Our reviewers evaluate products and services based on unbiased research. Top Consumer Reviews may earn money when you click on a link. Learn more about our process.
Tuesday, March 19th
For over seven decades, Guardian Protection has been a name to trust for reliable alarm systems. In fact, it was the first company in history to receive recognition not once but twice as Security Company of the Year, largely due to their US-based customer representative team and their top-notch monitoring services.
9 not-so-helpfully-named packages
Unless you click on the green "Get Started" button to take a quiz to determine what you need, it can be a little overwhelming at first trying to sort through all of the package options at Guardian Protection. Why? They're not named in ways that immediately communicate what you're getting. What's the difference between "Family First" and "Healthy (Green) Home" alarm systems? Yeah, that doesn't jump right out at us either. You can click on any three packages to compare them, but there are a total of nine to choose from. Let's take a look at three of them to give you an idea:
No pricing without a phone call
Just like many alarm system companies, Guardian Protection doesn't come right out and tell you what it'll cost to use their home alarm system. You'll have to click to get a free quote or call their toll-free number to get your specific pricing. Our research indicates that this company charges anywhere from $34.95 to $59.95 per month for monitoring, and your equipment costs are extra.
Most plans have a contract from 1-5 years
Oh, and don't forget about contracts. We went poking around in Guardian Protection's Terms and Conditions (since they don't spell it out in the other pages on their site) and found that most plans come with monitoring commitments ranging from 12-60 months. There's a no annual contract option available, but customers have to purchase a control panel, motion detector and three window/door sensors for the whopping price of $1249 to qualify.
Slight reputation drop
We weren't pleased to see that Guardian's rating with the BBB has dropped since our last review: not a huge decrease, from an "A+" to an "A-" , but still not the trend we'd prefer. Customer comments are generally positive, with over 1,600 clients giving these alarm systems a five-star rating and fewer than 10% of clients saying they'd give the company a rating of "poor" or "bad" . It's good to see that Guardian Protection's representatives respond quickly and professionally to all feedback, positive or negative.
Significantly limited service area
The biggest limitation of these alarm systems is the service area. Unless you live in one of their covered metro areas in Texas, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Indiana, Delaware, Florida, Pennsylvania, or DC, you're not eligible to use their home alarm systems. That cuts out a pretty significant part of the US population.
Good alarm systems - if you can get them
Overall, Guardian Protection is a reliable choice for alarm systems if you happen to live in one of their service areas. There are enough package options that you can get the equipment you want without having to pay for extras you don't need, and while the monitoring costs are more expensive than most, you get some of the best service in the industry. You may want to shop around a little before committing to Guardian, but rest assured that you're in good hands if you ultimately choose this alarm system for your home.
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:
TopConsumerReviews.com has evaluated and ranked the best alarm systems available today. We're confident that this information will help you get the right protection to keep you, your loved ones, and your property safe and sound!
Select any 2 Alarm System Companies to compare them head to head