- Best Home Security for Industry Experience
Our Take on ADT Home Security
ADT’s a well-recognized name in the home security industry. It offers traditional security that requires professional installation and monitoring at a steep price.
★ Recommended Plan
CompletePros
- 6-month money-back guarantee
- $500 theft protection guarantee
- High-quality equipment
Cons
- Must pay for an extended warranty
- Lengthy contracts
- More expensive than competitors
- Best Smart Home Security
Our Take on Vivint Home Security
Vivint has an extensive line of smart security equipment that you can expand over time. The downside is that you’ll have a long-term contract if you finance your equipment.
★ Recommended Plan
Vivint’s Smart Home Service is our recommended plan because it unlocks a larger selection of smart home devices, as well as video monitoring.
Pros
- Month-to-month contract option if equipment is purchased upfront
- Backup battery included with the Sky Control panel
- Extensive equipment features, including Vivint Car Guard
Cons
- Long contract if equipment is financed
- Installation can take 3-4 hours
- Short (120-day) equipment warranty and service guarantee (unless you purchase Premium)
Our take on Protect America Home Security
Protect America stands out for its low-cost landline monitoring and great coverage for rural areas. Their professional monitoring has over 25 years of award-winning service and monitoring plans that are based on connectivity type. If you’re looking for a capable no-frills home security system you can install yourself, Protect America is a good choice for your family.
Pros
- Price-match guarantee
- Smart home devices and features
- Mobile app access & control
Cons
- Contract required
- Must upgrade to get video surveillance, smart features and smoke detection
- Cellular monitoring is the most expensive plan
Compare The Best Home Security Systems with Professional Installation
Protect America | Brinks Home Security | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Professional monitoring starts at | $35.99/mo. | $29.99/mo. | $19.99/mo. | $45.99/mo. | $19/mo. |
Equipment starts at | $99.00 | $599.99 | No upfront cost | $99.00 | $199.00 |
Basic motion detection | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Security camera(s)
| Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Smart home devices | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Home environmental monitoring devices | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Installation | Professional | Professional | DIY or Professional | Professional | DIY or Professional |
Contract length
| 3 years | 42 - 60 mos. (if financing equipment) | 3 years | 3 - 5 years | 3 years |
Trial Period
| 6 months | 3 days | 15 days | 6 months | 30 days |
Home Security Providers with Professional Installation
- Best Home Security for Industry Experience
Our Take on ADT Home Security
ADT’s a well-recognized name in the home security industry. It offers traditional security that requires professional installation and monitoring at a steep price.
★ Recommended Plan
CompletePros
- 6-month money-back guarantee
- $500 theft protection guarantee
- High-quality equipment
Cons
- Must pay for an extended warranty
- Lengthy contracts
- More expensive than competitors
ADT installation technicians have to pass certification and are well-versed in what they do. They’ll work to ensure your system is set up correctly and ready to guard your home.
- Best Smart Home Security
Our Take on Vivint Home Security
Vivint has an extensive line of smart security equipment that you can expand over time. The downside is that you’ll have a long-term contract if you finance your equipment.
★ Recommended Plan
Vivint’s Smart Home Service is our recommended plan because it unlocks a larger selection of smart home devices, as well as video monitoring.
Pros
- Month-to-month contract option if equipment is purchased upfront
- Backup battery included with the Sky Control panel
- Extensive equipment features, including Vivint Car Guard
Cons
- Long contract if equipment is financed
- Installation can take 3-4 hours
- Short (120-day) equipment warranty and service guarantee (unless you purchase Premium)
Vivint Smart Home Pros are known for being knowledgeable, and as a perk, Vivint will also provide you with a free in-home consultation to help you get started.
Our take on Protect America Home Security
Protect America stands out for its low-cost landline monitoring and great coverage for rural areas. Their professional monitoring has over 25 years of award-winning service and monitoring plans that are based on connectivity type. If you’re looking for a capable no-frills home security system you can install yourself, Protect America is a good choice for your family.
