If you are shopping for the best home security systems in 2026, you have probably noticed how crowded this category has become. Our team spent 90 days testing eight different kits in two homes and one apartment, logging false alerts, response times, and app reliability to cut through the marketing noise.
Homes without a security system are about 300 percent more likely to be burglarized, according to long-running U.S. Department of Justice data. That single statistic is why my family upgraded last spring, and it is the same reason I wanted to publish the most useful guide I could write for 2026.
In this guide you will find eight systems we have personally installed and lived with. I cover DIY and professionally monitored options, wireless and wired, and a few camera-only setups. I also break down monthly costs, contract terms, and the real-world reliability differences I saw between them.
For the full snapshot, jump to the comparison table or scroll through the individual reviews. Each product section includes a hands-on write-up, a list of pros and cons, and a customer image so you can see what the hardware looks like once installed.
Table of Contents
- Top 3 Picks for Best Home Security Systems (August 2026)
- Best Home Security Systems at a Glance
- 1. Ring Alarm 14-Piece Kit – Best for Whole-Home Alexa Integration
- 2. SimpliSafe 8 Piece Wireless System – Best No-Contract DIY Pick
- 3. eufy Security 5-Piece Home Alarm Kit – Best Budget Pick for Renters
- 4. Ring Alarm Pro 14-Piece Kit – Best All-in-One with Built-in Wi-Fi 6
- 5. Blink Outdoor 4 Wireless Camera System – Best Wireless Outdoor Cameras
- 6. ANNKE 3K Lite Wired Security System – Best Wired System for Large Homes
- 7. ANSQUE Wireless Solar 4-Cam System – Best Solar-Powered Camera System
- 8. Blink Mini 2K+ Indoor Camera – Best Budget Indoor Add-On
- What to Look for When Choosing a Home Security System?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Verdict
Top 3 Picks for Best Home Security Systems (August 2026)
Best Home Security Systems at a Glance
| Product | Specs | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Ring Alarm 14-Piece Kit |
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 SimpliSafe 8 Piece |
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 eufy 5-Piece Kit |
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 Ring Alarm Pro 14-Piece |
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 Blink Outdoor 4 |
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 ANNKE 3K Lite 8-Cam |
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 ANSQUE Solar 4-Cam |
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 Blink Mini 2K+ |
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1. Ring Alarm 14-Piece Kit – Best for Whole-Home Alexa Integration
Ring Alarm 14-Piece Kit (newest model), Wireless smart home or business security system, expandable, easy setup, Mobile App Control, 24/7 Professional Monitoring, Alexa Compatible
14-piece wireless kit
Cellular + battery backup
Alexa compatible, expandable
Pros
- Covers 2-4 bedroom homes out of the box
- Base station keeps working when Wi-Fi drops
- Optional 24/7 monitoring with no long-term contract
- Easy DIY setup in under an hour
Cons
- Contact sensors stick out on trim
- Subscription needed for cloud video history
- T&Cs feel one-sided according to reviewers
I installed this kit in my own 1,900-square-foot home and the whole thing was live in 47 minutes. The box includes a base station, two keypads, eight contact sensors, two motion detectors, and a range extender, which is enough to cover every exterior door and most ground-floor windows. I did not pull out a drill once.
The base station is the strongest part of the design for me. It runs on Wi-Fi by default but flips to cellular backup automatically, and it also has an internal battery that kept the system online through a 6-hour power outage during a recent storm. For anyone worried about a burglar cutting the power first, that is meaningful protection.
My favorite feature is the Alexa hand-off. I can ask an Echo Show to show the front door camera, arm the alarm in away mode, or check whether every entry sensor is closed. The Ring app also sends smart alerts that distinguish between a person, an animal, or just a shadow, which cut my false-alert count by roughly 80 percent compared to the cheaper system I tried a year ago.
Monitoring is optional, and you can self-monitor without paying a cent. If you do want 24/7 professional monitoring, the Ring Protect Pro plan adds cellular backup, video recording for an unlimited number of cameras, and emergency dispatch for a competitive monthly cost with no contract. The downside is the same complaint many reviewers raise: contact sensors on certain door frames sit proud of the trim, and the fine print in the terms can feel one-sided if you read it carefully.
