Best Home Security Systems of 2023

ADT is a household name, so we frequently try out their systems to ensure they’re still up-to-task. In our latest round of testing, we realized that ADT home security systems are so popular for a reason. We think their home protection + home automation + video packages are top-notch. That is, they made us feel secure in our home and kept us plenty busy with nifty smart home features. We especially liked the ADT Control App and how much more accessible it made our home security system.

From a price standpoint, ADT tends to be on the higher end. It’s not over-the-top expensive, but it costs more than security systems from newer DIY brands. Part of the reason is the $99 installation fee, which users must pay since traditional ADT systems require professional installation. That said, what you’re paying for is the service, so if your heart is set on the best security system there is, ADT’s pricing won’t disappoint you.

That being said, we’ve experienced inconsistencies in customer support. ADT operates a franchise business with dealers all over the country. That means you might have to deal with local dealers in your area instead of ADT directly, and that understandably creates differences in quality of customer service.

Even still, ADT once again makes our list of best home security companies. Read our full ADT Review for more

Why Choose ADT

• 100+ Years in the Industry
• Fast Response Times
• 6-Month Guarantee

SimpliSafe came into the market over a decade ago with a groundbreaking new breed of security systems: One that users can install themselves and that doesn’t require professional monitoring. Remember, at that time, the market was full of professionally installed and monitored security systems, so SimpliSafe was a breath of fresh air.

We think it’s also a great option for people who rent. You can take the equipment with you, and you don’t have to worry about penalties or installation fees at your new place. So if you want home security — without the steep prices or long-term contracts — we highly recommend looking into this provider. We have more covered with our full SimpliSafe review.

Why Choose SimpliSafe

• Easiest DIY Installation
• Low-Cost Monitoring
• Generous 60-Day Free Trial

There’s a certain feeling that comes with using Vivint. We can’t put our finger on it, but this intelligent home security system did leave us feeling pretty secure, and even a little smarter! The home automation options were the most impressive we’ve seen from any company.

Keep in mind though, Vivint is not a DIY system — it does require professional installation (pro tip: it never hurts to ask your sales rep to waive the installation fee). Also, the equipment is a bit pricey, but you certainly get what you pay for; it’s the smartest security equipment we’ve ever tested. And even though the equipment prices are steep, Vivint’s monthly monitoring cost is on-par with other top brands

Overall, we think Vivint is a great fit for folks who want it all, but in one fully-integrated and streamlined system. See if it’s the right fit for you in our Vivint review.

Why Choose Vivint

• Best-in-class Smart Features
• Award-winning Mobile App
• Professional Installation

We liked Alder security systems for their fast response times and overall versatility. And controlling our system with their touchscreen panel was effortless and pretty darn sleek. Otherwise, this company offers a similar feature-set as brands like Frontpoint and Brinks.

Where Alder really impressed us was with their sub 5-second response times. Compared to the industry average, that’s lightning fast! They use 4G LTE cellular monitoring, which is the gold standard for monitoring these days.

That said, we didn’t love the high prices, lack of camera options, and the required professional installation. (Note: Professional installation is free with Alder, but for DIYers like us, we hope there’s an option to self-install the system.) But overall, we think this up-and-coming security brand is a safe bet.

See more in our full review of Alder.

Why Choose Alder

• 4G LTE Cellular Monitoring
• Alexa & Z-Wave Compatible
• 7” Touchscreen Control Panel

Cove flies under the radar, but it offers exactly what many homeowners and renters are looking for. It’s an affordable home security system with simple setup and monitoring that you can rely on.

After taking it for a test ride, we can even say that it has the potential to give industry giants like SimpliSafe and Frontpoint a run for their money.

So why isn’t it any higher on this list? For one, it could use a boost in terms of what hardware and features it offers. Adding a few more selections to its product line and improving its home automation offering could really take Cove to the next level. Also, we do think Cove’s smartphone app experience could be improved. We cover more of this in our Cove review.

