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.

Guardian Protection Services Review

Tuesday, March 19th

2024 Alarm System Company Reviews

Guardian Protection Services Review 3.5 Star Rating

Guardian Protection Services

3.5 Star Rating
  • Services some metro areas in Texas, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Indiana, Delaware, Florida, Pennsylvania, and DC
  • "A-" rated and accredited by the BBB
  • Professionally-installed alarm systems
  • Many packages to choose from

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:

  • Bachelor(ette) Pad: described as the perfect setup for "young professionals moving into a starter home" , this equipment package comes with a portable touchscreen panel (like a tablet), three door/window sensors, one motion detector, one smoke detector, and a video doorbell that includes package notifications.
  • Home Security Essentials: this grouping is almost the same as the previous one, though it drops the doorbell in favor of a smoke and heat detector. We're not sure why Guardian describes this package as having basic home automation because we didn't see any of that type of equipment included.
  • The Works: as you'd expect, this is the top-of-the-line set-up offered here. The included features are too numerous to list, but some of the more novel inclusions are a medical pendant, tons of smart gear (thermostats, garage door openers, door locks), and even room temperature sensors.

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.

Best Alarm System Companies

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.

Which Company Offers the Best Alarm Systems?

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!

The Best Alarm System Companies Compare Alarm System Companies Compare Alarm System Company Reviews What are the best Alarm System Companies Best Alarm System Company Reviews

Alarm System Company FAQ

As many as 21 million households in the US use a security alarm system to protect themselves from burglary, home invasions and other crimes. With almost four million burglaries each year, it's important to have round-the-clock monitoring and an immediate emergency response if someone tries to break in.
It doesn't have to be. There are two costs associated with all alarm systems: the equipment and the monitoring service itself. Some companies give you the equipment at no charge as part of your plan, but the monthly fees are often higher to account for the free gear. Other services may require you to pay for your equipment upfront, but your monthly charge will be lower than the competition. Most alarm systems have monthly fees ranging from the low $30s to the upper $50s.
In the past, alarm systems were 100% wired - and yes, they had to be installed by a professional. While there are still a handful of companies that use these types of systems (including a landline to monitor them), most services today use totally wireless technology. In fact, many alarm systems have equipment that you can install yourself in just a few minutes.
The most basic systems include a few door contact sensors and that's about it. Depending on your circumstances, you may want to include wireless motion sensors for the interior or exterior of your home, fire and carbon monoxide detectors, flood sensors or even a panic pendant. The most advanced alarm systems give you options for video recording as well.
You might. If you got your equipment at no cost, chances are you'll be signing a contract of at least three years (ouch). If that doesn't appeal to you, consider an alarm system company where you purchase your equipment outright: they're less likely to require you to sign a contract to use their monitoring service.
You can rest assured that your alarm system provider wants to keep your business, and they'll make it as easy as possible if you move. Whether that includes setting up monitoring at your new address or even doing a full install, they will help you get it done. The easiest systems to move are the ones with do-it-yourself installation: move the equipment when you go, and don't forget to update the alarm company with your location.
Almost certainly. Savings typically range from 2-10%, depending on the type of alarm system you have and your insurer.
Many of today's popular alarm systems come with a 30-day risk-free trial. However, some companies have hefty fees for cancelling a contract prior to the end date, so you'll want to read all of the fine print before you commit to a provider.
Compare the Best Reviews

Continued from above...

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:

  • Features. What are the most essential components your alarm system needs to have? For most people, that will be the right number of window and door sensors to cover all easily-accessible entry points (such as the first-floor), and a control panel that works best for all occupants. Is there any nice-to-have equipment on your wishlist? That could include indoor video recording/storage, lots of home automation capabilities, and so on. Use your must-have and nice-to-have lists to determine if a provider has what you need.
  • Cost. There are several costs associated with an alarm system. This usually includes the price of the equipment (either upfront or monthly with a contract), monthly monitoring fees, and possibly installation. The company may tell you straight out what you can expect to pay, or you might have to reach out for a quote. Make sure to carefully read all of the terms and conditions before you commit, especially if your home alarm systems provider requires you to sign a contract of a year or more.
  • Service Area. Most home alarm systems companies service all 50 states, but some have limited coverage areas. Before you get too far into your research, check to see if you're eligible to be a customer and, if so, which authorized retailer might be responsible for your installation and service.
  • Reputation. What do clients say about their alarm systems? Is it worth the money? Have they been able to get prompt, professional support when equipment doesn't work properly? It's not uncommon for the larger companies to have thousands of complaints, but that's not cause for concern if they're responding appropriately each time.

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!

See the Best Alarm System Company
The Best Reviews of Alarm System Companies