If you’ve looked into home security, you’ll certainly come across Brinks during your research. This isn’t a new brand in the home security industry, but it does have some new security options on the market, which means that there are more versatile and affordable options for their customers.

More than a million customers use Brinks home security, and the company has a range of high-tech options that have been designed to fit into most lifestyles. Using a home security system should not make it difficult to get in and out of your home, and Brinks has several options that make this and other processes easier.

What Makes Brinks Stand Out from the Crowd?

Brinks has more than 150 years in the home security industry, and it’s still going strong today. Known for their amazingly fast response time and cutting-edge technology, Brinks uses some of the best equipment for home security available. Additionally, they offer competitive prices and 0 percent financing. So if you’re looking for smart home features to incorporate into a home security system, then Brinks is a good option.

Professional Monitoring from Brinks

When you choose Brinks Home Security, you get professional monitoring to help keep an eye on your home, where they can alert emergency services if necessary. This is a great feature if you can’t check your phone alerts and require a quick reaction time. When an alarm goes off, Brinks’ ASAPer service will push an alert to SMS, email, or voice, based on your preferences. You can address the alarm without any professional intervention if necessary to report a false alarm. You also have the opportunity to chat with a monitoring professional if you need emergency help. If they can’t contact you, the professional monitoring agent will send emergency services.

Brinks offers two plans: Brinks Home Complete, and Brinks Home Complete with Video. The Brinks Home Complete plan is $29 per month, and the Brinks Home Complete with Video is $39 per month. When you choose the video plan, it gives you the ability to not only record and store up to 1,000 video clips each month. The stored video clips are kept on a cloud server.

Fun Features from Brinks

There are a number fun and unique features that are available from Brinks including the following:

Panel Protection

If an intruder tries to destroy your security system control panel, the system’s Crash & Smash Protection will turn on and trigger the alarm. This means you can count on your system to work, even if someone is trying to turn it off.

Smartphone Control

The Brinks home security app allows you to not only arm and disarm your system from your phone, but you can also check in on video streams if you have the video system installed.

Cloud Video Storage

If your Brinks Home Security plan includes a video camera, you can store all of your clips on the cloud.

ASAPer

Brinks Home Security has a unique feature that is called ASAPer. which offers the ability to live message a group of contacts when a home alarm is triggered. This is a much faster way to confirm if the alarm is actually a break-in or a false alarm immediately. This is an alternative to the call center having to reach out to every person on the list.

Live Assistance

Brinks also has live assistance, called LiveVoice, which allows you to talk to the Brinks monitoring center via the control panel. LiveVoice is seriously like a lifeline between the monitoring center and your home if the alarm goes off. It also gives you a simple method to cancel any false alarms.

Pros of Brinks Home Security

  • Promotions and discounts when signing a contract
  • Two-year equipment warranty
  • Optional self-DIY-installation
  • Add-on equipment available
  • Quick response time thanks to ASAPer
  • Professional monitoring 24/7
  • Smartphone control options
  • Rate-locked contracts
  • 30-day return policy
  • Two-year warranty

Cons of Brinks Home Security

  • No window sensors are available with the base package
  • You have to sign for 36 months to get equipment discounts
  • Professional installation is available, but it costs extra

Brinks Component and Equipment Packages

There are three home security system packages that you can choose from Brinks. All of the available packages from Brinks are relatively affordable. Even when you choose the higher-end packages, the cost is reasonable for what you get. You can also choose the monitoring-only service if you own a Nest Secure system.

  • Brinks Monitoring Only – $19 each month if you sign a 36-month contract. If you don’t, it is $29 a month
  • Brinks Home Complete – $29 each month with a 36-month contract. The equipment costs $499
  • Brinks Home Complete with Video – $39 each month with a 36-months contract. The equipment costs $599
  • Nest Secure – $29 each month for monitoring. No contract, but you have to pay $399 for the equipment.

Specialty Cameras from Brinks

If you choose the Home Complete with Video plan from Brinks, you get an in-home camera that allows you to keep an eye on your home when you’re not around. This system allows you to even watch a real-time stream from your mobile device via the app, and it also has free cloud storage, so you can save up to 1,000 30-second clips every month. This is plenty of space to review any footage in case your alarm goes off, and you can even send the video clips to law enforcement if you catch intruders in action.

