Brinks Home Security Review

Getting to Know Brinks

Brinks — named for their founder Perry Brinks — can trace its history in the home security space back to the 1800s. It wasn’t until the 1990s, though, that Brink’s Home Security came to be. They’ve also since dropped the apostrophe from their name while partnering with other security providers to offer customers higher tech features and solutions.

Until a weird hiatus.

You see, throughout the ’90s and early 2000s, the company built some incredible momentum, with offerings rivaling those of ADT home security systems. Then — poof! — the company disappeared. After a rebranding in 2009, and a couple of mergers later, the name fell off the map again for almost a decade.3 Fast forward to 2018, and the company suddenly reemerged as Brinks Home Security.

With all this shimmying and shaking, I was understandably curious as to what exactly Brinks was bringing to the table. Have they emerged through the crucible a more complete and comprehensive security system? Or are they a shell of the powerhouse they were 20 years ago? Do they still take an old school approach, or have they embraced some of the new trends in the home security industry? We’ll unpack all these questions, but let’s start with a first look.

First Impressions

We appreciated that Brinks sells straightforward equipment bundles that are easy to use and customize.

What we didn’t like as much, though, is that Brinks typically requires a multi-year monitoring contract. While contract lengths vary by package and promotion, most commitments are 36 months or longer. That’s a significant commitment for any home security system. So is Brinks worth the long-term commitment? Let’s dig in.

SafeHome.org Editor Andrew Garcia unboxing the Brinks Home Security system

The Brinks Experience

One of the first things we noticed about Brinks home security is that they take a consultative approach to purchasing security equipment. This is obvious on their website. Unlike ADT, we couldn’t buy anything online. We had to contact one of their sales representatives who worked with us to customize a package for our needs.

This is great in the sense that there are no one-size-fits-all approaches to home security, but I don’t like the lack of buying options. At least with Brinks’ rival ADT, customers can choose whether to call for a quote or buy online. With Brinks, you only have one approach. Is it the end of the world? No. But it’s something to keep in mind.

Next, we’re going to provide you with a chart that shows the different packages Brinks offers. Keep in mind that this is pricing from our recent hands-on testing of Brinks systems. Brinks’ pricing in your area may differ from this, but the table below should give you an idea of Brinks’ cost.

Brinks Home Security Packages and Pricing

Rather than rigid pre-set packages, you’ll work directly with a Brinks representative to design a system that fits your home and budget. While the company doesn’t advertise standardized packages online, here’s a general breakdown of what you can expect based on our customer experiences and typical configurations:

While these packages aren’t currently available, this should give you a pretty good idea of what you’re looking at.

Remember, Brinks has gone fully customizable, so when you speak to the representative, you’ll have the option of picking out all of the equipment you need, from security cameras and sensors to thermostats and smart home devices. You’ll work with them to understand your needs, potential solutions, and ultimate costs. And speaking of that, don’t feel like you’re going to need to shell out a ton of money up front. Brinks offers a zero-percent APR financing option to make things a little easier on the pocketbook.

Installation

Brinks offers free two day shipping on their equipment, so everything I needed to get set up was on my doorstep relatively quickly. And true to their new DIY ethos, the Brinks system was super easy to install and set up. From start to finish, my Brinks system only took about 30 minutes to get up and running. Not as quick as, say, our SimpliSafe installation, but not bad.

Now, if you’d rather have an expert install your system, Brinks invites you to text or call their customer care department to set that up. (For a fee, of course.) And note that Brinks is currently including professional installation as part of their Ultimate package. That wasn’t the case when I tried it out, but it’s a nice perk.

Testing Brinks

Once your Brinks devices are in place, you can begin exploring the equipment and monitoring service. Since GE makes much of the Brinks equipment, the devices themselves are high quality and dependable. They also seem to communicate well with one another and the hub of the system.

