The best smart home security systems

SimpliSafe may be a little expensive, but it's extremely easy to use, offers quick set up, and has excellent professional monitoring.

SimpliSafe is probably one of the best known smart home security systems out there, and it turns out that it really does live up to the hype — especially as a standalone system that you can control from your phone. The devices included in SimpliSafe are all well-designed and easy to use, plus they're paired with your system by default, making the setup process extremely easy. 

Once everything is set up, it's pretty easy to use. Unlike some other smart security systems, the SimpliSafe keypad allows you to pretty much control every aspect of your system, including paired devices — all through the built-in display. You can't see camera feeds on the display, you may not even have a camera depending on the system that you go for. Packages start at $230, but you can build your own bundle to get the exact devices that you want or need — and you might want to considering that the base bundle only comes with one motion sensor and one door sensor.

The system has you pretty much covered in every situation. The base station, for example, has a 24-hour battery backup, which will kick in if there's a power outage, plus there's a cellular connection in case that power outage takes down the Wi-Fi.

The app is very well-designed, and super easy to use. You can easily arm and disarm your system with the app, as well as manage your subscription, and tweak settings for what should happen when different devices are triggered. It's quite intuitive. 

Of course, to really get the most out of your SimpliSafe security system, you'll want to sign up to a subscription. There are two subscription options — a $14.99 standard plan, which offers live alarm monitoring, a cellular connection, and environmental monitoring, and a $24.99 plan, which adds features like phone alerts, video alarm alerts, camera recording, and smart home integrations. Those smart home integrations include Alexa, Google Assistant, and August — however commands are a little limited in that they can really only check the state of your system and arm it.

Despite the lack of deep smart home integration and the relatively high price for subscriptions, many love SimpliSafe. I've been testing it for a few weeks now and find it to be the best smart system out there. 

Pros: Easy to set up and use, wide range of compatible devices, excellent professional monitoring

Cons: Pricy subscription fees, smart home integrations aren't as deep as they could be.

Read our full SimpliSafe review here

The Abode Iota is well-designed and pretty easy to use, plus it works with a huge range of smart home ecosystems — including Apple's HomeKit.

SimpliSafe is a top-tier system, but it's not for you if you want your smart security system to integrate with HomeKit. If you want HomeKit compatibility, it's worth considering the Abode Iota, which is Abode's second-generation system that works directly with HomeKit.

You don't have to use Abode with HomeKit though. In fact, it works perfectly fine as a standalone security system, straight through the Abode app, which is relatively well-designed and easy to use. In the basic Abode bundle, you'll get the Iota base station, which has a camera built into it, along with a contact sensor or a key fob. You can thankfully buy extra devices separately for added security.

We're including Abode as the best HomeKit-compatible security systems because it's one of the only HomeKit-compatible systems — but it's actually compatible with a huge range of different ecosystems. You can use Abode with Google Assistant, Alexa, Philips Hue, Z Wave, and more. The integration is pretty deep, too. Once set up with HomeKit, Abode sensors can be used to trigger other devices, and you can use your voice to arm and disarm your system, check locks, and so on. Because of this, the Abode Iota is perhaps one of the smartest smart systems on this list.

But, it's not necessarily cheap. The base package comes at $280, and with only one contact sensor and one key fob (which is used to arm and disarm your system), that's quite a bit of cash. What's more, you'll have to pay $20 per month for the Pro plan if you want professional monitoring. There is a $6 per month plan that allows you to self-monitor, but considering the price of the devices up-front, this really should be free. 

Still, if you don't mind paying that cash, it's a solid system. I was able to get it set up relatively easily, and integrating it with the rest of my smart home devices was super easy.  

Pros: Excellent smart home integration, easy to use, well-designed, high-quality camera

Cons: Expensive, not many devices in the box

Nest is owned by Google, and the company continues to integrate Nest products deeper and deeper into the Nest ecosystem, like Nest Secure.

If you're in Google's ecosystem, you probably want a security system that works nicely with Google Assistant. In that case, it's worth considering the Nest Secure — which works beautifully with Google Assistant and other Google products.  

The Nest Secure comes with a keypad/base station called the Nest Guard, which connects to the two Nest Detect contact sensors, and can be controlled with the two Nest Tags, which are NFC key fobs. You can buy additional accessories if you want to, and as you would expect from a Nest device, the system works perfectly with cameras like the Nest Cam IQ and the Nest Hello video doorbell.

The Nest app is extremely well-designed and easy to navigate — and if you already have a Nest Thermostat or other Nest devices, you won't need to download a new app to use the system. Over time, Google is moving all Nest devices over to the Google app, and they're pretty easy to use there, too — plus you can easily control the system with Google Assistant. 

When it comes to professional monitoring, Nest offers it through Brink Home Security, and it comes at $19 per month for a three month agreement, or $29 per month if you pay month-to-month. That's not necessarily cheap — but you will get cellular backup in the event of a power outage taking down your Wi-Fi network, which is nice.

