The Best Garage Security Systems in 2024

1. Vivint - Best Professionally Installed System

Editors Rating:

9.4 /10

844-922-0575

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Product Specs

Equipment costs	Starting at $449
Monitoring options	Professional
Monthly monitoring costs	$40 per month
Contract lengths	Starting at 42 months
Installation options	Professional
Smart platform integration	Alexa and Google Home

Vivint Overview

Vivint is one of the most advanced security systems on the market today. From smart home automation to exceptional professional monitoring to professional installation, Vivint is all about white-glove service from start to finish.

And they don’t forget about your garage, either.

When I tested my Vivint system last spring, I had them install one of their theft-deterring Outdoor Camera Pros right above my garage door. For more info, check out my review dedicated to the Vivint Outdoor Camera Pros. I also used their automatic garage door controller, and I had a tilt sensor installed so I could be alerted any time the door went up or down. When it was all said and done, my garage felt like Fort Knox.

Why I Selected Vivint

Vivint takes the top spot on my list primarily for the equipment listed above. They’re one of the few providers out there that offer garage-specific functionality, which is a pretty big blind spot in the industry right now. I have a vintage motorcycle that’s worth quite a bit of money, so it’s nice to protect my garage with a system specifically designed with that functionality in mind. One of the few others with garage door products is SimpliSafe. So, I put the two head-to-head in a Vivint vs SimpliSafe showdown.

Since every Vivint system is bespoke and professionally installed, every piece of equipment communicates flawlessly, and the network runs seamlessly. It really felt like I was living in the future while I was testing this system out. If you love the idea of professional installation but want more options, check out my list of the best professionally installed home security systems.

Vivint’s Monitoring

Like many of the more traditional security systems out there (i.e., not DIY), Vivint requires professional monitoring. While that might make some of the more commitment-averse readers cringe, don’t worry. I’ve found it to be relatively affordable and well worth the cost.

>> Learn More: DIY vs. Professionally Installed Home Security Systems

Vivint’s professional monitoring packages start at $40 per month and go up from there depending on the size of your system. When you compare Vivint to ADT, a similar professionally installed system, you’ll see these monitoring costs are actually pretty affordable for a system of this caliber. With that said, ADT recently lowered their prices to just below Vivint’s monitoring costs. So, hopefully, that extra competition can cause Vivint to bring their prices down a bit too.

And the response times fall in the range of industry standards. When testing my Vivint system, I experienced response times of around 30 seconds on average.

Vivint’s Costs

Here’s the catch: Vivint’s costs aren’t cheap. They don’t offer any prebuilt packages, so here’s a list of their components and their prices to give you some context.

You can see why they don’t show up on my list of the best affordable home security systems. Their outdoor camera pro costs as much as some of the best DIY systems out there.

That said, you’re not going to get hit with a huge bill for equipment all at once. Vivint allows you to finance your system. This keeps Vivint within reach for most households, even if you’re not made of money.

Vivint’s Drawbacks

As mentioned above, the biggest drawback to Vivint is the cost. This system isn’t cheap. Another unsavory detail for some people is the contract you have to sign. The shortest term is 42 months, which understandably can make some people uneasy.

>> Learn More: Best Security Systems for Large Homes

There is a month-to-month option here, provided you pay for all of the equipment upfront. Keep this in mind: Equipment prices can easily go north of $2,000 if you’re trying to protect a large home with a garage.

2. SimpliSafe - Best DIY Security System

Editors Rating:

9.2 /10

800-544-5942

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Product Specs

Equipment Costs	Packages starting at $280
Monitoring Options	Professional and DIY
Monthly Monitoring Costs	$19.99 per month
Contract Lengths	Month-to-month
Installation Options	DIY or professional
Smart Platform Integration	Alexa and Google Home

SimpliSafe Overview

And now for a home security system on the complete opposite end of the spectrum compared to Vivint, but still solid in its own right: SimpliSafe. This DIY security system can protect your home and garage on the cheap. While it’s not as advanced as Vivint, SimpliSafe does have its advantages.

This system was originally designed as one of the best security systems for apartments but has since expanded to effectively cover any type of dwelling. That expansion includes those with attached and detached garages. Their simple but powerful equipment provides all the generalized protection you’d need to keep whatever is stored in your garage safe. If a simple system with powerful equipment sounds like what you want, but SimpliSafe doesn’t speak to you, take a read through our list of the best SimpliSafe alternatives.

