Luckily, security systems really do make potential burglars think twice.1 We’ve rounded up and researched the best home security systems in Canada, so you can stop standing at your front window with a hockey stick and let someone else keep an eye on things for a change. Our top recommendation is TELUS, our Canada-only option, but for price-conscious folks, we suggest Ring. Read on to learn more. TELUS is a plan-oriented service with tons of options. You can pick self- or professional monitoring—cameras or no cameras—smart home service or no smart home service. And while some of the plans cost more than average, TELUS SmartHome Security also offers bundling services that can net you some substantial discounts. So if you already have or sign up for TELUS phone, TV, or internet, your home security service costs will go down quite a bit. In some cases, with discounts, TELUS plans are cheaper than competitors’ equivalents. You’ll also see some cool benefits rolled into every TELUS plan, like online security benefits such as VPNs and device protection. That way, TELUS protects your home and your devices. TELUS also isn’t a smart home compatibility leader. The brand works with Google Assistant, Alexa, and a curated list of products from a few different brands. It also has a neat Scene function in its app. But the main drawback with TELUS is the contracts. Because TELUS lets you essentially rent the equipment and pay it back over time, you’ll need to commit to a minimum of three years and sometimes as many as five. If you can’t see yourself staying put that long, you’re better off with Ring. We’re not the first ones to give Frontpoint some major kudos for its customer service and support.²,³ Plus, as DIY-installed security systems go, Frontpoint has a wide range of affordable equipment and detectors (including standards like glass break sensors and a motion sensor), that’s super easy to set up—and it gives you all the home automation integrations you could ever want. You might see faster installation times from preconfigured systems like Link Interactive, but all things considered, Frontpoint was a cinch to install. Still, the equipment prices and the top-notch customer service might make the higher monitoring price worth it to you to get the best service.
Frontpoint hub Keypad Touchscreen Door/window sensor Motion sensor Glass break sensor Smoke and heat sensor Carbon monoxide sensor Flood sensor Smart door lock Outdoor smart plug Wireless light control Indoor camera Outdoor camera Doorbell camera Keychain remote
Frontpoint gives you some pretty huge discounts on equipment—it basically always has a deal going on for its equipment packages. (Don’t worry though, if you don’t see a package that has everything you want, you can still add on devices, like that extra door/window sensor, à la carte.) Brinks Home has pretty standard equipment, and its prices aren’t super expensive but aren’t super cheap either. Brinks Home uses not just phone calls, but also text messages, emails, and what they call LiveAssist to try to get in contact with you if something triggers your system. The multiple channels of contact make it way easier for you to get the message. Five minutes strikes us as a bit longer, and definitely longer than we’ve ever seen it take an alarm provider to respond. But we do think using multiple channels helps Brinks Home get in touch with its customers faster.
Beyond Smart Hub Door sensor Window sensor Motion detector Smoke detector CO detector Flood sensor Smart door lock Garage door controller Smart thermostat Smart switch Smartbulb Smart water valve Smart irrigation controller Indoor camera Outdoor camera Video doorbell Wellness camera Playback DVR
Ring Alarm is a no-contract security system that you can install yourself. It’s also a total steal, with super affordable equipment prices and the lowest cost for professional monitoring we’ve ever seen. Unfortunately, Ring has had a history of security issues over the years.6 Which could be a dealbreaker for some users. You can also get professional monitoring through Ring without breaking the bank. You’ll pay only $20 per month for someone to keep an extra set of eyes on your system 24/7. And if you’d rather just monitor your system yourself with your phone, then you can do that for free. (Just remember you won’t be able to view past footage.) But if you want to view past footage for just one camera or doorbell, you’ll only pay $3.99 a month. We’re talking smart door locks, smart lights, smart outlets. You can get it all and integrate it with your Ring system. Ring’s got indoor security cameras, outdoor security cameras, and a bunch of other specialized camera options. Plus, all of Ring’s cameras work with the same Ring app you use to control Ring Alarm.
Base stations Keypads Entry sensors Motion detector Flood and freeze sensor Smoke and CO listener Panic button Lights Smartbulbs Transformer Bridge Indoor cameras Outdoor cameras Video doorbells Video doorbell faceplates Battery pack Chimes Charging stations Solar panels Solar chargers Transformer Adapter
You can purchase the security sensors in an Ring Alarm Security Kit, while the cameras, accessories, and smart home items are typically separate.
Price Equipment Home automation Cameras Customer service
We’ve tested the US versions of Frontpoint and Ring and read customer reviews of all the services to help form our star ratings. While opting out of professional monitoring may save you some money, paying the extra for professional monitoring if you can afford it ensures peace of mind knowing that your home is monitored 24/7. IP stands for “ingress protection” and it measures how well your devices can stand up to climate extremes. The highest IP rating you can get is IP67. An outdoor camera with a rating of IP65 or higher is one of the best weatherproof cameras you can find on the market and can withstand rain, snow, and cold weather. Both the TELUS Outdoor Wi-Fi Camera and the Brinks Home Outdoor Video Camera are great options for extreme weather. TELUS advertises the Outdoor Wi-Fi Camera as being able to withstand temperatures through -25°C to 45°C. Brinks Home Outdoor Video Camera has operating temperature of -20°C to 50°C.
