Best DIY home security systems in 2022 Tom s Guide
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Best smart smoke detectors After testing a number of systems, we think the best DIY home security system is the Abode Essentials Starter Kit. At a starting price of around $200, it's one of the most cost-efficient smart security bundles available, and it offers integrated smart home abilities so that you can rig up devices like smart bulbs and smart door locks, along with everything else. It also works with HomeKit, making it one of the few security systems that's compatible with Apple's smart home platform. The best DIY home security kit for those on a budget is the Ooma Home Security Kit, which gets you all the basics, such as motion sensors and some integration with other smart home devices. Since it launched, the company has added both cellular and battery backups, but both cost extra, which makes this less a bargain than its initial price. Bad news for Ring Alarm owners: Ring is ending its $10/month Ring Protect Plus plan; if you want professional monitoring, you'll have to subscribe to its Ring Protect Pro, which is $20/month. Current Ring Protect Plus subscribers will be grandfathered in until January 1, 2025. Wyze is also increasing the cost of its professional monitoring service to $10 a month, up from $4.99/month. Still, that's half as much as other services. (Image credit: Abode)
(Image credit: Ooma) (opens in new tab)
Simplisafe integrates with both Alexa and Google Assistant, as well as August, which makes what we consider to be the best smart lock. Simplisafe's professional monitoring starts at $14.99 per month, and a $24.99/month plan includes a lot of additional features, such as secret alerts. You can also cancel the plan at any time. Read our full Simplisafe Essentials review. Ring Alarm (Image credit: Ring) (opens in new tab)
(Image credit: Shutterstock)
Alexa Guard Plus: $4.99/month
Ooma: $14.99/month
Simplisafe: $14.99/month
Ring: $20/month
Nest: $19/month
Wyze: $10/month How many doors and entryways do you want to monitor? Most security kits come with two or three motion and door sensors. However, if you live in a house with a lot of windows, you'll need to add more sensors. Check out how much additional sensors cost; the price can quickly climb. Key fobs equal convenience If you have people coming in an out of the house frequently - whether they be dog walkers, house cleaners or annoying family members who happen to live close by - you will want to look at a security system that accepts key fobs or remote access. Many of the app-first solutions will let you set up individual PIN codes for the different members of your household, while others will include access tags in the box. If this is of particular concern, the Nest Secure is one of the better choices, since even the most technophobic will be okay with merely scanning a keychain every time they exit and enter the house. Do you want professional monitoring? How much do you want to spend per month to ensure that your home has that extra protection? In most cases, the bigger the kit and the more devices you're using to monitor your dwellings, the higher the monthly subscription price. (The only system that doesn't do this is the Ooma Home Security kit, though it doesn't offer professional monitoring.) Some companies start as low as $15 a month, like ADT, though they only cover specific triggers. Others can be as high as $30 a month for around-the-clock surveillance. Note that you may also need to register your home alarm with your city or county, which will also add to the overall professional-monitoring fee. Do you want to make this part of your smart home? While many security systems will work with such devices as smart locks - unlock your door, and the system will disarm itself - not all integrate as easily with other best smart home devices like security cameras, lights and other sensors. Abode's system is the most compatible in this regard, while Nest's system also does a fair job. Is the app easy to use? Consider a security system that comes with an app you'd love to use. You can usually preview these things on the corresponding website. App reviews in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store are also a good indicator of the overall user experience. After all, if you don't have a working portal or gateway to your security system, it's not going to be very functional.
