When it comes to keeping your home safe, you need something reliable. It’s always best to go with a quality security system than a cheaper one that might not work as intended. Prioritize safety over everything else!
Depending on the size of your home, you’ll want a system that can cover every entrance point, including all doors and windows. Security systems may not come with enough gear to cover your home completely, so they should allow you to add more if needed. Of course, you’ll need to pay for additional equipment, but it’s worth it for the peace of mind.
You’ll also need a base station to keep all your equipment connected and running at all times. Ideally, your base station should function normally after a power outage, so your safety won’t be jeopardized.
If your alarm’s on, the sirens must go off immediately if someone tries to break into your home. You should then have quick and easy access to emergency help through an app, panic button, or monitoring team.
Most security systems will offer professional monitoring through a protection plan. If you choose to get one, a professional should help ensure your home is secured whenever an intruder is detected. They will take care of contacting the police and informing you of the situation.
With all of this, let’s take a closer look at some of the best smart home security systems available.
Best Home Security System Overall: SimpliSafe Wireless Home Security System
If you’re unsure of which security system to go with, we recommend the SimpliSafe Wireless Home Security System. It’s priced at $393 and comes with everything you need.
✓ Three-year warranty✓ Includes a panic button and SimpliCam camera✓ Comes with plenty of equipment✓ Fast and easy setup✓ 24-hour battery life with dual Wi-Fi and cellular connections for power outages
✗ Slightly expensive
You’ll be surprised at the amount of equipment that comes in Simplisafe’s kit. There are 12 items in total, including a base station, a keypad to arm or disarm the alarm, four entry sensors to guard windows and doors, and two motion sensors for added protection. You can add more sensors if you’d like, with a limit of 100 total.
There’s also a panic button that triggers the alarm. We recommend setting it up in your bedroom for quick access. Lastly, there’s the SimpliCam camera that you can set up to monitor your home–it just needs to be plugged in. You can able to view the camera from your phone, laptop, or tablet.
If your power shuts off, your devices still have a 24-hour battery life with dual Wi-Fi and cellular connections to keep them online. The security system also works with Alexa and Google Assistant.
Even with all this equipment, you can set everything up and have it running within 30 minutes. Once you plug in the base station and place all the sensors where you want them, you’re good to go!
SimpliSafe monitoring plans start at $15/month, giving you 24/7 professional monitoring without any contracts. They’re not required, but without the plan, you won’t have professional support when you receive an alert.
Best Budget Home Security System: Wyze Home Security System Core Kit
Want to save on a home security system without compromising on safety? Then you’ll love the Wyze Home Security System Core Kit. It’s priced affordably and does a phenomenal job safeguarding your home.
✓ Perfect integration with other Wyze products✓ Cheap protection plan✓ Very inexpensive
✗ Only comes with five pieces of equipment
In this kit, you get five pieces of equipment, including a home base, a keypad to arm the alarm, a motion sensor that won’t detect pets, and two entry sensors to secure windows and doors. These may be enough for a smaller home, but you can always add more sensors if you’d like, with a limit of 100 devices.
You can set up Wyze security system using everything that comes in the kit. You won’t need additional screws or tools, nor will you need to drill into your walls. You can follow the instructions on the Wyze app on iPhone and Android to help you set everything up.
Even though the kit comes with less equipment, it integrates perfectly with other Wyze products. So, if you already own Wyze security cameras, for example, you can control everything from the app.
The Wyze protection plan is also affordable as it’s only $10/month for 24/7 professional monitoring. You won’t be on a contract, either. This plan is much cheaper than competitor plans, so it’s worth getting for the extra protection.
Best DIY Home Security System: Ring Alarm 8-Piece Kit (2nd Gen)
Ring’s well-known for providing exceptional security gear, and the Ring Alarm 8-Piece Kit is no exception. The Ring security system costs $250 and is the perfect addition to your DIY home.
