Essential Home Security Systems Guide for 2025

Your home should be your safe place. But keeping it that way takes planning, the right gear, and a little know-how. That’s where we come in. Whether you're researching your first alarm setup or looking to upgrade, this expert-driven guide covers everything you need to know about home security systems—how they work, how to choose, and how to protect what matters most.

When it comes to home security, there's no one-size-fits-all solution—and that's actually a good thing!

The best system for you depends on a few key things:

1. Where you live — Apartment, house, condo, or mobile home? Your setup might look a little different based on your space. A small apartment with no outside entrance or ground-floor windows may require fewer sensors overall, including only an indoor camera, whereas a standalone house with front and back entrances and multiple ground-floor windows may need half a dozen or more sensors, two motion detectors, and outdoor cameras.
2. Your comfort with tech — Want to set it up and install it yourself? Go DIY. Prefer someone else to handle it? Professional installation might be the way to go (even most DIY systems offer a paid installation option). Depending on whether you're into smart home technology, compatibility with an existing ecosystem is another consideration.
3. Your budget — Whether you're starting small with a basic DIY self-monitored kit or going all-in on a professionally installed and monitored system, there's something out there for every price range. DIY systems usually require a larger upfront payment, while professional systems often include your equipment costs in your monthly payment.
4. How you want to monitor things — Some folks like 24/7 professional monitoring, where someone’s always looking out for your place. Others are happy keeping tabs on their own with phone alerts. The biggest difference here is who calls for help—the monitoring center or you. If you rarely respond to notifications on your phone, self-monitoring isn't recommended.

Still not sure what's right for you? No worries—the rest of this expert guide walks you through everything step-by-step. Or, take our quick quiz to find your perfect match in just a few clicks.

To create this guide, we consulted with industry leaders in safety and security, as well as our in-house experts.

A home security system is more than a network of sensors and devices; it’s a sigh of relief, it’s reassurance, and it’s a deep, satisfying exhale because you can relax knowing your home, loved ones, and possessions are safeguarded—even when you can’t be there.

Bottom line—a home security system is your home's way of looking out for you. It's a combo of devices and services that work together to help protect your home and the people/pets in it—from break-ins to fires and other unexpected surprises.

There are four main types of systems to choose from:

• Professional systems are full-service. They come with professional installation, have lower starting costs, and usually require a long-term monitoring contract. It’s the most expensive type of burglar alarm.
• DIY systems you install and set up yourself, though you’ll pay for it all beforehand. DIY security systems are ideal for renters because they typically don’t require a contract. Instead, you can either pay for professional monitoring on a month-to-month basis or monitor the system yourself.
• Self-monitored systems put you in charge of responding to alerts. You’ll pay upfront for equipment, but this is the cheapest kind of alarm system because there are no monthly fees.
• Takeover systems let you reuse existing equipment by connecting it to a monitoring provider, saving money if your home already has gear. Takeovers of systems from companies like Vivint may include the remainder of an existing monitoring contract.

Most systems (regardless of the type) come with a smartphone app, so you can check in or make changes even if you're miles away.

Here's how it all comes together: Your home security system is made up of devices like window and door sensors, motion detectors, and sometimes cameras or glass break sensors. If something unusual happens—like your front door opens when it shouldn’t, movement is detected in a room, or a loud sound is picked up—one of these sensors gets triggered. That sensor then sends a signal to your system, which can alert you, sound an alarm, or even notify a monitoring center, depending on how your system is set up.

From there, one of two things happens:

• If you have professional monitoring, a trained expert will check in to see what's going on and then alert emergency services if needed.
• If you're doing self-monitoring, you'll get a notification on your phone so you can take action.

Many systems also include smart features like:

• Arming and disarming remotely or on a schedule
• Live video or recorded clips
• Two-way audio so you can talk through a video doorbell or camera
• Smart routines, like locking the front door when you arm the system

Whether you go wired or wireless, most of today's systems are built to be flexible, user-friendly, and easy to manage—even if you've never used one before.

Monitoring is where the rubber meets the road—instead of simply sounding a blaring alarm that you have to be present to hear and most people will likely ignore (do you worry about car alarms?), every security system we test and recommend is set up for some type of remote monitoring.

