Verisure home security system review

Verisure’s home security systems are custom designed for every home after an assessment (image credit: Verisure)

Verisure home security systems are trusted by millions of users across Europe. The company offers top-notch, highly responsive alarm systems and security monitoring. At the heart of each security system is the Verisure control panel, which brings the cameras, sensors and accessories into a single system. 

The Verisure home security system is professionally installed and the subscription comes inclusive of two free bi-annual services. Verisure also carries out automatic hourly system checks to check and resolve any tampering if needed when subscribed. 

Verisure also boasts some of the most innovative pieces of security equipment on the market, available at an extra cost, including their Zero Vision Fog barrier – which impairs intruders’ sight with fog – Seniors Protection wrist watch and GuardPass Keypad. 

All of the devices are wireless, discreet and can be armed and disarmed using the fobs or through the Verisure app where homeowners can also view security footage.

Rating: ★★★★1/2

The Verisure home security system offers innovations and excellent service that few security companies can beat. The company has an NSI Gold Standard UK-based alarm receiving centre ready to respond to a trigger 24/7. Teams are highly trained to assess every situation, avoiding unnecessary callouts and responding when a real threat or emergency pops up. Guard response is included in the service. 

The Verisure home security system is hands-off and requires professional installation. It’s also personalised – a consultant will arrive on-site to provide an assessment and advice before you sign on the dotted line. 

Moreover, Verisure alarms come with lifetime guarantees. Whereas other DIY solutions offer one or two years of protection, your Verisure home security system’s maintenance cost is included in the subscription fee. Software upgrades are also included with the monthly subscription and these are done automatically via the 4G encrypted sim. 

While smart home integrations are slightly limited, you can control your entire home security system using the My Verisure App for tablets or mobile phones. Verisure is compatible with Google Home and Amazon Alexa and installers will be able to advise on other smart home devices like Apple HomePod. The app also comes with a chat service if you have any questions. 

If you require a comprehensive, innovative system, Verisure is probably the most thorough solution on the market today, but it does come at a cost. 

Verisure offers a customised package bespoke to every homeowner’s needs, including smoke, flood, leak and temperature detection, shock sensors, fog barriers, alarms, break sensors, panic buttons, cameras and photo detectors. The company handles installation from start to finish. 

• Installation type: Professional
• Price range: Starting from £399 for a standard package and £150 for the video doorbell
• Number of packages: Fully customisable
• Monitoring: Self-monitoring and professional monitoring

The photo sensor sends images to the professionally-monitored Control Centre for evaluation (image credit: Verisure)

Highlights: With an upgraded package, Verisure has a unique ZeroVision defence mechanism which impairs a burglar’s vision with a fog smokescreen. It is designed to impair intruders’ vision with a blast of fog when triggered and activated by the Verisure Control Centre (pets won’t accidentally trigger it). 

Service: Verisure provides bespoke packages to every household.

Warranty: Lifetime

Key benefit: The Verisure home security system also includes an infrared Photo Detector with a built-in flash to capture colour images whenever the alarm is activated. 

Verisure is a good security system with extremely positive online customer reviews and a solid reputation across Europe. However, it’s important to consider the pros and cons carefully before reaching a final decision:

• Professional installation: If DIY installation doesn’t appeal to you, a Verisure home security system is the perfect solution. Verisure aims to get an expert round within 72 hours to understand your needs and curate a tailor-made package for  professional installation. 
• Innovative products: Verisure home security systems are among the best and most advanced in the UK. The product range includes smokescreens, photo detection, panic buttons and intelligent alarms. 
• Wireless installation: There’s no need to ruin your walls with wall-mounted equipment. All devices are wireless and can be controlled remotely. Backup batteries are included and replacements come well ahead of time with a subscription.

However, there are some disadvantages to using Verisure: 

• Lack of price transparency: Verisure requires a consultation before providing an estimate, whereas competitors like SimpliSafe or Ring provide fixed pricing available on its websites. 
• Cost: Verisure alarms cost more than most other providers, as they are one of the most comprehensive home security systems on the market. 
• An essential subscription: Although you won’t be locked into a contract for years, homeowners are required to sign up to the subscription package, which costs £32 per month for a minimum of six months. After that point, you can either cancel it and have your equipment taken away, or keep the equipment for a one-off fee of £99. Should you choose the latter option there will be no monitoring from Verisure and you wouldn’t get any notifications or be able to access any footage on your phone without subscribing to the package long-term. Verisure also requires two months’ cancellation notice. 
• Communication: While the customer service was polite, our experts found it difficult to receive a clear answer regarding cancellation notice periods.

The control panel has a SOS button for emergencies (image credit: Verisure)

Verisure is designed to prevent and detect intrusions and provide fast and efficient solutions in response to incidents. As such, the Verisure home security system includes a suite of hardware options and 24/7 monitoring, as well as an in-person security service known as Guard. Before you purchase a Verisure system, a company representative will visit your home to evaluate any security weaknesses and strengths to devise the best possible solution for your house. When the engineer does the assessment of property, any optional extras can be requested and purchased based on their assessment. 

