2GIG Edge Vs. Honeywell PROA7PLUS

The 2GIG Edge and the Honeywell Home PROA7PLUS are two of the best wireless all-in-one security systems available today. Both are very powerful and feature-loaded security panels with great potential for serving locations ranging from a small home or apartment to a large complex or business.

Before we present the complete specification comparison, let us just say that the 2GIG Edge and the Honeywell PROA7PLUS really are both exceptional alarm panels, and it's really impossible to say that one is "better" than the other. It really comes down to preference and how the system will be used. For example, if a user is looking to keep monitoring costs as low as possible by going with internet-only monitoring, and not paying extra for the added reliability of cellular, then they would want to go with the PROA7PLUS. This is because the AlarmNet Monitoring Network used with the PROA7PLUS has cellular communication as an optional add-on, while the Alarm.com Network used with the 2GIG Edge requires cellular connectivity. Conversely, you may strongly prefer the 2GIG Edge over the Honeywell PROA7PLUS if you intend on using security cameras with your system, as Alarm.com has a much wider selection of security cameras when compared with the selection for Total Connect 2.0 Cameras. Also, as of April 2021, the 2GIG Edge supports camera streaming from the panel, while the PROA7PLUS does not, though it's possible that the feature may be added in a future firmware update from Resideo.

	2GIG Edge	Honeywell Home PROA7PLUS
Versions	2GIG Edge w/ AT&T LTE 2GIG Edge w/ Verizon LTE Note - Both versions are identical, except for the integrated LTE cellular communicator. The communicator is married to the panel and cannot be swapped out.	Resideo PROA7PLUS Honeywell Home PROA7PLUS Note - Both versions are identical, but one says "Resideo" across the front, and the other says "Honeywell Home" across the front.
Panel Type	Wireless All-In-One	Wireless All-In-One
Display Screen	7" Touchscreen	7" Touchscreen
Power Input	14VDC, 1.7A	9VDC, 2.5A
Backup Battery	24 Hr Rechargeable Lithium-Polymer Battery	24 Hr Rechargeable Li-ion 3.6VDC, 5200mAH
Total Zones	Up to 100	Up to 250 (PROTAKEOVER Required)
Encrypt Zones	Up to 100 (2GIG eSeries)	Up to 127 (PROSIX & SiX Series)
Legacy Zones	Up to 100 (Honeywell 5800 & 2GIG 345 MHz)	Up to 123 (PROTAKEOVER Required)
Encrypted Sensors	2GIG eSeries Sensors	Resideo PROSIX Series Sensors Honeywell SiX Series Sensors
Legacy	Both Honeywell 5800 & 2GIG 345 MHz	One (1) of Five (5) w/ PROTAKEOVER: - Honeywell 5800 Series - 2GIG 345 MHz Series - Qolsys & Interlogix/GE 319.5 MHz - DSC 433 MHz - Bosch Sensors
User Codes	Up to 100	Up to 96
Partitions	Up to 4 - Called Smart Areas	Up to 4
Key Fobs	32 Slots	32 Slots for PROSIX and SiX Key Fobs
Keypads	Up to Eight (8) Across System (2GIG Edge Remote Keypad & 2GIG PAD1-345)	Up to 8 Per Partition (PROSIXLCDKP & PROWLTOUCH - requires PROWIFIZW which is included)
WIFI	Integrated (2.4 GHz & 5 GHz Networks) Note: Module Cannot be Replaced	Integrated (2.4 GHz Networks Only) Note: Replaceable w/ PROWIFIZW
Cellular	Built-In, Cannot be Replaced AT&T LTE Verizon LTE Required for Monitoring.	Sold Separately, Replaceable: PROLTE-A (AT&T LTE) PROLTE-V (Verizon LTE) Not Required for Monitoring
Communication	Cellular Only (AT&T LTE or Verizon LTE) Dual-Path (Ready Out of Box)	WIFI Only (PROWIFIZW included) Cellular Only (Cellular Radio Required) Dual-Path (Cellular Radio Required)
Platform	Alarm.com	Total Connect 2.0
Automation	Integrated Z-Wave Plus V2 700-Series	Z-Wave Plus (Replaceable PROWIFIZW) 500-Series
Amazon Alexa	Only possible through the Alarm.com integration. Requires monitoring service.	Embedded into the panel. Does not require monitoring. Can be disabled if desired.
Front Camera	Yes (Specs Not Provided)	2MP, provides Disarm photos, but does not support Live Lookin.
Facial Recognition	Yes - Using Front Panel Camera. System can be configured for automatic disarm upon recognition.	No
Sounder	85 dB	85 dB
Bluetooth	Yes (for optional automatic disarming)	Yes (for optional automatic disarming)
Chime	Yes	Yes
Voice	Yes	Yes
Dimensions	5.625"L x 7.5"W x 1.0"D	5.75"L x 7.875"W x 1.0"D
Mounting	Wall Mount or Table Stand (Sold Separately)	Wall Mount or Table Stand (Sold Separately)
Microphone	Built-in	Built-in
Backlit Screen	Yes	Yes
Weather Display	Yes (Requires Communicator)	Yes
Scene Control	Yes	Yes
Operating Temp.	32°F to 104°F	32°F to 122°F
Panic Buttons	Yes	Yes
OTA Updates	Alarm.com	AlarmNet
Panel Camera Live-Streaming	Yes	Yes
Slideshow Feature	Yes	No

