With more and more home security systems becoming accessible through an app on your smartphone, it’s no wonder that the market is becoming overwhelmed with options to secure your largest asset! Did you know that homes without a security system are 300% more likely to be broken into, and nearly 50% of the population doesn’t even have one installed? However, with 2.5 million burglaries happening annually in the United States, it’s comforting to know that 83% of would-be burglars check for the presence of an alarm system before attempting a break-in, meaning securing your home could make a massive difference for the safety of you and your family. With that being said, spending time and money researching and implementing a home security system is certainly an investment worth making. If you’re overwhelmed by the abundance of options, we’ve compiled a convenient list of the top 5 home security systems you should consider to protect your home:
- SimpliSafe: The first home security system we want to highlight has been getting a ton of traction in the last year. SimpliSafe looks like a security system that Apple would release, with a modern and sleek look that offers updated tech for the ultimate convenience. With SimpliSafe, you get to choose the equipment and monitoring level you want, which means no contracts and straightforward shopping that lets you know exactly what you’ll be paying out of pocket. This system is great for smaller homes and apartments and is an absolute no-brainer for people who rent because of its wireless installation and ease of reconfiguration when you move. SimpliSafe has some of the cheapest 24/7 monitoring fees available, coming in on average at $24.99/month, plus you can start or stop it whenever you want.
- ADT: ADT is a powerhouse and a highly respected company when it comes to home security. Because they have nearly 145 years in this industry, they have expert security consultations, pro installation, and the most monitoring centers with more experience than any other home security company. Even if one of their monitoring centers goes offline from an outage, your coverage never goes down, it simply gets transferred to another center. If you want a home security sign in your front home that makes burglars think twice, ADT will give them a run for their money. With that being said, because of its top-notch service, you will pay a hefty bill for that 36-month contract. For example, one of their most comprehensive plans starts at $62.99/month with a $199 installation fee, which includes automation controls, wireless equipment, and video surveillance.
- Vivint: Vivint is best for families looking for a professionally installed system with proprietary equipment, a feature-rich system, and free home consultation. If you’re on a tight budget, this might not be the best choice for you, as it can be relatively expensive. They offer both home security and automation solutions that integrate with the company’s extensive line of smart home products, and they offer financing options from 42-60 months with no upfront costs. The advantage of paying upfront, however, is that you can go month to month and aren’t locked into a monitoring contract. A starter kit costs $599, and a professional monitoring plan starts at $19.99/month.
- Cove: Although new to the market, Cove is quickly establishing itself in the industry with flexible policies at a price you can afford. With a lifetime warranty, a 60-day money-back guarantee, a no-hassle cancellation, and fantastic customer service, their policy to be “more than fair” to its customers is apparent. Cove is the new kid on the block, but it’s learning from its customer exactly how to be the best DIY home security system out there, and at $24.99/month, it’s worth a try!
- Abode: This is one of the only systems that work with pretty much any smart home system, including Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Homekit! This system allows you to monitor your home’s security yourself while also offering the option for a pro monitoring system for $20/month. It’s also easy to add smart locks, smoke alarms, smart lighting, smart speakers, and CO detectors to your system. This is the perfect system if you’re looking to max out your home’s automation options with free mobile app access!