Brinks Home security review (June 2026)
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If you’re looking for a hassle-free home security solution tailored to your property, the Brinks Home security system is worth considering. It offers full-service installation and lots of customization options. For instance, it allows you to combine security elements, such as door and window sensors, motion detectors, and security cameras for a tailored fit.
It also offers an optional video doorbell camera, as well as smart home devices with direct Brinks security integration. At a glance, Brinks Home makes a great pick for every family, but I wanted to confirm its value through some firsthand testing.
Together with the Cybernews research team, I investigated Brinks Home, focusing on its ease of use, pricing, customer service, warranty details, and other key aspects.
I’ll also share my two cents on how it stacks up against other professional home security systems, such as Vivint. Stick around for the comparison details below.
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My findings show Brinks is a decent choice for comprehensive home protection. I like that it integrates with smart home devices and that Brinks technicians handle its installation.
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Because of that, as well as other useful features like break-in detection and response, professional monitoring, and emergency service dispatch options, I think Brinks Home security is an excellent fit for nearly every homeowner.
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On the other hand, the upscale pricing and a fairly long contract obligation made me pause for a moment and look into some alternatives.
Brinks Home security overview
Brinks has been in the security business longer than most. Founded in 1859 in Chicago, Illinois, Brinks started out by transporting goods in bullet-proof armored vehicles. Fast-forward over a century, and it successfully expanded to home security services in 1982.
Today, Brinks operates in over 100 countries, providing business and home security solutions to customers. I also noticed that they’ve been A+ accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) since 2011, which is a confirmation of their longevity and a statement on the quality of their service. The company has also been named a Newsweek Best Customer Service 2025 winner, among other notable achievements. Brinks is all about customization, letting users opt for DIY installation, and providing professionally monitored systems. This means you can tailor its services to your needs.
Another thing that impressed me about Brinks is its fast shipping and installation time. Brinks promises a two-day shipping time, and customers testified that installing the home security system only took 30 minutes. If you'd rather not fiddle with the security equipment, you can get professional installation (at a fee).
Other advantages of Brinks include professional monitoring (more on that later), user-friendly equipment, and integration with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and other smart home apps. We list all of Brinks’ pros (and some of its cons) below.
| ⭐ Rating | |
| 💵 Price | Equipment starts at $199.00 |
| ⚒️ DIY installation | Yes, with optional professional installation |
| 🔙 Money-back guarantee | 30-day money-back guarantee |
| 🧾 Cancellation fees | Yes |
| 🔒 Warranty | Limited warranty |
| 👁️ Professional monitoring | Yes |
Brinks Home security: pros and cons
To decide if Brinks Home security is the best option for your property, it’s important to know the pros and cons of the service. I’ve highlighted the biggest perks and downsides of Brinks’ security system below:
What does Brinks Home security do?
Brinks Home provides comprehensive protection for your home by combining advanced security equipment with 24/7 professional monitoring services.
Brinks equips your home with motion detectors, door and window sensors, and high-definition cameras designed to detect suspicious activity and send you real-time alerts.
You can also integrate your home security system with smart home apps like Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, allowing you to control it with voice commands. For example, I can disarm my alarm system or check my camera feed even when my hands are busy cooking or cleaning.
Brinks’ professional monitoring means a team of experts is on hand to respond to alerts. While this comes at a higher cost, it provides more peace of mind than self-monitoring.
This is because, with self-monitoring, I have to manually check my alarms and report to authorities if I need help. On the other hand, professional monitoring means there are professionals who will notify authorities as soon as my alarm goes off. According to Brinks itself, you can expect a timely break-in response within minutes. I’ve also seen claims from existing customers raising their voices in favor of the 30-second estimated response time, although I haven’t personally vetted the time myself.
This combination of high-quality security hardware and software and professional monitoring makes Brinks a robust security solution.
Brinks Home security equipment overview
Brinks Home combines advanced technology with user-friendly features. I'll share my thoughts and findings on specific parts of equipment, from video camera quality to the Brinks Home Hub and door/window sensors. But first, let’s take a look at the quick specs overview I’ve outlined below:
| Communication method: | Cellular, Wi-Fi |
| Professional monitoring: | ✅ Yes |
| Setup and installation: | Professional, DIY |
| Setup time: | 30 minutes to 4 hours |
| Average response time with professional monitoring: | 30 seconds |
| Control panel: | Touchscreen |
| Equipment options: | Door/window sensors, motion detectors, security cameras, video doorbell, smart home devices |
| Indoor and outdoor security cameras: | ✅ Yes |
| Home coverage: | Between 1,500 and 3,000 sq ft |
| Compatibility of companion app: | Android, iOS |
| Warranty on equipment: | Only covered with the Brinks Home Plus Extended Service Plan (2-year warranty) |
| Monthly monitoring cost: | From $39.99/month to $49.99/month |
| Equipment cost: | From $29 per door/window sensor to $300 for video doorbell and control panel |
Brinks Home hub
Your Brinks Home hub is the central control panel for managing all your security devices. This device allows you to arm and disarm your system and view alerts. It even captures images when your alarm is triggered. You then receive those images on your phone, allowing you to monitor your home even when you’re out and about.
