The Link Interactive IQ2 ($199 with a subscription plan for the starter kit we reviewed) finds the middle ground between a DIY home security system you install and monitor yourself (such as the Wink Lookout), and full-blown systems that are professionally installed and monitored (like ADT Pulse and Vivint Smart Home).
It comes with a color touch-screen control panel and a handful of preprogrammed sensors and is responsive and easy to install.
However, it requires a monitoring contract and its add-on components are more expensive than what you'll pay with our top pick for DIY smart home security systems, the SimpliSafe Home Security System.
Features and Pricing
The brain of the system is the Qolsys IQ2 panel.
It measures 5.0 by 7.7 by 1.0 inches (HWD) and contains a 7-inch color capacitive touch-screen display and five wireless radios that support dual-band Wi-Fi, cellular, Bluetooth, Z-Wave Plus, and a proprietary RF protocol.
It's powered by a quad-core CPU and 8GB of flash memory, and features an easy-to-use Android operating system.
Two microphones embedded in the bottom of the panel enclosure and speakers embedded on each side provide two-way voice communication with a professional monitoring service.
They also work with the panel's built-in glass-break detector that will recognize the sound of breaking glass and trigger an alert.
A 5-megapixel camera embedded just above the display captures images when an alarm goes off or when someone disarms the system or attempts to access the panel's settings.
The panel comes with a snap-on tabletop stand or it can be mounted on a wall.
The right side holds a microSD card slot and a power switch, and the power cable is hardwired to two terminals that are located behind a removable plate on the back.
There's an internal backup battery that will provide power for up to 24 hours in the event of a power outage, and an internal 85dB siren.
Also included in the kit are three door/window sensors, a motion sensor, a yard sign, window decals, and a quick start guide.
The door/window sensors are relatively small at 2.2 by 0.8 by 0.5 inches, while the motion sensor is fairly large at 3.2 by 2.4 by 1.9 inches.
Add-on components are plentiful, but a bit more expensive than what you'll pay if you're using a SimpliSafe system.
For example, additional door/window sensors go for $24 each, whereas SimpliSafe sells them for $14.99 each.
Link Interactive's Glass Break Detector goes for $69, more than offerings from SimpliSafe ($34.99) and Abode ($32).
In addition to controlling the above-mentioned sensors, the IQ2 panel can be used to control Wi-Fi and Z-Wave smart home devices such as locks, cameras, thermostats, and lights, but you'll have to subscribe to the most expensive monitoring plan to do so.
Link Interactive offers three levels of professional monitoring with one-, two-, or three-year contracts, but if you want to lock in to a fixed monthly price you have to subscribe to a three-year plan (pricing for the one and two year plans are subject to change).
The Standard plan is the most affordable: It costs $30.99 per month and includes 24/7 professional monitoring, two-way voice communication with the monitoring station, and support for intrusion, fire, smoke, and CO detection.
The $35.99 per month Gold plan gives you everything in the Standard plan and adds support for home automation control.
The $40.99 per month Elite plan adds support for HD video monitoring with motion activated, scheduled, and manual video recording.
SimpliSafe's most expensive plan will cost you $24.99 per month and does not require a contract, while ADT Pulse's most expensive plan will cost you upward of $60 per month and requires a three-year commitment.
Interface and App
The control panel's Android interface is very straightforward.
On the left side of the home screen is a large lock symbol that shows you the system's armed status at a glance.
A green unlocked symbol indicates that the system is Disarmed, and an amber locked symbol means the system is in Armed Stay mode (that arms doors and windows only).
A red lock tells you the system is in Armed Away mode (all doors, windows, and motion detectors are armed).
Swiping to the left takes you to a screen that displays all photos captured by the panel's camera.
Swiping down opens a screen with volume and brightness controls, and buttons for setting up security and home automation devices, configuring the photo frame feature, and accessing message alerts.
At the bottom of the screen are three panic buttons labeled Police, Fire, and Auxiliary.
Tapping any button initiates a hands-free call with the monitoring center where you can request help.
The IQ2 is powered by Alarm.com and uses its web console and mobile app for Android and iOS.
The app opens to a screen with buttons for four Scenes at the top.
Both the Home and Wakeup buttons disarm the system, the Away button puts the system in Armed Away mode, and the Sleep button puts it in Armed Stay mode.
Below the buttons you can see the current system status; a green shield indicates it is Disarmed, an amber shield means it is in Armed Stay mode, and a red shield means it is in Armed Away mode.
You can change the mode by tapping the shield icon.
Here you'll also find the same panic buttons found on the panel.
Below the system status panel is the Images panel.
Tap it to view images captured by the panel's camera and any other security camera you may have installed.
Finally, at the bottom of the screen is the current weather for your area.
Swipe to the left to see your forecast.
Tapping the three-bar icon in the upper left corner of the home screen displays a main menu that includes tabs for everything on the opening screen, as well as tabs for controlling smart locks, lights, and thermostats.
There are also tabs for managing notifications, enabling geofencing to have your phone automatically arm and disarm the system based on your location, and app settings, which allow you to manage what is shown on the home screen.
There are also help videos that walk you through the app's features and a what's new tab that lets you know about any available updates.
In the upper right corner of the home screen is a button that displays a history of all events.
Installation and Performance
The IQ2 is very easy to set up, but you have to register twice before you install the hardware.
Registering on Alarm.com gives you control of the system, while the Link Interactive registration is for managing your account.
Using the login name and password that came with the system, I logged in to the Alarm.com site, agreed to the terms of service, created a new password, answered a security question, and confirmed my email address.
I gave the system a name and answered a few more questions such as the number of people and pets living in the house, and confirmed my account information.
I was given the option to add users to the account, and moved on to the notifications setting page where I enabled system and sensor alerts.
On the last screen I verified that my pre-paired sensors were enabled, and the Alarm.com registration process was complete.
Next, I went to the Link Interactive site, clicked New User Registration, and entered my name and email address.
I then entered my Central Station account number (provided by Link Interactive), typed in my password, and was ready to install the hardware.
To install the IQ2 panel I simply attached the table stand, plugged it in, and hit the power button.
The panel went through a quick diagnostic check and was up and running within seconds.
I installed the door/window sensor using the included adhesive pads, and placed the motion sensor on a bookcase facing my front door foyer.
Since all of the sensors were paired at the factory they did not require any additional setup.
The IQ2 system worked perfectly during my testing.
The door/window sensors were very responsive, and the panel responded instantly to my arm and disarm commands made using the mobile app and the web portal.
Push and email alerts arrived quickly whenever a sensor was triggered or when the system was armed or disarmed, and the onboard camera captured my image when changes were made at the panel.
The siren was adequately loud, but not nearly as piercing as the one that comes with the Wink Lookout.
Conclusions
Ease of use, responsive sensors, and the ability to control lots of security and home automation components make the Link Interactive IQ2 a good choice for anyone looking for a DIY home security system.
It can be armed and configured using the 7-inch touch-screen panel or via a mobile app or web portal, and installation is a snap.
You'll pay a bit more for components with this system than you will with SimpliSafe, however, and you have to commit to a three-year monitoring plan to ensure that your monthly rates don't increase.
With SimpliSafe, monitoring plans are not only optional, but they are more affordable and do not require a contract, which is why it remains our Editors' Choice for DIY smart security systems.
If you prefer to have a professional come and install everything, take a look at the ADT Pulse Home system, but be prepared to pay a lot more
The Bottom Line
The Link Interactive IQ2 offers everything you need to install a professionally monitored security system in your home.
