Your home is the one place where you should feel safest. Unfortunately, for millions, their homes aren’t safe. Why? Because on average, more than 2.5 million burglaries happen in the US every year. This is why a home security system is becoming the need of the hour.
A home security system is a system of devices (electronic locks, sensors, sirens) created specially to safeguard your house. The ideal security system keeps you safe when you’re at home and keeps your home secure when you’re out.
In this guide, we’ll dive deep into home security systems. If you’re looking to get one, or upgrade your existing one, keep reading.
What is a Home Security System?
A home security system is a network of integrated electronic devices that work to keep your home safe. All these devices work in sync with a central control panel that protects your home against break-ins and burglars.Â
A home security system is made up of:
- A central command system/control panel with a keypad
- Door and window sensors
- Motion sensors
- Glass break sensors
- Security cameras.
These devices are part of every home security system. You can take your home security system to the next level by integrating smart devices and environmental sensors.
How Home Security Systems Work
A typical home security system consists of a number of interconnected parts, such as the control panel, windows, and door sensors, fire sensors, highly effective security cameras, high-decibel sirens and cameras, sensors, flood lights, etc.
Let’s understand the role of some important components of a home security system:
| Components | Role |
| Windows and door sensors | Window and door sensors help to keep track of when your doors and windows are opened without authorization. The sensors ring the alarms when the sensors are turned on. |
| Fire sensor | As the name suggests, the fire alarms alert you of any fires, and smoke in your home.Some fire alarms automatically alert the fire department if they aren’t turned off manually. |
| Highly efficient security cameras | The purpose of cameras in a home security system is clear. They track all the activities in and around your house. |
| High decibel sirens or alarms | Sirens or alarms warn you whenever there is damage to your system, or when someone is trying to forcefully enter your home. |
| Sensors | Indoor and outdoor sensors detect physical activity in and around your house and send you alerts. |
| Floodlights | Floodlights work alongside sensors. Whenever the sensors detect any activity at night, the floodlight turns on to reveal who is moving nearby. |
Types of Home Security Systems
There are various types of home security systems, each one has unique features and specifications. As you’re spoiled by the number of choices, it’s crucial to choose a home security system that’s perfect for your needs. Let’s break down the available types of home security systems:
4 Main Types of Home Security Systems
1. Self-Monitored Security System
A self-monitored security system is self-explanatory. If you choose a self-monitored security system, then you’ll have to keep an eye out for cameras, sensors, and alerts by yourself.
This means that whenever your alarms and sensors, such as motion sensors, contact sensors, cameras, and other devices, send alerts, you’ll have to respond manually. The response could be anything like calling the cops or asking your neighbors to look out for any suspicious activity.
Pros:
- The most affordable type of home security system
- You can optimize all the specifications yourself
- You can easily take the system along with you when you shift homes
Cons:
- Monitoring everything yourself can be a bit anxious
- You’ll have to install the home security system manually
- No tools or installation support
2. Professionally Monitored Security System
Companies like ADT, Brinks, Next, Vivint, etc are the leaders when it comes to professionally monitored security systems.
If you’re choosing a professionally monitored system, you can rely on experts to keep an eye out on your property. In case of an alert, the company is notified and its their responsibility to respond. The company will call the owner of the system (You) and if needed they’ll call the required authority.
Pros:
- You don’t have to stay on top of your phone all the time to keep checking your cameras and notifications. A team of professionals is monitoring everything so you can rest easy.
- Exceptional customer support and warranty coverage
- Companies help in installing the service
Cons:
- More expensive than other options
- Less portable
3. Wired Security System
The term wired security system describes a security system in which the system’s components are physically wired to the central control panel. Either self-monitoring security companies or professional monitoring security companies can take care of the wired security system.
A professional monitor controls your wired security system, and each part of the security system talks to each other via phone lines.
Pros:
- Easy to install
- Easy to modify
- Get smartphone notifications
Cons:
- Burglars can easily break into your system
- Expensive installation
4. Wireless Security System
A wireless security system refers to a security system in which your components are connected to the central control panel through WiFi.
It means the system uses radio waves instead of physical wires. The system sends notifications to you or a company using cellular networks.
Pros:
- More flexible
- Easy installation
- More customization
- Remotely accessible
Cons:
- Not good for large spaces
- Needs high maintenance
4 Benefits of Home Security System
There are countless benefits to establishing a home security system. Whether you want to protect yourself from burglary, crime, or any emergency like a fire, gas leak, etc. Let’s break down the benefits you get by installing a home security system:
- Keep You Remain Secure and Safe
You and your family are protected from potential intruders thanks to home security systems.
For instance, having a home security service can give you peace of mind if you reside in a city with a high crime rate. You can leave your house without being concerned about it.
- Warn Against Fatal Dangers
Security systems can detect and warn you against fatal dangers or emergencies. Such as fires, smoke, carbon monoxide, etc. Whenever such danger occurs, the system warns you with sirens, alarms, and smartphone notifications.
- Remote Control of Your Home
A home security system is not just about the security of your home. Advanced home security systems can help you control your home remotely even when you’re not around.Â
For example, you can turn on the heating in your office. That’s not all, you can control your door locks, lights, air conditioning, and the alarm itself remotely.
- Get Home Insurance Discounts
The more benefits you get from a home security system, the more the security companies provide you with a discount on your home insurance premium (sometimes up to 20%).
