Best Home Security Systems
Want to feel safer in your home? Today’s security systems come with unique equipment and features to secure your home. Read our reviews to find the best home security system for your needs.
Want to feel safer in your home? Today’s security systems come with unique equipment and features to secure your home. Read our reviews to find the best home security system for your needs.
Among the plethora of smart home gadgets available today, you’ll also find sophisticated home security solutions engineered to spot and ward off intruders, nefarious individuals, and any unauthorized access to your dwelling and premises. This setup encompasses a variety of components such as doors, windows, locks, alarms, motion detectors, surveillance cameras, lights, and environment monitoring sensors strategically placed around your property. Its purpose is to ensure that doors and windows are securely fastened, trigger alarms, illuminate specific areas, and undertake every necessary action to protect you, your family, and your possessions. Advanced home security systems also include diverse sensors capable of detecting urgent situations like the presence of smoke, fire, and water overflow.
Depending on your preferences and homes, a home security system could be wired or wireless. A wireless system is flexible because it allows you to place it near the entry points where intruders usually get in. You can also opt out for DIY installation or a professional installation at a charge. Some security companies might need a long-term contract and those that don’t have any contract give product trial for a couple of weeks or a month, with a money-back guarantee policy if you are not satisfied with the product or want something else.
When choosing the right system, you need to consider its functions, prices, installation process, and features. We’ve gathered a list of recommended best home security systems with the features and services they have, with a guide explaining everything you need to know when searching for the right product.
Before reviewing the essential information, take a look at our top choices. Let’s start with our Editor’s pick – the SimpliSafe Home Security, that offers professional monitoring with available upgrades. For the best comprehensive security we have chosen the Vivint Smart Home Security, and for the best customization, we have picked ADT Home Security. The best customer service model is the Frontpoint Home Security, while the choice for the best budget is the Abode Smart Security Kit. Let’s take a look at them individually.
Highlights
Frontpoint Home Security has the best customer service reputations – it is known for being very responsive and helpful for homeowners’ concerns. This security product is a 24-hour wireless system with a battery backup that will work when electrical power is down. Just like SimpliSafe, the Frontline base station uses WIFI and other cellular technology to operate. It comes with a lifetime warranty and a 30-day free trial.
The system has a variety of motion sensors for your doors, windows, and other entry points. You can also add more environmental sensors for smoke, flood, fire, and even carbon monoxide sensors, along with the option to add a panic button for medical assistance. This home security model also contains an artificial intelligence that assists you with your daily schedules and reduces the risk of false alarms. This smart and friendly device can be customized with other home devices like smart locks or motion-triggered lights. The Frontpoint Home Security installation is DIY, with required 24/7 professional monitoring.
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Highlights
If you are looking for the best all-out security to protect your home, the Vivint Smart Home Security is our recommendation. This security system has motion sensors, video doorbells, smart locks, security cameras, and sensors for fire, flood, and carbon monoxide. Since it is integrated with a remarkable range of smart home devices, it is a suitable option for homeowners who have or wish to buy other smart home devices.
This model comes with Kwikset smart locks, environmental sensors that you can connect to a Nest smart thermostat to set the temperature, or Hue Philips light to produce flash on and off during emergencies. The Vivint Smart Home Security is also compatible with Google Home and Amazon Alexa. Additionally, there is a Vivint smartphone app that can notify you when something suspicious is happening, or when somebody arrives at your door. This system was made for individuals that want the top-line home security and protection. When you wish to install the Vivint Smart Home Security, the company personnel will interview you to find out your concerns and tell you their terms and conditions before setting up a plan. If you decide to install Vivint Smart Home Security, a professional will do the installation for you and show you how this security system functions.
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Highlights
We chose the Adobe Smart Security Kit as the best budget home security system. This budget-friendly system comes with a base station, key fob, motion sensors, as well as window and door sensors. You can also acquire different Adobe security accessories for your home – cameras, entry point sensors, sirens, and environmental sensors, all of which can be used to amplify your security system. Due to the unique self-monitoring remote that is entirely free, the product is one of the most affordable ones you can find. You can even monitor your home with an iOS or Android phone and a web app. The Adobe Smart Security works well with other smart home devices – the Phillips Hue and Lifx smart lights, Zigbee and Z-Wave, Nest, and Yale and Kwikset smart locks.
