Cove Security Systems Pricing and Packages

If you’re looking for an affordable security system that provides top-notch protection, you should look into Cove. It’s been growing steadily as a home security provider, focusing on simplicity and reliability. That makes it one of the best DIY home security systems. There’s no complex setup and it can work through power and internet outages.

We came to love Cove because it’s affordable. Sensors that cost less than $20 each? Count us in! But we also know that it’s not the perfect system. So we’re here to give you insight as to how Cove’s pricing works, what’s included in its packages, and the features you’ll enjoy the most. We’ll also give you details about the not-so-good things about Cove so you can make a decision based on reliable facts. Ready? Let’s start.

Cove’s Equipment Costs

Cove’s equipment is genuinely budget-friendly — the priciest item in the lineup is the Cove Hub and Alarm Panel, both priced at $150. Most other components fall well under that mark. Plus, all systems come with a free indoor camera (a $99 value), and additional cameras run just $49.99 each.

Overview of Cove’s Equipment Pricing

Note that these are Cove’s retail prices. They’re always running a sale of at least 50 percent. They also don’t offer any packages. Rather, you can just pick out your security equipment piece by piece, which saves you from paying for anything you don’t want.

Good news for your wallet, Cove has some of the most affordable devices in the smart home security market today. Cove’s door sensors, for instance, are just $7.50, while SimpliSafe’s cost twice as much, $15, and abode’s cost over three times as much, $28. (Visit our best affordable security systems page for more money-saving ideas.) But affordability shouldn’t compromise security. According to FBI crime data, burglary remains one of the most common property crimes in the U.S., with the majority of break-ins occurring through doors and windows — making sensor coverage a genuine priority, not just a nice-to-have.

Cove’s Monitoring Prices

When buying a Cove system, you would have to budget for the monthly monitoring fee. That part is required. Unlike SimpliSafe which allows self-monitoring, all Cove systems must be monitored professionally. The good news is you’re not going to have to spend over $35 for any of Cove’s monitoring packages. You’ll either pay $22.99 per month for Cove Basic or $32.99 per month for Cove Plus.

Also, keep in mind that you’ll get cellular backup security with any of those two plans. Cellular backup will keep your system online when your power or internet goes out. That applies only to Cove’s sensors and hub. Security cameras still require a working internet to transmit and record videos. If you’re looking for cameras that can work without the internet, check out our Reolink review or our Arlo Go review. Both offer cellular-connected cameras. But we digress; here’s everything you’ll enjoy with Cove’s monitoring plans:

Cove’s Monitoring Breakdown

There are two plans to choose from: Basic and Plus. Let’s talk about exactly what you get in each:

• 24/7 professional monitoring: A team of people will check in if any of your alarms go off, verifying emergencies before contacting the proper services.
• Environmental monitoring: The 24/7 professional monitoring will also include any environmental monitors, like your smoke, CO, or flood sensors from Cove.
• Triple-Touch communications: The Triple-Touch Alarm Response means that the monitoring team contacts its users three ways— through LiveAssist, a.k.a your control panel, through InstaText, meaning you’ll receive a text, and by a direct phone call. If they can’t reach you by any of these methods, that’s when the monitors will reach out to the police, the local hospital, or the fire department, depending on the type of alarm that went off.
• Cove InstaText: Aside from calling you, the professional monitoring team can even text you during emergencies, which may come in handy if you’re hiding from an intruder. This two-way text communication speeds up response times compared to traditional phone-only monitoring services. It also allows for group texts that include the whole family.
• Cove LiveAssist: Using the Alarm Panel, you can speak directly to the professional monitors making for quicker response times than if you call by phone.
• Smash and Grab protection: The Panel has Smash and Grab protection, meaning that if someone tries to tamper with it, the monitoring team will respond and the panel’s sirens will sound.
• Cellular backup: This keeps your system communication on in the event of power or internet outages.
• Automated hourly system checks: Cove’s system tests itself hourly to make sure it is in proper working order and that its connection to the monitoring team is active.
• 24-hour battery backup: The Touch Panel also comes with battery backup to last 24 hours, in case of power outages.
• Equipment warranty: Your warranty is either a year under the Basic Plan or lifetime with the Plus Plan.
• Smartphone control: Cove’s app controls the system, just like the touchscreen alarm panel does. With a Cove Basic or Plus plan, you’ll gain access to the app for remote control.
• Alexa and Google Assistant integrations: You can control your Cove security system with Alexa or integrate it with Google Assistant on either the Basic or Plus plan.
• $5 per month equipment reward: If you want to buy more Cove equipment, the company will give you an extra $5 a month to pay for it.
• Lifetime monitoring rate-lock guarantee: Finally, if you’re a Plus plan member, Cove will lock in your monthly rate for life, so your monthly fee will never increase.
• Camera support: Finally, all systems with security cameras need a Plus plan.

Cove Installation Costs

We installed Cove ourselves for free, but now Cove offers professional installation for just $79. This is a decent price to have everything done for you, comparable with other home security companies like SimpliSafe.

How Cove Fits Into Our Smart Home

If you’re already deep into your own smart home ecosystem, you’ll be happy to know that Cove works with Alexa, Amazon’s voice assistant, and Google Assistant, Google’s version. With Alexa, we armed our system in away mode or asked for its status. And don’t worry; you won’t be able to disarm your system with voice commands for obvious reasons!

Using Google Assistant with our security system, we got the same capabilities as with Alexa. Plus, we had the ability to check event histories if we wanted to see what went on during specific days or weeks. Clearly, Google Assistant has more capabilities than Alexa does, so Cove would work better in the Google versus the Amazon smart home ecosystem.

Pricing-Wise, How Does Cove Compare?

We’ve reviewed the best wireless security systems of today, comparing and analyzing each brand’s pros and cons. Price, as you know, is always a big consideration when choosing the right system. (We’ve got lots more info on choosing the right system in our thorough security system buyers guide.)

Price-wise, Cove lands firmly on the affordable end of the spectrum — both for equipment and monthly monitoring. For equipment, you won’t spend more than $150 on any single component. Compare that to systems like Ring Alarm, which can stack up costs quickly once you start adding sensors and cameras, and Cove starts looking like a pretty smart budget pick.

On the monitoring side, while some traditional security companies charge upward of $60 a month, Cove’s plans top out at $32.99 — and still pack in most of the same features. On top of that, Cove regularly runs promotions on their equipment, so it’s worth checking their site for current deals before you buy.

The Overall Value of Cove

Cove isn’t just a good choice for someone who doesn’t want to break the bank. Despite being a relatively new player in the home security industry, its system delivers reliable performance with professional-grade features, as you can read about in our full review of the Cove security system. With affordable monitoring plans and nice smart home integrations, Cove democratizes smart home security, making it available whether you have a large house that needs a ton of equipment or a small apartment. When it comes to Cove, everything’s totally customizable and available for some of the lowest prices around.