This particular plan also allows you to add cameras to your existing Brinks system. The cameras that Brinks has available include both indoor and outdoor 1080p cameras, an indoor dome camera, and an HD video doorbell called SkyBell. All of these can stream directly to your phone or to your panel, and all can record any event. Keep in mind that these security cameras are only available to customers who choose the most expensive Brinks plan.

Brinks SkyBell HD Doorbell Cam

Video doorbells are a hot feature for homeowners right now, and Brinks offers one with its system. This doorbell camera has a number of features that some of the top doorbell cameras on the market. Here are some of the specs:

  • 1080p resolution
  • 180-degree field of vision
  • Up to 15 feet of night vision
  • Up to 15 feet of motion detection
  • Two-way communication

Bundled Security Systems from Brinks

Nest Secure

If you have an existing Nest Secure system, or you are planning on getting one, you can sign up for a Brinks professional monitoring plan. If you currently don’t have the Nest Secure system, but you are planning on getting one, consider buying from Brinks because the company offers financing options and discounts. Brinks has a Nest Secure package that includes two Nest Detects, a Nest Guard, and two Nest Tags for the low price of $399. On top of that, you can pay the full amount up front, or you can divide the cost of that into 36 monthly payments. This cost is in addition to the $29 a month monitoring fee. Here’s what you can expect:

  • Nest Guard – Includes a keypad, alarm, motion detector, and panic button
  • Nest Detect – This is a motion sensor
  • Nest Tag – This is the button that arms and disarms your system, and you can have up to 10 of them installed
  • Stickers and a yard sign
  • Do-It-Yourself installation
  • Options to add on a smart thermostat and an indoor Nest Cam

Brinks Home Complete System

Here’s what you get when you choose the Brinks Home Complete System:

  • Brinks Home Touch Security Panel – This is the device that allows you to arm or disarm your security system. You can also sound the alarm manually and see all of the devices that are connected to it.
  • Three Door/Window Contact Sensors – Add these to your windows and doors to see whether someone is trying to get into a window or door during a break-in attempt
  • Motion Detector – The motion detector will notice any unusual movement and, depending on your configuration, alert you or sound the alarm

Brinks Home Complete with Video

Here’s what you get when you choose the Brinks Home Complete with Video system:

  • All of the equipment that you get with Brinks Home Complete, above
  • One indoor camera – Use this camera to view a live stream and record views from inside of your home, day or night
  • One doorbell camera – For viewing the door and anyone who is walking up to the door.

When you choose the Brinks Home Complete plan, it is $29 per month for monitoring, and it is $499 for a starter kit, which includes the above. The Brinks Home Complete with Video plan is $39 a month for monitoring, and it costs $599 for the equipment. Both of these plans include professional monitoring, and you should keep in mind that Brinks has authorized dealers, which might charge different prices for these packages. Brinks also has financing plans available.

Specialty Components from Brinks

There are also a number of specialty components available from Brinks:

Home Automation

If you want to pair your Brinks home security system with other home automation systems including some brand cameras, thermostats, and more, he Brinks home security system also pairs with devices such as Amazon Alexa, Google home, and of course, Nest thermostats.

You can also choose from a number of home automation add-ons, which include:

  • Indoor and outdoor cameras
  • Video doorbell
  • Water sensor
  • Freeze sensor
  • Smoke detectors
  • CO2 detectors
  • Garage sensor

Here’s how much these cost to add on:

  • Door/Window sensors – $29
  • Keychain remote – $29
  • Garage door sensors – $39
  • Glass-break detector – $79
  • Smoke detector – $89
  • Brinks indoor camera – $199
  • Video doorbell – $199
  • Brinks outdoor camera – $249

Mobile App and Web Dashboard

If you choose professional monitoring with your Brinks security system, you will have access to the Brinks Home Security app. This app is designed for controlling and managing your Brinks security system. You can use it to both arm and disarm the system from anywhere, you can make changes to your account, and if you have cameras, you can watch your streams.

If you choose to integrate your Nest system, you will also have full access to the Nest app, except for the features that come with Nest Aware. When you use this app, you can easily monitor and control your system, you can access your security cameras, and then control Works with Nest products.

DIY Installation and Activation of the System

One of the cool things about Brinks systems is that they are designed so that customers can easily install them. If you don’t want to do this, you can pay an additional $10 a month or a flat fee of $199 for a professional installation.

This system is easy and straightforward, too, and Brinks will preconfigure the home security system before it is shipped. Once you get it, all you have to do is take it out of the box, attach the devices where they are supposed to go, plug it in, and then activate your system.

