Best Vacation Home Security Systems
We recommend SimpliSafe, which offers professional monitoring, a highly-rated app, and two-way voice options when you're not home.
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Last Updated on Oct 11, 2024
- With professional monitoring you can trust your vacation home is protected even if you aren’t available
- Use your app with available smart locks to let visitors into and out of your vacation home
- Two-way voice options let you answer the video doorbell even when you’re not there
- Partnership with Airbnb
- App environmental controls mean you spend less time driving to your property to adjust the thermostat
- Vivint smart lighting can make it seem like someone is living at your vacation home even when it’s vacant
- Excellent customer support no matter which property you’re calling from
- No extra charge to move system components from one house to another
- Professional monitoring makes protecting your rental property worry-free
Do you have a vacation home? Lucky you! Now all you need is a security system to keep it safe. But not just any security system: a system designed with second (or third, or fourth) homes in mind. The best home security system for your beach hut may be different from the best home security system for your apartment.
Professional monitoring, smart home integration, and an easy-to-use mobile app are nice to have in an everyday home security system, but they are must-haves in a vacation home security system.
Skeptical? Here’s a first-hand example of what the right home security system can do for your vacation home. When a forest fire threatened my family’s mountain getaway, no one called us. A local firefighter knocked on the door, however, and we were able to speak with him about fire safety thanks to our Ring video doorbell.
Pro Tip: A security system isn’t the only thing that can keep your second home safe. Hire a landscaping service to make the property look lived in.
When I’m not vacationing in the mountains, I’m testing home security systems. After hundreds of hours of work, I’ve rounded up the best options for second-home owners. Chances are, you’ll find the right security system for your cabin in the woods, European pied-à-terre, or Airbnb rental property on this list.
What to Look for in a Vacation Home Security System
- Diversity of equipment: Extras aren’t so extra for a vacation property. Look for flood, freeze, heat, tilt, and mailbox sensors.
- Smart home automation: Smart lights, locks, and thermostats can keep your second home safe and sound. Your security system should be smart enough to work with them.
- Professional monitoring: You can’t watch over your Airbnb rental 24/7, but professional alarm monitoring agents can.
- Mobile app: A good security app makes it easy to peek at your property from anywhere.
- Price: Vacation homes are expensive enough, so don’t spend more than you have to on security.
>> Read More: How Much Is a Home Security System?
Comparison of the Best Vacation Home Security Systems
| System |
SimpliSafe
|
Vivint
|
Frontpoint
|
Ring Alarm
|
abode
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ranking | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th |
| Ratings | 9.2/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.9/10 | 7.7/10 | 8.0/10 |
| Installation | DIY or professional | Professional | DIY or professional | DIY or professional | DIY or professional |
| Smart platform integration | Alexa, Google Assistant | Alexa, Google Assistant | Alexa, Google Assistant | Alexa | Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant |
| App Store rating | 4.8/5 | 4.6/5 | 4.3/5 | 4.6/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Better Business Bureau rating | A+ | C+ | A+ | B+ | D+ |
| Equipment package prices | Starting at $279.95 | Starting at $599 | Starting at $541.91 | Starting at $199.99 | Starting at $139.99 |
| Read Review | SimpliSafe Review | Vivint Review | Frontpoint Review | Ring Alarm Review | abode Review |
Summary of the Best Vacation Home Security Systems
- SimpliSafe - Best Overall
- Vivint - Best with Professional Installation
- Frontpoint - Best Customer Service
- Ring Alarm - Best for Amazon Subscribers
- abode - Best for Apple HomeKit Users
>> Read About: Best Apple Home Security Systems
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1. SimpliSafe - Best Overall
View Packages Links to SimpliSafeProduct 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 SimpliSafe Overview
If you listen to podcasts, you’ve almost certainly already heard that “there’s no safe like SimpliSafe.”1 But SimpliSafe boasts more than a healthy podcast advertising budget. It sells one of the best DIY home security systems on the market.
This isn’t the first time SimpliSafe has made it to the top of our “best of” lists, and for good reason. It has a top-rated mobile app, it offers top-of-the-line monitoring, and it’s dead-simple to purchase and install. (Seriously. Compare SimpliSafe with Vivint. SimpliSafe will take you about five minutes to order and about 30 to install, while Vivint will require hours of negotiating with a sales rep, going over contracts, and supervising installation.)