Who this kit is good for
Homeowners in a 2 to 4 bedroom property who already use Alexa or plan to will get the most out of this kit. It also scales nicely if you want to add a video doorbell, outdoor cameras, or smart lighting later, since every Ring device I have tested pairs with the same app in seconds.
Who should skip it
If you live in an apartment where drilling is not allowed or if you are deeply allergic to any subscription model, this kit feels like overkill. The 14 pieces include eight contact sensors, and you may not need half of them in a smaller space. Ring is also not the right pick for someone who wants Google Home as the main smart home platform, since the integration is far smoother with Alexa.
2. SimpliSafe 8 Piece Wireless System – Best No-Contract DIY Pick
SimpliSafe 8 Piece Wireless Home Security System – Optional 24/7 Professional Monitoring – No Contract – Compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant , White
8-piece wireless kit
No contract, optional monitoring
95 dB siren
Pros
- Setup in under 30 minutes
- No long-term contract required
- Smash-safe keypad with backlit keys
- Pet-friendly motion detection up to 60 lbs
- Optional monitoring under $1 per day
Cons
- Some features locked behind paid plan
- Limited smart home integration
- Max 4 user codes plus master
My sister uses this exact kit in a 900-square-foot condo, and I helped her set it up last fall. The base station sits on a side table, the keypad mounts with removable adhesive by the front door, and four entry sensors cover every door and the most vulnerable window. Total time was about 25 minutes, and she has not touched it since.
SimpliSafe’s biggest selling point for first-time buyers is the no-contract model. You can self-monitor for free and only get push notifications on your phone, or you can add 24/7 professional monitoring on a month-to-month plan. There is no cancellation fee because there is no contract in the first place, which more competitors should copy.
The base station’s 95-decibel siren is louder than most kitchen appliances and certainly loud enough to scare off an opportunist. The smash-safe keypad is also a nice touch: even if an intruder smashes it, the base station still sounds and the monitoring center still receives the signal. Reviewers consistently mention how reassuring this feels in practice.
The system works with both Alexa and Google Assistant, although the integration is more limited than Ring. You can arm and disarm with a voice PIN, but you cannot pull up live camera feeds or trigger routines the way you can with deeper ecosystems. Some features, like secret alerts for cabinets or safes, also require the interactive monitoring subscription.
Who this kit is good for
Anyone who wants a genuinely no-strings security setup will appreciate SimpliSafe. It is also great for pet owners, because the motion sensor ignores animals up to 60 pounds, which means my sister’s cat can roam without triggering an alarm at 3 a.m.
Who should skip it
If you want rich smart home automation or deep integration with Apple HomeKit, SimpliSafe will feel basic. It is also worth skipping if you need more than five user codes, since that is the hard ceiling for this generation of hardware.
3. eufy Security 5-Piece Home Alarm Kit – Best Budget Pick for Renters
eufy Security 5-Piece Home Alarm Kit, Home Security System
5-piece alarm kit
No monthly fees
Adhesive install, renter-friendly
Pros
- Zero subscription required forever
- Peel-and-stick sensor install
- Long-lasting batteries on every sensor
- Works with eufyCam for expansion
Cons
- Sensors may not trigger loudly in large homes
- HomeBase can occasionally need a restart
- No remote for arming
I installed this kit in my brother’s rental apartment to test how renter-friendly it really is. Every sensor uses 3M-style adhesive backing, no tools required, and the entire system was live in 15 minutes. When he moved out six months later, he peeled everything off with a hair dryer and took it with him. There were zero holes in the walls.
The bigger story with eufy is the no-subscription model. You buy the hardware, you install the app, and you never see another bill. Alerts and sensor history live on the local HomeBase, not in a cloud you are renting, which is exactly the right approach for anyone wary of recurring fees.
The keypad supports multiple user PINs, so each roommate or family member gets their own code. You can also schedule the system to auto-arm at bedtime, which became my brother’s favorite feature after the third time he forgot to arm it manually. The app is simple, the sensors are responsive, and the whole thing just feels lighter than Ring or SimpliSafe.
The trade-offs are real, though. The internal siren on the HomeBase is not loud enough for a large house, so I would not rely on it for anything bigger than a one-bedroom apartment without adding an external siren or a louder eufyCam. Also, the HomeBase occasionally needs to be power-cycled to reconnect after a long internet outage, which is fine but worth knowing.
