AT&T Digital Life Home Security System

AT&T Digital Life’s Smart Security Plan

AT&T’s current home security offering is called Smart Security. (This is a bit of an awkward name choice, since the service has no smart home features.) The Smart Security plan includes a package of basic equipment and 24/7 professional monitoring for $549.99 up front and $39.99 per month, with a two-year contract.

Before going further, let’s just say it: those prices were a bit steep. Basic security equipment for a typical home generally runs $200 to $500 depending on the provider and package. AT&T landed on the pricier end of that spectrum. Their monthly monitoring rate was more competitive, though — many brand competitors charge $40-$50 per month for professional monitoring, so AT&T’s $39.99 isn’t bad at all. For context, these prices are about similar to one of the best in the business. For more information on that, check out our review of ADT.

Remember, AT&T Digital Life was only available in select markets, never achieving nationwide coverage. If you were in an unsupported area, you were simply out of luck. That’s another reason the service struggled to build a broad customer base before ultimately being discontinued.

Equipment in the Smart Security Package

AT&T Digital Life’s Smart Security Package Equipment

Add-on equipment comes with a one-year agreement and a separate monthly service charge. Read the full terms and conditions for details.1

Features of the Smart Security Package

• Standard professional installation: Professional installation is included in the price of the system. This is a nice perk, since most companies that offer professional installation charge in the neighborhood of $99-$199 for it.
• 24/7 professional monitoring: Your system will be monitored 24 hours a day by AT&T Digital Life’s nationwide network of monitoring centers. If one monitoring center goes off-line, you’re still covered by a monitoring center in a different region (what we call “redundant monitoring” in the industry), so your home and family are protected at all times.
• Rapid emergency response: In our test of AT&T Digital Life in our home, we experienced an average response time of 45 seconds, which is slightly slower than the industry average of 30-45 seconds. Still, response times of under one minute are considered strong, so AT&T is doing well here. Read our full review of AT&T Digital Life.

• Instant alerts: When a sensor is triggered, you’ll receive an alert on your mobile device, and you can view or respond to it via the smartphone app. The professional monitoring center will also be notified.
• Remote access from your smartphone, tablet, or PC: You can access AT&T Digital Life from a web browser or from the AT&T Digital Life apps for phone, tablet, and even smartwatches. This gives you the power to control your alarm system from nearly anywhere. Unfortunately, the apps don’t seem to be a big hit with users. AT&T Digital Life has a rating of 3.2 stars on the Apple App Store, and 2.7 stars on the Google Play Store. This is a definite area that needs improvement for AT&T.
• Wireless monitoring with cellular backup: AT&T Digital Life’s equipment is 100 percent wireless, which is handy when it comes to a streamlined look with no messy cords getting in the way. However, their system uses a broadband (Wi-Fi) connection, which we’ve found to be slightly slower and less reliable than cellular monitoring. That said, AT&T’s system has a cellular backup that’ll kick in if your Wi-Fi is ever down, so you won’t lose service. (If you want to explore systems that use cellular monitoring as their primary method, check out our guide to the best cellular home security systems.)
• 14-day, money-back guarantee: This is a handy two-week free trial period. However, there are some stipulations. A restocking fee (typically $99) will be charged if the equipment is used, or all parts are not returned, or if an AT&T authorized technician is required to remove the equipment. And let’s face it, if you’re trying the system out for two weeks, the equipment will be “used” to some extent. So expect to pay a restocking fee if you cancel within 14 days of installation. Be sure to read the full contract terms.
• Lifetime limited warranty on equipment: The security equipment you buy from AT&T is protected for the lifetime of your subscription to AT&T Digital Life. They’ll repair or replace your equipment if it fails as a result of defects in workmanship or materials, including electrical failure caused by a power surge. A lifetime warranty is quite generous. Many top security providers only offer warranties of three years, and some as short as 90 to 120 days. Keep in mind, though, you will pay a fee of $49.99 every time a technician needs to come out to repair or replace equipment under warranty.

Final Thoughts on AT&T Digital Life

AT&T officially discontinued the Digital Life service in 2022 for both new and existing customers. When we reviewed AT&T Digital Life in March 2021, the stripped-down Smart Security package still included a touch-screen control panel (which we genuinely liked). They also still offered environmental monitoring sensors, such as a CO sensor. Those features were removed before the service was ultimately shut down. Former AT&T Digital Life customers were directed to alternative providers, including Brinks Home Security, for continued monitoring service.

Though the basic equipment in the Smart Security package is good, I don’t think it justifies the price, even with 24/7 professional monitoring. After all, you get award-winning 24/7 professional monitoring with ADT for only a slightly higher price (starting at $45.99), and they let you pay for your equipment over time, rather than in one lump sum up front. Plus, you get a slick touch- screen panel and the ability to include all kinds of smart home features. That’s the kind of upgrade potential that gives you value for your money. It’ll be nice if AT&T Digital Life is able to offer those kinds of advanced features in the future. If so, we’d certainly love to try them in our home again.