Brinks vs. Honeywell Home Security

Home Security Comparison: Brinks vs. Honeywell

• Price

  Winner: Honeywell

  Brinks' higher-tier Smart Security Ultimate package costs $1,099 and includes an indoor camera, an outdoor camera, a video doorbell, three window/door sensors and two motion detectors. Purchasing the same equipment a la carte from Honeywell could save you several hundred dollars, with their highest package costing $797.98. Plus, there are no monthly fees associated with Honeywell equipment since no professional monitoring services are required. Depending on which package you purchase from Brinks and the length of your contract, you'll pay between $19 and $39 each month for professional monitoring services. Since Brinks is more pricey, Honeywell wins this round.

• Installation

  Tie: Brinks & Honeywell

  Brinks and Honeywell both offer professional and DIY installation. Installing a Brinks system is easy to complete within minutes of receiving your equipment. Just peel off the plastic on the adhesive covering and place the equipment strategically around your home. However, if you purchase the Smart Security Ultimate bundle, professional installation is provided for free. Honeywell recommends professional installation and provides a directory to help you find a pro, but it does provide videos showing you how to install your equipment. Since both offer easy set-up options this round is a tie.

• Professional Monitoring

  Winner: Brinks

  You are under no obligation to seek professional monitoring for your Honeywell security equipment, which makes it ideal for people who want to self-monitor a smart-home system. However, for those who do want professional monitoring, it can be a hassle to have to choose a second company to monitor the system. Brinks bundles professional monitoring with all of its equipment packages for a monthly fee making them the ideal choice if you’d like 24/7 professional monitoring.

• Equipment

  Tie: Brinks and Honeywell

  Honeywell offers an exceptional variety of home security and environmental monitoring equipment. You can choose a home security starter kit or pick and choose your own equipment package to suit your needs. They offer an indoor camera, light switch timer, water sensor and portable doorbell. Brinks offers basic home security essentials including cameras and video doorbell. You can get more smart home security equipment through Nest with Brinks professional monitoring. Since both offer a variety of options for your home’s security this round is a tie.

• Home Automation

  Tie: Brinks and Honeywell

  Honeywell's base station, which is included in each of its home security starter bundles, already hosts Amazon Alexa for convenient voice control. However, you can also use the system with Google Assistant and IFTTT. Brinks's equipment can also be controlled with Amazon Alexa, Google Home and Apple TV. Both providers have mobile apps that make it easy to arm and disarm the system or check the video feed from anywhere in the world.

• Contract

  Winner: Honeywell

  Don't want a contract? When comparing Brinks and Honeywell, Honeywell is the default option for anyone who wants home security equipment without committing to a monthly payment. Because Honeywell does not offer monitoring services, it doesn't charge a monthly fee. On the other hand, Brinks typically requires a three-year contract. You can pay month-to-month if you purchase Brinks' Nest Secure package, but signing a three-year contract will allow you to pay a discounted rate.