Best DIY home security systems in 2022
By Mike Prospero published 7 October 2022 The best DIY home security systems are easy to install, include motion and entry sensors, a loud siren and professional monitoring, all for a reasonable monthly fee. Included in this guide:1AbodeHome Security starter kitCheck Price (opens in new tab)2Ooma Home Security KitCheck Price (opens in new tab)3ADTBlueCheck Price (opens in new tab)4SimpliSafeEssentials Security SystemCheck Price (opens in new tab)5RingAlarm 5 Piece KitCheck Price (opens in new tab)6WyzeHome Security SystemCheck Price (opens in new tab)7Abode iotaView (opens in new tab)8HoneywellSmart Home SecurityCheck Price (opens in new tab)9Alexa Guard PlusView (opens in new tab)10Scout AlarmHome Security System Wireless & DIY Check Price (opens in new tab) The best DIY home security systems let you monitor your home for less, while still giving you the option of professional monitoring services. Instead of requiring a professional installer, these DIY home security systems are sent to you with all the parts you need-such as entry sensors, keypads, fobs, and sirens-and because most all the sensors are wireless, they're generally very easy to set up. In most cases, all you'll need is a screwdriver. The majority of the best DIY security systems also offer professional monitoring as an add-on feature, so the authorities will be alerted to break-ins or other emergency incidents in your home. Some security kits even provide smart home control, so you can integrate third-party accessories such as smart lights, smart locks, and smart smoke detectors. But with a number of affordable options out there, which is the best? We installed the leading DIY security systems in our own homes to find out which is the best.What are the best DIY home security systems
Protect your homeBest home security camerasBest smart locks
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Best smart smoke detectors After testing a number of systems, we think the best DIY home security system is the Abode Essentials Starter Kit. At a starting price of around $200, it's one of the most cost-efficient smart security bundles available, and it offers integrated smart home abilities so that you can rig up devices like smart bulbs and smart door locks, along with everything else. It also works with HomeKit, making it one of the few security systems that's compatible with Apple's smart home platform. The best DIY home security kit for those on a budget is the Ooma Home Security Kit, which gets you all the basics, such as motion sensors and some integration with other smart home devices. Since it launched, the company has added both cellular and battery backups, but both cost extra, which makes this less a bargain than its initial price. Bad news for Ring Alarm owners: Ring is ending its $10/month Ring Protect Plus plan; if you want professional monitoring, you'll have to subscribe to its Ring Protect Pro, which is $20/month. Current Ring Protect Plus subscribers will be grandfathered in until January 1, 2025. Wyze is also increasing the cost of its professional monitoring service to $10 a month, up from $4.99/month. Still, that's half as much as other services. (Image credit: Abode)
1 Abode Essentials Starter Kit
The best DIY home security systemSpecifications
Professional Monitoring / Monthly Price: $20/month or $200/yearNumber of Sensors Included: 2Cellular Backup: YesBattery Backup: YesSmart Home Compatibility: Alexa, Google Assistant, HomeKit, Nest, IFTTT, Zigbee, Z-WaveToday's Best DealsView at Amazon (opens in new tab)View at Amazon (opens in new tab)Reasons to buy
+Easy to install+Easy access to professional monitoring+Offers many home-automation schemesReasons to avoid
-Some setup available only through web app-Smart-hub capabilities not as robust as on other hubs Whether you're a first timer to smart security or a seasoned veteran in the world of automation, the Abode Essentials Starter Kit has something for everyone, which is why we think it's the best DIY security system overall. In addition to being a versatile smart home controller with both Zigbee and Z-Wave integration - which means you can use it to control things like smart bulbs and smart locks - it's also straightforward to set up. Abode's system can also be connected to Apple's HomeKit, and controlled using Siri. The beginner's bundle is a bit slim in its accessory offerings, but you can choose from a host of other packages and purchase additional sensors separately. Abode offers three tiers of service: Free, Standard ($6/month or $60/year), and Pro ($20/month or $200/year). The free plan does not let you record video from cameras or use automations within the system, but you can view live video, use smart home integrations, and get push notifications. The Standard Plan gets you 7 days of rolling cloud storage for video and a timeline of events, such as when doors are opened. The Pro plan gets you 30 days of cloud storage, as well as 24/7 professional monitoring, as well as cellular backup. If you have the Standard plan, you can also get three- and seven-day monitoring on an as-needed basis for $8 and $15, respectively. Read our full Abode Essentials review.(Image credit: Ooma) (opens in new tab)
2 Ooma Smart Security Starter Pack
Best value DIY home security systemSpecifications
Professional Monitoring / Monthly Price: $14.99Number of Sensors Included: 2Cellular Backup: NoBattery Backup: NoSmart Home Compatibility: Alexa, Google Assistant Nest, IFTTTToday's Best DealsView at Amazon (opens in new tab)Reasons to buy
