Best Home Security Systems With Cameras of 2021

For those who want service from a reputable brand along with the ease of expert installation and monitoring, Vivint is the answer. The company doesn’t ask its customers to sign on to lengthy agreements, but it still provides the bells and whistles that other businesses offer. The equipment doesn’t have any wires for added convenience, and everything is accessible from an intuitive app. Moreover, the enterprise is family-focused and has a range of devices for entryways and outside protection.

Vivint offers several environmental protection products that keep the house (and everyone in it) safe and sound. There are smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, as well as water sensors that go off at the first sign of a leak. Convenient keypads make it easy for family members to get inside if they forgot their keys, while the 140° surveillance cams pick up on movement and auto-trigger continuous recording.

Customers of all ages will appreciate the range of automated equipment that this company offers. Remote access and voice controls make it simple to lock up the house or open the garage door. The Hub is the base station of the entire system and comes with two-way audio, a touch screen panel, and a communication link to the monitoring team.

This is a company name that most people will recognize, and with a long history of security, the brand has amassed many satisfied clients. It offers three plans: Traditional, Control, and Video. The first gives consumers all of the bare essentials they need, while the second package adds on some automated equipment. The last tier is the most expensive but is a comprehensive service agreement. In reality, ADT is higher-priced than most providers, but it also has more room for customization and expert assistance.

This company has an outdoor cam, and while it may not be the most powerful, it makes it easy to stay updated on the comings and goings around the house. Consumers receive automatic alerts when there’s any suspicious activity, plus they can go back and look through a log of stored data. Taking a peek at the camera menu and app, clients will have no trouble viewing the feeds and making out clear images. They can keep an eye on intelligent devices like locks and thermostats, too.

For those who can afford it, this is one of the home security systems with cameras that can stand the test of time. Unlike do-it-yourself kits, this one comes from a trusted brand that has decades of experience in residential surveillance and family safety.

A nice blend of expert assistance and do-it-yourself spirit, Abode has climbed the ranks to compete with other home security packs on the market. While its phone menu might be hard to operate, the base station is truly the brains of the operation. It comes with quality components like LED sensor lights, two-way microphones, and an SD slot in back. Plus, families can sync up over 150 third-party devices to create their own smart house on a budget.

The Abode iota cam has 1080p HD image quality and a 157° wide-angle lens. It has dark-light capabilities, so the surveillance doesn’t have to stop when the lights go down. The ambient light sensors on the front also work as movement detectors, and there are built-in sirens and microphones for two-way talk functionality. Clients can set it to Away, Home, or Standby mode to prevent false alarms or inconveniences. The back of the device has an SD card slot, although complimentary cloud storage is also available.

Customers can link their Abode system up with over 160 integrations, including Zigbee, Z-Wave, Google Assistant, and Amazon Alexa. The battery backup has six hours’ worth of power, which isn’t great, but it’s better than nothing.

This oft-forgotten brand is climbing the ranks to compete with the hottest self-installed kits. Not only that, but the features that Frontpoint offers tend to go above and beyond the bare necessities. Families can get intruder protection, environmental sensors, and interior and exterior cams. This is a good choice for those who have lots of windows and entry points on their property. The glass break alerts and garage door sensors will let them know when something is ajar or amiss.

What’s interesting about Frontpoint is that while it’s mostly a self-installed system, most of the plans require expert monitoring. There are packages specifically for those who want to stick to the do-it-yourself way, though. There are several kits to choose from, or clients can personalize their bundle by mixing and matching the features that they want. The kits range from seven pieces to 14 and cost between $100 to $480.

Custom packs start with the definitive base station, and then customers can pick the add-ons that matter most to them. These could be cams, extra sensors, a video doorbell, smart locks, or something else. The company has intelligent accessories like light bulbs and keychain remotes, as well as a medical pendant/panic button. Again, family safety is a priority.

People who want a familiar brand name without the lofty installation fees should check out SimpliSafe. The company has been around for years, and yet it continues to up the ante by listening to consumers’ needs. For instance, it makes the self-installation as seamless as possible. Most clients can get things up and running in under an hour. Plus, they can sync up to four of the SimpliCams to the base station so they can cover all the bases in and around their house.

One of the things that set SimpliSafe apart from the rest is the SimpliCam. It’s relatively inexpensive, costing $99, although some families sync up to four of them to their base station. This device offers continuous recording, HD image quality, and the ability to see the feed from a phone, tablet, or computer. It also has unique heat sensors that can detect human movement from afar.

Family members can push the record button on their phones at any time and store up to 30 days of files. They can also share those clips with other devices. Keep in mind that it does require WiFi, so those without a strong Internet connection may have trouble with glitches. Another potential downside is the lack of integration, although the system is compatible with Amazon and Google products.

