The Best Smart Home Security Systems Of 2023
It makes perfect sense to buy a smart home security system if you are worried about crime in your home. Analysis paralysis is a result of abundance. The savvy, safety-conscious consumer wants to know what system to turn to. We looked at the market to bring you the best smart home security systems so you can choose the best one for you and your loved ones.
How we chose the best smart home security systems
While nearly every product you buy enters your home at some point, there is something intimate about inviting in a smart home security system Your smart home security system needs to function perfectly all the time. Brand satisfaction is one of the bigger ranking factors. While less is often more, in the world of security more is more and that’s one of the factors. Your weakest entry point is as strong as you are.
Editors cross-examined facts and opinions in this guide after many hours of research. Ordinary users were asked about their experiences using these devices, and we interacted with customer service agents throughout the course of making this guide. Each company’s personal website and plan information was thoroughly checked for the most up-to-date service plan information.
The best smart home security systems: Reviews & Recommendations
A wide variety of well-known and trusted brands with a broad array of attached services make up the selection of our smart home security systems. Sensors for doors and windows and an alerting mechanism are typically included in kits. One of the picks is sure to fit your budget and lifestyle.
Best overall: SimpliSafe 10-Piece Wireless Home Security System
The SimpliSafe 10-piece system is a complete kit that starts the security before the door opens.
It’s the specifications.
Installation difficulty: Easy
Sensors: 4 door/window sensors, 2 motion sensors, 1 indoor camera, 1 outdoor camera
24/7 professional monitoring: $28/mo. (Optional)
Smart protocols: N/A, but Alexa- and Nest-compatible
The pros.
Outdoor cam so your security starts before an intruder enters your home
Comes with one free month of 24/7 professional monitoring service
The variety of parts gives you a more complete sense of security
Optics and branding
It was a Cons.
Must learn to set up each part correctly
The SimpliSafe 10-piece Wireless Home Security System is the kit for you if you are looking for a complete system that is completely out of the box. You should feel protected in your home because it includes a variety of sensors and cameras. If you can handle a strip of 3M tape or a screwdriver, you will be able to install it on your own. To get a good picture of how they will function together in your home, you should review each part individually.
The central hub of your equipment is the SimpliSafe base, which can hold up to 100 SimpliSafe security devices. It’s capable of emitting a 95dB alarm. You can disarm the system with a PIN using the push-button keypad. The four entry point door/window sensors will allow you to protect the primary entryways to your home, while the two motion sensors will protect the areas of your home with too many entry points.
The SimpliSafe 10-piece system is better than the 12-piece version because it has an indoor and an outdoor camera. You are used to seeing security cam footage in local news. You will be happy with the full colors, high definition quality, and night vision offered by SimpliSafe. You won’t have to worry about having your private moments enter someone’s data tables if you use the indoor camera.
The package set has an official SimpliSafe flag that protects your home. No one can guarantee that this will deter all criminals, but there will be a few that will back down.
Best customer service: Ring Alarm Pro, 14-Piece
It made the cut because it took 1 minute, 18 seconds to dial the number.
It’s the specifications.
Installation difficulty: Easy
Sensors: 8 door/window sensors, 2 motion sensors
24/7 professional monitoring: Between $4-$20/mo. (Optional)
Smart protocols: Z-wave
The pros.
Fantastic phone technical support
Dual keypads for increased flexibility
Provides range extender for large homes
Multiple 24/7 monitoring plans to choose from
It was a Cons.
Overhyped WiFi functionality
The Ring Alarm Pro 14-piece set is a great smart home security system for larger homes. The design of the home security system allows for larger coverage areas than some of the best home security systems. You will always know which door is opening in your home. The Ring Alarm Pro can be used with a hub. There are better wi-fi 6 out there and this feature gets a bit overhyped.
Is the Ring Alarm Pro something that you should be excited about? A real human is available to help you. After a few button taps, we were able to contact a customer service agent within a minute and 18 seconds.
Best monitoring: ADT 8-Piece Wireless Home Security System
ADT is among the best professional monitoring companies.
It’s the specifications.
Installation difficulty: Intermediate
Sensors: 4 door/window sensors, 1 motion detector
24/7 professional monitoring: $19.99/mo. (Optional)
Smart protocols: Z-wave
The pros.
