The Best Security Systems for the Deaf in 2024

1. ADT - Best Monitoring

SecurityScore:

9.8 /10

855-908-4461

View Packages Links to ADT

How We Review

Product Specs

Equipment Costs	Packages starting at $349
Monitoring Options	Professional and DIY
Monthly Monitoring Costs	Starting at $30 per month
Contract Lengths	Month-to-month 36 months and up
Installation Options	Professional and DIY
Smart Platform Integration	Alexa and Google Home

855-908-4461

View Packages Links to ADT

ADT Overview

ADT is one of the best-known names in home security, serving more than 6 million customers. What’s more, it’s been around for almost a century and a half, making it one of the longest-running companies as well.

I’m not usually one to follow the crowd, but in ADT’s case, I can say these numbers aren’t accidental — the company offers some of the best protections around, it’s all professionally installed, and its highly trained service representatives monitor it all for you. It doesn’t get a lot better than that for most people.

Why ADT Is Good for Deaf People

ADT was included on this list primarily for its exceptional professional monitoring. I’m going to go into more specifics below, but professional monitoring can be really important for someone with hearing impairment.

How easy would it be to miss a notification on your phone that your security cameras picked up a person walking around in your backyard? Or maybe you wouldn’t hear your smoke detector going off upstairs? With high-quality professional monitoring, you don’t have to worry about constantly keeping an eye on your system.

And, speaking of monitoring, let’s talk about that.

ADT Monitoring

As a more traditional system, ADT does things a little differently from more DIY-focused options like Ring and SimpliSafe. Put simply, all of its security packages require professional monitoring, which starts at $29.99 per month and goes up based on the size of your system.

>> Compare Options: ADT vs. SimpliSafe

While that may sound like a lot, the peace of mind offered by this setup is considerable. When I was testing ADT most recently, its security technicians always responded quickly to confirm the alarms I was setting off, and they were also very knowledgeable when it came to setting up the system. Everything is professionally installed unless you decide to go with ADT’s Self Setup system, so you don’t run the risk of setting something up incorrectly or punching holes in your drywall unnecessarily.

>> Learn More: Best Professionally Installed Security Systems

ADT Prices

Here’s where we come to one of the major drawbacks of the ADT system. It’s definitely not cheap. Here’s a breakdown of ADT’s pricing and packages for you to consider, and then below I’ll give you some tips.

While all of these numbers might look a little high, keep in mind that all of these systems can be financed, so you’re not taking a big financial hit all at once. And, since you have to sign up for a contract with ADT anyway, it can make sense to stretch out your payments.

If you’re interested in an ADT system but you’re still a little turned off by the price, I get it. You should head over to my guide to ADT’s sales and deals to see if you can take advantage of some savings. That might be the deciding factor.

Worth Considering

The biggest drawback I can see with the ADT system is the long-term contract. You have to sign up for at least 36 months of service, which can make some potential customers a little wary. And that fear of commitment is something I have too. (Just ask my partner; it took me years to propose.)

>> Learn More: Best No-Contract Security Systems

If it makes you feel any better, ADT does offer an extremely generous six-month money-back guarantee. If you’re dissatisfied with your system or don’t think it’s worth the price, you can back out with no risk. That’s plenty of time, in my opinion, to get a good feel for the service and decide if it’s right for your specific needs.

2. Cove - Most Affordable

SecurityScore:

8.7 /10

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How We Review

Product Specs

Equipment Costs	Systems start at $330
Monitoring Options	Professional
Monthly Monitoring Costs	Starting at $19.99 per month
Contract Lengths	No contract required
Installation Options	DIY
Smart Platform Integration	Alexa and Google Home

View Packages Links to Cove

Cove Overview

Put simply, Cove is likely going to be your cheapest option if you’re looking for a home security system. But just because it’s affordable doesn’t mean you’re going to be sacrificing quality.

