Cove Review

Friday, August 12th

2022 DIY Home Security Company Reviews

Cove

• "A" rated and accredited by the BBB
• No professional installation required, but available for an extra fee if desired
• 60-day risk-free trial
• Monitoring for under $25/month
• TripleTouch alarm response system

Doesn't everyone want "DIY home security that's both effective and affordable" ? That's what Cove offers - and quite effectively delivers. Even though they're a relative newcomer to the home security industry, they're already bringing in awards, including a Best Home Security System designation from US News and World Report.

Answer a few questions for a personalized recommendation

The most straightforward way to start with Cove is by using their questionnaire to figure out what they recommend. You'll indicate if you're setting up a DIY security system for a home or business, if you've already got an alarm system in use, details about your pets (to determine if you need pet-sensitive sensors), and so forth. That can be accessed via the box labeled "Want some help?" near the bottom of the Cove site.

No problem to customize as needed

Once you've answered those questions, Cove displays the security system arrangement that should perfectly meet your needs. What we really love is that even this part is customizable: choose any element and increase or decrease it at will. Who knows, maybe you want even wider camera coverage and decide to include an extra one for your backyard, or you realized that your upstairs windows don't need entry sensors. It's a big perk that Cove lets you get that specific and doesn't require you to purchase a premade package.

Big bang for your buck

Your next step is to choose a monitoring plan: Cove Basic or Cove Plus. Both offer 24/7 monitoring of all alarms and environmental alerts via ATT 4G LTE connections, 24-hour battery backup, smash-and-grab protection, and hourly automated system checks. You'll pay $14.99/month for the Basic plan, and it includes a one-year warranty on your Cove equipment. But, upgrading to the Plus plan for $24.99/month isn't a bad idea: your warranty coverage expands to lifetime protection, your rate is guaranteed forever, and you'll get a $5 credit every month that you can apply towards new equipment (and you can roll that credit over each month until you have enough for the gear you want to buy). This plan is also what you'll need if you want camera integration or smartphone/Alexa/Google Home control capabilities with your Cove system.

Designed to minimize false alarms

One feature of Cove DIY home security systems that stands out is their TripleTouch Alarm Response. Let's say your system is triggered: a text message will be sent immediately to your number on file, and your in-home control panel will turn on the LiveAssist function, both in an attempt to contact you. If a Cove rep isn't able to reach you one way or the other, the next step is to call your phone. If they still can't get in contact with you (or if they do and you confirm that there's an emergency), Cove reps will contact emergency services. This makes false alarm calls much less common - and that's good news if you live in an area where you're assessed a fee for first responder visits.

Lower-cost equipment and zero contracts

You'll also love that you can get everything Cove has to offer with no contracts. The biggest commitment is the cost of buying the equipment upfront, but even that is much more affordable than many Cove competitors. As a reference point, we looked at what it would cost to fully protect a two-story home with multiple door/window sensors, remote controls for a household of six adults, and so forth. We were amazed that the entire package cost less than $500. And yes, Cove home security systems are made for easy DIY installation, with plenty of support on hand via phone if you need it - but if you'd like someone else to do it for you, Cove has professional installation available for a one-time fee of $79+.

Give it a try for 60 days

What's the downside? There isn't one, as far as we can see. Cove even lets you put your whole system to the test for 60 days, risk-free. If there's anything you don't like, you can send back the equipment for a full refund, and Cove covers the return shipping fees too.

Reputation is strong and climbing

Despite being a newer home security company, Cove has established a trustworthy reputation. That begins with an "A" rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau, where there were just a small handful of complaints filed over the three years leading up to our review. Those not-so-satisfied customers typically reported having problems getting their Cove home security systems working properly or with the experience of dealing with Cove support reps who were apparently based outside of the US. On the other hand, more than 2500 clients have already given Cove a five-star rating for providing knowledgeable support, hassle-free setup, and security coverage that delivers precisely as advertised.

One of the best DIY home security systems

Even though they've still got a bit of room for improvement, Cove stands out as one of the best options for DIY home security systems. We appreciate their transparency with pricing on both equipment and monitoring, all with no minimum contracts. The company also seems to be making the effort to improve their already-decent customer service experience, and we expect to see that reflected in future comments from Cove clients. Since you've got the reassurance of a 60-day, money-back guarantee, why not give Cove a try?