Home Security Options in Memphis (Besides ADT)

Overview
Memphis is one of the most musical cities in the US. But you know what sound it could use more of? The wail of home alarm systems.

Don’t get us wrong: we’re not saying we want a higher Memphis crime rate. We’d just like to see more home security systems to protect Memphians and their property. We researched and reached out to some of Memphis’s finest local home security companies, and we have five recommendations for you and your neighbors.

A local security system’s not the same as a national one. There are both pros and cons.

Getting online help through email or other written communication is hit and miss with Memphis’s security companies. Many customers won’t have time to speak on the phone, especially since ordering services online is increasingly popular. Voice-oriented communication also excludes some customers with disabilities, such as those who have a hard time hearing or speaking.

Adding written help will bring local services more in line with the direction in which national security companies are moving.

We’re practically drooling over HSI Security Services’ offerings. $19.89 is a fantastic starting price for home security services—especially when you’re not signing a contract. And with the 24/7 customer service, HSI Security Security Services is a no-brainer for our Memphis top pick.

Like we said, $19.89 is a dream price. Of course, this is the estimated starting price, so depending on what you need, it could go up. But $30 a month is standard in most areas, so you essentially have $10 of wiggle room before you hit market price.

Also, HSI Security Services advertises financing on its website, so you could potentially strike a deal at a price that works for you.

HSI Security Services uses Alarm.com and 2GIG. It seems to lean most heavily on Alarm.com equipment and apps, but we’re not complaining. Alarm.com’s a trustworthy manufacturer.

The company also offers smart home integration using products such as Skybell doorbells, Google homes, Amazon Echos, Apple Watches, and Apple TVs.

One last note: you can’t keep HSI Security Services monitoring if you move outside of the Memphis area. Other local home security companies we’ve spoken with allow you to move anywhere within the state or sometimes even the country. Not HSI Security Services. It’s stay in Memphis or so long.

ASecureLife’s recommendation: Go to HSI Security Services LLC for the best possible Memphis home security experience of low prices, no contracts, and available customer service.

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Sure, landline’s on its way out, but it's not dead yet. If your home has chancy reception or if you (or your parents or grandparents) keep a landline for old time’s sake, you can pay a super-low price for landline monitoring with Fifteen Alarms.

Paying $15 for landline monitoring services is an absolute steal. You can also pay $25 for cellular monitoring. That’s significantly more compared to the landline price, but in the market, it’s still quite good.

Honeywell and Uplink are the major security equipment brands used at Fifteen Alarms. We’re not as familiar with Uplink, but we know Honeywell.

Fifteen Alarms also uses Ring video doorbells.

Fifteen Alarms offers service from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (CT). That’s inconvenient for most working folks (notable exceptions being the Peabody duckmaster and those who work 9 to 4 at Graceland). You can find a lot of helpful info on the website, though, so best-case scenario, you’ll call for purchasing purposes only.

ASecureLife’s recommendation: Fifteen Alarms has the best landline monitoring price in town.

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NovaTech’s a good pick for the new-home builder. You can get a new system installed right in your home. Or, if you have an existing system from a previous home that you’re bringing along, you can get professional monitoring or an upgrade.

We’d say that $27.99’s not a bad monitoring price; it’s ADT Home Security’s price for landline alone. You do have to sign a 24-month contract, though. So if you’re planning to go anywhere in the next two years, you’d be better off with HSI Security Services or Fifteen Alarms.

It’s clear from the website that NovaTech uses Alarm.com equipment frequently, if not exclusively.

We like that NovaTech has long Saturday hours, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (CT). That way, if you can’t call in during the weekday, you have another option.

We also thought NovaTech’s rep was one of the friendliest we spoke to. He was honest about NovaTech’s services, even suggesting another company he thought might be more competitive.

ASecureLife’s recommendation: New-home builders should check out NovaTech Security & Multimedia.

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Mautz Security is one of the only security companies we’ve ever encountered that responded to our email inquiries promptly and with lots of useful info. Couple that with the low monitoring price and 24/7 emergency line, and you’ve got a company worth trying.

Mautz Security uses a lot of brands, according to the rep. But its two favorites are Honeywell and 2GIG.

If you’re looking for integration with smart home devices, you also have options to include lights, thermostats, and locks, for starters.

Mautz Security’s customer service hours line up with standard business hours. Because the Mautz Security rep was so responsive to our email, we suggest sending a message at your convenience.