Why I Selected SimpliSafe

SimpliSafe shows up high on this list due to its new Fast Protect monitoring coupled with the high-tech Smart Alarm Indoor Camera. In fact, I liked the indoor camera so much that I wrote a dedicated review of the SimpliCam to discuss all of its features. This equipment and monitoring package allows a technician to access the live feed from your camera and relay important information to the authorities they dispatch.

>> Learn More: SimpliSafe FAQs

When I tested this feature for this list, I purposefully set off the alarm by opening my garage’s sensor-equipped side door and then rummaging around in my garage. I heard the security shutter of the camera snap open, and the SimpliSafe technician warned me that the alarm had been activated. The response time was impressive (about 25 seconds), and I was able to cancel the alarm by providing them with my safe word. Really impressive security here.

Still, remember this “response time” isn’t the time it takes for police to arrive at your home. That could take several minutes to hours, depending on where you live. Thankfully, SimpliSafe’s Fast Protect monitoring allows their agents to speak directly through your cameras to (hopefully) scare away thieves and intruders.

SimpliSafe’s Monitoring

The Fast Protect monitoring mentioned above is SimpliSafe’s flagship option, and, as such, their most expensive. They offer several other tiers of service, though. I have more on that in my guide to SimpliSafe’s costs, but here’s a quick breakdown:

For comparison’s sake, the Fast Protect plan (some of the most advanced monitoring I’ve ever tested) is still about $10 per month cheaper than Vivint’s most affordable monitoring option. SimpliSafe also offers a free plan, which puts them in the number one spot on my list of the best security systems with no monthly fees.

SimpliSafe’s Costs

You can purchase a SimpliSafe system one of two ways. First, you can select a premade security package. Here’s what those look like:

Or, you can build out your own system using individual components. Be careful, though. Picking out all of the components of your security system can feel like a daunting task. So, we recommend you reach out to their customer service for help building your custom system. Just watch out for those upsells and go in with a list of what you want protected. Here’s the rundown of the components that SimpliSafe offers:

It’s not an extensive list, but there’s more than enough here to keep the average home or garage safe.

If this is still looking a little pricey, don’t worry. SimpliSafe is always running deals. More on that in my guide to SimpliSafe’s sales, but at the time of this writing, they were offering 20 percent off on all new systems that include Fast Protect Monitoring. Plus, they were throwing in a Smart Alarm Camera for free.

SimpliSafe’s Drawbacks

SimpliSafe offers one of the best home security system apps, so I don’t understand why they require each system to use an analog, push-button keypad. They cost about $70 and make the system feel a little dated. When I tested the SimpliSafe system, this piece of equipment was almost never used. I greatly preferred to arm and disarm my system using my smartphone and the SimpliSafe app.

3. Ring Alarm - Best Equipment Options

Editors Rating:

7.7 /10

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How We Review

Product Specs

Equipment Costs	Starting at $199
Monitoring Options	Professional and DIY
Monthly Monitoring Costs	Starting at $20
Contract Lengths	1-12 months
Installation Options	DIY or professional
Smart Platform Integration	Alexa and Google Home

Ring Overview

Ring’s video doorbells were originally their claim to fame, but in the decade they’ve been in business, they’ve increased their product lineup exponentially. They offer some of the most innovative security equipment on the market today, including a dashboard camera you can use to protect your car while you’re out and about. That’s critical garage protection right there.

>> Compare: Ring vs. Vivint

Regardless of your security needs, there’s likely a piece of Ring equipment to take care of it. You can read more about this in my review of the Ring Spotlight Pro, but for the longest time, I had one of these installed above my garage. It was helpful to shine a light on things when I pulled in at night, and I slept soundly knowing the illumination would likely be enough to make a burglar think twice about trying to steal my tools.

Why I Selected Ring

That long list of equipment is the primary reason I put Ring on this list. They have a lot of pieces that just make sense for protecting a garage. That includes the above-mentioned Spotlight Pro, but it also includes their:

• Floodlight Cam Plus
• Floodlight Cam Pro
• Stick Up Cam
• Outdoor Contact Sensor
• Solar Step Lights
• Wired Floodlight
• Wired Spotlights

Remember, lighting solves two problems, especially above a garage. It will help you see better when you’re trying to bring the groceries in after sunset and make burglars think twice about coming onto your property. If there are indications they can be caught, they’re likely to keep moving.

