Best DIY Home Security Systems

1. SimpliSafe - Best DIY Home Security

Editors Rating:

9.2 /10

800-544-5942

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How We Review

SimpliSafe was one of the earliest brands to offer DIY security systems. Founded in 2006, SimpliSafe made it its mission to provide a simple, elegant, and easy-to-use security solution, and that it did with the three generations of SimpliSafe systems it has released so far.

Testing the latest SimpliSafe version, it took us less than 30 minutes to set up and install everything. And we didn’t get just a few sensors either. We went all-in and bought a bunch of sensors, cameras, and smoke alarms.

By far, the hardest SimpliSafe product we’ve had to install was the SimpliSafe video doorbell, and it still took us just a few minutes to install. You can read our experience installing the doorbell in our SimpliSafe video doorbell review.

SimpliSafe was more than just easy to install. The buying process is also streamlined, and the pricing is transparent. We knew exactly what we’re getting and how much we’re paying before we even entered our payment information.

A basic SimpliSafe starter kit costs approximately $250. You can fully customize this kit by adding components, and the price of each component is visible on the website. Once you’ve placed your order, just wait a few days for the system to arrive. Then, you’ll be ready to unbox and set up your DIY system yourself.

SimpliSafe Equipment

SimpliSafe’s equipment is exactly what you would expect from a wireless, DIY security system. They are lightweight but sturdy, and they offer a lot of thoughtful features. For example, the base station, which comes in the form of a tower-like device, includes battery backup that keeps the system running during power outages.

The design is aesthetically pleasing, too. It’s muted enough if you want to hide it in plain sight, but it still looks great if you want to show it off. We particularly liked the glowing blue light around the hub’s base when the system is armed.

In terms of security, SimpliSafe’s equipment has a lot to offer. Security sensors are a given, as they are the ones responsible for detecting possible intrusions. However, we’ve also been able to utilize them to inform us of things that are not call-the-cops-worthy but are still essential for us to know.

For example, when we had people over for a party, we put entry sensors on our bedroom doors. Then, we set up alerts that go to our phones when triggered but aren’t reported to the monitoring center. That way, we’d know if a guest accidentally wanders into our private spaces.

If you’re considering SimpliSafe, we also recommend getting security cameras from the company. It offers three: a basic indoor camera, a battery-powered outdoor camera, and a hardwired doorbell camera.

Those three devices can vastly improve your home security. They detect movement, send alerts, and with the right subscription plans, record important footage automatically.

Lastly, we appreciated the fact that SimpliSafe worked with the smart voice assistants Alexa and Google Assistant. We’re huge smart home enthusiasts, and being able to arm and disarm our security system with our voice is a huge plus for us.

About SimpliSafe Plans

Professional monitoring is optional with SimpliSafe. We could easily add to or cancel our service one month at a time. Plan options SimpliSafe offers are as follows:

1. Standard Plan: The standard plan is priced at $17.99 per month. It provides text and app alerts along with 24/7 professional monitoring.
2. Interactive Plan: This top-tier SimpliSafe plan provides pro monitoring plus Google Assistant and Alexa integration for home automation at $27.99 per month. We liked that this plan included video verification as well, which would have improved police response times.

Another groundbreaking feature of SimplISafe? It doesn’t require a subscription to work. Should you wish to skip the monitoring service, you can self-monitor the system for free. You’ll still get smartphone alerts, and the base station’s siren will sound in case of emergencies, but you’ll be the one responsible for calling the police if necessary.

2. abode - Best No Contract DIY System

Editors Rating:

8.0 /10

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How We Review

At first glance, abode might look very similar to SimpliSafe. It’s a DIY system with wireless components, optional professional monitoring, and an easy set up process.

What sets abode apart is its deeper reach into home automation. It lets you pair home automation products like smart lights, locks, and thermostats that use Z-Wave, Zigbee, and even HomeKit as wireless standards. Of course, that would mean a more complex set up process, but all in all, abode is still a breeze to set up. We highlighted abode’s home automation possibilities in our abode review, so head over there to learn more.

Abode actually offers more smart home integrations than most other security systems. With abode’s monitoring, text alerts are completely free. Remote control of the system via smartphone is also free. For us, the abode mobile app made it easy to add on-demand professional monitoring. We also enjoyed having the option to add paid monitoring for as few as three days.