The control panel has a touchscreen interface that feels intuitive to use. It also has a front-facing camera, a microSD card slot, a cellular chip slot, and, of course, an alarm.
Video cameras
Video cameras are another key element of the Brinks Home Security system, with a wide range of options available. You can mix and match, adding certain camera types into your system as add-ons. Here’s an overview of the main camera types and their video feed quality:
- Video doorbell cameras: Brinks initially offered a 720p HD video doorbell camera with a 180-degree FOV. However, some claimed that its viewing angle makes the video quality look “grainy”, and Brinks responded with the latest Smart Video Doorbell camera: This one commands a 2L video quality with a 180-degree FOV, which has been improved with HDR technology for more clarity, and it even features night vision with a 15-foot coverage.
- Outdoor security cameras: If you need an outdoor security system to cover your corporate areas, Brinks’ outdoor cameras are ideal for the job. With a 117-degree FOV and 1080p HD quality, they are even on par with some higher-end systems. Plus, they feature 45-foot infrared vision.
- Indoor security cameras: For indoor spaces, you can choose from Brinks’ 1080p HD indoor cameras and premium 180-degree HD cameras with high-grade security storage.
Ultimately, while these cameras offer decent video quality, they have a few limitations. If you need more than 1,000 video clips stored, you’ll have to pay a monthly subscription fee. Additionally, systems like Vivint, which offer 4K HDR video quality, surpass the quality of Brinks Home Security cameras.
Motion sensors
Brinks has a wide variety of motion sensors that you can use to monitor activity throughout your property.
Door and window sensors are exactly what they sound like. When installed, they alert you if someone opens and closes doors, windows, cabinets, drawers, and garage doors. Brinks also has a glass-break sensor, which detects if someone breaks your windows to enter your home.
Yard signs and stickers
Brinks provides yard signs and stickers that can ward off potential intruders from your home. By announcing that you have a home security system installed, intruders are more likely to think twice before trespassing on your property.
Brinks Home security customer service
Brinks provides text, call, and chat support. The support service works from Monday to Saturday. They are available from 8 AM to 8 PM, and you can text them at 469-513-8685 or use the direct call line at 469-391-4024. When I tried speaking with a representative using their 24/7 chat support, I waited approximately 10 minutes before being connected to an agent. While I understand the challenges of dealing with such a large customer base, it was still a disappointing experience.
When I was finally connected to an agent, I was asked to call their sales team for information about their pricing. It seems like a waste of time to have agents who can’t provide information on basic pricing, especially after I already provided them with my address and other information.
Unfortunately, I am not the only one disappointed with Brinks’ customer service. During my research, I found many complaints about Brinks’ service. Several of these complaints had to do with troubles cancelling the service.
One customer on the ConsumerAffairs review website wrote: “I attempted to cancel my service and got charged an extra month. When I attempted to contact customer service, I got an agent who refused to listen. I then asked for a supervisor and the call was disconnected.”
Overall, I would like to see Brinks improve its customer support system.
Brinks Home security monthly costs
Brinks used to offer comprehensive security packages that customers can choose from, but it has since transitioned into fully customizable plans. What does this mean for potential customers?
Unfortunately, this means it’s impossible to know exactly how much Brinks’ home security system costs unless you speak with an agent. The Home Plus Protection Plan comes with an extended warranty, and it also includes a 2-year coverage for equipment defects. It’s also possible to get a 30-day money-back guarantee with most plans, but again, it depends on your custom scheme. Still, I want to give you an idea of what you need to pay for if you decide to go with Brinks.
Below is a table with information on Brinks’ former home security packages. This information is only provided to give you a ballpark idea of the amount you’ll need to pay for Brinks’ equipment.
| Equipment | Smart Security Essential | Smart Security Complete | Smart Security Ultimate |
| Touchscreen control panel | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Wireless door sensors | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Wireless motion sensors | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Yard signs and stickers | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| HD video doorbell | N/A | 1 | 1 |
| Outdoor camera with night vision | N/A | N/A | 1 |
| Equipment price | $199.00 | $349.00 | $699.00 |
| Monthly price | $39.99 | $44.99 | $49.99 |
Another important thing to note is the contract cancellation, which some users reported to be a bit difficult. To be precise, I’ve seen reports of users complaining about unauthorized renewals and considerable cancellation fees.
