Wednesday, June 18th
2025 Alarm System Company Reviews
Ring
- Alarm system kits from $199.98 to $944.84
- Monitoring from $4.99 to $20 per month
- Buy equipment upfront
- High tech with smart integrations
- No contract required
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Ring, founded by Jamie Siminoff in 2013 and later acquired by Amazon in 2018, is renowned for its smart home gadgets like video doorbells, security cameras, and alarms. Many customers are drawn to it due to its convenient connectivity features and fully wireless setup. Operating in both Canada and the US, Ring's systems utilize the services of the Utah-based Link Interactive. This setup allows your system to connect to home Wi-Fi or use the 4G LTE network if Wi-Fi is unreliable, so that alerts are promptly sent through the fastest available path.
Build the system that works for you
Ring enables you to assemble a customized alarm system with a variety of wireless components. Whether you seek only the essentials or a full suite of devices, you can choose what suits your needs. Instead of taking a quiz like what's offered by other companies, you can simply browse through the different Ring devices and add them to your online cart. Ring offers all the essential tools for an alarm system as well as advanced monitoring devices like smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, or smart home devices like light dimmers, thermostats, and electronic locks. To save money, you can also explore the Certified Refurbished section on Ring's website, and keep in mind that orders exceeding $49 qualify for complimentary shipping.
Choose from three premade kits
If you prefer a pre-designed kit, Ring provides three categories to consider: Connected Starter Kits, Protected Starter Kits, and Whole Home Starter Kits. Each category offers several price ranges to accommodate different needs, whether you intend to secure only your front door or your entire residence. You can opt for the basic option of a specific package or add extra devices to cover a larger area. Here's a breakdown:
- Connected: 3 bundle options, focused on front door security. Cost: $199.98 to $479.99
- Protected: 3 bundle options, includes 5-14 pieces for alarms and door monitoring. Cost: $344.94 to $694.85
- Whole Home: 3 bundle options with 5-15 pieces for alarms, cameras, and doorbell. Cost: $444.93 to $944.84
Monitoring plans from $4.99 to $20 per month
Ring offers three monitoring plans. The Basic Plan costs $4.99/month or $49.99/year, the Plus Plan is $10/month or $100/year, and the Pro Plan is $20/month or $200/year. Both the Plus and Pro Plans cover an unlimited number of devices in your home. The Plus Plan also includes 24/7 professional monitoring, alarm, cellular backup, SOS request for help, and extended warranties for all devices. For the Pro Plan, you can expect all features of the Plus Plan, plus camera, home and away modes, digital arm and disarm your Ring alarm, create alarm system automation, alarm event history, and package detection. The Basic Plan only enables self-monitoring through smartphone alerts, with no contractual obligation.
Mixed feedback for Ring
Ring's reputation is a mixed bag. They offer a 30-day satisfaction guarantee for returns and hold a "B+" rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau. However, customer reviews vary. On Trustpilot, over 70% of more than 4,800 reviews are 1-star, citing concerns like short battery life and frequent system "offline" status. Many customers have expressed dissatisfaction with Ring's customer service and complained about their Ring devices not being properly monitored due to outages.
Good alarm systems, but reputation leaves concerns
While Ring offers benefits like a return policy and reasonable pricing, its customer service remains a major point of concern. Compared to companies with better reputations and services, Ring falls short. To improve its standing, Ring would need to demonstrate a greater commitment to customer service and offer more reliable equipment that consistently stays online and monitored as intended. While not the worst option for an alarm system, there's room for improvement, particularly in customer service and the uptime of devices and services.
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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.
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