Cove Security System Pricing 2026

Our Methodology

We spend a lot of time testing and reviewing security equipment, but for articles about costs, we focus specifically on value. We consider how functional a security company’s equipment is, how well it stands up to daily wear and tear, and whether the features work as promised. We also take an in-depth look at the monitoring offerings, installation fees, and other fees.

Factoring in all of those elements, we arrive at an overall value assessment for each system. This isn’t simply about whether a system is cheap or expensive — it’s about whether what you’re paying actually matches what you’re getting.

Let’s get started with Cove’s equipment costs.

How Much Does Cove Security Cost?

Some of the best DIY security companies offer equipment packages, but Cove forgoes that option, opting instead for an a la carte equipment menu. Here’s a breakdown:

Required Equipment

Sensors

Environmental Protection

Remote Control and Medical Alert

Security Cameras

You can learn more about these products in our Cove review, but the long and short of it is that this equipment list isn’t extensive, but it’s not lacking anything either. When we put the system to the test, we didn’t find a lot of bells and whistles, but there weren’t any glaring gaps in our home security setup. Overall, we’d rank the equipment 9.2 out of 10.

A hub and touch-screen panel are mandatory. You’ll also need at least one entryway sensor to make it a true security system. That starter setup costs $315, but realistically, one sensor on one door won’t cut it for whole-home protection. Most people end up spending $300 to $450 for a more comprehensive setup. Thankfully, Cove’s almost always running a sale that cuts those costs by up to 70 percent.

Cove’s Monitoring Costs

Cove is one of our favorite professionally monitored systems, but it’s important to point out that the company’s monitoring isn’t optional — it’s required. Cove offers two packages, so let’s break those down.

The main difference between these two plans is smart-home integrations and camera functionality. If you want to control your system with Alexa or Google Home voice commands, you’ll need Cove Plus. The same goes for adding security cameras to your setup. If you prefer a straightforward system without those extras, Basic has you covered.

Another tick mark in Cove’s pro column is that it’s one of the best systems that doesn’t require a monthly contract. Unlike Vivint or ADT, Cove doesn’t lock you into a long-term contract. You can cancel your service at any time with no fee. We definitely appreciate that flexibility, but you’re out of luck with Cove if you’re looking for a good self-monitored system.

Expert Examined

From Joshua Lee, Active-duty Police Sergeant

“Dispatch timing is critical with home security systems. If the homeowner is not monitoring their phone while away from home, they will probably miss the system alert. This happens a lot.

One call we received was at the home of a professional sports player. The owner notified the home monitoring service that he was out of state, so any alarm trips would be automatically dispatched. Once an outdoor perimeter alarm was tripped, the monitoring service patched into the cameras and provided us with the suspect’s description and current location on the property. We surrounded the house covertly and after a few minutes, the suspect came out and walked right into our custody.”

How Much Should You Budget for Cove?

Cove has an online quiz that helps you choose appropriate devices for your home, regardless of whether you live in a shoebox apartment or a luxurious mansion. Unfortunately, the company doesn’t have prebuilt packages like SimpliSafe and Ring.

A couple of important things to keep in mind while you’re shopping for Cove products:

• Cove partners with Affirm to allow customers to pay for their equipment over time. You can split everything into easy installments to avoid a big upfront expense.
• These prices reflect just the equipment cost. You’ll still need to subscribe to a monthly monitoring package, which runs either $22.99 or $32.99 per month.

You may be thinking that Cove is looking a little pricey. Here’s a secret though: All these calculations were made using Cove’s retail prices for equipment, and it’s unlikely you’ll have to pay that.

How to Save With Cove

As we mentioned earlier, Cove runs sales throughout the year. Now that we think about it, we’ve never paid full price whenever we bought equipment to test Cove.

Similar to what we noted in our review of Frontpoint, Cove is always offering some sort of sale. Sure, it might be a marketing strategy to try and get us to buy now so we don’t miss out on the savings. But it works. We’re more than happy to avoid paying full price – especially when sales are generally between 30 and 60-percent off.