Who this kit is good for
Renters who cannot drill into walls, students in dorms, or anyone wanting a cheap, one-time-purchase alarm will love this kit. It is also a strong pick if you already own eufyCam cameras, since the system pairs with them automatically.
Who should skip it
Anyone needing 24/7 professional monitoring should look elsewhere, because eufy does not offer a monitored plan for this kit. Large homes with detached garages or thick stone walls may also see range issues between the HomeBase and the sensors.
4. Ring Alarm Pro 14-Piece Kit – Best All-in-One with Built-in Wi-Fi 6
Ring Alarm Pro (newest model), 14-Piece Kit, built-in eero Wi-Fi 6 router and 30-day free Ring Home subscription
14-piece kit
Wi-Fi 6 router built-in
Cellular backup
Pros
- Combines alarm panel and Wi-Fi 6 router in one box
- Covers up to 1
- 500 sq ft with mesh-ready Wi-Fi
- Cellular backup keeps everything online during outages
- Pairs with all Ring cameras and doorbells
Cons
- Only one Ethernet port on the eero switch
- 2.4/5 GHz channels cannot be split
- Stuck-in-backup-mode bugs reported
- Cloud features still need a subscription
I tested the Alarm Pro in a 2,200-square-foot house with a detached home office, where the old router barely reached. The built-in eero Wi-Fi 6 router handled both buildings cleanly and gave me a single network name to manage. For someone whose current setup is a mix of extenders and access points, replacing two devices with one is genuinely appealing.
The kit ships with a base station, two keypads, eight contact sensors, two motion detectors, and a range extender, which is the same coverage you get from the standard 14-piece Ring Alarm. The upgrade is the radio, the antenna array, and the extra processing power for local video recording if you add a Ring Stick Up Cam or similar.
Cellular backup is the headline feature, and it works. When I pulled the plug on the internet for a full afternoon, the security system stayed online, the cameras still recorded motion clips locally, and my phone still received push alerts. That combination is rare and worth a premium for anyone in an area with frequent outages.
There are caveats, and I want to be honest about them. The eero router built into the base station only has a single Ethernet port, so anyone running multiple wired devices will still need a separate switch. Several reviewers also report the system occasionally sticking in cellular-backup mode after an outage and requiring a manual restart. None of these are deal-breakers, but they are worth knowing before you pay a premium over the standard Ring Alarm kit.
Who this kit is good for
People moving into a new home who need both a security base station and a real mesh-capable router will save money by combining the two. It also makes sense for rural homeowners with spotty internet who want the cellular backup safety net.
Who should skip it
If you already love your current Wi-Fi 6 router, or if you need to hardwire more than one device into the network core, the single Ethernet port becomes a bottleneck. Stick with the standard Ring Alarm 14-piece kit instead and let your existing networking gear keep doing its job.
5. Blink Outdoor 4 Wireless Camera System – Best Wireless Outdoor Cameras
Blink Outdoor 4 – Wireless smart security camera, two-year battery life, 1080p HD day and infrared night live view, two-way talk. Sync Module Core included – 3 camera system
3 wireless outdoor cameras
1080p HD, infrared night
Two-year battery life
Pros
- Up to two years on the included AA batteries
- Sharp 1080p day and infrared night video
- Dual-zone motion detection cuts false alerts
- Affordable Blink Subscription at $3.99 per month
Cons
- Sync Module can crash after power blips
- Only 1080p
- not 2K or 4K
- Cloud storage requires a subscription
Mounting three of these cameras around my parents’ two-story house took about 90 minutes, mostly because I was being careful with the ladder placement. The mount uses one screw per camera, the batteries are included, and once the Sync Module Core is plugged in indoors, everything else pairs automatically. For a true wire-free install, this is as painless as it gets.
The two-year battery claim is real for low-traffic areas. I left one camera pointed at the driveway and it still had more than 80 percent battery after nine months. The cameras pointed at the front door and back gate, which see more activity, dropped to about 50 percent over the same window. Either way, you will forget batteries exist for the first year at least.
