Is Cox HomeLife Security System Any Good?
The name Cox Communications does not require much introduction. Cox Communications is the third-largest cable provider in the United States. Not the only cable provider in the home security business, Cox Homelife security can be regarded as a newcomer to home security system compared to the likes of ADT, Cox Communications offers home security services under the name “Cox Homelife”. Does one of America’s Top-rated cable and internet provider pack enough power to protect your home and at what cost? Let’s find out!
Pros
- 24/7 professional monitoring service
- Accessible via web, smartphones, and tablet
- Free home security starter equipment
- Short contract (24 months)
- Save more on bills when bundled with other Cox services like High-speed internet, cable, and digital telephone plans.
- Free HD camera*
- Installation by trained personnel
- Saves money on home insurance
- Finally, loads of paid advanced security equipment for a customized experience
*not available on the essential package
Cons
- $99 installation and activation fee
- Lots of additional charges
- Requires Cox internet service
- Requires touchscreen, provided on rentals which are returned at the end of the contract.
- No crash and smash protection.
- Poor customer service based on buyer’s review
- Finally, it’s not available nationwide.
Reviews of other cable providers that have hopped on board the home security train include: XFINITY security, AT&T Digital Life
Quick Facts
| Founded | Parent company founded in 1954, home security system division started 2011. |
| Headquarters | Atlanta, Georgia, United States |
| Website | Visit site |
| Standard sensors included free | 2 window/door sensors, 1 motion detector, 1 wireless router, a yard sign and window decals as standard on both plans. |
| Touchscreen Panel | Available on rental. $3/month |
| Key Remote (On/Off) Fob | Available on added purchase and monitoring fee |
| C02, Fire and Flood Sensors | Available on added purchase and monitoring fee |
| Mobile & Tablet Control | Free |
| Cameras | HD camera available free on the preferred plan |
| Z-Wave Technology | Basic |
| Advanced Features | Smoke and heat sensors, wireless keypad, HD video cameras, Carbon monoxide detector, thermostat controllers, light controllers, glass break sensors, electric smart plug |
| Monthly | $29.99 and $44.99 |
| Installation | $50.00 |
| Activation | $49.99+ |
| Equipment | Free Basic security equipment |
| 24/7 monitoring | Yes |
| Smoke, C02 & Flood | Not Included, Available on added purchase |
| Customer Reviews | 2 of 5 |
| Support | 3 of 5 |
| Equipment | 4 of 5 |
| BBB | A+ |
Cox Homelife security system comes in two monitoring plans named Essential and preferred service plans.
Unlike most other top home security systems providing. Startup cost would set you back $99.99 or more.
Installation cost: installation of the Cox Homelife security system cost $50. Additional gadgets may cost more to install.
Activation: Cox charges $49.99 for activation, unlike other competitions that charges $0.0 for activation.
Monitoring fee: The Monitoring plans offered by Cox Homelife is quite competitive and offers more benefit to customers other utilizing other Cox services. Cox homelife’s Essential service plan offers you the basics of security gadgets for $29.99. The preferred service plan offers more upgrades and costs $44.99 monthly. The touchscreen control panel cost extra $3.00 monthly and is returned at the end of the contract.
Minimum contract is 24 months.
- Compact plug-in indoor camera that lets you see, hear and speak to people and pets from your phone, tablet, or select...
- Watch over your entire home by connecting one or multiple Indoor Cams to all your Ring devices in the Ring app.
- With a Ring Protect Plan (subscription sold separately), record all your videos, review what you missed for up to 60...
Here’s how both plans measure up to each other.
| Available Options | ESSENTIAL PACKAGE | PREFERRED PACKAGE |
| 24/7 Monitoring | Y | Y |
| Battery/Cellular Backup | Y | Y |
| Smoke/Heat Detection | Y | Y |
| Water/Flood Monitoring | Y | Y |
| Carbon Monoxide Monitoring | Y | Y |
| Unlock/Lock Doors | Y | Y |
| Touchpad, Web And also Mobile Access | Y | Y |
| Receive Text/Email Alert | Y | Y |
| Live/Recorded Video | No | Y |
| Home Automation | No | Y |
| 24 Hours Video Recording | No | Y |
| Starting Equipment | 2 Window/Door Sensors,1 Motion Sensor, Wireless Router, Yard sign and window decals | 2 Window/Door Sensors,1 Motion Sensor, Wireless Router, HD camera, Yard sign and window decals |
Essentials: New subscribers of Cox Homelife security system gets the basic essentials of home security gadget comprising 2 Window/Door Sensors,1 Motion Sensor, Wireless Router, Yard sign and window decals. Our preferred plan offers an HD camera. All other gadgets are same. Touchscreen control panel comes as a rental.
Home Automation: Users of Cox Homelife security can carry out remote access and basic home automation function like remote thermostat and lighting control. Their security app is limited compared to other home alarm apps.
