Thinking about a security system? Our full guide, created by our experts, shares everything you need to know. Choosing a Home Security System Homeowner Discount A home security system is one of those purchases you really shouldn’t rush into — there’s a lot to unpack. Between hundreds of brands, different monitoring tiers, and a wide range of components, narrowing it all down can feel overwhelming. It’s the kind of decision paralysis researchers called “choice overload”. 1 That’s exactly why we put this guide together. Think of us as your go-to experts cutting through the noise so you can find the right fit for your home. Every recommendation here is backed by our team of hands-on testers who have put more than 60 security systems through their paces. Let’s get into it. Choosing a Security System for Your Home To develop this guide, we used our team’s experience testing over 60 security systems to determine key criteria everyone should consider when picking a security system. Those include: Equipment: You should choose a system that offers the types of equipment you need to protect key areas of your home. Monitoring options: Whether professional or DIY monitoring, go with a security system that offers the monitoring style that suits you. Cost: There’s an option for you whatever your set budget is. Prices in the industry vary wildly. User experience: You’ll live with and use the system for the next few years. A user-friendly security system is a must. Security System Finder By answering a handful of easy questions, you can discover the security system that’s perfectly tailored to your needs! Homeowners Insurance Discount A smart first move is to pull out your homeowner’s insurance policy and give it a close look. Many insurers offer discounts ranging from two to 15 percent off your premiums when you install a professionally monitored security system. 2 It’s well worth a quick call to your agent to find out which systems qualify. That alone can meaningfully narrow your list of options, making it much easier to focus on finding the right features from there. Are you in the market for a home security system? Please answer this survey to help us better understand consumer shopping habits. View Survey . Crime Protection Research consistently shows that visible security cameras and alarm systems are powerful crime deterrents. 3 Homes without security systems are considerably more likely to be targeted than those with them. A whole system only improves your safety further. Even legacy systems can make burglars think twice before targeting your home. But how common are these crimes in the first place? Let’s take a closer look. Burglary, otherwise known as home invasion, is when someone enters a home illegally to commit theft or a felony, further classified into unlawful entry where no force is used, attempted forcible entry and forcible entry. Burglaries make up a significant share of property crimes — and according to reports, forcible entry is the most common method of all burglary offenses. 4 Learn what to do if your home is broken into . Vandalism falls under the same property crime umbrella as burglary. According to recent reports, California alone received over 100,000 reports of vandalism in 2023 and that’s just one state. 5 And don’t let the “kids being kids” stereotype fool you — adults 18 and older account for a major portion of vandalism offenses. In fact, vandalism committed by juveniles is becoming less common. 6 While burglaries typically involve home break-ins, larceny-theft is defined as the taking or stealing of someone else’s possessions directly — think car parts, bikes, or items left on your porch. Larceny-theft consistently makes up the largest share of property crimes in the U.S., and the financial hit to victims can be significant. According to the FBI, larceny-theft costs the average victim over $25,000. 7 Remote Monitoring and Control Now that we’ve defined the crimes that home security systems aim to prevent, let’s discuss the most useful crime-deterrent features of home security systems. That’s right, security systems can do more than alert you of crimes. They can also deter crimes. Using modern technology, security systems are better at this task than they have ever been in the past. Nowadays, security systems connect directly to your phone through a mobile application to send alarms, livestream footage, and control your system remotely. Most systems offer these features, such as turning off your home security system , for free. However, there are a few systems, like ADT and Frontpoint, that require a subscription to use the mobile app. Live streaming and remote control are genuine game-changers. Say an intrusion happens when no one’s home — which is exactly what most burglars aim for. 8 You’d get alerted the moment any of your sensors triggered. From there, you can check in via your cameras right from your phone, or even a smart display, Chromecast, or Fire TV, depending on your setup. Once you’ve confirmed there’s an emergency, you can call the police immediately — and back up your report with cloud-stored video footage you can pull up on the spot. Of course, we can’t always be available to deal with home emergencies, even with this remote technology. That’s where 24/7 professional monitoring comes in, which brings us to our next point. Emergency Response Most of us don’t have the luxury to monitor every alert that comes from our security systems. We have jobs to do, errands to run, and things to take care of throughout the day, and no one knows exactly when a burglar will strike. Even households with multiple