The Best Home Security Systems in 2021 — and the Great Deals That Come With Each

Picking the best home security system is all about matching your needs to one of the many services that exist in today’s market. Do you own a large house and require help determining how to properly secure it? If so, you might want to choose a company that provides professional installation and 24/7 monitoring. Or perhaps you’re a renter and just want a simple setup that alerts you of any unwanted intrusions into your apartment. In this case you could be better off with a DIY system that allows for self-monitoring.

We’ve highlighted ten of the best home security systems for 2021, from trusty industry giants like ADT to relative newcomers like Ring. Each company we list comes with a unique superlative to help you zero in on your ideal system. Let’s get to it!

Best Home Security System for Bundling Services

Xfinity Home

Installation: Professional

Best Deals Today

• Base Price starting at $360 from Xfinity
• Monthly Plans starting at $15.00

Pros

• Low monthly fee
• Consolidate your security, internet, cable, and phone into one bill
• Discounts available when bundling services

Cons

• Not compatible with voice assistants like Alexa or Google Home
• Availability may be limited based on area

Choosing Xfinity Home makes sense if you are a new or existing Xfinity customer who’s looking to add home security to your other services. Xfinity offers 24/7 professional monitoring along with multiple plans to fit the needs of your household. The base system will get you a touch-screen controller, three door/window sensors, and a pet-friendly motion sensor. Cameras can be added on for an extra cost.

Smart home dwellers will be happy to know that Xfinity Home can control many third-party smart home devices like smart locks, smart lighting and garage door openers. Just know it’s a one-way-street, as voice assistants like Alexa or Google Home cannot control the Xfinity Home System.

Best Overall DIY Home Security System

SimpliSafe

Installation: DIY

Best Deals Today

• Base Price starting at $219.99 $174.99 from Best Buy
• Base Price starting at $154.99 from Walmart
• Monthly Plans starting at $14.99

Pros

• Easy to install, no tools necessary
• No contract

Cons

• Not ideal for home automation integration
• Lack of camera options

Since 2006, SimpliSafe has built a reputation as one of the leaders in DIY home security systems, with easy-to-install equipment that can be scaled up depending on how extensive your needs are. The base package for the 5 Piece Wireless Home Security System includes a base station, keypad, one motion sensor, and four entry sensors. (Walmart currently has a cheaper option with slightly different equipment). Other add-ons include cameras, video doorbells, water sensors, and glass-break sensors.

For $14.99 a month you can access their professional monitoring service, but don’t worry if you change your mind, since SimpliSafe doesn’t lock you into a contract. Overall, we like its simple no-hassle setup, customization choices, and Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility, but its lack of heavy-duty camera options may leave some surveillance-junkies underwhelmed.

Best Professionally Installed Home Security System

ADT

Installation: Professional

Best Deals Today

• Monthly Plans starting at $28.99 from ADT

Pros

• No upfront cost
• Long-standing reputation

Cons

• More expensive (and required) professional monitoring
• Long-term contract

If you value companies with rich and successful histories in their respective fields, consider ADT as your next home security provider. They’ve been in the game since 1874, but they’ve never stopped evolving their technology to meet the latest trends in the industry. This includes Alexa compatibility and their ADT Pulse app that allows for easy remote monitoring.

While many DIY companies strive to make their products easy to set up, there’s something to be said for the sense of comfort that comes from having an expert do the installation for you. This is especially true for large homes, where the level of security or the placement of devices may not be readily apparent. ADT also offers a six-month money-back guarantee on their service, but be aware that their 36-month contracts come with cancellation penalties.

Most Customizable Home Security System

Vivint

Installation: Professional

Best Deals Today

• Base Price starting at $599 from Vivint
• Monthly Plans starting at $29.99

Pros

• Great for home automation integration
• Free installation
• Range of camera options

Cons

• Expensive equipment and service
• May not be necessary for non-smart homes

Vivint offers a professionally installed home security system that is comparable to ADT in many respects, though it may rise above for those who want to integrate their security into an existing smart home. Vivint is compatible with both Alexa and Google Assistant, and it also works with Nest thermostats and Philips Hue smart lighting. You’re also not locked into a hard-to-cancel monthly monitoring plan, unlike with ADT’s long-term contracts.

A Vivint Starter Kit includes a Smart Hub, two door/window sensors, a motion sensor, and a water sensor. From there you can add indoor or outdoor cameras, doorbell cameras, and much more. Vivint puts a premium on its automation and customization capabilities, but it doesn’t come cheap. If you’re looking for a simpler setup and don’t need to integrate your security system into a smart home, you might consider choosing a DIY option.

Best Home Security System for Alexa

Ring

Installation: DIY

Best Deals Today

• Base Price starting at $199.99 from Home Depot
• Base Price starting at $199.99 from Lowe’s
• Monthly Plans starting at $3.00

Pros

• Easy installation
• Lower cost professional monitoring

Cons

• Limited home automation integration
• Doesn’t work well with Google Assistant

Ring’s popularity has grown in recent years, evolving from selling video doorbells to incorporating a whole suite of home security options. Its basic system includes a base station, contact sensor, keypad, range extender and a motion detector, but you can always add a variety of cameras or the well-known Ring Doorbell. No matter what you choose, you thankfully won’t need any tools for installation. And though you aren’t required to purchase Ring’s 24/7 professional monitoring plan, at just $10 a month it is one of the cheapest options out there.