Whether you use your system’s app for monitoring or prefer to have trained pros in a monitoring center watching out for your home, monitoring is what can take your security system from reactive to proactive. We don’t want to simply acknowledge and document that a break-in or theft happened; we want to try to stop it.

• Traditional professional monitoring: Sensors in your system detect a problem and send an alert to the monitoring center, where a rep will call you to verify if there’s really an emergency. If you don’t answer, they’ll go ahead and call for help.
• Live or virtual guard monitoring: When your system sends an alert, reps at the monitoring center check in on your cameras to see what’s going on in real-time. They can also let the perpetrator know they’re being watched and recorded and that police have been called.
• Self-monitoring: Instead of sending an alert to a monitoring center, your system sends it to you via email, push notifications, or alerts in your system’s mobile app. Then, it’s your call whether to try to scare off the lurker, call for emergency help, or ignore a false alarm.
• No monitoring: This is basically back to the car alarm scenario. The system’s siren will make noise, and if you’re home, you’ll be able to call for help, get out, and/or defend yourself.

We strongly recommend professional monitoring for the best and most reliable protection, but it requires a subscription and may also come with a contract. Most self-monitoring is free, but depending on the system, you may need to pay extra for video recording and some advanced alerts. While you might save money, self-monitoring also leaves you vulnerable if you’re incapacitated and unable to call for help—an issue I’ve worried about as someone who lives alone.

The quickest comparison is that professional installation is easier while DIY installation is cheaper. Whether you install a security system yourself or pay a security company to do it for you is ultimately your choice, so it’s good to know what you’re getting into with each option.

Still deciding? Our installation guide walks you through both options so you can choose what fits your home—and comfort level—best.

Let’s face it—the equipment that comes with your security system is what you rely on to provide protection and help deter a burglary. If you have your heart set on a certain type of camera (Google Nest) or specific smart home integration (Apple HomeKit), equipment might change the provider you decide to go with.

It’s typically the biggest expense in a home alarm system and comes with the highest up-front cost. Unlike monitoring, your equipment cost goes up as home sizes increase (at least if you want the same level of coverage). The more first-level doors and windows you have and the more outside space you want to keep an eye on, the more equipment you need.

Here's what most systems include:

• A hub or control panel that keeps everything connected
• Sensors for doors, windows, and movement around your home
• Cameras to keep an eye on things or record what's happening
• Alarms and alerts that go off when something's not right

In my experience, security cameras are the main star of any security system. Today, nearly all security cams (both indoor and outdoor) include proactive features like two-way talk, AI detection, and video alerts. We’ve used these features to talk to delivery people, shoo away shady characters, and get smart alerts for dog walkers and packages—no more notifications blowing up my phone every time my roommate’s cat walks in front of the camera.

There are three types of cameras you can add to your security system:

• Indoor cameras: My partner was surprised to see his “perfect” dog jump up on the couch the minute we pulled out of the driveway. On top of spying on precocious pets, we’ve used indoor cameras as baby monitors, in place of a motion sensor by an entry door, and to check in on kiddos after school. I recommend them as an “extra,” but not necessary to help prevent an intrusion.
• Outdoor cameras: With motion sensors, two-way audio, intelligent AI algorithms, and the occasional spotlight or floodlight attached, outdoor cams are a home security powerhouse. I’ve used one on its own in place of a full system while I’ve been in short-term housing and during times when I don’t have a full system installed at home. With companies like SimpliSafe and Ring offering live guards who interact with ne’er-do-wells in real time, outdoor security cameras are becoming a must-have.
• Video doorbell cameras: These are technically “outdoor” cameras, unless you’re using them inside a large apartment complex, in which case I prefer a peephole camera. All of my apartments, where my "outside" was a hallway instead of nature, came with a peephole, but none had a doorbell—peephole cams make more sense to install and use. Ring is the one that started it all, and now doorbell cams are a staple in neighborhoods across the country. These do all the things other outdoor cameras do, but they’re integrated with your home’s doorbell, so you don’t have to rely on motion for an alert.

