Home improvement company are not like that ADTs and Vivints of the world. Instead of tying you into a multi-year contract with a broad coverage fee, most DIY security systems give you the flexibility to choose how to monitor your home. That usually means you can optionally sign up for a professional surveillance service and cancel at any time – with no early termination fees or other hidden fees. We considered the quality of the security cameras, the features they offer, how they function with other devices including smart speakers and displays, and how they compare with other devices in the product category.
Scroll through the options below to learn more about the best home improvement security systems available today. We update this list regularly.
The best home improvement security systems
Chris Monroe / CNET
SimpliSafe was one of the first home improvement security systems to go on sale and is a sensible alternative to ADT and other professional companies. This is in large part due to the wide range of accessories available. The starter kit costs just $ 259 and recently underwent a hardware update that looks a lot better than before.
You still have to pay at least $ 15 monthly fee to access remote security features (something that is usually offered for free on other systems). However, SimpliSafe’s impressive range of accessories and solid performance make it our top choice for a DIY alarm system. Read our test report on the SimpliSafe Home Security System (2018).
Chris Monroe / CNET
Abode has all the standard sensors (motion sensor, door sensor, entrance sensor, window sensor, etc.) and devices for a simple security system for beginners. It integrates with Amazon Alexa and IFTTT for voice activated activation and deactivation as well as other advanced automations. You can add accessories to the system à la carte. Professional surveillance is available for $ 30 per month and includes cell phone backup.
It also supports ZigBee and Z-Wave, which means you can connect the system to a wide variety of third-party devices so you can control everything from the Abode app.
Wish you didn’t have to use Abode’s web app to create custom rules and automations, but this scalable DIY installation system offers reliable smart security performance at a good price. Read our Abode Review.
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If you want a simple home security system with motion detection at an incredible price, consider the second generation Ring Alarm Security Kit. Version 2.0 was introduced this year and is very similar to the original – and that’s a good thing.
The eight-piece kit I tested, including a base station, keyboard, range extender, motion detector, and four door / window sensors, costs $ 200. In addition to its affordable price, the Ring Alarm Security Kit has a simple app, is easy to install, and the entire system works perfectly.
You can scale it with additional Ring devices, including a Ring Security Camera and Doorbell, and even add a third-party Smart Lock and other products. The kit works with Alexa, so you can activate / deactivate the system with voice commands – and Ring has optional professional monitoring for $ 10 per month or $ 100 per year (also great value for money).
Definitely consider this DIY system if you want a basic entry point to home security that can also be expanded over time if needed.
Editor’s note: Ring has been called upon for its partnership with local law enforcement agencies in the United States. Leading privacy advocates have expressed concerns about the data Ring shares with law enforcement agencies and how they use that information. In December 2019, thousands of Ring users’ personal information were disclosed, resulting in our no longer recommending Ring products.
Ring has since updated its security policy, from offering a Control Center dashboard for easier access to privacy and security settings to requiring two-factor authentication. We have resumed recommending Ring products with this caveat: If you have any concerns about Ring’s privacy policy, you should read the privacy policy. Read more about how we incorporate Ring’s privacy policy into our recommendations here. Read our review of the Ring Alarm Security Kit.
Do you have anymore questions? look at that Comprehensive guide to all home security issues.