The Best Alexa-Compatible Home Security Systems

ADT has been the first name in home security for nigh on two centuries—but that esteemed reputation has collected a little dust over the years. We’ve enjoyed all the changes ADT rolled out in 2020, and its strong Amazon Alexa integration is one of our favorites.

While most security systems let Alexa arm and disarm your system, ADT gives you true voice control. You can turn smart lights on, adjust the temperature, and ask if you left the garage door open (hint—if you did, Alexa will close it for you).

Now you can get the most reliable pro monitoring in the business and all the newfangled bells and whistles offered by other companies like SimpliSafe or Vivint. It’s about time, ADT. Welcome to the show.

To figure out which security systems work best with Amazon Alexa, we started with the systems we already know do a good job at keeping your home and family safe. We considered our usual criteria, including price, tech and equipment, customer satisfaction, and overall value.

From there, we looked at how easy it was to add voice control with Alexa and how much you could do with it.

We prioritized systems that offer great pro monitoring and those that let you do more with Alexa than simply arm and disarm your security system. Top consideration was given to these primary factors:

• Built-in Alexa integration
• Alexa Guard integration
• Smart home controls
• Emergency help integration

Plus, you can activate Alexa Guard to listen for signs of danger when you’re not at home. If something suspicious is detected (the fire alarm or breaking glass) you can get an instant alert on your phone or have Alexa send an audio clip directly to an ADT monitoring center for immediate assistance.

These extra “ears” let you run errands or visit the grandparents in peace—knowing that ADT (and Alexa) are keeping watch on everything while you’re away.

The biggest disappointment is that you need to spend more to get these benefits. The lowest-level monthly plan that comes with Alexa compatibility runs about $45 per month, and you can’t get smart home controls until you jump up to the $63 monthly plan.

Get all the details in our full ADT review.

On top of arming and disarming your ADT home security system, you can use Alexa to control other smart home devices and keep you updated on system activity. You can try these tasks:

• Check in on the status of your system (is it armed?).
• Turn lights on and off, and dim or change colors on smart light bulbs.
• Lock and unlock smart door locks.
• Control the temperature in different rooms to make sure everyone is comfy.
• Use Alexa Guard to monitor CO and smoke alarms, listen for suspicious sounds like glass breaking, and automatically send audio clips to ADT’s monitoring centers.

When all is said and done, it’s a little confusing to figure out how to best maximize Alexa integration with the Ring Alarm system.

I usually love the option to shop by myself online without having to talk to someone. But to get the best Ring Alarm and Amazon Alexa setup, it took a lot of digging and reading to make sure I had all the components I’d need—and knowing this stuff is quite literally my job!

We recommend reaching out to Ring for help to make sure you get everything you need to have all the controls and convenience you want. Their online chat support is your best bet, especially with COVID-19 measures in place.

Learn more about Ring Alarm in our full review.

Here’s a sample of all the things you can control with your voice when you add the Ring skill to your Amazon Alexa app:

• Control Ring video doorbells and set up doorbell announcement notifications.
• Control Ring smart lighting devices.
• Control and access footage from Ring security cameras.
• Control Ring smart locks.
• Monitor battery life in all of your devices.
• Create smart home routines.
• Use Alexa Guard to listen for breaking glass and smoke and CO alarm alerts.

Scout’s accessibility makes up for some of Scout’s limitations, like no smoke alarm monitoring and tricky integration with other smart home ecosystems, like Nest.

If you want Scout to work with your Nest equipment, you’ll have to pay for monitoring from both companies, which makes Scout’s $20 a month pro monitoring seem like less of a good deal.

Find out all the details on Scout home security in our full review.

Here’s a look at everything you can do when you add Amazon Alexa voice control to your Scout security system:

• Stay in-the-know on every event your Scout system records.
• Get a run-down of your system’s history (Alexa, ask Scout about the last three events).
• Control and check in on the status of your security system.
• Ask the status of specific sensors like the bedroom window or front door.
• Call your emergency contacts without opening an app or picking up your phone.
• Ask Alexa to call for help from the Scout monitoring center.
• Activate your system’s panic mode.

Our top three Alexa-compatible home security systems do the best job of maximizing the perks of voice control—both for convenience and safety.

We also looked at some other top security brands, but they didn’t offer much more than the ability to ask Alexa if your security system is armed or disarmed. Here’s a quick look at our runners-up.

Vivint is compatible with two Amazon Alexa skills—the Complete skill and the Basic skill. Depending on which Vivint security system plan you have, you may or may not be able to use these skills.

The Complete skill lets you use voice control for smart home gadgets like door locks, smart lights, thermostats, and garage doors. But that control is limited.

You can turn lights on and off and adjust the temperature, but for security, all you can do is arm the system and lock the door. Vivint doesn’t let you disarm or unlock with Alexa.

And, as with most other Alexa-compatible systems, you have to tell Alexa to ask Vivint to do whatever you want done.

The Basic skill gives you even fewer options—but you don’t have to ask Alexa to “ask Vivint.” If you want straightforward lighting and thermostat control, you’re in luck. That’s all you can do with Alexa’s Basic skill for Vivint security systems.

Find out more about Vivint home security in our full review, and see how it stacks up to our favorite Alexa-compatible home security system.

ADT vs. Vivint Security

It’s easy to connect your Frontpoint security system to Alexa’s Frontpoint skill, but it doesn’t give you much extra control. Much like Vivint, Frontpoint’s primary compatibility with Alexa is related to control of smart home devices like smart lights, the garage door, smart locks, and your smart thermostat.

But you do get a few extras. With Alexa, you can arm your Frontpoint system and ask the status of your system. Plus, Frontpoint lets you access security cameras with Alexa. You can move cameras (pan and tilt) or ask the camera to record a clip.

We’ve seen Frontpoint add a lot of smart home upgrades to its offerings over the past couple of years, so we hope to see expanded voice control features in the future. But for now, all you get is pretty basic smart home control that’s available from Alexa all on its own—adding the Frontpoint system to Alexa doesn’t really give you anything new.

Get all the details about Frontpoint in our full review, and find out how it compares to our top Alexa security system.

ADT Security vs. Frontpoint

Voice control is fun and convenient, but when it comes to your security system, voice control needs to add extra safety. Here’s a quick recap of which home security systems’ Alexa integrations fit the bill:.

ADT offers the most benefits when you add voice control with Amazon Alexa. And we like that the company is so committed to these features that it includes Amazon Echo devices with some of its packages. We also like the extra reassurance of Alexa Guard—that gives you back-up if something happens when you’re asleep or away from home.

Ring Alarm comes with built-in Amazon Alexa compatibility and also includes Alexa Guard, but Ring’s security system equipment and features aren’t as robust as ADT’s.

Scout takes a minimalist approach to equipment, which makes it attractive and ideal for smaller living spaces. But it doesn’t hold back when it comes to what you can do with Amazon Alexa. We like that you can use Alexa to call for help or activate the panic mode.

If you’re still not decided, check out our favorite smart home security systems.

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The Best Smart Home Devices

Ultimate Guide to Alexa and the Amazon Echo Family