The explosion of homeowners who are looking for a do-it-yourself home security system has bring about a lot of competition in the industry. There are now a lot of companies who are offering the service with their own unique selling propositions.
Two of these companies are Brinks Home Security and SimpliSafe. Which one should you trust? Read on and find out.
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Brinks Home Security
Brinks Home Security is the result of the merger of MONI and LiveWatch, which had top-rate security systems in the past. The new company took the best of what each company had to offer.
The company claims to have more than a million customers. What exactly do they offer?
ASAPer
With a whole lot of competition out there, this security company worked to patent a technology designed to keep you from panicking when an alarm is triggered. The ASAPer will let you and your designated emergency contacts know if the sensors were tripped. It also sends an alert to the monitoring center.
You can then start a chat with your emergency contacts or turn off the alert if it’s a false alarm. If there is no response, the monitoring center will call the authorities to provide the necessary help.
Security systems
Brinks offers three different security systems: the Nest Secure, the Home Complete, and the Home Complete with Video.
The Nest Secure system
The Nest Secure package uses the Nest Guard as your security system. It also comes with two Nest Detects and a pair of Nest Tags. Brinks will also provide you with a yard sign and stickers to discourage any potential burglar from trying to break into your house.
You can buy this system for $399 or $11.08 per month via zero-interest financing for three years. Some features that you get at that price include:
- Remind Me alerts: This feature will remind you to arm the system if you are the last person to leave the house and to disarm it when you’re the first one to arrive home.
- Quiet Open: This feature lets you open the door and leave quietly without having to disarm your alarm. This feature is ideal for those times when you go out for a run while everybody else is asleep and you just wouldn’t want to wake them all up when you leave.
- Google Assistant: This system works with Google Assistant so that you can just use voice commands to arm your security system.
- Dog Pass: If you have pets in the house, they will often trip the motion sensors and create lots of false alarms. This feature will reduce the sensitivity of the motion sensor so that small to medium-sized dogs will not trigger the alarm even if they move around a lot.
- Pathlight: Nest sensors come with a path light that illuminates your way in the dark.
Devices
The Nest Guard acts as the hub. This device is what you use to arm or disarm your system. It also has Google Assistant built-in so your alarm system doubles as your personal assistant.
You also have the Nest Detect, which is a door and window sensor. This device triggers the alarm when a door or window opens unexpectedly.
Then you also have the Nest Tag, which allows you to arm or disarm the Nest Guard without taking your phone out.
Home Complete
The Home Complete system costs $499, or around $13.86 per month. For this price, you get a touchscreen control panel that allows you to arm or disarm the system and acts as a smart home hub. The control panel is also encrypted so hackers cannot get into it.
This device sends alerts over LTE networks, ensuring fast warnings without delay. You can save precious seconds when you have an emergency.
You also get a motion sensor that will alert you of any unexpected movements around the house. This system also includes wireless door sensors.
You can add $100 and get the Home Complete with Video system that includes everything you have in the original system, plus an indoor security camera with night vision, and the Skybell Slim Doorbell.
Differences between these systems
One of the main differences between these three systems is pricing. There’s a $100 difference between the Nest Secure system and the Home Complete, and between the Home Complete package and the Home Complete with Video.
Professional monitoring comes at only $29 per month for either the Nest Secure or the Home Complete. But if you add in video streaming and storage, you will need to pay $39 per month.
All systems include one base unit, two window and door sensors, and a motion detector. Some units have more sensors such as the Home Complete packages having an extra window and door sensor. The Nest package has an extra motion detector.
