LifeShield Review 2023

Who Is LifeShield Most Ideal For?

• High-tech Families or Individuals
• Homeowners or Renters
• Frequent Movers

LifeShield offers high-tech security systems, so it's best used by families and individuals who want their security system to be best-in-class when it comes to technology. It doesn't matter whether you're a homeowner or a renter; LifeShield caters to both.

LifeShield is also ideal even for families or individuals who plan on relocating. For one, LifeShield is a nationwide provider. Wherever you go within the U.S., you can move your LifeShield monitoring service with you. Second, its equipment is wireless and can easily be relocated to a new house. Finally, its monitoring service is contract-free. Should you decide to leave your LifeShield system behind and get a new security system from a new company, LifeShield won't hold you back.

Getting Started With LifeShield

LifeShield has a unique sales process that is fully accessible online, from choosing and customizing your security system to selecting your monitoring plan.

Choosing Your Equipment Package

You can get started by choosing an equipment kit. LifeShield offers three pre-built equipment packages that you can customize later on. These packages are sold at a discounted price. For instance, devices that cost around $300 when purchased individually are sold for $200 as a kit.

The most basic kit is Shield Your Pad. Devices included in the package retail for over $300, but the entire kit is sold for $199.15. It includes a LifeShield Base, 4 door/window sensors, a motion sensor, a fire alarm listener, a yard sign, and window decals.

The next kit Secure Your House, offered for $295.12. If bought in retail price, the total cost would have been almost $500. Secure Your House includes the LifeShield Base, 6 door/window sensors, 2 motion sensors, a fire listener, an indoor camera, keychain remote, yard sign, and window decal.

You have a third option, which is building your own system. The base price is $109.19 and includes the LifeShield Base, an entry keypad, a yard sign, and window decals. From there, you're free to add as many sensors and devices as you want. At least four sensors must be added to your custom system in order to proceed to check-out.

For a deeper look at LifeShield's monitoring plans, check out our LifeShield plan pricing and deals review.

Choosing A Monitoring Plan

The next step is choosing a monitoring plan and agreeing to the monitoring term. LifeShield will pick out the monitoring plan for and it all depends whether you added a security camera to your system or not.

If your system is camera-free, monitoring is $19.99/month plus tax. If you have security cameras, the monitoring fee becomes $24.98/month. Take note that these prices are exclusive of any taxes.

During this part of the process, you will be asked to read and agree to the terms and conditions of LifeShield's monitoring. Be sure to give it a thorough read as it will serve as your contract. Agreeing to it gives you 30 days of free monitoring service, which means your first month with LifeShield is free. If you do cancel within 30 days, the contract will auto-renew on a monthly basis.

Payment & Shipping

Once you confirm your order and agree to the monitoring terms, you will be asked to provide your shipping and payment information. The only thing you need to pay upfront is the equipment kit; your first monitoring service fee will be charged to your account after 30 days. However, other charges might be added to your final bill, such as the shipping fee if you expedite the shipping and tax. Once paid, simply wait for the system to arrive.

Installation

The final step once the system arrives is installation and activation. With LifeShield, it is your duty to install the system unless local regulations require professional installation of security systems. If professional installation is required, LifeShield will send a technician to your house at your expense.

Installing a LifeShield system yourself is pretty easy. All the devices in the kit are preconfigured to talk to the LifeShield Base unit. All you have to do is turn them on and place them wherever you want.

Once done, simply follow the instructions on how to activate the system as explained in the LifeShield Base's user manual.

LifeShield Equipment Review

LifeShield doesn't offer many devices, but it does offer some impressive equipment.

LifeShield Base

The heart and brain of every LifeShield system is the LifeShield Base, also known as LifeShield's Operating Unit or L.O.U. It's not uncommon for security systems to have a base unit. In most cases, the base is integrated into the alarm panel, which is placed near your doorway for accessible arming and disarming. However, intruders can take advantage of its accessible placement by smashing the alarm panel before it even sends a signal. This tactic is called Smash & Crash.