Security cameras come with a lot of bells and whistles these days. Here's a look at the most common features to help you decide which cameras are best for your security needs:

• Power source: Cameras can run on batteries, solar power, and good, old-fashioned wall outlets. Depending on where you want to place a camera, skipping the cord for battery power may be preferable. If you’re interested in solar power, make sure you have enough sun exposure to keep your camera charged.
• Field of view (FOV): Gone are the days when you could only see the top half of the person at your door. Cameras with multiple lenses and super-wide FOV were hot at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) this year. This show is one of the biggest tech trade shows in the world, where we get a sneak peek at the latest innovations and upcoming product releases. Not only could we see the full person, but we could also see where they placed our package—all in one shot. This is especially useful if you have a large backyard or other property you want to keep an eye on without having to buy multiple cameras.
• Two-way talk: This is probably the most convenient feature that has become standard. Two-way audio lets you hear what's going on in front of the camera and respond through your security system control panel or app. If you need the delivery person to hide a package behind a bush, you can ask them to do it in real-time. Miss the kids? Say hi when they return from school. Best of all, if you see a lurker, you can tell them to shoo!
• Storage: Video footage is usually stored in two ways on a security camera: locally on the camera itself or in the cloud. I like local storage because it's more private and secure than footage that gets uploaded to the cloud. Either way, you’ll probably have to spend some dough on an SD card or a cloud subscription.
• Subscriptions: While most security cameras will work without a subscription, you might miss out on some of the best features, like Smart Video Search from Ring. Subscriptions can let you monitor multiple cameras, store more footage, continually record, and access advanced settings for notifications, motion sensitivity, and geofencing.

Sensors are the sentries that let you know what’s going on inside and outside your home. The most common types are contact sensors that let you know if something like a door or window is opened. But there are sensors for multiple hazards around the house, including:

• Glass break sensors — Instead of putting an entry sensor on every window, a single glass break sensor can cover the whole room. It “listens” for the sound (or vibration) of breaking glass—perfect for rooms with lots of windows or sliding glass doors.
• Flood and water leak sensors — Place these near water heaters, washing machines, or under sinks to catch leaks early—before they turn into expensive water damage.
• Heat/freeze sensors — Ideal for basements, garages, or vacation homes. These sensors alert you if the temperature gets too hot or too cold, helping you prevent frozen pipes or overheating appliances.
• Motion detectors — These pick up movement in a room and are great for covering large spaces like hallways, living rooms, or entryways—especially when you’re not home.
• Fire, smoke, and CO detectors — Life-saving essentials. These sensors alert you to smoke, fire, or deadly gas buildup. Many security systems let you link them to professional monitoring for automatic emergency dispatch.
• Tilt sensors — Used on garage doors, gates, or specialty windows, tilt sensors let you know when something is opened or moved—great for areas traditional sensors might miss.

Locks are a no-brainer for securing your home, whether or not they’re part of an alarm system. Smart locks that don’t require a physical key, send notifications, and can integrate with your system offer extra protection (and convenience). Some security companies, like SimpliSafe, have proprietary locks that are part of the brand’s ecosystem. Others partner or integrate with well-known lock brands like Yale and Schlage.

But door security doesn’t end with locks. I’ve lived with a number of sliding glass doors, and I’ve tested metal and wooden rods in the track, door sensors with alarms, and specially designed locks that reinforce the sliding door’s security. I asked my son to try to break in each time, and the rod in the track is the best at keeping an intruder out. If you’ve got a sliding glass door, we recommend adding that old-school deterrent—even if you have a home security system.

Bad deeds do better in the dark, which is why security lighting should be part of your home security plan—whether or not you add it to your security system. I like a motion-activated floodlight that’s combined with an outdoor camera, which you can get with most major security companies, including SimpliSafe, Ring, Vivint, ADT, Frontpoint, and Cove. Vivint’s outdoor cameras are my favorite—they incorporate different colors and effects, like strobe lights, along with alerts that can trigger support from the monitoring center.

Smart lights, switches, and dimmers are another consideration. Personally, I love smart lighting—but mostly indoors and over the patio for convenience (and fun) instead of security. Lots of security systems offer smart lighting equipment that will merge seamlessly with your system and its controls. It can help with security if you want to put on a “Home Alone” routine to simulate activity when you’re out of town.