adults can use a little help when it comes to monitoring. Professional monitoring is exactly for that. Basically, professional monitoring means that in addition to sending activity alerts to your smartphone, your security system also sends alerts to a monitoring center where a team of people are always at the ready to respond. If an alert comes in, these monitoring agents will pick up their phones and notify you, or if they can’t reach you, they’ll dispatch police to your home. Although it’s typically an extra monthly or yearly cost (more on that later), we recommend 24/7 professional monitoring whenever it’s available. Whether you’re deep in a work meeting or out celebrating a friend’s birthday, it’s nearly impossible to catch every alert on your phone. That’s exactly when professional monitoring steps in. Having that safety net gives real peace of mind knowing your home is covered even when you can’t keep an eye on it. Expert Insight: Wondering if you need a security system ? We consider it a necessity for anyone who wants peace of mind in your home. They can keep homes or apartments secure whether you rent or own. Plus, if you have a home office, you could get a tax deduction for your home security system . Home Security Considerations Now that you’ve narrowed down your list of finding a home security system to choose from (hopefully), it’s time to decide exactly what you’re looking for in a system. Here are some things you should keep in mind: Individual vs. Family Most security systems we’ve tested out are scalable, meaning you can always add on more sensors, panic buttons and other security paraphernalia after the fact. You also want all of your household members, be them family or friends, to have access to the security system, so multiple app users is a must. In sum, look for a system app that allows for multiple users as well as scalability. House vs. Apartment vs. Business No matter if you live in a house or an apartment or if you’re shopping for a business , you want to make sure that you cover all your bases. We recommend using contact sensors, otherwise known as entry or window or door sensors , on all windows and doors on the ground level of your property. To make sure you don’t go overboard, make a list of the items you want based on your home’s layout before you order. Professional Monitoring vs. Self Monitoring While some systems include professional monitoring, some make it optional, while others don’t have it as an option at all. Decide whether you want to self-monitor, get professional monitoring, or do both, and decide on a budget that you can afford to pay each month or year; don’t worry, we’ll go over costs later in detail. Indoor Needs vs. Outdoor Needs There’s a debate when it comes to home security: does it make more sense to have cameras indoors to capture crimes as they occur or outdoors to prevent them from happening in the first place? We say, like the girl in the hard and soft taco shell commercials, why not both? Outdoor coverage will come in the form of outdoor cameras or video doorbells , but if that fails, indoor cameras can provide police with the evidence you need. The safety of your home isn’t just limited to a few alarms strewn throughout. These days, there is a ton of equipment to choose from that can help protect your home, some of it obvious, some not so obvious. Let’s talk about what a security system is based on its components. Pro Tip: When determining which security components you need for your home, doing a self-assessment of your current home security comes in handy. Our “What Is My Security Score?” online tool can help you pinpoint key areas of your home security that need improving. Security Cameras From budget-friendly picks like Wyze to premium options from Google Nest , security cameras let you actually see what’s going on inside and outside your home. That lets you verify whether a real emergency is happening before you call the police. You can also use the footage as evidence if it’s ever needed. Most cameras fit into two main categories: Indoor : Generally, indoor cameras are more affordable than outdoor models. Indoor options typically run anywhere from $30 to $150, while outdoor cameras tend to fall in the $100 to $400 range. Most modern smart security cameras come with built-in speakers and microphones for two-way audio, so you can hear what’s happening near your camera and speak directly to whoever’s there — whether it’s a family member or an unexpected visitor. Outdoor : Outdoor cameras are designed to withstand the elements. Make sure that the camera’s temperature range works for your climate. For us, living in New York City, we prefer cameras that work from negative five to 130 degrees Fahrenheit, as it can be totally all over the place throughout the year weather-wise. Also pay attention to the camera’s IP rating, which tells us how susceptible it is to solids and liquids. Doorbell Cameras Exactly as their name suggests, doorbell cameras are doorbells equipped with a video camera. They can alert your smartphone when they see someone at your door and allow you to talk to anyone there through two-way talk. We use this to welcome guests, tell our Amazon delivery guy where to put our packages, and tell door-to-door salespeople we’re not interested all from our couch. Most video doorbells are weather-resistant and include both day and night vision via infrared LED sensors. If package theft is a concern — and it should be — a video doorbell can help you catch the culprit red-handed the moment you get an alert on your phone. It can also help deter porch pirates from targeting