A good home security system doesn’t have to be expensive. It is now easier and more affordable than ever to secure your house thanks to the abundance of inexpensive appliances, gadgets, and security agencies that are available. You may either choose a DIY alternative like SimpliSafe or Wyze, or you can work with reputable security companies like ADT to set everything up for you. The correct system can be difficult to choose no matter what kind you’re looking for. We are here to assist you in solving this problem.
More internet-connected devices, such as video doorbells, smart locks, and cameras with motion detection, are produced as a result of increased competition in the home security sector. But it also introduces additional risks, such as a higher chance of hacking. It’s a lot to process, and modern home security companies don’t always make it simple to compare services.
In response, we are here. We tested a variety of security systems, from high-end monitored systems with expert installation to cost-effective DIY options that incorporate a home security camera (or cameras) and smart home gadgets that can be controlled via a smartphone app. This material will be updated as we go based on practical experience.
Save this page as a favourite and return to it later as we expand it to cover all the top home security system choices for 2022.
1. Comcast Xfinity
We give Comcast Xfinity Home security an 8 out of 10 because it’s a great, easily accessible, and reasonably priced service. It works with a tonne of third-party smart home devices, it doesn’t require a contract, and it might cost you thousands of dollars less than comparable installations from direct competitors like Vivint and ADT. This home security system will treat you well if you can avoid Comcast’s pressure to bundle with their other services (you don’t have to do it!) and the service’s restricted home automation features.
2. Ring Alarm Pro
With a Wi-Fi 6 Eero router built into the system’s base unit, Ring’s Alarm Pro system has revolutionised DIY home security. You’ll have access to a tonne of extra capabilities, including cellular-powered backup Wi-Fi, network security monitoring, local processing and storage for all of your Ring devices, and integration with Alexa’s Guard Plus service, in addition to getting dependable security performance (provided you have an Echo speaker or display). The Ring Alarm Pro scored an amazing 9/10 in our assessment, which is impressive given all the bells and whistles.
The Ring Alarm Pro is without a doubt one of the most intelligent DIY home security systems I’ve ever tested, and it’s still reasonably priced in a crowded market, even though Ring still has a troublesome history when it comes to its privacy practises and rules.
3. SimpliSafe
The most recent assessment we conducted of the SimpliSafe system gave it an 8.5 out of 10 rating. SimpliSafe’s simple-to-install, simple-to-use DIY system is a terrific choice if all you’re looking for is home security, without all the added Wi-Fi and smart home connections of the Ring Alarm Pro. It provides a wide range of features, such as security tools like security cameras and a very good selection of battery-operated motion detection sensors, all of which consistently delivered good results in our tests. Starter kits start at about $250, or you can create your own custom alarm system with the precise combination of gadgets you choose. The professional monitoring plan offered by the security company starts at $15 per month, but you’ll almost certainly want to spend an extra $25 per month for the monitoring service plan, which adds features like mobile app controls and voice support for Alexa and Google Assistant for smart home security systems.
4. Vivint Smart Home
Although Vivint is significantly more expensive than Comcast Xfinity and had a lower review score of 7.7 in part because of the large upfront expenses, it’s still worth taking into account if smart home integration is more important to you than cost. Without a contract, Vivint offers you a highly polished experience with good third-party device connections. Its monthly monitoring costs are comparable to those of Xfinity, ranging from $30 to $45 each month.
5. Wyze Home Monitoring
Wyze, like SimpliSafe, enables you to create a personalised security system for your home’s requirements. Starting at $10 per month ($100 yearly), a home monitoring subscription also comes with the necessary Wyze Sense Hub for free. From there, you may incorporate cameras, keypads, video doorbells, motion sensors, and more. Alternatively, you may choose the Home Security package from Amazon, which costs less than $150 and comes with a v3 camera, two door/window sensors, a motion detector, a keypad, and the Sense Hub. It also includes a six-month monitoring subscription. The one serious flaw is that Wyze lacks cellular backup in the event of a power or internet interruption. Maybe with time that feature will come,but for now, we give the Wyze Home Monitoring system a solid 8.4 out of 10.
Other home security systems we’ve tested
ADT, Abode, Abode Iota, Frontpoint, Kangaroo, Ring Alarm, Cove, and many other leading competitors have also been put to the test. If you’re interested in DIY smart home systems for small spaces or systems that don’t require monitoring subscriptions, Abode and Abode’s all-in-one security camera Iota were both strong competitors that couldn’t quite equal SimpliSafe’s price. Nevertheless, they’re worth looking out. Another excellent DIY option is Ring Alarm, but given the company’s recent issues with police cooperation, we hesitate to suggest it—especially since Wyze provides such a potent, affordable substitute.