+Affordable kit and accessories+Remote access to emergency services+No app required for notificationsReasons to avoid
-No automation abilities (besides scheduling and geofencing) Don't care too much for professional monitoring? The Ooma Smart Security Starter Pack is very bare-bones - you get the hub, one motion sensor and two entry sensors - but you also get Ooma's robust VoIP service with low monthly fees. The system also works with Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can use a smart speaker to arm and disarm your system, and get updates on the status of the system. Ooma's free tier includes push notifications, unlimited sensors, and a remote siren. For $5.99 per month, you get e911, phone call, text message, and email notifications, and auto arm and disarm. Ooma also added professional monitoring (for an extra $14.99 per month), which was a much-needed feature. Since its launch, Ooma has added both battery backup ($34.99) and cellular backup, so your system will continue to function if the power and Internet go down. The Ooma Telo 4G - which provides cellular backup - costs $129, plus $11.99/month. Read our full Ooma Smart Security review. (Image credit: Tom's Guide)3 Blue by ADT
Home security from a seasoned proSpecifications
Professional Monitoring / Monthly Price: $19.99Number of Sensors Included: 4Cellular Backup: YesBattery Backup: YesSmart Home Compatibility: Alexa, Google Assistant, AugustToday's Best DealsView at Amazon (opens in new tab)View at Amazon (opens in new tab)Reasons to buy
+Optional professional monitoring+Lots of third-party integrationsReasons to avoid
-Clunky camera setup-Not HomeKit compatible The third time is the charm with Blue by ADT. This sleek little DIY home security system comes with the basics (the lowest-priced system is $200), yet allows you to add accessories, such as security cameras and video doorbells, as you see fit. The hub includes a siren and a keypad to arm and disarm the system, as well as a Z-Wave antenna for smart home connectivity, an 85-decibel siren, a 4G LTE cellular radio, Bluetooth, a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi radio, a speaker, and a 24-hour backup battery. While chunkier than most of the best video doorbells and home security cameras, Blue by ADT's devices include facial recognition to notify you of familiar faces, plus smoke and CO2 siren detection. In the month we tested Blue by ADT, we came away impressed. However, its monthly monitoring fee of $20 (plus $3/month for each camera) is a little higher than the rest. Read our full Blue by ADT review. Simplisafe Essentials (Image credit: Future) (opens in new tab)4 SimpliSafe Essentials
Best professional monitoringSpecifications
Professional Monitoring / Monthly Price: $14.99-$49.99Number of Sensors Included: 4Cellular Backup: YesBattery Backup: YesSmart Home Compatibility: Alexa, Google Assistant, AugustToday's Best DealsView at Amazon (opens in new tab)Reasons to buy
+Easy to install+Keypad remote is familiar+Alarm is very loudReasons to avoid
-Remote access available only with professional monitoring-Lacks geofencingIf you don't care too much about fancy home automation schemes like flashing bulbs when someone opens a door, the SimpliSafe Essentials kit is our runner-up pick for best DIY smart security system. In addition to having one of the louder sirens we tested (93 decibels), it's also stylish, and an included keypad makes setting it up accessible for anyone. And, the kit comes with more accessories than the typical bundle from competitors, including three entry sensors instead of the standard one or two. Additional accessories won't break the bank, either, and include a smart lock and a video doorbell, two things you rarely find in DIY home security systems.Simplisafe integrates with both Alexa and Google Assistant, as well as August, which makes what we consider to be the best smart lock. Simplisafe's professional monitoring starts at $14.99 per month, and a $24.99/month plan includes a lot of additional features, such as secret alerts. You can also cancel the plan at any time. Read our full Simplisafe Essentials review. Ring Alarm (Image credit: Ring) (opens in new tab)
5 Ring Alarm
An easy to install system with affordable professional monitoringSpecifications
Professional Monitoring / Monthly Price: $20 a month ($200 a year if paid up front)Number of Sensors Included: 2Cellular Backup: YesBattery Backup: YesSmart Home Compatibility: Alexa, Ring, Z-WaveToday's Best DealsView at Walmart (opens in new tab)View at Best Buy (opens in new tab)View at Amazon (opens in new tab)Reasons to buy
+Easy to install+Affordable professional monitoring+Loud alarmReasons to avoid