I can tell you first-hand, however, that your experience with SimpliSafe will vary widely depending on how much you pay. The most expensive SimpliSafe package comes with everything a vacation home owner could dream of. The cheapest? Not so much.
SimpliSafe’s full device lineup What We Like
- Live guard protection available
- Top-rated mobile app
- Affordable environmental sensors
- Sleek, modern design
What We Don’t Like
- Not compatible with Apple HomeKit
- Basic product range
- No touchscreen control panel
SimpliSafe Equipment
Does SimpliSafe offer everything you need to watch over your vacation home? Yes, with a caveat. You can get all the security devices you’d expect (burglary sensors, security cameras) plus the extras (flood sensors, temperature sensors), but you don’t have much room to upgrade.
To see what I mean, check out the camera options. You can get an indoor camera, an outdoor camera, and a video doorbell. There’s no super-powered cameras you can pay a premium for if you want to. Compared to Arlo, SimpliSafe cameras are positively basic. Want 4K video quality? Look elsewhere.
SimpliSafe keypad SimpliSafe Smart Home
SimpliSafe is strictly security-oriented. Unlike competitors Ring and Vivint, it doesn’t sell smart home products on its site. Want to install smart lighting at your vacation home? That’s a great idea, since smart lights can turn on when you’re gone and keep intruders guessing. But you can’t buy those bulbs from SimpliSafe.
SimpliSafe plays well with other smart devices though. You can connect the security system to your August Smart Locks and command it with Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa.
FYI: You can’t disarm your SimpliSafe system by asking Alexa or Google. That’s a feature, not a bug. Imagine if a bad guy broke in. You wouldn’t want him telling Alexa to go to sleep, would you?
I have bad news for Apple HomeKit users. You can arm and disarm your SimpliSafe system with an Apple Watch, but that’s about it. SimpliSafe is not compatible with Apple HomeKit.
SimpliSafe Professional Monitoring
In 2023, SimpliSafe added a feature I’m really excited about: live video guard. When your alarm is triggered, a real person will watch the security footage to see what’s up. If it’s a prowler, your SimpliSafe guard can shout at them through the speaker.
Let’s say a burglar creeps into your Airbnb property at 3 a.m. You’re fast asleep, so you don’t hear the notification from your SimpliSafe app. Lucky for you, someone else is paying attention. A SimpliSafe employee uses the speaker to say, “Leave now, the police are on their way.” There’s a good chance the burglar will scram.
You can’t always be at your vacation rental to scare off intruders, but a virtual guard is the next best thing. How much do you have to pay for that service? Just $29.99 per month. It’s included in the Fast Protect plan.
FYI: Sound familiar? Ring Alarm recently rolled out a similar feature — for a much higher price. Read more about Ring Alarm vs. SimpliSafe.
SimpliSafe Mobile App
I love SimpliSafe’s app, and so do everyday users. It has a 4.4 rating on the Google Play store and a 4.8 rating on the Apple App Store. One user wrote, “The basic configuration allows for a very simple setup that will satisfy 95% of the users. For those that want to fiddle with it, you have the option to modify operational parameters on a sensor-by-sensor basis.”
“Modify operational parameters on a sensor-by-sensor basis” may sound pretty advanced, but it’s actually standard. In my testing, I found the SimpliSafe app to be user-friendly like Frontpoint’s app. It just lacked some of the more helpful smart-home automation options that Frontpoint and other premium providers offer. If you’re looking for simplicity and a well-designed interface, however, the SimpliSafe app gets the job done.
SimpliSafe App Motion Detection Settings SimpliSafe Price
SimpliSafe isn’t the cheapest name in the game — that title may go to Eufy — but it’s pretty darn affordable. Expect to pay between $300 and $500 for equipment and $30 a month for advanced professional monitoring. You could save money by downgrading your monthly plan, but we wouldn’t recommend it since $30 per month is already a great value.
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2. Vivint - Best with Professional Installation
View Packages Links to VivintProduct Specs
Equipment costs Starting at $449 Monitoring options Professional Monthly monitoring costs Starting from $30 per month Contract lengths Starting at 42 months Installation options Professional Smart platform integration Alexa and Google Home Vivint Overview
Ever had your Sunday afternoon interrupted by a Vivint rep? Yeah, me too. (Sorry, Steve! I’ve spent hundreds of hours testing Vivint systems. You don’t need to sell me on them.)