For instance, if you cancel your plan after the 30-day trial period, you’ll be required to pay the full contract amount. My advice is to contact support and inquire about the terms of the free trial and the money-back guarantee beforehand. Plus, you should check the T&Cs of the Home Plus Protection Plan for extended warranty details.
Brinks add-ons and upgrades
You can get the following additional pieces of equipment for the price stated:
- Door and window sensor: $29.00/each
- Motion detector: $59.00/each
- HD indoor camera: $199.00/camera
- IQ smoke detector: $89.00/each
- Fire detector: $99.00/each
- Flood detector: $49.00/each
- Glass break detector: $79.00/each
How to install Brinks Home security system
Installing Brinks’ Home security equipment is easy and straightforward. You can do-it-yourself using the steps below or contact Brinks to get a professional to install the equipment.
Control panel
Here’s how to install Brinks’ control panel:
- Remove the control panel from its box.
- Find a location for the control panel and plug it into a power outlet.
- Press and hold the power button for 3 seconds until the device powers up.
- Connect the device to your Wi-Fi network. Go to Advanced Settings > Enter the default code “1234” > Select Wi-Fi > Connect to your network.
- Conduct a signal test by going to Advanced Settings > System Tests > Dual-Path Test > Start.
- Once the test is done, you have successfully enabled your control panel.
Door sensor
Here’s how to install Brinks’ door sensors:
- Brinks Home security equipment includes a sensor and a magnet. The sensor is the larger piece and will go on the frame. The magnet is the smaller one and will go on the door.
- Choose a location for your sensor.
- Clean and dry your door and door frame with a damp cloth or a paper towel.
- Remove the tape cover from the sensor and magnet.
- Place the sensor on the frame and the magnet inside the door. Apply pressure for 10 seconds until the pieces are secure. Make sure the magnet and sensor arrows are facing each other.
- Open and close the door to make sure the pieces stay in place.
- If your panel says, "Your door is open," when you open the door, you've installed your door sensor correctly.
Motion detector
Here’s how to install Brinks’ motion detectors:
- Choose a location in the room where you'll place the sensor. It must be 7-8 feet from the floor to work correctly. Avoid windows, fireplaces, air conditioners, area heaters, direct sunlight, and large windows where animals may come near, as this will trigger the alarm.
- Make sure the wall is clean and dry before placing the sensor.
- Remove the cover of the double-sided tape on your motion detector.
- Place the motion detector on your wall. Apply pressure for 10 seconds until the piece is secure.
Brinks Home security app overview
Brinks Home security system works with a smartphone app (available for iOS and Android devices) that lets you tinker with your home security system without using the control panel. Brinks’ app allows you to arm and disarm your system, check your live video streams, and receive alerts.
The Brinks app is reminiscent of the control panel’s interface, and it lets you access management features easily and intuitively. While it’s not especially customizable or noteworthy, it functions well enough and serves its purpose with minimal bugs.
I was also satisfied with the video storage options, which include a chance to store up to 1,000 video clips with higher-tier plans. For a fee of $5 per month, you can also unlock 5,000 more clips.
Most cameras are equipped with SD card slots, making it easier to store recordings. Plus, if that’s not enough for you, Brinks has dedicated cloud storage options with higher-tier plans.
Brinks vs Vivint: how does it compare?
The best way to gauge the true value of Brinks as a home security system is by comparing it with other well-known systems. I’ve already done a complete head-to-head comparison in my Vivint vs Brinks review, but to put it briefly, Brinks is a more comprehensive option.
It’s a bit clearer about the pricing structure, so you’ve got fewer on-demand inquiries to make. Plus, it comes with a relatively low monthly monitoring cost compared to Vivint’s top-tier plans. On the flip side, Vivint’s 4K HDR cameras are more of a quality option, so here’s a detailed overview to help you compare the two:
| Home security system | Brinks | Vivint |
| Rating | 3.8/5 | 4.8/5 |
| Installation type | Professional, DIY | Professional |
| Monitoring options | Professional | Professional |
| Wired or wireless | Wired and Wireless | Wireless |
| Camera options | Video doorbell camera, Indoor cameras, Outdoor cameras | Outdoor Camera Pro (Gen 2) with Smart Deter, Doorbell Camera Pro, Indoor Camera Pro, and Spotlight Pro |
| Motion sensor | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Smart locks | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Smoke detector | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Mobile app | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ |
| Price | Packages between $400 and $800 | Packages starting at $599.99 |
| Subscription cost | Monthly monitoring starting at $39.99 | Starting at $39.99/month |
Brinks Home security reviews
Brinks has mixed reviews. Though the Better Business Bureau (BBB) rates it as “A-,” customers rate it as only 1 out of 5 stars on the BBB website.