Cove motion sensor light up bright red the second it detects movement

Cove frequently runs discounts of up to 70 percent off new equipment. Sometimes, they even throw in a free camera. That said, Cove’s still a good deal even at retail prices, so we recommend getting a system when you need it. Odds are, Cove will be running a sale anyways.

Additional Costs With Cove

A lot of security companies will try to nickel and dime you, especially on traditional systems with professionally installed equipment. Convenience fees, activation fees, early termination fees — they all add up. The good news is that the hidden costs are nonexistent with Cove. When we tested the system, everything was totally above board and transparent.

There is, however, one fee you may incur. If you’re interested in a Cove system but you’re not up to the task of installing it yourself, you can call in a professional. Installation is handled through HelloTech, and it starts at $129.

Sure, professional installation has its advantages. The technician scopes out your surroundings and chooses the perfect spot to install the equipment. But we recommend setting up your Cove security system yourself. All the devices are already synced to the hub, and the instructions to install them are straightforward. We didn’t even need any major power tools as all we had to do for most products was peel off the adhesive and stick it to the surface. All in all, our system was operational in under an hour.

That’s about all there is to know about Cove’s costs. To round everything out, though, let’s run through our Cove experience.

Our Experience With Cove

Installing Cove’s system was straightforward. The packaging is thoughtfully designed—everything is numbered—and the included booklet is simple and easy to follow. Everything arrived neatly organized, and the updated equipment looks much more subtle than older models. Entryway sensors are now sleek and modern, similar to what we saw when we reviewed Abode.

Our only hiccup was waiting for the monitoring center to call after setup. We didn’t hear from them, so we reached out ourselves, waited on hold for about 20 minutes, and then spoke with an agent who resolved everything.

Cove’s packaging comes with useful instructions to help us set up our security system.

Expert Examined

From Joshua Lee, Active-duty Police Sergeant

“Using Wi-Fi jammers (or deauthers) is becoming more common because the equipment is getting cheaper and easier to buy. Wi-Fi jammers interfere with Wi-Fi devices making them disconnect from the internet while forcing a stop to the recording. Criminals use very cheap Wi-Fi locators to pinpoint the Wi-Fi coming from a victim’s home then use a jammer to disable the system. As an officer, I have seen cases where criminal groups will disable exterior cameras to steal or burglarize vehicles. When the victim reviews the video recordings, there will be nothing there; the camera simply doesn’t record.”

Cove uses RapidSOS technology to digitally relay critical information to 911 dispatchers. This improves response times and helps emergency services react appropriately. For instance, if a smoke alarm triggers, the fire department is notified right away. During our testing, when we set off an alarm without canceling it, a police officer was at our door in roughly 15 minutes.

Embarrassing as that was, it confirmed how well Cove’s monitoring works with RapidSOS. It’s reassuring to know someone is actively watching. Keep in mind, though, a security system’s response time measures how quickly the monitoring center contacts you—it doesn’t dictate how fast emergency responders arrive at your property.

The police officer showing up at my door.

Cove’s Pros and Cons

Thinking about Cove for your home? Here’s an honest rundown of what impressed us — and a few things worth knowing before you commit. Let’s start with the good stuff.

Now let’s weigh those benefits against Cove’s drawbacks.

You should now have a pretty good picture of how Cove performs and what a system will cost, so let’s answer that all-important question: Is Cove worth it?

Should You Buy a Cove System?

We wouldn’t recommend Cove for everyone, but it’s a strong contender for many homeowners. The main limitations are the lack of a self-monitoring option and limited smart home integrations—if those features are essential to you, Cove may not be the best choice.

Cove is a simple security system anyone can operate.

Cove works best for anyone looking for a straightforward, DIY security system that delivers solid protection at an affordable price. It doesn’t have a lot of extras, but if you’re not after frills, its combination of reliability and value makes it hard to beat.

Cove Frequently Asked Questions