2022 Cove Home Security System Review

Cove brings together two things we know our readers want: good prices and great customer service. Its DIY home security system features have evolved quickly, and so has Cove’s reputation for doing right by its customers.

While we wanted a few more smart home integrations, we were pleased with the ease of setup and equipment selection of the security system we tested.

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All Cove home security packages come with these features:

• 60-day money-back guarantee
• DIY installation
• No-contract options

Both monitoring plans also include three technologies that stand out in the home security world: RapidSOS, InstaText, and LiveAssist.

RapidSOS allows Cove dispatchers to communicate more effectively with emergency responders, which the company says results in improved response times (up to three minutes faster). It's effective because it stores vital information (location data, household information, health needs) in a format that's easier to send to 911 responders than sharing the same info over the phone.

Cove was the first security company to use RapidSOS, but now SimpliSafe offers it too.

See how Cove compares to SimpliSafe overall.

This feature uses text messaging to send you immediate alerts if an alarm is triggered. You can respond instantly to false alarms and dispatch emergency services if you need help—all with a text. This feature is useful for people who may not always be able to answer the phone but rarely ignore a text. It’s adapting age-old security protocols to the way we live and communicate today. Pretty smart.

With Cove LiveAssist, you have a dedicated line of communication with Cove right through your panel. You can use this two-way audio feature to communicate in real-time if you need help or need to address a false alarm.

This feature provides an extra layer of security and gives you more control over your home’s security. And you can count on it even if your panel gets unplugged or if your power goes out—its backup battery lasts for 24 hours.

Cove is an economical, customizable home security system that delivers the basics and makes protecting your home super easy. Even though Cove has been the new kid on the block, the company has moved quickly to build out its home security offerings and expand both equipment and mobile app functions.

One thing we don’t like is that you have to jump through a few hoops to find out how much Cove costs. Cove used to require you to talk to a phone rep, but now you can take an online quiz for faster results.

Still, we prefer no-hassle online stores from companies like SimpliSafe and Frontpoint.

Cove is one of the most affordable home security choices you’ll find. One of the company’s core values is to be economical, and on that point Cove delivers. There aren’t any contract requirements, and monthly monitoring is pretty cheap, even if you opt for the higher-priced Cove Plus Plan.

Cove monitoring costs $27.99 per month, or about the same as a weekly splurge at Starbucks—and for a lifetime warranty plus mobile access to your security system, we think it’s worth it.

You can control your equipment costs with Cove too. Most equipment is available à la carte, and you can get a basic setup for around $275, which includes the control panel, yard and window signs, a few window and door sensors, a motion sensor, and a (free) indoor camera.

If you aren’t sure what you need to protect your abode sufficiently, Cove’s website has a simple quiz that will help you figure out where to start.

Cove lets you pay for equipment up front or over time. If you opt for $0 up front, you’ll pay an extra $10 per month if you keep Cove monitoring for 36 months. If you cancel early, you’ll have to pay for the equipment cost—but you’re not on the hook for the remaining months of monitoring fees like you are with other home security companies.

For customers who pay for equipment up front, Cove doesn’t have contracts. But that’s not Cove’s only customer-first policy.

Cove told us that they don't believe in holding customers up with the fine print. If you don't love your Cove security system, or your needs change, Cove is committed to letting you off the hook without a big runaround or a huge final bill.

You can try out the Cove security system risk-free for up to two months. If during that time you don’t think it’s a good fit for your home security needs, you can return your equipment and cancel your monitoring service without a penalty. Cove will give you a full refund, no questions asked.

We like that Cove offers a lifetime warranty for its equipment, but you can only get it with the higher-priced monitoring plan.

Cove isn’t the only home security company to wrap up a better warranty in a more costly plan. ADT does the same thing with its Quality Service Plan that is only available with higher-end offerings.

The warranty from Cove is the better deal—and when we asked Cove representatives how much hassle you have to go through to get a new door sensor if yours putters out, they said, “None.” Cove simply sends you a replacement, no questions asked.

Cove isn’t the most technologically advanced home security system, but it provides reliable basics that get the job done. Because the company is so new, its equipment offerings are limited. 