yoru home in the first place. Few things are more disheartening than being locked out of your home, especially when you can see that couch and TV waiting for you through the window. But with smart locks , even if we left our key at the office, we could still get inside either through an app or a voice assistant like Alexa or Google Assistant. Plus, we hooked up our smart locks with our security system so our sensors disarmed whenever the door was unlocked, meaning we didn’t have to enter in a passcode. Nothing wrong with a little home automation , especially when it makes our lives more convenient. Security Sensors Sensors are the key components of any security system, and they come in a variety of forms, from wired to wireless options: Motion : If you only have enough money to buy one security sensor, we recommend going with a motion sensor, which, you guessed it, detects motion in a specific radius. Some motion sensors can distinguish between people and animals, ideal for those with pets who want to avoid constant notifications from Scruffy. Some sensors even allowed us to adjust the sensitivity, which means that users can customize them to their pets, be it an eight-pound cat or an eighty-pound dog. Contact : Contact sensors should be put on the doors and windows on the ground floor of a home. Made in two parts, one going on the door or window itself and one going on its frame, we got alerted whenever the door or window was opened or closed when the system was armed. Tip: Aside from monitoring your doors and windows, contact sensors can be used on safes, jewelry boxes, and even liquor cabinets. Glass break : Not all burglars use finesse to enter homes. Some will simply break a glass window for entry. Glass break sensors were created specifically for such cases. These devices can detect the frequency of the sound of breaking glass, which trips the alarm and alerts you. We recommend installing glass break sensors near first floor windows not covered by motion sensors. It also makes sense to put one in rooms with multiple windows. Garage door : Finally, there are special sensors that work exactly like contact sensors but are designed to fit garage doors, although this is a rarity in the home security market. Environmental Sensors Aside from security sensors, there are also a number of environmental sensors designed to keep homes safe from floods, fires and dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. Flood : We placed flood sensors, well, anywhere where flooding could occur, whether that was near our dishwasher, washing machine, or bathrooms. It might surprise you, but water damage is common with nearly 25 percent of homeowner’s insurance claims involving water damage. 10 Fire : There are a number of WiFi-connected smoke and fire alarms, much more useful than local smoke detectors. If our home reached dangerous temperatures or smoke was detected, we’d get alerted via our mobile apps and could call the fire department, saving ourselves from insurmountable damage. Carbon monoxide : Carbon monoxide or CO is one of the most dangerous gases. Tasteless, odorless, and invisible to the naked eye, it can be lethal in large enough doses, which is why every home should include a CO monitor, sometimes combined with smoke detectors. We recommend getting one that’s WiFi connected so you can receive notifications even when you’re not at home.

Those are the basic components that’ll keep any home safe, but these days, smart home security goes much further than just safety. Linked with other connected devices, security systems made our lives both safer and more convenient; let us tell you why. Home Automation These days, flipping a light switch, disarming your security system, or unlocking the front door by hand isn’t really necessary anymore. Internet of Things (IoT) devices can trigger each other automatically, making a home smarter and a routine noticeably smoother. One setup we’ve found genuinely useful in testing is lights that turn on automatically when the security system arms, creating the appearance of someone home even when no one is. Smart assistant integrations : Amazon’s Alexa and Google’s Google Assistant can both control a wide range of IoT devices, from full security systems to individual cameras and smart lights, and we’d recommend committing to one ecosystem rather than toggling between them. In our testing, Google Assistant performed best for accuracy, answering 93 percent of questions correctly, but Alexa supported more connected devices overall, so the choice really comes down to quality versus quantity. Lighting control : Smart lights respond to app control or voice commands, and we set ours to activate only on motion, which helped on the electricity bill. Scheduling and geofencing were both options as well, and our favorite feature was away mode, which cycles lights on and off randomly throughout the day rather than leaving them on a fixed schedule. That randomness matters. A house that looks genuinely occupied is a much less appealing target, which makes a smart bulb a surprisingly effective deterrent. Entry control : Typically handled through smart locks, the flexibility here goes well beyond replacing a key. We were able to grant access for specific time windows, which meant no more hiding a spare key under the mat. That came in handy during a week-long vacation, when we gave our house sitter a temporary passcode that expired automatically once the week was up, rather than standing access to our home indefinitely. Environmental controls : Smart thermostats made a real difference here. Connected via Wi-Fi, we