Vivint Panel video doorbell view The sales tactics can be annoying, but the system is excellent. A Vivint package can include high-quality security devices and smart devices. You can control your Vivint lights, locks, and thermostat all in the handy-dandy Vivint app.
That’s ideal when you’re 1,000 miles away. Want to unlock the family cabin so your niece can visit? Do it in the Vivint app. Need to bump up the heat so the pipes don’t freeze? Guess what: You can do that in the Vivint app too.
Of course, that comprehensive package comes with a price. Comparing Ring and Vivint is like comparing a Camry and a Tesla. Vivint may be nicer, but it also costs a lot more.
Did You Know: In 2021, Vivint was in hot water with the Federal Trade Commission for misusing credit reports.2
What We Like
- Wide range of devices
- High quality cameras
- Complete smart home integration
What We Don’t Like
- Not compatible with Apple HomeKit
- Cancellation, moving, and repair fees
- Pricey
Vivint Equipment
Vivint sells basically any and every security device you could think of. Here’s a non-comprehensive list:
- Hub and touchscreen panel
- Entryway and motion sensors
- Indoor and outdoor cameras
- Video doorbell camera
- Glass-break sensors
- Smart drive
- Car guard
- Smart lock
- Garage door controller
- Smart thermostat
- Spotlight
- Water sensor
- Flood, freeze, and heat sensor
- Tilt sensor
Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro (Gen 2) Vivint Smart Home
Vivint doesn’t just integrate with smart home systems; it is a smart home system. You can get Vivint-brand smart thermostats, light bulbs, smoke detectors, and more.
FYI: Into Vivint for the Airbnb integration? Bad news: It was discontinued.3 Vivint used to automatically send Airbnb guests a unique entry code. It was super convenient for hosts, but the companies ended their partnership in 2018 and there has been no word on a relaunch.
It also integrates with other popular smart home products and systems, such as:
- Nest thermostat
- Hue bulbs
- Google Assistant
- Amazon Alexa
Apple HomeKit gets left behind, however. (Spoiler alert: Almost every security brand leaves Apple HomeKit behind.)
You can put those Vivint (and Vivint-compatible) smart devices to work. One automation that will come in handy for your vacation home is linking motion detection to lighting. When your outdoor camera senses someone at the front door, your smart lights can turn on. If that someone is your Airbnb guest, great! They can see. If that someone is a burglar, that’s also great! They’ll think twice about breaking in.
Vivint Professional Monitoring
If you sign a Vivint contract, you sign up for professional monitoring. It’s about $30 of that opaque monthly fee, but it’s worth it. The Vivint Smart Hub has a two-way talk feature you can use to contact your monitoring team directly. When I tripped the alarm during testing for our Vivint review, I used the Hub to explain what happened.
FYI: In testing, I found Vivint’s incident response time was about 30 seconds. That’s on the speedier end of the industry standard. If there’s a break-in, flood, or fire at your vacation rental, Vivint will get emergency services there to help ASAP.
Vivint Mobile App
Vivint Thermostat in the app Vivint offers more than just a security app. It’s a smart home command center. You can use it to set rules such as “lock the door after five incorrect entry attempts” or “notify me if motion is detected in the front yard.” Not much of a techie? That’s fine. The Vivint app makes automations super simple. You just turn a slider on or off.
Smart home automation is cool, but what about the basics? I ran into zero issues with lag or bugs when I tested the Vivint app, but some Android users report super-slow video. The app’s Google Play rating is 4.1 and Apple App Store rating is 4.6. Not bad.
Vivint Price
How much does Vivint cost? That’s a little bit like asking how much a car costs. It depends on how nice of a package you choose, whether you get a loan, and how well you negotiate with the sales rep.
Expect to pay at least $600 for equipment and $40 per month for monitoring and other services. And don’t forget about fees! Take-down, installation, and repair all cost extra.
When you compare Vivint to ADT, that seems standard. The 150-year-old ADT also charges in the ballpark of $50 per month for a few years. That’s the traditional security company business model, but it seems awfully high when you compare Vivint to a newcomer like SimpliSafe. You can pay as little as $153.97 up front for a discounted SimpliSafe system, and professional monitoring starts at $19.99 a month. Of course, you get what you pay for: That lower price doesn’t include the same features or devices as a Vivint system.
