The key value of any home security system is that it gives you the feeling of safety. Homeowners are always looking for the most advanced, yet most economical solution to prevent their house from being robbed. Upon deciding to get a home security system, the first thing most people do is search for an attractive deal online. But just typing “best home security system” in your favorite search engine already produces more than 400 million results! No to mention all security companies have promising advertisements where they claim that they are the best. Finding the ideal one is not easy, but we are here for you. This buyer’s guide will show you how to start the quest to find your new home security system.
Before you start your research, you should make it clear for yourself that what kind of service you are actually looking for. Home security systems usually have three layers. The heart of every safety net is the system’s central unit, which can be a simple keypad or a full-color touchscreen console. This is the mother ship of your security system where all the alarm sensors and detectors converge. A basic security package usually includes a number of door or window sensors, motions detectors and lastly the monitoring service. Life safety detectors like fire or freeze sensors are typically add-ons that homeowners must purchase additionally. The second layer is home automation. Through one of the more expensive packages, you can order a wide range of smart locks, light controllers and smart thermostats. Video monitoring is always in the top category of the home security world. Having video surveillance is not cheap, but getting it will allow you to check the live video streaming from anywhere, and will record footage of the strangers who lurk around your house.
Did you decide which level of home defense do you need? If the answer is yes, then you are ready to examine the offers of the home security companies. We provide coverage for a long list of home security companies, checking them out could be a good start. But don’t stop if you find one that seems to be suitable! It always pays off to have more than one candidate. We highly recommend creating a “top three” list in which you include the most promising picks of your choosing. And don’t just pick three candidates that offer basically the same thing: try to differentiate the deals, and seek for aspects that grab your attention. In case you are struggling to see the differences between them, check out our reviews and comparison articles where we highlight the key information for you. By the way, it’s worth checking out our top three home security system as well.
Learning about the main advantages and disadvantages of a security service is a vital part of your search. Never judge an offer just because it promises a lot; always take a closer look, and skillfully evaluate the pros and cons. To do this, we advise you to check out what we found out about the companies you prefer. Our reviews are written by security experts who have collected a vast amount of experience on the field of home security. Each review starts with a background check on the home security company and a run-through of their offering. It is followed by an overview of the security equipment in which all the available sensors and detectors, base stations, and cameras are presented. Next up we take a look at the monitoring service to give you details about the merits and quality of the monitoring center, and the smartphone application is introduced as well.
Speaking of smart features, home automation is the topic for all the remotely operating smart units, such as smart door locks or garage openers, electronic appliance schedulers, or the smart thermostat that automatically sets the right temperature even before you arrive home. We also take a dive in the pricing and plans of each company. We summarize the pre-made packages being offered, and present any individual equipment, monitoring prices along with customization options. We always conclude our reviews with a brief summary, followed by our ratings and a list with pros and cons. In case you are curious about what other customers have to say about the company, you can read their user reviews as well.
The price is often a tiebreaker between two favorable offers. Still, sometimes it’s important to look behind the numbers. Home alert companies charge you a monthly fee for the monitoring service and using the hardware. In case you have your eye on a more advanced package that includes home automation or video surveillance, you might also need to pay a one-time starting fee. If you lean towards custom-made packages then you are entitled to choose products up to a certain limit, and only need to pay the amount after exceeding it. Many companies are prone to hide any pricing information from the public, forcing you to contact their sales representatives for any kind of detail. Especially for the more advanced packages with video surveillance you have to request a custom quote.
Hardware warranty may be questionable: security companies often act as dealers for the hardware manufacturers, thus changing the conditions for the warranty. And don’t forget to take a look at the commitment time! Our coupons and promotions provide you some insight into these details. Be aware of the fact that some companies don’t shy away from hiding sneaky extra charges and conditions behind the flashy offers. In this regard, make sure to always check their policy on false alarms. Certain companies charge you for initiating unnecessarily actions, such as dispatching the police forces.
We hope that these steps helped you gain get a grip on the home security world. Bear in mind: all the offers you came across during your research aim to provide a competent protection for some degree. Don’t give up, even if you couldn’t find a suitable offer. Most companies have sales and discounts from time to time, thus waiting a little could only help you. Always keep in mind what kind of deal you are looking for, and contact the company’s customer service for confirmation before purchasing their security package. In case professional installation is available, it’s better to inquire whether the service is free or not. And only choose self-installation if you are good at tinkering. In case your family has a cat or a dog, then go for the offer with pet-sensitive motion detectors to prevent false alarms. A final advice: don’t rush anything, as choosing the company that will look after your family and property is an important decision.
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