Here’s a look at Cox Homelife’s security system equipment.
Installation of Cox Homelife security systems is carried out by their professional personnel, also at a cost of $50.00 or more.
The installation follows three easy steps
Decide: set up a convenient installation time, preferably when you would be home by calling 855-446-5970.
D- Day! : Installation of security takes 3 hours for most system. Cox Homelife security is no exception.
Done deal: Finally, the installer would direct you on how to operate the system and prevent triggering false alarms.
What makes Cox homelife stand out?
PRICE: Although the equipment is basic, they are free! They offer quite a competitive monitoring fee less than other home security companies like Frontpoint. You save more when combined with other Cox services like the internet and digital telephone.
Home automation: Cox Homelife system offers control for small appliances which are Z-wave compatible in addition to thermostat and light control.
Cellular service: Cox offers notification via mobile and email alert.
Customization: Cox offers customers the opportunity to customize their home security system by need, because hey offer a wide range of security upgrades/equipment to their basic system.
There is generally a below Average rating of the customer service by users of Cox Homelife security system.
Chat support: Cox Homelife security does offer chat support.
Phone support: Cox Homelife customer service can be reached via phone support 5 days a week.
Videos and forum support: Instructional videos to prepare users for their Homelife security system installation and to also maximize the Cox experience can be found here.
Technical support: They have a ‘tech support’ line but we did not find it very useful. The attendants answering didn’t have in-depth knowledge about the security system.
FAQ: They have a great online FAQ area that is easy to navigate through and find your topic of interest.
The Story: America’s 7th largest phone company and 3rd largest cable provider, also known as Cox communications began in 1962 as a cable television industry. In 1993, the company began its telecommunication services which later became known as Cox business. Following numerous Acquisitions, in 2011, Cox telecommunication began offering home security systems as part of its suite of products.
Headquarters: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Our Conclusion
Generally, User’s Experience has not been favorable on the Cox Homelife security system. With a very short contract plan; and a competitive monitoring fee, Cox Homelife system may be worth considering but where user satisfaction matters and the numerous hidden charges abound in addition to the short duration of being in the home security business.
Also, Cox Homelife security systems may be ideal for existing users of other cox services. We highly recommended sticking with seasoned security providers, because they have perfected the act and are trusted to keep you safe and deliver results.
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Last update on 2023-05-14 at 03:33 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
malcolm says
Where do I start off , they got us for 1,300.00 for camera’s that never worked from day one. Technicians after technicians and still can’t fix what we paid for. I threw all the camera’s into the garbage where they belong. Please do your research before buying. Wish I could post some pictures of the horrible installation job they did for us. We now have to make a loan for a security system that works.
Malcolm says
A little about me first, I’m a 58 year old retired law enforcement Officer from the New Orleans La. area who is living in Up-Town. In the past 3 years or so my wife was robbed, our cars broken into and a New Orleans Policeman shot right in front of our home. Not to forget we now have a stalker who wants to kill both of us. So we decided to get 6 Cox Cable HomeLife security camera’s install 3 months ago (1,400.00 Paid) and that’s when the nightmare began.
Within these 3 months Cox Technicians have been over 6 times and that’s not counting the supervisor who has been over 3 times. All the technicians are very nice, but not one can get my cameras to work. They also attempted to install an extension device and shorted out the wall socket that caught on fire. The supervisor (Sam) stated he doesn’t know why my cameras are not working. I’m tired and just want all money back so I can get a security system that works before something happens at my home.
Updated on 08/28/2018: Cox Homelife has been a horror story. I suggest to anyone even thinking about getting this system to reconsider. It’s a horrible system.
We had it installed and the techs could not get it to work since day one. We had tech after tech and supervisors come over to try to fix the system to no avail. Then we were told that we needed to be patient because Cox has a new app coming out and we will be one of the first to be installed, then the system will work. A bunch of lies. The tech came out and installed the new app and still didn’t work. I heard him tell his supervisor on the phone that the SYSTEM WAS NOT FIXABLE.
We asked for our money back and was turned down. We paid for a bunch of equipment that never worked and Cox feels that is ok. So we have cameras that were installed on and in our home THAT DO NOT WORK. They say that they cannot make it work but still refuse to refund our money. Now they are saying that it is WIFI issue. Well, it is COX WIFI. Cox Homelife is made up of a bunch of thieves! I thought that this would be a reputable company to have a security system with. I was wrong. They do not know what they are doing and we have to pay for it. Piss poor company!! Stay away from them.
Vernann Waldrum says
COX home security… hrmm… where to begin? I guess I thought I would be doing myself by bundling the service but then I wanted to change internet to a faster local provider. That’s when it got sticky! To cancel that I would have had to pay to get out of all of my bundle pack (Internet + cable + security).
