Slomin’s Shield is the security arm of Slomin’s Inc. — a family-owned New York/New Jersey company that’s been delivering home heating oil since 1923. They added a security division to cross-sell existing heating customers, and it shows: affordable promotional pricing upfront, but long contracts, limited coverage, and a dated technology stack that can’t compete with modern DIY systems.
This review covers every plan, the real costs behind “free” equipment, how Slomin’s compares to national alternatives, and who should actually consider them in 2026.
Quick Facts: Slomin’s Shield Security
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Parent company | Slomin’s Inc. (family-owned since 1923) |
| Headquarters | Hicksville, New York (Long Island) |
| Primary business | Home heating oil delivery — security is a secondary division |
| Coverage area | NY metro, Long Island, NJ, parts of CT and PA only |
| Installation | Professional only (included in contract) |
| Monitoring | 24/7 professional, UL-listed central station |
| Starting price | “Free” equipment + $33.95/mo (with 3-5 year contract) |
| Contract | Required — 3-5 years, no month-to-month option |
| Early termination fee | $500-$1,500+ depending on remaining months |
| Equipment ownership | Slomin’s owns it — you lease the equipment |
| BBB rating | A+ (but mixed customer reviews) |
| Best for | Existing Slomin’s heating customers in NY/NJ who want a bundle discount |
Slomin’s Business Model: Understanding the Cross-Sell
Slomin’s isn’t really a security company — it’s a heating oil company that uses security as a customer retention tool:
| Strategy | How It Works | Impact on You |
|---|---|---|
| Bundle discount | Heating oil customers get lower security rates | Good deal if you use Slomin’s oil — less compelling standalone |
| “Free” equipment | Equipment cost built into monthly fee over 3-5 year contract | You pay more than retail over the contract term |
| Long contracts | 3-5 years locks you in as an oil customer too | Switching heating providers becomes harder |
| Equipment leasing | You don’t own the security equipment | If you cancel, Slomin’s may reclaim the equipment |
| Regional exclusivity | Only serve NY/NJ/CT/PA metro | Can’t take the system if you move out of area |
Slomin’s Shield Plans & Real Pricing
| Plan | Monthly | Equipment | Contract | What’s Included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Alarm | $33.95/mo | “Free” (leased) | 3-5 years | Panel, 3 door/window sensors, 1 motion, 24/7 monitoring |
| With Cameras | ~$44.95/mo | “Free” + camera fees | 3-5 years | Basic + indoor/outdoor cameras, video recording |
| Smart Home Bundle | ~$49.95+/mo | “Free” + device fees | 3-5 years | Full system + smart locks, thermostat, lights, cameras |
The “Free” Equipment Trap Explained
| What They Say | What It Means | The Math |
|---|---|---|
| “Free alarm system” | Basic panel + 3 sensors leased to you | $33.95 × 36 months = $1,222 for equipment worth ~$150-$200 |
| “Free installation” | Install cost built into monthly fee | You’re paying for it — just spread over years |
| “Free cameras” | Camera monitoring fee added to monthly | $44.95/mo × 36 = $1,618 vs buying a $35 camera outright |
| “Upgrade anytime” | More equipment = higher monthly + extended contract | Each upgrade may reset your contract clock |
Bottom line: Nothing is free. Slomin’s “free” equipment deal costs $1,222+ over 3 years for a basic system worth $150-$200 at retail. You don’t own it, and canceling means paying $500-$1,500 in termination fees.
Slomin’s Equipment & Features
| Category | What Slomin’s Offers | Quality Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Alarm panel | Touchscreen panel (brand varies — often Honeywell/Resideo) | Functional but not latest generation |
| Door/window sensors | Standard wireless sensors | Adequate — not as small/sleek as modern alternatives |
| Motion detector | PIR motion sensor | Standard — pet immunity varies |
| Cameras | Indoor and outdoor options, video doorbell | Functional but below Ring/Wyze/Abode quality |
| Glass break sensor | Available (additional cost) | Standard acoustic detection |
| Environmental | Smoke, CO, flood detectors | Good safety coverage |
| Smart home | Smart locks, lights, thermostat via app | Limited compared to Z-Wave/Zigbee hubs |
| App | Slomin’s Shield app — arm/disarm, view cameras, alerts | Mixed reviews — functional but dated UI |
| HomeKit | ❌ | Not supported |
| Z-Wave/Zigbee hub | Limited | Not a smart home hub |
3-Year Cost Comparison
| System | Equipment | Monthly | 3-Year Total | Contract | Own Equipment? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slomin’s Basic | $0 (leased) | $33.95 | $1,222 | 3-5 years | ❌ Slomin’s owns it |
| Slomin’s + Cameras | $0 (leased) | $44.95 | $1,618 | 3-5 years | ❌ |
| Slomin’s Smart Home | $0 (leased) | $49.95 | $1,798 | 3-5 years | ❌ |
| Abode (self-monitored) | $199 | $0 | $199 | None | ✅ You own it |
| Abode Connect+ | $199 | $12 | $631 | None | ✅ |
| SimpliSafe | $249 | $17.99 | $897 | None | ✅ |
| Ring Protect Pro | $199 | $20 | $919 | None | ✅ |
| ADT Self Setup | $199 | $24.99 | $1,099 | None | ✅ |
Slomin’s basic costs $1,222 over 3 years — and you don’t own the equipment. Abode with professional monitoring costs $631 (you own everything), saving $591 with no contract and no cancellation risk.