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3. Frontpoint - Best Customer Service
View Packages Links to FrontpointProduct Specs
Equipment Costs Starting at $386.93 Monitoring Options Professional only Monthly Monitoring Costs Starting at $49.99 Contract Lengths 1-36 months Installation Options DIY Smart Platform Integration Alexa and Google Home Frontpoint Overview
I’ve been testing Frontpoint security systems since the 2010s. At this point, the company feels like an old friend — partly because I can pick up the phone and chat with them anytime I want.
Seriously. Call Frontpoint, and they’ll answer — unlike some other brands. When I compared Frontpoint to Vivint, I found Frontpoint’s customer service was much better for a fraction of the price.
That stand-out customer service earned it a place on this list. Trying to deal with a security-system hiccup from several states away? Real human beings will help. That’s a huge selling point for vacation-home owners.
Frontpoint System FYI: Frontpoint has an A+ Better Business Bureau rating.4 That’s the highest rating on our list other than SimpliSafe, which also has a perfect rating.
What We Like
- Excellent customer service
- Can include smart devices
- Usually deeply discounted
What We Don’t Like
- Not compatible with Apple HomeKit
- Pricey monthly monitoring fee
- Large entry sensors
Frontpoint Equipment
Frontpoint offers everything you would expect from a home security company: cameras, contact sensors, and keypads. It also sells some of the extras you need to look after a second home. That includes:
- Smoke and heat sensors
- Garage tilt sensors
- Flood sensors
- Smart locks
- Wireless light controls
Although some pieces of equipment require plugging in, none of them need to be hardwired to your home. Frontpoint Smart Home
Frontpoint may not be compatible with Apple HomeKit — remember, few systems are! — but it works great with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. It also supports smart locks and smart lighting. If you’re not a smart home nerd, you may be wondering what that actually means.
When I tested Frontpoint, it meant I could automate a heck of a lot. Here’s what happened as soon as I armed the system:
- The front door locked (shout out to Yale Smart Lock!).
- The dining room light turned on (to make it look like someone was home).
- The upstairs lights turned off (to save electricity).
Not half bad, right?
Frontpoint Professional Monitoring
Compared to SimpliSafe, Frontpoint monitoring is pretty pricey. SimpliSafe’s nicest monitoring package costs $29.99 per month, but Frontpoint’s Interactive Monitoring plan is $44.99 per month — and it doesn’t include home automation. For that, you’ll have to pay an extra $5 per month for the Ultimate Monitoring plan.
If you shell out that $50, you can expect faster-than-average response times. Think 25 seconds instead of 30. Since you’re not always there to protect your vacation home, every second counts.
Frontpoint Mobile App
The Frontpoint mobile app earned a decent 3.8 rating on the Google Play store and a 4.3 on the Apple App Store. But more importantly, what did I think? When I tested Frontpoint, I found it easy to arm the system, control smart devices, and livestream security camera footage in the app.
That means you can always use the Frontpoint app to check on your vacation rental. Worried you forgot to turn down the heat between guests? Pull up the Frontpoint app and adjust the temperature.
Frontpoint Mobile App Frontpoint Price
I have a bone to pick with Frontpoint. Its equipment is affordable, but it pretends it isn’t. Here’s what I mean: On the Frontpoint website, the first thing you see is a Starter Home Security System for $541.91 miraculously discounted to $79. Except the discount is almost always active. Why not just set a lower price, Frontpoint?
The point is, that Frontpoint package is more affordable than you may think at a glance. Read the fine print and check for discounts.
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4. Ring Alarm - Best for Amazon Subscribers
View on Amazon Links to Ring AlarmProduct 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 
Ring Alarm Overview
You’ve probably heard of Ring, but you may have dismissed it for your vacation home security. Too cheap. Too limited. You need more than just a doorbell.
Well, you may want to check out the Ring website. Things have changed in the past few years, and Ring now offers a lot more than doorbells.
Ring System >> Read About: Ring 2 vs. Ring Pro Doorbell
You can get everything you need for a seamlessly integrated smart home from Ring: smart lights, flood sensors, range extenders, and more. You can also use a smart speaker to manage all of it — as long as that smart speaker is an Amazon Echo. One reason Ring Alarm didn’t make it to the top of our list? It doesn’t play nice with other brands. Google and Apple loyalists, look elsewhere.
