Brinks Home Security Review: Systems, Safe, Cameras, App, Cost, How To Cancel, And More

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Brinks Security logo on smartphone with green black binary background
Brinks has an established brand for protecting your dollars on the way to the bank. But how does that reputation fare in the consumer home security space?
Brinks Home Security system (Caption: Brinks Home Security Review)

Brinks is known for its armored car transportation services, but did you know it now offers a home security system? Can a company that specializes in transporting valuables also be successful at securing homes?

Review

Brinks Home Security

Brinks Home Security Logo

Product Name: Brinks

Product Description: Brinks offers several home security plans for you to choose. All come with broadband monitoring with cellular as a backup.

Summary

The Brinks brand has been around for decades, so they have a strong reputation. However, their system must be professionally installed, and you will be locked into an expensive contract.

Overall Score

3
  • Customer Service
  • Technology
  • Ease Of Use
  • Overall Value

Pros

  • 30-day risk-free trial
  • Compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Home
  • Self-installation (professional available for $199)
  • Z-wave and Zigbee connectivity (most competitors only connect to one)

Cons

  • Only one monitoring station (and not third-party)
  • Three-year contract required
  • Self-installation cannot be done independently (requires a technician to walk you through the process over the phone)
  • You must pay 100% of the contract amount, even if you cancel
  • Only eight-hour battery backup (standard is 24 hours)

Consumer Reviews

1.5 2 votes
Reader Rating

This is the aggregate score of reader reviews we’ve received. Have a good or bad experience with Brinks? Feel free to leave your own review in the comments. Please note that only ratings with valid review content will be published and counted.

Alternatives To Brinks

Don’t like the score you’re seeing? Our home security experts have reviewed over a dozen providers. Check out our best home security systems showdown to find out our top picks this year.

Brinks Home Security equipment
The Brinks home security system with door, window, and motion sensors, indoor camera, doorbell camera, keypad and smartphone app.

11 Key Features

  1. Only a single monitoring station and it’s done in-house, which we don’t recommend*
  2. Broadband monitoring for all plans with cellular as a backup
  3. Customer service options: live chat, phone, email and FAQs
  4. BBB rating: A+
  5. Pet-friendly motion sensors ignore the motion of pets under 40 pounds
  6. Trigger protection: notifies you if someone tries to destroy your panel
  7. Brinks Home Security app lets you monitor your system while away
  8. Z-Wave and Zigbee connectivity (wireless communication protocols) to home automation equipment
  9. Only a two-year warranty (some competitors offer lifetime warranties)
  10. 30-second average alarm notification speed
  11. Provides monitoring for Nest Secure

*Why Do We Recommend More Than One Monitoring Station?

Monitoring stations can experience power outages and natural disasters, just like our homes. If a monitoring station loses power, the alarm calls need to be routed to a different station to ensure that help arrives at your door. So, with only a single monitoring station, there is no redundancy/backup which we consider a security risk.

Learn More About Monitoring Stations Here

Battery Backup

If the power goes out in your home, battery backup will keep your Brinks system on and your home protected. However, Brinks’ battery backup only lasts eight hours, which is drastically less than the standard 24 hours most home security companies have.

Brinks doesn’t alert you of a power outage, but you can set up a notification if you have an Alarm.com account (go to the Notifications tab). Learn more about Alarm.com.

The entire system will continue to work during a power outage unless the equipment requires a high-speed internet connection (e.g., cameras). Door/window sensors, motion sensors, glass break sensors, etc., don’t require a high-speed internet connection, so they’ll work with battery backup and you’ll be informed of any triggers to these devices.

The backup battery is rechargeable, so once power is restored, the battery will recharge back to 8 hours, so it’s ready for any future needs. It takes around 24 hours for the battery to fully recharge and get rid of the low battery signal on your panel.

Brinks’ 8-hour battery backup is among the worst we’ve seen. When the majority of competitors are offering 24-hour battery backup, it becomes a standard that we look for in a home security system.

App Features

Android App | iOS App

Brinks App Screenshot
The Brinks home security app

Below are functions you can control within the Brinks home security app. Please know that to use some of the features you must have certain equipment. For example, you cannot lock/unlock doors unless you have smart locks in place that are compatible with your security system.

System

  • Arm/disarm entire system or individual sensors
  • Geofencing, which automatically adjusts your security and automation equipment after you’ve left a set radius of your home or “geo-fence”
  • View detailed event history and alerts
  • Updated weather forecast

Smart/Remote Controls

  • Lock/unlock doors (including opening/closing garage door)
  • Control thermostat
  • Control lights (no scheduling)

Cameras

  • View live stream
  • View recorded video
  • View doorbell camera

Pricing & Monitoring Options

You can call Brinks Home Security and customize any of the plans below. You can reach Brinks at 866-980-4553, and don’t forget to mention Safe Smart Living as our members typically get the best offer available.