This integration is crucial. While we recommend testing each component individually, how they work together determines how well a security system protects your home. With Brinks, everything works seamlessly to make your home less vulnerable to break-ins, burglaries, and package theft.

SafeHome.org Editor Andrew Garcia evaluating the Brinks IQ 2.0 Control Panel

You’ll be able to arm and disarm the alarm and perform other commands using the Brinks IQ 2.0 Control Panel — a sleek touch-screen device that’s a bit like Vivint’s award-winning SkyControl keypad. (Check it out in our Vivint home security review.) You’ll also be able to control your system remotely with the Brinks app. The app is decent, but it doesn’t measure up to the Ring app or the ADT Pulse app. I don’t like its basic interface, especially considering how advanced a Brinks security system can be. One thing to note here, though, is that Brinks recently came out with the Brinks Smart Hub, which is an improvement over the Brinks IQ 2.0 Control Panel.

During our testing, Brinks’ entry sensors and motion detectors were highly responsive. We didn’t experience any false alarms. When the alarm triggered, a Brinks monitoring agent contacted us to assess the situation. It gave us greater in the system’s ability to protect against burglary and home invasions.

While we strongly recommend professional monitoring, we wish Brinks offered a free self-monitoring option. Most DIY systems, such as SimpliSafe, let customers use their equipment without monthly fees, but professionally installed systems like Brinks require a subscription. If you’re looking for self-monitoring, check out our guide to the best home security systems with no monthly fee.

Finally, I wasn’t all that impressed with the SkyBell doorbell camera offered by Brinks. It only offers 720p HD video quality, which doesn’t really compare to the 1080p HD of most doorbell cams on the market today. Their outdoor security camera is a bit better, with improved image quality and ease of use. Brinks also offers an indoor 1080p HD camera if you want to keep an eye on things inside. for $199.

Brinks Monitoring

Brinks home monitoring depends entirely on the size of the package you select. Generally speaking, though, it’ll run you between $39.99 to $49.99 per month. Keep in mind, the industry standard is around $25. The costs with Brinks are a little steep.

Brinks monitoring includes a few standout features. LiveVoice Assist enables two-way communication with monitoring agents directly through your control panel during emergencies. ASAPer service offers instant interactive messaging, streamlining communication when an alarm triggers. Additionally, cloud storage preserves video recordings for later review.

All these features work together to protect your home from crooks and criminals. LiveVoice Assist connects you to a monitoring agent quickly and conveniently through the control panel during emergencies. ASAPer makes communication a bit easier despite the chaos an unexpected alarm might cause. And cloud storage keeps video evidence of events, which you can use in case of a break-in.

Brinks Add-Ons and Upgrades

Brinks Home Security offers an extensive lineup of add-ons and upgrades. During our testing, we found the equipment durable and reliable. You can add any of these items to your equipment package:

• Door and Window Sensor – Add additional sensors to your home security system for $29 apiece, which is a great deal.
• Motion Detector – Cover more rooms and entryways with add-on motion detectors at $59 each. (These are designed to recognize and ignore pets under 40 pounds.)
• HD Indoor Camera – You can set up extra indoor cameras inside your home for $199 per camera. (This is a bit pricey compared to the industry average.)
• IQ Smoke Detector – Protect your home and family against fires with the Brinks IQ Smoke Detector for $89.
• Smart Home Automation – Your Brinks alarm system serves as your hub for 119 different smart home devices that integrate with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Apple, and other home automation platforms.
• Other Emergency Devices – Brinks also sells fire ($99), flood ($49), and glass-break detectors ($79), so you can be prepared for any disaster.

While Brinks offers solid equipment options, we found its camera lineup mixed. Some models are higher priced relative to their features and performance. If you’re drawn to Brinks for their core security equipment, consider comparing its camera offerings with third-party options that may offer better suited to your needs.

