How we evaluate home security
Updated September 9, 2026 · By Taylor Smith
Numerical ratings are under review
The scoring explanations and review cards published on this site did not use one consistent set of dimensions. The published information is not enough to reproduce the ratings. Older pages may still display those figures while we reconcile the site. Treat them as legacy editorial assessments, not validated performance rankings.
We will publish a new numerical rating only with defined criteria, source records, a documented calculation and a clear explanation of missing evidence. Changing the weights of old component scores would not establish that those component scores were supported.
Start with the exact product and service
A brand can sell cameras, a hub-and-sensor alarm system, professional monitoring and several subscriptions. Compare the model or kit, region, service plan and installation option that would meet your needs. Inclusion in a review does not mean every product has professional monitoring or can be bought at a single published price.
What a useful comparison should show
| Area | Information to compare |
|---|---|
| Equipment and coverage | Exact kit, sensors and cameras, compatible add-ons, local or cloud recording, and limitations. |
| Monitoring and response | What triggers an alert or dispatch request, who receives it, required subscriptions, and power or internet failure behavior. |
| Total cost | Equipment, installation, subscriptions and financing over the same period. State taxes, fees, promotions and exclusions. Show any equipment balance remaining. |
| Written terms | Service duration, cancellation notice and charges, return conditions, renewal, ownership and financing. |
| Setup, use and compatibility | DIY or professional options, app requirements, integrations and accessibility. Separate documented features from observed performance. |
These are comparison questions, not scored dimensions. A missing fact is a gap to explain, not a reason to invent a number.
Label the evidence behind each claim
- Published source: manufacturer documentation, support pages, agreements or another named source, with product and check date.
- Calculation: a result from stated inputs, formula, period and exclusions.
- Direct observation: a result from a named device and configuration, with who checked it, when, how and what happened.
- Editorial judgment: our interpretation of evidence and trade-offs, including who it may suit and what could change the conclusion.
- Not verified: information or behavior that has not been established.
Customer reviews can reveal questions worth investigating. They do not substitute for a controlled comparison. Certification or a manufacturer's advertised response time does not establish a response time measured by this site.
Prices, dates and corrections
A new correction does not mean every price and claim on the page was rechecked. Some reviews retain older pricing dates. A useful price record identifies the equipment or service, billing interval, promotion conditions, source and date. A written provider quote and agreements control your actual price and obligations.
If you find an error, use our corrections page. Include the page, claim and supporting source. A corrected fact may also require changes to related comparisons or conclusions.
Commercial relationships and personal help
Commercial compensation is not evidence of product quality and is not a review criterion. See how we make money. A request for ADT or Vivint help goes to Taylor for personal follow-up. He asks before sharing your details with a representative. An introduction does not guarantee a discount or particular terms.
Frequently asked questions
Does SecurityCompassHQ currently use a validated numerical rating?
No. The published scoring explanations and review cards do not use one consistent method. Existing numerical ratings are under review and should not be treated as validated performance rankings. A future rating would need published criteria, evidence and a reproducible calculation.
Are the reviews based on hands-on testing?
The current nine brand reviews identify desk research as their primary evaluation method. Their research notes identify direct testing that is still pending. A manufacturer claim, product illustration or published specification is not a hands-on test result.
Does a recent page correction mean every price was rechecked?
No. A correction can address a specific claim while other prices retain an earlier verification date. Read the date and scope attached to the particular information, and confirm the current written provider offer before buying.
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