Slomin’s Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Low promotional monthly rates | 3-5 year contracts required — no month-to-month |
| Professional installation included | You don’t own the equipment (leased) |
| Bundle discount with Slomin’s heating oil | $500-$1,500 early termination fees |
| UL-listed monitoring center | Only available in NY/NJ/CT/PA metro areas |
| Family-owned company (since 1923) | Security is secondary business — not their core focus |
| Smoke/CO/flood detection available | App is dated compared to SimpliSafe, Abode, Ring |
| Good for existing Slomin’s oil customers | No HomeKit, limited smart home integration |
| Environmental sensors | Cameras and smart devices increase monthly cost significantly |
Slomin’s vs Modern DIY: Feature Comparison
| Feature | Slomin’s Shield | Abode | SimpliSafe | Ring |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly (monitored) | $33.95-$49.95 | $0-$20 | $17.99-$29.99 | $20 |
| Contract | 3-5 years | None | None | None |
| DIY install | ❌ | ✅ (15 min) | ✅ (30 min) | ✅ (15 min) |
| Own equipment | ❌ (leased) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| HomeKit | ❌ | ✅ Native | ❌ | ❌ |
| Z-Wave/Zigbee hub | Limited | ✅ Both | ❌ | Z-Wave only |
| Free self-monitoring | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | Limited |
| Cellular backup | ✅ | ✅ ($6/mo+) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cameras | Add-on ($$$) | $35 (Cam 2) | $99 (SimpliCam) | $60-$250 |
| Geofencing | Limited | ✅ CUE automations | ❌ | Basic |
| Portable (move with you) | ❌ (equipment reclaimed) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Nationwide coverage | ❌ (NY/NJ only) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| 3-year cost (monitored) | $1,222-$1,798 | $631 | $897 | $919 |
Cancellation: What to Expect
| Situation | What Happens | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Cancel mid-contract | Early termination fee (ETF) based on remaining months | $500-$1,500+ |
| Contract expires, want to cancel | Must give written notice 30-60 days before renewal | $0 if timed right |
| Auto-renewal missed | Contract may auto-renew for 1-2 years | Locked in again |
| Moving out of service area | May still owe ETF — check contract language | $500-$1,500+ |
| Equipment return | Slomin’s may require equipment return since they own it | $0 (but lose everything) |
| Switch to DIY system | Pay ETF, then install Abode same day | ETF + $199 for Abode |
Who Should Choose Slomin’s?
| Choose Slomin’s If… | Skip Slomin’s If… |
|---|---|
| You’re already a Slomin’s heating oil customer in NY/NJ | You might move in the next 3-5 years |
| You want everything professionally installed | You want to own your equipment |
| You’re staying in the NY/NJ area long-term | You want smart home integration (HomeKit, Z-Wave) |
| You value the heating + security bundle discount | You don’t want a multi-year contract |
| You prefer a local family-owned company | You want the best value (Abode saves $591+ over 3 years) |
Better Alternatives for NY/NJ Homeowners
If you’re in the New York/New Jersey area, you have access to every national DIY system:
| System | Why It’s Better Than Slomin’s | 3-Year Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Abode | $591 cheaper, no contract, HomeKit + Z-Wave, own equipment, free self-monitoring, portable | $631 |
| SimpliSafe | $325 cheaper, no contract, video verification (Fast Protect), own equipment | $897 |
| Ring | $303 cheaper, no contract, huge camera ecosystem, Alexa integration | $919 |
Our recommendation: Abode Smart Security Kit ($199) with Connect+ monitoring ($12/mo) gives you better technology, more smart home features, and $591 in savings over Slomin’s basic plan — with no contract and full equipment ownership. The 15-minute DIY install is easier than scheduling a Slomin’s technician visit.
Slomin’s Shield FAQ
Is Slomin’s a good security company?
Slomin’s provides adequate security monitoring at competitive promotional rates. Their strength is bundling with heating oil for existing customers. However, the 3-5 year contracts, leased equipment, regional limitations, and dated technology make them hard to recommend over modern DIY systems that cost less with no contract.
Can I cancel my Slomin’s contract early?