Features we liked about abode home security included:

• DIY setup
• Professional or DIY monitoring
• Environmental monitoring
• Indoor and outdoor cameras
• Home automation with voice commands
• Portable (no charge to move)

abode Security Equipment

We had the choice to install an all-in-one home security tower or build a customized set with various wireless devices. Abode add-ons support environmental monitoring and home automation with Google Assistant.

The most simple abode security systems cost about $200. One option is the plug-and-play iota tower, with its main features, the motion sensor, camera, and siren. Another $200 option is called the “Basic” kit. Only basic security sensors are included for the price, but the system is compatible with countless Z-Wave devices. DIY installation takes about 30 minutes, and all Abode equipment is sold with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

The abode website made it very easy for us to see compatible devices and put together the perfect set for our living space.

About abode Monitoring Plans

Free text alerts are part of each abode security system and professional monitoring is optional. We appreciated that we could update our service anytime through the system’s free mobile app.

1. On-Demand Monitoring: Short-term options include service for three days ($8), one week ($15) or one month ($20).
2. Annual Plan: Pricing starts at $80 per year, which was under $7 per month.

We saved money by paying for 12 months all at once. In sum, abode was a top choice for DIY home security systems with no contract and the brand offered lots of smart home possibilities.

3. Frontpoint - Best Customer Service

Editors Rating:

8.9 /10

844-933-2405

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How We Review

One of the first things you should look for in a DIY security system is reliable customer support. You’re doing all installation work, but when you need help, you should be able to count on your alarm company for help.

Over the past decade, Frontpoint became quite known for its stellar customer support. Whether you’re calling to get help about the installation process or disputing items on your bill, Frontpoint is just one call away.

Of course, none of that matters if the system itself isn’t good, and fortunately, in our experience, Frontpoint has a solid system going. It is completely wireless, durable, and covers everything from security to home automation.

We considered these Frontpoint’s key features:

• Best customer service (English & Spanish)
• Competitive prices
• DIY installation
• Mobile app
• Professional monitoring for 12+ months
• Environmental monitoring
• Indoor & outdoor security cameras
• Home automation
• Panic pendant

Frontpoint Security Equipment

We built a custom Frontpoint system from scratch, but if you prefer pre-customized packages, a basic kit costs $129. At that price, you’ll get a hub, a motion sensor, and an entryway sensor. Of course, you’re free to edit your final security system by adding more components like sensors and cameras.

More advanced Frontpoint security systems have devices such as:

• Glass break sensors
• Smoke detectors and other environmental sensors
• Indoor and outdoor security cameras
• Smart lights, thermostats and door locks

About Frontpoint Plans

Frontpoint is a pioneer of wire-free security systems. Frontpoint systems have been mostly wire-free since the early 2010s. The only exceptions are, of course, the devices that plug into power like the base station and security cameras. Everything else runs on batteries and connects using wireless radios. Even the communication is wireless, as Frontpoint uses cellular signals to generate alerts instead of a landline.

In contrast to SimpliSafe, Frontpoint does not offer any self-monitoring options. Professional monitoring is required, but its first 30 days are risk-free.

After that, though, you’ll pay $49.99 per month to keep the system running. It’s the only professional monitoring option from Frontpoint, but it includes everything you’ll ever need to monitor, access, and control your security system.

Besides professional monitoring, the monitoring subscription includes cloud video storage, home automation, life and home safety monitoring, and a ton of other features. Of course, to get the most out of your monthly fees, it’s recommended to go all-in on Frontpoint equipment. For example, to use that cloud storage, you’ll need Frontpoint cameras. And to take advantage of home automation features, you’ll need smart home devices.

On the bright side, no matter how large of a Frontpoint system you build, you will only ever pay $49.99 per month for monitoring.

1. A mobile app for remote control
2. Access to your security camera livestreams
3. Cloud storage for security camera recordings
4. Access to home automation features

No matter how large of a Frontpoint system you build, you will only pay $49.99 per month for monitoring.

In summary, Frontpoint was among the best home security companies with DIY setup and required pro monitoring. On top of that, we liked that we could choose to keep things basic or include additional equipment for video surveillance, environmental monitoring, and home automation. The company’s prices were fairly competitive, the equipment was well-liked, and the Frontpoint team provided excellent customer service.