• Cove Touch Panel, $249 ea.
• Indoor camera, $99 ea.
• Outdoor camera, $199 ea.
• Smoke and carbon monoxide detector detector, $55 ea.
• Door sensor/window sensor, $15 ea.
• Motion detector, $30 ea.
• Security key fob, $25 ea.
• Glass break detector, $35 ea.
• Flood/freeze sensor, $20 ea.
• Panic/medical button, $20 ea.

Many home security systems tout preprogrammed security equipment that’s easy to install, but Cove’s is the easiest one I’ve seen. And it talks to you—when you name a sensor (e.g. back door), you’ll hear “back door” every time it’s activated. We like that the only option isn’t a deafening and difficult-to-stop siren. We’ve tangled with those in the past (Ring), and it can be stressful.

We think having eyes on the outside of your home is vital to keeping your property, people, and pets safe. The Cove system uses indoor and outdoor security cameras through a partnership with Kami. In the last year, it upgraded its cameras to include AI so users can reduce notifications about things like trees blowing in the wind.

We tested both of these cameras and found them great if you're a Cove customer wanting integration with the Cove app. Otherwise, there's not much that differentiates them from the competition.

Learn more in our full Cove security cameras review.

We’re impressed with the simplicity of Cove’s installation and setup process. All the components of your security system come preconfigured. You can even name them when you order so your son’s bedroom window sensor will come ready to be installed in his room. 

If you make a naming mistake or decide to move a sensor to a different place, it’s easy to give it a new name using the control panel. But we found it easiest to plan placement before installation so you only have to name things once.

The control panel is the heart of the Cove home security system—it walks you through setup and tests each sensor to make sure they’re working correctly. Sometimes it’s hard to tell if you set up a window or door sensor the right way, so we like that Cove’s audio confirmation leaves no doubt.

Don't want to set Cove up yourself? You can call their customer service line for troubleshooting help, or pay $79 for professional installation. 

Cove’s smart home offerings are fairly scant. The system is focused first on providing security, and home automation is a lower priority. The system currently works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, but other smart home options, like smart locks and climate control, are limited. Right now you can integrate a Kami Doorbell Camera, Nest thermostat, or August smart door lock with your Cove security system.

Cove told us that expanded smart home compatibility is coming this year. We’re eager to see how that impacts the company’s home automation offerings.

No, Cove doesn't work with Ring Alarm or Ring video doorbells.

No, Cove doesn't use Z-Wave.

Although Cove is new to the scene, the company has already garnered a hefty collection of positive customer reviews. In our experience with the company, it’s been friendly, responsive, and eager to please. You can tell that the people who created Cove and work for the company enjoy what they do and believe in their product.

Here’s a look at current Cove ratings for customer service and satisfaction.

• Google reviews: 3.6 stars
• Trustpilot rating: 4.8 stars out of 5, Excellent
• BBB rating: A+
• BBB customer reviews: 2.4 stars out of 5

Despite overall praise, we did notice that some Cove customers weren't too happy with the mobile app or Cove's lack of attention to their complaints. Most of the 1-star Cove reviews mention issues logging into the Cove app. Several said it was difficult to get in touch with Cove customer service to resolve the issue.

• Cove Security app on Google Play: 2.2 stars out of 5 
• Cove Security app on Apple App Store: 2.0 stars out of 5 

We’re pretty excited to see Cove entering the DIY home security arena. It’s a young company, but they’re doing a lot of things right—especially when it comes to the way Cove treats customers.

If you want a customizable home security system that’s easy for you to install on your own and doesn’t lock you into a contract, we think Cove is a solid choice.

When we learned about Cove home security, we got in touch with them to find out more. Cove came out and met with us to explain who they are, why they do what they do, and what makes their DIY security system stand out from the rest. (We’ve met with the company multiple times since our initial testing).

We got to meet the founder of the company, hear from sales and marketing, and grill the tech team about Cove equipment, its features, and how they’re improving the mobile app.

Plus, we got to try out Cove’s equipment. We ran a system through the setup process and then tested all of the sensors to see how they worked. We also pored over online customer reviews, read other expert reviews, and compared Cove to other DIY security systems.

Find out more about our process on our methodology page.

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