adjusted temperature through the app, by voice, or on automated schedules, including turning on the central air an hour before getting home. Beyond the convenience, the cost savings were real too, cutting heating and cooling expenses noticeably over time. 10 24/7 Monitoring Round-the-clock monitoring matters, but it shouldn’t have to consume your day. We get it, you have places to go and people to see. When it comes to monitoring smart security systems, there are two main routes. Self-monitored options : Self-monitoring puts you fully in charge of your home’s security through the mobile app. In our testing, an alarm notification meant checking the livestream ourselves to assess what was happening and calling authorities directly if needed. For most systems, this comes at no extra cost, making it a solid option for anyone on a budget. Professionally monitored options : Professional monitoring used to be the default with most security systems, but these days it’s typically an add-on to self-monitoring. With it, a team at a monitoring center can respond to alarms alongside you, or on your behalf if you’re unavailable. If you don’t respond, they verify the emergency and contact the police directly. We generally recommend professional monitoring for that extra layer of protection, whether you’re asleep, at work, or out of the country entirely. In our experience, the right choice comes down to how much attention you can realistically give your system day to day. If you’re consistently near your phone and comfortable being the first line of response, self-monitoring works well and saves money. But if you travel often, work long hours, or simply want peace of mind that someone’s covering you when you can’t, professional monitoring is worth the added cost. Environmental Protection Some security companies also sell environmental monitoring devices like freeze, flood, smoke, and carbon monoxide sensors. These are typically Wi-Fi connected, so you can receive alerts even when you’re away from home. Every house should have a smoke and CO detector at a minimum — folding them into your home security system makes everything easier to manage since it’s all handled through one app. Video Streaming and Recording Sure, an alarm can tell you if there’s been motion or glass breaking, but to see what’s going on at home, you’re going to have to look with your own eyes. That’s where smart security cameras come in. Connected to an app via Wi-Fi or cellular backup, we were able to actually view our living room and front yard with the touch of a button from anywhere in the world. That would come in handy if we had an intrusion and needed video evidence, or simply to see if the cleaning lady had come yet. When it comes to recording, your options generally fall into two camps: cloud or local storage. Cloud storage typically runs anywhere from $3 to $13 a month depending on the provider and plan. For local storage, you just need to buy a micro-SD card or external hard drive. Cameras that offer both cloud and local storage are ideal, but having just one or the other isn’t a dealbreaker. Finally, the ability to control connected devices remotely is the hallmark of the Internet of Things. Whether it was turning off the bathroom light after we had already left for work, checking to make sure our front door was locked or arming our cameras while on a plane, we loved being able to control our smart home remotely, in particular our smart security system. Remote control is usually included with the purchase of smart security, although this isn’t always the case, as we have learned. Now that we’ve talked your ear off about the benefits of and necessity for smart security, let’s talk about the bottom line, how much home security systems cost . Basically, costs are going to break down into a few different categories: equipment (the actual price of the physical system), monitoring and storage, which are sometimes optional, installation fees for companies with professional installation and activation fees, which fortunately have become pretty rare. Security systems have come a long way in terms of affordability. Disruptors like SimpliSafe and Ring Alarm have seriously shaken up the market. They made it possible to get solid smart home security for under $200 depending on your home’s size and coverage needs. What’s nice about most of these systems was the amount of customization we had at hand. Being able to choose from an array of packages or create our own systems meant that we didn’t have to buy any equipment we didn’t want, unnecessarily raising our costs. Rather, we only paid for the equipment we wanted; nothing more, nothing less. In the above chart, you’ll see exactly what we paid for each security system, with prices ranging from just $60 all the way up to about $900. Savings Ahead: To save on equipment costs, choose a company that offers refurbished systems, which can be up to 20% to 30% cheaper than new systems. Although most companies have done away with activation fees, some still charge for this type of fee. Typically, the activation fee is a one-time fee that we paid at the beginning of the buying process, up to $100 based on our past experience, but we’re glad that companies are dropping these unnecessary costs, rolling the savings straight to our wallets. Here’s some good news on the cost front. Most security systems on the market today support DIY installation, which meant we didn’t pay a cent to get our test systems running. Some companies offer professional installation as an option, typically in the $80 to $150 range. There are still a few that require