The best home security systems we've tested

Technology continues to play a more central role in our homes, resulting in an undeniable expansion of your home's security options. In the same way professional systems that have been around for decades, there is a new bumper crop of cheaper DIY systems that you will install yourself, as well as gadgets such as cameras, smart locks and video doorbells which deserve to be taken into account

Better home security that we tested

Best DIY system	SimpliSafe	$ 230 in advance	The monitoring starts at $ 15 a month, $ 25 a month, to include the application controls and the integration to Alexa.	See online
Best system installed by a professional	Comcast Xfinity Home	$ 299 in advance	Surveillance costs $ 40 a month in the first year, then $ 50 a month; bundles available with TV and internet.	See online
Best video doorbell	Hello nest	$ 230 in advance	Continuous recording starting at $ 5 per month.	See online
Ideal for part-time supervision	dwelling	$ 299 in advance	Surveillance available for $ 20 a month.	See online

Of course, a lot has to be done – and current home security providers are not always making comparisons easy. But hey, that's where we come in! Keep reading for a list of all the best home monitoring options we've tested, as well as links to learn more about all of our top choices.

Disclosure: CNET may earn a share of the revenue from purchases made through the links on this page.

Self-installing systems

If a professionally installed system seems excessive, you can save a lot of money by buying a system that you install yourself. For my money, systems like these offer some of the best solutions for the security of your home.

You do not miss a lot of features. Although professionally installed systems can offer a sophisticated touch screen to control the system, the rest of the hardware is much the same as what you'll get if you go for DIY, relying mostly on wireless sensors and battery powered around your house.

When DIY systems began to appear as an inexpensive alternative, they were few, if any, with a professional monitoring option. This is no longer the case. Most DIY systems now offer the option of professional supervision – and most of them are also less expensive than professionals. The fact that most DIY systems do not require any type of service contract is another interesting part of the field.

Another point to watch for: all-in-one safety features designed for small homes and living spaces. Basically just one-point tabletop cameras, with additional sensors for motion, temperature and ambient light, these devices can be perfect for a studio.

Names to watch include Canary, Honeywell and the Abode Iota – Although our favorite of the group, Piper, is no longer on the market after Alarm.com bought its parent company in 2016. If we find another alternative that pleases us as much as this one, I will update this space.

Other options we tested

Professionally installed systems

These are pillars of home security – names such as ADT and Brinks that you've probably been familiar with for years, as well as home security systems offered by major telecom operators such as Comcast and AT & T.

The terrain is quite similar in all areas. In addition to the basics such as motion detectors and door and window entry detectors, professional configurations of this type also promise to seamlessly integrate features such as door locks, thermostats and displays. touch, and often support voice commands via Alexa and the Google Assistant. . Most charge initial equipment or installation fees and require multi-year service contracts. Monthly professional fees are mandatory and typically range from $ 30 to $ 50 per month.

High-end systems like these sometimes make it difficult to compare prices. For example, visit the ADT website and you will find a multitude of marketing texts touting the value of the company's various security offerings – but you will not find much in terms of specific prices. Instead, the site invites you to request a "free quote," by calling the company's sales team or submitting your name, zip code, phone number, and email address. Doing this ensures that an "ADT specialist will call you from time to time about ADT offers". Read the fine print and you will see that these calls are "provided" with the help of "automated numbering technology".

Mind you, ADT is not alone here. Some are less blatant than others, but you'll find similar tactics – and similar details – just about every website for installed business systems like these. If the website does not tell you exactly what a system built for your house would cost you, it's best to call the company directly, tell it the type of setup you want and ask for a quote .

Your experience may vary depending on the seller you are talking to. For example, when I tried to call ADT for the first time, the seller told me that he could not give me a quote. without doing a credit check first. I politely ended the conversation and recalled another day. I've had a much better experience with a seller who has evaluated the price of a basic system within 10 minutes without credit check or other exchange of personal information.

