The best home security systems allow you to monitor your home at an affordable price while providing professional surveillance. Instead of requiring a professional installer, these home security systems come with all the parts you need, including entry sensors, keypads, remote controls and sirens, and since most sensors are wireless they're usually very simple to install. Install In most cases, all you need is a screwdriver.
Most of the best home security systems offer professional monitoring as an additional feature, alerting authorities in the event of a break-in or other emergency in your home. Some security kits also offer smart home controls, which let you integrate third-party accessories like smart lights, smart locks, and smart smoke detectors.
But which of the available options is the best? We've installed the best DIY security systems in our homes to find out which one is the best
What are the best home improvement security systems?
Protect your home
How many doors and entrances do you want to control?
Most security kits include two or three speed and door sensors. However, if you live in a house with many windows, you will need to add more sensors. Find out how much additional sensors cost; Prices can rise quickly.
Also a handy keychain
If you have people who leave your home frequently (dog walkers, troublesome housekeepers, or family members who live nearby), consider a security system that supports key or remote access.
Many app solutions allow you to set separate PINs for different family members, while others include access tags in the box. If this is a particular concern, Nest Secure is one of the best options, as even the most technophobic can scan the key fob every time they leave and enter the house.
Do you want professional help?
How much are you willing to spend each month to add extra security to your home? In most cases, the larger the package and the more devices you use to control your home, the higher the monthly subscription costs. (The only system that doesn't do this is the Oma Home Security Kit, though it doesn't offer professional-level monitoring.) Some companies start at $15 per month, like ADT, though they only cover a few triggers. Others may cost $30 per month for 24-hour monitoring. Note that you may need to register a home alarm in your city or region, which increases the overall monitoring cost.
Do you want to make it a part of your smart home?
While many security systems work with devices like smart locks (open the door and disarm the system), not all integrate with other mainstream smart home devices such as security cameras, lights and other sensors. In that sense, the Abode system is the most consistent, and the Nest system does a good job as well.
Is the app easy to use?
Consider the security measures that come with the app you want to use. You can usually see these articles on the relevant website. App reviews on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store are also good indicators of overall user experience. After all, your security system won't be very effective if you don't have a functional portal or gate.
Home security systems installed by hobbyists or professionals
Installing a security system in your home or small business can be an incredibly rewarding experience. In the past, if you wanted to secure your home and add sensors, sirens, etc., you had to call a company like ADT, sign an annual contract, and then wait for someone to come and install everything. But these days you just need to choose the kit that best suits your security needs.
Perhaps the biggest advantage of setting up your own home security system is that you can choose when to activate professional monitoring. For example, if you work from home, you may not need a security team to watch what's going on. But when you and your family are ready to travel away from home for a few days, you can use the app to turn on that extra care.
How do we test home security systems on our own?
We tested the home security system for three months in a two-story house in the Bay Area suburbs of San Francisco. Each kit consists of a base station and several sensors. All security pathways were installed on the ground floor of the house next to the main entrance and motion detectors were installed more than twenty feet off the ground opposite the front door. (This was done to test that each sensor was picking up the cat's movements.) We also used a sliding glass door to test each entrance sensor.
Most manufacturers list their sirens in decibels, but we tested their relative loudness by sounding the alarm and leaving the house. We have signed up with all professional monitoring services to check their response to a launch Each gateway was unplugged and used in battery mode to determine its capability in the event of a power failure. When the gateway needed an Ethernet connection, it connected to the nearest Google Wi-Fi to the gateway.
All mobile apps have been tested on Google Pixel 2 phones running Android 8.0 or later. All browser applications have been tested with Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge browsers.
There are cases where the system interface doesn't rely heavily on mobile apps, such as the Samsung SmartThings ADT Security Kit that comes with a touch screen or the SimpliSafe Essentials Kit that comes with a keyboard. They're also worth considering if you're not the kind of person who always carries your phone with you.
