Home security systems—once the exclusive domain of high-priced professional installers—have never been more affordable, and the hardware and software is simpler, more intuitive, and easier to set up than ever before. We have other roundups that name the best smart home hubs and components—everything from the best smart bulbs to the best smart speakers—but in this roundup, we name the best do-it-yourself home security systems.
DIY home security systems come in a variety of types, ranging from standalone intrusion-detection setups to multi-input monitoring systems. They offer a sliding scale of protection levels from push-notifications on your smartphone to 24/7 professional monitoring capable of dispatching first responders in an emergency. Choosing the best option for your home and your budget can be tricky, but our roundup brings you the best of the field to make your selection simple.
But let’s face it: Not everyone wants to do the DIY route. If that’s you, we can also recommend our favorite custom-installed home security system.
Why you should trust us
TechHive’s editors and contributors have been building out their own smart homes for more than 15 years, and we continuously evaluate the latest hardware and software. We’ve experienced the great products, the not-so-great products, and everything in between. You can trust us to guide you to the right system for your needs.
The best DIY smart home systems
Ring Alarm Pro (8-piece kit) — Best DIY home security system
Pros
- Very easy to set up
- An integrated Wi-Fi 6 router renders it a fantastic value
- Good Wi-Fi performance, and its range can be expanded with Eero mesh nodes
- Expandable battery and broadband backup features
Cons
- Falls a little short of being an all-purpose smart home hub
- Subscription required for local video processing and storage
- Zigbee radio is still dormant, and there’s no Thread radio
Why we like the Ring Alarm Pro
Even though Ring has switched its professional monitoring option to an à la carte plan that will result in a de facto $10-per-month price increase for most users in one year (existing users were grandfathered into a cheaper plan, so there cost won’t go up immediately), you won’t find a more comprehensive collection of products or a better value in DIY home security. Some plans include 24/7 recording for an unlimited number of Ring security cameras (a limited number of wired models). And the Ring Alarm Pro also features an integrated Eero Wi-Fi 6 mesh router.
Given that Ring Alarm systems also have Z-Wave and Zigbee radios on board (although the Zigbee radios are currently dormant), they make for the beginnings of a kick-ass smart home hub, with the Works with Ring program adding support for numerous third-party products, including smart locks, garage-door controllers, in-wall light switches, smart thermostats, and other smart home devices. It’s not quite as powerful a smart home hub as a Samsung SmartThings Station, but it will take you most of the way there.
Who should buy the Ring Alarm Pro
The Ring Alarm Pro is for anyone looking for a smart home security system that offers the option of professional monitoring. Ring also makes best-in-class video doorbells and security cameras, and when you plug an inexpensive endurance-rated microSD card into the Ring Alarm Pro, you get local storage and processing of all the video those cameras capture. The hub also serves as a bridge for Ring’s smart lighting products.
If you don’t need to upgrade your home’s Wi-Fi router, and you don’t mind using a discrete bridge for your Ring smart lighting products, take a long look at the Ring Alarm (2nd Generation), which has everything but the router and the bridge.
Abode Iota — Best DIY home security system, runner up
Pros
- Setup is as streamlined as it gets, and its all-in-one design makes it even more foolproof
- Pricing is solid, at least for a smaller home
- Plenty of thoughtful extras, including wireless connectivity and battery backup
- Apple HomeKit compatible
Cons
- Integrated camera’s 1080p resolution is no longer impressive
- Integrated siren isn’t as loud as we’d like
Why we like the Abode Iota
The Abode Iota takes the original Abode home security system we reviewed in 2018 and incorporates a 1080p security camera and motion sensor into a smal enclosure. Like the original Abode system, which remains on the market, the Iota can operate as a capable smart home hub, having Zigbee and Z-Wave radios on board; plus, LTE backup in case your usual broadband connection fails (this requires a subscription).
It’s also compatible with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, and IFTTT. Abode offers its own smart retrofit deadbolt, and its third-party device support is comparable to Ring’s, including control over Philips Hue smart lighting devices, Ecobee smart thermostats, and even Sonos speakers. You can monitor the system yourself, or sign up for professional monitoring at $24.99 per month or $229.99 per year.
Who should buy the Abode Iota?
The Abode Iota is a strong value because you’re getting a smart home/home security system and a home security camera all in one box. The Abode Iota is broadly compatible with all the important smart home ecosystems, and if you spring for a subscription, you’ll get LTE backup in case your usual broadband connection fails. The hub has a battery-backup feature that keeps it operating in the event of a power failure, too.
Arlo Home Security System — Best DIY home security system, 2nd runner-up
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