Our Brinks Home Security Test Equipment

Brinks Features and Tech

Brinks Home Security focuses on practical, affordable solutions rather than cutting-edge technology, making it ideal for budget-conscious homeowners wanting professional monitoring. If you prefer the latest equipment, check out Vivint home security packages. Despite its streamlined approach, Brinks delivers several useful features that enhance everyday home security.

Smartphone Controls

The Brinks security app lets you arm, disarm, and tap into your live video streams using your smartphone or other mobile device.4 This feature performed well for me, but I’d like to see a more user-friendly design.

On the bright side, just having an app improves a security system tremendously. Security apps let you control and monitor your system from anywhere, so even if you’re away, you can use it to protect your home. Specifically with the Brinks app, I was able to check camera live footage and use two-way talk to speak with visitors. If there were a burglary, that feature could have served as a great crime-stopper.

Cloud Video Storage

The Brinks upper-tier plans include cloud video storage. This addition allows you to store your recorded video footage and clips in the cloud for safekeeping and review. This feature normally costs an extra $5 to $10 per month at other companies, so it’s nice that Brinks includes it in select plans. And while recorded videos won’t stop burglaries or break-ins, you may be able to present them as evidence, making it a nice addition to Brinks’ protection.

Brinks IQ 2.0 Control Panel

Brinks IQ 2.0 Control Panel features an LCD touch-screen for a streamlined look and user-friendly operation. It gave me greater control over my system than I typically get from a push-button panel. And the Brinks panel doubles as a smart home hub, seamlessly connecting all the smart devices in the house into one central unit.

30-Day Guarantee

While their warranty isn’t exactly a feature, it’s certainly worth mentioning here. All Brinks equipment comes with a 30-day, money-back guarantee. This assurance allows you to test- drive their system for a full month to ensure it’s right for you. If you find it’s not the best fit, simply return it for a full refund. Even though a 30-day guarantee is fairly standard in the industry, not all companies offer it.

Brinks Specs

Brinks Customer Service Experience

Quality customer service makes all the difference, and Brinks excels here. They offer ASAPer and LiveVoice assist, ensuring highly trained emergency personnel are always available. Traditional customer support channels are staffed by Brinks security experts.

Phone support connects you with their dedicated care team, and you can even text questions—an innovative option. Each time we reached out, customer support was solid, though not exceptional. Staff were friendly and helpful, even with difficult questions.

For website contact, a ticketing system is available. Extensive self-service resources answer most basic issues. There’s also a Brinks online community where you can connect with other users to ask questions and share solutions.

As far as customer service goes, Brinks Home Security definitely makes the grade. J.D. Power ranked Brinks No. 1 in customer satisfaction with home security systems in 2018.5 Brinks also holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. Not bad at all.

The Last Word

Overall, we found Brinks to be a solid system for the money, especially with sleek, modern touchscreen controls. It’s user-friendly, monitoring was reliable, and response times were fast.

However, we’d probably choose the Smart Security Complete package next time to save a few hundred dollars. With extensive customization options, smart home features, and affordable equipment financing, Brinks delivers strong value.

That said, consider the long-term contract requirement. Some users complain Brinks isn’t flexible enough with three-year contracts and strict cancellation policies. But if you need home protection long-term (and who doesn’t?), this established security leader makes sense. All in all, it’s a solid system we recommend.

Our Methodology: How We Test Security Systems

We’re dedicated to providing unbiased reviews, and our team identifies brands offering dependable, high-quality security equipment and monitoring services. Our process begins with extensive research, meticulously gathering and comparing information on various systems.

Once we identify reliable systems, we purchase and install them in our homes for hands-on testing. We conduct extensive feature testing and assess each system’s strengths and weaknesses in protecting our homes and families. We even simulate burglaries, home invasions, and package theft scenarios to evaluate breach detection.

Testing typically lasts at least a week, though we often keep systems up to a month to understand long-term use. Then we write first-hand accounts covering ease of use, performance, features, customer service, pricing, and more.