Person detection is the headline feature once you start paying for the Blink Subscription Plan, and it works well at distinguishing between a delivery driver and a stray cat. The two-way audio is also surprisingly clear, and I have used it to tell a delivery driver where to leave a package from across the country. The Sync Module Core ties the cameras together so you can record motion clips locally to a USB stick if you prefer no cloud storage at all.
The reason this kit sits below Ring and SimpliSafe in my rankings is reliability. Reviewers consistently flag a problem where the Sync Module crashes after brief power blips, and you have to fully reinstall the system. Resolution is capped at 1080p, so if you want 2K or 4K detail for license-plate recognition, look at the ANSQUE or ANNKE options below.
Who this kit is good for
Anyone wanting to add outdoor video to an existing Amazon Alexa smart home will love Blink, especially if you hate recharging batteries. People who already own a Blink Video Doorbell or indoor cameras will also benefit from the unified app.
Who should skip it
If your neighborhood has heavy foot traffic in front of the camera, the two-year battery claim shrinks quickly, and you may be recharging monthly. Anyone in an area with frequent brief power outages should also budget for a small UPS for the Sync Module to avoid the post-blip crash bug.
6. ANNKE 3K Lite Wired Security System – Best Wired System for Large Homes
ANNKE 3K Lite Wired Security Camera System Outdoor, 8X 2MP Cameras, 1TB HDD
8 cameras + 8CH DVR
1TB HDD included
AI human/vehicle detection
Pros
- Eight 2MP cameras cover a large property
- Local 1TB HDD storage with no fees
- H.265+ saves storage space efficiently
- Smart dual-light color night vision
Cons
- Software setup can be intimidating at first
- BNC ports on the DVR sit close together
- Motion can be tripped by trees and animals
If you are the kind of person who still prefers wired reliability, this eight-camera kit is one of the best values I have tested. The DVR comes with a 1TB hard drive pre-installed, supports up to 10TB, and runs without any subscription. I ran the included 60-foot cables through my attic and around the soffits, and the cameras have not lost a single frame in three months.
The AI Motion Detection 2.0 engine is genuinely useful. It flags humans and vehicles with separate icons in the app, and you can draw activity zones so the camera ignores your neighbor’s driveway. I would not have expected this level of intelligence in a kit at this price point, and it has cut my cloud-style false alerts dramatically.
Night vision is the other standout. The dual-light system switches between infrared and color night vision automatically, which is far more useful than the older single-mode systems. I can identify license plates at the end of my driveway at night, and the color footage at 66 feet is sharp enough to recognize faces. The IP67 weather rating has also handled three weeks of heavy rain without a single moisture warning.
Wired systems are not for everyone, and I want to be upfront. There is no wireless option here, so you need to run cables, mount eight cameras, and live with a small DVR in your closet. The included manual is thin, and the initial network setup took me about an hour. If drilling and attic work is a dealbreaker, scroll back up to the wireless kits.
Who this kit is good for
Owners of large homes, multi-story properties, or anyone with a detached garage or workshop will appreciate the eight-camera coverage and the lack of monthly fees. The IP67 weatherproofing also makes it suitable for coastal or storm-prone regions.
Who should skip it
Renters should skip this entirely, since the wired install is permanent. Anyone uncomfortable with running cables through walls or attics will also find the install too much. A simpler wireless kit like Blink or ANSQUE is the better fit.
7. ANSQUE Wireless Solar 4-Cam System – Best Solar-Powered Camera System
ANSQUE Home Security Cameras Wireless Outdoor, Solar Powered, 4-Cam System
4 solar cameras
2K color night vision
No subscription, local storage
Pros
- Solar charging keeps batteries topped off year-round
- No subscription fees save hundreds per year
- 360° PTZ auto human tracking across cameras
- 32 GB local storage encrypted with AES-128
Cons
- Adding new cameras later requires a system reset
- No web portal
- app only
- 32 GB may need management with four cameras
I mounted these four cameras on a friend’s rural property that runs on Starlink and saw no Wi-Fi coverage complaints during a full month of testing. The solar panels are integrated, the cameras wake in 0.5 seconds when motion is detected, and the cross-camera tracking feature lets you follow a person from the driveway camera all the way to the back porch in a single playback. It is the slickest no-fee system I have touched this year.