>> Read More: Best Security Systems for Apartments

I personally test all of these systems with my own two hands, and I have to say that I’m impressed with just how durable Cove’s components are — especially when you get down to the pricing section. Its touch screen keypad was particularly appealing to me, and it kept on ticking when I purposely dropped it down the stairs.

Why Cove Is Good for Deaf People

Let’s face it: Home security equipment can get expensive quickly, especially when you add professional monitoring or other subscription costs into the mix. If you want a system that’s going to keep you safe and protect your budget, I’d recommend Cove.

But there are also plenty of interesting features about this system that don’t have to do with price tags: its smash-and-grab protection, for instance. This works by automatically treating a situation as an alarm event if your panel is damaged — something intruders often will do. I tested this out by opening my door and immediately removing the batteries from the panel. A Cove representative immediately contacted me to ask if everything was all right.

Specifically, Cove is good for deaf people because the system can be controlled completely through the smartphone app through the Instatext system. That means all of your notifications will be in one place and you won’t have to rely on sound to know if there’s an emergency situation going on.

Cove Monitoring

I have more on this in my guide to Cove’s subscription costs, but the long and short of it is this: Cove does not offer an option for self-monitoring, but its two subscription packages are the most affordable on the list. Here’s a quick rundown:

The first thing you’ll notice here is that Cove doesn’t offer an option to self-monitor — more on that later. For now, I do want to highlight how affordable both of these plans are, especially when you consider what you get. As previously mentioned, the InstaText functionality is great for folks with hearing impairment, and the cellular backup will allow your system to function even if your power goes out. In my tests, response times were snappy, and the Google and Alexa integrations were simple to set up.

With that said, let’s talk about equipment prices.

Cove Prices

This isn’t the most extensive list, but it definitely has all of the components you’ll need to protect your home from a variety of different threats. Cove’s home security equipment includes:

Seem high? Don’t worry. You can pretty much always expect to get a significant discount. As we write this, the glass break sensor is on sale for 65 percent off.

When you take sales into account, it’s pretty tough to beat Cove on price. This is especially helpful if you’re trying to protect a large property with a lot of entryways and exits. For more on that, head over to my guide to the best security systems for bigger homes.

Worth Considering

The primary drawback of Cove is that there is no option for self-monitoring. You have to purchase a professionally monitored plan for the system to work, which could be overkill for someone with hearing impairment. In that sense, it’s similar to Frontpoint. It’s a great, affordable DIY option that sort of shoots itself in the foot by requiring a monthly fee. DIY systems like SimpliSafe do better by their customers by offering month-to-month subscriptions with an option for self-monitoring to fall back on.

>> Learn More: Best No-Contract Security Systems

Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which level of protection you’re looking for, but with Cove, self-monitoring isn’t an option.

3. SimpliSafe - Best for DIYers

SecurityScore:

9.2 /10

800-544-5942

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How We Review

Product Specs

Equipment Costs	Packages starting at $249.96
Monitoring Options	Professional and DIY
Monthly Monitoring Costs	Starts at $21.99 per month
Contract Lengths	Month-to-month
Installation Options	DIY or professional
Smart Platform Integration	Alexa and Google Home

800-544-5942

View Packages Links to SimpliSafe

SimpliSafe Overview

Originally designed with DIYers and apartment-dwellers in mind, SimpliSafe’s system is extremely easy to set up and use — no professional installation required. It takes about 30 minutes from start to finish to get everything set up and installed, and no special tools are required. You might want a drill or a level, but it’s certainly not necessary.

>> Learn More: Professional Installation vs. DIY

Why SimpliSafe Is Good for Deaf People

SimpliSafe was included on my list of the best security systems for the deaf primarily for its super-handy mobile app. If you can’t hear sirens or speak with the monitoring team over the phone, your mobile app is your lifeline. Luckily, SimpliSafe’s app is extremely useful and intuitive, making it a great option for the hard of hearing and the deaf alike.

