When evaluating the various options on the market, we looked at several factors—including how compatible each system is with existing smart home ecosystems, how different sensors and video cameras work within the system, and how thorough the professional, 24/7 monitoring service that comes with each system is. Based on our research, the SimpliSafe Essentials Security System Starter Kit is our top pick because of its fast installation, sleek design, and user-friendly app. Here are the best DIY-installed wireless security systems on the market right now. The three included entry sensors and the motion sensor are also some of the sleekest we’ve seen and should fit nicely into most home aesthetics. Because the sensors are all installed using adhesive strips, it’s best to be sure you find a flat surface to mount these units onto for proper operation. Shahidi recommends seeking out some of the slimmer adhesive tape kits that SimpliSafe offers if entry sensors seem too large for your doorframes. Good looks aside, the functionality and simplicity that SimpliSafe provides mean that you can be up and running quickly. The guided installation through the companion app is intuitive and beginner-friendly, and thanks to the display on the keypad, you know at a glance what state your system is in. The sensors also work really well, rejecting false alerts from pets using a built-in algorithm and ensuring that alerts are detected quickly and reliably. SimpliSafe has also spent a great deal of time on encryption to ensure that your home’s alarm state and data are as safe as your home itself. One feature that sets the Wyze system apart is the 24/7 monitoring subscription with active monitoring by security startup Noonlight. If you sign up for about $10 a month, you will get a very similar experience to what you’d receive with more established, expensive offerings from SimpliSafe or ADT. You can even add moisture detection meters or a humidity sensor to monitor your home’s climate during long trips. While the Wyze system is easy to set up, you may have to reset the Wi-Fi to overcome some software glitches after long periods of non-use. But because the kit comes at an affordable price point with one of the cheapest monitoring service subscriptions around, Wyze is a compelling option for those on a budget. This starter kit is one of the most basic systems we’re featuring on the list—only including two door/window sensors and the Blue smart home hub—but it’s one of the most affordable ways to get you into the ADT ecosystem. The system features the usual specs for a smart home-compatible system, including a dedicated app for scheduling and remote operation, reliable sensors, and a well-built hub that you can place right at your entryway to arm and disarm your system quickly. While the standard sensor offering is limited to two, both are easy to install using the included adhesive tapes. We also love the expandability of the Blue system, with options to include motion, flood, and temperature sensors and dedicated cameras both inside and out. Additionally, the Blue system allows you to tap into ADT’s professional monitoring subscription service without needing a long contract like you’ll find on ADT’s core lineup. That’s because Blue’s 24/7 monitoring features the same active monitoring—with real support staff calling authorities in the case of a breach—for just $20 per month and no long contractual commitment. The three cameras use a central hub to connect, meaning their Wi-Fi connectivity is much more stable than an integrated connection is for other cameras. The 4K ultra-high-definition (UHD) resolution delivers images at higher resolution than standard HD cameras, so the feed is crisp and detailed. The solid low-light performance also makes difference in the scenes you can capture at night. Each camera is indoor/outdoor compatible, so you can cover whatever areas you’re most interested in protecting. The cameras are also very easy to install, thanks to flat bases for simple shelf usage or included magnetic camera mounts to place them on the side of your house. The system does not feature a 24/7 monitoring option, so you won’t have an active dispatch company monitoring for alerts. However, the app offers some clever notification features, including tapping a button to call emergency services automatically. The Arlo Ultra 2 requires a considerably bigger investment than options from Wyze or SimpliSafe, including an additional fee for cloud video storage. Though the system is pricey, it’s an excellent choice for homeowners who want remote monitoring and the ability to review security camera footage. The full-featured touch panel is the central controller of the system and works with a door/window sensor, a motion sensor that won’t get tripped by pets, a flood/temperature sensor to monitor conditions in your home, and a dedicated remote to arm and disarm your system with a touch of a button. In addition to a solid bundle of sensors, the company’s next-level professional monitoring offers incredible flexibility. The base plan offers one free month of monitoring that gives you professional dispatch support during alarm triggers for less than $1 a day, and you can cancel at any time. You can also choose from additional options, including a RapidSOS and a two-way text system for communicating in emergencies. On the other hand, Cove doesn’t feel quite as sleek as some other, more premium systems, and even though there are several sensors included in this kit, the price feels a bit steep when there aren’t any cameras. However, because the monitoring subscription is cancelable, this system is great for those who don’t want to lock themselves into a long-term contract. If you opt for the Ecobee Smart Camera, you can expand the system to include security camera footage as well. All of these pieces come at a price, and because it’s fairly new, the jury is still out on how reliable the system will be long-term. But if extensive home automation is your goal, this is a great option. We like the feature set, including solid customization options in the app—such as calendar functions and geofencing—that help ensure the system secures your home based on your schedule. You can take advantage of 24-hour battery backup to ensure the system works during power outages and Frontpoint’s monitoring subscription includes hourly sensor checks so you can be confident that the equipment isn’t faulty. This setup also includes an Allstate-backed identity and financial protection for a bit of added security. As with much of the Ring lineup, it’s easy to install yourself using simple adhesive strips or drywall anchors (depending on the device) and integrates nicely with the rest of your Alexa devices. In fact, the Alexa Guard Plus functionality included when you opt in to the 24/7 monitoring plan expands the protection even further. Companies typically offer these services via a monthly subscription that costs a little extra on top of the system’s price. “While our technology detects household threads, whether it’s an intruder, fire, water damage, or otherwise, it’s our monitoring professionals who provide around-the-clock protection to ensure the right resources are deployed during an alarm incident,” says Shahidi.
Smart Home Compatibility
Video Recording
Many smart security systems also include wireless video cameras to add visuals to your security setup. This functionality means you can monitor your house while you’re away. If you’ve opted for video cloud storage (which sometimes comes with a monthly fee), you can rewatch footage of trigger events. While most bare-bones systems will operate adequately with just sensors, video cameras allow for a more multimedia approach to monitoring breaches and security events.
Privacy
When using a smartphone application to monitor your home, you may have questions about privacy concerns. While nearly every security system comes with its own app and, by extension, its own account creation mechanism, systems from more well-known manufacturers might handle privacy concerns better than more fledgling companies. In general, the privacy of your system is similar in concept to the privacy of your email accounts or social media apps. If you use strong passwords and share access only with trusted individuals, it should be very difficult for bad actors to hack into your system.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Jason Schneider has been a tech writer and smart home reviewer for a number of years, and he recently purchased his first home. For this roundup, he considered a variety of wireless smart home systems, factoring in the sensors, ease of installation, integration with smart homes, and compatibility with cameras. By weighing all of these nuances against price, he arrived at a variety of categories for a whole array of different homeowners and renters. When it comes to keypads and security cameras, there are typically some adhesive options, but you can also opt to install these units by drilling with screws or drywall anchors like you would other basic fixtures. “We provide certain tips to test that you’ve installed your system properly,” says Benacem. “Invite home members to the app so your system knows who is allowed in your home, place your sensors at least 4 feet off the ground along entry points, and avoid pointing them toward items that could accidentally trigger motion.” He also sought the expertise of security system experts Hooman Shahidi, senior vice president of product at SimpliSafe, and Lucien Benacem, group product manager at Ecobee, for more details on how to install these systems and use them to keep your home and family safe and sound.
