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About Cox Homelife
Cox Homelife is a home security provider that offers 24/7 monitoring and smart home technology. The company has optional add-ons, including carbon monoxide detectors, motion sensors and flood sensors. Plans start at $29.99 a month.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Easily customizable
- Home automation available
- Bundle options
Cons
- Limited availability
- Undisclosed termination fees
Bottom Line
Cox Homelife offers systems to make your home safer and smarter. Bundling lets you combine security monitoring with internet and other Cox Communication services.
What is Cox Homelife?
Cox Homelife is a home security and automation service from Cox Communications. Its systems can be professionally monitored or self-monitored, and customers can bundle them with other Cox Communication services, including internet, cable or phone. Cox Homelife packages also come with options for smart home add-ons, such as lights and smart thermostats.
How does Cox Homelife work?
Cox Homelife customers choose between two different plans to find the right security system for their homes. Homeowners have the option to pay monthly for professional monitoring support.
The Cox Homelife app lets customers control their homes from wherever they are. Cox Homelife-compatible devices include:
- Apple iPhone 6 or newer
- Google Nexus, Prime and Pixe
- Samsung Galaxy S5 or newer
Through the Cox Homelife hub, homeowners can also create new accounts for other users. These accounts make it easier for family members or close friends to access and control your home.
Cox Homelife prices
Cox Homelife prices start at $29.99 per month. Customers choose from two base packages:
- Cox Homelife Automation ($29.99/month): Customers receive door and window alerts, live video feed and lighting control. The package also includes one high-definition camera, one door/window sensor and one smart LED lightbulb. Cox Homelife Automation is the ideal choice for customers who don’t want professional monitoring.
- Cox Homelife Security ($49.99/month): Cox Homelife Security provides 24/7 professional monitoring in addition to its standard smart home features. Cox Homelife Security includes motion-sensing technology, a robust backup system and app connectivity. The starter kit comes with one high-definition camera, two door/window sensors and one indoor motion sensor.
Optional Cox Homelife equipment
Cox Homelife’s two security packages don’t include much equipment, but customers can easily add more products to customize their protection and automation systems. Homeowners can also buy the Digital Home Starter Kit for $200 to get more products, including:
- Smart door locks: Cox Homelife’s smart door locks replace traditional deadbolts with automated technology. These locks automatically lock after 30 seconds to make sure your home is completely secure at all times.
- HD cameras: Check live video, take pictures and record videos with the Homelife high-definition camera. The camera comes standard in both Cox Homelife packages, and the system can support up to six cameras. Customers can even set rules and commands for when the camera records 15-second clips, such as when motion detectors go off.
- Door and window sensors: Cox Homelife’s door and window sensors connect with other equipment to allow video recording, monitoring or alert connection. Cox Homelife systems support more than 10 door or window sensors.
- Motion sensors: Cox Homelife's motion sensors detect movement up to 40 feet away with a 90-degree cone of coverage. Cox Homelife’s motion sensors also don’t trigger false alarms for pets less than 85 pounds.
- Glass-break sensors: Cox Homelife's glass-break sensors connect directly to monitoring professionals. With the smart home automation system, customers can also choose to receive alerts. Both systems support more than 10 glass-break sensors.
- Wireless keypads: In addition to providing mobile app control, wireless keypads allow customers to arm and disarm their alarms easily. While most people install these next to high-traffic areas, like their front and back doors, customers can add more than 10 keypads all across their homes.
Cox Homelife installation
Cox technicians install all Cox Homelife alarm systems. These technicians also help set up your system to make sure it’s ready to go when they leave. They give you a complete walkthrough of the system, including explanations of how to use it to make your home safe and what to do if you have problems.
Cox Homelife FAQ
How much is Cox home security?
Cox Home security systems start at $29.99 per month and come with free starter equipment, including high-definition cameras and security sensors. Additional video recording costs $14.99 to $24.99, and the equipment service plan is another $4.99 per month.
Can I view a Cox Homelife camera on my computer?
Yes, you can view your camera feed on your computer using the Cox Homelife portal or by using Cox's app on your mobile device.
What is Cox Homelife’s return policy?
Customers must cancel their contracts within 30 days or pay an undisclosed termination fee. If you leased security equipment, you can return it to any Cox retail store or in the mail with prepaid shipping. Or, for $20, Cox technicians come to pick up the equipment after you cancel.
Does Cox Homelife equipment come with a warranty?
Yes, Cox Homelife equipment comes with a 90-day warranty that covers repair or replacement of any part that fails due to system defects, including parts and labor.
Does Cox Homelife have outdoor cameras?
Yes, Cox offers high-definition cameras that work both indoors and outdoors. Cox Homelife security cameras include night vision as well.
Is Cox home security any good?
If you live in a state with Cox service, Cox Homelife provides a good, straightforward security system with multiple options to bundle and customize. However, many consumers are unhappy with its equipment fees and complain about Cox Homelife's customer service.
Cox Homelife Reviews
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We obtained the system when we purchased our home. We only arm the system when we travel. A couple of months after having it installed we had some work done on the exterior of the house. A crew of 6 workers were around the house for most of the day and we were out of town. The "security system" did not record any activity! At times they were working less than 5 feet from the cameras. When I called COX they told me I didn't have the cameras aimed correctly. I reminded them that THEY installed and supposedly tested the equipment. I asked that they send someone out so we could take care of it... They wouldn't without a service fee. The cameras were supposed to be "night vision", well, they aren't. I'm relieved my 2 year commitment is almost up.