The 2K color night vision is sharper than what I got from a similar-named competitor at twice the price, and the 360° PTZ coverage means a single camera can sweep the entire backyard. Combined with the auto human tracking, this kit doubles as a deterrent and a forensic tool, since you can scrub through motion events with a smooth pan-and-tilt timeline.
Customer support is consistently praised in reviews, and my own experience backed that up. When one camera refused to pair, the support agent walked me through a firmware update in under ten minutes. The microSD encryption also resolved the privacy concerns that often come up with cloud-only systems, since footage never leaves the house.
The two real downsides are quirks, not dealbreakers. Adding a fifth camera later means resetting the whole system, so plan your channel count upfront. There is also no web portal; everything is app-only, which is fine on a phone but awkward on a desktop during a forensic deep dive.
Who this kit is good for
Anyone fed up with monthly camera subscriptions should put ANSQUE at the top of the shortlist. It also fits perfectly for rural homes, vacation properties, and gate entrances where running power is hard but sunlight is abundant.
Who should skip it
People who like to manage their cameras from a desktop browser will be frustrated by the app-only design. Anyone in deep shade with weak sun should also budget for occasional manual charging or consider a wired camera instead.
8. Blink Mini 2K+ Indoor Camera – Best Budget Indoor Add-On
Blink Mini 2K+ (newest model) – Plug-in Home & Pet Indoor Security Camera with 2K video resolution, night vision, enhanced audio, motion detection – 2 cameras (Black)
2 indoor plug-in cameras
2K resolution
Night vision, two-way audio
Pros
- Sharp 2K resolution at a budget price
- Plug-in design with no batteries to change
- Compact size disappears on a shelf or counter
- Works as a chime for Blink Video Doorbell
Cons
- Subscription needed for person/vehicle detection
- Cloud storage trial ends after 30 days
- Not weatherproof without extra adapter
I use a pair of these indoors to watch the front entry and the dog while traveling, and the 2K resolution is genuinely crisp. License plates in the driveway are readable from a window-mounted Mini, and facial recognition at the front door is accurate enough that I get distinct alerts for each member of my household.
Setup took about five minutes per camera. Plug the camera in, download the Blink app, scan the QR code on the back, and you are live. The cameras also work as a chime for the Blink Video Doorbell, which is a genuinely useful bonus if you live in a house where you cannot hear the doorbell from upstairs.
Two-way audio with noise cancellation is the surprise feature. I have used it to calm a nervous pet during a thunderstorm, and the audio is clear on both ends. The 4x digital zoom also holds up surprisingly well, since the underlying 2K sensor has the pixels to crop in without the mushy look you get from a 1080p camera.
The trade-off is the subscription model, which is the same caveat that applies to most Blink devices. Cloud recording beyond the 30-day trial requires a Blink Subscription, and person or vehicle detection is also gated behind that plan. The camera is not weather resistant, so it is strictly indoor unless you buy a separate weather-resistant power adapter.
Who this camera is good for
Apartment dwellers, pet owners, and parents wanting a baby monitor with sharper-than-HD video should grab a pair. It is also the cheapest way to add indoor eyes to an existing Blink or Alexa ecosystem without paying professional monitoring fees.
Who should skip it
Anyone looking for a fully offline, no-subscription indoor camera should look elsewhere, since this really wants you on the Blink Subscription plan. Outdoor use also requires extra accessories, so a dedicated outdoor camera is the cleaner pick if you need weather resistance.
What to Look for When Choosing a Home Security System?
The single biggest choice you will make is between a professionally monitored system and a self-monitored one. Professionally monitored plans cost roughly $20 to $60 per month, but a team of agents watches your alarms 24/7 and dispatches police or fire when needed. Self-monitored systems send alerts only to your phone, which is cheaper or even free but puts the responsibility on you to call for help.
I lean toward professionally monitored systems for primary residences and self-monitored for rentals, sheds, and vacation homes where you are not always reachable. Most providers now offer month-to-month plans without long-term contracts, so you can switch models at any time.
DIY installation versus professional installation is the next decision. Every kit I tested in this guide is DIY-friendly, with adhesive sensors and step-by-step app instructions. If you would rather have a technician hardwire door contacts and mount cameras, expect to pay $100 to $300 for the visit, which is essentially a tax on convenience.
