Brinks vs. Guardian Protection
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Brinks and Guardian Protection comparison
Brinks and Guardian Protection both offer high-quality home security and home automation systems. While the companies both offer packages and require contracts, they vary in their contract terms, installation options, alarm types and more.
Installation and cost
 |  | |
| Installation type | Professional | Professional |
| Installation fee | $200 to $450 | Included in all packages |
| Upfront cost | $199 to $699 | Varies by equipment |
| Trial period | 30 days | None |
| Contract terms | 36 months | 36 to 60 months |
| Professional | $200 to $450 | $199 to $699 | 30 days | 36 months |
| Professional | Included in all packages | Varies by equipment | None | 36 to 60 months |
Monitoring plans and pricing
| | |
| Monitoring price range | $39.99 to $49.99/month | $34.95 to $59.99/month |
| Monitoring options | Professional | Professional |
| Self-monitoring | Not offered | — |
| Upgraded self-monitoring | Not offered | Not offered |
| 24/7 professional monitoring | $39.99/month | $34.95/month |
| Upgraded professional monitoring | $49.99/month | $59.99/month |
| $39.99 to $49.99/month | Professional | Not offered | Not offered | $39.99/month | $49.99/month |
| $34.95 to $59.99/month | Professional | — | Not offered | $34.95/month | $59.99/month |
Security equipment
| | |
| Wired or wireless? | Wireless | Wireless |
| Camera options | Indoor, outdoor and doorbell | Indoor, outdoor and doorbell |
| Video doorbell | ||
| Control panel | ||
| Motion sensor | ||
| Entry sensor | ||
| Glass break sensor | ||
| Keychain remote | ||
| Siren | ||
| Panic button | True | |
| Yard sign |
| Wireless | Indoor, outdoor and doorbell | |||||||||
| Wireless | Indoor, outdoor and doorbell | True |
Smart-home features
| | |
| Smart locks | ||
| Smart lights | ||
| Smart thermostat | ||
| Garage door control | True | |
| Temperature sensor | True | |
| Water sensor | True | |
| Smoke detector | ||
| CO detector |
| True | True | ||||||
| True |
Technology
| | |
| Mobile app | ||
| Mobile app monitoring | ||
| iOS rating | 4.7 | 4.7 |
| Android rating | 4 | 4.2 |
| Notification/alert options | Email, text and push | Email, text and push |
| Home automation capabilities | ||
| Voice integration | ||
| Amazon Alexa | ||
| Google Home | ||
| Other integrations | Apple TV | — |
| 4.7 | 4 | Email, text and push | Apple TV | ||||||
| 4.7 | 4.2 | Email, text and push | — |
Reputation on ConsumerAffairs
| | |
| Overall star rating | 3.9 | 3.4 |
| Verified customer reviews | Brinks reviews | Guardian Protection reviews |
| 3.9 | Brinks reviews |
| 3.4 | Guardian Protection reviews |
All information accurate as of publishing date.
About Brinks
Brinks has a large selection of home security and home automation options to choose from. The company encourages you to install your own security system, which saves you from paying installation costs. The technology is wireless and simple to install.
Brinks plans
Brinks offers three equipment packages, but you can add equipment to them as needed.
- Smart Security Essential: The basic package is $199. It 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. It 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 complete Brinks package costs $699. It 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
Happy Brinks customers describe timely service with smart and knowledgeable reps and say they would recommend the system to others. Those who had issues with the service mostly commented on long hold times and multiple calls to resolve issues.
The technician was exceptionally knowledgeable for the work. He took time to explain everything he did to me. Made sure I understood everything. He walked me through the process thoroughly.”
– Sampson of Andover, CT
About Guardian Protection
Guardian Protection offers several options for home security and safety. The company is not available everywhere, and it’s not upfront about costs. Unlike many modern security companies, it requires wired installation for many items. You’ll also need a lengthy contract with no trial period.
Guardian Protection packages
Guardian Protection has nine packages to choose from:
- Bachelor(ette) Pad: This package comes with 24/7 monitoring, a control panel, three door/window sensors, a smoke detector, a motion detector and a video doorbell.
- Burglar Buster: The Burglar Buster comes with 24/7 monitoring, a control panel, three door/window sensors, a motion detector, a glass break detector, smart automated light modules, an indoor camera, an outdoor camera and a siren.
- Family First: This equipment package includes 24/7 monitoring, a control panel, five door/window sensors, a motion detector, a smoke and heat detector, a carbon monoxide detector, a video doorbell, a smart door lock, an indoor camera and an outdoor camera.
- Frequent Flyer: This package comes with 24/7 monitoring, a control panel, three door/window sensors, a motion detector, a smoke and heat detector, a video doorbell, a smart door lock, a smart automated light module, a smart thermostat, a smart garage door opener and an indoor camera.
- Healthy (Green) Home: This package has 24/7 monitoring, a control panel, three door/window sensors, a motion detector, a smoke and heat detector, a carbon monoxide detector, a smart automated light module, a smart thermostat and a room temperature sensor.
- Home Security Essentials: The Home Security Essentials package includes 24/7 professional monitoring, a control panel, three door/window sensors, a motion detector and a smoke and heat detector.
- Pet Parent: This package comes with 24/7 professional monitoring, a control panel, three door/window sensors, a motion detector, two smoke and heat detectors, a carbon monoxide detector, a smart door lock, smart automated light modules, a smart thermostat, an indoor camera and a room temperature sensor.
- Protect My Parents: This package is designed for older adults and has 24/7 professional monitoring, a control panel, five door/window sensors, two motion detectors, a smoke and heat detector, a carbon monoxide detector and a medical pendant.
- The Works: Guardian Protection’s most comprehensive equipment package includes 24/7 professional monitoring, a control panel, five door/window sensors, a motion detector, a smoke and heat detector, a carbon monoxide detector, a medical pendant, a video doorbell, a smart door lock, a smart automated light module, a smart thermostat, a smart garage door opener, a glass break detector, an indoor camera, an outdoor camera, room temperature sensors and a siren.
What Guardian Protection customers say
Guardian Protection customers mostly leave positive feedback on ConsumerAffairs, though some customers have described issues with scheduling service and contracts. Satisfied customers frequently leave positive comments about the customer service team, monitoring service, system price and mobile app.
Everything's been as advertised as well. The system does exactly what we need it to do and I like being able to control it from our smart phones and see the cameras. It's very convenient and I like it.”
– Steve of Troutman, NC
Bottom line: Brinks or Guardian Protection?
Brinks and Guardian Protection both offer robust home security options. Both companies also include a number of smart home automation options for convenience. There are some major differences, however, including contract length, type of equipment and trial periods.
- Brinks is best for customers who want a shorter commitment and a trial period and would like to install the equipment themselves.
- Guardian Protection is best for customers who want a wide choice of curated equipment packages and don’t mind signing a longer contract.