Two hours on the phone again with Cox trying to figure out how my data usage is so high when there’s nobody on the property. Customer service who are being sadistic and canceling appointments, then rescheduling them for other days without my knowledge hanging up on me not communicating appropriately, really horrible customer service, frustrating and concerning.
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The app locks upon opening it at least half the time. I have discussed it with CS, followed their advice to delete the app and reload it several times without success. I have to shut off the phone and then turn it on again to get the app to work. Piss poor app!
We purchased $1,400.00 worth of cameras. The installation was at its worse. The cameras never worked correctly from day one. We threw the cameras in the garage after a month. Please don't waste your money.
Bought the Homelife package. Half the time the system doesn’t even work. Constantly shuts off or reboots. Cameras hardly ever work. If you're a crook just look for the Cox homelife sign the system is probably down. Thank God for ADT.
If you are considering getting home security Cox is not not not the best choice!!! This company the worst customer support. Very rude technicians because most of the jobs Cox is outsourcing to anonymous companies so you never who you are dealing with, that is just the beginning. I switch from ADT to Cox and that worst mistake I have done, the technician who came to our house was on personal phone with a break up situation so he left us with no instructions at all so I called Cox two days after that to point the situation and they told me that I have to pay cancellation fee $440 although their website shows that 30 days $ back guaranteed. After all I learn that so many people are not happy with Cox service at all. We have the internet service and that we don’t have a choice because the other Internet providers are not so good. After so many hours on the phone with different cox customer service we decided to go with AAA Home Secretary what a difference that made. Run away from Cox service as far as possible.
Have been very satisfied with Cox Homelife. Very easy to change batteries in the door sensors and is completely wireless, unlike other systems that claim they are wireless and then start drilling holes in your house and cutting phone lines to connect. As stated above, a true wireless system.
I could start with the issues that I had in the past with this shoddy product, but honestly they pale in comparison for the reason that I just cancelled, so I will stick to what matters. I recently moved, which necessitated taking my alarm system, internet, and TV with me (which literally never worked in the 14 months I was at my last residence). A technician had to come set up my alarm. I always set up everything else of mine on my own and was not informed that they were supposed to set up any other services.
While the technician was setting things up he was speaking with me about what he was doing and he was very friendly. As he set things up I mentioned that the TV never worked and he took a look at it. After setting up the alarm, which required the internet to work he left. The motion sensor for the alarm wasn't working so I called the company to see what I could do and they sent the technician back. As an aside, I was very clear to explain that I thought the technician did a good job and that I thought it was a mechanical error (I also tipped the technician $25 just for being a nice guy while he WAS DOING HIS JOB); no good deed goes unpunished.
After the alarm was up and running I got my next bill, which went from an already high 148 to an astonishing 560; needless to say I was "shook," as the youth say. I called someone at Cox who informed me that the install fees would come off and I would only have to pay for any service that got forwarded to this bill from the old place, which I am totally fine with. After a few days the statement made by the employee obviously was false because the bill never changed and so I tried to call back...for three days, but they were "experiencing long wait times" and I kept sitting on hold for hours and then getting dropped. I then tried the chat function on their site, and that person said I had to call some special number, which I did. Upon calling the new number, I was informed that there were not any notes indicating that I was told BEFORE the install that I would not be charged and that I would have gotten an email stating the charges.
While I was on the phone with the lady I looked up the email scheduling service, and much to my shock it didn't not include any notice of exorbitant fees that I would be asked to endure. Rather, the email listed a day the technician would come to set up my alarm. When I explained to the woman that the email did not say what she purported it would and that I could send it to her, she indicated there was no way for me to send her an email. As an aside, she had a really cavalier attitude about my situation even though I explained that I have been with Cox (on and off, but mostly on) since 2007 while I was in college.
After that call I looked into getting comparable services and found out that by switching to a competitor I get more alarm services, and the same internet for 55 less a month, so I called Cox back. The woman I spoke with this time could not have been bothered and focused on the cancellation fee I would have to pay because my service is under contract until October of 2021. I was spoken to politely the entire time that I was on the phone, and I know it isn't the people, as individuals, that I spoke with, so I too was polite, but rather a national service provider that has a culture of not giving a rip about their end user; even when the user has a higher than average amount of service per month.
Accordingly, I told the nice lady that my service will be cancelled on the 25th, and that my more than decade long patronage of Cox will end, and that I will make sure I let other consumers know how Cox treats those who have spent so much of their hard-earned income on Cox's services. Finally, I asked around to make sure I'm not being the male version of a "Karen" about this, and I learned that my experience is not atypical and that numerous consumers have been leaving Cox because their customer service, products, and pricing suck; which is only compounded when juxtaposed with this seemingly apathetic culture of indifference to the people that actual pay the bills for the people on the phone.
Logically, I know that the people I spoke to did not write the rules, so I do not yell, or get overly angry with them, but dealing with what is the equivalent of shoulder shrugs on the phone made me want to break glass; and I cannot ever give Cox communications an extra penny than what I absolutely must to get out of this contract.
Cox Homelife is an excellent security company, they are always there if needed. Their service is great, equipment is great, the response time is great. I have never had a problem with them. Can't say enough good about them. I have used ADT which is awful.
Cox security system is entirely too expensive for what you get. They advertise free equipment but neglect to say exactly what is free. The only item we received was the base unit. There is additional charge for connecting door windows, fire alert alarms and CO monitors. It adds up very quickly. The monthly charge during the initial phase is reasonable but almost doubles after that. The other thing I would earn of is the two year contract. You are locked in and they refuse to leg you out of IT so be very sure before you sign.
Cox Homelife Company Information
- Company Name:
- Cox Homelife
- Website:
- www.cox.com
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