>> Other Options: Best Security System Apps

One thing that I really liked about the app when I was testing the system is that I could control everything remotely. I’m pretty forgetful, so there were a handful of times that I’d walk out of my apartment without arming the system. No worries, though. I was able to set everything up through the app remotely and check on the status of everything, no matter where I was traveling — down the block or across the country.

SimpliSafe Monitoring

SimpliSafe offers several monitoring options, from fully self-monitored to professional. Everything is reasonably priced too, so it’s easy to find something that’ll fit your budget. I have some more information on this in my guide to SimpliSafe’s prices, but here’s a quick breakdown:

You might also want to check out my guide to SimpliSafe’s deals. Although it is one of the most affordable security systems out there, there are still several ways to save a little cash, which I detail over there.

SimpliSafe Costs

Now that we’ve taken a look at its monitoring options, let’s talk about SimpliSafe’s equipment costs. In a word: reasonable. It offers several equipment packages that you can start with, or you can build your own system from scratch using individual components. Here are the options for the first method:

If you’re a little concerned about those prices, don’t worry. That’s retail. I’ve been covering SimpliSafe for years, and I’ve never seen a time that it wasn’t running some sort of sale. At the time of this writing, for instance, it was offering 20 percent off any new system with professional monitoring.

And to give you the complete picture, here’s a list of SimpliSafe’s components and their costs as well:

So as you can see, it’s pretty reasonable to build out your own system. When I built my system to test it out, I spent a little under $400 to protect a modestly sized New York City apartment. Your needs will likely vary, but it’s not hard to stay on budget with a SimpliSafe system.

Worth Considering

Even if you’re not very handy, SimpliSafe is still one of the best DIY security systems on the market. That said, I’m not a huge fan of its overreliance on command strips to affix equipment to walls. It just feels a little flimsy to me, and I actually had trouble getting my motion detector to stick; it kept falling down and creating false alarms. I definitely recommend using screws to mount everything on your walls a little more solidly.

4. Ring Alarm - Best Camera Options

SecurityScore:

7.7 /10

View on Amazon Links to Ring Alarm

How We Review

Product Specs

Equipment Costs	Starting at $179
Monitoring Options	Professional and DIY
Monthly Monitoring Costs	Starting at $4.99
Contract Lengths	1-12 months
Installation Options	DIY or professional
Smart Platform Integration	Alexa and Google Home

View on Amazon Links to Ring Alarm

Ring Alarm Overview

Ring’s video doorbells are what it’s probably best known for, but over the years, it’s added full-blown security systems to its lineup, making it a great option for whole-home protection — especially if you’re looking to integrate indoor and outdoor cameras into your system. Its flagship security system is called Ring Alarm, and it gets the job done for deaf people.

>> Compare Systems: Ring vs. ADT

One thing I really appreciate about Ring is its extensive list of equipment. If you have a specific security need, it’s likely that Ring has a piece of equipment or service to help. Video doorbells, environmental sensors, entryway protection — Ring’s a one-stop shop.

Why Ring Alarm Is Good for Deaf People

I selected Ring specifically for its security cameras — specifically the ones that include lighting, like the Ring Spotlight Cam and the Ring Floodlight Cam. If you’re hard of hearing, security lighting is essential when building out your system. A floodlight snapping on in the middle of the night will give you plenty of feedback and let you know to check your app to make sure everything’s all right outside.

I was particularly impressed when I reviewed the Ring Spotlight Cam. It was bright enough to be used for security purposes, but I could also set it to dim so that it wouldn’t hurt my eyes when I was coming up my walkway. This flexibility is important, and it shows that Ring designs its products with users in mind.

Ring Monitoring

Similar to SimpliSafe, Ring offers several options for monitoring, including a completely self-monitored plan, which makes it one of the best security systems with no monthly fees. Here’s the breakdown:

As you can also see, Ring’s professional monitoring is the cheapest so far — but wait until we get to Cove before you make your decision.