Sometimes, your security system hub is also a smart hub that lets you control all of your security and smart home devices from one place. But that’s not always the case. If your alarm system doesn’t have a smart hub, you may want to use one like Google Home, Amazon Echo (Alexa’s speaker), or Apple HomePod. I like integrating alarm systems with smart home ecosystems to set routines and use voice control. Voice control is convenient when my hands are full or when I’m in the middle of cooking—depending on the system, I can even ask to see the video feed on my smart TV.

By no means is a smart hub essential, but it can amplify the effectiveness and utility of your alarm system. If you like technology and dig home automation, a smart hub that works with your system is a good idea—think disarming your system with a fingerprint or scheduling lights to turn on at dusk.

Your home security system is only as good as the app that controls it—especially if you're keeping an eye on things yourself. After testing the top apps, we’ve figured out what makes a good one stand out—and what to avoid.

The best apps put everything at your fingertips. You should be able to:

• Check live video feeds
• Arm or disarm your system
• Control smart lights, locks, and more—without hopping between different apps

Vivint’s app nails this with total control in one central place. No extra downloads, no jumping through hoops.

We love apps that don’t make you pay extra to unlock basic features. Vivint includes its full-featured app with every package, while some brands hold back on features unless you upgrade.

An intuitive app makes all the difference. SimpliSafe’s app is one of our faves—simple, dependable, and easy to use. It even works without a monitoring plan, though you’ll miss out on emergency dispatch and full video storage.

It’s tempting to prioritize the price tag (we all want to save money!), but look for the right equipment first, and the right price will appear. All of our favorite home security systems have different tiers of services and prices, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. You can find a great home security system on a budget, but you shouldn’t compromise safety while doing it.

When looking at your budget, prices boil down to a set of one-time and recurring fees. Most security systems require a monthly payment for monitoring and a one-time payment for the equipment. If you’re worried about a big down payment, companies like Vivint and ADT will roll the cost of your equipment into your monthly payment. And more DIY security companies, like Frontpoint and SimpliSafe, now offer financing to make it easier to get into a security system when you want to.

We track prices for monitoring and equipment for more than 20 nationwide alarm companies. As of April 2025, here’s how the data shakes out:

• Average price for monthly monitoring: $32.23
• Highest monthly monitoring: $99.00 (Ring)
• Lowest monthly monitoring: $3.99 (Wyze)
• Most common monthly monitoring price: $24.99
• Average price for starter equipment: $325.13
• Highest starter equipment price: $1,109.60 (ADT)
• Lowest starter equipment price: $0.00 (usually with a contract)
• Average activation fee: $99.00
• Average installation fee: $94.10

Want more details? Jump to compare security system costs.

If you’re on the fence about getting a home security system, these quick facts might change your mind. Real numbers show just how important it is to protect your space—whether you’re home or away.

That’s more than two break-ins every minute. In fact, by the time you finish reading this, a burglar could be moving on to their next target. Having a security system in place drastically lowers your chances of being next.

Between 2019 and 2023, the average loss from a residential burglary jumped nearly 80%, from around $2,600 per incident to over $4,700. Interestingly, burglars get away with more during the day ($5,018 on average) than when they strike at night ($4,488 on average).

We've been testing, researching, and collaborating with home security companies for more than a decade. We've tested dozens of DIY and professional security systems—digging into everything from setup and reliability to innovative features and customer service.

Most recently, I've been putting systems to the test in downtown Spokane, Washington—where there were 56 property crimes for every 1,000 residents in 2023 (the national average is 19.1). We also saw more than 10,000 burglaries and thefts in the same year.

After installing, triggering, and trying to beat the systems we test, here are some of the standout brands we regularly review and recommend:

No matter where you live or what your budget looks like, there’s a home security system that can help you feel safer and more in control. Whether you want the ease of a DIY setup, the reassurance of professional monitoring, or smart home features that work seamlessly with your lifestyle, today’s systems offer more flexibility and protection than ever before.

I hope this guide was the next best thing to talking with me and other SafeWise experts. If you're ready to join the 40% of Americans who improved their security in 2024, check out our best-of roundups or take our quiz to find the best system for your home.