Many customer reviews on the BBB website noted slow support responses, a challenging cancellation process, and the inconsistent quality of its equipment.
One Brinks Home Security review on the BBB website reads: “My Brinks Home Security System has been inoperative since August 24 with the exception of one day, when it was repaired [by Brinks]. The next [day], the system once again became totally non-functional.”
Another user, this time on Reddit, said: “Install: Terrible. Different techs arrive late or not at all. They brought the incorrect equipment twice. Absolutely rotten service. Customer service: We have one door alarm that has never worked properly. Have tried to get this sensor corrected and just waited and waited on their customer service line forever, only to be abandoned by them.”
While it may be disheartening to hear negative experiences, there are plenty of positive reviews that balanced out my expectations of Brinks during my research. Hundreds of customers praised Brinks’ customer representatives for their professional demeanor and prompt tech support.
“Brinks did a virtual tech repair, and in a matter of minutes everything was back working. Couldn't be more pleased with [the] results,” one customer wrote in a review.
Our methodology
When investigating home security systems, I focus on assessing their features, equipment, and general performance. The Cybernews team and I used the following criteria to review and rate the experience:
- Response time (25%): I was pleased with the estimated 30-second response window and the relatively quick security service dispatch.
- User-friendliness (25%): Lastly, I tested the official Brinks Home Security app on both Android and iOS devices, and I also compared its general convenience to other solutions, such as Vivint.
- Equipment (20%): I investigated whether the security equipment functions as described and examined the various ways it can be utilized to enhance home security. I also compared different components (video doorbell cameras, control hub, sensors) with other systems like Vivint and their optional equipment and add-ons.
- Encryption (15%): I also dug deeper into the data security aspect, so I checked for data encryption for video camera recordings, live feeds, and passwords.
- Monitoring options (15%): Considering that Brinks offers professional monitoring, I compared its services and availability with those of other top-notch home security systems, such as Vivint, ADT, and others.
Other home security system reviews:
My final verdict on Brinks Home security system
Overall, I recommend the Brinks Home security system to homeowners who intend to stay at the same property for an extended period and for whom budget is not a concern. With its centuries-long reputation for security and user-friendly equipment, Brinks can certainly offer peace of mind for you and your family.
I also give it a thumbs up for its customization options and add-ons, which start at just around $29 for sensors and go up to $300 for camera systems.
On the flip side, its on-demand pricing and a long contract obligation put me on the fence. So, if you’re still curious to see if it's the right fit for securing your home, use that 30-day money-back guarantee to push it to its limits and make the final call afterwards.
FAQ
Is Brinks a good security system?
Yes, Brinks Home is a solid choice for comprehensive protection. It offers customizable security packages, professional monitoring, and integration with smart home devices. The system includes motion detectors, door/window sensors, HD cameras, and more. However, some users have reported issues with its customer service and cancellation processes.
How much does Brinks cost per month?
Brinks offers customizable pricing based on your selected equipment and monitoring package. Historically, its monitoring costs ranged from $39.99 to $49.99 per month, depending on the package. However, since Brinks now provides fully customizable plans, you'll need to contact their sales team for an accurate quote based on your specific needs.
How long are Brinks’ contracts?
Brinks typically locks customers into a 36-month contract, which can be a disadvantage for those looking for a short-term commitment. While this long-term contract structure may be more cost-effective in the long run, it is not suitable for renters or those who prioritize flexibility.
Can I get out of my Brinks contract?
While it’s possible to cancel your Brinks contract, some customers report difficulties with the cancellation process, including being charged additional fees. Before signing up for any home security service, it’s important to review the terms of your contract carefully and contact the provider’s customer support to understand the cancellation policies.
Which country is Brinks?
Brinks is an American company that was founded in Chicago, Illinois, in 1859. It operates in over 100 countries globally and provides both business and home security services.
Does Brink offer add-on cameras and sensors?
Yes, Brinks offers add-on cameras and sensors, starting at $29 for door/window sensors, and going up to $299 for a video doorbell camera.
Does Brinks support DIY installation?
Yes, Brinks supports DIY installation with user-friendly package setup options, but I recommend using professional installation, which is available at no additional charge with multi-year monitoring plans.
Does Brinks Home have a cancellation fee?
Yes, Brinks Home has a cancellation fee that depends on your contract and the leftover amount to be paid. You won’t have to pay a fee for cancelling a month-to-month subscription, though.
Is Brinks the right security system for your home?
Brinks is the right security solution for your home if you’re looking for a customizable setup with free professional installation and monitoring plans with up to 1,000 clips of storage.
Should I use Brinks in a rented property?
Yes, you can use Brinks in a rented property. Just make sure to check the security installation requirements in your lease and contract details regarding the use of home security tools first.