Yes, but expect an early termination fee of $500-$1,500+ depending on remaining months. Send cancellation in writing (certified mail) and confirm receipt. If your contract has auto-renewed, check if proper renewal notice was given — some states require advance written notice of auto-renewal.
Does Slomin’s work outside New York and New Jersey?
Slomin’s serves parts of Connecticut and Pennsylvania in addition to NY and NJ, but coverage is limited to metro areas near their service infrastructure. If you’re outside this region — or might move — choose a national system like Abode, Ring, or SimpliSafe that works anywhere.
Do I own the Slomin’s equipment?
No — Slomin’s leases the equipment to you. If you cancel, they may require you to return it. This is a significant disadvantage compared to DIY systems where you own everything outright from day one.
Is Slomin’s cheaper than ADT?
Slomin’s basic plan ($33.95/mo) is cheaper monthly than ADT Professional ($28.99-$59.99/mo) but comparable when you factor in Slomin’s longer contracts (3-5 years vs ADT’s 36 months). ADT Self Setup ($24.99/mo, no contract) is actually a better deal than Slomin’s. Abode Connect+ ($12/mo, no contract) beats both significantly.
Should I get Slomin’s security if I already use their heating oil?
The bundle discount makes Slomin’s more competitive for existing oil customers. If you plan to stay in the NY/NJ area for 5+ years and want professional installation without thinking about it, Slomin’s is acceptable. But you’ll still pay $591+ more over 3 years than Abode, and you won’t own the equipment. The bundle savings rarely make up the difference.
William is a tech buff and former corporate security officer turned cybercrime analyst. Computers have few secrets left for him, but home security and alarm systems… Well, those have plenty of secrets for their users, which William is now uncovering and explaining. His articles on home security helped many people take the matter seriously, invest in highly performing systems, and avoid becoming victims of burglaries.
Sophia says
My fiancé (now husband) and I rented an apt together years ago. While I wanted ADT, he wanted to use Slomins so I agreed. We were only in the apt for a year before we decided to relocate? I called Slomins to let them know that we would be moving in 30 days and they told me too bad, I’m bound to a contract and have to pay them to get out of it. They wanted $1500 to exit the contract which we didn’t have. I paid up through the entire lease and called again to tell them that I could not honor that exuberant amount for an alarm system. They told me that I should have read the contract thoroughly. Not only were they incredibly rude, but my co-worker had been in a similar situation and was able to negotiate an exit without penalties so they had options. Let’s just say that years later, they actually put a lien on my husband in the amount of $1800 as a penalty for breaking the contract.
So on top of paying the monthly service bill on time, this works out to be an additional $150 a month on top of the base price. Who pays $350-400 a month for a few monitors in an apartment?? Pure rip-off and compared to what I pay now, $90 every 3 months for an entire 4 bedroom house. There are too many cost effective options on the market to be tied in contract with this old school company. Nobody does that anymore. It’s a sign of pure desperation so my advice, steer clear. I wish I had followed my instincts and known that an ALARM company, not a bank, creditor or government agency, but an ALARM company would use mob tactics to strong-arm us into paying $400 a month AND put a lien on us for additional fees due to the loss of business, I would have run. Consider this a favor of what could happen with these thieves.
Keith Russell says
The Slomins Shield System allows “Z-Wave Devices” to be added by the consumer but the devices then cannot be updated, modified or removed by the consumer unless Slomins sends out an technician for more than $80.00 an hour. That is completely wrong by allowing a person to install equipment when following the manufactures instructions for the device that was purchased, incurring no charge or fee and then charging to update, modify or remove the device. Slomins has set a proprietary password locking the consumer out of accessing the Z-Wave Hub for the keypad. all that is needed to update modify or delete the Z-Wave Device is the touch of one button. The Z-Wave Device Manufactures believe the consumer should have access to in order to modify the devices as it is stated in their installation instructions.
Georgia says
Just putting this out there but if anybody is looking for an alarm company do not under any circumstances go throw Sloman’s. THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE IS THE ABSOLUTE WORST! I’ve had to have service people come out and readjust alarms that go off for no reason every 3 months at least. They make appointments to come out and then don’t show up and then tell you there’s nothing they can do about it about to get anybody else out to your house. No Consideration that you’ve taken time off from work To sit home for no reason, because they don’t come out over the weekend. Avoid the headache go with another alarm company sloeman’s is not worth the money you will spend and the aggravation you will have until your contract is up, Unless you get yourself an attorney to break the contract for you.
Cheryl says
I ordered Slomims. Service . The field tech consultant took my payment. Then to come to find out she said I didn’t qualify me and submitted the payment to the office. But when I called their mysterious office that has no address on their business cards. They said my payment was never in there computer. Which means the payment was never submitted by the field tech.
Then says I have to wait 5 to 7 days till they find out what’s going on when I have copy of receipts and everything.
