Tuesday, May 13th
2025 Alarm System Company Reviews
Brinks
- Call in for pricing
- Custom systems
- "B+” rating from the BBB
If you imagine alarm systems, Brinks Home is probably one of the first that comes to mind. Recognizable by the little shield sign planted in people's front yards, it's one of the largest networks for alarm systems out there. Brinks Home has a solid history in alarm systems and has been acknowledged by Newsweek for its customer service. With over a million customers across North America, Brinks Home is considered a favorite in the industry. However, recent alterations in its pricing and service model have made it difficult for potential customers to understand its offerings, and you'll be stuck talking to sales reps just to get the basics.
You can't buy any devices directly
While Brinks Home offers a wide range of over 100 smart home devices for customization, you can't buy them directly. Instead, you have to reach out to get a personalized quote. This process goes for everything Brinks Home offers, including flood sensors, smart door locks, and smoke detectors. You can expect to spend time exploring the options on the Brinks Home website, but you won't get any pricing details before talking to a salesperson.
All systems are custom
Unlike before, Brinks Home no longer provides pre-packaged kits. Instead, all alarm systems are customized to fit the customer's home and needs. This lack of standard packages might deter those who prefer straightforward pricing and options. It also makes it impossible to gauge what you might need until you've talked to a sales rep, so no matter what, you'll need to schedule a phone call if you're interested in joining the Brinks Home family.
No prices for monitoring either
Since Brinks Home does not reveal pricing for its services, including 24/7 monitoring, on its website, we're a little disappointed in the company's lack of transparency. You'll have to contact a sales rep by phone to get further details, and the price will be tailored to your home, so you might get a different price from those talked about in reviews from other customers. According to our outside research, though, monitoring fees usually start at $39.99 per month, with required contracts lasting at least three years. But, this could easily change depending on the size of your home and your location.
1-star average rating
Despite achieving a "B+” rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau, Brinks Home has received many one-star reviews from unhappy customers. This pattern holds across various review platforms, indicating a noticeable decline in customer satisfaction. The most widespread complaint is that the customer service at Brinks Home is horrible. Considering that the only way to get anything done is to call Brinks directly, the fact that customers struggle to get a hold of customer service is pretty annoying. Customers also complained about high costs outside of the devices themselves, like installation fees or shipping charges that sharply raised the price of getting an alarm system for their house or apartment.
Don't waste your time begging for pricing
Compared to other big names in alarm systems, Brinks Home's lack of transparency about pricing and low customer ratings are concerning. With tons of complaints about service reps and extremely high pricing for the value, it doesn't seem worth it to spend all your time digging for prices with a sales rep. For those seeking a reliable alarm system provider, it's best to look at alternatives with clearer pricing and a better reputation for customer satisfaction.
More Alarm System Company Reviews
The 10 Best Alarm System Companies
Where Can You Find the Best Alarm Systems?
Whether you rent or own your home, security is a top priority. With the costs of living and the need to protect your residence, your belongings, and yourself, finding the right security solution is an important balancing act of top-notch service with value. Among the many ways out there to protect your home, alarm systems are gaining popularity for their reliability and effectiveness.
If budget is a concern, alarm systems provide a range of options that let you control your spending. You can decide how much to invest and what features to include. If you choose to skip professional monitoring or plan to add components later, alarm systems make these adjustments straightforward.
Alarm System Company FAQ
Continued from above...
Why worry about the security of your home or buying low-tech locks and keys when you can choose an alarm system that offers both simplicity and robust protection? When choosing an alarm system, your first decision is whether you want to monitor your home yourself using apps and camera feeds sent right to your smartphone or opt for 24/7 professional monitoring.
While professional monitoring adds extra costs, many find peace of mind knowing that their home is watched around the clock and that these services can trigger the alarm and even call law enforcement for you in the event of an emergency. Alternatively, you can save money by choosing to monitor the system yourself and keeping a close eye on alerts and notifications.
Next, think about the equipment you need for your alarm system. At a minimum, you'll likely need door sensors for all first-floor entry points and a panel or touchscreen hub for arming and disarming the system. Other popular components include indoor and outdoor cameras, video doorbells, and sensors for smoke, fire, and carbon monoxide.
Some companies allow you to purchase equipment individually, while others offer packages with the option to add extra components as needed. Keep in mind that adding advanced features like video cameras with storage may increase your monthly costs, but you have the freedom to choose what works best for you.
Now that you have an idea of what you want in an alarm system, how do you choose the right provider? Here are some important factors to consider:
- Value. What do you get for your money? Does the company provide good service for the equipment you install? Are the components high-quality and durable?
- Contracts. Will you need to sign a contract? Sometimes the cost of the equipment is included in the monitoring fee, which could lock you into a long-term commitment. If you don't want this, you may need to look at different options.
- Satisfaction guarantee. What if you're not happy with your system? Can you get your money back? Does the provider offer a trial period or satisfaction guarantee?
- Reputation. What do other homeowners say about their experience? Look for alarm systems that are easy to operate and responsive when there's an alert. Customer reviews and ratings from the Better Business Bureau can provide valuable insights into the system's reliability and the company's customer service.
To help you simplify your security, Top Consumer Reviews has reviewed and ranked the best alarm systems available today. We hope this information helps you find the best solution to protect your home and loved ones at a price you can afford. This way, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing that your home, family, and belongings are safe, allowing you to focus on the things that matter most.
Compare Alarm System Companies
Select any 2 Alarm System Companies to compare them head to head
Trending Alarm System News
Related Alarm System Company Reviews
Since you're interested in Alarm System Companies, here are some other reviews you might find interesting.
Newest Reviews