Shopping for a pro system

	Basic initial cost	Monthly cost	The duration of the contract	How long did it take me to get this information when I called	What personal data I had to provide to get them
ADT	$ 129 ($ 229 for a system with a camera at the door)	$ 47 ($ 67 for a system with a camera at the door)	3 years	The first attempt would not give a quote without a credit check, the second attempt would take 10 minutes.	No
Digital life of AT & T	$ 550 installation fee	$ 40	2 years	Easily available on the site.	No
Brinks	$ 399 setup fee	$ 29	3 years	Easily available on the site.	No
Comcast Xfinity Home	$ 299 installation fee (canceled if provided with TV and Internet)	$ 40 for the first year, then $ 50 ($ 175 with television and Internet)	2 years	10 minutes	Postal code
Vivint	$ 99 setup fee	$ 40 plus cost financed devices (for a simple setup, about $ 18 per month for 60 months)	None, but the equipment is funded over 5 years	17 minutes	No

Whoever you call, do not be afraid to put your privacy at risk. Companies that use automated calls and junk e-mail as a sales tactic do not have the right to access your address or other personal information until you reach the end of the day. they have won your trade, period.

Aside from this caveat, the advantage of systems such as these is that professionals will come to your home to install everything for you, and you can usually expect a higher level of technical support. in the field if you also want to change your configuration. . Choose a professional system from a telecommunications provider and you can probably integrate the security of your home with your TV or Internet service. It's a convenience that can also help you get a discount.

Other options we tested

Video doorbells

If you do not need a complete security system, but you just want to monitor the activity at your door, you can consider installing a video doorbell to monitor.

You have plenty of options right now, all of them sending an alert on your phone whenever someone rings to show you who is at the door. Some also look for unexpected movements or allow a two-way conversation – and we see many new options which are able to recognize faces as well. This includes our first choice:

Prices for doorbells like these typically range from $ 100 to $ 250, and most also charge an optional fee for viewing saved video clips. To choose one, first determine if your door has a wired connection or if you need a battery powered device. Then consider the features – for example, do you keep a porch light on at night or do you need something with night vision?

From there, think about the smart home platforms that you want your door to ring with. In this regard, you will find many options that work with Alexa and many others that work with IFTTT, as well as with Google and / or Nest. Siri is still catching up – the only HomeKit compatible video doorbell that we've had access to so far is Welcome Netatmo, who made his CES debut last January.

Compare smart bells

	August View Doorbell Camera	Ringtone video doorbell 2	Ring Video Doorbell Pro	Nest Hello Video Doorbell
Price	$ 230	$ 199	$ 249	$ 229
Finishing color	Black, Red, White, Blue, Brass, Satin Nickel, Night Gray, Bronze	Satin Nickel, Venetian (both finishes are included with the purchase)	Satin Nickel, Venetian, Satin Black, Pearl White	White and Black
Source of energy	Rechargeable rechargeable battery	Rechargeable wired or removable battery	Cable	Cable
Resolution	1 920×1 440p HD	1 920×1 080p HD	1 920×1 080p HD	1600 x 1200p HD
Field of view	No information	160 degrees	160 degrees	160 degrees
Live streaming	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Online storage	Yes, free basic package, plus 15 day storage for $ 3 a month and 30 day storage for $ 5 a month	Yes, 60 days storage for $ 3 per month	Yes, 60 days storage for $ 3 per month	Yes, free 3 hour picture history; continuous recording starting at $ 5 per month
Local storage	No	No	No	No
Mobile app	Android and iPhone	Android and iPhone	Android and iPhone	Android and iPhone
Web application	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Night vision	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Alerts	Movement	Movement	Movement	Movement, Person, Face Recognition (with Nest Aware)
Zones of activity	No	Yes	Yes	Yes (with Nest Aware)
Dimensions (HxWxD)	5.2 x 1.8 x 1.3 inches	5.1 x 2.5 x 1.1 inches	4.5 x 1.9 x 0.8 inches	4.6 x 1.7 x 1.0 inches
Third-party integrations	Alexa Assistant Google; Nest	Alexa IFTTT; Eye patch	Alexa IFTTT; Eye patch	Alexa Assistant Google; Nest
Operating temperature range	-4 to 122 degrees F	-5 to 120 degrees F	-5 to 120 degrees F	14 to 104 degrees F

Most major home security systems now offer their own video doorbell, and some also offer compatibility with standalone video doorbells like these. Keep this in mind if you think you want to develop a complete system later.

Oh, and you want more advice on choosing the right video doorbell? Megan Wollerton from CNET to you covered.

Other options we tested