Being at home may seem to nullify the need for a smart home security system, but there are immense benefits to having a sound system to secure your home.
First, having the best home security system keeps your family and property safe, whether you are at home or away. On top of this, it lowers your insurance rates.
But if you are just just starting out, you may be wondering how an efficient home security system looks like. Well, a home security system consists of different gadgets interconnected via a wireless network.
A robust smart home security system includes smart locks, cameras, strategic lighting, alarms, and motion detectors.
The beauty of this system is that you can manage and monitor your home remotely through a smartphone or computer.
Such a security system provides live surveillance and real-time alerts, irrespective of location. As you can see, a reliable home security system offers much convenience and peace of mind.
Perhaps your only challenge is finding the right system to secure your home. Fortunately, we have analyzed various industry-leading providers to help you choose the best home security system.
Summary of The Best Home Security System in 2024
- SimpliSafe: The Best DIY System with No-Contract Monitoring
- Vivint Smart Home: It Is Best Overall
- Ring Alarm Pro: The Best Hybrid DIY System That Doubles Up As a WiFi 6 Hotspot
- ADT: The Most Trusted Brand
- Abode: Best for Home Automation Compatibility
- Wyze Home Monitoring: Budget-Friendly DIY
- Arlo Home Security: Best for Multipurpose Sensors
Detailed Review of The Best Home Security System of 2024.
Here are our top picks in various categories:
1. SimpliSafe: The Best DIY System with No-Contract Monitoring
As the name suggests, SimpliSafe is an easy-to-use cellular security system. This solution provides home security on your terms.
You will particularly love it because of the no-contract monitoring. Besides this, it has some excellent features. One of them is RapidSOS, a rapid response mechanism that is handy in emergencies.
Other notable features and benefits offered by the system include:
- Freedom to choose the equipment and monitoring level you like.
- Professional monitoring on demand with no contracts
- No-pressure online shopping
- A newly released outdoor security camera
- 60-day money-back guarantee
It is also important to note that SimpliSafe offers a wide range of affordable home security options. However, the best one is the Fast Protect plan, which costs $30 per month.
This plan comes with a mobile app to enable you to coordinate the SimpliSafe security system. It also includes text and email alerts.
Pricing
- Professional monitoring plans start at $14.99 per month.
- The hardware costs $119.98.
2. Vivint Smart Home: It Is Best Overall
This system offers an all-around home security with a 24/7 monitoring option. We believe it is the best home security system because it can control cameras, door locks, lights, and thermostats.
Interestingly, you can use this home security system to monitor your automobile while on the road. On top of that, you can take advantage of its rapid emergency response time.
But what stands out the most are the 7-inch touch-screen video panel and compatibility with Google Assistant and Alexa voice controls.
Another Vivint’s standout feature is the cameras that come with Smart Deter Lurker detection. Its AI-loaded video doorbell is also impressive.
This security system is ideal for homeowners who prefer a hands-off approach to smart home security management.
In fact, they don’t have to do anything themselves since a qualified technician will install every component of the Vivint Smart Home system.
Pricing
- The upfront charge is $299.99.
- The lowest monthly monitoring plan starts at $29.99.
3. Ring Alarm Pro: The Best Hybrid DIY System That Doubles Up As a WiFi 6 Hotspot
Ring Alarm Pro offers a wide-ranging feature set with customizable installation. We believe this system is unbeatable when it comes to setup.
Its setup involves connecting the Base Station with a power source and following a few prompts from the Ring app.
After that, you can connect it with sensors. Besides easy setup, the system earned top points for affordable professional monitoring options, impressive internet capabilities, and compatibility with Alexa.
The Pro model makes your life even easier by adding a WiFi 6 mesh router, which can also act as your WiFi hotspot. In short, it has all the internet tech capabilities to provide stable speeds.
On top of this, the company included free 3GB data in its professional monitoring packages to ensure your devices are always connected online.
Pricing
- The Ring Alarm Pro goes for $299.
- The Pro Protect professional monitoring plan starts at $20 per month.
4. ADT: The Most Trusted Brand
ADT is a respected brand in the home security industry. Most people love this system because it offers you peace of mind knowing that you are working with a tried and true company.
This assurance is what makes it more expensive than competitors. But if you feel its price is not justifiable, here are additional things that make ADT stand out:
- ADT Home Security monitors over 8 million homes globally and has been around for over 147 years.