The 2GIG Edge and the Honeywell Home PROA7PLUS are both excellent Alarm Panels. Choosing one or the other is purely a matter of preference, depending on what you are wanting out of your security system and your monitoring service. Both the 2GIG Edge and the PROA7PLUS are very highly regarded for their overall designs and user interfaces (UIs). Quite frankly, you will probably be very pleased with either one. The important thing to note when comparing these systems is that while they end up relatively equal in terms of features and support (in most, but not all, aspects), they actually are extremely different in terms of compatibility. Another huge difference is that the 2GIG Edge mostly has fixed components that come included stock with the system and cannot be replaced. The Honeywell Home PROA7PLUS has mostly replaceable components that can save you from having to purchase an entirely new system if something goes wrong, a component fails or a newer module version becomes available. This may be a reason to favor the PROA7PLUS. But understand that if you want cellular connectivity for the PROA7PLUS, then you must add a separate cellular communicator (PROLTE-A or PROLTE-V). The 2GIG Edge comes with a built-in LTE cellular communicator (AT&T LTE or Verizon LTE), but its cellular communicator is married to the panel and cannot be replaced. For this reason, be sure that the version you purchase will have adequate cellular signal in the area where you plan to use it.

Starting with the 2GIG Edge, the system has 100 total zones. Both legacy non-encrypted sensors (2GIG 345 MHz Sensors & uni-directional Honeywell 5800 Sensors) and encrypted sensors (2GIG eSeries Sensors) are used with the same system zones. But with the PROA7PLUS, it is a bit different. Fresh out of the box, the PROA7PLUS has 127 encrypted zones for Resideo and Honeywell Home PROSIX Series Sensors and Honeywell SiX Sensors, but no legacy sensor support. If you want to use a legacy wireless frequency, then you can obtain and install a single Honeywell Home PROTAKEOVER Module inside the PROA7PLUS. This module will allow you to select one (1) of five (5) possible legacy sensor frequencies (Honeywell 345 MHz (not 2GIG), 2GIG 345 MHz (not Honeywell), Qolsys/Interlogix/GE 319.5 MHz, DSC 433 MHz, or Bosch). You can only install one PROTAKEOVER, and you can only choose one legacy frequency. Adding legacy sensor support will open up 123 zones for legacy sensors, which are completely separate from the 127 encrypted zones. In total, the PROA7PLUS supports a maximum of 250 system zones.

System accessories are also completely separate. For external keypad support, both have touchscreen keypad options and more of a classic touchpad keypad option. For the 2GIG Edge, you can choose between the 2GIG Edge Remote Keypad with Integrated Touchscreen and the 2GIG PAD1-345 Touchpad Keypad. The 2GIG Edge supports up to eight (8) keypads across the entire system. As for the PROA7PLUS, you can pick between the PROSIXLCDKP traditional button-style Keypad and the PROWLTOUCH Touchscreen Keypad. This system supports eight (8) keypads per partition, and since the system has four (4) partitions, you could technically have (32) total keypads paired. Both systems also have their own separate power supply transformers, backup batteries, stands and mounting options.