-Doesn't work with Google Assistant Ring's Alarm system is affordable, very easy to set up, has a loud alarm, battery and cellular backup. Plus, Ring has a lot of compatible add-on devices, such as video doorbells, security cameras, and smart lights, and it works with Alexa, so you can arm and disarm your system by voice. Ring's system is compatible with select Schlage, Kwikset, and Yale smart locks, as well as smart plugs, smart light switches, and smart outlets on GE and Leviton. Here is a list of everything that works with Ring (opens in new tab). Ring's second-generation Ring Alarm has smaller door and window sensors, as well as a redesigned keypad with one-touch buttons for Police, Fire, and Medical assistance. The Ring Alarm Security Kit costs $199, and includes a keypad, base station, contact sensor, motion detector, and a range extender. Ring also sells a retrofit alarm kit for $199; if you have a home with existing sensors, it can incorporate those sensors into Ring's system, potentially saving you some money and the hassle of adding new sensors yourself. Ring also has the Ring Alarm Pro, which has an Eero Wi-Fi 6 mesh router built into the main hub itself. It starts at $299, and also includes 24/7 Internet backup, expandable backup power, local video storage, and Eero Secure, which protects your network from malware and other online threats. However, Ring increased the price of professional monitoring to $20/month for new subscribers. The Ring Protect Pro subscription also includes Internet backup if you have the Ring Alarm Pro. Read our full Ring Alarm review. (Image credit: Tom's Guide)6 Wyze Home Security
A strong budget DIY home security system, with a few caveatsSpecifications
Professional Monitoring/Monthly Price: $10 a month/$100 yearNumber of Sensors Included: 3Cellular Backup: NoBattery Backup: YesSmart Home Compatibility: NoneToday's Best DealsView at Amazon (opens in new tab)View at Amazon (opens in new tab)View at Amazon (opens in new tab)Reasons to buy
+Easy to install and use+Inexpensive professional monitoring+Battery backupReasons to avoid
-Alarm could be a little louder-Limited compatibility with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant-No cellular backup Wyze has made a name for itself offering quality smart home devices at absurdly low prices, and its Wyze Home Security System is no exception. For $99, the starter kit includes a base station, keypad, motion sensor, and two window/door sensors, one of the lowest prices outside of Ooma. And, adding accessories, such as the Wyze Cam v3, are equally affordable. Moreover, professional monitoring is just $100 per year, far cheaper than the competition. However, there are a couple of caveats. Unlike all of the other DIY home security systems on this page, Wyze does not have a cellular backup, so if your Internet goes down, so does the system's ability to reach you or a monitor. And it also lacks compatibility with Alexa or Google Assistant. But if you can overlook those issues, it's one heck of a bargain. Read our full Wyze Home Security System review. Abode iota (Image credit: Future) (opens in new tab)7 Abode iota
Works with a lot of smart home devicesSpecifications
Professional Monitoring/Monthly Price: $30/month, or $8-$15 for three- or seven-day monitoringNumber of Sensors Included: 2Cellular Backup: YesBattery Backup: YesSmart Home Compatibility: Alexa, Google Assistant, HomeKit, Nest, IFTTT, Zigbee, Z-WaveToday's Best Deals$279 at Abode (opens in new tab)Reasons to buy
+Fast, easy setup+Works with Alexa, Google Home+Can connect to other Z-Wave, Zigbee smart-home devicesReasons to avoid
-Smart home integrations are a bit fragmented-Camera doesn't trigger notifications Most home security systems have a base station that's best left hidden; the Abode iota changes that with a hub that has a built-in 1080p camera, as well as a 93-dB alarm that connects to all its other door and motion sensors and sounds loudly when someone tries to break in. The iota is also one of the only security systems that works with Apple HomeKit. It's a good idea, but you can't do as much with the camera as you can with standalone wireless security cameras, which limits its effectiveness. Abode offers three tiers of service: Free, Standard ($6/month or $60/year), and Pro ($20/month or $200/year). The free plan does not let you record video from cameras or use automations within the system, but you can view live video, use smart home integrations, and get push notifications. The Standard Plan gets you 7 days of rolling cloud storage for video and a timeline of events, such as when doors are opened. The Pro plan gets you 30 days of cloud storage, as well as 24/7 professional monitoring, as well as cellular backup. If you have the Standard plan, you can also get three- and seven-day monitoring on an as-needed basis for $8 and $15, respectively. Read our full Abode iota review. Honeywell Smart Home Security (Image credit: Future) (opens in new tab)8 Honeywell Smart Home Security
Includes a camera with motion detectionSpecifications
Professional Monitoring / Monthly Price: NoNumber of Sensors Included: 2Cellular Backup: NoBattery Backup: YesSmart Home Compatibility: Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTTToday's Best DealsView at Amazon (opens in new tab)View at Walmart (opens in new tab)View at Lowe's (opens in new tab)Reasons to buy
+Built-in camera with motion detection+Works as a Z-Wave hub+Alexa built inReasons to avoid
-No professional monitoring-Facial recognition feature needs refining Similar to the Abode iota, Honeywell's Security System is centered around a hub with a built-in security camera and speaker, only in this case, Honeywell's hub also has Alexa built in, so you can use it as a smart speaker when you're not using it as a security device. (You can also use the system with Google Assistant.) The camera in the Honeywell hub also has facial recognition, but we found this feature didn't work as well as it should have. Moreover, the hub doesn't have all of Alexa's features. The base station does have a battery backup, but Honeywell doesn't offer professional monitoring as an option, nor cellular backup. Read our full Honeywell Smart Home Security review.(Image credit: Shutterstock)