What We Like
- Great value monitoring plan
- Extensive selection of smart devices
- Affordable equipment
What We Don’t Like
- Amazon-heavy smart home integration
- Connectivity issues
Ring Alarm Equipment
Ring sells tons of camera options. There’s the Ring Indoor Cam, Ring Stick Up Cam, and Ring Doorbell. You can choose from solar, battery, and plug-in power. And don’t forget the floodlights and sirens.
Everything included with the Ring Alarm Pro That range extends to its other security devices too. You can buy all that from the Ring website:
- Smart smoke alarm
- Flood and freeze sensor
- Mailbox sensor
- Gate access controller
- Smart bulb
- Smart lighting transformer and bridge
The only problem? They don’t always work. When I reviewed Ring Alarm, I dinged them a point for inconsistent connectivity. It took two or three tries to get the Hub to install correctly.
Ring Alarm Smart Home
The list of smart devices you can connect to your Ring Alarm system is about a mile long. It’s perfect for the smart home geek (the smart home geek who loves Amazon, anyway).
As you may expect from a brand owned by Amazon, Ring works best with Alexa. Google Assistant can review notifications and start recording, but that’s about it. (Don’t bother asking about Apple HomeKit. You already know the answer.)
Works With Ring
- Amazon Smart Thermostat
- Honeywell Smart Thermostat
- Yale Smart Lock
- Schlage Smart Lock
- Level Smart Lock
- First Alert Smart Carbon Monoxide Monitor
- Dome Siren
- GE Smart Switch
- Leviton Smart Switch
- Leviton Smart Outlet
- Ecolink Garage Tilt Sensor
- Chamberlain Garage Door Opener
- Flo by Moen Smart Water Shutoff
- Amazon Echo Dot
- Amazon Echo Show
Ring Alarm Professional Monitoring
Ring Protect Pro is one of the best bangs for your buck in the business. For $20 per month, you get detailed notifications, cellular backup, and, of course, 24/7 professional monitoring.
For context, compare Ring Alarm to ADT. Ring is 40 percent cheaper, and it doesn’t require a contract.
More interested in security than saving money? Spring for the $99-a-month Virtual Security Guard plan.5 Similar to SimpliSafe’s live guard feature, the Virtual Security Guard plan allows a remote professional monitor to view your security camera footage and scare off prowlers.
Ring Alarm Mobile App
The Ring Alarm app is not only a nice feature, but it’s also the heart of the system. When I tested it, I realized it was the easiest way to control every device in the house. I could even change motion-detector sensitivity in the app!
Users seem impressed. It has a 4.6 rating on Google Play and the Apple App Store.
But there’s one big problem: in-app advertising. The Always Home app occasionally notifies users of promotions on Ring products. If you have a vacation home, every piece of information from your security app is important. You do not want your feed clogged with ads.
Ring App – Motion Zones Ring Alarm Price
Ring Alarm systems start at about $200, but that number can climb quickly once you start adding compatible smart devices to your cart. A Hue lightbulb here, an Echo Dot there, and soon you could be looking at closer to $1,000.
Ring Alarm Packages
- Five-piece security kit: $199.99
- Eight-piece security kit: $249.99
- 10-piece security kit: $259.99
- 14-piece security kit: $349.99
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5. abode - Best for Apple HomeKit Users
View Packages Links to abodeProduct 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 
Abode Overview
Apple HomeKit users, I haven’t forgotten about you! There’s one top-rated easy-install security system that fully integrates with Apple’s smart home system: Abode.
It has more than that going for it. I love its all-in-one sensor that detects light, temperature, and humidity. That’s exactly the kind of functionality you want from a vacation-home security system.
abode Camera What We Like
- Compatible with all major smart home platforms
- Convenient environmental multi-sensor
- Affordable equipment
What We Don’t Like
- History of security breaches
- Key features require advanced plan
- Key features taken away
Abode Equipment
At first glance, it looks like Abode’s equipment range is pretty limited. You have the basics — siren, contact sensor, smoke alarm — but what about those environmental sensors we’ve been talking so much about?
The Abode multi-sensor detects motion, light, temperature, and humidity. Does your beach hut have a damp, leaky bathroom? The sensor can alert you before the mold starts growing. Did a bat move into the attic of your country home? The sensor will see the flapping and alert you. That one device helps the minimalist Abode package punch above its weight.
