2022’s Top Rated Security System Options for Your Home
February 9, 2022
Home protection and family safety are the primary purposes of a home security system. While this includes detecting break-ins, a security system also detects a number of other threats, including smoke, fire, carbon monoxide poisoning, and water damage. Whether you self-monitor or pay for professional monitoring, a home security system levels up your home’s safety and provides you peace of mind.
When purchasing or building a new home, it makes sense to protect your investment with a home security system. Our years of experience in real estate have given us inside insight on the best security system options for your home. Read below for our recommendations:
Vivint offers one connected smart home monitoring system with professional installation. Vivint’s equipment options include an outdoor camera, a doorbell camera, a smart doorlock, motion sensors, door/window sensors, a glass break sensor, a water sensor, a carbon monoxide sensor, a smoke detector, a garage door controller, a smart thermostat, a panic pendant, and a Smart Hub.
The Vivint system is designed for those who want heavy home monitoring. Its Smart Drive & Hub can connect up to six cameras and increases the WiFi bandwidth so it doesn’t create bandwidth lag.
Vivint connects to Amazon’s Alexa, and also includes 14-day cloud storage with its security camera service plans. You don’t need to pay extra for the Vivint Smart Drive unless you want continuous local video storage. Vivint pro monitoring starts at $29.99/month.
Frontpoint delivers all the home security bells and whistles of full-service professionally installed systems but puts all the control (and installation) in your hands. For those who like the independence of DIY but don’t want to compromise on equipment options or features, Frontpoint fits the bill.
The one standout option that FrontPoint offers is identity theft protection. Frontpoint ID Protect notifies you immediately if someone is using one of your accounts and you can take action directly from their dashboard. Security professionals are available 24/7 to help you set things right.
FrontPoint features indoor and outdoor cameras, live video feeds, 24/7 video recordings, smart home integration, and mobile app control. Various tiers have different pricings. FrontPoint starts at $34.99/month.
SimpliSafe allows you to choose the equipment and monitoring level you want with no-pressure online shopping and provides no-contract professional monitoring service. This brand is good for smaller homes and apartments because of its straightforward equipment, and is also good for those with a budget thanks to its cost-effective options. SimpliSafe also offers a 60-day money-back guarantee, so it’s a great option to try out a home security system.
SimpliSafe offer’s RapidSOS, a unique security-monitoring feature that speeds up help in an emergency. It skips sending information to a monitoring center and sends it directly to 911 dispatchers so first responders get to you (wherever you are) faster. Pro monitoring starts at $14.99/month.
Cove is known for being very customer friendly, with its affordable monthly monitoring prices and its easy cancellation policies that allow cancellation without punishing fees. On the downside, it has very limited smart home compatibility. Cove does come with a 7-in. touchscreen panel, InstaText that allows you to confirm emergencies through text message instead of phone call, and LiveAssist service through a control panel (no phone needed). This brand features RapidSOS, but also features lifetime equipment warranties as well as a rate-lock guarantee.
Cove uses “done with me” installation, which allows you to install the system yourself, but with help. The touchscreen panel walks you through installation with large, easy-to-understand instructions. Cove’s pro monitoring starts at $14.99/month.
Probably the most well-known and biggest company on the list is ADT. ADT has nine professional monitoring centers that act as backup to the backup to the backup for your safety monitoring. ADT has 145 years of security monitoring history. It has both land-line and cellular monitoring options and offers professional installation and security consultation. ADT also has smart home control availability.
When you’re dealing with a big company like ADT, you also have to deal with long-term contracts, pricey upgrades, and installation fees. But sometimes you get what you pay for. Professional monitoring begins at $27.99/month.
Ring, probably the most well-known of the DIY home-security systems, offers a 5-piece Home Security Kit that includes a Base Station, a Key Pad, Contact Sensors for Doors & Windows, Motion Detectors and a Signal Extender that extends the Base Station’s signal to all the rest of the system components. Everything is controlled in the downloadable Ring app, and everything you need to get set up is inside the box. No professionals or tools needed. Estimated price: $199.99.
Google’s Nest Outside Monitoring Package includes a Nest Mini, a Nest Hub Max, a Nest Video Doorbell, & a Nest Security Camera. This package provides everything you need for a basic home security system. You will need to subscribe to the Nest Aware app for a monthly fee to access the full capabilities of the cameras, but you won’t need to pay for a professional monitoring service. Cost: $249.98 for the package plus $10.42/month.
The Abode Iota system consists of a base station camera, a single door/window sensor, and a key fob. Tool-free installation allows installation in 15 minutes or less. System connectivity can be Wi-Fi or Ethernet cable. The Iota is also compatible with Ecobee thermostats, Alexa, Google Home and other smart home devices. Download and use the Abode app to view live and recorded video, alerts and system status. Estimated price: $279.99.
From DIY install to pro, from simple security to smart home control, there should be an option for every need on this list. Protecting your family and your assets with a home security system is a smart move to make. Should you need any further advice or have any questions about security systems or real estate in general, please feel free to reach out to Varma Realty Group at varun@varmarealtygroup.com or at 513-307-3599.
Thank you for reading our real estate articles.
If you're serious about buying, selling, or investing in a home or property, let's connect.