DIY methods Each of Frontpoint, Cove, and Kangaroo had qualities that made them stand out. Although the Frontpoint system is dependable and its hardware is inexpensive, the $45 monthly monitoring fee is too high. The doorbell camera on Kangaroo, in contrast, is terrible, thus Wyze maintains its advantage in the affordable category. Despite having acceptable hardware costs, Cove Home Security was unable to compete due to an overly restrictive subscription strategy that forbade self-monitoring or app access without high monthly costs.
One of the most well-known brands we’ve evaluated, ADT, was generally underwhelming. The price is excessively high, a contract is needed, and the software is difficult to use. We’ve tested AT&T Digital Life as well, but we’ve disqualified the service because AT&T no longer offers new customers the option to have it installed.
Brinks Home and ADT Blue have not yet been put to the test, but we want to give them some thought in the upcoming months.
How we test home security systems
We base all of our assessments of home security devices on practical testing. In summary, we pay close attention to the user experience, the promised features, reliability, and overall value — along with a few other factors — while evaluating the finest home security systems. We carry out the testing for at least a full week in a real home setting. Check out our comprehensive post on how we evaluate home security products and services if you want to learn more about our review procedure.
Home security systems compared
| Comcast Xfinity | Ring Alarm Pro | SimpliSafe (6-piece set) | Vivint Smart Home | Wyze Home Monitoring | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| System price | $360 | $240 | $230 | $500 | $133 |
| Monitoring price | $30/month | $20/month | $15/month | $30-$45/month | $5/month |
| Starter equipment | 1x touchscreen controller, 3x door/window sensors, 1x pet-friendly motion sensor, battery and cellular system backup, Xfinity Home Security yard sign | Eero Wi-Fi 6 mesh router, door/window sensors, motion detectors, a keypad, a siren and optional professional monitoring subscriptions | 1 base station, 1 keypad, 1 motion sensor, 3 entry sensors | 1 Hub, 2 door window sensors, a motion detector, a flood sensor | v3 camera, two door/window sensors, a motion detector, a keypad and the Sense Hub |
| Contract required? | No | No | No | No | No |
| Setup | Professional installation | DIY installation | DIY installation | Professional installation | DIY installation |
| Extra features | Integration with a large and growing list of third-party devices, flexible pricing | Cellular-powered backup Wi-Fi, network security monitoring, local processing, storage for all of your Ring devices and integration with Alexa’s Guard Plus service | Customizable system, built-in Wi-Fi and cellular, integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant | Customizable system, integration with many third-party devices, integration with Amazon Alexa, Google Home and Z-Wave devices | Customizable system, integration with many third-party devices, integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant |
| Review score | 8 | 9 | 8.5 | 7.7 | 8.4 |
Home security system FAQs
Do I have to sign a contract for home security?
Contracts may be part of the service from home security companies like ADT, Vivint, and Xfinity if professional home monitoring or eligibility for free equipment is necessary. However, some home security companies like Ring, SimpliSafe, and Wyze provide DIY home security solutions without commitments, so it is usually easy to avoid contracts if you pay upfront.
What’s the best home security camera system for your home?
Our top choices for the finest home security cameras are Arlo, Nest, and Wyze, but the perfect one for your house will depend on your needs. When making a decision, be sure to take into account the cost, Wi-Fi connectivity, indoor/outdoor capability, interoperability with other smart home appliances, and security services.
How do I set up a home security system?
You may trust on the provider to install and configure your system since some home security systems include professional installation. Others might need self-installation and setup, such as many DIY systems. These systems should include comprehensive instructions, and setting them up is frequently simple. The majority of the time, you can simply mount or install the devices where you want them, link them to your Wi-Fi, and (if compatible) other smart home devices, using an app.
What’s the difference between a wired and wireless alarm system?
There are two perspectives on “wired” vs. “wireless” in the context of home security. A wired system would be one with devices that connect into power and rely on the energy in your home to function because home security systems need electricity to operate. You can think of many modern systems as being “wireless” in terms of electricity because they use wireless, battery-powered sensors and battery backups for the base stations to keep the setup working in the event of a power outage.
Connectivity is the second angle on wired vs. wireless. Every home security system should be able to alert you to issues and notify the authorities in case of emergencies. The majority of today’s systems can also alert the user of problems with a push notification on their phone, and some will use an internet connection to contact the professionals during an emergency. In the past, systems would alert you by sounding the alarm and contacting authorities with a wired connection to your phone line.
Even then, if you can disable the system by cutting the internet signal to your house, we’d still classify the device as “wired.” As a result, a rising number of systems now come with integrated cellular connectivity. A system like that will still be able to alert you and the authorities of an emergency via that cellular connection, even if the Wi-Fi goes down (or if a tech-savvy intruder disables it). These kinds of systems are “wireless” in the connectivity sense, and if they go one step further and include a battery backup, they’re as wireless as it gets for home security.
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