To make it easier for you to compare the prices and the included devices for these systems, here’s a side-by-side comparison:
| Nest Secure | Home Complete | Home Complete with Video | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financing (0% interest; 36 months) | $11.08/month | $13.86/month | $16.64/month |
| Base price | $399 | $499 | $599 |
| Professional monitoring service | $29/month | $29/month | $39/month |
| Monitoring term | No Contract | 36 months | 36 months |
| Wireless | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Customizable | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Base panel | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Door & window sensor | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Motion detector | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Indoor camera | Upgrade | Upgrade | 1 |
| Video doorbell | Upgrade | Upgrade | 1 |
| Keyfob | 2 | Upgrade | Upgrade |
| Mobile app | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Services and features
As you would expect, the Nest Secure package has a different set of features. It has RemindMe alerts but not the LiveVoice Assist and geofencing features you see on the Home Complete packages.
All packages have professional monitoring, the ASAPer technology, voice alerts, cellular backup, and access to a smartphone app. You also get mobile alerts and smart home capabilities with any of these systems.
Because Brinks promises customizability, you can upgrade to get more features. For instance, if you order the Nest Secure, you can add cloud video storage into the package.
If you have Home Complete, you can add live video streaming, cloud storage, and fire monitoring.
Here is a table of the features that you can get from each system.
| Nest Secure | Home Complete | Home Complete with Video | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Remind Me alerts | Yes | No | No |
| ASAPer | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 24/7 Professional monitoring | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| LiveVoice Assist | No | Yes | Yes |
| Voice alerts | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Geo-Fencing | No | Yes | Yes |
| Live video streaming | Yes | Upgrade | Yes |
| Smartphone control | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cellular backup | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cloud video storage | Upgrade | Upgrade | Yes |
| 24/7 Fire monitoring | No | Upgrade | Upgrade |
Arming and disarming your system
No matter which system you choose, you can arm or disarm it using the keypad, the mobile app, or the key fob. You can also arm your system using voice control, but you cannot disarm it.
With the Home Complete packages, you can also use the touchscreen control panel or Bluetooth to do this.
Voice integration
The Nest Secure only works with Google Assistant. The other two packages, however, works with Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant.
Other features you should know
The Brinks system offers so much more. You can try it risk-free for 30 days. You get your money back if you’re not satisfied with their products and services.
If you do decide to purchase, the system is covered by a two-year warranty. The company will replace anything that breaks within those 24 months.
The company, which is ranked by J.D. Power as the top security company when it comes to providing customer service, also does not have hidden charges. You see everything that you pay for and it allows you to have full information regarding fees.
Fast emergency response times
Brinks also boasts of being the fastest in the country when it comes to response times. They claim that it only takes 30 seconds before you get notified of any triggered sensors. Others take more than 10 times longer at 330 seconds.
For the Home Complete systems, you can add the following:
- Motion sensors – $78
- Door sensors – $29
- Indoor camera – $199
- Video doorbell – $199
Meanwhile, you can add any Nest product with the Nest Secure system:
- Nest Hello Doorbell – $229
- Nest Cam Indoor – $199
- Nest Cam Outdoor – $199
- Nest Learning Thermostat – $249
- Nest Detect – $49
- Nest Tag – $20
SimpliSafe
SimpliSafe blazed trails in the DIY home security system space. The company made professional installation a thing of the past and offered consumers an easier way to protect themselves.
It also helps that SimpliSafe’s devices look great. What’s more, the company provides homeowners with highly customizable packages and affordable professional monitoring plans.
Packages
To make things easier for homeowners, SimpliSafe created several packages that act as your security starter kit. These packages include the base station, a keypad, varying numbers of entry and motion sensors, and other devices.
The company has recently introduced The Summerfort, which is just perfect for larger homes. The Summerfort comes with two key fobs, eight entry sensors, two motion detectors, a glassbreak sensor, a SimpliCam camera, a 105-decibel siren, and a panic button. All that for only $500 after discounts.
