Best DIY Home Security Systems (Pricing & Features)
Having all the info about each system broken down makes it much easier to see their strong and weak points. To help with this, below goes a summary of the best 10 DIY alert systems.
Provider | Total Score | Monthly Price | BBB Rating | DIY instal | Trial Period | Warranty | Upfront Costs | Monitoring Contract Required | Professional Installation Required | Cellular Backup | Power Outage Backup | Environmental Sensors | IFTTT Support | Smart Home Compatibility | Battery Backup |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Frontpoint | 9.6/10 | $34.99 | A+ | YES | YES | 30 days | $99 | YES | NO | YES | YES | YES | NO | YES | 24 hours |
2. Abode | 9.5/10 | $10 | – | YES | YES | 30 days | $229 | NO | NO | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | 10 hours |
3. SimpliSafe | 9.5/10 | $14.99 | A+ | YES | YES | 60 days | $229 | NO | NO | YES | YES | YES | NO | YES | 24 hours |
4. Brinks | 9.4/10 | $29 | A+ | YES | YES | 30 days | $199 | NO | NO | YES | YES | YES | NO | YES | 24 hours |
5. Canary | 9.4/10 | $10 | A | YES | YES | 60 days | $69 | NO | NO | YES | YES | YES | NO | YES | 12 hours |
6. Link Interactive | 9.4/10 | $30.99 | A+ | YES | YES | 30 days | $30.99 | NO | NO | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | 24 hours |
7. Scout | 9.3/10 | $19.99 | A | YES | YES | 30 days | $299 | NO | NO | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | 24 hours |
8. Nest | 9.3/10 | $19 | A+ | YES | YES | 30 days | $99 | NO | NO | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | 12 hours |
9. Ring | 9.1/10 | $17 | C | YES | YES | 30 days | $100 | NO | NO | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | 24 hours |
10. HoneyWell | 9.0/10 | $5 | A+ | YES | YES | 6 months | $450 | NO | NO | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | 24 hours |
Professional Monitoring vs. Self-Monitoring
Professional and self-monitoring are different. The second one is more common in a DIY home security system. They are usually cheaper. Users can save from 10$ to 50$ a month. Of course, this depends on the company. Pro services usually offer long term contracts. This is a bad aspect. Especially if prices rise. Below find a detailed description of each type of service. Both with their pros and cons.
Professional Monitoring
Pro monitoring allows experts to be on the alert 24/7. They will text users when the alarm is on. They can also contact authorities in case of an emergency. For example, the police or an ambulance. With self-monitoring, users receive news on their phones. It’s up to them to call 911. The negative aspect of pro services is the cost. They are pricier. Still, there is protection all the time. Especially when users are on holiday.
Pros:
- Scare off potential intruders
- Immediate notification
- Gadgets work with power outages
- Ensure coverage for key areas at home
- Pro installation
- Customer Service available at any time
Cons:
- Paying for false alarms
- Cost of setup and monthly fees
- Less flexibility (few customizable options)
Self-Monitoring
A DIY security system is cheap and user-friendly. There is no need to pay a pro to come home. There are no long term contracts, either. This helps to reduce costs. Sometimes there is a contract. Yet, it is only a month to month plan. So it is better for users to avoid expensive fees. It also allows them to change services. The products are easy to install. Clients don’t need to use tools. People can move gadgets wherever they want inside the house. All in all, they are more practical.
Pros:
- Few recurring monthly fees
- No installation fees
- Usually less expensive
- Wireless connectivity most of the times
- Portable gadgets
- Mobile app
- Compatible with other smart home features
Cons:
- Add-ons and extras can get expensive.
- No automatic contact with the police
- Upfront costs can get high
The Best Features: What to Take Into Account
A DIY home security system offers many benefits. Some are more useful than others. This will depend on what the client needs. Below is a guide with the most important aspects to consider. Check them out. And see which one is better for the house.
Main Function
Most security kits include a control panel. This allows users to watch out everything. Sometimes it includes a ‘panic’ button. This way, clients can connect with emergency operators. Some also offer live-voice assist. Others have modern touchscreens. They have home automation controls. All this in just one device.
Door and Window Sensors
This feature is special. Entry sensors are magnetic ones. People put them on door frames and windows. This is how it works when the system is active. The magnets separate, and the alarm sounds. And users will receive an alert. The setup is simple. It comes with velcro mounting.
Detectors of Movement
These are common for protecting the house. They are infrared devices. They are simple to set up. And monitor everything inside the house. When it senses movement, the alarm sounds. Users also get an alert. These gadgets are smart. For example, they can tell the difference between pets and people.
Sensor for Glass Breaking
Burglars like to break windows. It seems it’s in their nature. So it’s important to put these sensors around the house. They have built-in microphones. They can listen to the sound of glass breaking. First, it detects glass breaking. Then the alarm sounds. And the gadget sends alerts to homeowners.
