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The best DIY home security systems offer the security and reassurance of a professionally installed security system, but at a fraction of the cost – but there’s a little more work involved.
Best Diy Wireless Home Security Systems
A DIY home security system is one that you have to install yourself, which can take an hour or two depending on how many sensors you want to install in your home. But when there is an investment of time, you do not need Bob Vila-level knowledge; the best part, you only need a screwdriver.
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After that, however, a DIY home security system operates the same way as a professionally installed system: It monitors the windows, doors, and everything else around your home, and sends you and the emergency services an alert if something goes wrong.
The majority of the best DIY security systems also offer professional monitoring as an added feature, so the authorities will be alerted to any break-ins or other emergencies in your home. Some security kits even offer smart home control, so you can integrate third-party accessories such as smart lights, smart locks, and smart smoke detectors.
But with so many affordable options, which one is the best? We install superior DIY security systems in our own homes to find out the best.
Why can you trust Tom’s Guide? Our writers and editors spend countless hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help you find what’s best for you. Find out more about how to test, analyze and rate.
Diy Home Security System
Whether you’re a first-timer for smart security or a seasoned veteran of the world of automation, the Abode Essentials Starter Kit has something for everyone, so we consider it the best DIY security system overall. As well as being a versatile smart home controller with Zigbee and Z-Wave integration – meaning you can use it to control things like smart bulbs and smart locks – it’s also easy to set up. The Abode system can also be connected to Apple’s HomeKit. , and controlled using Siri.
The starter bundle is a bit thin on accessory offerings, but you can choose from a variety of other bundles and purchase additional sensors separately.
Abode offers three levels of service: Free, Standard ($6/month or $60/year), and Pro ($20/month or $200/year). The free plan doesn’t allow you to record video from your camera or use it automatically in the system, but you can view live video, use smart home integration, and get push notifications.
The Standard Plan provides 7 days of cloud storage for videos and event timelines, such as when doors are opened. The Pro plan provides 30 days of cloud storage, as well as 24/7 professional monitoring, as well as mobile backup. If you have the Standard plan, you can also monitor for three days and seven days on an as-needed basis for $8 and $15, respectively.
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As of May 2023, Abode now works with Google Nest products, including Google Nest Cam, Nest Hub Max, Nest Learning Thermostat, and Nest Doorbell. Abode users can do things like view livestreams from video doorbells and security cameras and automate them on the device.
Previously, Abode also added support for Google TV and Android watch owners. If you have a TV or streaming device that runs Google TV, you can see the feed from your home security camera on your TV. If you have a smartwatch that runs WearOS (such as the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5), you can view the event timeline, arm, and shutdown the system, check the camera view and open automations, among other features.
If you don’t need all the smart home integration, Abode now offers a cheaper alternative. The Abode Security Kit ($139) works with Alexa and Google Assistant, but lacks Zigbee, Z-Wave, or HomeKit compatibility. However, it will still have battery backup, 4G wireless backup, and a built-in siren. The kit comes with a base station, one motion sensor, and one door/window sensor; you will be able to add more sensors to the kit.
Don’t care too much for professional supervision? The Ooma Smart Security Starter Pack is pretty bare bones – you get a hub, one motion sensor and two entry sensors – but you also get Ooma’s powerful VoIP service for a low monthly fee. The system also works with Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can use your smart speaker to arm the system on and off, and get updates on system status.
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Ooma’s free tier includes push notifications, unlimited sensors, and a remote siren. For $5.99 a month, you get e911, phone, text message, and email notifications, and an automatic arm on and off.
Ooma also adds professional monitoring (for an extra $14.99 per month), which is a must-have feature. Since launch, Ooma has added battery backup ($34.99) and mobile backup, so your system will continue to work if the power and Internet go down. Ooma Telo 4G – which provides mobile backup – costs $129, plus $11.99/month.
Instead of building your own device, why not use some of the video doorbells and security cameras already on the market? ADT’s small DIY home security system works with Google Nest devices, such as Google Nest Cam, Nest Doorbell, and Nest Protect smoke detectors.
The starter kit is equipped with a hub, which has a siren and a keypad to arm and disarm the system, as well as a Z-Wave antenna for smart home connectivity, an 85-decibel siren, a 4G LTE mobile radio, Bluetooth, a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi radio, speakers, and 24-hour battery backup. It also comes with a Nest Doorbell (battery), four window/door sensors, and two motion sensors.
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However, you can customize the system with additional Nest cameras, Google Nest Hub, Nest thermostats, as well as additional door and window sensors.
Everything works with a new app called ADT+, which provides a live feed from the camera, and sends alerts when it detects movement. In addition, the app allows you to create smart home routines; for example, you can program to turn on and off the lights at a certain time, or when you leave or come home.
If you don’t care about fancy home automation schemes like light bulbs that flash when someone opens the door, the SimpliSafe Essentials kit is a runner-up choice for the best DIY smart security system. In addition to being one of the loudest sirens we tested (93 decibels), it’s also stylish, and the included keypad makes setting it up for anyone. And, the kit comes with other accessories than the typical bundle of competitors, including three entry sensors instead of the standard one or two. Additional accessories won’t break the bank either, and include smart locks and video doorbells, two things rarely found in DIY home security systems.
Simplisafe integrates with Alexa and Google Assistant, as well as August, which makes it what is considered the best smart lock. Simplisafe professional monitoring starts at $14.99 per month, and the $24.99/month plan includes many additional features, such as secret alerts. You can also cancel the plan at any time.
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The Ring Alarm System is affordable, very easy to set up, has a loud alarm, battery and cellular backup. In addition, Ring has many additional compatible devices, such as video doorbells, security cameras, and smart lights, and it works with Alexa, so you can arm and disarm the system with your voice. The Ring system is compatible with select Schlage, Kwikset, and Yale smart locks, as well as smart plugs, smart light switches, and smart outlets at GE and Leviton. Here’s a list of everything you can use with Ring.
Ring’s second-generation Ring Alarm features smaller door and window sensors, as well as a redesigned keypad with one-touch buttons for Police, Fire, and Medical assistance. The Ring Alarm Security Kit costs $199, and includes a keypad, base station, contact sensor, motion detector, and range extender. Ring also sells a retrofit alarm kit for $199; if you have a home with existing sensors, you can incorporate these sensors into the Ring system, potentially saving you money and the hassle of adding new sensors yourself.
Ring also has the Ring Alarm Pro, which has an Eero Wi-Fi 6 mesh router built into its own main hub. It starts at $299, and also includes 24/7 Internet backup, expandable backup power, local video storage, and Eero Secure , which protects your network from malware and other online threats.
If you want professional monitoring, you need to subscribe to Ring Protect Pro, which is $20/month, but also includes Internet backup if you have Ring Alarm Pro.
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Wyze has made a name for itself offering quality smart home devices at absurdly low prices, and the Wyze Home Security System is no exception. For $99, the starter kit includes a base station, keypad, motion sensor, and two window/door sensors, one of the lowest prices outside of Ooma. And, adding accessories, such as the Wyze Cam v3, are affordable. In addition, professional monitoring is only $100 per year, away
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