Not sure if this was just an issue with my local COX dealer and support or if this is nationwide. Basically I’m being ‘coaxed’ into keeping their internet just to keep my home security the same. The app is pretty buggy too.
I used to have APEX before they were Vivint. I would go back with them or ADT in a second over this complicated mess.
Brian says
I have Cox but I am dissatisfied with the level of customer service I receive. It’s lackluster to say the least and whenever I call to inquire about a promotion or a question about my contract I usually wait through long wait periods and a less than enthused rep. Hope they can turn it around soon or I’m gone once my contract’s over.
Malcolm says
: Cox Homelife has been a horror story. I suggest to anyone even thinking about getting this system to reconsider. It’s a horrible system.
We had it installed and the techs could not get it to work since day one. We had tech after tech and supervisors come over to try to fix the system to no avail. Then we were told that we needed to be patient because Cox has a new app coming out and we will be one of the first to be installed, then the system will work. A bunch of lies. The tech came out and installed the new app and still didn’t work. I heard him tell his supervisor on the phone that the SYSTEM WAS NOT FIXABLE.
We asked for our money back and was turned down. We paid for a bunch of equipment that never worked and Cox feels that is ok. So we have cameras that were installed on and in our home THAT DO NOT WORK. They say that they cannot make it work but still refuse to refund our money. Now they are saying that it is WIFI issue. Well, it is COX WIFI. Cox Homelife is made up of a bunch of thieves! I thought that this would be a reputable company to have a security system with. I was wrong. They do not know what they are doing and we have to pay for it. Piss poor company!! Stay away from them.
Malcolm faber says
We spent $1,300 for 6 camera’s that never worked . Over 13 technicians and dozens of phone calls and still can’t fix our camera’s. The installation was the worse i have ever seen and we have pictures to prove it .They first tell us that we needed cox wifi and then we needed to wait for their new D.V.R. guess what it still doesn’t work ! I put all the Camera’s in the garbage where they belong. They will not refund our money. How does Cox get away with stealing peoples money. Cox homelufe is a scam !
Damien Chiesa says
I had Cox Security for almost a year. It did what I expected it to which wasn’t very much. My big issue is I had canceled it and my TV service on 7-7-17 due to some big personal issues between myself and Cox. They were fine with disconnecting it and I even turned in all my equipment on 7-8-17. The issue is that on 7-9-17, I had come home after running some errands to find my cox box at the side of my house damaged, some of my cable lines damaged, and the stucco on my house damaged. After talking to my neighbors since I couldn’t use my cameras from cox that I had paid for to see who had done it, I had found out that it was someone driving a truck with a cox logo and wearing a cox uniform. When I called to find out if someone was suppose to be out, the rep told me that there was no one out there from cox and refused to note my account that someone had been our nor allow any sort of follow up with the issue. How can you trust a security company that will damage your house when they know you don’t have a security system?
Jessie says
Cox is no good in this area and I unfortantly had to switch. I would look into your area’s specific reviews. I had no idea they had so much down time with internet and security around here but it is likely due to my area being down more, not to up hill. The company is great if you are not in a hit or miss area like I am.
Earl says
I have had Cox as a cable provider and internet service for 6 years now. Nothing to complain about. There are some issues with down time every few months but I can manage. Someone mentioned me getting a discount if I added on the security package. I am considering it. I am glad I found this review though. Very helpful and honest.
Gerald M. says
I ended up doing what you are considering and I regret it. Not because the cable is bad but the internet is shotty. So when the internet goes down, I am stuck without a security system or one that bugs out. It happened to me when I was away for the weekend and all’s I did was worry the entire time. Really reconsider it.
Mike Walton says
Cox is in our area and i have debated on getting them since I can get the security, internet, and cable all in one. A few of the reviews I read on it said that the internet was not reliable so I am not too sure about them now. Also, I am not a fan of “returning” things after I have used them. Specially not a tablet. Things happen and I know someone who through out their old cable box and got charged nearly $600 for the thing. No way they cost that much!
Marky P. says
They cost that much because someone can easily code into it and get free cable. That is why they want the boxes back. I am not sure why they don’t just tell us these things but it has happened a lot. Heck, my brother’s friend was using an old cable box for nearly 2 years without paying a cent! He found it at a garage sale. Someone thought it was a VCR. He bought it for $5. lol
Alarm Reviews says
Thanks Marky for info; just FYI we are trying to keep this article about Cox home security and not the other aspects of their company. Still good info for others 😉
George says
No crash and smash protection? Now that just doesn’t seem right to me. I also don’t want to switch my internet provider. To much of a hassle before it gets started. I bet them temp everyone with their free HD camera and starter equipment.
Prince says
Actually there are additional charges and the cost of installation seems to be high but I think it really worth it. The monitoring service is really good. However they need to improve on their customer service.