- Partnerships and seamless integration with Google Nest, Ford, and Z-Wave devices
- It has nine professional monitoring centers.
- It offers a 6-month money-back guarantee, one of the longest in the industry.
From the above attributes, it is obvious that ADT Home Security is for homeowners who prefer a professionally installed and managed system with seamless home automation features.
Pricing
- Hardware and installation costs $599.
- The professional monitoring fee is $59.99 per month.
5. Abode: Best for Home Automation Compatibility
Abode has two home security packages: the traditional Smart Security Kit and the latest all-in-one Abode Iota hub.
Regardless of the package you choose, Abode makes your home security more intelligent. It also enables you to add smart locks, speakers, lighting, and smoke and CO detectors to the system.
Pricing
- The upfront cost starts at $279.99.
- The professional monitoring package starts at $20 per month.
The Abode home security system will satisfy your taste if you are a smart home automation enthusiast.
It is probably the only smart security system that supports a variety of integrations.
6. Wyze Home Monitoring: Budget-Friendly DIY
Wyze Home Monitoring is one of the best home security systems because of its impressive customization options. It is also one of the most affordable DIY smart home security systems.
In fact, you can have hardware for free if you opt for a yearly professional monitoring package. In addition to the above positive attributes, the system is easy to set up and highly customizable.
The good thing about it is that it works seamlessly with other Wyze smart devices, such as smart plugs, doorbells, cameras, and door locks. It is also compatible with both Google Assistant and Alexa voice support.
This system is ideal for budget-conscious, smart homeowners. They will appreciate Wyze’s rock-bottom price and ease of use. It is also a plus for those who have other Wyze smart devices.
Pricing
- Hardware is free if you choose the one-year professional monitoring option.
- The lowest plan starts at $9.99, one of the lowest in the industry.
7. Arlo Home Security: Best for Multipurpose Sensors
Despite being the latest to enter the home security scene, Arlo Home Security is already gaining momentum.
We included it in this list of best home security systems particularly for its impressive eight-in-one sensors.
These sensors can detect motion in doors and windows. Actually, it can detect up to eight different things at once, including:
- Open/close motion detection
- Motion detection
- Tilt detection
- Freeze detection
- Smoke listening
- Light detection
- CO alarm listening
- Water leak detection
This home security system is ideal for homeowners with Arlo smart home devices. It can also be a good choice if your home is prone to environmental challenges like freezing temperatures and water leaks.
Pricing
- The upfront hardware fee is $199.
- Monthly professional monitoring plans start at $24.99.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A home security system helps prevent unauthorized entry into your home. It operates through a series of interconnected components, all of which are linked to a control panel and monitoring station.
Usually, the interconnected devices send their status to the control panel, which communicates to the monitoring center and your smartphone.
A self-monitoring home security system engages you and your household members in monitoring your home.
So, depending on your security system, you may be required to be checking alerts about what is happening at your home.
Taking this into consideration, a self-monitoring system can save you money because you don’t pay the monitoring fees.
On the other hand, a professional monitoring system has standby professionals who keep tabs on what is happening in your home.
They usually do so in a monitoring center.
So, if anything triggers the alarm, the monitoring center will send you an alert. In such instances, they can send emergency services to your home.
In other words, you can directly access instant help if something goes wrong. That is why we recommend this system.
The simple answer is yes.
You can add a security system to your home, regardless of the type or who owns it.
In fact, most of the recommended home security systems have customized packages for renters.
Just like most products connected to the internet, home security systems that lack encryption are vulnerable to hacking.
A fraudster could sit nearby your home, armed with a computer and software, and intercept signals from your system.
This way, he/she can turn off sensors and alarms. In other cases, a malicious actor could use security devices to generate radio noise, thus interfering with sensor and hub communication.
The good thing is that top home security system providers employ frequency hopping technology or use embedded encryption to prevent signal jamming.
Verdict
Every home is unique, as is the taste of the homeowners. That is why we have graded the above home security systems on a wide range of factors to recommend what is best in each category.
So, if you are starting and want to test the waters, you may choose Wave Home Monitoring, a very affordable home security system.
And if you prefer a self-managed system, SimpliSafe and Ring Alarm Pro are the best home security systems. This will save you installation and professional management fees.
But as your needs evolve, try high-end systems such as Vivint and ADT.
Related Post: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Home Automation and Security Systems In 2024
