A home is a place where you find refuge. It is the place where you, your family, and even your property feel safe from the outside harm. However, with developing crimes and burglary all around the world, a certain standard of security has to be established in order to ensure that this refuge will be your safest place, and that could offer you peace of mind all the way notwithstanding the natural causes such as fire, flood, and other calamities.
For this reason, a home security system has been developed. A home security system is a combination of automated electronic parts that systematically work together to secure a place or property. Normally it consists of a control panel, door and window sensors, presence simulation, surveillance cameras, motion sensors, glass break detector, and high-decibel alarms. Each of these components plays a significant role in ensuring the comfort of your own home.
In your pursuit of looking for the best home security system, you will be bumped into the services offered accompanied to the product. They call it professional monitoring.
What is professional monitoring, and do I need it?
Professional monitoring is a service being tendered by a certain security company. The service being offered is accompanied by a 24/7 or 365 days day and night monitoring or surveillance of the security system you, in particular, have purchased from them. They watch any alert or notification being sent to their particular monitoring center, and the professional monitoring agent is responsible for dispatching or alerting the authorities for a detected threat.
Do I need it?
As professional monitoring comes with a fee, it is a good idea for you to know if you need such a service. You need this service because:
- You need professional monitoring if your house has many entrances, most especially, sliding doors. The more entrances, passages, windows, and rooms you have, the more you need security systems to be equipped in your house. These include sensors and security cameras. With multiple security equipment installed, the harder you can monitor it by yourself. Thus, professional monitoring is your solution.
- You need professional monitoring if your house is large. It is difficult for you to know if something is happening downstairs while you are upstairs or while you are sleeping. However, when you have decided to have professional monitoring installed, trained professionals can quickly check what is going on and can alert authorities for a possible threat.
- You need professional monitoring if you are always away from home. It is a very difficult task for you to self-monitor your house using the notifications alone made by your DIY installed sensors and camera. If you are always away from home, there may be a possibility that an internet connection may not be available. In professional monitoring, you have zero worries as your house is being watched 24/7, and if possible danger happens, professional monitoring agents are there immediately to notify the authorities.
What are the benefits of home security?
Acquiring a home security system will be one of the best decisions that you will ever make. It will offer you loads of benefits than you have expected, especially if you are the type of person that isn’t always physically around.
One of the benefits is its ability to detect motion and identify glass or door break-ins from a possible thief. It sends a real-time notification once it identifies movement, and you would be able to check the camera of who that person is at the same moment.
The next use of having this system is its capacity to identify smoke and odorless gas from eventually creating a fire inside your house. This means it can prevent your house from being destroyed by fire.
The third important benefit of having a home security system is for medical support. This is dedicated to those individuals that have medical issues or elderly people who live alone. Some exceptional security systems include an emergency button that will be automatically transmitted to emergency vehicles.
Another great benefit is its potential to provide a real-time photo and video data, especially when you are on a long vacation or away from home. Some great home security gives you the ability to review your indoor and outdoor camera via your mobile phone.
In the next section, best-selected security systems for this year 2020 will be discussed.
Top 10 Home Security Systems
1. ADT Home Security System
Best Overall
- Easy to use and install
- Free mobile application
- 4-layered protection
- Multiple monitoring centers
- Complete set of safety needs
ADT is the first on the list. It is the biggest home security provider known in the United States for over 7 million customers that rely on their service. One of the things that you need to look into when buying a home security system is the reliability not only of the products but also of its service. ADT has three comprehensive, interconnected monitoring stations making it one of the best choices.
It includes everything you need. It comprises motion sensors to alert you from a possible thief. The indoor camera included is a wifi-enabled security camera. Talking about its reliability, this system has a 24-hour battery backup for the base that makes you at peace even during power outages. It is smashed, and crash protection is a great feature that would directly dispatch the police even if it got destroyed or crushed.
Moreover, its fire sensor would definitely make your life at ease in notifying you from smoke or odorless gas that may eventually destroy your house with fire. It is equipped with 4-layered protection. Thieves won’t be far away till they get caught with the help on this constant connection that can notify you 24/7 of what is happening inside your house.
The free mobile application that is compatible via IOS or Android phone will let you set your security setting and the same time gives you a way to view the live video inside your house with a 24-hour text message or phone call notifications.
