Personal customized security packages
Pros
- Professional installation available
- Affordable equipment prices
Cons
- Three-year contract commitment
- Requires professional monitoring plan
- Basic package excludes cameras
- App is new and still needs some improvements
Overview
Brinks Home Security offers equipment from Alarm.com and other brands, with three equipment packages available at different price points for professional monitoring. However, Brinks Home does not provide a DIY monitoring option.
For installation, Brinks Home manages the process over the phone for its Mobile Security and Mobile Security + Video packages, with installation taking approximately 30 to 45 minutes. Additionally, Brinks Home offers a 30-day trial period, allowing you to return the equipment without incurring any fees.
Brinks, originally founded by Perry Brinks, has a long history in the home security industry dating back to the 1800s. However, it wasn’t until the 1990s that Brink’s Home Security was officially established. Since then, the company has removed the apostrophe from its name and formed partnerships with other security providers to offer more advanced technology and solutions—though there was a brief hiatus in their operations at one point.
Throughout the ’90s and early 2000s, Brinks Home Security gained significant traction, with offerings that rivaled those of ADT. Then, out of nowhere, the company vanished. After a rebranding in 2009 and a couple of mergers, the Brinks name disappeared once again for nearly a decade. However, in 2018, the company made a surprise comeback, reemerging as Brinks Home Security.
Monitoring Plans and Pricing
Brinks Home provides three different equipment packages: the Mobile Security plan, Mobile Security + Video plan, and Premium Security + Video plan. Monitoring fees begin at $39.99 per month and increase to $49.99 per month for the Premium Security + Video plan. Additionally, Brinks Home frequently offers a promotion where professional monitoring is available for $29.99 per month with a $500 equipment purchase, which could be a great option depending on your requirements and budget.
Features
Smartphone Controls
The Brinks security app allows you to arm, disarm, and view live video feeds on your smartphone or other mobile devices. While the app functioned well for me, I would like to see improvements in its user interface for better ease of use.
That said, having an app significantly enhances the value of a security system. With the Brinks app, you can manage and monitor your system remotely, ensuring your home is protected even when you’re not there. Specifically, I was able to view live footage from the cameras and use the two-way talk feature to communicate with visitors. In the event of a break-in, this feature could act as a great deterrent.
Cloud Video Storage
Brinks’ higher-tier plans offer cloud video storage, allowing you to store your recorded video footage and clips securely in the cloud for easy access and review. This feature typically costs an additional $5 to $10 per month with other companies, so it’s a great perk that Brinks includes it in select plans. While recorded footage won’t prevent burglaries or break-ins, it can serve as valuable evidence, enhancing the overall protection provided by Brinks.
Brinks IQ 2.0 Control Panel
The Brinks IQ 2.0 Control Panel features a sleek LCD touch-screen that enhances user experience with its intuitive design and easy operation. It provides more control over the system compared to a typical push-button panel. Additionally, the Brinks panel functions as a smart home hub, effortlessly integrating all your smart devices into a single, centralized unit.
30-Day Guarantee
Although not a traditional feature, Brinks’ warranty is definitely worth noting. All Brinks equipment comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to test their system for a full month to see if it suits your needs. If it doesn’t work for you, you can return it for a complete refund. While a 30-day guarantee is common in the industry, not every company offers this option.
Installation
Brinks Home offers over-the-phone installation instructions, which typically take 30 to 45 minutes to complete. For those who prefer professional installation, Brinks provides the option to call or text customer care to arrange for expert setup (for an additional fee). Currently, professional installation is included in the Ultimate package, which is a nice added benefit compared to when I first tried the system.
Product Line
Brinks Home’s equipment packages all come with an IQ 2.0 control panel, two door sensors, a yard sign, and stickers. The Mobile Security + Video plan includes a motion sensor and a doorbell camera, while the Premium Security + Video plan adds three door sensors and an outdoor camera.
Brinks Home doesn’t list specific pricing on its website, so you’ll need to reach out for a personalized quote. One standout feature of Brinks Home Security is its wide range of add-ons and upgrades. The prices are generally reasonable, and the GE-manufactured products are built for durability. You can further customize any of Brinks’ three equipment packages with these devices.
- Door and Window Sensor: Add extra sensors to your system for $29 each, offering great value.
- Motion Detector: Expand coverage with additional motion detectors for $59 each. These detectors are designed to ignore pets weighing under 40 pounds.
- IQ Smoke Detector: Ensure your home is protected from fires with the Brinks IQ Smoke Detector, available for $89.
- HD Indoor Camera: Set up additional indoor cameras for $199 each, though this is a bit higher than the industry average.
- Smart Home Automation: Use your Brinks alarm system as a hub for 119 smart home devices that integrate with platforms like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple.
- Other Emergency Devices: Brinks also sells fire ($99), flood ($49), and glass-break detectors ($79), so you can be prepared for any disaster.
Contract and Warranty Terms
Bring’s monitoring contract requires a minimum of three years, longer than the terms offered by other home security providers. To help offset the cost of equipment, the company provides financing options. Additionally, Brinks Home offers a 30-day trial period during which you can test the equipment and return it at no charge. However, if you cancel after the trial period, you’ll be responsible for the remaining balance on your monitoring contract for the full three years, so be sure to consider this before making a decision.
Brinks Home also offers a service plan called Brinks Home Plus for $7.99 a month. This plan covers repairs or replacements for eligible equipment, and technician visits are available for a fee of $75.
Customer Support
Access to quality customer service can truly make a difference, and Brinks Home excels in this area. They offer features like ASAPer and LiveVoice assist, ensuring that highly trained emergency personnel are always available when needed. In addition, traditional customer support channels are staffed by Brinks security experts, providing multiple ways to get assistance.
For phone support, you can speak directly with their dedicated customer care team, and they even allow you to text your questions, which is a nice, innovative touch. During my interactions, the customer service was solid—friendly and helpful—but not necessarily outstanding. While the staff was certainly accommodating, I tend to ask tough questions, which might have made the experience feel less than perfect at times.
Bottom Line
Brinks Home is a trusted leader in the home security industry, with a legacy dating back to 1859 as one of the oldest and most recognized commercial brands in the world. Today, Brinks offers top-of-the-line equipment paired with a variety of monitoring plans to suit different needs. You can choose from three pre-designed security packages or customize your own system to fit your specific requirements.
If you’re in the market for a new home security system—or are considering one for the first time—you’ve likely come across Brinks Home. Keep reading to learn more about their offerings and find out which Brinks Home solution might be the best fit for your home.