Best Apartment Security Systems of 2025 (Wireless and Affordable)

We crowned SimpliSafe the best security system for apartments and renters after testing every wireless, no-contract system on the market. We prioritized features that serve people who are renting and may move, affordability, and equipment that won't mess up the walls (or wires) of your apartment. But it was a really close race, so we'll explain why you might want to consider other options for your apartment security system instead. 

In short, SimpliSafe's got the most affordable equipment and there are no hoops to jump through if you want to cancel your monthly subscription. But Abode's the winner for small spaces like shared apartments or studios. Plus, it's the only apartment security system that works with the Apple Homekit. If you rely on customer reviews to make shopping decisions, Cove has a stellar reputation and fantastic customer-first policies. 

Yes; home security is a good idea for apartments because renters are nearly twice as likely as homeowners to experience a burglary.¹ But security systems have traditionally catered to homeowners with credit checks, long-term contracts, hardwired equipment, and even "you must be a homeowner" clauses. 

Fortunately, that baloney is now the exception rather than the rule.

Like renters, security systems have to move around sometimes—all of our apartment security picks are wireless, free of contracts, and can move with you whenever your lease is up. Each DIY security system costs under $50 per month, and many have flexible up-front equipment purchasing options so they can fit your budget while protecting your personal property.

There are a few things to consider before choosing a security system for your apartment.

• Size of the security system: Choose a security system that's tailored for smaller spaces like apartments, so you're not paying for unnecessary extras.

• Wireless setup: Opt for a wireless system. These can be installed without hardwiring anything into your apartment's electrical.

• Self-monitoring vs. professional monitoring: Decide whether you want to monitor your system or prefer professional services with emergency dispatch.

• Portability: Make sure the security system is easy to move, especially if you plan on relocating.

• No long-term contracts: Avoid systems with lengthy contracts since apartment living might be temporary.

• Smart home compatibility: Consider systems that integrate with smart home devices for convenience and added features.

• Security camera options: Look for systems with indoor cameras, especially if your landlord restricts outdoor options. If you want to monitor your front door, be sure to get a system with a doorbell camera. These can often be installed with double-sided tape, so you don't need to make any holes.

• Noise level: Choose a system with quiet or adjustable alarms so it doesn't disturb neighbors unnecessarily.

You can read more about the wider security landscape in our comprehensive guide on home security systems.

SimpliSafe gives you a basic security system and nothing more. Don't expect many cool smart home gadgets or third-party compatibility. Who says renters don't want smart homes too? When it comes to smart home integration, we wish SimpliSafe's offerings were more robust.

We've tested SimpliSafe over and over in multiple staff members' homes. Get a summary of our opinions—good and bad—in our full SimpliSafe review. Or check out our SimpliSafe FAQ page and our head-to-head Cove vs. SimpliSafe review.

Just check out our Abode compatibility guide before you buy—it integrates with a lot of devices, but still doesn't work with everything.

When we say Abode's best for apartment security, we're not only talking about the size and layout of your rental but also the fact that you probably only need indoor security. Abode's outdoor camera—the Cam 2—didn't work well for any of us when we passed it around for testing. 

But the good news is that Abode connects to some excellent third-party cameras like Arlo and Blink. If you want to use Abode for a rental home with outdoor surveillance needs, save yourself a headache and skip the Cam 2. Everything else works great.

Get the full scoop on what it's like to set up and use this system in our full Abode review, or read our Abode FAQs.

You can head straight to the online shop or take a custom quiz to let Cove pair you with the equipment you need based on the number of doors and windows in your rental (among other factors). Here's what the quiz suggested for us:

We did some extra mystery shopping and math to put these prices into context: Cove sells the most affordable equipment in the industry. You'd spend an extra $100 to $300 to get the same equipment from other top security brands. 

If you live in an apartment or townhome with a unit number, you're not eligible for Cove's "economy payment" plan, which allows you to use $415 worth of equipment for free with a 36-month contract. 

Instead, you'll need to pay for the equipment up front. On the plus side, you won't be locked into a long-term contract and can cancel at any time without penalty. 