Even though the 24/7 professional monitoring and storage are limited, you can get an upgrade to a Secure plan for $30 per month, or an annual 30% discount for the subscription. The product has free shipping and a 14-day return policy if there are any technical errors.
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Highlights
If you are looking for the best DIY home security system, take a look at SimpliSafe. This security model offers standard security equipment with additional upgraded features like sensors that detect floods, smoke, and carbon monoxide gas. The company gives homeowners flexible options for payment without long-term contracts.
The SimpliSafe has three entry sensors – for the back door, front door or anywhere else you may wish to watch over. SimpliSafe motion detection is well-tuned to humans, so you will no longer have to worry about your pets triggering a false alarm. The keyboard of this security system is wireless, which means you can place it near your doors or windows without worrying about the outlet as a source of power. Even if the keyboard gets damaged, it will still alert you in any of their monitoring sensors.
Additionally, you can install the SimpliSafe mobile app, which allows you to check and monitor the condition of your devices anytime and allows you to watch video footage if you have installed security cameras. You also have professional monitoring available for 24 hours without long-term contracts, at a specific charge. The SimpliSafe Home Security has an option for a DIY installment at a smaller cost, but professional payment is also available at a high price.
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Highlights
When talking about technological improvements, wealthy plan options, and equipment selection, ADP is our best customization choice. The company has been on the market for over a century, but ADP is still the most popular security company. The company has multiple monitoring centers over the country, so slow response time is out of the question.
ADT is available as both wired and wireless options with landline and cellular connections. It is an excellent choice for people who want to customize the look and select the features for the device. You can choose from multiple motion detectors, environmental sensors, entry sensors, keypads, panic buttons, and cameras. If you have ADT Pulse subscription, you can even manage and control everything on your phone – remotely access your home devices such as locks, garage doors, lights, and many more. With the app, you can also look at live camera footage, set up alerts for your devices, and upgrade and get a video monitoring plan with an option to save the recorded videos. It is also compatible with Amazon Alexa and Kwikset smart locks. In case somebody breaks into your home, ADT will pay you $500 if you have their devices. However, you are obligated to sign a 3-year contract without an option for system relocation.
Pros
Cons
After reviewing our top choices, we have put together a guide that will explore all the essential things you need to know about when buying a home security system – purpose, features, installation, types and more.
The installment of these systems today is starting to be necessary due to the increasing number of theft, burglaries, murders, natural damaging phenomena, and other situations. With this in mind, the home security system can be a useful tool for the protection of your home and family when you are away, sleeping, or at work. They don’t just offer broader protection for your home, but to your pets as well. Not to mention that homes with installed security systems have a quicker response from emergency services because they are immediately contacted in case of danger.
You can choose from two options for the installation of your device – you can do it yourself or pay professionals to install it. Paying for professional installation has benefits like optimizing the installation according to your needs, getting a walkthrough of the system, and it will save you the hassle of doing it yourself. However, it comes at a charge and requires a scheduled appointment, unlike the DIY installation. If you do it yourself, it will be cheaper, but also tricky because they were not designed for the average user to install it.
There are two types of home security systems – wired and wireless. A wired network connects your landline, making it easier for burglars to unplug it or cut the line. Wireless models connect through cellular and WiFi technology. They are safer because there isn’t anything to be cut.
Home security systems have cameras by default or as an addition to the package. This way, you get footage that you can later give to the authorities, but they can also help confirm false alarms that happen when you’re away, by seeing the live footage on the mobile app. When it comes to type, cameras can be intended for indoor or outdoor use, they can be mobile or static, but they can allow you to zoom in through the app.
Home security systems can be compatible to work with other smart home devices, which means you can synchronize your other devices like smart locks or lights to turn off or on along with the security device, all using your phone.
For those that consider this feature necessary, you need to check if the desired security system is compatible with any of the devices you have or plan on buying, and the wireless protocols used by the brands (WiFi, Z-Wave, and Zigbee).
Security systems also have motion sensors that you put in the most-trafficked area of the home. The sensors have proven to help watch over your elderly loved ones with Alzheimer’s or dementia who tend to wander off. They trigger the sensor, and you can stop them before they leave. However, it’s better to have entry sensors for pets.
These sensors detect when someone enters, smashes, or breaks into your door or windows.