4. Deep Sentinel - Best Monitoring

Editors Rating:

7.9 /10

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How We Review

Deep Sentinel offers a rare combination of artificial intelligence and remote camera surveillance to guard our home. To help maintain privacy, they don’t place cameras inside homes. Instead, they set our cameras to cover property perimeters.

Deep Sentinel was designed to prevent trouble, and its high-end service was incredibly proactive. When a prowler lurked at the foot of our driveway, for instance, a surveillance agent spoke through a camera to scare them away. Deep Sentinel agents also contacted the police on our behalf. We found this comforting, as the company maintains a typical turn-around time of just 30 seconds. When we were home but our nieces and nephews were over playing in our yard, we often took advantage of the Privacy Mode in our mobile app. This unique tool allowed us to watch our live feed but kept it hidden from the company’s professional monitors.

In our opinion, these were the main benefits of Deep Sentinel:

• Easy to use
• Focused on crime prevention
• Artificial intelligence helps predict trouble
• 24/7 human surveillance of cameras
• Cameras had two-way audio
• Cameras had sirens

Deep Sentinel Security Equipment

Deep Sentinel cameras are motion-activated, and they detect motion up to 35 feet away. The resolution is 1080 pixels, and night vision is included. Each camera records audio and allows for two-way voice communication with agents.

We were given the choice of including as many as four cameras in a kit, each with a 30-day money-back return policy. In the end, we selected the company’s starter kit.

The Deep Sentinel starter set retails for $399. It includes a hub and three weatherproof security cameras with wall-mount hardware. Yard signs and door/window decals are also included.

For our privacy, all our footage was saved locally (at our home) instead of to the cloud. We found the installation of the system simple as well, as the cameras were battery-powered rather than hardwired.

Deep Sentinel cameras run on rechargeable lithium batteries, which are included in the purchase and typically work for nine months before they need to be recharged. We, however, bought a solar charger and extreme temperature kit for an extra $88, which made it so we didn’t have to charge our battery quite as often. Learn more about the costs behind Deep Sentinel.

About Deep Sentinel Monitoring

Deep Sentinel has one professional monitoring plan, Live Sentinel. The rate for Live Sentinel is $49.99 per month, with a one-year commitment.

To review, Deep Sentinel was among the most unique home security companies in the industry. They only sell outdoor security cameras that cover the perimeter of properties. By balancing artificial intelligence with human intervention, clearly, Deep Sentinel created a security system that worked.

Deep Sentinel security cameras were triggered by motion. With a one-year service agreement, Deep Sentinel had agents monitor triggered cameras. These agents had permission to speak through our cameras.

5. Cove - Most Affordable DIY Security System

Editors Rating:

8.7 /10

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How We Review

Testing out Cove in our Cove security system review was an easy and seamless process. The actual set up only took about an hour, and it was something that even the least tech-savvy homeowner or renter could do. And on top of that, we paid no more than $300 for the equipment, which is an incredibly low price for a system like Cove.

First of all, all of our components, detailed below, came pre-programmed, so we simply had to plug in our Touch Panel and stick our sensors on our walls and doors. With over-the-phone support, we tested our system out with a professional, which gave us unmatched peace of mind.

About Cove Equipment

The Cove system we installed included:

• Touch panel
• Motion and door sensors
• Keyring remote
• YI indoor camera

However, if we wanted to scale our system, we could have added:

• Medical button
• Smoke, CO, and flood sensors
• Window sensors
• Glass break sensors

Cove doesn’t make its own cameras currently, but its simple system of sensors and a Touch Panel made the process of installing and using Cove easy. Plus, we knew that if we moved into a bigger house or simply wanted more security, we could just buy more sensors.

About Cove Plans

Our Cove pricing page gives all of the details about Cove’s plans, but here’s a general overview.

All of Cove’s plans are monthly, as you can see, so signing up doesn’t require a long-term commitment. That being said, Cove is only a good idea if you want 24/7 professional monitoring. While we could also monitor through the Cove Security iOS and Android app, we couldn’t self-monitor only. In our experience, professional monitoring and cellular backup insured us that we didn’t need to be constantly on our phones, worrying about our home security. Real humans were there to respond to alarms, even if we weren’t.