 Smart Security EssentialSmart Security CompleteSmart Security UltimateNest Secure*
Equipment Price$199$349$1,099$399
Monitoring Price Per Month$39$39$39$29
Touchscreen PanelGreen checkmarkGreen checkmarkGreen checkmark 
Door/Window Sensors
$29
213 
Motion Sensors
$59
121 
Indoor Camera
$199
 1  
Outdoor Camera
$249
  1 
SkyBell Slim Line Video Doorbell
$199
  Green checkmark 
Nest Guard (Base Station)   Green checkmark
Nest Detect (Door/Window & Motion Sensor)
$49
   2
Nest Tag (Key Fob)
$25
   2
Contract3 Years3 Years3 YearsNone
Professional Installation  Green checkmark 

*Nest Secure is a separate home security system that’s monitored through Brinks. If you prefer to use Nest’s equipment, you can purchase it through Brinks and get professional monitoring as well.

Additional Equipment

Below is optional add-on equipment by other manufacturers that is compatible with your Brinks security system.

Home Security:

  • IQ Garage Door Tilt Sensor $39 | Glass Break Detector $79 | Keychain Remote $29
  • GE Keypads (Bi-Directional $112 | Touchscreen $160)

Home Automation:

  • GE Z-Wave (Plug-In Module $79 | In-Wall Dimmer $59) | Smart Switch $79
  • GE Z-Wave (Outdoor Module $59 | Wall Receptacle $59)

Life Safety:

  • FireFighter* $99 | IQ (CO Detector $79 | Flood Detector $49)
  • IQ Smoke Detector $89 | GE Water/Flood Sensor $49 | Freeze Sensor $49

*FireFighter monitors the existing UL smoke detectors within your home and contacts the central monitoring station when it detects a smoke alarm.

Most consumers install their Brinks security system themselves because it’s a simple DIY setup. However, you can purchase professional installation for $199 if you’d prefer to have someone else do it for you.

Consumer Feedback

Praise

I’ve had ADT, Vivant, and Protect America-Very Misleading Practices I’m 100% satisfied with Brinks Home Security.

Grant H., BBB 4/1/2020

Helped us replace video door bell. Problem free!!! Stepped right up to the plate, made an even exchange, provided shipping label, return postage. YAY Brinks Home Security!!

Rob M., Yelp 9/21/2019

Complaints

Not only the most difficult of company to work with on an old existing Monitronic;s account but are hard for money and harass you to no end! sent us bills for months after we had cancelled our services with Monitronic’s due to a move. Have taken us to collections twice on the same account that has in good faith been paid for twice and after 2 years of dispute and after payment sent a derogatory claim to the credit bureau’s! Most useless of all customer service representatives and will NEVER recommend BRINKS Home security to anyone!

Daleen M., BBB 5/12/2020

This is one of the more expensive security monitoring companies and their customer service is TERRIBLE!!!  It is difficult to get help and when help is provided it is not done appropriately. I will never use this company again.

Jenna A., Yelp 5/15/2020

How Can I Cancel?

Just like you don’t want to get locked into a multi-year contract with your television provider, it can be helpful to know how to cancel a service before you sign up (or, if you’re already signed on with Brinks and want out). While it’s not as easy as returning an unopened yogurt container to the fridge, it’s way easier than terminating your cell phone contract. Read our guide on how to cancel Brinks for the 411.

About Brinks Home Security & Its History

The Brink’s City Express was founded in 1859 and started out as a small delivery business. Perry Brink drove a horse-drawn wagon to deliver luggage from Chicago trains to hotels for passengers.

In 1934, it underwent a name change to Brink’s Incorporated. From 1934 to 2002, the company experienced several robberies, the loss of many key members and the sale of company shares.

Broadview Security And ADT Merger

In 2009, Brink’s separated its home security division and rebranded it as Broadview Security. Tyco International, Ltd., the company that owns ADT, purchased Brinks Home Security for $2 billion with intentions on merging the two companies.

Since the acquisition, ADT absorbed Broadview Home Security, which added 1.3 million customers to ADT.

MONI License

In 2018, Brinks licensed the name Brinks Home Security to a Dallas security company, MONI (previously known as Monitronics). Monitronics was second to only ADT in the mid 2010s and during that time, it acquired Security Networks and Livewatch (formerly Safemart).

Protect America Acquisition

In 2020, Protect America was acquired by Brinks. Brinks has a FAQ on the transition for Protect America customers.

AT&T Digital Life Customers

The AT&T Digital Life home security system was discontinued on October 1, 2022. At that time existing customers were given the option to transfer their service to Brinks home security. More details on this AT&T FAQ page.

Brinks’ Competition

Brinks Home Security offers the basics that most people look for in a home security system. It offers equipment that you can count on but requires a three-year contract and only offers protection from a single monitoring station that’s in-house.

Can you get better and more affordable monitoring coverage from competitors? See how Brinks compares against other home security companies our experts have reviewed.

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The information provided through this website should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease; it is not intended to offer any legal opinion or advice or a substitute for professional safety advice or professional care. Please consult your health care provider, attorney, or product manual for professional advice. Products and services reviewed are provided by third parties; we are not responsible in any way for them, nor do we guarantee their functionality, utility, safety, or reliability. Our content is for educational purposes only.

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