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Tuesday, March 19th
Cove bills itself as "DIY home security that's both effective and affordable" . Although they're fairly new within the alarm systems marketplace, Cove was already named as the Best Home Security System of 2021 by US News and World Report. That definitely got our attention.
Answer some questions for a recommendation
The simplest way to get started with Cove is by answering a few basic questions about what you're protecting; you'll find that in the "Want some help?" box usually at the bottom of the site. Indicate if your alarm system will be for a house, apartment or business, if you've got an existing security system, details about any pets you have, the number of windows and doors in your home, and so forth.
Transparent pricing on equipment
Here's what we absolutely love: the next screen takes you to all of the components you'll need for the living arrangements you described, from window sensors to outdoor cameras, and you can increase or decrease them right there. No guesswork, no premade packages with lots of stuff you don't even need, just a straightforward list of your alarm system's recommended equipment. Lots of alarm system companies keep your pricing a closely-guarded secret until you work with a sales rep, which makes Cove a big breath of fresh air by comparison.
Big protection, little price
The following screen will display all of your monitoring details. You'll choose between two plans, Cove Basic and Cove Plus. Both plans include 24/7 alarm and environmental monitoring, 100% ATT 4G LTE connection, 24-hour battery backup, hourly automated system checks, and smash-and-grab protection. Equipment with the Basic plan has a one-year warranty. Cove Plus boosts the warranty to lifetime coverage and adds features like camera integration, smartphone/Alexa/Google Home controls, a lifetime monitoring rate lock guarantee, and a $5/month credit towards new equipment that you can accumulate and redeem whenever you like. We were stunned to learn that this highest monitoring package only costs $24.99/month, and Basic is just $14.99/month.
Cuts down on false alarms
We really like Cove's TripleTouch Alarm Response. If your system is triggered, you'll get a text immediately to confirm that you are actually having an emergency, and your control panel will activate the LiveAssist to speak with you. If neither of those gets a response, Cove's monitoring team will reach out with a direct phone call. If all three of those contact mechanisms don't get a response (or, of course, if you do confirm there's an emergency), responders will be dispatched. This is a fantastic way of cutting down on false alarm calls (and the corresponding fees you may pay to your emergency services).
No contracts, budget-friendly equipment
It gets better: Cove monitoring comes with no contracts. None. Zero. Yes, you'll need to pay for your equipment upfront, but even those costs aren't excessive; on the package we pulled together for our sample home with lots of window/door sensors, six remotes for a whole family, and so forth, our equipment price was under $500.
60-day money-back guarantee
What's the catch? We couldn't find one. You can install your Cove alarm system in minutes, with or without the help of a rep over the phone, or you can pay extra for a professional setup (starting at $79). You're also protected by a 60-day, 100% money-back guarantee, and Cove will even cover the return shipping fees on the equipment.
Reputation is steady and climbing
Reputation? The Better Business Bureau gives Cove an "A" rating and accreditation, and there were only a few dozen complaints filed with the BBB over the three years leading up to this review. Those negative reviews (and the handful we found elsewhere) almost always refer to challenges with getting equipment set up or refunded, as well as some customers' dissatisfaction with being routed to offshore support reps when seeking help. However, the vast majority of Cove customers are extremely happy with their alarm systems: more than 2500 of them give it a five-star rating, and plenty of clients say that the customer service team is helpful and easy to understand, the systems are simple to install and work exactly as expected, and the price is right.
Try this new kid on the block
Cove is our favorite new addition to the alarm system marketplace. You'll get affordable equipment and monitoring, plus upfront pricing with no surprises or bait-and-switch sales tactics. As this provider works out some of the small kinks in their customer service, we expect to see even more praise coming in from happy clients. Cove gets one of our highest recommendations among home alarm system companies.
There are so many options today, from well-known providers that have been around for fifty years or more to brand-new companies selling DIY-installed, wallet-friendly home alarm systems and automation all in one.
You've got plenty of reasons to use an alarm system, whichever route you choose. Not only can they protect you against break-ins while you're away, but they can also give you extra peace of mind if you're one of the millions of Americans who find themselves working from home on a regular basis. Need to know who's at your door before you open it? Many systems will send live video right to your smartphone, letting you decide if you should interrupt that conference call with your team!
What are the basics of an alarm system? Most packages come with a few window/door sensors and some kind of control panel. You can still find traditional equipment that includes a wall-installed panel, but most of today's systems have a portable tablet used to arm and disarm it. From there, the options are nearly limitless and can include indoor/outdoor cameras, video doorbells, smoke/fire and carbon monoxide detectors, and many other features to keep you feeling secure.
Beyond safety, alarm systems now give you plenty of choices for home automation. What might have seemed like space-age tech just ten years ago is commonplace: use your smartphone to turn down the thermostat before you get home from work, arm your system with a voice command even when you're already in bed for the evening, or sign into your system from your computer at work to make sure you really did remember to lock the front door (and take care of it if you didn't!).
With so many options, it can feel overwhelming to choose an alarm system. There are several things to keep in mind that can help make the decision clearer and lead you to the package that will meet your needs:
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