Cost of Setting Up a Home Security System
| Item | Average Cost |
| Base Package | $200 – $400 |
| Installation & Activation | $0 – $200 |
| Monthly Monitoring | $25 – $50 |
| Accessories | $20 – $100 |
Top-Rated Home Security Systems 2024
| Brand | Known For | Lowest Monitoring Price | Starter Equipment Cost | Contract | Smart Home Compatibility |
| Vivint | Best overall | $29.99/mo | $599.00 | No | Amazon, Google, Z-Wave |
| Frontpoint | High-end DIY | $34.99/mo | $129.00 | No | Amazon, Google, Z-Wave |
| SimpliSafe | Editor’s Choice | $17.99/mo | $229.00 | No | Amazon, Google |
| Cove | Best customer experience | $27.99/mo | Quote required | No | Amazon, Google |
| ADT | Most experienced | $20.00/mo | $0.00* | Yes | Amazon, Google, Z-Wave |
Securing your home is always a good thing, and you need to choose the right kind of home security system. To help you make a more educated decision, we researched for you. There are so many home security systems to choose from, so it’s easy to get confused and make the wrong decision.
The IoT landscape has made it extremely easy to set up a security system for your home. The best part is that you can easily control the home security devices from your smartphone. Based on your home security needs, you can choose a system to monitor yourself or pay a subscription fee to have your home surveilled 24/7 by professionals. These professionals contact the authorities when they figure out something suspicious. The subscription-based services work best if you stay away from your home too much.
If you don’t have the money to spend on a dedicated security system, then there are plenty of other home security systems to choose from. You get indoor and outdoor security cameras, video doorbells, motion sensors, and smart locks.
1. Vivint: Best overall home security system
Vivint ranks top on our list of best home security systems and it deserves to be on top. This home security system take care of everything by itself. You get high-end equipment, professional installation, 24/7 dedicated monitoring, smart home connectivity, and sophisticated security technology. All this is enough to make it the best wireless home security system.Â
One thing that stood out for us while testing Vivint was the security cameras with Smart deter lurker detection. But, Vivint is not for everyone just because of its price tag. The equipment costs are not everyone’s cup of tea but the monitoring fee is industry standard. Here are all the reasons we love Vivint:
- Professional installation at a surprisingly low cost ($49)
- Financing options where equipment payment and monitoring are separate
- Smart home security mobile app
- Completely proprietary tech for better security
- Unique car guard device
- 24/7 professional monitoring
2. Frontpoint: Best high-end DIY home security system
Frontpoint offers all the features you from a home security system. You get the option of installing all the equipment by yourself (which is fairly easy to do). If you love the things done by yourself, then Frontpoint should be your choice. While it’s a DIY home security system, that doesn’t mean it skips out on security standards.Â
Moreover, all the systems come with a Frontpoint ID Protect that’s supported by AllState ID Protection. So, you can protect your home and yourself with Frontpoint.
- Smart home integration
- A wide array of equipment to choose from
- Smartphone control app
- Indoor and outdoor security cameras
- 24/7 video recordings
- Access to security video on your TV
- Video verification to eliminate false alarms
- 24/7 professional monitoring
- Good customer experience
- Great extras on the entry-level plans
- Completely wireless alarm system
3. SimpliSafe: Editor’s Choice
SimpliSafe is a fan-favorite home security system. During our testing, the whole team loved what it had to offer. SimpliSafe home security systems are affordable, simple to use, and straightforward. Plus, the pricing makes it an even better choice. Out of all the options on our list, SimpliSafe offers the lowest monthly monitoring fee. The best part is that you can choose to stop the monitoring whenever you want to.Â
SimpliSafe’s RapidOs feature helps speed things up in an emergency. It connects directly to a 911 dispatcher instead of sending the information to the monitoring center. This way, first responders can get to you as quickly as possible.
- You can choose the type of equipment and monitoring service you want
- No-pressure online shopping experience
- No contracts on monitoring service
- 60-day money-back guarantee
- New outdoor camera setup
4. Cove: Best customer support
If customer service is your primary concern, then Cove should be your first choice for a home security system. Cove pays attention to everything their customers say and they make customer support their first priority. Their customer support has led to a 98% customer retention rate. All the customers love Cove, and the features it offers make it lovable.
You also get affordable monthly monitoring prices, and you don’t have to sign up for a contract for it. Plus, you can get rid of the monitoring system if you don’t want it. The best part is that you don’t have to pay penalties and fees.
- Large 7-inch touchscreen panel that comes with every plan
- InstaText service that allows you to confirm an emergency using a text message
- LiveAssist service lets you call through the touch control panel
- RapidSOS for getting help to your home sooner
- Cove equipment rewards that let you upgrade to the newest equipment for free
- Lifetime equipment warranty
- Rate lock guarantee
5. ADT: Home security system with the most trust
ADT is the oldest and one of the most trusted security monitoring companies in the USA. If you have a home security system from ADT, then you can rest easy. ADT is a well-known, tried, and tested security company.Â
ADT Home Security has more monitoring centers compared to any of its competitors. So you can be assured that your home’s protection is transferred to the next center if one goes down. ADT takes 24/7 protection to the next level.
- Most trusted home security service for almost 145 years
- ADT home security takes care of more than 8 million people across the globe
- 9 professional monitoring centers in the USA
- Partnerships and integrations with top technology from Google Nest and Ford
- 6-month service and money-back guarantee
Frequently Asked Questions
The security system safeguards everyone and all of the valuables in your house. When there is any danger in your home (fires, break-ins, or other disasters), the system includes high-tech devices that alert you or a reputable security system management company.
You should talk with a family member or friend about whether your home needs security before making a purchase.
You don’t have to spend money on a home security system if you already live in a peaceful town, for that reason. However, if you reside in a high-crime area and want to keep your house and material possessions secure, a home security system is a must-have solution.