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The Best Home Security Systems of 2024

Salma November 19, 2024

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$172 at Simplisafe

An inexpensive home security starter kit

SimpliSafe Home Security

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$300 at Amazon

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A home security system for your bang-for-buck

Ring Alarm Pro

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CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter of the technology.

What is the best home security system for 2024?

A home security system is a must-have today, whether you want to deter intruders while you sleep or enjoy peace of mind while on the go this holiday season. Traditionally, home security has been expensive to purchase and install, and many of the top options on the market are still expensive. However, there are several good budget options on the market, and we’ve got them for you. If you want to save on professional installation, a DIY security system is the way to go. We’ve reviewed the best cheap home security systems from top security companies, from indoor cameras to alarm systems. Our top pick for affordable security is SimpliSafe eight-piece DIY kitdue to its user-friendly design and low upfront costs.

Read more: The Best Homemade Gifts for the Holidays 2024

The best cheap home security systems of 2024

Ring’s Alarm Pro system is a bit pricey, coming in at $300 for a starter kit (though you can find it on sale for less). It delivers more value per dollar than any other DIY security system. For that price, you’ll get the base device, four intrusion sensors, one motion detector, a keypad and a Z-Wave range extender.

That might not sound particularly exciting until you notice that the base station is also an Eero Wi-Fi 6 mesh router. That enables selected security cameras or video doorbells to process their data and store their images locally. Add that to other benefits, such as Alexa Emergency Assist subscription and mobile backup Wi-Fi (if your internet or power goes down), and you have an incredible product for the price. Ring’s highest-level Protect Pro subscription costs $20 a month, which is lower than most of its DIY competitors’ $25 to $30 range.

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CNET’s home security editors have tested all the major home security systems over the years. We haven’t included one here, as others, like AT&T Digital Life, are no longer available.

Abode: While Abode’s performance was solid, its prices were higher than other DIY options, such as Cove and SimpliSafe. The Iota is an all-in-one security camera that’s an interesting option for renters or those living in small spaces, but it still doesn’t match the affordability or convenience value of the options above.
Ring Alarm: Ring’s first home security system is a strong contender for the best cheap home security system. Moreover, its Pro version adds so much value that it’s hard to recommend the original system over its upgraded successor.
Frontpoint: Although Frontpoint’s hardware is fairly priced, its $50 monthly subscription fee is more than recommended for anyone trying to stick to a budget.
Kangaroo: While Kangaroo is a budget-friendly DIY security system, its price isn’t as high as our top picks. Its hardware is not only cheap on paper, it also feels cheap. Its doorbell camera is terrible.
Cove Home Security: While Cove’s hardware is reasonably priced, the inability to monitor the system yourself – or even access the app – without a significant monthly fee makes it a less than viable option for the budget-conscious consumer.
ADT: Professionally installed systems are probably not the cheapest way to get a home security system, and ADT is worse than some of the others on the list simply because of its astronomically high prices and forced contracts.
Vivint: Like ADT, Vivint is not for bankruptcy. While it’s a great plan for those interested in smart home integration, choosing Vivint won’t save you money in the short or long term.

Read more: How to Turn Your Old iPhone or Android into a Home Security Camera for Free

Hands-on testing is central to our evaluation of any home security product. In short, when it comes to home security systems, we pay special attention to user experience, promised features, reliability and overall value, along with several other factors. We conduct testing in a real home environment for at least a full week. If you want to learn more about our review process, check out our in-depth article on how we evaluate home security systems and services.

Ultimately, you will have to answer this question for yourself. Home security systems keep burglars at bay. Depending on where you live, a few hundred dollars may be an expense worth making to avoid the risk of a burglary or damaged property.

Home security systems range in price from $100 to thousands of dollars. In general, the larger the space you hope to cover – including the number of entrances you want to monitor – the more expensive the system. Most systems let you choose your devices a la carte, and most monitors shouldn’t cost more than $30 each. If you’re looking for a reliable, budget-friendly option, you shouldn’t spend more than a few hundred dollars on home security. Likewise, you shouldn’t pay more than $25 or $30 more for monthly monitoring unless you’re using a professionally installed system.

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