We learned a lot about Cove by testing this system hands-on—and in a rental to boot.  Find out what we like and dislike about this security brand in our full Cove review, or check out our Cove FAQs.

Wyze's professional home monitoring service costs about $10 per month, making it the most affordable option in the industry. But that's the only plan available, so there's no way to pay a little extra and get more services, like cellular backup to keep the system running if your rental has terrible Wi-Fi. You get what you get.

Think you can't have cool smart-home gadgets in your apartment without paying a hefty price? Think again. Wyze offers tons of smart home products at affordable prices.

You might need your landlord's approval before you install a security system. Particularly the thermostat and video doorbell, since those require hardwiring. Otherwise, most Wyze equipment is plug-and-play.

Learn more in our full Wyze Home Monitoring Review.

Here's why some familiar names didn't make it onto our list of top apartment security and systems for renters.

Vivint told us they don't typically install a security system in an apartment unit. They're willing to work with you if you rent a single-family home as long as your landlord approves all the drilling and hardwiring. Other downsides to using Vivint in a rental include high equipment fees, long-term contracts, and a four-day trial period.

ADT 's original security system (different than ADT Self Setup) maintains a strict "homeowners only" policy—probably because they require credit checks, long-term contracts, and hardwired installation.

You'll be redirected to their DIY option ADT Self Setup as soon as you mention renting. 

Technically, renters can get a Brinks Security system, but there are plenty of reasons to steer clear:

• You have to sign a 36-month contract.
• You owe 100% of the remaining balance if you need to cancel.
• You need to pass a credit check.
• Its monthly fees start at around $40, which is higher than the industry average of $32 per month.
• Brinks equipment is usually more expensive than the industry average.

When it comes to safety and security, what issues are renters most likely to encounter? What are their biggest concerns?

We surveyed 1,000 Americans who are currently leasing their home and found that today’s renters are even worse off than we thought. From nonfunctional locks to unresolved maintenance requests, it’s no wonder that nearly one in three respondents said they’ve considered moving out purely due to safety or security issues.

While most landlords aren’t necessarily required to provide or maintain features such as security cameras or outdoor lighting, our survey results show a clear correlation: the safer a renter feels, the more likely they are to stay. So we were curious: what are landlords most likely to provide?

Most renters are provided with at least one of the safety or security enhancements above. But there’s certainly room for improvement. More than 1 in 10 renters are provided with none of these protections, and less than 16% are provided with four or more. 

To rank the best apartment security systems, we focused on these criteria:

• No contracts (and, by default, no cancellation fees or credit checks)
• DIY installation (the easier the better)
• No "homeowners only" policies

From that list of must-haves, we narrowed down the contenders by looking at these features:

• Mover-friendly policies and packages
• Self-monitoring option
• Value for the money
• Equipment price
• Equipment variety
• Financing option

We also considered the most common renting scenarios—home rental, apartment rental, studio rental—and made sure we could recommend a brand for each one.

Finally, we factored in our team's experience testing each of the security systems that made it to our final "best for apartments" list. This hands-on knowledge confirmed whether a system is truly easy to install and take down—and whether the equipment and monitoring service is worth paying for in the first place. 

Check out our methodology page to learn more about how we approach apartment security systems and all our reviews.

SimpliSafe offers streamlined equipment that's affordable and easy to move. Best of all, you won't be tied into a contract—and SimpliSafe makes it easy to cancel monthly monitoring if you don't need it.

• The Apartment Security Guide for Renters
• 5 Best Door Locks for Apartments and Renters
• Best Peephole Cameras
• I Rent an Apartment. Should I Still Consider a Security System?
• 7 Safety Questions to Ask Your Landlord Before Moving In
• Is Your Landlord Trespassing? Learn Your Rights as a Renter

1. US Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, "Household Burglary, 1994–2011." Accessed May 6, 2025.
2. Randy Travis, FOX 5 Atlanta, "We Asked 99 Burglars 20 Questions--Their Answers Could Make You Safer," February 2018. Accessed May 6, 2025.
3. Eufy, "Compatibility Between eufySecurity Devices." Accessed May 6, 2025.