9 Alexa Guard Plus
Alexa-based home securitySpecifications
Professional Monitoring / Monthly Price: Yes/$4.99Number of Sensors Included: n/aCellular Backup: NoBattery Backup: NoSmart Home Compatibility: AlexaToday's Best DealsVisit Site (opens in new tab)Reasons to buy
+Uses existing Amazon Echo devices+Low monthly priceReasons to avoid
-No proactive professional monitoring-No battery/cellular backup If you already have a bunch of Amazon Echo speakers, Alexa Guard Plus is an inexpensive way to get an ad-hoc home security system. Alexa Guard Plus uses the microphones in compatible Echo devices to listen for things such as glass breaking, footsteps, or smoke and fire alarms, and will send an alert to your smartphone. From there, you can contact a helpline, who can connect you with emergency services. Alexa Guard Plus is a bit different from the other services on this list, whose professional monitors will contact you if something is amiss. And, because it relies on Amazon Echo devices, there's no battery or cellular backup. However, it's free if you have a Ring Protect Plus plan, and you can connect it with other smart home devices. If you have a compatible home security camera (namely, ones from Ring and Blink), you can also have your Echos start making barking dog sounds if the camera detects motion. (Image credit: Scout)10 Scout Alarm
Inexpensive and easy to install, but is missing some components found in other models.Specifications
Professional Monitoring / Monthly Price: Yes/$19.99Number of Sensors Included: 2Cellular Backup: YesBattery Backup: YesSmart Home Compatibility: Alexa, Google AssistantToday's Best DealsView at Walmart (opens in new tab)View at Amazon (opens in new tab)Reasons to buy
+Easy to self install+Built-in battery & cellular backup+Works with Amazon Alexa, Google AssistantReasons to avoid
-No outdoor camera yet-Requires a contract The Scout Alarm DIY home security kit shows a good deal of promise, but needs a few more features - namely, an outdoor security camera - before it rises to the level of the best DIY security systems on this list. Nevertheless, we liked the Scout's ease of installation (the small pack includes a hub, motion sensor, two access sensors, a door panel with a 102dB alarm, and two key fobs). If you don't want to pay for professional monitoring, you still need to purchase Scout's Always On service for $9.99/month, but it does include includes 4G backup. The Always On+ service adds police and fire dispatch and camera cloud storage for $19.99 a month, or $215 a year. The optional 1080p video doorbell is a wired-only model with good but not great video, and lacks person and package recognition - we suggest checking out the best video doorbells if you want something with greater fidelity. But, the Scout is off to a good start. Read our full Scout Alarm review.How to choose the best DIY home security system
DIY security systems: Professional monitoring feesAbode: $20/monthAlexa Guard Plus: $4.99/month
Ooma: $14.99/month
Simplisafe: $14.99/month
Ring: $20/month
Nest: $19/month
Wyze: $10/month How many doors and entryways do you want to monitor? Most security kits come with two or three motion and door sensors. However, if you live in a house with a lot of windows, you'll need to add more sensors. Check out how much additional sensors cost; the price can quickly climb. Key fobs equal convenience If you have people coming in an out of the house frequently - whether they be dog walkers, house cleaners or annoying family members who happen to live close by - you will want to look at a security system that accepts key fobs or remote access. Many of the app-first solutions will let you set up individual PIN codes for the different members of your household, while others will include access tags in the box. If this is of particular concern, the Nest Secure is one of the better choices, since even the most technophobic will be okay with merely scanning a keychain every time they exit and enter the house. Do you want professional monitoring? How much do you want to spend per month to ensure that your home has that extra protection? In most cases, the bigger the kit and the more devices you're using to monitor your dwellings, the higher the monthly subscription price. (The only system that doesn't do this is the Ooma Home Security kit, though it doesn't offer professional monitoring.) Some companies start as low as $15 a month, like ADT, though they only cover specific triggers. Others can be as high as $30 a month for around-the-clock surveillance. Note that you may also need to register your home alarm with your city or county, which will also add to the overall professional-monitoring fee. Do you want to make this part of your smart home? While many security systems will work with such devices as smart locks - unlock your door, and the system will disarm itself - not all integrate as easily with other best smart home devices like security cameras, lights and other sensors. Abode's system is the most compatible in this regard, while Nest's system also does a fair job. Is the app easy to use? Consider a security system that comes with an app you'd love to use. You can usually preview these things on the corresponding website. App reviews in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store are also a good indicator of the overall user experience. After all, if you don't have a working portal or gateway to your security system, it's not going to be very functional.