Friday, August 12th
2022 Wireless Security System Reviews
Guardian Protection Services
- 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 security systems
- Many packages to choose from
Guardian Protection has been offering peace of mind through security systems for more than 70 years. They're proud of the fact that they were the first provider in history to earn the Security Company of the Year designation not once but twice, mostly due to their excellence in monitoring and their US-based customer support team.
9 packages to choose from
Guardian Protection has several equipment bundles you can choose from, but you'll have a hard time telling the differences between them just by looking at the names. Do you need a "Healthy (Green) Home" or a "Family First" setup? That could be anyone's guess. It's much easier to use the "Get Started" button instead: you'll take a short quiz that will make a recommendation based on your current situation. But, to give you a quick idea of what's in some of Guardian's packages, here's what you can expect from three of them:
- Bachelor(ette) Pad: described as the perfect setup for "young professionals moving into a starter home" , this wireless security system 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 (thermostat, garage door opener, door lock), and even room temperature sensors.
Click to request a quote
Guardian Protection is yet another one of those wireless security providers that makes you request a quote to see pricing. We don't love it, but in this industry "it is what it is" . From what we could discern, Guardian's monthly monitoring costs anywhere from $34.95 to $59.95, plus the price of the equipment you choose.
Expect a required contract that lasts 1-5 years
Another thing Guardian Protection doesn't tell you straight up is their contract requirement. If you dig into the nitty-gritty of the Terms and Conditions page, you'll see that the majority of their wireless security systems come with a monitoring contract anywhere from a year to five years. We noticed a no-annual-contract option, but it comes with a mandatory equipment purchase of $1249 (and you only get a control panel, motion detector, and three door/window sensors - plus monthly monitoring fees they don't disclose).
A small decline in reputation
We noticed a little change in Guardian's reputation with the Better Business Bureau, going from an "A+" to an "A-" since our last evaluation. That's not a big deal, generally speaking, but it's also not the kind of trend we want to see. We still found plenty of reviews from satisfied clients; more than 1600 of them give Guardian Protection's wireless security system a five-star rating, and only 10% of reviewers say this service earns a "bad" or "poor" designation. Positive or negative, comments all seem to get a prompt, professional response from Guardian's support team.
Only 9 services areas nationwide
The main reason Guardian Protection ends up in the "just average" category is their limited service area. Only residents of certain areas of Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington DC are eligible to use this service for their wireless security coverage. In other words, the vast majority of Americans can't use Guardian Protection.
Decent wireless security systems - if they're available near you
For those who live within Guardian Protection's service areas, this is a good option for a wireless security system. The company offers the right amount of packages to get you the equipment you need (and not have to spend lots on unnecessary extras), and their monitoring is excellent-if-costly. We encourage you to look at all of the options available to you before signing a contract with Guardian, but at the end of the day you'll be safe and sound if you use this provider for your wireless security needs.
More Wireless Security System Reviews
The 10 Best Wireless Security Systems
Which Company Offers the Best Wireless Security Systems?
You may be surprised at the number of wireless security systems offered today. You can choose from popular companies that have been in business for decades to startup carriers marketing do-it-yourself, budget-friendly residential protection and automation.
There are many factors to consider when selecting a wireless security system, whichever solution you pick. There are products that can shield you and your family against burglaries when you're out that can also provide added assurance if you're among numerous Americans who work from home often. Want to see who is knocking at your door? You can get live video on your smartphone or tablet screen so you can choose whether to pause a remote meeting to answer the door!
Wireless Security System FAQ
Continued from above...
What matters most when choosing a wireless security system? You'll likely want a few window/door sensors and some type of control panel as a basic option, which most systems tend to have. Some conventional devices still exist that consist of an in-wall panel, however the majority of today's systems have standardized on a touchscreen device of some kind to arm and disarm the security system. Lots of other choices exist, including video doorbells, indoor/outdoor cameras, smoke/fire and carbon monoxide detectors, and lots of other ways to maintain a feeling of security.
Today's systems truly are space-age technology. Just ten years ago, who would have dreamed that they could use a smartphone to raise or lower the temperature on the way home from work? Now you can! Who would have thought they could arm the alarm just by saying a few words while getting ready for bed? It's now possible! Hardly anyone thought they could sign into their system from a computer to check the lock on the front door, and lock it if it wasn't. That's one less thing you have to worry about now.
The task of choosing a wireless security system can be overwhelming when there are so many options. Here is a summary of what to consider when deciding so that you get the perfect system for your needs:
- Features. What do you absolutely need in a security system? Look at having the correct amount of door and window sensors that cover all vulnerable entries on the first floor, and an intuitive screen that everyone can understand and use. What are the nice-to-have options that you really want? Some options could be lots of home automation capabilities, indoor video monitoring and storage, etc. Put these two lists together when comparing providers for your requirements.
- Cost. Wireless security systems include numerous costs. First is the payment in advance or a recurring/contractual cost. Next are fees for monthly monitoring, and sometimes the installation. Various companies will tell you a firm price upfront, but others require you to ask for an estimate. The terms and conditions document is very important, so be sure that you fully understand the agreement before you buy. For example, some home security contracts have a minimum of one year or more.
- Service Area. The majority of wireless security companies have a presence in each of the 50 states. However, not all have universal coverage, so make sure that your address or zip code is covered by their services. Depending on where you live, there may or may not be a dealer or authorized reseller to install and service your equipment.
- Reputation. Find out what current customers like and dislike about their security solutions. Did they get their money's worth? Is there prompt, reliable, and professional technical support when things go wrong? Keep in mind that larger companies will have more complaints than smaller companies, but that is not necessarily an indicator of a bad service if you can see that they are responding to complaints quickly and courteously.
TopConsumerReviews.com has evaluated and ranked the best wireless home security systems available today. We're certain that this detailed review will give you everything you need to know to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your property with an excellent combination of equipment and service.
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