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Iris by Lowe’s Home Security Review
February 14, 2019
IRIS BY LOWE'S UPDATE
Iris is shutting down its smart home platform and related services effective March 31, 2019. For a similar security system, we recommend SimpliSafe.
Iris by Lowe's
Plans starting at at
$14.95
Iris by Lowe’s offers highly customizable security packages that work well for every kind of home.
Overview
Yes, the same Lowe’s you visit for Saturday home improvement projects also has a foot in the home security market. And for the most part, we’re pleasantly surprised with the result. Iris packages are super customizable, so whether you’re renting an apartment or you own a home, you’ll be able to create the right Iris package for your needs.
Iris pros and cons
Pros
Smart home integration- Highly customizable packages
- Extensive third-party compatibility
Cons
Expensive equipment for homeowners- No professional video monitoring
Iris monitoring
| Package | Self-Monitored | Pro Monitoring Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Price | N/A | $14.95/mo. |
| 24/7 pro monitoring |  No |  Yes |
| Pro video monitoring | No | No |
| Real-time mobile notifications | No | Yes |
| 4G cellular backup | No | Yes |
| Easy DIY install | Yes | Yes |
Data effective 1/14/2019. Offers subject to change.
Price
Iris equipment isn’t cheap, but it won’t break the bank either. For around $111 the Pro Monitoring Kit comes with a smart hub, contact sensor, smart fob, and motion sensor. That might be enough equipment for a small apartment, but homeowners will need to add equipment to that base package, which can add up quick.
Iris equipment isn’t cheap, but it won’t break the bank either.
With Iris, you get only one choice of monitoring plan for a reasonable $14.95 per month. That’s a pretty reasonable price for professional monitoring, and the best part is that Iris monitoring plans are contract free, so you can cancel at any time if you’d prefer to self-monitor for a month here and there.
Features and equipment
Highly customizable packages
Iris offers a wide variety of equipment packages and standalone security equipment to give you plenty of flexibility building out your security system. If you’re not satisfied with the base sensors and motion detectors, you can add a smart hub, cameras, Nest thermostats, and other equipment to make your security system more comprehensive.
The one downside to the highly customizable packages is that the ordering process can be a little overwhelming to anyone new to home security. We recommend purchasing the base station, window and door sensors, and an indoor security camera.
Third-party compatibility
One of the best parts of having an Iris system is that you can use it with so many third-party devices. Iris systems give you space to add all kinds of equipment to your home security system, including cameras, smart thermostats, CO/smoke detectors, smart lights, and a lot more. Here are some of the noteworthy brands that work with Iris:
Customer service
Iris has an extensive online support guide that can help you through some of the most common problems that come with setup, subscriptions, and troubleshooting equipment. The Iris support page has 338 guides, so if you run into a common issue, you’ll likely be able to find some information on it.
Availability
If Iris’s support guide doesn’t solve your issue, you can contact the support team by phone or email:
- Phone: 855-469-4747
- Email: irissupport@lowes.com
Our recommendation
If you want just an entry-level security system with a reasonable professional monitoring cost, Iris is a pretty good option. The customizable packages can be a bit overwhelming at first, but they also let you build the right security system for your home, whether you’re in a small apartment or a two-story house. Iris is also a great pick if you want to take advantage of its compatibility with third-party equipment from companies like Nest, Google, Amazon, and other smart home brands.
If you want a similarly capable security system but with cheaper monitoring, check out the Ring home security system, which offers monitoring for $10 per month.
Or you can take a look at some of our recommendations for top home security systems.
