Brinks vs. Cove
How are Brinks and Cove different?
Brinks and Cove both offer DIY home security options with professional-level monitoring and a trial period. There are, however, several significant differences between the companies, including cost, contract and voice integration.
Installation and cost
 |  | |
| Installation type | Professional | DIY |
| Installation fee | $200 to $450 | None |
| Upfront cost | $199 to $699 | Varies based on equipment |
| Trial period | 30-day risk-free | 60-day money-back guarantee |
| Contract terms | 36 months | No term contracts |
| Professional | $200 to $450 | $199 to $699 | 30-day risk-free | 36 months |
| DIY | None | Varies based on equipment | 60-day money-back guarantee | No term contracts |
Monitoring plans and pricing
| | |
| Monitoring price range | $39.99 to $49.99/month | $17.99 to $27.99/month |
| Monitoring options | Professional | Professional |
| Self-monitoring | Not offered | — |
| Upgraded self-monitoring | Not offered | — |
| 24/7 professional monitoring | $39.99/month | Starting at $17.99/month |
| Upgraded professional monitoring | $49.99/month | Starting at $27.99/month |
| $39.99 to $49.99/month | Professional | Not offered | Not offered | $39.99/month | $49.99/month |
| $17.99 to $27.99/month | Professional | — | — | Starting at $17.99/month | Starting at $27.99/month |
Security equipment
| | |
| Wired or wireless? | Wireless | Wireless |
| Camera options | Indoor and outdoor cameras | Indoor and outdoor cameras |
| Video doorbell | — | |
| Control panel | ||
| Motion sensor | ||
| Entry sensor | ||
| Glass break sensor | ||
| Keychain remote | ||
| Siren | ||
| Panic button | Medical panic button | |
| Yard sign |
| Wireless | Indoor and outdoor cameras | |||||||||
| Wireless | Indoor and outdoor cameras | — | Medical panic button |
Smart-home features
| | |
| Smart locks | — | |
| Smart lights | — | |
| Smart thermostat | — | |
| Garage door control | — | — |
| Temperature sensor | — | Heat detector within smoke detector |
| Water sensor | ||
| Smoke detector | ||
| CO detector |
| — | — | ||||||
| — | — | — | — | Heat detector within smoke detector |
Technology
| | |
| Mobile app | ||
| Mobile app monitoring | ||
| iOS rating | 3.8 | 2.3 |
| Android rating | 2.9 | 2.5 |
| Notification/alert options | Push and text | Phone, email, text and push |
| Home automation capabilities | — | |
| Voice integration | ||
| Amazon Alexa | ||
| Google Home | ||
| Other integrations | Apple TV | — |
| 3.8 | 2.9 | Push and text | Apple TV | ||||||
| 2.3 | 2.5 | Phone, email, text and push | — | — |
Reputation on ConsumerAffairs
| | |
| Overall star rating | 2.6 | 2.6 |
| Verified customer reviews | Brinks reviews | Cove reviews |
| 2.6 | Brinks reviews |
| 2.6 | Cove reviews |
All information accurate as of publishing date.
Brinks
Brinks offers a large selection of home security and home automation technology. It’s open with pricing information and allows you to save money by installing the system yourself. The company does require you to commit to a lengthy contract.
Brinks plans
Brinks offers three plans to choose from. You can also add equipment to the plans to customize your security.
- Smart Security Essential: The basic plan is $199 and includes a control panel, a motion sensor, two door sensors and a yard sign. Monitoring services are $39.99 a month.
- Smart Security Complete: This plan costs $349 and includes one control panel, one video doorbell, one motion sensor, two door sensors and a yard sign. Monitoring services are $44.99 a month.
- Smart Security Ultimate: The most thorough Brinks plan costs $699 and includes one control panel, one video doorbell, one motion sensor, three door sensors, one outdoor camera and one yard sign. Monitoring services cost $49.99 a month.
What Brinks customers say
Brinks customers report timely, friendly and polite service with knowledgeable technicians that are attentive to questions and concerns. Customers who experienced issues with Brinks mostly complained about long hold times and the need for multiple calls to resolve issues. Overall, reviewers on ConsumerAffairs appear to be happy with their system and describe Brinks as professional.
The Technician who worked on my system was polite and helpful. He was knowledgeable and explained things to my understanding. The system was not telling when one door was opening and he fixed it. I would recommend Brinks to anyone who asks about an alarm company.”
– Charlene of Virginia Brach, VA
Cove
Cove is a DIY home security option that also includes professional monitoring. The company promises easy cancellation and no contracts, and it offers a lifetime price-lock guarantee.
Cove plans
Unlike most companies, Cove doesn’t offer equipment-based plans. The website has you build a unique package based on your needs. From there, you can choose from two monitoring packages.
- Cove Basic: This plan costs 50 cents a day. It includes 24/7 live alarm monitoring, environmental monitoring, three methods of communication, smash and grab protection, a 100% AT&T 4G LTE connection, an hourly automated system check, a 24-hour backup battery and a one-year equipment warranty.
- Cove Plus: This plan is 83 cents a day. It includes all the features of the basic plan and has a lifetime equipment warranty, smartphone control, Alexa and Google Home voice control, a $5/month equipment reward and a lifetime monitoring rate-lock guarantee.
What Cove customers say
Cove customers leave mixed feedback on ConsumerAffairs, with happy customers commenting on a customer service team that goes the extra mile, an easy install process and quality products. Negative feedback centers around equipment functionality and cancellation issues.
The cost was very attractive, but we didn't know what to expect of the Company nor their products. It's with great pleasure that I can say that their products are excellent, easy to install and that COVE stands behind their products firmly. [In] every instance when I needed their help, [advice], assistance and or instructions, every single COVE representative that I talked to has been very pleasant to deal with...”
– Jan of Azusa, CA
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Bottom line: Brinks or Cove?
Cove has fewer technology choices but is more affordable. Brinks can provide more comprehensive home automation but requires a commitment.
- Brinks is best for customers who want a wider equipment selection and home automation.
- Cove is best for customers who are looking for affordable prices without a commitment.
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