We may earn a commission if you make a purchase through one of our links. The newsroom or editorial staff was not involved in the creation of this content.
Finding Your Next Smart Home Security System: A Buyer’s Guide
Gone are the days when a single lock on your front door was enough to secure your property, possessions, and loved ones. Today, you need a lot more to ward off porch pirates and intruders while also staying within your budget. Oldschool surveillance cameras and digital locks are a good start, but they still aren’t enough — either because they’re too localized, or more experienced bad actors have easy ways of getting around them. That leaves you with the latest solution to this problem that can work like a charm, smart home security systems.The high-resolution cameras in these products let you see almost everything while the motion sensors detect what’s outside of your sightline. These systems can even connect to the internet for remote monitoring. So if you need more security for your home, but you don’t know where to look, check out some of the leading smart home security systems for 2023.
Ring Alarm 8-Piece Kit
Best Overall
Blink Mini Indoor Smart Security Camera
Most Compact
Simplisafe Wireless Home Security System
Easy Installation
Annke Security Camera System
Elite Design
Arlo Pro 3 Wire-Free Security
Best Visuals
Sensors
The first key factor for understanding smart home security systems is their sensors, and here are the most common options:Cameras
Cameras are one of the most useful security sensors around. They can capture almost everything that passes in front of them — and they offer clear video that can be monitored live or reviewed later from a storage device. Modern versions can even see clearly at night and in full color, so almost nothing gets past them without being noticed. The only potential downside of cameras is that most people don’t want them inside their house, or in their living room.Motion sensors
Motion sensors are the second-best alternative to cameras. These sensors can alert you when something moves in front of them and can be connected to a lot of different devices. For example, say you’re on vacation, and your home is locked up tight. This means that everything inside your home should stay in place, right? If you receive a movement alert from one of your motion sensors, it’s most likely an intruder — and calling the police immediately might save your valuables from getting stolen.Contact sensors
Contact sensors are the smart version of putting tape on your door for checking when it’s been opened. These sensors have two parts, too. One goes on the frame, and the other goes on a door or window. These two parts will trigger an alert if they are separated (when the door or window is opened). This makes it so you can get ready and call for help immediately. These sensors can also know when your doors or windows are open, so you can shut them all before going to sleep.Essential Features
These features are what separate smart home security from more traditional options:Remote access
The smart security device you buy should have some kind of network connection, this makes it so the data from the hub can be viewed remotely. This can be something simple like a smartphone alert when someone’s at the door — or it can be more complicated like full remote control, which makes it so you can lock or unlock your home from almost anywhere in the world. In either case, a remote connection of some kind is a must-have feature.Schedule setting
Schedule setting features on smart home security systems can help you avoid unwanted alarms during the day. For example, some systems can automatically remove alarms at 7 a.m. and engage them automatically at 9 p.m.24/7 professional monitoring
Professional monitoring is a service offered by some manufacturers where someone will constantly monitor your alerts and will call emergency services automatically if the need arises. These services are usually tied to a monthly subscription though, and their viability depends on your specific circumstances. That said, they are often not super valuable for most people.Fully wireless operation
Unless it’s a temporary setup, there is pretty much no need to go with fully wireless systems. They require constant recharging, fluctuations in Wi-Fi signals can affect their performance, and they’re costlier than more reliable wired versions.Ring Alarm 8-Piece Kit
Best Overall
Ring is a reputable and well-known brand in home security, and their eight-piece kit is a great example why. This pick includes a base station for connecting everything together, a keypad with intuitive control, and some emergency buttons for more tactile control. There are also four contact sensors for doors and windows, and there’s a motion sensor that can secure an entire room. There’s also a range extender, so you get more coverage throughout your house. Combine this hardware with the mobile app, and you’ve got one of the most robust home alarm systems available. The value and functionality this package offers customers helped us judge it as the best overall on this list.
Pros
- Usable almost anywhere via smartphone
- Easy installation
- Fits modern aesthetics
- Enough coverage for two-bedroom houses
Cons
- Paid subscription required for extra features
Blink Mini Indoor Smart Security Camera
Most Compact
One of the biggest problems with most smart home security systems is that they take a lot of time and effort to set up. This option from Blink Home Security, on the other hand, is compact and takes only a few minutes to install. Just point the cameras towards the things you’d like to monitor, plug it in, and then connect to the internet. Then you can use the smartphone app to see the camera feeds, and you’ll also be able to speak through the speakers and listen using the mics. The 1080p HD resolution is more than enough for most situations during the day too, and the night-vision capabilities take care of the evening hours.
Pros
- Compact design that’s mountable almost anywhere
- Very easy and quick setup
- Crystal-clear mic and speakers
- Works well with Alexa
Cons
- Not suitable for outdoor use
Simplisafe Wireless Home Security System
Easy Installation
If you’re looking for a smart home security system that has everything you need, this Simplisafe nine-piece kit is for you. It includes a base station that ties the system together, and there’s also a keypad for arming and disarming the alarms. The real magic happens with the two motion sensors that can take care of two whole rooms — and there’s also four contact sensors for guarding entry points. The single HD camera can be used for monitoring almost any part of your house, too. The greatest part about this system is that it only takes minutes to get it up and running and no tools are required.
Pros
- Includes a camera for monitoring
- Accurate contact sensors for added security
- Smart hub for maintaining connections
- Wide, 30-foot motion-sensor range
Cons
- No free smartphone app integration
Annke Security Camera System
Elite Design
The pick from Annke simplifies home security with its array of cameras and a smart hub. The eight cameras in this set are more than enough to provide full coverage to an average suburban home. Their 1080p HD resolution and 100-foot night-vision capabilities also ensure that almost anything in front of the cameras stays as clear as day. You can also remotely view the camera feeds from almost anywhere, thanks to the hub’s network connection. The greatest part about using the remote access is that it doesn’t require a monthly subscription — all you need is the hardware and a little setup time, and you can help make your home more secure.
Pros
- Robust, one-terabyte harddrive for added storage
- Super-clear picture quality throughout the day
- No monthly subscription required
- Can function completely off-grid
Cons
- The initial setup takes time
Arlo Pro 3 Wire-Free Security
Best Visuals
Traditional video surveillance is notoriously low quality. Arlo shatters this notion with this wireless security set, which includes two cameras. Each one of the cameras is capable of capturing crisp 2K video in real-time, too. You might think that 2K is overkill for security, but this higher resolution allows you to zoom in without losing much clarity. The additional detail might not be super apparent on a smartphone screen, but it can come handy if the footage captured on these cameras is needed as evidence of trespassing or intrusion. The cameras even have color night vision, so you can help your home be more secure, even at night.
Pros
- Ultra high-quality camera sensors
- Fully wireless, battery-powered operation
- Sleek and modern design
- Convenient, remote access via the internet
Cons
- Requires regular charging
People Also Asked
Can my smart home security system be hacked?
Yes, they can be hacked like any other internet-connected device. So, make sure to have a strong Wi-Fi password and always use safe practices like not downloading unknown files on devices connected to the same network.
Can my smart security system work without an internet connection?
Yes, you can technically host a local internet-free server for these smart devices.
Are smart cameras lower quality than traditional models?
No, they are not. In fact, most modern smart cameras offer much higher resolution than the majority of older surveillance cameras.
Disclaimer: Some pages on this site may include an affiliate link. This does not effect our editorial in any way.
