With a proven home security system in place, you can protect your family and prepare yourself in the event of a break-in. We’ve put together a list of the six best security home providers in Columbus by evaluating several criteria, including price, contracts, and customer satisfaction. *J.D. Power’s 2020 Home Security Satisfaction Study. Based on a 1,000-point scale. Why we chose it SimpliSafe makes it easy for customers to set up their home security system with bundled packages or DIY systems. Choose between a self-monitored or professionally monitored system. Pros:
Mix-and-match cameras and devicesMultiple monitoring optionsMoney-back guarantee
Cons:
Professional monitoring more expensive than competitorsNo smart home devicesNo touch-screen control panel
Equipment available:
Indoor/outdoor cameraMotion sensorSmoke detectorTemperature detectorPanic buttonWater sensor
Plans and pricing:
Standard Monitoring: $0.50/dayInteractive Monitoring: $0.83/day
Why we chose it Pros:
Wide variety of cameras and security devicesDiscounts availableIntegration with third-party devices
Cons:
Storage requires subscriptionHistory of security issues
Equipment available:
Video doorbellIndoor cameraOutdoor cameraMotion detectorSmoke detectorPanic button
Plans and pricing:
Ring Protect Basic: $3/month or $30/yearRing Protect Plus: $10/month or $100/yearProfessional Monitoring (includes Ring Protect Plus): $10/month or $100/year
Why we chose it If you’re concerned about break-ins, Abode offers various motion and intrusion detector devices to give you increased peace of mind. Keep an eye on your windows, doors, and other entrances where intruders could break in. Pros:
Professional monitoring service cheaper than competitors’Hazard and window/door sensors availableDIY installation
Cons:
Only one security camera is availableBasic control panel without a touch screenCellular backup only with a subscription
Equipment available:
Security cameraDoor/window sensorGlass break sensorMotion sensorIndoor and outdoor sirensSmart home power switch
Plans and pricing:
Standard Plan: $6/month or $60/yearPro Plan: $20/month or $200/year
Why we chose it With cameras that boast 12x digital zoom, high resolutions, HD night vision and wide-angle lens, Arlo snags the title of the highest quality camera with it’ Pro 4 model. Pros:
Variety of camera modelsMultiple camera charging optionsVariety of accessories available
Cons:
Only one camera with the basic planNo sensors availableVideo storage access only with a subscription
Equipment available:
Security cameraVideo doorbellFloodlight cameraSolar panel chargerRechargeable cameraCharging station
Plans and pricing:
Premier: $2.99/month (for single camera) or $9.99/month (for up to five cameras)Elite: $4.99 (for single camera) or $14.99/month (for up to five cameras)
Why we chose it ADT is one of the biggest brands in home security, and while its DIY security solutions are a top pick, its experience in professional security monitoring can’t be ignored Pros:
A free first month of monitoringTop-rated home security productsEstablished company: 145 years in business
Cons:
Monitoring service costs more than competitorsEmergency services alert only with a subscriptionMotion and hazard detectors must be purchased with a security system bundle
Equipment available:
Video doorbellIndoor cameraOutdoor cameraDoor/window sensorMotion sensor
Plans and pricing:
24/7 Professional Monitoring: $19.99/month (first month free)
Why we chose it In addition to its well-rounded selection of home security devices, Cove offers extra monitoring services with InstaText, LiveAssist, and RapidSOS to quickly connect you with authorities in case of an emergency. Pros:
Customizable bundles60-day money-back guaranteeMilitary, first responder, and teacher discounts
Cons:
It doesn’t sell its own smart home devicesNo outdoor or doorbell camerasCove Plus required to access smartphone control
Equipment available:
Indoor cameraMotion detectorDoor sensorKey remoteFlood sensorMedical button
Plans and pricing:
Cove Basic: $14.99/monthCove Plus: $24.99/month
Home security in Columbus: What you need to know
Columbus, Ohio, crime statistics
Considering that Columbus has more crime than 95% of other communities in the Buckeye State, Columbus, Ohio, home security systems are definitely in demand. Most of the crime committed in the city is property crime – including theft, burglary, and destruction of property. Here’s a quick look at crime rates in Columbus:
In 2019, there were 30 600 property crimes reported in Columbus.In Columbus, most property crimes occur at victims’ residences, followed by parking garages and highways/streets.According to a LexisNexis crime map, there are concentrated instances of burglaries in the university and Short North areas, as well as in the Hilltop and Linden neighborhood areas between March 2020 and March 2021.
Research your neighborhood
As the capital of Ohio and the home of Ohio State University, Columbus has many diverse neighborhoods, including Bexley, Clintonville, Franklinton, and Westerville. If you live in or plan on moving to one of these areas, it’s important to understand the crime rates in your neighborhood before investing in a home security system. Having this knowledge will help you determine how robust your system should be and whether or not you should invest in professional monitoring. Find out about crime patterns in your area by checking out websites like NeighborhoodScout or Niche. On these sites, you’ll get an idea about common crimes in the city, along with information about crime in particular neighborhoods. You can also check out local newspapers (like the Columbus Dispatch) to find media coverage about crimes near you.
Register your home security system in Columbus
In Columbus, Ohio, any new home security systems need to be registered with city authorities within 30 days of installation. It’s important to submit your information accurately so that the city has an updated register of alarm systems and emergency responders have it in case of a break-in or accident at your home. Here’s how to register a security system in Columbus:
- Visit the Columbus alarm registration website
- Select “Apply for Registration and Pay Online.”
- Fill out the application or download the form and submit it through mail or in-person
- Pay the registration fee Like many other cities across the country, Columbus is committed to reducing false alarms. To do so, the city has established a False Alarm Reduction Program, which issues fees for repeated false alarms. Residents with registered security systems aren’t charged for their first false alarm, but a second violation costs $50. If you have three or more false alarms at your property, you’ll pay at least $100 per offense.
How to choose your Columbus home security system
Local vs. national companies
Methodology
We evaluated home security companies based on equipment cost, monthly costs, contract options, installation and customer satisfaction to determine our scores and create our best home security reviews. To compare home security companies with other providers across the board, we calculate each score based on the following:
Monthly price: The lower the cost of a home security company’s monthly contract, the higher the score. Inversely, the higher the cost of the monthly contract, the lower the score in this metric. Equipment cost: Affordability is important with home security, so we awarded higher scores to home security companies with lower equipment prices.Contracts: We reviewed the flexibility in contracts of the home security companies. The more flexibility, like having no contracts to bind customers for long periods, the higher the score. Customer satisfaction: With J.D. Power’s 2020 Home Security Satisfaction Study, we assigned a score to each company based on the rating it received.Installation: Like with contracts, we award higher scores to companies with flexible installation options, like DIY or professional options.