Ring Alarm Costs

Similar to the prices of its monitoring plans, Ring’s equipment costs are more than reasonable. Like SimpliSafe, you can either start with a security package or build out your system using individual pieces of equipment; it depends on your specific security needs. I have a little more information on this in my guide to Ring Alarm prices, but here’s the breakdown of its packages:

It’s worth noting that just like SimpliSafe, Ring Alarm is always running deals on its security packages. Right now, it looks like packages are going for between 10 to 20 percent off. While that might not be the case when you’re shopping, I’d be surprised if there wasn’t some sort of deal.

Worth Considering

The main gripe I have with Ring is a matter of taste. Personally, I think some of its equipment is a little too boxy and bulky. I prefer my security equipment to be smooth and sleek, but maybe that’s just me. Plenty of people use Ring products and are very happy with how they look.

Also keep in mind that Ring’s equipment isn’t exactly on par with ADT’s. ADT’s equipment is made by GE, a trusted name in manufacturing that’s been in business for more than 100 years. Ring’s equipment is made by, well, Ring LLC — a company that got its start just 10 years ago.

5. abode - Best Smart Home Automations

SecurityScore:

8.0 /10

View Packages Links to abode

How We Review

Product Specs

Equipment Costs	Packages starting at $160
Monitoring Options	Professional and DIY
Monitoring Costs	Starting at $69 per year ($5.83 per month)
Contract Lengths	Yearly
Installation Options	DIY or professional
Smart Platform Integration	Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit

View Packages Links to abode

abode Overview

abode is one of the best smart home security systems on the market today, which can really make a difference if you’re hard of hearing or deaf. By creating routines and pairing certain pieces of equipment up with others, you can easily get visual feedback rather than audible. It can take a little work on the front end to get everything to work correctly, but once you get the hang of it, it’s pretty simple — especially if you’re using Alexa or Google Home.

>> Learn More: Best Security Systems for Google Home

Why abode Is Good for Deaf People

If you couldn’t tell already, abode is on this list for its home automation capabilities. It’s easy to integrate third-party pieces of equipment into your system, which can help alert you to dangerous situations or items you need to take action on.

When I was testing abode’s system, I was able to pair my Abode Cam 2 with a smart lightbulb in my entryway. That way, whenever the camera detected something, the blub would blink. There are all sorts of other routines you can set up to make things easier on you.

>> Compare Options: SimpliSafe vs. abode

abode Monitoring

Similar to the other DIY options on this list, abode offers a few tiers of service. I have more detailed information in my guide to abode’s prices, but here’s a quick rundown of its services and costs:

I’ve used the Standard plan for a few weeks at a time and found that it worked pretty well. But I do understand why some people want to go with professional monitoring, so I’m glad to see abode offers it for a reasonable price.

Abode Costs

Once you understand abode’s monitoring options, we can talk about its equipment costs. Again, everything is fairly reasonable here. It offers a few packages to choose from, as well as individual pieces of equipment. Here’s the breakdown of its bundles:

You can pretty much ignore the “Regular price” column. abode is another provider that’s always offering pretty deep discounts on their equipment. And, for more context, here are the individual pieces it offers and their prices:

At the end of the day, I was able to protect my apartment with an abode system for about $300. That got me the iota Hub, a few entryway sensors, and the abode Cam 2. Not bad for $300. Of course, your needs will differ from mine, but you’re not going to be spending an arm and a leg here.

Worth Considering

The primary drawback to abode, at least in my opinion, is its confusing buying process. Its website is not intuitive at all, and it can be difficult to find exactly what you’re looking for. If you’re having issues, click on the “Build Your System” link at the top of the page. That’s the easiest way to do it.

I also wish it offered more indoor and outdoor camera options. But one workaround is purchasing Ring cameras separately and using those around your home.