professional installation. Vivint and ADT come to mind, although the latter offers a separate line of security systems (ADT Blu) that offers DIY installation. Our recommendation? Go with your preference. If saving money is the priority, a DIY system is the way to go. Professional installation, however, can be genuinely helpful for older adults or anyone with mobility limitations. Believe it or not, storing our cameras’ footage was typically not something we could do for free. Rather, we often had to pay a monthly or yearly fee for cloud storage if we wanted to review our footage after the fact. While none of these storage costs will break the bank, make sure you take them into consideration when choosing a home security system. Finally, there’s monitoring, perhaps the most expensive fee after equipment. Nowadays, many companies allow their customers to avoid monthly or yearly fees completely and self-monitor through the system’s respective mobile apps. However, when we self-monitored our system like with Lorex, we were completely responsible for our home’s security, which was a big load on our shoulders (although we certainly didn’t miss paying monthly fees). Many companies let us choose between self-monitoring, professional monitoring, and both, as you can see from the above chart. If we choose 24/7 professional monitoring, the monthly cost ranges from under $10 with companies like Wyze all the way up to $45 or more per month with providers like Vivint. The good news? With so many options on the market, most people can find professional monitoring that’s both affordable and meets their needs. Many plans also include cellular backup, which keeps your system running even when the power or internet goes out — now widely considered a baseline expectation rather than a premium add-on. Since we’ve tested so many different security systems, we are more than experts when it comes to DIY installation. But if you’re more comfortable having technicians take care of the installation, there are companies that offer professional installation. In fact, some companies require it. When it comes to installation, we like to break it down in two ways: DIY vs. professional : While DIY installation is free, it’s clearly more strenuous and time consuming than professional installation, which typically costs around $100 or more. However, it definitely doesn’t take security experts like us to set up most DIY systems nowadays. Oftentimes, the system’s app had step-by-step instructions which guided us through the process, although some systems were more complicated to set up than others, which brings us to our next point. Wired vs. wireless : Obviously, wireless systems are typically much easier to set up than wired systems, which are hardwired into a house’s existing electrical system. Many sensors these days are peel-and-stick with long battery lives, so once we set them, we forgot them. Plus, wireless systems have the advantage of not relying on a home’s power source.To explore some great wireless options to kick off your home security, check out our review of the best wireless cameras and the best wireless outdoor cameras . Unless your outlet situation is less than ideal, we recommend choosing a mostly wireless system over one that requires hardwiring. We test all of our systems from our offices and apartments in Brooklyn, where home security is a necessity because thousands of break-ins and burglaries happen here every year. However, with so many security systems available to buy, it can be hard to know which one is right for your home, which is why we’ve tested them all out, one at a time. We’ve reviewed a wide variety of security systems, DIY installation vs. professional installation , self-monitoring, 24/7 professional monitoring, cellular, landline, Wi-Fi and battery backup; if you’ve heard of it, we’ve reviewed it. Learn more about whether security systems need landlines , whether security systems need permits or whether security systems can be hacked . We’ve also compared our security systems to each other so you can make a decision if you’re down to the wire. Frontpoint vs. Ring July 22, 2026 Ring vs. Nest vs. SimpliSafe July 27, 2026 SimpliSafe vs. abode July 27, 2026 SimpliSafe vs. ADT June 2, 2026 SimpliSafe vs. Vivint July 14, 2026 Vivint vs. ADT June 2, 2026 Vivint vs. Frontpoint August 7, 2025 ADT vs. Ackerman Security May 25, 2026 ADT vs. Bay Alarm June 2, 2026 ADT vs. CPI Security May 25, 2026 ADT vs. Frontpoint June 2, 2026 ADT vs. Protection 1 January 26, 2026 ADT vs. Ring July 22, 2026 Brinks vs. ADT August 18, 2026 Nest Secure vs. Ring Alarm July 22, 2026 Nest vs. ADT February 20, 2026 Ring Alarm vs. SimpliSafe July 27, 2026 Ring vs. Arlo July 21, 2026 Ring vs. Nest July 21, 2026 SimpliSafe vs. Arlo July 27, 2026 SimpliSafe vs. Blink June 25, 2026 SimpliSafe vs. Frontpoint October 28, 2025 Vivint vs. Ring July 22, 2026 Xfinity vs. ADT May 28, 2026 Choosing a home security system to protect you, your home and your family may seem like a daunting task, but hopefully this guide will help point you in the right direction. If you’re still not sure where to start, we recommend looking at our “best of” pages, which includes the best options with cellular backup , DIY installation , or wireless components. Remember, better safe than sorry! Tableau Public. (2021). All Fraud and Other Reports . public.tableau.com/app/profile/federal.trade.commission/viz/FraudandIDTheftMaps/FraudbyStateftc.gov/ Tableau Public. (2021). All Fraud and Other Reports . public.tableau.com/app/profile/federal.trade.commission/viz/FraudandIDTheftMaps/FraudbyStateftc.gov/