If you choose to call, you might have to cram the time into your schedule at an inconvenient moment, like during lunch, when you should be eating a chicken tender sandwich at Dyer’s Burgers. Unless you have an emergency, in which case you should try Mautz Security’s emergency 24/7 line.

ASecureLife’s recommendation: If you like responsive customer service, Mautz Security, Inc. could be a perfect fit.

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Alarm Services Group caters to a specific group of people. These people plan to stay in or at least own their home for the next five years. They want systems customized to a T, and they don’t shy at the thought of spending more than double the monitoring price of other local systems.

If any of these resonate with you, then congrats! You’re the ideal Alarm Services Group customer.

The thought of paying $59.99 a month for monitoring makes us want to sing the blues. But not everyone feels that way. Alarm Services Group’s completely customizable systems are a draw and may be worth the price to some.

Just remember that you’ll be locked into a five-year contract. There’s nothing wrong with that if you’re planning to stay in the area for the next five years. But if you aren’t, it could be a major problem down the road.

Alarm Services Group uses several reputable brands:

• Alarm.com
• 2GIG
• DSC
• GE
• Honeywell

Alarm Services Group’s customer service hours are as limited as Mautz Security’s, but Alarm Services Group doesn’t have an emergency line. So if you need to get ahold of the customer service department in an emergency . . . you can’t. That’s a major miss since alarm companies are supposed to be there for folks in emergencies.

ASecureLife’s recommendation: Alarm Services Group’s offerings are best for long-term use.

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We looked at Google recommendations, Yelp, and Angie’s List to identify the most recommended Memphis home security companies. We then called and emailed to gather as much information about each company as possible. Some of the most-recommended companies were no longer in business or weren’t close enough to Memphis to be included.

Here are some brands we looked at that didn’t make the top five.

HSI Security Services isn’t the only Memphis company with 24/7 service. Frase Protection also offers around-the-clock availability. At least, that’s what the brand advertises. We reached out through email; no response. We sent a text and received an immediate reply but never got a return message when we inquired after prices.

Like Alarm Services Group, Nichols does completely customized systems. It also uses a lot of different brands for its equipment, some of which we aren’t familiar with. But the customer service hours are limited, and we couldn’t get ahold of anyone.

Neighborhood Scout gives Memphis a crime index of 1, meaning it’s safer than 1% of US cities.² We have to admit that’s not good. It basically means that crime’s almost as prevalent in Memphis as barbecue joints. One study even claims Memphis is the second most dangerous city in the US.³ (Our proprietary research places it as the fourth.)

But that doesn’t mean Memphis is entirely unsafe. You’re less likely to experience crime around Beale Street and Mud Island.⁵ And as long as you take precautions, like not wandering around at night, you can get across the city as needed. Just be cautious, especially if you’re living alone, jogging alone, hiking alone—well, you get the picture.

A standard home security system usually comes with a control panel, a keypad, at least one motion detector, and at least one door or window sensor.

Depending on where you live, how comfortable you feel, and what your situation is, you might want to add some extras. If there’s a lot of crime in your neighborhood, you might want to look at other precautions.

Try a smart door lock or other access control system, or invest in a pair of home security cameras. (Video surveillance is a proven way to deter some crimes.⁶) Or you could get some security doors, just as a precaution.

You can also add some items that aren’t security related but which can integrate with your security system. For instance, an app-controlled smart thermostat might be a good idea with Memphis’s hot summers.

Yes, you often can. Your insurance provider can give you more details. Also, here’s some information on how to save on homeowners insurance.

Let’s recap what we recommend for home security in Memphis, Tennessee.

• HSI Security Services LLC: Try HSI Security Services for the best overall experience.
• Fifteen Alarms: If you want landline services, Fifteen Alarms has your back.
• NovaTech Security & Multimedia: New home builders have a convenient option in NovaTech.
• Mautz Security, Inc.: For quick email responses, go to Mautz Security.
• Alarm Services Group: If you’re settled down for the next five years, Alarm Services Group could work for you.

If none of these appeals to you, try national home security brands like ADT. And whatever company you choose, enjoy your time in Memphis!

Sources:

1. Memphis the City Magazine, “The Heist”
2. Neighborhood Scout, “Memphis, TN Crime Rates”
3. Fox13, “Memphis Ranked Second Most Dangerous City, According to New Study”
4. Neighborhood Scout, “Memphis, TN Crime Rates”
5. Travel Safe - Abroad, “How Safe Is Memphis for Travel?”
6. Municipal Technical Advisory Service Institute for Public Service, “Is There Empirical Evidence That Surveillance Cameras Reduce Crime?”