Highly experienced monitoring team
Perfect size for families
Optics and branding
It was a Cons.
Occasional installation snags
Only works in the U.S.
The 8-piece Wireless Home Security System is the only thing you need to start. A yard sign is provided to let customers proudly display their security status on the lawn, which is a brand that takes itself seriously. It is part of the marketing, but also part of the confidence in the ADT name being able to ward off thieves.
The package includes door/window sensors and a motion sensor, which are targeted to owners of two or three-bedroom homes. Installation of the sensors can take some time as you have to manually pair and label each one. You can either use the included backing or a more traditional screw-in technique. The time investment should feel more like a weekend project for first-timers.
It can almost feel like you have a dedicated house sitter when combined with the optional professional monitoring from ADT.
Best modular: Wyze Home Security Core Kit
The Home Security Core Kit from Wyze is a quality core kit that can be easily added to as needed.
It’s the specifications.
Installation difficulty: Easy
Sensors: 2 door/window sensors, 1 motion sensor
24/7 professional monitoring: $9.99/mo
Smart protocols: N/A
The pros.
Very affordable and complete starter kit
Comes with three months of free professional monitoring
Can easily add on more sensors or cameras
Guided setup via Wyze app
It was a Cons.
Service plan essential
Only works in U.S.
The Wyze Home Security Core Kit is the best smart home security system for people who prefer to wade through new technology instead of diving directly into the deep end. The core kit is very affordable, covers two entry points, a room of your choice, and provides months of professional monitoring service to give you a taste of how Wyze works.
You can add more components once you decide how much you like the system. If you want to finish off the rest of your home, you can add more door/window sensors or add a Wyze cam. There are also leak and climate sensors.
The Wyze Home Security Core Kit is very easy to setup thanks to the modularity and stick-on setup. You can be certain that you will be able to install it. The rugged individualism that inspired this device is dropped down a notch because of the need for a constant monitoring subscription. After the three-month free trial is over, the keypad won’t work. The Wyze cam add-on will lose some features. The service is cheaper than market averages, so you probably wanted it anyways.
Most compatible: Abode Security System Starter Kit
It made the cut because it goes way beyond Z-wave.
It’s the specifications.
Installation difficulty: Easy
Sensors: 1 door/window sensor, 1 motion sensor
24/7 professional monitoring: Between $7-$22/mo. (Semi-optional)
Smart protocols: Zigbee, Z-wave, Homekit, IFTTT
The pros.
Connects and works with just about anything
Variable professional monitoring options
Sub-30-minute total setup time
Easily expandable
It was a Cons.
Limited sensors in starter kit
Reviews note poor customer service
Can you decide between Z-wave and Zigbee? Not sure if you should use a security system or use a voice assistant? Do you need HomeKit support? The Abode Security System is a home security system that connects with all of these.
The Abode Security System Starter Kit is a great way to get started with the system, as it includes the main hub, a couple of sensors, and a key. Even technological turtles report installation times of under 30 minutes, but if you don’t have a compatible system, you’ll find yourself wanting other pieces. You can choose from glass break sensors, water leak sensors, smoke alarms, and indoor/outdoor cameras to tailor the system to your needs if you stick with Abode products.
While all owners have access to alert and live video feeds, more advanced features, such as video storage, require you to subscribe to one of the Abode plans.
Best budget: Tolviviov Wi-Fi Door Alarm System
It’s the best smart home security system under $100.
It’s the specifications.
Installation difficulty: Easy
Sensors: 5 door/window sensors
24/7 professional monitoring: No
Smart protocols: N/A
The pros.
Simple to use system with keychain fob and app control
Very loud alarm
Affordable for all pricing
No monthly payments
It was a Cons.
Supported by 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network only
Lower brand recognition
If you want to avoid overly techy solutions to your problems and save money in the long run, the Tolviviov Wi-fi Door Alarm System is worth a look. The budget-friendly Tolviviov systems are the best home security systems for elderly people due to their loud alarm systems and manual controls. For those who want a more modern feel, it still has the app.
