than they ever imagined. Broadview even charges for a warranty on their own product.

The Broadview home security system is hard wired so you need to anticipate damaged walls and wiring concerns. The Premium plan provides a keypad, three sensors, a motion detector, interior siren, control panel, a yard sign and decals. Installation starts at $155.00 and the additional sensors that most homeowners will need are extra. Broadview can monitor for fire and carbon monoxide but those services are extra on top of their monthly fee of $31.99.

Through our research we found dozens of complaints regarding frequent false alarm problems with customers. Many reported a number of occurrences of the police arriving at their homes at any hour for no apparent reason. Some were even charged by local fire and police departments for false alarms.

Broadview requires that you establish auto-pay for their monitoring service either monthly or quarterly. If you want to add a warranty on their system, you'll be charged an additional $6 per month. Unfortunately, if you don't pay for the warranty your home security system will not be covered should any of the equipment malfunction or break.

We think you'll find that Broadview will charge you more than their competitors for the same (or lower) level of service. They'll automatically deduct their fees from your bank account for 3 years, and a warranty on their product will cost you extra. We recommend you choose one of our higher-rated systems, without all the extra charges and fees.

 

 

Guardian Protection Services is a Pennsylvania based company that has been in business for over 60 years. Guardian is a very traditional home security company that requires you speak to a fast talking salesperson for a "free analysis". Guardian offers GE home security products, but unfortunately this is dealer based. The website also lacks the information that most customers would want to have before making a major home security purchase.

The GE products available include door sensors, motion detectors, keypads, window decals and yard signs. We only found this information, however, after digging deep into the website. Overall, the website has no direction for the online shopper. Essentially you can get a high level idea of what Guardian provides, but very few details - that's where the salesman comes into play.

The product line is pretty basic at Guardian and requires an expensive installation and hard wiring. Most system problems will also require expensive repair visits - we could not confirm any warranty on their products or service.

We did, however, find numerous counts of dissatisfied Guardian customers. When issues occurred, the Guardian customer service team usually did a poor job of resolving the problems. We also found numerous customer complaints of confusing contracts, automatic enrollment into additional 3 year contracts, expensive transfer fees, and even contract bullying from Guardian sales reps.

Guardian Protection Services is a regional based, dealer managed, home security systems company. Their website lacks transparent pricing information, and any product specifics are available only after speaking with a salesman whose goal is to sell you as much as you can afford. We were very concerned with the numerous contract issues and customer complaints we discovered. If you're looking for a home security system, we'd recommend you shop a much higher rated provider.

 

 

Alarm.com is a relatively new company founded in 2000. Unfortunately, although they are a relative newcomer to the home security field, they have a lot to learn. Alarm.com provides a very unfriendly website with only the bare minimum of information. You soon realize that you're forced to locate a dealer and a respective salesman, which will lead to an appointment and too much of your time listening to a long and painful sales pitch.

Alarm.com does provide a system that allows you to control your home security system through a website or a PDA. Alarm.com's system alerts users of activity that is occurring within the home, such as doors opening and closing. No land line is required for installation and usage but that may not be a good thing. A lot of questions seem to exist about the consistency of service if a cell phone is used.

Through our research we also found a lot of unhappy customers using Alarm.com's home security system. Repeated complaints of response time issues related to customer service questions surfaced. And perhaps most alarmingly, we found several instances of notification delays - such as a 6 hour delay from the time the alarm was tripped until the company notified the police. That kind of service level in a monitored home security system in unacceptable.

We recommend trying any of the other home security systems in our review before Alarm.com.