ADT DIY LifeShield includes a base, 6 doors or window sensors, 2 pet-friendly motion sensors, 1 indoor smart camera, 1 entry keypad, 1 fire safety sensor, 1 keychain remote, 1-yard sign, and 4 windows stickers.
Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5
2. SimpliSafe 8 Piece Wireless Home Security System
First Runner Up
- Easy to use and install
- 1 month of free 24/7 professional monitoring
- Comprehensive monitoring centers
- Includes panic button
- Compatibility with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
SimpliSafe comes with great components that can certainly guard your house against the intruders.
It includes a motion sensor to warn you of a potential burglar. The entry sensors that come with it are meant to disappear. The entry sensors can either be placed on the windows or doors. Speaking about its reliability, this system has a 24-hour battery reserve for the base that makes you at peace even during power interruptions or blackouts. Its smash safe feature has an inclusive scheme to immediately transmit a signal to the police even if it got smashed or destroyed.
It is easy to set up without any technical support intervention. What is more surprising is that it is connected with 6 monitoring stations that are more than enough to secure you when an identified circumstance rises. And the best part of its highlights is the panic button. This button will instantly trigger the alarm and dispatch police quickly. SimpliSafe also includes a silent panic option. It will signal for help discreetly.
SimpliSafe 8 Piece Wireless Home Security System includes 1 base station with built-in 95dB siren, 1 keypad, 4 entry sensors, 1 motion sensor, 1 panic button, 1-yard sign, 1 window security stickers, and 1 free month of monitoring.
Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5
3. HeimVision HM241 Wireless Security Camera System
- Easy to use and install
- Remote Viewing
- WIFI Wireless
- Weatherproof
- Day and Night Vision
HeimVision Wireless Security System aims to provide you unparalleled wireless security inside or especially outside your house with the use of security cameras and motion detectors. With its great features, the items come with a dust-proof, weatherproof, and waterproof, ensuring your home without worrying about the quality of videos it can record at the current time.
This home security can be used indoors or outdoors. The main feature of this security camera system is that it can deliver clear and crisp images and video footage with its 1.3-megapixel cameras. You can receive notifications like email and snapshot in the app via your mobile phone so that you would know what’s happening in your place even though you are not around. As soon as the motion detection feature detects movements, it will automatically send you a notification. For you to be able to utilize its live video viewing and playback, you must download the app into your gadget.
The main security system has the ability to support up to 8 cameras that can be dispersed around your home or property area. It can operate wirelessly, but if you want to have 24/7 protection, it is better to plug it in a power supply. This type of security system can be used whether you are staying in a very cold or very hot region. It has the ability to withstand temperatures between -20°C to 50°C (-4°F to 122°F).
HeimVision HM241 includes 1 1080P Wireless Network Video Recorder, 4 960P Cameras with 5DB Extension Antenna, 4 10FT Power Supply Power Adapter for Security Cameras, 1 3.3FT Power Supply for Network Video Recorder, 1 Screw for Hard Drive, 4 Screws for Bullet Cameras’ Installation, 1 3.3FT Network Cable, 1 USB Mouse, and 1 User Manual.
Editor’s Rating: 4/5
4. Ring Alarm 5 Piece Kit
- Easy to use and install
- Cheap monthly monitoring fees
- System Responsiveness
- System Customization
- Compatibility with Amazon Alexa
Guard your assets and property against the inside and outside of your house accompanied by an instant mobile notification when your doors and windows unlocked and when a movement is identified with Ring Alarm. It is easy to setup. You can install the complete system without the necessity for tools or installation made by a technician.
Moreover, Ring Alarm can extend the security to suit your house. This system will let you connect to Alexa for voice command. You will have the capacity to arm, disarm, and monitor the status of your system through the supported Alexa-equipped devices.
This system is complex. It works with Alexa Guard. When you set your guard feature to away mode, you will get notifications or alerts transmitted to your mobile phone.
And with the Ring Protect Plus feature of this system, you can get a quick way to the Ring app when you get a notification to immediately request dispatch of emergency responders.
Ring Alarm includes a base station, contact sensor, motion detector, keypad, and range extender.
