The best smart home security systems of 2021

The best home security system overall

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

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

Cons: Pricy subscription fees, smart-home integrations are limited and are only available with a subscription

SimpliSafe is probably one of the best-known smart-home security systems out there. It lives up to the hype, especially as a standalone system that you can control from your phone. The included devices are all well designed and easy to use, plus the setup process is extremely easy. 

Unlike some other smart security systems, the SimpliSafe keypad allows you to control every aspect of your system, including paired devices, through the built-in display. However, you can’t monitor video feeds on the display. The app is very well designed and intuitive. You can easily arm and disarm your system with the app and tweak each device’s settings. 

Packages start at $230, but you can build your own bundle to get the exact devices that you want or need. The basic bundle only comes with one motion sensor and one door/window sensor, in addition to the base and keypad. Many homes will require more than that for robust protection. 

The base station 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.

Of course, to really get the most out of your SimpliSafe security system, you’ll want to sign up to a subscription. The $14.99-per-month plan offers live alarm monitoring, a cellular connection, and environmental monitoring. For $24.99 a month, you get added features like phone alerts, video alarm alerts, camera recording, and smart-home integrations. Those include Alexa, Google Assistant, and August but their functionality is really limited.

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. 

Read our full SimpliSafe review here.

The best HomeKit-compatible home security system

The Abode Iota is easy to use, plus it works with a huge range of smart home ecosystems, including Apple’s HomeKit.

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

Cons: Not many devices included for the price

[Editor’s Note: the Abode Iota is currently out of stock at several retailers. While it remains our top pick for HomeKit-compatible security systems, we’re researching more products for potential replacements if needed.]

If you want your smart security system to integrate with HomeKit, it’s worth considering the Abode Iota. Abode’s second-generation system works directly with Apple’s smart-home ecosystem.

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 simple to use. In the basic $279 Abode bundle, you’ll get the Iota base station, which has a camera built into it, along with a contact sensor and a key fob. You can 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. It’s actually compatible with a huge range of different ecosystems, though. 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.

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 has some features, like automation, that you won’t get for 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 simple.  

The best Google-compatible home security system

Google owns Nest, so Nest Secure works very well within its ecosystem.

Pros: Easy to use, excellent Google integration

Cons: Expensive, doesn’t work with HomeKit or do much with Alexa

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. The devices can be controlled with the two Nest Tags, which are NFC key fobs. You can buy additional accessories if you want to. As you would expect, the system works with cameras like the Nest Cam IQ and the Nest Hello video doorbell.

The Nest app is easy to navigate. If you already have a Nest Thermostat or other Nest devices, you won’t need to download a new app to use the system. Plus you can easily control the system with Google Assistant. 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. 

When it comes to professional monitoring, Nest offers it through Brink Home Security for $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.

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; 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. 

Read our full Google Nest Secure review here.

The best Alexa-compatible home security system

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

Pros: Easy to use, good Alexa integration, inexpensive

Cons: Doesn’t really integrate with other ecosystems

Google has Nest, and Amazon now has Ring. Best known for its video doorbell, the company now has a security system called the Ring Alarm.

It’s available in different bundles, with the five-piece package coming with a base station, a keypad, a contact sensor, a motion sensor, and a range extender. There are tons of accessories that work with the system, including smoke detectors and freeze sensors. 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. 

Setting up the Ring Alarm is very easy, and the app offers good instructions for how to do so. 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 see and add posts about security in your area. For example, someone could post that their bicycle was stolen, so you could ensure your bicycle is locked up properly. 

Professional monitoring is available for the Ring Alarm, too. The service is called Ring Protect, and it costs $10 per month or $100 per year. It includes video recording and storage. There’s a Basic plan too, which is $3 per month, but only includes video recording.

There are a few downsides to Ring. For starters, it doesn’t have much integration with Google Assistant. 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. 

Read our full Ring Home Security System review here.

The best professionally-installed home security system

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

Pros: Professional installation, wide range of compatible devices

Cons: Expensive, no HomeKit support

All the systems we’ve covered so far are relatively easy to install yourself. 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. 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 $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. 

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 the thermostat, lock doors, and so on. 

Many reviewers love Vivint’s systems, too. PCMag gave it a 4.5/5.

What else we considered

• Honeywell Smart Home Security Starter Kit ($173.21): 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.
• Ooma Security Starter Kit ($126.58): Ooma’s affordable DIY starter kit includes motion sensors, door/window sensors, and a base. But it’s a very basic system that doesn’t offer many advanced features.

– Monica Chin, former senior reporter

The best deals on home security systems from this guide

Buying a smart home security system doesn’t need to break the bank — especially when most of our picks see discounts regularly through the year. If you’re looking for a surefire discount, think Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Prime Day. These are the times when we see systems like the SimpliSafe discounted by over $50.