Contracts and Cancellation Policy

Brinks has a three-year contract, and if you do sign up for that, you get a lot of perks. This includes the option to purchase 24//7 monitoring for your Nest system for just $29 per month. This is something that is not often seen from other home security companies. As mentioned, if you buy a Nest system from Brinks, you can get a nice discount.

Brinks also offers a nice 30-day money-back guarantee, which gives you plenty of time to install the system and start to use it. If you don’t like the system, or you feel like you don’t want to make the three year commitment, you can send it back within that 30 days, and you will get all of your money back, including the costs you paid for equipment.

Customer Service

Brinks has 24/7 customer support via live chat or by phone. The customer service center also allows people to support texts, so you can get very fast answers, and then you can learn more about your bills, payments, make changes to your account, troubleshoot your system, and much more. Phone support is also available, and it allows to you speak to someone one on one. You can also fill out a support ticket on the website.

Equipment Warranty

All Brinks equipment comes with a two-year warranty. It also offers a 30-day return policy, which is pretty good for this industry. If you cancel your contract before that 30-day period, you will get a full refund. However, if you cancel your contract after that initial 30-day period, you will have to pay off the contract in full.

Brinks vs. Other Home Security Systems

It is worth noting what people who have used a system for years think of it, as not everyone has the same experience. It is also worth considering that it’s more likely you’ll see comments about bad service than comments about good service. Keep in mind that Brinks does not charge extra if you move to a new house, nor does it make you sign a new contract. You just have to do the removal and reinstallation of the system yourself. Also, if you do move, you must let the company know so that they can monitor your new home.

Unlike other home security companies, Brinks systems work with a free smartphone app. You can also add your Brinks system to other smart home devices. The company’s ASAPer messaging service, for instance, is a cool addition, and it helps Brinks to stand out from the rest of the home security companies out there. It also stands out because even the basic package is backed by a cellular network.

If you don’t mind installing the system yourself and you will use the smart home features, Brinks could be a great choice for you.

FAQs About Brinks

How does Brinks Home Security Work?
When you choose the Brinks home security system, you can arm or disarm the system using the control panel, which is a touch screen, or you can download the Alarm.com mobile app. This also helps you to integrate your system with Google Home and Amazon Echo.

How Does the Wireless System Communicate?
Brinks uses a system that has cellular and Wi-Fi capabilities to connect your base or security panel to the Brinks Alarm Response Center and the mobile app. It is more secure, more responsive, and more connected.

How are the Video Recordings Created and Stored?
When you choose the Brinks Home Complete with Video plan, which includes an indoor camera, all your data is stored in the cloud. You can also purchase additional cameras, which include additional indoor cameras and an outdoor camera. You can even use the control panel to take still images.

If the Wireless Network Goes Down, or the Power Goes Out, Will the Security System Keep Working?
Yes. The Brinks Home Security system will keep working if the power goes out or the network goes down. It has 4G LTE cellular backup and additionally battery backup, which ensures monitoring is continuous.

Will My Pets Set Off the Brinks Home Security System?
The Brinks Home Security system has a motion sensor that is designed to pick up the heat that is generated by humans. However, pets that are more than 40 pounds in size could trigger the system. You can adjust the sensitivity to limit the chances that this could happen.

Do You Have to Have a Landline to Have a Brinks System?
You do not need to have a landline to use the Brinks security systems, as the company only offers wireless monitoring. The nice thing is, however, is that most customers prefer the wireless monitoring option as it is simple to install and it more flexible to use.

Can You Connect the Brinks System to Other Smart-Home Devices?
Smart home devices are a wonderful way to improve your home security. You can easily add them to your Brinks system, and they can even be controlled by the Brinks mobile app.

When a Security Issue Occurs, Will the System Show Where it Happened?|
Yes. The Brinks Home Security system has sensors that indicate the location of where a breach into the home occurs.

Final Thoughts on Brinks Home Security

When you look into Brinks Home Security, you are looking at a company that has been highly established in the home security industry for many years. The company has both basic and advanced home automation options, which gives a homeowner many ways to customize their system.

Because of the good reputation of Brinks, it comes highly recommended. This is especially the case when you consider that the company comes with a 30-day return policy, a number of package options, the choice to choose a no-contract option, and affordable cost. You can read Brinks Home Security reviews online to see what other people have to say before you settle on this company.

See how Brinks compares in our ranking of the Best Home Security Systems of 2020.