One of the features L.O.U. offers is Smash & Crash Protection. Instead of being integrated into the alarm panel, L.O.U. is a separate unit that can be hidden away in a closet or drawer. Even if the intruder destroys your alarm panel, L.O.U. will still be able to send an alarm signal.

L.O.U. also uses multiple communication methods in sending alarm signals to ensure that alerts go through even if your internet is down or landline is cut. It primarily uses your internet connection. If it fails, it can either use landline, cellular signal, and text alerts.

Finally, it has a built in 110 decibel siren that can scare away intruders or alert you of fire.

Security Sensors

L.O.U. connects with and monitors security sensors in order to keep intruders away. LifeShield offers a selection of security sensors, including door sensors, window sensors, motion sensors, and glass break sensors.

LifeShield recommends placing a door sensor on all exterior doors and window sensors on all easily accessible windows. For rooms with multiple windows, LifeShield recommends using a motion sensor. And for large glass doors or bay windows, it recommends using glass break sensors instead.

Environment Sensors

For environment monitoring, LifeShield only offers two sensors: the Fire Safety Sensor and Temperature/Flood Sensor. It's worth noting that LifeShield doesn't offer carbon monoxide detectors and actual smoke sensors.

The Fire Safety Sensor is not a smoke sensor, but a smoke alarm listener. It's a sensor that you have to place a few feet away from your existing smoke alarms. If the smoke alarm sounds, the Fire Safety Sensor will notify L.O.U.

The Temperature/Flood Sensor is a multi-sensor that monitors for water and abnormally high or low temperature. You can use it to watch your home for leaks, freezing pipes, heating system problems, and more.

Security Cameras

LifeShield also offers an indoor and outdoor security camera. The indoor camera is a clunky-looking camera that offers live streaming to the LifeShield smartphone app, motion detection, and event recording.

The outdoor camera offers the same features, but it is weather-resistant and can withstand harsh weather conditions.

If added to your system, the cameras require cloud storage. The $24.99 monitoring plan offers 30 days of video storage.

Accessories

Finally, LifeShield offers accessories. An entry keypad is included in every equipment kit. The keypad is a wall-mounted device that can arm and disarm your security system. You can also add a Security Touchpad. It's a tablet controller that you can use to control your security system anywhere within your house. The final accessory is the Keychain Remote, a small device that can arm or disarm your system.

Lacks Home Automation Products

One thing worth noting is that LifeShield doesn't offer any home automation products, but that doesn't mean you can't automate your home. The LifeShield app and L.O.U. can control smart lights, dimmers, locks, thermostats, and garage door controllers from compatible brands. L.O.U. also integrates with Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT.

LifeShield Monitoring Review

LifeShield only offers professional monitoring. However, its monitoring services include features that let you monitor your security system yourself, including email, text, and push alerts.

Still, even if you receive these alerts, the monitoring center is responsible for sending help to your address. LifeShield's monitoring centers are active 24/7. On top of that, there are three monitoring centers spread out across the U.S. Each monitoring center is equipped with uninterrupted power supplies, generators, and backup communication, so they can operate even during power interruptions. The purpose of having multiple monitoring centers is redundancy. Should something happen to one of the monitoring center that prevents it from operating, the other two can takeover.

Another thing to note about LifeShield is its fast response time. Within seconds after receiving an alarm, LifeShield's automated system can assign a live agent to the case. This is important, because faster response time means faster dispatch.

LifeShield Customer Service Review

LifeShield has some of the most customer-friendly policies in the alarm industry. For one, its monitoring plans require no contract. Other companies require a three-year lock-in agreement, during which you can't cancel your monitoring service. With LifeShield, you can cancel anytime.

Because the system is self-installed, you're free to take it down and install it in a different location—for instance, if you're relocating. Just let LifeShield know ahead of time so they can update your address.

LifeShield also offers a 30-day money back guarantee. You have 30 days to try out their monitoring service and equipment. If you don't like it, you can return the system and cancel your monitoring service. Your equipment fee and other payments will be refunded except for the shipping fee.

One thing to note, however, is that LifeShield only offers a 1-year warranty on equipment purchases. After that, you're on your own.