If you’re talking about next generation wireless home security systems, Cove’s name is sure to come up. Their equipment is sleek and a snap to install, and it doesn’t require a contract of any kind. (Don’t worry, there are no hidden cancellation fees either. We tested those in our hands-on review of Cove’s home security equipment.) Best of all, you don’t need a landline or even a Wi-Fi connection to protect your home with Cove. What do you need? Good question.
Cove’s alarm system runs on a cellular connection. If you’re thinking your landline is safer, think again. Landlines, like Wi-Fi, are at the whim of nature and even the telephone company. If your phone line disconnects for any reason, there go your security alerts. (We won’t even go into sketchy Wi-Fi.) So cellular is definitely better. Barring a Verizon tower getting wiped out by a meteor, your Cove connection is safe. But there’s more.
Cove has really raised the bar for cellular monitoring by integrating RapidSOS into their products, which auto-connect to Cove mission control. If anything threatens your home — leak, fire, or an actual break-in — Cove passes on a detail-rich account to the police or fire department, so first responders can act faster with better intelligence.
Cove isn’t perfect. Their cameras are pretty basic and beyond programming routines, there’s very little smart automation. But if you’re looking for airtight, round-the-clock monitoring for your home, you probably won’t go wrong. You can test Cove’s monitoring service for 60 days free. After that, plans start at $14.99 per month. For a full discussion of Cove’s features and costs, here’s our Cove price guide.