Abode Smart Home
Abode is a smart home enthusiast’s dream security system. It’s compatible with Amazon, Google, and Apple (finally!). It plays well with most brands of smart lightbulb, lock, and thermostat, and you can control all of it in Abode’s platform, CUE. In Abode’s words, CUE “makes home automation easy and approachable” with simple if/then rules for your smart devices.6
Abode Professional Monitoring
For $20 per month, Abode offers 24/7, U.S.–based professional monitoring. That’s the same price as Ring Alarm, and it’s one of the best deals in the business.
Abode Mobile App
Apple users gave the Abode app a solid 4.2, but Android users were a little harder to please. They gave the app a 3.3.
One reason for the low Android rating? Complexity. In our Abode review, we found the app’s abundance of automations (say that three times fast) a little overwhelming, but the engineers among you may appreciate the ability to tinker.
abode App Abode Price
A bare-bones Abode package costs $139.99. You can add on the multi-sensor for $59.99, a water-leak sensor for $49.99, and anything else you need at checkout.
Pro Tip: On a budget? Check out Abode’s refurbished section, where you can get used devices for less.
Why You Should Get a Security System for Your Vacation Home
Not convinced your vacation home needs a security system? Here are a few arguments that may convince you.
Protect Your Rental
Plan to convert your property to a short-term vacation rental? Don’t plan to get a home security system? Before you go ahead, read what happened to Chelsea McGovern.
She rented her property on Airbnb. Her guest said he was inviting a few friends. According to McGovern, he let in about 300 and they proceeded to trash the place.7
Protect yourself. Get a home security system. It will sense every entry and exit. It will record every unwelcome guest. That is valuable evidence if, God forbid, you have to submit a claim to Airbnb’s damages fund.
FYI: Airbnb has rules about whether and how you can use home security devices. You can record common spaces, such as driveways and front doors. You can’t record private spaces, such as bedrooms and bathrooms.8
Detect Damage
Naughty guests aren’t the only source of damage. Good old Mother Nature can hurt your home away from home too. Snowbird? A hurricane could flood your beach house. Got a chalet in Aspen? The pipes could burst.
A security system designed with vacation homes in mind can help. Environmental sensors detect disaster before it destroys your digs.
Deter Burglars
A vacation home is an easy target. A vacation home with a souped-up security system? Not so much.
>> Read More: How to Keep Your Home Safe While You’re On Vacation
How to Secure Your Vacation Home
Once you’ve picked the perfect security system for your vacation home or rental, it’s time to make sure it’s up and running.
- Set up security cameras: Security cameras are the eyes — and, with two-way audio, ears — of your security system. Ideally, you should install indoor, outdoor, and doorbell cameras at your vacation home, so you can always check out what’s going on. We’ve done some research on the best cameras for Airbnb.
- Install smart lights: We all know turning on the lights is a simple way to deter intruders, but you know what will really freak them out? Linking the lights to a front door motion detector. If someone tests your front door handle in the middle of the night, they’ll get a spotlight they didn’t expect.
- Add environmental sensors: Don’t skip a flood and freeze sensor. Install devices that check for natural disasters as well as property theft.
- Arm your system: It sounds like a no-brainer, but it’s easy to forget. Make sure your vacation home alarm is set to “away” mode. It won’t help you if it’s off.
- Download the app: It’s 2024. The best security systems have apps, so download yours and learn how to use it. That motion-detector notification could be a sign someone is breaking into your vacation rental.
Other Tips for Keeping Burglars and Package Thieves Away From Your Vacation Home
- Tame your yard: Letting your grass grow long is like posting a sign on your lawn that says, “No one’s home!” Don’t do that. I recommend hiring a landscaper.
- Park your car out front: If you have an extra car, consider parking it at your vacation home. It’s one more way to trick intruders into thinking there’s someone inside.
- Pause your mail: A stack of mail or newspapers is another sign you’re out of town. It’s easy to set up mail forwarding with the U.S. Postal Service.
- Phone a friend: Hopefully you’ve made friends with a neighbor or two at your home away from home. Ask them to check on your property once in a while, or at least pick up packages you aren’t there to receive.
Our Methodology: How I Tested and Ranked These Security Systems
I didn’t pull this list out of nowhere. I drew on years of experience testing these security systems, and then I compared the test results to criteria that really matter for vacation homes. Every option on our list offers environmental sensors, professional monitoring, smart home integration, and an easy-to-use mobile app — all at a reasonable price.
