Brinks Home Security 2023 Review

April 19, 2021

Brinks Home Security is a good option if you want a home security device that can come with you. Equipment Brinks requires you to choose one of two simple packages before choosing from an à-la-carte menu. Smart Security Essential, Smart Security Complete, and Smart Security Ultimate are the three packages ...

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Brinks Home Security is a good option if you want a home security device that can come with you.

Equipment

Brinks requires you to choose one of two simple packages before choosing from an à-la-carte menu.

Smart Security Essential, Smart Security Complete, and Smart Security Ultimate are the three packages that Brinks offers to get you started.

What’s less apparent is that once you’ve started the ordering process, you can quickly add more door or window sensors, cameras, and motion sensors. However, you can’t choose fewer sensors or cameras. You can also select from a variety of add-ons, such as extra cameras, garage door alarms, and more.

Security Cameras

The Smart Security Complete kit includes one HD indoor camera, as previously mentioned. Brinks also allows you to put on additional indoor and outdoor cameras if you need more than one indoor camera or need to keep an eye on the sky (and your front porch).

One big flaw we discovered is that the outdoor camera’s field of vision is just 88 degrees.

It’s also worth noting that, while the Brinks security system uses both Wi-Fi and cellular connections, the cameras only use Wi-Fi. As a result, if your internet goes down, so do your cameras.

Brinks isn’t our first option if you’re looking for a security device with cameras. We suggest Ring or Vivint instead.

HD Doorbell Camera

Video doorbells are one of our favorite home security (or home automation) features. Brinks uses a SkyBell video doorbell, which has a lower resolution than many of our top video doorbell picks but has many of the same features.

Specs:

Skybell Slim Line Video Doorbell specs

Resolution: 720p
Field of vision: 180°
Night vision: Up to 8 feet
Motion sensor: 8-foot range
Two-way talk: Yes

Home Automation

You won’t regret if you want to combine your Brinks hub with home automation features like cameras, thermostats, and more. Its security system works with common home automation devices such as Nest thermostats, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant. With that, you can make a decent smart home.

You can also select from a variety of home automation add-ons on the Brinks website.

Brinks home automation equipment

Cameras (indoor and outdoor)
Video doorbell
Smoke detectors/CO2 detectors
Water sensor
Garage door sensor
Freeze sensor

Basic Equipment

The number (and type) of sensors you get, as well as whether or not you get cameras, vary between the three Brinks security packages.

Here’s a breakdown of what each Brinks Home Security kit includes.

Smart Security Essential, $199

Brinks Home Touch control panel
2 door/window sensors
1 motion sensor
1 yard sign

Smart Security Complete, $349

Brinks Home Touch control panel
1 door/window sensor
2 motion sensors
1 indoor camera
1 yard sign, 2 stickers

Smart Security Ultimate, $1,099

Brinks Home Touch control panel
3 door/window sensors
2 motion sensors
1 outdoor camera
1 doorbell camera
1 yard sign, 2 stickers
Professional installation

It’s worth noting that Brinks’ door sensors also act as window sensors. Window alarms, according to Brinks, aren’t cost-effective because it’s rare for would-be burglars to break a window to gain access to your house. For these applications, motion sensors are a safer option.

That’s helpful to know if you’re on a tight budget, but we still suggest investing in the home security equipment that makes you feel the most secure.

Mobile App

Alarm.com is the backbone of thousands of security programs, including Brinks. That means Brinks’ equipment isn’t unique to Brinks; it’s available from a variety of sources. However, Brinks’ Alarm.com equipment and app are still reliable, with the app in particular receiving a 4-star rating on the Google Play store at the time of this review.

You can arm and disable your security system, receive warnings, track your system, and watch live video from your cameras using the Brinks app. You can also regulate temperature, lights, and locks, among other home automation features. So, when your home movie starts, you won’t have to get up from your comfy couch to dim the lights.

The app’s reporting system is the source of the majority of complaints. Many users complained that the doorbell message was so late that their guest had already left by the time they received a notification on their devices. Keep in mind that if you’re experiencing significant lag from your cameras, it might be a problem with your internet connection, and you’ll need a faster ISP.

Pricing and Monitoring

Brinks boasts to have the fastest response time, but we love its community chat feature as well.

Currently, Brinks provides only one home security monitoring package. It just provides skilled supervision, which means someone is constantly monitoring the device, looking for warnings and ready to notify you if something goes wrong.

Brinks Home Security monitoring plans

Smart Security
$39.00/mo.
36 mos. contract

Professional supervision costs more than a device that allows you to do it yourself. But we believe it is worthwhile. Let’s face it, life can be hectic at times. And the last thing you want to happen on a busy day, week, or month is to fail to check your security system, miss your high schooler coming home early, and have them locked out.

If an alarm is triggered, an agent from Brinks’ Alarm Response Center will notify your custom list of emergency contacts via phone, text, or email.

Brinks can also notify the police, fire department, or other assistance if appropriate.

Monitoring

Brinks boasts of having the “fastest response in the country”—that is, a 30-second response time versus a 330-second response time if you’re keeping track. Its ASAPer warning system is responsible for the swift response.

ASAPer allows you to immediately cancel any false alarms, as well as check in on your emergency contacts through the system’s group chat to ensure that everyone is secure. This is our favorite feature because it allows you to check in with all at once rather than managing several phone calls and texts.

Contract

There is no no-contract option when you combine your Brinks home security system with skilled surveillance. However, if you don’t like the service, you’re not completely stuck with it.

Brinks provides a 30-day trial, in which you can cancel your service and return your device for a refund if you decide it’s not for you.

If you cancel your Brinks account after 30 days, you’ll be responsible for the balance of your 36-month contract.

Installation

Installing the Brinks security framework is a do-it-yourself project. When you buy the system, you’ll be asked a few questions so that the company can configure it before it arrives, according to Brinks.

You should be able to position your door and window sensors, then unlock your device, after slicing open the box like a chef.

If DIY installation seems overwhelming, you can hire a professional to assist you. They’ll set up your security system, check it to make sure it’s working, and show you how to use all of the features. Professional installation is also included if you choose the Smart Security Ultimate kit.

One advantage of having a specialist install the Brinks device is that the coverage becomes a lifetime warranty.

Ordering

It’s simple to order your system via the Brinks website. You can quickly add extra sensors or cameras to your shopping cart once you’ve arrived there.

The monitoring system deal, which is 36 months long, is something Brinks isn’t upfront about. Maybe we overlooked it, but we had to look at the FAQ to figure out how long we’d be signing up for.

Brinks, on the other hand, makes it clear when they’ll charge for monitoring—which is when the system is turned on.

Conclusion

Brinks’ DIY approach to home security installation, as well as its ASAPer® feature, which provides a group chat to check on your emergency contacts, are two of our favorites. Here’s a brief rundown of how things line up around the board.

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