A starter kit from this company costs $499, while the subscription plans start at $29 per month. It’s a bit high, but the brand is synonymous with safety and assurance. Its customer support efforts have even been nationally-recognized. The business has authorized dealers throughout the country, which can lead to inconsistencies in pricing. That said, Brinks also works with Nest Secure clients, providing surveillance for them. Clients can opt for self-installment or expert assistance, and it typically takes less than 30 minutes. With over a million clients, the enterprise is dependable. It bundles equipment to make it easier for customers, but the three-year agreement is a huge turn-off.

Brinks is known for its speedy emergency response and supportive staff members. It tries to be as hands-off as it can while still providing step-by-step assistance for those who need it. Start by choosing a monthly plan and starter kit, then decide between expert and self-installation. Keep in mind that the indoor cam is only available on the higher-tiered package. Like most companies, it has a phone app that makes it simple for clients to control their products from afar, arming, and disarming as they please.

The kits are backed by 4G cellular backup, and the movement detectors are pet-friendly. The contact sensors can be used on doors and windows, making them a great multi-purpose tool. Even if customers relocate, they can bring the equipment with them and continue their service.

Xfinity customers won’t be locked into a plan, although the monthly fees aren’t very competitive. That said, the system does a good job of integrating with other devices such as Nest thermostats, Philips Hue lights, and more. Keep in mind that it doesn’t currently work with Google Assistant or Amazon Echo. Since lots of people are already Comcast subscribers, they can get a discount on adding automation to their plan.

Monthly subscriptions cost $40-$50, while the base station ranges in price from $360 to $600. It may seem like a high upfront price, but it’s on par with many other providers in this industry. Besides, people who already subscribe to Comcast services get can discount for bundling their equipment. It’s important to note that the base packs are often missing key features, such as enough sensors for the house. This makes add-on accessories almost a necessity, and that can drive costs up.

That said, the company offers 24/7 live recording for just $10 more a month. Also, the technology uses artificial intelligence to detect people, vehicles, and pets and send alerts accordingly. The hub and equipment syncs with Ecobee, Lifx lighting, August door locks, and more.

There are many cool aspects of the Nest ecosystem. For instance, voice recognition and doorbell cams are two prized features that many consumers are looking for. While the integrations are lacking, the products seamlessly work with all Google devices. Pricing can be a bit difficult to understand, as the Hub is $79, and the Nest Mini is $35, plus there are additional accessories to tack on. Cameras will cost considerably more; the outside one is $399, and the indoor one is $299.

Nest has an excellent outside cam with 1080p HD and live video recording. The 130° wide-angle lens is perfect for scanning the entire perimeter, creating more peace of mind for consumers. Besides that, the brand’s products come with dark lighting capabilities, two-way audio, and 24/7 alerts through the Nest program.

As for prices, the cheapest Nest bundles are about $200 more than competitors. Not only that, but the add-on equipment can quickly add up. Set-up is quite easy and shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes, even for those who aren’t technologically inclined. The trial period is great, and there is ample environmental protection. Moreover, the Learning Thermostat is an excellent way to cut down on energy bills. On the downside, there is a lack of third-party integrations.

Over the past few years, Ring has become synonymous with residential safety packs for those on a tighter budget. It has allowed the company to make its way into all kinds of neighborhoods, from the middle-class to the upper tiers of society. It’s a decent brand to turn to for people who are tech-savvy, know what kinds of products they want and need, and don’t want to deal with locking themselves into a term agreement.

The company’s Spotlight Cam is a crowd favorite for its crystal-clear 1080p HD images. As with all Ring products, it is super easy to install and should be ready to go within a few minutes. The devices pair well with third-party integrations such as Amazon Alexa, making for a simple yet sturdy system without the wires.

On the whole, this provider is a decent segue into residential security for families who are new to the industry. They certainly won’t get the same integrations or comprehensive kits as other companies, but they also won’t be spending an arm and a leg on equipment. It’s a trade-off that consumers need to decide if they’re willing to make. That said, Ring has the convenience of being unwired and synced up to an app. Plus, there is a variety of products to choose from.

This brand works with plenty of third-party devices, making it a suitable do-it-yourself choice. Those who are okay with hooking things up themselves should consider these Scout kits. That said, if someone owns a larger property, then they might find the product offerings to be lacking. The kits and packages are ideally made for people with smaller, more modest houses. That said, the equipment and tools are spot-on when it comes to serving a function and being user-friendly.

Even though the company has self-installed packs, it does offer expert monitors, and at a reasonable price, too. For $19.99 per month, clients can get that professional surveillance and 14 days of cloud storage. If a customer doesn’t want to get one of the Scout packs, they can build their own system and pick and choose which products they want to be included.

Either way, they’re looking at month-to-month plans (no long-term agreement necessary), and 4G cellular backup. There are different smart integrations available, such as Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT, and Hue lighting. The hubs come in two sleek colors and have a built-in siren. The downside here is that the range between the base station and the other equipment is only 125 feet. Those with larger houses are going to run into trouble, keeping everything connected, and thus, safe.