Editor’s Rating: 4/5
5. ZeGoal Smart Security System
- Easy to use and install
- Quick responsiveness
- Voice-control enabled
- Manageable with less to zero discrepancy
- Unlimited coverage of notification
ZeGoal Smart Security System is one of the reliable home security systems that include a siren that will be triggered once a window or door opens. This system can be easily managed by arming and disarming it with an easy-to-use remote control.
In case of an emergency, you can easily ask help by dialing the “SOS” key sent to transmit a help flag. It supports expansion up to 20 pieces of sensors and 5 pieces of remote controls matched with one central panel.
Its PIR sensor features make it more interesting through the draft of infrared rays that can sense the moving object and eventually give an alert. Its range of detection of its alarm is up to 8 meters, followed by a sensing width that is about 120°, and the height is about 60°.
ZeGoal Smart Security System has great responsiveness and anti-HF interference use. Any animal about the size of a human will trigger the alarm if on detection range.
One more thing this product has provided its users is the free mobile application that is compatible either by IOS or Android phone. With this application, whenever any sensor is triggered, your mobile phone will get a notification.
What makes it complex is your ability to add an unlimited number of family members or a person whom you trust to manage the alarm system.
ZeGoal Smart Security System includes 1 wifi-enabled main siren, 1 433 MHZ PIR motion sensor, 5 433 MHZ door sensors, 5 stickers, and 4 screws, 2 433 MHZ remote controls, 1 motion sensor holder, 1 power adapter, 1 charging cable, and a user manual.
Editor’s Rating: 4/5
6. Thustar Home Alarm System Wireless GSM Security System Kit
- Easy to use
- All-inclusive coverage
- Accessibility through a mobile app
- Voice-prompt enabled
Thustar Home Alarm Wireless GSM Security System Kit is a 2G operating system that can be set up either at home nor in a business that operates well with other accessories. It gives complete security to your entire home. Like other security system kits, it can be utilized via mobile phone that can call, monitor logs, and other purposes through the main console.
This system includes various arming modes. It has a built-in and rechargeable battery, ideal for power outages or interruptions. It can last for about 6 hours when power has been interrupted. When it comes to its customization, the code can be set on the keypad.
Thustar Home Alarm System Wireless GSM Security System Kit includes 2 motion sensors, 10 sets of windows or door sensors, 1 siren, 4 pieces of remote control with SOS function, and the main panel.
Editor’s Rating: 4/5
7. Reolink 8CH 5MP PoE Home Security Camera System
- Easy to use
- Video accessibility
- Great quality video resolution
- Cameras are equipped with a buzzer
- Smart motion alerts
- Flexible camera operation
This security camera system boasts its stunning HD display, which is at 2560 x 1920 HD that will surely deliver a crisp, clear and detailed image and video footage, may it be during the day or at nighttime. You can clearly see footage for up to 100ft, which makes it efficient compared to other home security systems in the market.
You will not have a hard time designated where to place your CCTV because even though it is for a plug installation, it is equipped with a 60ft network cable. It has a strong digital signal because it makes use of ethernet cables. You can install 8 cameras that work all at once in just one system. It has a viewing angle of about 80° horizontally and 58° vertically. It has a quality night vision because it is equipped with a lot of LED lights with improved infrared radiation.
It has features and filters such as timer axis design on the screen so you can easily see the footage that you want to review on a particular day. Another exciting feature that this security system holds is that it has the ability to detect moving objects. Once it detects a moving object, it will automatically send you a notification, which is usually a 30-second video clip. You can also manipulate the buzzer through the app so you can warn suspected elements.
Reolink 8CH 5MP PoE Home Security Camera System includes 1 x 8CH Network Video Recorder, 4 5MP PoE Camera RLC-520, 1 x 48V NVR adaptor, 1 USB Mouse, 1 1M Cat5 Cable, 4 18M Cat5 Cable, 1 1M HDMI Cable, and 1 Quick Start Guide Brochure.
Editor’s Rating: 4/5
8. Ring Doorbell
- Easy to use and setup
- Video accessibility
- Great quality video resolution
- Cameras are equipped with a sensor
- Compatibility with Amazon Alexa
Ring Doorbell makes you stay connected with your family at home with the help of its activated motion alerts, its HD video feature, and its two-way communication from the Ring Doorbell. What makes it perfect and one of the best home security systems is its ability to provide alerts on your mobile phone, tablet, and even on your PC as soon as anyone comes near the door. What makes it more fun is you will have the way to see, hear, and talk to your visitors from wherever.