So, what about downsides? Well, the Nest Secure security system isn't necessarily cheap, with the base package coming at $399. It's also probably not the right choice for users in other ecosystems — while non-Google users can simply use it in the Nest app, Google is phasing out the Nest app over time, and the Secure doesn't work with HomeKit at all, and its Alexa integration isn't as deep as Ring's.

Still, in my testing, the Nest Secure has been one of the easiest to use, and the one that I enjoyed using the most. The products included are premium and offer nice extra features — like the fact that you can press the button on the Nest Detect contact sensors to quickly deactivate them without having to turn off your entire system. That's perfect for quickly slipping out of the door in the morning. 

Pros: Well-designed, very easy to use, excellent Google integration

Cons: Expensive, only really for Google users

Read our full Google Nest Secure review here

The Ring Alarm system is cheaper than most other smart security systems, plus it works excellently with Amazon Alexa.

Google has Nest, and Amazon now has Ring. Ring got its start with the video doorbell, but since then the company has built an ecosystem of smart devices — including a security system called the Ring Alarm. The system is now on its second generation, and it's available in a series of different bundles, with the base 5-piece package coming with a base station, a keypad, a contact sensor, a motion sensor, and a range extender. Ring, however, offers a huge range of other packages for different-sized rooms, and there are tons of accessories that work with the system, including smoke detectors, and freeze sensors.

Setting up the Ring Alarm is also very easy, and the app offers good instructions for how to set it all up. Once it's set up, you'll be able to arm your system, see device history, and more. The app also offers the Ring "Neighborhood" feature, which allows you to post and see other posts about local security in your area. For example, someone could post that their bicycle was stolen, and you could use that information to make sure your bicycle is locked up properly. It's a nice touch.

Professional monitoring is available for the Ring Alarm too. The service is called Ring Protect, and it comes at $10 per month, or $100 per year, and includes video recording and storage. There's a Basic plan too, which is $3 per month, but only includes video recording — not actual professional monitoring.

When it comes to Alexa integration, you'll be able to use your voice to arm your system, view footage on Alexa-compatible screens, and so on. It's expected that Amazon will continue the Alexa integration over time. 

There are a few downsides to Ring. For starters, it doesn't really integrate very well with Google Assistant, allowing you to arm the system with Google, but that's about it. It also doesn't integrate with HomeKit. Still, considering the relatively low base price, and the relatively cheap professional monitoring, it's a solid option for those who want an Alexa-integrated system or a system that can stand on its own. 

Pros: Well-designed, easy to use, good Alexa integration, inexpensive

Cons: Doesn't really integrate with other ecosystems

Read our full Ring Home Security System review here

Vivint may be expensive, but its systems offer excellent professional monitoring and professional installation for a seamless setup.

All the systems we've covered so far are relatively easy to install yourself, but the trade-off is that they're not necessarily as hidden or as built into your home. If you do want a professionally installed system, then it's worth considering Vivint. 

Vivint offers a relatively large range of devices that work with its system, including cameras, smart locks, and so on. And, they're all tied together and controlled through the Vivint app. Prices vary widely depending on what kind of a system you want, and each system is tailored to the home, considering it's professionally installed. There are some pre-built packages though — for example, for $599 you'll get a smart hub, two door/window sensors, a motion sensor, and a water sensor. 

Professional monitoring is pretty expensive too — starting at $29.99 per month. That price will also go up depending on the services you want to use. 

Smart home integration is decent, but not amazing. The system supports commands from Alexa and Google Assistant, and you'll be able to see and control individual devices in the system too, which makes for pretty deep integration. Once set up, you can arm your system, change Vivint thermostats, lock doors, and so on. 

Many reviewers love Vivint's systems too. The system has scored an impressive 4.6/5 at SafeWise, and PCMag gave it an also stellar 4.5/5.

Pros: Professional installation, wide range of compatible devices

Cons: Expensive, no HomeKit support

• Honeywell Smart Home Security Starter Kit($173.95): Honeywell's DIY system is easy to install and includes a 1080p camera with free cloud storage. It's also compatible with Alexa, IFTTT, and some third-party smart-home devices. But it doesn't offer professional monitoring, and its home-automation options are limited compared to other systems.  
• Wink Lookout ($199): Wink Lookout is a good option for folks who already use Wink's smart-home system. It works with the Wink Hub, as well as a variety of other smart-home devices with both the Z-Wave and Zigbee standard. However, we don't recommend it over other DIY systems because it lacks a professional-monitoring option, and it doesn't have a backup battery. 
• LifeShield Smart Home Security Kit ($229.99): ADT's LifeShield DIY system offers both self- and professional monitoring options, and works with Alexa and IFTTT. There are several kits you can get, including a keypad, a fob, any number of sensors and an indoor security camera. Unfortunately, it doesn't offer as many add-on components as systems like Simplisafe, and reviews found the camera's nighttime footage to be grainy. 
• Ooma Security Starter Kit ($126.58): Ooma's affordable DIY starter kit includes smoke detectors, motion sensors, a camera, and a siren. But it's a very basic system that doesn't offer professional monitoring, third-party integrations, or many advanced automation features.

– Monica Chin, former senior reporter