Meanwhile, the Have is for homeowners who want to guard their homes from accidental flooding, extreme temperatures, or fire. It includes sensors for each type of environmental hazard for only $417. The company has several other packages, and the inclusions for each are as follows:
| Summerfort | Haven | Knox | Hearth | Essentials | Foundation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retail price | $498 | $417 | $383 | $319 | $221 | $196 |
| Entry sensors | 6 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| Motion sensors | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| SimpliCam | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Glassbreak sensors | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 105-decibel siren | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Panic button | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Key fob | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Smoke detector | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Freeze sensor | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Water sensor | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Sensors and devices
SimpliSafe offers you the widest range of sensors and devices. These are as follows:
- Entry sensor – $14.99
- Motion sensor – $29.99
- Glassbreak sensor – $34.99
- Smoke detector – $29.99
- Temperature sensor – $29.99
- Water sensor – $19.99
- SimpliCam – $99
- Panic button – $19.99
- Key fob – $24.99
- Siren – $59.99
Professional monitoring
The company offers two professional monitoring plans. The Standard plan charges $15 monthly and it comes with round-the-clock live alarm monitoring, cellular connection, and environmental monitoring.
This plan is enough if you just want to have somebody look in on your home when you are not around. Not only are you safe from burglaries, but you are also safe from freezing pipes, fire, or carbon monoxide poisoning.
The company also offers the Interactive plan, which has everything that the Standard plan offers plus access to the mobile app, alerts on your phone, video capabilities, unlimited camera recording, and limited smart home integrations.
The Interactive plan goes for $25 a month.
How Brinks Home Security Compares to SimpliSafe
There is no doubt that these two companies offer easy to install devices and sensors. Since everything is wireless, you do not have to put them near power outlets or run cables from one sensor to another.
That means that you will not need professional installation and that you will not have to lay down the cables to make the system work. Just put the sensors and the control panel anywhere you want and power on the system.
The company also makes it easier for you to be protected. You get professional monitoring for less than $40 with or without video.
SimpliSafe also offers you wire-free sensors that work together right out of the box. And you get professional monitoring, as well. Even the design philosophy is the same: simple and goes with everything.
Where Brinks Home Security wins
Brinks Home Security’s strongest point is its smart home integration. It works with Z-Wave and Zigbee, which allows it to work with connected doorbells, cameras, lights, thermostats, and other smart devices.
SimpliSafe, on the other hand, tends to keep things to itself. It does not work with different smart home platforms.
Where SimpliSafe wins
There are times when you just need a local alarm rather than have your home security system professionally monitored. If this is you, then you can use SimpliSafe for your needs.
Further, SimpliSafe knows that it sucks when it comes to smart home integrations. So, they more than make up for it by selling all the sensors, cameras, and devices that you will need. SimpliSafe has sensors that will keep you safe from home invasions and environmental threats.
If you’re looking for customizability, then you should consider SimpliSafe as well. Aside from the wide range of sensors that they offer, they also allow you to choose what kind of professional monitoring you want.
SimpliSafe vs. Brinks Home Security: Which One Should You Trust?
Both SimpliSafe and Brinks Home Security gives you an effortless set of devices and sensors that will allow you to be safe in your own home. You can go one way or the other, depending on your needs.
If you currently have a smart home or have invested in connected devices, then you should get Brinks Home Security. You can integrate your alarm system with other devices, which helps expand its capabilities. For instance, if the window sensor is triggered unexpectedly, you can have it turn on your smart lights and scare the burglar away.
However, SimpliSafe does offer a tempting alternative. It offers every sensor you might need and then more. It has features that are similar to traditional home security systems such as a loud siren and a panic button.
Furthermore, SimpliSafe might be ideal for those who do not want to pay too much every month. They offer more affordable professional monitoring, sensors, and devices than Brinks does.
So, which one would you trust more? Brinks Home Security or SimpliSafe? Tell us all about it in the comments.
Further read:
Alvin has been reviewing different types of technology from QR codes to the latest smartphones and robot vacuums for over a decade. Outside of technology, he writes about a wide variety of topics, including buses, travel, bankruptcy, healthcare, and cannabis. He was once so addicted to online shopping that he was on a first-name basis with delivery guys and courier services — and he shares his passion with all of you!
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