You can watch over your home in a wide-angle 720HD video, and guard your property throughout the clock with its great infrared night vision. 24/7 notifications and alerts are provided through this kit whenever someone presses your doorbell or triggers the built-in motion sensors. Moreover, you have the option to check-in on your home with a press of a button, and view the live motion of the video with a high and great quality audio and video at the same time.
Ring Doorbell includes a 720p HD video doorbell.
Editor’s Rating: 4/5
9. Blink XT2
- Easy to use and setup
- An indoor and reliable outdoor system
- Compatibility with Amazon Alexa
- Customizable motion detection
- Long-lasting battery
With Blink XT2, you can get peace of mind with its flexible outdoor and indoor wireless camera that presents a battery that lasts long enough up to 2 years, accompanied by 2-way audio with built-in customizable movement sensor and a live-view and recording. What I like about its 2-way audio is its ability to let you talk to your visitor even when you are away from the house.
It presents an open communication by just using your mobile phone. Another thing that makes it a good home security system is its great video quality during the night. Presenting its night vision and motion detection feature to help you easily keep an eye on your home 24/7. Blink XT2 can be installed or placed outdoor indoor without worrying about its performance as it is a water-resistant camera.
Blink XT2 includes a 720p camera.
Editor’s Rating: 4/5
10. GE Personal Security
- Simple and easy to use
- Requires no in-depth installation or wiring
- With long-lasting battery
- With 90 day warranty
GE Personal Security is a manageable security system that is simple, given its size but with great value. The window alarm will alert or notify you once your window or door has been opened.
These alarms are wireless and include 4 LR44 batteries that can be used at the front. The only thing that you need to do is to place these alarms. Simply stick to any of your windows or doors and savor the sense of peace and security that you have ever wanted.
GE Personal Security Window/Door includes 4 window or door alarms with 3 adjustable settings.
Editor’s Rating: 4/5
Buying Guides
Before purchasing a home security system kit, it is essential for you to understand what specific product you, your family, and your house needs. Some wanted a complete set, others would just prefer cameras for recording, and some would want a simple system. What are the factors you have to consider in buying a home security system?
Mobile App
A good home security system comes with a mobile application that can make you easily manage and control the system using your mobile phone. You have the full control and view of what is going on inside your house even when you are away like at school, vacation, at work or etc. Having a mobile application will also allow you to receive alerts and notifications once sensors and alarms were triggered.
Convenience
Good home security comes with a variety of features and uses. As the main reason you are buying a home security system is to secure your house, the features and functionality of the product that you will be buying should be easy to use and understand. It should give you an option to automatically receive alerts and notifications once sensors and alarms were triggered.
Automatic Technology
A good home security system includes technology for the compatibility of various smart devices. Various systems are compatible and are ready to be connected to voice assistants like Amazon Alexa as well as Google Assistant for voice control. This feature can help you save your time in providing such instructions.
Expandability
Before buying a home security system kit, one thing you should consider is if the product can be expanded. As after installing the system, there may be a possibility that you need to add more equipment such as sensors and security cameras.
Style
Various home security available nowadays comes with different sizes and uses. Being a homeowner, you also have to consider if the product can fit in perfectly in your house and if the kit can jive to the design as well. There are various systems that are touch-based, and there are some kits that are well-designed and simple.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I monitor my own home?
There are various ways on how you can monitor your own house. With the help of security systems available in the market nowadays, it is easier for you to watch out for some unusual movements.
By just checking on your mobile app provided the security provider, you can now view in a live video the movements inside your house. You will have the complete ability to monitor your house 24/7 with the help of motion sensors, security systems, and window or door sensors.
Do all home security systems come with security cameras?
The answer is no. Some security systems include sensors that are placed indoors and outdoors as well as a siren or alarm when it senses motion without the need for a camera.
Will I be able to control my home security system from a mobile app?
Yes, you can. A good security system will give you the ability to control your home security through a mobile app. It makes the usage more convenient because you can easily monitor what’s happening around you through the use of your gadget.
Conclusion
As a home security system is important nowadays, finding a good one can be very challenging. As a homeowner, there are things that you have to put into consideration before buying a kit. Good home security isn’t just about the style and elegance it can give in your home, but it is about protecting you and your family from any possible harm and threats.