Call to speak with customer service. I believe they are a paid answering company. Still waiting on Daniel the supervisor to call back they will not let you speak to anyone over a supervisor.
I just want to return if my money I feel like I’ve been robbed by a security company good job Slomin’s
Alarm Reviews says
Hey Cheryl, sorry to hear about the confusion you are having with them. I would make sure you spoke with a certified Solimins sales rep if they came and knocked on your door. And yes for monitoring it is very common for smaller companies to outsource their monitoring to big monitoring firms. This is the only way they stay profitable as the overhead for 24/7 employees in USA is very high and you need hundreds of accounts to justify the cost of only a few.
Thanks!
James says
I just feel they are all around outdated with so many new security devices and companies coming out. Lots of crowdfunding security cameras and with newer doorbell smart cams Slomins is just struggling to stay alive.
I think you are going to need more then average customer support and product to survive the next 10 years in this industry. Now we have Ring, Vivint, Protection 1 and ADT that are all worth more than $1 BILLION competing against one another… I don’t see how these guys can survive!
Christy says
The security camera is quite the extra fee but well worth it. I love being able to know I am being looked after. Having the camera just makes me feel safer and more secure. I live in an area that has been seeing a lot of daytime theft and robbery which is what made me hunt down a security option best for me. Over all, Slomins has been a home run hitter!
Rebecca Jones says
My husband and I went with Slomins because all of our other options that were good either wanted to charge us for the equipment, the installation, or both. I know not many people are familiar with this company in my area so when I did mention it no one knew who I was talking about. I guess so many people think there are only a few options out there and never bother doing research,
Frank Moore says
I would advice anyone to do more research on lesser known companies like Slomins. I have some good things to say about them just as the review mentions. You get a good deal on equipment not having to pay and all that BUT the long contract and hoops you have to jump through to get out of it is ridiculous!
Jasmine D. says
Been with this company for 6 years now. Renewed my contract last year. I think they are fantastic. Yes, they are not a good option if you plan on moving but if you know you will be in one place long term like me, it is a no brainer. They have been very kind to me and my family, always helpful too.
Tim says
I am a renter and I was not aware of how the system was installed or worked. Needless to say my landlord was not a happy camper with me. I had to reverse the system and remove it. I also had to repair the altered places in the house. Fun times. Thankfully Slomins was understanding of my situation and did not charge me to cancel my contract. I will be coming back to them when I buy a home.
Max Vester says
My family has been using Slomins for 3 years now and we trust in their service. I have ran into some issues recently with pricing and changes but that was do to some mandatory upgrades in their equipment. I have no regrets with going with this company. The service is good and the price is reasonable.
Jackie says
Hey Max. I feel like it is worth saying that newer members seem to be getting all the issues with Slomins. When I first signed a contract with them I was under the understanding that it was 3 years and no hidden fees or mandatory ones. Had I know this was the case and I was locked in for 5 years I would have went with someone else. The person lied to me or at the very least mislead me. That isn’t cool.
Mel says
I went with them because they sold me on what they offer. The price was fair and the equipment is amazing but the contract is what makes this company a hard one to sign with. Since I just moved and purchased my first home it wasn’t too bad to be locked in for 5 year but they should really break that up more. Maybe 3 years max. Slomins Security is the best company I have been with and I have been with 5 other companies over the last 14 years.
Tom A. says
I want to sign but that 5 year contract is a but much for me. I guess for someone like you who has just moved it isn’t a big deal. I don’t know what my plans are over the next 5 years. My job may require me to move again so it is something I have to really consider before I get locked down with a security company.
Jen says
I was doing a bit of research on some security companies who have been around the longest and this one was one of the oldest. I loved how everything sounded until I got to the 5 year contract. I am looking to move in a few years so being tied down wouldn’t be ideal. I am not looking for anything longer than a 2 year contract. Such a shame too!
Jared says
My wife and I had to pass on them for the same reason. Where we will be moving to as well is not on their coverage zone which sucks. I hate that they have to have such a long contract. What even is the point of that!? To scare people away!? LOL
Sam says
I actually didn’t know about Slomins. I clicked on this expecting it to be a bad review, but now they seem to be my top runner. I guess you can’t judge a company based on name alone.
BRIGHT says
Nice review! Looks like Slomins actually packs enough punch to outdo ADT in areas where they service. What’s their plan for renters or when you plan to move away from an area they service ? It’s definitely worth a shot.
JJScott says
The system is actually free for new residential customers. It includes the panel, keyboard, motion detector, communication device and battery backup, among other things. You pay additional cost if you want more items and features. And yes, they do have a renters program available. It’s worth checking out, but it’s not a short-term contract.
Jeanine says
Thank you for the heads up JJ! I was debating on a few options here but both my husband and I were leaning with getting Slomins Security. They just feel like they care about you and your security. I also read the reps are very nice and friendly.