Cox Homelife Security

HOW DOES Cox Homelife Security WORK?

Equipment - 7 / 10

COX Homelife offers a range of security devices and add-on equipment to make use of in your home security system. One important thing to note with Cox is that you don’t own your equipment; upon cancellation, you must return all equipment to Cox. Also, even if you could keep the equipment, no other company can monitor that system.

As they focus on technology and home automation, the equipment is advanced and can be combined to make a decent security system. Remember that if you want the touchscreen control panel that controls the entire house home automation then you need to be signed up for the monitored security service.

The company is Openhome certified which means that their system is compatible with a number of brands including Sercomm, Visonic, SMC, Kwikset, Hitron etc.
However, not all equipment is cross-compatible. It is therefore advisable to seek advice before adding on in this case.

SECURITY MONITORS, SENSORS, & DEVICES

MONITORING

Monitoring - 7 / 10

COX Homelife does offer 24/7 professional monitoring services in addition to their smart home automation security devices. It is not included in the base package so you need to sign up for the more expensive one in order to get it.

Monitoring includes some additional features such as a backup system in the event of a network or power outage, continuous video recording, and enhanced safety equipment such as smoke, fire, and carbon monoxide detectors.

How much does Cox Homelife Security cost?

Contract & Price - 6 / 10

COX Homelife offers users with two primary security plans, namely the smart home automation plan as well as the smart home automation plus monitoring plan. Additionally, people can upgrade further to get add-ons or bundles included in their plan.

Smart Home Automation Plan

At $29.99, this package offers the basic features offered by COX Homelife. It includes a number of smart security features which give you constant access to your home, as well as control options that monitor the environment and perform security tasks through the Homelife app.

Included in this plan you get to control lighting, a live video feed as well as door and window alerts. The devices are upgrade ready which means you can add to the system at an added cost when you are ready.

Although it is nice to be able to see what is going on at your home during all hours, relying on self-monitoring to keep you secure is simply not enough. When it comes to real emergencies, 24/7 professional monitoring is the way to go, and that could be indicative of why their packages encourage people to buy the plus plan.

Smart Home Automation + Monitored Security Plan

With all the benefits of the standard plan, this package offers several additional benefits for you to enjoy. The most important of which is the professional 24/7 monitoring service which gives you better peace of mind and security. Additionally, you will get extra benefits such as power and network outage backup systems, pet-friendly motion sensors, and continuous recording.

Considering that their monthly plan includes equipment to a certain value it is safe to say that when signing up, you are doing so for a certain amount of time. However, it is not immediately clear as to how long that period is for. That is unless you sign up for a TV, internet, and phone bundle in which case the information is then specified on the bundle advertisement. Simply put, you are looking at least a couple of years for the contract.

Contract & Price Fine Print

https://www.cox.com/aboutus/policies/home-automation-terms.html#warranty

TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATIONS

Technology Integration - 9 / 10

Using their hardware, you can integrate your security system with your smart home through wireless technology. The Homelife app will send you notifications as to when certain events such as an alarm trigger or activation occurs. Similarly, you can use your smartphone to control the smart devices in your home and do things like open doors, adjust the temperature, or see who is standing outside.

The system is relatively easy to use so you can give your whole family access to the various controls that they need.

Cox Homelife Security reputation

Reputation - 7 / 10

User experiences with COX Homelife have been somewhat mixed. While many praise the company based on the ease of use and convenience of their products, others have criticized the long term contracts you have to sign up for, and installation procedures required.

Additionally, early termination penalties also hinder experimentation and acceptance among consumers looking for more flexibility. This creates additional barriers for new customers and can alienate a significant number who value the option to go month-to-month.

While COX Homelife offers several types of hardware, bundle, and package options that allow for upgrades, many of the standard security features that people seek out are only available in the more advanced package.

Furthermore, it seems a little counter-intuitive to offer home automation without a key component – the touchscreen control panel, even if it can be purchased or rented separately. What it means is there is a definite cost not included, skewing your budget somewhat.

While we are told that COX Homelife security systems offer many smart features and can be well integrated with compatible devices, for those that aren’t so tech-savvy, there seems to be little clarity on what can be used in the first place, unfortunately.