As an Amazon-owned product, you can expect Ring to work well with Alexa, however its compatibility with Google Assistant is admittedly more limited. It’s also not ideal for those who want their security system to integrate fully with the rest of their smart home, as it currently doesn’t support thermostats, lighting, or garage door openers.

Best DIY Home Security System for Automation

Blue by ADT

Installation: DIY

Best Deals Today

• Base Price starting at $299.99 from Best Buy
• Monthly Plans starting at $19.99

Pros

• No long-term contract
• Supports many third-party devices

Cons

• Pricier professional monitoring plans

Blue by ADT is a sensible middle-ground if you want a security system from a long-running and reputable company like ADT, but don’t want to pay for a professional installation or be tied to a long-term-contract. And though Blue by ADT may technically be DIY, its automation capabilities are far more expansive than other DIY systems like Ring, meaning you can control many Z-Wave devices like lights, thermostats, and garage door openers. It also works well with both Alexa and Google Assistant.

Blue by ADT’s 10-Piece-Starter Kit includes a smart home hub, keypad, motion sensor, and six door and window sensors, plus an ADT yard sign and ADT window stickers. You also have the option to add cameras and other sensors for an additional cost. 24/7 professional monitoring costs $20 per month, which is higher than comparable DIY systems, but you can always opt for the free self-monitoring through the app.

Best Home Security System for a Tight Budget

Skylink

Installation: DIY

Best Deals Today

• Base Price starting at $106.99 $89.99 from Walmart
• Base Price starting at $113.44 from Home Depot

Pros

• Compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant
• Less costly than other DIY options

Cons

• No professional monitoring

For those on a tighter budget, Skylink offers a variety of starter kits to fit your security needs. Their most basic system, Skylink SK-150 Basic Starter Kit, includes an Internet hub, one window/door sensor, one motion sensor, and the necessary mounting equipment. The system is also compatible with both Alexa and Google Assistant, and is able to integrate with other smart home devices, making it a surprisingly flexible system for its price point.

As a truly self-monitoring service, you won’t have to worry about monthly payments, but this also means you don’t have access to professional monitoring, meaning it’s up to you to alert any authorities about a disturbance.

Best Home Security System for Existing or Future AT&T Customers

AT&T Digital Life

Installation: Professional

Best Deals Today

• Base Price starting at $549.99 from AT&T
• Monthly Plans starting at $39.99

Pros

• Able to bundle with other AT&T services
• Professional monitoring

Cons

• Long-term contract
• Expensive upfront costs

If you are an existing AT&T customer, or you’re looking to choose AT&T as your internet or cable provider, you may be happy to know you can also bundle their Digital Life home security system into your services. Its base package is admittedly on the pricier end, though it does come with four surface contact sensors, two recessed contact sensors, one motion sensor, one indoor siren, and a keypad alarm. The free professional installation also helps to offset the initial costs.

While the 24/7 professional monitoring is definitely a potential benefit, it’s worth noting that AT&T’s Digital Life contract lasts for 24 months, and you may be subject to certain penalties if you try to cancel early.

Most Portable Home Security System

Ooma

Installation: DIY

Best Deals Today

• Base Price starting at $199.99 from Best Buy
• Monthly Plans starting at $5.99

Pros

• No contracts
• Low-cost professional monitoring

Cons

• Professional monitoring unavailable in some states
• No security camera options

Ooma offers affordable, no contract, DIY home security systems that are easy to install and come with optional low-cost professional monitoring plans. Ooma’s starter pack includes a base station, one motion sensor, one water sensor, and two door/window sensors. Additional products like sirens and smoke detectors are also available, however Ooma does not currently sell any cameras with their product line.

Ooma’s security system is streamlined, simple to set up, and easy to move around, making it great for those who want a portable, no-frills system that still allows for some home automation capabilities. Just make sure you aren’t in one of the few states where their professional monitoring is unavailable.

Most Reliable Home Security System for Professional Monitoring

Alder

Installation: DIY or Professional

Best Deals Today

• Monthly Plans starting around $40.00 from Alder (you must call an Alder sales rep for an exact customized quote)

Pros

• System is up and running in minutes
• 4G LTE cellular monitoring

Cons

• Long-term contract
• Limited equipment options

Alder’s base package includes two door/window sensors, one motion detector, one touchscreen control panel, and one base station hub. Getting everything set up takes only minutes, and Alder’s touchscreen control panel is intuitive and simple to learn.

Professional monitoring response times have to be fast and reliable in order to be effective, and Alder delivers with a purported response time of 3.4 seconds. This is possible through their 4G LTE cellular monitoring, which means the system is designed to monitor at all times, even in the event of an internet outage or a line disruption. The only possible downside we see to their exceptional monitoring service is their 36-month contract, which necessitates a serious commitment.