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What is the best home security system of 2025?
From affordable professional monitoring to customizable systems, installing a home security system it is not as inaccessible as it once was. In fact, opting for a DIY system can significantly reduce costs, while meeting the needs of your family. Yes video doorbells to motion sensors and security camerasThese are the best affordable home security systems for buyers on a budget.
If you want to save professional installation, a DIY security system is the way to go. We’ve tested the best cheap home security systems from top security companies, ranging from indoor cameras to alarm systems. Our first choice for affordable security is SimpliSafe’s eight-piece DIY kitthanks to its user-friendly design and low initial price.
The best cheap home security systems of 2025
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The SimpliSafe eight-piece home security kit includes the base station, a keypad control panel, four entry sensors, a motion sensor and a panic button. Don’t let all the pieces intimidate you. DIY installation and configuration is as easy as thator you can opt for professional installation starting at $125. SimpliSafe home security also comes with the option of self-monitoring or professional monitoring.
Self-monitoring with the SimpliSafe app is free, unless you want cloud storage for someone SimpliSafe security camera. The top professional plan, Fast Protect, starts at about $30 a month and includes 24/7 professional surveillance, high-priority cleaning, fire and medical dispatch, flood and temperature monitoring extremes, plus unlimited video recording for your SimpliSafe security cameras.
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Ring’s Alarm Pro system is a bit more expensive, coming in at $300 for the starter kit (although you can often find it on sale for less). It brings more value per dollar than any other DIY security system. For that price, you get the basic device, four entrance sensors, a motion detector, a keyboard and a Z-Wave range extender.
That may not be particularly exciting until you realize that the base station is also one Eero Wi-Fi 6 router mesh. That allows selection of Ring security cameras or video doorbells to process their data and store their footage locally. Add that to other advantages, such as a subscription to Alexa Emergency Assist and a cellular Wi-Fi backup (if your Internet or your power goes down), and you have an incredible product for the price. Ring’s top-tier Protect Pro subscription costs $20 a month, which is lower than most of its DIY competitors’ $25 to $30 range.
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CNET’s home security editors have tested every major home security system over the years. We have not listed them all here, since some, such as AT&T’s Digital Lifeare no longer available.
- Dwelling: While Abode’s performance was solid, its prices were higher than those of other DIY options, such as Cove and SimpliSafe. The Iota is an all-in-one security camera that’s an interesting option for renters or those living in smaller spaces, but it still doesn’t match the affordability or simple value of the options above.
- Ring Alarm: Ring’s first home security system is a solid contender for the best affordable home security system. Moreover, its Pro version adds so much value that it is difficult to recommend the original system over its updated successor.
- Frontpoint: Although Frontpoint’s hardware is a solid price, its $50 monthly subscription fee is simply too much to recommend to anyone trying to stick to a budget.
- kangaroo: While Kangaroo is an incredibly wallet-friendly DIY security system, its value isn’t as high as our top picks. Its hardware is not only cheap on paper, it also feels cheap. His bedroom bell is terrible.
- Cove Home Security: While Cove’s hardware is reasonably priced, the inability to self-monitor the system — or even access the app — without significant monthly fees makes it a less-than-ideal option for the budget-conscious buyer.
- ADT: Professionally installed systems probably aren’t the way to go for the best cheap home security system, and ADT is worse than the others on the list simply because of their astronomically high prices and forced contracts.
- living: Like ADT, Vivint is not for the faint of heart. While it’s a great system for those interested in smart home integration, opting for Vivint won’t save you money in the short or long term.
Read more: How to Turn Your Old iPhone or Android into a Home Security Camera for Free
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Practical testing is the core for our evaluations of any home security products. In short, when it comes to home security systems, we pay particular attention to the user experience, the promised features, reliability and overall value, along with a few other elements. We test it in a real home environment for at least a full week. If you want to read more about our review process, check out our in-depth article how we test home security systems and services.
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Ultimately, you will have to answer this question for yourself. Home security systems deter thieves. Depending on where you live, a few hundred dollars can be a cost that is worth incurring to avoid the risk of theft or property damage.
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Home security systems range in price from $100 to thousands of dollars. In general, the larger the area you hope to cover – including the number of entries you want to monitor – the more expensive the system. Many systems allow you to choose your devices a la carte, and most monitors should not cost more than $30 each. If you are looking for reliable and budget-friendly options, you should not spend more than a few hundred dollars on home security. Likewise, you shouldn’t pay more than $25 or $30 at most for monthly monitoring unless you’re using a professionally installed system.
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2025-01-05 19:13:00
