Cox Homelife Security Review

Although national home security companies offer larger coverage areas, regional brands like Cox Homelife are ideal for internet customers looking to bundle services into a single monthly bill. Cox Homelife's equipment isn't going to turn any heads, but it's functional and more affordable than other pro-install security companies like Vivint and ADT.

Still, Homelife can be expensive if you aren't already a Cox customer—and its availability in 16 states means there's a good chance you can't take it when you move. Here's how Cox Homelife holds up to the competition.

You can choose between a Smart Home + Security plan with professional monitoring and smart home integration or a Smart Home setup without security monitoring.

We typically recommend professional monitoring because there are always eyes on your system. If someone triggers your alarm and you're unavailable to respond, one of Cox Homelife's monitoring center professionals will contact emergency services for you. Cox has five monitoring centers.

But if you're not interested in a professionally monitored security system, Cox gives you the option to self-monitor cameras with the Homelife Smart Home plan. This plan even includes continuous video recording for free—for up to four cameras—something that somehow costs $15 extra per month on the top-tier Smart Home + Security plan.

Cox has a lot in common with systems like Vivint and ADT that claim spots in our best home security systems. All three offer professional monitoring and installation, and you get smart home devices with each. Cox and Vivint have comparable pricing, but you'll pay much more for the same through ADT.

With devices like doorbell cameras and compatibility with Alexa, Vivint and ADT also have a fuller range of smart home equipment. Cox Homelife's lack of smart home compatibility ultimately prevents it from competing with Vivint and ADT on equal terms.

Cox Homelife security comes with some fine print and additional costs like an installation fee of $100 (depending on the plan you choose) and unspecified termination fees when you cancel.

This is disappointing because Cox lists specific cancellation fees for its other services but not Homelife. At least you can cancel within 30 days after the installation to get a full refund.

You can avoid cancellation fees and the two-year contract if you purchase your equipment outright. This puts you on the hook for $250+ in equipment costs, so it's not a budget-friendly option.

If you don't have the money to pay for Cox security system equipment up front, you can roll your equipment and monitoring into the monthly payment. Those with qualifying credit who sign a two-year agreement can get a starter kit for no additional up-front costs.

Cox Homelife offers an optional Equipment Service Plan for around $5 a month, which pays for service calls and device replacement after the initial three-month warranty expires. This extended warranty is similar to what you'll find with ADT's Quality Service Plan.

While we think the Equipment Service Plan is a nice upgrade for folks that want extra equipment protection, there's always a chance your equipment will work as intended, so you won't need help after setup. It mostly comes down to your budget and personal preferences.

• HD indoor/outdoor camera (1)
• Door/window sensors (2)
• Indoor motion sensor (1)
• Yard sign (1)
• Window decals (2)
• Touchscreen control panel (1)

The Cox alarm system offers garden-variety security and home automation equipment. The Homelife Smart Home + Security starter package includes standards like door/window sensors, a motion detector, and a touchscreen control panel rental. The touchscreen remains the property of Cox and must be returned to Cox upon termination of service to avoid additional charges.

Still, we like that the base equipment includes a Cox Homelife camera—something most companies reserve for upgraded equipment packages.

Beyond the starter kit, you can add various devices to your Homelife system to expand its security and smart home capabilities.

Except for the HD camera, all of these devices require Homelife's top-tier plan—we couldn't see any of them when we selected the $15 monthly plan in the Cox online portal.

Homelife doesn't appear to offer a glass break sensor, carbon monoxide detector, or garage door contact sensor anymore—all three were available the last time we updated our review. This makes Cox even less viable as a full-featured replacement for home security systems like Frontpoint and SimpliSafe.

If you buy the Smart Home + Security plan, the Cox Homelife system requires professional installation. We like professional installation because they come with the expertise of a trained technician in your home and personalized consultation on what your home needs for security and automation. The standard install fee starts at $100, about the same as ADT's base installation fee.

But they can add to your costs: installation fees apply and often increase as you add more equipment to your starter kit.

Cox estimates that most installations take "about four hours," but a system with such a small starter kit seems like a generous estimate. Timing depends on how much equipment you purchase and how large your home is.

You can self-install many Cox accessories if you already have a Homelife system, eliminating the need for a technician visit. If you order an HD camera, smart LED light bulb, smart lock, or smart plug, you can add them to your system on your own. For folks with the base plan—Cox Homelife Smart Home—there's no installation fee, and you install the HD camera yourself.

It's hard to believe that Cox Homelife's emphasis is home automation because there's not much available beyond a smart thermostat, smart plug, smart lock, and smart LED light bulb.

There's no third-party compatibility with popular smart home platforms like Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Assistant. This means you can't integrate Cox Homelife into a larger smart home system like most modern home security systems.

Still, at least you have the Cox Homelife app. You use the app to control your Cox smart home devices, change settings, and set automations based on activity. So you can keep the lights on for your pets when you leave, control the smart thermostat at night, or record clips from the camera when a sensor picks up movement.

We found consistently poor reviews from Cox customers during our research: reports of exaggerated promises, no-show technicians, and equipment confusion. We also found Cox Communications rates around one star and many complaints about its other services through the Better Business Bureau, though the BBB gives Cox an A+ rating.

Cox's online resources collect important Homelife articles, videos, and an extensive FAQ in one place for easy access. You can also contact Cox 24/7 via live chat or call one of the three helplines available for Cox customers—including a dedicated support number for Cox Homelife.

Cox Homelife is a nice add-on if you already use Cox Communications' internet, cable, or phone services. And it may appeal to you if you're a locally minded shopper in one of its service areas. Still, we recommend looking elsewhere if you want smart home compatibility.

Not ready to decide? Check out our best home security system comparison to see our top picks nationwide.

Cox Homelife isn't available in our state, so we weren't able to get the full experience. Instead of testing, we sifted through pages of customer reviews, watched instructional videos, and read all the fine print to understand better what life is like with the Cox home security system. But we didn't stop there. We also talked to the company to get the details on the latest plans and product offerings.

Read our full methodology to learn more about our evaluation process for home security systems and other safety products.

Contributing writers: John Carlsen, Celeste Tholen

• Best Home Security Systems
• Best Smart Home Hubs
• Can I Have My Existing Security System Equipment Monitored?
• Comcast Xfinity Home Security Review