Best Home Security Systems that Work with Alexa

Vivint takes home security to the next level. When we reviewed Vivint, the system gave us incredible peace of mind, with state-of-the-industry equipment from sensors to cameras. To sweeten the deal, Vivint’s home automation options were the most impressive we’ve seen.

Vivint’s well-regarded Smart Home app made it super-easy to access and control our system remotely, and Vivint’s technology is compatible with lots of third-party devices like smart lighting, smart locks, and smart assistants. Vivint’s monitoring service got high marks for emergency response times as well as smart home integrations. They’re also one of the best home security systems overall.

And while it’s not the cheapest option out there, they do offer high-end wireless equipment on either a four- or five-year contract. Vivint doesn’t offer any DIY options; therefore, everything they sell has to be professionally installed. On the bright side, you won’t have to go through any installation hassles, which most people appreciate.

There’s much more on costs in our full Vivint pricing breakdown, but keep in mind that financing equipment is the most common option Vivint users choose.

SimpliSafe is a great home security system because it can be used as is or customized, so you can easily add on to it as your needs change. SimpliSafe produces its own equipment, which we consider a huge benefit. As noted in our full SimpliSafe review, the system is also loved by renters, as it can be easily moved from one place to another without wires and complex setups. Additionally, SimpliSafe was named one of the most affordable security systems, with monthly monitoring costs as low as $24.99. Learn more in our complete SimpliSafe cost breakdown. Additionally, the SimpliSafe system comes with a battery backup that lasts for days versus only 24 hours like others in this category.

The SimpliSafe equipment packages range from approximately $229 to $499 and come with a three-year warranty. Additionally, SimpliSafe’s indoor camera, the SimpliCam, does a great job of handling visual surveillance. Though its resolution only produces standard-definition (720p) video, it didn’t miss any crucial details in our full SimpliCam review.

Most people find the SimpliSafe system very easy to use because all you have to do is plug-in the base station, place the sensors where you want them, adjust the settings and you’re done. It doesn’t get much easier than that!

Newer SimpliSafe systems are fully compatible with Amazon’s Alexa, which gives you some great home automation features. It’s important to note that older SimpliSafe systems, such as SimpliSafe Original, are not compatible with Alexa, so make sure you are picking up the newer equipment!

With ADT you have the option of a wired or wireless system. They also offer environmental protections and home automation features that work with Alexa as well. Additionally, they have five equipment packages and two different monitoring plans. Alternatively, they offer customized solutions if you prefer.

ADT has monitoring centers across the country; however, their monitoring plans are more expensive than other security companies in the industry. Their monitoring plans range from $36.99 to $52.99 per month and the associated equipment will vary depending on the plan you choose. ADT does require a three-year contract which is pretty standard; however, you can cancel and have your monitoring fees refunded within the first six months without penalty as long as you return all their equipment.

If you already own ADT equipment, your monthly prices will be lower than if you don’t. ADT offers several different brands of equipment such as Honeywell, General Electric, ITI, and more. Additionally, with some of the ADT equipment plans, you will have the option of video security cameras and home automation features that are also compatible with Alexa.

ADT also offers medical alert pendants. The ADT Health medical alert system is compatible with the rest of ADT’s equipment and can be monitored through the company’s monitoring centers. However, as with all the ADT equipment, fees, and services, they will vary by dealer. You can get all the details on costs in our ADT plan and pricing page.

We had a blast testing Cove in our home (as evidenced by the police showing up at our door!). The professional monitoring really does work, and even though the systems only cost around $250, we were surprised by the smart features included.

You can set custom “rules” that arm or disarm your alarm based on time of day and other factors. And it works great with Alexa, too. Once we set the Alexa skill, we flexed our vocal cords to activate our alarm and secure our home. So if you already have Alexa running your home, Cove might make sense for your home security setup.

We do wish Cove sold an outdoor camera. As it stands, they only offer the Yi indoor cam, but it’s a pretty good value for a $25 camera. Take a look at our review of YI cameras for more features and benefits. The costs of a Cove system are pretty low compared to competitors. A premium plan from Cove costs $24.99 per month and comes with 24/7 professional monitoring (4G LTE cellular monitoring), a lifetime warranty, and Alexa and Google Home compatibility.
In our experience, you really can’t go wrong with Cove.

Alder might not be the most popular home security system out there. But they sure have the market cornered (in the best way) when it comes to Alexa-compatible home security. Alder’s wireless system took only 15 minutes to install in our full testing and review of Alder. Its home automation features allowed us to connect with Alexa for hands-free voice control. Their 4G LTE cellular monitoring is included with every system, and it allows for super-fast response times. Like 3.4 seconds fast!

Users do have to sign a contract, but that’s typical for premium systems like Alder. Thankfully, they offer a handful of customer-friendly guarantees that we really like. Among these are free installation and a lifetime equipment guarantee. If it breaks, they’ll fix it or replace it free of charge, no questions asked. One last thing that’s worth mentioning is their customization options. During your free phone consultation, a helpful agent will guide you in exploring systems and finding the right fit for your budget and living situation. Alder’s fees certainly aren’t the lowest in the market, but the system still makes the grade.

Frontpoint works well with Alexa. And between their exceptional customer service, quick and easy 30-minute installation process, low startup costs, generous equipment packages, and popular home automation features make Frontpoint a serious contender. Additionally, Frontpoint is frequently rated as one of the best home security companies for emergency monitoring with “smarthome” enhancements.

Frontpoint’s costs for equipment and monitoring are relatively low, but keep in mind you do have to sign a contract with Frontpoint. They also give you a 30-day risk-free trial as well. And, they use General Electric equipment which means it can be monitored by another security company if you prefer.