Buttons & Pendants
Panic Buttons are common. Users can put them around the house. Mount them anywhere. For example, the bathroom, the kitchen, or garage. These buttons are especially helpful for seniors who live alone. These gadgets come built-in to control panels, pendants, and keychain fobs.
Smart Control
Full protection from a keychain? It sounds too good to be true. This product includes security commands on a tiny remote. It perfectly fits in a keychain. Control the house at any moment. This product fits in pockets or purses. Nothing more practical and comfortable than this.
Access on the Phone
DIY kits almost always offer access to mobile. It comes with a companion app. Users only have to log in to the app. This way, they can access all the controls. For example, they can arm and disarm the system or monitor activity. And view live-stream footage.
Smart Home
The top DIY home security systems include home automation. It includes daily household features. For example, heating and cooling, lights, door locks, and others. Users can control all of them with their smartphones. Sometimes just with their voice. These functions work perfectly with the wireless protection ecosystem. Life has never been so easy.
How to Choose the Right DIY Home Security System
1. Parts of the House That Need Monitoring
Are there too many spots around the house that need protection? Most security kits come with two or three motion and door sensors. If the house is big, users need more sensors. Even more, if they want to cover all the doors and windows. For this, they check out the prices for additional gadgets.
2. Practical Key Fobs
A DIY security system that accepts key fobs or remote access is useful. In some homes, there are a lot of people coming in and out all the time. For example, house cleaners, dog walkers, or relatives. Some apps will allow clients to set up PIN codes. Others have access tags in the box.
3. Reputation and Reviews
People should first learn about the company. For example, the quality of its products or customer service. Are gadgets durable? Is the material high quality? Is the support team available? All of these aspects are essential. So take them into account before making a purchase. Just read many reviews as possible. They’ve got all the news.
4. Customer Team Support
A DIY security system is easy to set up. Still, users may want to clarify issues with customer support. It can be either for installation or other problems. So choose a brand that has a technical support area. They will solve all the doubts. There are many reviews online that comment on this aspect. Read them and check out which brand has the best team.
5. Prices That Fit the Budget
People always worry about prices. They like to look for cheap products. Yet, the best thing is to compare options. For this, they can read reviews, for example. Users should have an idea of costs in the market. And make sure they are paying for what they need. They should avoid paying more.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
What is the Best Home Security System?
The best home security systems should offer products at good prices. It shouldn’t be a company full of fees. Or have long contracts either. The vendor must let people customize the kit. Clients like to make changes from time to time. They like to mount the gadgets at their own pace, too. So, the devices should be easy to set. No need for tools or drilling holes. It should be ready to use out of the box. Redesigning is also important. Brands need to update their products. This way, they can cover more range. And work faster and be louder.
-
Do People Need an Alarm Permit to Set Up a Security Kit?
No, it’s legal to set one’s own service without a permit. Yet, for activating and operating it, it’s different. The local government may ask users to have an alarm permit. Only when they plan on a kind of remote monitoring. Or if they are thinking about emergency response features.
-
Can Renters Get DIY Home Security Systems?
Security kits with short contracts and simple setup are perfect for renters. They don’t have to drill holes to mount the products. They don’t have to add wiring either. The gadgets are not expensive. And they are easy to move from house to house. In other words, they are practical.
-
Does an Alarm System Decrease the User’s Insurance?
Yes, it can go down to 20 percent. Burglars are not likely to break into houses with alarms. And insurance companies know this. This means house owners will probably not file a claim with their insurance companies. These firms will save money. And they will pass them on to their clients. In the end, it is beneficial for both sides.
-
Do DIY Home Security Systems Have a Tax Deduction?
It depends. These DIY home security systems don’t apply for a tax deduction. Only if users use the security kit to protect personal property. Clients should use the home office only for business. It is better to check the demands first.
-
Can Users Control DIY Home Security Systems Be With a Remote?
Yes, most DIY kits allow this. Users can use a mobile app on their phones. With this, they can do many tasks. For example, monitor sensors and control the system. And view live footage. They can get push alerts. This happens when a burglar activates the sensor. Owners can get alerts by email.
-
Can People Trust Wireless Home Security Systems?
Yes, they can. These DIY home security systems don’t have wires. So nothing can cut them. Or make them work wrong. Users can also monitor everything 24/7. Yet, communication can be hard at times. And hackers can usually hack this type of system more easily.
The Current State of Affairs
Getting one of the DIY home security systems in the market is quite a deal. So we wrote this list to give out the best ones. We did a lot of research. We read plenty of reviews. We tried to cover a wide range of products that fit many lifestyles. The list includes a lot of aspects. From set-ups to customer service. We hope it will help future users. Just remember to check out all the possible options. It’s the best way to get a good purchase.