Customers benefit from professional installation, a lifelong product warranty and 24/7 technical support; all included in the system’s costs.  Verisure offers an exterior alarm and access control alarm so that you know who is exiting or entering your home at any time. Smart fobs can be assigned to different users, (eg, family members or staff) and are used to disarm and arm the alarm. The standard package comes with three but you can get up to 20 free of charge, should you need them. There is also a smoke detector that will trigger an alarm in the event of a fire. If it’s triggered, the Alarm Receiving Center will alert the fire service. 

The central unit needs one mainline plug and runs through the mains. It has 48 hours of backup power in case there is a power cut. The keypad is wall mounted with the SOS panic button. The system itself runs off a 4G sim card so that, should your wifi go down, your home will still be secure. Additionally, Verisure sends out new batteries when those in use only have 15-20% juice left. This service is only included in the subscription and can be difficult to source without this service.

The standard system includes two alarm boxes: One central unit that plugs into the living room and an alarm box that goes on the wall near your door. The central unit effectively manages all of the signals from the different devices. The alarm box contains the internal siren which is 105 decibel and features a panic button. Note there is also a panic button on the app.

The packages also include each available sensor. The shock sensor acts as the main protection barrier and will be fitted at the most vulnerable entry point like a front door. This detects vibrations and if it picks up movement an alarm will be triggered within three seconds.

The motion sensor camera, which works with infrared, would be placed in a hallway and takes pictures to verify any trigger. The Verisure installation engineer will take the height of any pet(s) into account to control unwanted disruption and, should said pet jump onto something to trigger the alarm, the video footage would help the team identify the issue and switch the alarm off accordingly. Additional sensors include a perimeter detector, a smart video doorbell and a ZeroVision fog barrier (to impair the intruder’s vision upon entry).

The professional monitoring service (included with the subscription) means that if the alarm goes off, the Verisure human response team will ring within 60 seconds and review the cameras to verify a trigger. Police and emergency contact alerts are among their response procedures.

Verisure is one of the most premium services on the market. Its closest competitor in the UK is probably ADT Fire & Security Services. ADT is one of the oldest and most popular security systems on the market. It’s cheaper than Verisure, reliable, and similarly offers professional installation and a range of sensors and cameras. On the downside, ADT demands a 36 month contract for their professional monitoring service (self-monitoring is not an option).

If you are interested in something more comprehensive and flexible, Abode is a good option. It offers three different packages, rapid installation and impressive features for smart homes. With Abode, you can choose between self-monitoring or professional 24/7 monitoring. They offer on-demand monitoring as well, which is very rare. 

The Verisure home security system is more expensive than similar systems we’ve reviewed, but they are among the most comprehensive. Here’s how it compares to the competition:

Although you can get an estimated quote once you’ve spoken with someone over the phone, all costs for any of the additional extras to the standard package will be at the discretion of the engineer on the day of your home’s assessment before the installation itself. 

The Verisure home security system comes with a lifetime warranty, so there’s little need to do more than basic maintenance. Every now and again, it’s recommended that you perform a cursory check to ensure that your exterior devices have not been tampered with. The batteries typically last for three months. Always keep an eye on the battery life of your sensors just in case but otherwise, Verisure actually supplies these as each item takes a different battery and they are all fairly awkward to source. 

Verisure also use burglar deterrent signs to ward off potential threats (image credit: Verisure)

“Verisure is one of the most comprehensive and feature-packed home security providers we’ve reviewed. For a high price, you will get access to a best-in-class range of accessories and security devices, premium 24/7 monitoring, including in-person security, and ongoing maintenance and support. If you’re security conscious and want the best home security solution money can buy, then Verisure may be the product for you.”

• Techradar review 

“We love the innovation packed into Verisure’s products and services, even though there’s a bit of mystery around prices.” 

• SafeWise review

“Cannot cancel. They say you have to wait for customer care to call you to cancel regardless of your writing in and calling in several times over several weeks. They claim you will be called; then they don’t. Customer service just apologises and says you must wait for the call. Meanwhile, you have to keep paying even though one of my cameras isn’t even working. Awful would avoid unless you want to be in a lifelong contract.”

• Keely Rose, via Trustpilot

“Before I start, let me say this I wasn’t sure whether or not I could trust anybody coming into my home, but I contacted Verisure alarms for a quote. I had a nice conversation with a nice guy, Danny. He came and went through everything, and then the same day, Lance came and put everything in. He went through everything; he is such a nice guy. Then this morning, I had a call from Andy at Verisure customer services. We had a chat to see if we were happy with everything. Yes, was my reply.”

• David Lee, via Trustpilot 

“All very efficient – three days from initial call to working alarm. Now, [I’m] much more confident about security. Support from the centre is far more straightforward and professional than our previous alarm company ADT. Welcome call from Tia was helpful and efficient.”

• Richard Davy Fogarty, via Trustpilot 

If an entirely bespoke, professionally-installed home security system for total peace of mind is a possibility for your budget, Verisure will go above and beyond to keep your home and family safe.

Their service from start to finish is extremely thorough and we would recommend keeping them on-hand with their professional monitoring system to make the overall package worth it.

Rating: ★★★★1/2

In order to compile an accurate overview of the Verisure home security system, we consulted hundreds of customer reviews, media articles, technical documentation and even professional forums. We devised a detailed scoring system with a maximum score of 100 points. The scoring system was composed of the following: 

• Reputation, including customer reviews
• Variety of packages available
• Security features and functionality
• Upfront and contract pricing
• Usability

For more information, read our article on how we review home security systems.