Overall, though, we think Cove has a lot of staying power — especially with their generous 60-day money-back guarantee and month-to-month service starting at only $17.99.

Why Choose Cove

• Simple DIY Installation
• Touchscreen Control Panel
• RapidSOS Emergency Dispatch

Frontpoint DIY home security systems offer a fairly robust app experience and innovative features like geofencing and custom “Scenes.” And the best part is that it offers all that without breaking the bank. You’ll usually find online deals, and the most basic Frontpoint system starts at just $129.

What you see is what you get with Frontpoint. There are no hidden fees, and their GE devices are high-quality and reliable. But Frontpoint does lack some of the best features that companies like Vivint and ADT bring to the table. It’s not as streamlined on the home automation front as Vivint, for instance. All in all, we think Frontpoint is a great system for most families and lifestyles. Get more info with our 2023 Frontpoint review.

Why Choose Frontpoint

• High-quality Security Equipment
• Custom Features & Tech
• Excellent App Experience

The Brinks home security brand was revived by the merger of LiveWatch and Moni, both home security brands with a checkered past. That being said, the new branding is working, and Brinks is off to rebuild its reputation. From a user standpoint, Brinks is easy to set up and use. It may not be quite as simple as SimpliSafe or Cove, but the system works efficiently.

Overall, we have to tip our hats to Brinks for making a comeback after falling off the map for a while. Based on our experience, we think their affordable DIY security systems will find a nice home in the market. But time will tell if they can compete with other low-cost providers out there.

Discover more in our Brinks home security review.

Why Choose Brinks

• Reliable 24/7 Monitoring
• Works with Google Home
• 2-year Equipment Warranty

Ring might not be the most advanced system on our list (Vivint takes that prize), but it sure has gained quite the fanfare over the years. We’ve been testing Ring Alarm quite a bit lately, and we actually like the system for what it is. So what is it? Well, it’s a prepackaged security kit that offers basic intrusion protection with super-low monthly monitoring fees. Or… no monitoring fees at all if you choose the free “self-monitor” option.

That being said, there is one type of Ring security system that can give your smart home a serious upgrade: The Ring Alarm Pro. Ring teamed up with the connectivity wizards over at eero to give the Ring base station Wi-Fi router capabilities and cellular connectivity. With the Ring Protect Pro plan, the Ring Alarm Pro base station gains 3 GB of backup cellular data to give connected devices — be that smartphones and laptops or smart home security devices — internet connections when your home internet is down.

Don’t forget to check out our Ring Alarm review for more information about features and pricing.

Why Choose Ring Alarm

• Affordable Equipment & Monitoring
• Extensive Product Lineup
• Modern Design & Aesthetic

It’s small, it’s smart, it’s functional. Abode has two types of security systems. The Classic abode Kit includes a hub and a bunch of sensors, while the upgraded iota Kit uses a hub with a built-in HD camera. We think it’s the best option, considering the very small price difference (around $30). Whichever you choose, though, installation is simple enough, and you can’t go wrong with the black and white equipment design that really adds a modern touch anywhere you place them.

All things considered, it’s not a flawless system, but we think abode works great for home protection and automation. Read more about their offerings in our abode review.

Why Choose abode

• Hub has Built-in HD Camera
• Mini Door/Window Sensors
• CUE Home Automation Platform

From what we’ve seen, Deep Sentinel is a clear winner when it comes to proactive home security and putting a stop to crime before it happens. They secured our home by using a high-tech combination of live surveillance and AI technology. With flashing lights, two-way talk, and a blaring-loud siren, Deep Sentinel’s human guards proactively monitored the perimeter of our property.

Deep Sentinel is quite effective, and we’ve found it to be a whole lot cheaper than setting up private home surveillance and monitoring. So if you don’t mind paying high monthly monitoring fees, or signing a 1-year contract, we recommend what Deep Sentinel has to offer.

Read our full Deep Sentinel review to learn more.

Why Choose Deep Sentinel

• 24/7 Surveillance by Live Guards
• Fastest Response Times
• Snapdragon AI Processing