Equipment
The security systems I recommend for vacation homes don’t just have contact sensors and keypads. That’s the bare minimum. I looked for security systems that offer some, if not all, of these devices too:
- Flood sensors
- Freeze sensors
- Humidity sensors
- Temperature sensors
- Tilt sensors
- Mailbox sensors
- Carbon monoxide sensors
Pro Tip: You can skip the flood sensor at your home, but you should not skip it at your second home, where floodwater could sit for months before you see it.
Smart Home
A smart home is a safe home. Smart lights, locks, and thermostats aren’t just gimmicks — they deter intruders and detect disasters. That’s why the brands we picked either sell smart devices or integrate smart devices.
Pro Tip: Your favorite home security system isn’t compatible with your Apple HomeKit? Try Homebridge.9 You may be able to jury-rig compatibility.
Professional Monitoring
I stand by my favorite self-monitored security systems for your everyday home. For your vacation home or Airbnb rental though? Nah. You need help from the professionals. Every brand on this list offers top-notch 24/7 monitoring.
Mobile App
If you want to keep an eye on your vacation property, you need a security system with a mobile app. The app will let you arm and disarm your security system, view video footage, and review alerts no matter where you are — as long as it works. A buggy, unsafe security app is worse than no app at all. All of our picks have at least a 4.2 App Store rating.
Price
Just because you dropped big bucks on a vacation home doesn’t mean you want to drop more to protect it. Our favorite home security systems for second homes get you real bang for your buck.
That’s one reason Deep Sentinel didn’t make our list. I love that Deep Sentinel’s live guards can yell at intruders to “git!” in real time, but SimpliSafe offers a similar feature for a fraction of the price.
Recap
Whether you’re managing a vacation rental or protecting a vacation home, a security system can help. If you choose the right one, that is.
Don’t worry. I spent countless hours combing through dozens of home security brands to find the best options. For most vacation homes, SimpliSafe is the best choice. It’s affordable and customizable, and it comes with a top-rated mobile app. I also stand by Vivint, Frontpoint, Ring Alarm, and Abode.
FAQs
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Is it legal to install a home security system at my vacation rental property?
Yes, but you can’t place cameras in any location where a guest has a reasonable expectation of privacy. Front door? Fine. Bathrooms or bedrooms? Not fine.
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Is a security system enough to protect my vacation home?
I recommend installing a home security system with motion detectors and environmental sensors, so you’ll be protected from both intruders and Mother Nature. That alone won’t keep your vacation home totally safe. You should also take a few common-sense precautions to make your home look occupied. Park a car out front. Ask a neighbor to pick up packages. Hire a landscaping service to mow your lawn or plow the snow from your driveway.
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Do I have to get a security system for my vacation home?
At the end of the day, it’s up to you. But you should know that a vacation home is an attractive target for burglars, since there’s no one there to protect it for most of the year. Getting a security system can make your property seem like less of an easy target.
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Can I monitor my vacation home when I’m away?
If you have security cameras and your security provider’s companion app, you can peek at your vacation home from anywhere.
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What is the best vacation home alarm system?
According to my extensive research and testing, the best alarm systems for vacation homes are SimpliSafe, Vivint, Frontpoint, Ring Alarm, and Abode.
SimpliSafe. (2022). SimpliSafe Debuts New Advertising Campaign Spotlighting Their Commitment to Protect.
prnewswire.com/news-releases/simplisafe-debuts-new-advertising-campaign-spotlighting-their-commitment-to-protect-301633362.htmlFederal Trade Commission. (2021). $20 million settlement with smart home company Vivint shuts the door on a different form of identity deception.
ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2021/04/20-million-settlement-smart-home-company-vivint-shuts-door-different-form-identity-deceptionVivint. (2024). Airbnb – Overview.
support.vivint.com/article/airbnb-overviewBetter Business Bureau. (2024). FrontPoint Security Solutions, LLC.
bbb.org/us/va/arcola/profile/burglar-alarm-systems/frontpoint-security-solutions-llc-0241-213917567Ring. (2024). Virtual Security Guard.
ring.com/virtual-security-guard-real-time-monitoringabode. (2024). Meet abode CUE.
goabode.com/smart-home/cueABCNews. (2018). Airbnb guest accused of throwing wild house party that caused over $18,000 in damages.
abcnews.go.com/US/airbnb-guest-accused-throwing-wild-house-party-caused/story?id=53740122Airbnb. (2024). Use of cameras and recording devices.
airbnb.com/help/article/3061Homebridge. (2024). Homepage.
homebridge.io/