One other major difference between the 2GIG Edge and the PROA7PLUS is that the 2GIG Edge connects with Alarm.com, while the PROA7PLUS connects with Total Connect 2.0. This in itself has some major implications that may ultimately dictate your purchasing and monitoring decision. Alarm.com, the interactive monitoring and automation platform for the 2GIG Edge requires cellular connectivity. This means that you must obtain a monitoring plan that includes cellular communication if you want to get a 2GIG Edge System monitored. This is usually more expensive than a monitoring plan that uses an internet-only connection. Unlike the 2GIG Edge that uses Alarm.com, the Honeywell PROA7PLUS uses Total Connect 2.0 as its monitoring and automation platform. Total Connect 2.0 doesn't require cellular connectivity, though you can certainly use cellular communication with TC2 if you don't mind the extra monthly costs associated with it. But if you don't want to pay extra for cellular, then you can set up the PROA7PLUS for internet-only alarm monitoring service. This is ideal for keeping your monitoring expenses as low as possible. Just keep in mind that without cellular backup, an internet outage will take your panel offline, and leave you unmonitored until internet service is restored.

In terms of service and support, Alarm.com and Total Connect 2.0 are pretty much equal in most aspects. But one area where Alarm.com is usually considered superior is in security cameras. Alarm.com has a wide selection of both residential and commercial security cameras, and it offers options for pretty much any installation. You can even mix a selection of totally different cameras and get the video surveillance network you need. Not to mention that the Alarm.com Cameras are routinely praised for their excellent quality. As for the Total Connect 2.0 Cameras, they are also of very good quality, but the problem is that the selection is very small. As of April 2021, only the Honeywell IPCAM-WIC1 720P Indoor Camera, the Honeywell IPCAM-WIC2 1080P Indoor Camera, and the Honeywell SkyBell Video Doorbell are available. There is no new outdoor camera available at the time of this writing. It is also worth mentioning that at the present time, the 2GIG Edge supports live camera streaming on the panel, while the PROA7PLUS does not. However, it is rumored that this feature may be added to the PROA7PLUS in the future. Not everyone will use cameras with a security system, so if camera support doesn't apply to you, then you can ignore this aspect. But if cameras and video surveillance is going to be a big part of your security network, then you will have significantly more options available by opting for the 2GIG Edge over the PROA7PLUS.

It should also be mentioned that while both the 2GIG Edge and the PROA7PLUS are great for home automation, the current winner would have to be the 2GIG Edge, at least at the time of this writing in April 2021. The 2GIG Edge is the first alarm panel sold by Alarm Grid to support Z-Wave Plus V2, also known as Z-Wave 700-Series technology. This is huge, as Z-Wave 700-Series devices promise to offer unprecedented wireless signal range, longer battery life, and more trustworthy security. The PROA7PLUS has the lesser, but still respectable Z-Wave Plus 500-Series from the replaceable Honeywell PROWIFIZW. Unless an updated module is released, there is no way to use Z-Wave 700-Series technology with the PROA7PLUS. However, you can still pair 700-Series Z-Wave devices with the PROA7PLUS, it's just that they will behave to the limit of the 500-Series Z-Wave Controller included with the panel. Remember that Z-Wave is almost always universal and backwards compatible. It is also possible that the PROA7PLUS may one day support Apple HomeKit, much like its predecessor, the Honeywell Lyric. While the 2GIG Edge could also possibly receive more integrations (anything can happen), it is improbable that an Apple HomeKit integration would ever exist for the 2GIG Edge.

Lastly, when looking at miscellaneous features, the 2GIG Edge and the PROA7PLUS are largely equal. Both support up to four (4) separately configured system partitions, which is great for multifamily homes, multi-segmented homes, business complexes, strip malls, and more. Both systems also support optional automatic Bluetooth disarming, in which the system can disarm automatically upon detecting your phone returning to Bluetooth range. Both systems offer sleek and modern designs that are sure to impress and look fantastic in your home, office, apartment, studio, or anywhere really. And they also both offer one-touch panic buttons for use in emergency situations. However, one feature exclusive to the Edge is automatic disarming based on facial recognition. The front panel camera can detect a person's unique facial signature, and disarm upon detection. The PROA7PLUS does not have this capability, despite it also having a front camera.