Cove vs. Abode

Abode offers optional professional monitoring that is reasonably priced and available on a flexible, month-to-month basis, but the service is not as fully featured as Cove’s. Cove professional monitoring incorporates LiveAssist, allowing you to communicate directly with Cove via your control panel. Both companies incorporate smartphone notification alerts, but Cove’s InstaText service is designed for speed and interactiveness, giving it a meaningful edge over Abode for professional monitoring.

Both companies offer complementary security technologies, including door and window sensors, motion detection devices, water and smoke detectors, and cameras. Additionally, Cove offers a medical button, making the product line a stronger choice when built into an eldercare solution. Abode, however, offers both a regular indoor camera with two-way audio and a wide-angle motion-detecting camera. Abode has a larger product selection than Cove, pushing the company ahead when it comes to equipment.

Abode has a 30-day return policy, whereas Cove offers a generous 60-day money-back guarantee. While 30 day trial periods are common among providers, Cove’s 60-day return period offers a generous amount of time to install, try out your new system, and decide if it’s the right fit for your home.

Cove equipment requires customer installation. Clear documentation and pre-configured equipment help ensure that setup is straightforward, with equipment typically operational in under thirty minutes. Professional installation is available for Abode products, making this company a better option if you’re seeking the convenience of having your devices installed and configured for you.

Abode provides a one-year limited warranty for its equipment, while Cove provides a lifetime equipment warranty with its Plus Monitoring Plan. The Cove Basic monitoring plan provides a 1-year equipment warranty. Since Cove provides a longer warranty term with its Plus Monitoring Plan, making it easier for customers to have their equipment replaced, it takes the win for this category.

Abode offers an excellent entry-level equipment package for $229, and its optional professional monitoring service starts at $20 per month. You can also opt to self-monitor with Abode products, eliminating recurring costs altogether. With Cove, upfront equipment costs can start around $240 with professional monitoring starting at $14.99 per month. Because the upfront equipment and monitoring costs are in close range, we’d say it’s a tie for Cove and Abode.