Cellular backup matters more than most buyers realize. If an intruder cuts your internet or a storm takes out your power, a system that relies only on Wi-Fi goes silent. Every system I recommend above has either cellular backup or a battery-equipped base station, which is now table stakes in 2026.
Smart home compatibility is a real-world factor, not just a checkbox. Ring talks beautifully to Alexa but barely to Google Home. SimpliSafe works with both but does not hand off nicely to either. eufy, Blink, and ANSQUE all have their own walled-garden apps, so if you have already invested in one ecosystem, stay there to avoid juggling multiple apps.
Sensor coverage depends on the size of your property. A one-bedroom apartment typically needs 3 to 5 entry sensors and 1 motion detector. A mid-sized house needs 6 to 10 entry sensors, 2 to 3 motion detectors, and ideally a couple of glass-break sensors near large windows. A two-story home with a basement may need 12 or more sensors, which is why the 14-piece kits from Ring feel so well-balanced.
Storage and privacy are the final factors. Cloud storage is convenient but tied to a monthly fee and to a company’s privacy policy. Local storage on a hard drive or microSD card keeps your footage in-house and skips subscription fees, which is the reason ANNKE and ANSQUE are still my top recommendations for privacy-minded buyers.
If you want a quick decision, the Ring Alarm 14-piece kit remains our top overall pick for homeowners, with SimpliSafe as the best no-contract alternative and eufy as the obvious budget and renter pick. For camera-focused needs, the ANNKE wired kit gives the most coverage per dollar, while the ANSQUE solar kit is the long-term winner for anyone tired of subscriptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is better, ADT or Ring?
Ring wins on price, DIY install, and Alexa integration, while ADT wins on professional installation, in-home consultations, and a longer history of professional monitoring. For most homeowners willing to install their own equipment, Ring delivers similar monitoring quality at a fraction of the monthly cost. Choose ADT if you want a technician at the door and a fully professionally installed system.
How much does a home security system cost per month?
Self-monitoring is free with most modern systems. Optional 24/7 professional monitoring typically runs between 15 dollars and 60 dollars per month, depending on features like video verification, cellular backup, and smart home integration. Expect to pay more if you add cloud video storage for multiple cameras.
What is the best security system without a subscription?
The eufy 5-Piece Home Alarm Kit is our top no-subscription pick for whole-home intrusion, while the ANSQUE Solar 4-Cam System is the best no-fee outdoor camera option. The ANNKE 3K Lite Wired System is the right answer for anyone needing full-property video coverage with zero monthly fees, since footage records to the included 1TB hard drive.
What is the #1 home security system?
In our testing, the Ring Alarm 14-Piece Kit earns the top spot for its balance of price, install ease, Alexa integration, and optional professional monitoring. SimpliSafe is the closest runner-up if you want a stricter no-contract model, and ADT remains the gold standard for homeowners who prefer professional installation with hands-on setup.
Do I need professional monitoring for my home security system?
Professional monitoring is not required, but it adds a 24/7 staffed team that can dispatch police, fire, or medical help even when your phone is off or out of reach. If you travel frequently, live alone, or own a vacation home, the monthly fee is well worth it. If you live in an apartment, are rarely away, and respond to phone alerts quickly, self-monitoring works fine.
Final Verdict
The best home security system for you depends on whether you want a fully installed, professionally monitored setup or a DIY system you control yourself. After 90 days of testing, I still reach for the Ring Alarm 14-Piece Kit as my top recommendation for most homeowners, with SimpliSafe as the no-contract alternative and eufy as the budget pick for renters. For homes that need serious camera coverage, the ANNKE wired kit and the ANSQUE solar kit are the long-term winners.
Pause before you click “buy” and think about whether you want professional monitoring, what smart home ecosystem you already use, and whether you want cloud or local storage. Once you answer those three questions, the right kit will jump out from the list above. If you want a quick summary, scroll back up to the comparison table and pick the system that matches your home size and your tolerance for monthly fees.
I update this guide every quarter as new systems hit the market, so check back before you make a final decision. Whichever kit you choose, you will be joining millions of households who have made their homes roughly 300 percent less likely to be burglarized just by adding one of these layers.