Ring also works with MyQ to integrate third-party equipment, like remote garage door opener, into your security systems. How many times have you driven off only to wonder half an hour later if you remembered to click the garage door shut? Now you won’t have to.

Ring Monitoring

Compared to SimpliSafe, Ring has similar monitoring options. I have more in my guide to Ring’s prices, but here’s a breakdown of their different subscription packages.

Their free option makes Ring one of the best unmonitored systems on the market, but keep in mind that if you select self-monitoring, you’re going to have to be really vigilant. It only takes one ignored notification on your phone to miss the guy making off with your expensive Italian racing bicycle. Ask me how I know.

Ring’s Costs

It would be a little overwhelming to list out all of Ring’s products and their costs, so instead I’m going to provide you with a breakdown of their home security systems. Their additional cameras all cost between $60 and $250. Their best video doorbells run around the same prices, but the most expensive is about $350.

Ring also is almost always offering a sale, so be mindful of when you shop. If you’re not in a hurry to buy, you might want to wait until Prime Day to shop for Ring equipment. Since they’re owned by Amazon, Ring tends to offer deep discounts around that time.

Ring’s Drawbacks

The one thing I don’t like about Ring is their equipment is a little too boxy and bulky for my taste. That isn’t to say it’s not well designed — it is — but the form of that function just rubs me the wrong way. If you’re looking for sleeker cameras to protect your property, I’d recommend reading my review of the Arlo Ultra 4K Camera. Sleek is its middle name.

4. Reolink - Honorable Mention

Editors Rating:

7.7 /10

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Reolink Overview

While Reolink doesn’t offer security systems, they do offer a really important piece of security equipment that might come in handy for homeowners with detached garages. Like me.

>> Learn More: Best Outdoor Security Cameras

Because of my detached garage, I’ve had trouble getting traditional Wi-Fi cameras to work out there. So much so that I’ve had to use Wi-Fi range extenders sometimes to keep the cameras connected. If you’re running into similar problems, Reolink might be an option for you.

They’re one of the few security cameras that don’t require Wi-Fi to work, instead relying on the cellular 4G network for connectivity. If your garage is way off from your main house, this is a great option for keeping an eye on things. It’s also an option if you have a shed or barn somewhere on your property that you’d rather not have someone break into.

>> Check Out: Best Cellular Security Systems

Why I Selected Reolink

I know they’re not a traditional security system, but trying to set up a network of security cameras on a large property with multiple structures can be a bit of a hassle. I’m actually pretty shocked more security camera providers don’t offer cellular options. With the ubiquity of Wi-Fi networks, they might assume it’s too small of a market to make manufacturing cellular security cameras worthwhile. I’m really glad Reolink doesn’t feel the same way.

>> Compare: Reolink vs. Lorex

And their cellular compatibility isn’t the only thing Reolink’s cameras have going for them. They all offer at least 1080-pixel resolution, crystal clear night vision, real-time alerts, and a host of other functions that make keeping an eye on your property simple. If you have detached structures your Wi-Fi doesn’t reach, this is a great option to keep them safe.

Reolink’s Monitoring

Unfortunately, Reolink doesn’t offer professional monitoring, but there are subscription options to consider if you’re going to be using multiple cameras. I have more on this in my guide to Reolink’s prices, but here’s a quick breakdown.

As you can see, Reolink keeps things pretty affordable, and that also goes for their equipment costs.

Reolink’s Costs

Reolink offers a massive lineup of cameras, but for our purposes, we’re just going to focus on the ones with cellular compatibility. Here’s the breakdown:

Keep in mind that all of these cameras save for the last option are solar-powered, meaning you’re not going to be climbing up the ladder every few months to charge the battery. In my product testing, I’ve found that to be super handy when protecting a garage.

Reolink’s Drawbacks

The primary drawback of Reolink is they don’t offer a full-blown security system. That means nothing is going to be protecting your garage save for the security camera itself. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Security cameras are one of the best theft deterrents. And keep in mind that doesn’t mean you can’t couple a Reolink Camera with any of the systems mentioned above.

>> Learn More: The Best Security Systems for Rural Properties

Just remember the majority of them require Wi-Fi for the components to communicate with one another. If you’re using the Reolink Camera because your Wi-Fi doesn’t reach your garage, you’re right back to where you started.