Learn About House Alarm Systems

Quality, Price, and Flexibility Determine House Alarm System Reviews

Those who are considering the purchase of a home security system often find the choices to be overwhelming. The variety of different monitoring and manufacturing companies competing for clients often offer contracts and hardware that appear so similar as to be nearly indistinguishable.

While many systems do offer relatively comparable plans, there are several things to keep in mind as you peruse your options that might help narrow down the innumerable options. These include the quality of the hardware itself, the variety of add-ons, the service of the monitoring company, and the price of the system. This guide offers reviews of several well-known security systems based on these factors.

Go With A Top Company: GE Tops House Alarm System Reviews

Some security monitoring companies offer their own brand of hardwired or wireless system, but many are actually considered "authorized dealers" of systems manufactured by other companies. General Electric (GE) and Ademco/Honeywell are probably the most popular home security system manufacturing companies, with good reason. Both offer a wide range of customizable wired and wireless home security system options, with the latest wireless technology, numerous choices for add-ons, and few negative customer reviews. In fact, many customers name the GE Simon 3 as the most affordable and easiest to navigate. Radionics Home Security also offers reliable equipment, though it is primarily wired and replacement parts are a bit difficult to find.

Go With Nationwide Tier Ones: ADT and Broadview Security Systems Offer Comparable Equipment

Many companies choose not to outsource either the monitoring service or the manufacturing process, and instead keep everything in house. ADT is one company to do this, and offers high-quality systems with few false alarms, and a variety of wireless options which demonstrate the company's commitment to the latest technology. One drawback is that ADT's equipment is not pet-immune. Broadview is another monitoring and manufacturing company, but its reviews are often affected by the fact that it offers primarily wired systems (which can be a hassle) that are sensitive to false alarms.

Think About Customer Service Too

Nearly all companies elicit negative customer reviews from time to time; that is nearly inevitable. However, a red flag should go up if you uncover a company that seems to generate an inordinate number of complaints in their home security system reviews, and this is often then case with ADT. While ADT is a popular company because of its high-tech equipment, it is often accused of poor customer service and poor technician service. For example, several ADT customers have complained of fault installation and expensive repair, in addition to unhelpful customer service agents.

Consider Working With Smaller Companies: Best Customer Service and Technical Assistance

Other large companies seem to exhibit similar problems with customer service and technicians. For example, a customer offering a review of Broadview complained that he was unable to get any information over the phone and was forced to set up a face-to-face appointment, despite the inconvenience to him. Protect America has received solid reviews for its distribution of GE products, but mixed reviews for its customer service. Several customers have also admitted to feeling "scammed" by an inflexible contract. The best options in terms of customer service, 24/7 monitoring, and technical knowledge seem to be the smaller companies like SafeMart and FrontPoint, who have fewer buyers and thus more time to devote to each customer

SafeMart and Protect America Top House Alarm System Reviews of Price Value

Again, the best value among house alarm systems in pricing comes from the smaller companies, particularly SafeMart and Lifeshield, who offer up-to-date GE equipment but do not require you to sign long and costly contracts. Protect America offers equally high-tech (typically GE) equipment at a slightly lower price than other major companies, while ADT and Broadview often offer the most expensive contract (and Broadview charges extra for warranty, which is often included in the price of many systems). Thus, you will likely find after consulting other reviews that the best bet on a tight budget (and overall) might be to contact lesser-known systems.