Cove Home Security System Review 2026

Cove used to be one of our top picks for a DIY home security system. Unfortunately, Cove seems to have gone downhill since we last tested it. From lack of transparency to faulty equipment to torturous installation, I was very disappointed.

Cove does have its perks, though. You can get a fully decked-out system on the cheap, and the devices come with a lifetime warranty. Plus, for a little more, they'll have a professional come out and install the system. 

Here's how my experience went, along with all the details about Cove security systems.

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 $19.99 to $29.99 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.

Cove used to have monitoring prices on its website. For some reason, they decided that security system shoppers don't need to be able to find this information easily anymore. The page now encourages you to call their customer service line or start a chat to get more information. If you're like me, that was a big turn-off. 

I tried to start a chat, but before I could even ask a question, the chat would close itself out. After multiple attempts, I gave up on connecting with a chat agent.

One good thing is you can control your equipment costs with Cove. Most equipment is available à la carte, and you can get a basic setup (a hub, base, and a sensor) for around $350 (up about $50 since we reviewed them last).

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. It was super quick, and kinda fun.

For my 3-bedroom house, the quiz ended up with a system that cost around $1,100. This price included indoor, doorbell, and outdoor cameras, three door sensors, five window sensors, two key fobs, a hub, a touchscreen panel, a carbon monoxide detector, a smoke detector, and a flood sensor. That's a pretty good price for the number of devices.

If that seems like a lot, Cove also runs big sales with deep discounts. My quote dropped down to $400 after the discount. Cove also lets you pay for equipment up front or over time. Financing is through a third-party lender named Affirm.

The Cove Plus plan includes:

• Lifetime equipment warranty: No worries about replacing equipment. If it breaks, Cove will fix it.

• Camera support: You can only use your cameras if you have Plus.

• $5 per month equipment reward: Your account will save $5 per month to go toward a system upgrade in the future. This is the only security company we know of that does this.

All Cove home security packages come with these features:

• 24/7 alarm monitoring
• Environmental monitoring: The system monitors for fire, smoke, carbon monoxide, and/or flooding using sensors.
• Cove InstaText: You'll get an instant text if your system detects a problem.
• Cove LiveAssist: You can call a Cove assistant through your panel.
• Smash and grab protection: If an intruder smashes your security system to prevent it from getting help, the police are called.
• Smartphone control: You can use the app to monitor your home.
• Cellular connection: Your system will still work even without Wi-Fi.

• 24-hour battery backup: If the power goes out, you'll still have 24 hours of protection.

• One-year equipment warranty: The basic plan covers your equipment repairs for one year.

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 the Cove devices cost. 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 doesn’t have contracts. But that’s not Cove’s only customer-first policy. Here's a few more.

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. If you get the cheaper plan, you still get a year's worth of coverage.

Cove isn’t the only home security company to bundle a better warranty into a more expensive plan. ADT does the same thing with its Quality Service Plan, which 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.

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.

Unfortunately, the instructions from the hub and the app are vague. There was a lot of guessing and trial and error. What should have been a 30-minute installation took around four hours (I had two helpers!) and I've been installing home security systems for about 10 years. I've never ran into as many problems as I did with the Cove system.

There is a solution. You can pay $129 for professional installation. After the trouble I had, I'd say it's worth it if you can afford it.

Cove’s smart home offerings are fairly scant. The system is focused first on providing security, and home automation features 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 Nest thermostat or August smart door lock with your Cove security system.

Cove told us that expanded smart home compatibility is coming. 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.

Cove has 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. Cove currently has a Trustpilot rating of 4.6 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: 1.5 stars out of 5 (Way down from the 3.0 it used to have!)
• Cove Security app on Apple App Store: 1.6 stars out of 5 (Way down from the 4.5 it used to have!)

If you want a customizable home security system that’s easy on the budget and doesn’t lock you into a contract, we think Cove is a contender. Just be ready to trade the savings for a little frustration.

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