What is the best overall home security system?

If you have the money to spend, a professional home security system is the best route. Due to its affordable service, no-contract options and compatibility with dozens of third-party smart home gadgets from smart locks to smart thermostats, our top-rated, professionally installed home security system is currently Comcast Xfinity Home. For those looking to spend less and are happy to set it up themselves, DIY is the clear choice. Our top-rated pick for DIY home security system is Ring Alarm Pro, not only due to its reliable security performance but all of the bells and whistles that most other DIY systems don’t have, including backup Wi-Fi in case of power outages, Alexa Guard Plus integration and the option for local storage and processing.

Whether you go the DIY home security route or opt for a professionally installed setup, choosing the right security system for your home is a big decision. Once you start your research, you’ll realize there’s no shortage of options ranging from highly customizable DIY systems available from brands like Ring, SimpliSafe and Wyze to low-hassle, professional monitoring services from ADT, Vivint and others. More competition in the home security market brings new advances, features and compatibilities with internet-connected gadgets like indoor and outdoor cameras, video doorbells and smart locks. It also brings new vulnerabilities, including an increased risk of hacking. It’s a lot to take in, and today’s home security providers don’t always make it easy to comparison-shop. That’s where we come in. We’ve put numerous security systems to the test, from top-of-the-line monitored systems with professional installation to wallet-friendly DIY home security system alternatives.

Best home security systems of 2023

Factors to consider when choosing a home security system

When choosing a home security system for your home, you may be tempted to start with deciding between a DIY setup or one that is professionally installed and monitored. However, when you consider the equipment, installation, monitoring options and other features you want, you’ll probably reach a DIY-versus-pro system decision along the way. Here’s some more parameters to consider when shopping around for home security systems:

Equipment and installation

Do you just need to keep watch over your entryways? A good video doorbell for your front door and an outdoor camera covering the back may be all you need — easy to install and monitor yourself. However, if you want to keep closer tabs on your home inside and out with 24/7 monitoring and quick access to emergency response services, you’ll want a more robust system. DIY and professional brands offer home security bundles with most, if not all, of the equipment you’d need to get started and the ability to add single devices as needed.

Most home security devices are compatible with Alexa and Google Home smart hubs, but if you prefer Apple HomeKit or another smart home ecosystem, you may have to do a bit more shopping and comparing to find a system compatible with your existing smart home devices. Don’t fret over compatibility too much, however, as Matter will make it easier to connect previously noncompatible devices.

Keep in mind all that equipment will need to be installed. While there isn’t much to installing a security camera or even a wired video doorbell, whole-home systems can be a bit more demanding to install and set up. If you’d rather leave that to an expert, and have them walk you through how to use the system, a professional home security service may be the way to go.

Monitoring, alerts and emergency features

Virtually all home security systems allow for self-monitoring, likely via an app on your phone. They’ll also send you push notifications when there’s an event, such as when a package is delivered to your doorstep. 

Consider whether you want to be in charge of all the monitoring or if you’d like some support. A professional system will come with 24/7 monitoring, but you may be able to add professional monitoring to your DIY system for a fee, depending on the brand you choose.

More advanced features, such as facial recognition, broken glass detection and communication with emergency services may not be available from all manufacturers and devices. Consider the level of monitoring you want, and who you want to do it, along with the emergency response options, when choosing a home security system.

Costs, upfront and ongoing

I listed “cost” last here for a reason. A complete home security system will likely cost you at least a couple of hundred bucks, so be prepared for that. There’s the potential to spend lots more on equipment, of course, or a lot less — maybe a $35 security camera will satisfy your security needs. 

Still, the upfront cost of a home security system is roughly the same from one brand to the next, so don’t let cost be the deciding factor. Find a system that has the equipment, installation options, monitoring and features you want first, then compare pricing.

That said, ongoing costs can carry a bit more weight when choosing the best security system. Expect ongoing monthly fees from a professional service and possibly a contract to lock you into those fees for a year or two. While not ideal, signing a contract may come with free equipment or installation and lower upfront costs.

If you’re comfortable with self-monitoring, DIY systems may not come with any ongoing costs. Monthly subscriptions (without a contract) for cloud storage, enhanced features and possibly even professional monitoring are typically an option with DIY systems, often for lower monthly fees than professional services.

How we test home security systems

Hands-on testing is core to our evaluations of any home security products. In short, when it comes to the best home security systems, we pay special attention to the user experience, the promised features, reliability and overall value — along with a few other elements. We do the testing in a real home environment over the course of at least a full week. 

If you want to read more about our review process, check out our in-depth article on how we test home security systems and services.

Other home security systems we’ve tested

Besides the systems above, we’ve tested many of the top competitors, including Abode, Abode Iota, Frontpoint, Kangaroo, Ring Alarm, Cove and ADT. Abode and Abode’s all-in-one security camera Iota were both solid contenders that couldn’t quite match SimpliSafe’s price, but they’re worth checking out if you’re interested in DIY smart home systems for small spaces or systems that don’t require monitoring subscriptions. Ring Alarm is another solid DIY option, but the company’s problems with police partnerships tip us away from recommending it — especially when a company like Wyze offers such a strong, budget-friendly alternative.

DIY systems Frontpoint, Cove and Kangaroo all had features to recommend them. Frontpoint’s system is reliable and its hardware is reasonably priced, but its $45 monthly monitoring fee is too expensive. Kangaroo, by contrast, is incredibly wallet-friendly but its doorbell camera is terrible, so Wyze keeps its edge in the budget category too. Cove Home Security, despite reasonable hardware prices, fell to an overly restrictive subscription model that doesn’t allow for self-monitoring or app access without significant monthly fees.

ADT, one of the biggest brands we’ve tested, was broadly disappointing. It’s too expensive, requires a contract and the app is clunky. We’ve tested AT&T Digital Life, too, though we’ve removed the system from consideration since the company stopped installing it for new customers.

Home security system FAQs