Security systems that have environmental sensors can help protect you from any possible environmental dangers like floods, fires, smoke, and carbon-monoxide increase. In case there is an increase in water, carbon monoxide, or smoke in your home, it will sound off a loud alarm.
Most of these devices come with a battery backup in case of a power outage. The important thing is to check the battery life of the system components and see how often they need to be replaced.
The security systems that have medical monitoring can have medical alert devices that help you with the safety of your family members, especially elderly ones. For those of you looking to get this feature, choose the one with a panic button which allows the person to call for help if they need medical assistance.
With video doorbells, you get the footage of your front door as soon as someone approaches it. They can also have a two-way talk option that allows you to talk to the person at the door. They have also been helpful when you want to check if packages arrived safely.
All modern networks come with a free mobile app, where you can disarm or arm the system remotely, make schedules, check the batteries of the devices, and more. You’ll also get notifications when an alert happens, with the option to turn off any false alarms. If you have smart home integration, you can also turn on and off other devices. You can coordinate your lights or locks to react when motion sensors are triggered.
Many home security companies require a contract that usually lasts for 36 months, while others can have a monthly subscription fee or the option to get the equipment without any monitoring. When you are buying your new device, check if there is a contract, and in case there is, see the cancelation terms. If the system does not suit you, you would want to return it without any additional costs or fees.
Some security devices have geotracking that uses the location of your smartphone to check if you are close to home. You can give the device a command to disarm as you approach the house, or to close your garage door automatically.
The customer service of any product is vital, especially with security devices. You want to be sure that you can call them anytime you need to ask a question, and of course, that they will contact the right authorities in case of an emergency. When you are buying a product, check if the company has awards or reviews about its customer service.
Protecting Your Home
The main reason you should consider installing a home security system is because of the protection it offers to you and your family members. The number of crimes is growing, and homes without security systems are more likely to be the targets of intruders and burglars. Some don’t feel safe, while others are taking this problem for granted. The burglars usually expect that their target home is empty, and finding someone inside can cause them panic and force them to display aggressive behavior. Having a security system can prevent the intruder from entering and give you time to find a safer place to hide, while the alarm dispatches the authorities.
Knowing your home is secured and everyone in it is safe is one of the many benefits that will keep your mind at ease, especially if you are away from home. With a home security system in place, your home will be monitored, and you will be able to check if everything is okay from anywhere. They can also help with many situations – PTSD problems, unsafe neighborhood, checking on professionals you hired, looking at what your pets are doing, keeping an eye on older adults that live with you, or making sure your children arrived home safely.
Serviceable For Medical Assistance
Along with the broad protection of your home and family members, some still have concerns about the medical conditions that their family members have, especially if there is no one around. A home security system linked with an emergency option has medical alert pendants that can be used to call or dispatch an emergency vehicle directly to your home. Your home security system won’t just protect you and your home, but it will also save your life.
False Alarms
Even though home security systems are a reliable security measure, they are not perfect. It is widespread for false alarms to happen. In these situations, the police or fire department may have been dispatched to your home, leaving you to explain that the wrong information or mistake occurred. A police department may charge you if you call them frequently without a reason, which includes false alarm situations. In order to prevent this scenario, you should make sure that your security system is functioning properly and forward any concerns to your security company to determine if any errors or aspects need adjustment.
Expenses
Installing a home security system will give you broader protection with multiple features that could help you in your daily encounters, but it does not come free. Most systems are expensive, to begin with, but they can also have additional costs that you may need to pay. You can upgrade your home security system in order to have better security with more features like protection from theft, unexpected environmental dangers, and personal situations. Some security companies charge a monthly fee for monitoring services. Keep in mind that these particular charges are another problem that you will have to face if you are on a budget.
Maintenance
One of the additional costs also includes maintenance. You will have to spend some money to maintain the system from the moment of purchase. The first expense is the installation. In some cases, you will have to pay professionals to do it, but sometimes you can install it by yourself. Even though some home security systems have a DIY installation, you still need to pay charges. After that, you might have to pay professional monitoring for companies that require a professional monitoring system.
Laura Garcia is a freelance writer based in Chicago. She holds degrees in writing from Drake University. When she’s not busy writing, Laura likes to spend as much as time as possible with her husband James and three-year-old son Elijah.
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