Prices are accurate at the time of publication.
- Smart-home gadgets are affordable and easy to use, making DIY home security an option.
- Simplisafe is the best home security system you can set up on your own.
- You can also check out our guide to the best home security cameras.
Home security systems were once pricey, requiring professional installation and monitoring. In 2021, they are relatively accessible. You can install and monitor many of them yourself and boost their usefulness by incorporating them into a smart-home ecosystem. That makes them excellent targets for Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals.
When choosing a system, you’ll want to think about what kinds of devices you want included. Most home security systems include door/window sensors, motion sensors, and a base station to tie the system all together. You may want to start with a basic package or add on security cameras and other devices. Most home security systems allow you to use the devices for free on a basic level, but you’ll probably need to get a subscription for professional monitoring and added features.
We’ve tested a variety of security systems to find the most reliable and easiest to use. No matter what you’re looking for from a home security system, there should be something on this list for you. Please note that we are in the process of sourcing new test candidates for systems that specifically support Google’s platform as well as those requiring professional installation.
Here are the best home security systems you can buy
- Best security system overall: Simplisafe
- Best security system for HomeKit users: Abode Iota
- Best security system for Alexa users: Ring Alarm
Simplisafe
SimpliSafe may be a little expensive, but it’s extremely easy to use, offers quick setup, and has excellent professional monitoring.
Pros: Easy to set up and use, wide range of compatible devices, excellent professional monitoring
Cons: Pricy subscription fees, smart-home integrations are limited and are only available with a subscription
SimpliSafe is probably one of the best-known home security systems out there. It lives up to the hype, especially as a standalone system that you can control from your phone. The included devices are all well designed and easy to use, plus the setup process is extremely easy.
Unlike some other home security systems, the SimpliSafe keypad allows you to control every aspect of your system, including paired devices, through the built-in display. However, you can’t monitor video feeds on the display. You can easily arm and disarm your system with the app and tweak each device’s settings.
Packages start at $230, but you can build your own bundle to get the exact devices that you want or need. The basic bundle only comes with one motion sensor and one door/window sensor, in addition to the base and keypad. Many homes will require more than that for robust protection.
The base station has a 24-hour battery backup, which will kick in if there’s a power outage, plus there’s a cellular connection in case that power outage takes down the Wi-Fi.
To really get the most out of your SimpliSafe security system, you’ll want a subscription. The basic $14.99-per-month plan offers live alarm monitoring, a cellular connection, and environmental monitoring. For $24.99 a month, you get added features like phone alerts, video alarm alerts, camera recording, and smart-home integrations. Those include Alexa, Google Assistant, and August but their functionality is really limited.
However, now for $4.99 a month you can allow a single camera in your system to record and store video as far back as 30 days, just in case you want to test the waters first or are tight on budget.
Despite the lack of deep smart-home integration and the relatively high price for subscriptions, many love SimpliSafe. I tested it for a few weeks and find it to be the best home security system out there.
Amazon
The Abode Iota is easy to use, plus it works with a huge range of smart home ecosystems, including Apple’s HomeKit.
Pros: Excellent smart home integration, easy to use, high-quality camera
Cons: Not many devices included for the price
If you want your home security system to integrate with HomeKit, it’s worth considering the Abode Iota. Abode’s second-generation system works directly with Apple’s smart-home ecosystem.
You don’t have to use Abode with HomeKit though. In fact, it works perfectly fine as a standalone security system, straight through the Abode app, which is simple to use. In the basic $279 Abode bundle, you’ll get the Iota base station, which has a camera built into it, along with a contact sensor and a key fob. You can buy extra devices separately for added security.
We’re including Abode as the best HomeKit-compatible security systems because it’s one of the only HomeKit-compatible systems. It’s actually compatible with a huge range of different ecosystems, though. You can use Abode with Google Assistant, Alexa, Philips Hue, Z-Wave, and more. The integration is pretty deep, too. Once set up with HomeKit, Abode sensors can be used to trigger other devices, and you can use your voice to arm and disarm your system, check locks, and so on. Because of this, the Abode Iota is perhaps one of the smartest home security systems on this list.
You’ll have to pay $20 per month for the Pro plan, if you want professional monitoring. There is a $6-per-month plan that has some features, like automation, that you won’t get for free.
Still, if you don’t mind paying that cash, it’s a solid system. I was able to get it set up relatively easily, and integrating it with the rest of my smart home devices was simple.
Amazon
The Ring Alarm system is cheaper than most other home security systems and works excellently with Amazon Alexa.
Pros: Easy to use, good Alexa integration, inexpensive
Cons: Doesn’t really integrate with other ecosystems
Google has Nest, and Amazon now has Ring. Best known for its video doorbell, the company now has a security system called the Ring Alarm.
It’s available in different bundles, with the five-piece package coming with a base station, a keypad, a contact sensor, a motion sensor, and a range extender. There are tons of accessories that work with the system, including smoke detectors and freeze sensors. When it comes to Alexa integration, you’ll be able to use your voice to arm your system, view footage on Alexa-compatible screens, and so on.
Setting up the Ring Alarm is very easy, and the app offers good instructions for how to do so. Once it’s set up, you’ll be able to arm your system, see device history, and more. The app also offers the Ring Neighborhood feature, which allows you to see and add posts about security in your area. For example, someone could post that their bicycle was stolen, so you could ensure your bicycle is locked up properly.
Professional monitoring is available for the Ring Alarm, too. The service is called Ring Protect, and there are three tiers to the service. Ring Protect Basic costs $3 per month for 60 days of recording history on a single camera, while Ring Protect Plus costs $10 per month for that same service on all Ring cameras you’ve installed. Finally, Ring Protect Pro brings in 24/7 professional monitoring, an internet backup, and more features for $20 per month.
There are a few downsides to Ring. For starters, it doesn’t have much integration with Google Assistant. It also doesn’t integrate with HomeKit directly, requiring a home bridge device. Still, considering the relatively low base price, and the relatively cheap professional monitoring, it’s a solid option for those who want an Alexa-integrated system or a system that can stand on its own.
Ooma
- Honeywell Smart Home Security Starter Kit ($146.06): Honeywell’s DIY system is easy to install and includes a 1080p camera with free cloud storage. It’s also compatible with Alexa, IFTTT, and some third-party smart-home devices. But it doesn’t offer professional monitoring, and its home-automation options are limited compared to other systems.
- Wink Lookout ($197.99): Wink Lookout is a good option for folks who already use Wink’s home security system. It works with the Wink Hub, as well as a variety of other smart-home devices with both the Z-Wave and Zigbee standard. However, we don’t recommend it over other DIY systems because it lacks a professional-monitoring option, and it doesn’t have a backup battery.
- Ooma Security Starter Kit ($109.99): Ooma’s affordable DIY starter kit includes motion sensors, door/window sensors, and a base. But it’s a very basic system that doesn’t offer many advanced features.
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