The Tolviviov system doesn’t have a professional monitoring system. There is a silver lining to this lack, as systems with professional monitoring on a recurring monthly subscription often tie other features into it. What you see is what you get from the Tolviviov. There is a loud siren, an app that tells you what sensor was disturbed, and the option for voice support. It works, but it is simple.
Brand recognition and connections are the main concerns of the Tolviviov system. The Tolviviov only works in the 2.4 GHz band. The 2.4 GHz band should be isolated. The brand recognition is not there. You won’t get the same response from the name "Tolviviov" that you will get from a "ADT" sign in your yard or a Ring video doorbell if you have a loud alarm.
What to consider when buying the best smart home security systems
The best smart home security systems seem to be similar, but different parts. Our residential security systems blend into the background of our lives when things are running smoothly. If you dig a little, you will see that there is more complexity in both the hardware and the customer service plans than you think.
Options for 24/7 professional monitoring
You are all in the clear if you have a smart home security system that will alert you when someone comes into your home or when your house faces other problems. If you can’t reach your phone at work or on vacation, it’s possible that it’s not a threat.
A subscription fee can be as high as $30 per month for professional monitoring services. Some systems only provide limited service without the full subscription, while other systems retain some functions.
Zigbee and/or Z-wave connection
The pieces of your smart home security system can be connected through the Z-Wave and Zigbee frequencies. Z-Wave systems can have a bit of response delay but still require less battery maintenance.
The two systems are better depending on your network. If you already have a lot of Z-Wave products, going with another Z-Wave device is a good idea because they are all required to work together. It is possible for zigbee devices to find each other but not always connect in a fully functioning way.
It is possible to use neither system and operate solely through the system’s own hub. If you’re looking for a smart home security system that’s not a full smart home network, this should be fine. Super- compatible systems can connect to both networks and have other options as well. It’s up to you if you want to go with either Z-Wave or Zigbee.
Branding and flags
Some smart home security systems put a flag in the lawn to deter thieves. Some customers are happy to see it, but others are skeptical about the sign’s usefulness to deter thieves who might use the info to break the system.
What is the science saying? Our friends at Bob Vila studied the research on security signs and crime deterrence. Here are some of the findings.
~25% of criminals will skip a home with a security sign.
~50% of criminals will skip a home with a security sign and a visible camera.
The optimal locations for such signs are in a place visible from the street and in the backyard.
Branding matters. A recognizable or easily searched-for brand name works best to convince thieves your home is really protected.
Privacy
When you bring something into your home, you want to feel safe. Home security products can record and monitor the inside of your home, and this goes doubly so. You should pay attention to a brand’s privacy track record.
The recent controversy over the eufy brand, which promised end-to-end encryption but didn’t deliver, is a good example. The initial response was to simply change their privacy commitment statement. They came clean, but the sour taste lingered.
For full transparency, this is not the only brand that has suffered a privacy breech. A former technician at the company pleaded guilty to charges of criminal espionage. Important things to note are how well ADT handled the situation, that their internal procedures and systems have been changed to reduce the chance of a similar situation happening in the future, and that this was an incident involving a single employee and not the company at large. The guide doesn’t include a camera.
FAQs
The price of a smart home security system can range from $80 to $400. Monitoring subscription costs between $20 and $40 and should be left in your budget. Smart home security systems are highly affordable and shouldn’t outprice other smart gear.
SimpliSafe and Ring are the highest rated home security systems. Consumer ratings for individual bundles may change over time due to new products and changing prices. Highly regarded product bundles from both companies can get a coveted 4.7 stars or higher on Amazon after hundreds of reviews.
If you’re worried about the safety of your home, smart home security is worth it. There are systems that can check for flooding and fires. In case of an emergency, you have access to a team that is ready to help you and alert authorities if you need them. Smart doorbells are a potential alternative for smaller, less extensive security.
It is dependent on what you want in the system. The SimpliSafe 10-Piece Wireless Home Security System is our personal pick for the best smart home security system because of its high-quality performance and complete coverage. The Wyze Home Security Core Kit is a premium choice if you want a custom, modular system.
Final thoughts on the best smart home security systems
It is not as hard to get one of the best smart home security systems. Installation should be simpler due to the fact that the systems can integrate with your existing smart home gadgets. You can get home security with app integration and voice support.
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