✓ Includes a range extender✓ Affordable✓ Simple setup✓ Integrates with other Ring products
✗ Only compatible with Alexa
There are eight total pieces in this home security kit, including a base station, a keypad, a range extender to ensure all your devices have a signal, a motion detector, and four entry sensors for your doors and windows. You can add additional Ring sensors if you’d like.
Like installing individual Ring products, you can set up each piece wherever you’d like, and you’re good to go. You won’t need anything that isn’t included in the box. It’s an easy and fast installation ideal for a 1-2 bedroom home between 1,000 and 2,000 square feet.
The security system integrates with other Ring products so that you can control everything from the Ring app. It’s where you’ll receive alerts and all other notifications. The system also works with Alexa for more hands-free control and monitoring.
There’s a backup battery in case your power shuts off, but you’ll need to get the Ring Protect Pro plan for alarm cellular backup. Getting the plan is optional and costs $20/month. You’ll receive 24/7 professional monitoring–the basic plan won’t work as it’s only for one Ring doorbell or camera.
Best Professional Home Security System: Vivint Home Security
Want to take your home security to the next level? Vivint Home Security is a professional system that offers customizable installations. Call the company to receive a free quote—discuss what you’re looking for and they’ll help you find a good deal.
✓ Lifetime warranty for all equipment✓ Customize your entire home security package✓ No down payment with consumer financing✓ App control for smart home and security devices✓ Professionals set up everything for you
✗ Can be expensive✗ Requires professional monitoring plan for remote access and access to app
Vivint has so much to offer that they require you to give them a call to find a system that works for you. You’ll talk to one of their professionals about your home and the type of protection you want.
All systems come with a home base and security sensors. You can then choose all other security devices you want. There’s everything from smart locks, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, indoor and outdoor cameras, key fobs, door and window sensors, glass break detectors, garage door controllers, freeze and flood sensors, and more.
Once you verify everything you want, Vivint will book a date to install all the equipment for you for $50. They’ll send their team of smart home professionals to inspect your home and get everything set up.
There’s a $0 down payment if you decide to finance all the equipment yourself, but this puts you in a contract. If you cancel the contract early, you’ll need to pay everything you owe on equipment and monitoring. You’ll be making monthly payments until your desired security equipment is paid off. You can instead pay for all the equipment upfront, as well.
This is on top of the monitoring plan that starts at $20/month, but it’s optional. With the plan, you’ll receive 24/7 professional monitoring and technical support, and access to the mobile app. Vivint also works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and several smart home devices such as the Nest Thermostat and Philips Hue Lights.
Best Smart Home Compatible Security System: Abode Home Security Kit
If you want a security system that integrates well with your smart home base, then go with the Abode Home Security Kit. It costs $200 and is incredibly flexible in terms of compatibility.
✓ Works with Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, and IFTTT✓ Compatible with many smart home brands✓ Affordable starting kit✓ Quick and easy set up
✗ Only comes with four pieces of equipment
The Abode Home Kit pairs with several smart home brands. You won’t have any trouble connecting third-party devices like Ecobee thermostats, Schlage locks, and Philips Hue bulbs to your smart home system. It’s like turning your security kit into a smart home hub, but you’re limited to 160 total devices.
There are four items in the kit, including a home base, a key fob, a motion sensor, and a mini entry sensor (called a door sensor). You can add more security devices if you’d like, including door and motion sensors, water leak sensors, indoor and outdoor cameras, and panic buttons.
Installing the Abode security system is fast and painless, and you can get it done within 30 minutes. No extra tools outside of the box are required. You can use the Abode app to follow a guide on setting everything up.
Once set up, you can control and monitor everything from the Abode app. The system works with Alexa, Google Home, IFTTT, and Apple Homekit. With so many compatible devices, you can turn your smart home into the ultimate security system.
You can purchase the Abode Pro Plan for 24/7 professional monitoring for 66 cents/day (about $240/year). The plan provides cellular backup in case your internet shuts off, as well as several other benefits such as video storage and in-app panic alarms.