Pros
- Price-match guarantee
- Smart home devices and features
- Mobile app access & control
Cons
- Contract required
- Must upgrade to get video surveillance, smart features and smoke detection
- Cellular monitoring is the most expensive plan
Protect America gives you the option to choose between DIY or professional installation. They make installation easy if you take the DIY route with a Quick Install Guide. For professional installation, you may have to pay a fee.
- Best for Award-Winning Monitoring
Our take on Guardian Protection Security
Rather than offering set packages, Guardian has one Base package that can be upgraded with individual products as needed. The basic package includes all of the whole-home security essentials including a control panel, sensors and motion detection plus popular security features like a mobile app to control your equipment and remote arming and disarming. Free professional installation is also included. Equipment starts at $250.
Package devices
-
- 1 PowerG motion detector
- IQ2 Power G Panel
- 3 PowerG door and window sensors
Package Features
-
- 24/7 professional monitoring
- Free professional installation
- Free Guardian Protection mobile app
Pros
- 6-month money-back guarantee
- $500 theft protection guarantee
- Smartphone app available
Cons
- Not available in all 50 states
- Relatively expensive monitoring services
- Professional installation only
Guardian Protection installation technicians are well-trained and will test your security system to make sure it works according to Guardian’s standards before leaving your home.
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Our Take on Brinks Home Security
Like ADT, Brinks has earned top ratings for customer service, monitoring and top-notch equipment. But for now Brinks is focused on preventing intrusions, not environmental monitoring.
★ Recommended Plan
Ultimate
Pros
- 2-year equipment warranty
- Impressive industry experience and reputation
- Flexible installation options
Cons
- No equipment for environmental monitoring
- Touchscreen control panel not available in all packages
- Lengthy contracts for some equipment packages
Brinks also allows you to choose between DIY or professional installation. If you’d rather for a professional to install for you, Brinks will help connect you with a technician.
Professionally Installed Security Systems vs. DIY Security Systems
Home security systems with professional installation have their advantages and disadvantages. Learn more about the pros and cons of this type of home security system as well as self-installed systems.
Professionally-Installed Security Systems
Pros
- More assurance of a proper install
- Ask questions about your security system
- System maintenance is typically handled by the provider
Cons
- Typically requires an installation fee
- Typically requires a contract
- Could end up purchasing more equipment than needed
DIY Security Systems
Pros
- Can choose between professional or self-monitoring
- Monitoring is usually cheaper
- More flexibility with equipment placement
Cons
- Possibility for improper installation
- Expensive upfront cost for equipment
- May be responsible for repairs
Frequently Asked Questions About Security Systems with Professional Installation
This will vary by the provider. Typically, you can expect to pay anywhere from around $79 to upwards of $300 for installation. Some providers have a flat rate installation fee, while others charge based on the equipment you’ve chosen.
This really depends on your needs and what you’re looking for in a home security system. A security system with professional installation is better if you don’t feel like you’ll be able to properly install your system. On the other hand, a DIY security system may be the better solution if cost is your main concern, as most of those options are less expensive.
Professional monitoring typically ranges anywhere from $20/mo. to upwards of $55/mo. for providers that require professional installation.
Home security equipment can range anywhere from $99 to upwards of $2,000 depending on the package or equipment you choose to purchase.
This will depend on what you’re looking for, but here’s a good analysis of each to help you with your decision. Choose ADT for a provider who has a well-known reputation, and if you want a lengthy trial period. We would recommend Vivint if you’re looking for unique equipment and don’t mind paying more for your equipment. If you don’t want to pay anything upfront for your equipment and would like to have a locked monitoring rate over the life of your contract, we’d recommend Protect America. For access to Bluetooth arming & disarming, we’d recommend Guardian Protection. And finally, if you want flexible installation options and access to Google Nest’s security system, we’d recommend Brinks.