Best DIY Home Security Systems of 2022

Updated by Alexia on

Looking for an alarm system that makes you feel safer? We've tested all the top professional installation and DIY home security package costs, here's our comparison of 10 DIY home security systems to find the one that's right for you.

Best DIY Home Security Systems

Most home security systems today are wireless and operate using your home Wi-Fi network. Professional installation, while requiring less effort, usually costs money and time. You will pay the installation fee and you must be present on the day of installation to supervise the process. If you're at least a little tech inclined and want to save money, consider a DIY-installed home security system. Most DIY home security companies have step-by-step instructions, don't require electrical skills or professional tools, and offer support over the phone if you get stuck.

Such as our top pick SimpliSafe. It grabbed our attention with affordable monitoring and equipment, and the long warranty and 60-day return policy were worth sticking with. Its smart home compatibility could be better, but it's a solid option for most people.

Read on to learn more about SimpliSafe and how it compares to the "expensive but good value" Frontpoint and other monitored security systems with DIY installations.

 

Our Best DIY Home Security Systems Rating

  1. SimpliSafe: Best DIY Home Security System
  2. Frontpoint: Best equipment upgrades
  3. Abode: Best for smart homes
  4. Wyze: Best budget system
  5. Blue by ADT: Best optional monitoring
  6. Kangaroo: Best Price Advantage
  7. Ring Alarm Security Kit: Best for Ring Device Users
  8. Cove Security: Best Easiest Install
  9. Alder: Best for Medical Alerts
  10. Link Interactive: Best for Smoke, Fire, and CO Detection

 

Compare DIY home security systems

Company Best for Lowest price Professional
monitoring
Mobile app
in base plan
Smart home
compatibility
Learn more Read review
SimpliSafe DIY home security systems
SimpliSafe
Best overall $17.99/mo. Icon Yes  Light Optional Icon Yes  Light Yes Amazon, Google View
Packages
Read review
Frontpoint Best equipment upgrades $34.99/mo. Icon Yes  Light Yes Icon Yes  Light Yes Amazon, Google, Z-Wave View
Packages
Read review
Abode Best for smart homes $21.99/mo. Icon Yes  Light Optional Icon Yes  Light Yes Amazon, Apple, Google, Z-Wave, Zigbee View
Packages
Read review
Wyze Best budget system $9.99/mo. Icon Yes  Light Optional Icon Yes  Light Yes Amazon, Google View
on Amazon
Read review
Blue by ADT Best optional monitoring $19.99/mo. Icon Yes  Light Optional Icon Yes  Light Yes Amazon, Google,Z-Wave View
Packages
Read review

 

Amazon.com price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

 

What's in my DIY Security System Starter Kit?

Equipment Base kit price Build your own Base kit includes Learn more
SimpliSafe $244.00
(4 pieces)
Starting at
$199.00
Base station,
keypad,
entry sensor,
motion sensor
View
Packages
Frontpoint $129.00
(7 pieces)
Starting at
$228.74
Hub, keypad,
entry sensors (2),
motion sensor,
doorbell camera,
home defense kit
View
Packages
Abode $279.00
(5 pieces)
Starting at
$279.00
Base station,
mini entry sensor,
motion sensor,
key fob, sticker
View
Packages
Wyze $99.98
(7 pieces)
Starting at
$29.99
Hub, keypad,
entry sensors (2),
motion sensor,
stickers (2)
View
Packages
Blue by ADT $219.99
(8 pieces)
Starting at
$179.00
Base station,
entry sensors (2),
yard sign, stickers (4)
View
Packages

 

Amazon.com price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

 

The Best DIY Home Security Systems Reviews

 

#1. SimpliSafe: Best DIY Home Security System

Best DIY Home Security System
  • Simplisafe DIY Home Security System
    SimpliSafe
  • SecureScore™: 9.3 / 10
  • pro Optional pro monitoring
    pro Affordable monitoring
    50% off
View Packages
pro Pros con Cons
pro Easy to install on your own
pro No contract required
pro System batteries last 10+ years
pro Affordable professional monitoring
pro 5 packages to choose from
pro Can arm or disarm the system from your phone, Amazon Alexa, Apple Watch, etc.

con Limited smart capabilities
con No facial recognition and may send false alerts
con May be difficult to use for customers who aren’t tech-savvy

 

 

#2. Frontpoint: Best equipment upgrades

Best equipment upgrades
  • Frontpoint DIY Home Security System
    Frontpoint
  • SecureScore™: 9.2 / 10
  • pro Pro monitoring
    pro Great customer service
    40% off
View Packages
pro Pros con Cons
pro Great customer service
pro Excellent equipment
pro Option to start for $0 down

con Pricey monitoring

 

 

#3. Abode: Best for smart homes

Best for smart homes
  • Abode DIY Home Security System
    Abode
  • SecureScore™: 9.0 / 10
  • pro Optional pro monitoring
    pro Excellent smart home options
View on Amazon
pro Pros con Cons
pro Doesn’t require a long-term contract
pro Strong smart home compatibility
pro Custom automations
pro Optional self-monitoring

 

con No custom automation on the free plan
con Limited devices included in starter kits
con 4G cellular backup only available with Pro Plan

 

 

#4. Wyze: Best budget system

Best budget system
  • Wyze DIY Home Security System
    Wyze
  • SecureScore™: 7.8 / 10
  • pro Pro monitoring
    pro Affordable cameras
    5% off
View packages
pro Pros con Cons
pro Most affordable monitoring
pro Cheap security cameras
pro Includes cloud storage for one Wyze camera

con No cellular backup
con Can't share system app access with household

 

 

#5. Blue by ADT: Best optional monitoring

Best optional monitoring
  • Blue by ADT DIY Home Security System
    Blue by ADT
  • SecureScore™: 7.8 / 10
  • pro Optional pro monitoring
    pro Reliability of ADT
View packages
pro Pros con Cons
pro Self-monitoring option
pro Many equipment and camera options
pro Reliability of ADT

con Bulky equipment

 

 

 

More DIY home security brands we considered

 

#6. Kangaroo: Best Price Advantage

Best Price Advantage
View packages

 

#7. Ring Alarm Security Kit: Best for Ring Device Users

Best for Ring Device Users
  • Ring DIY Home Security System
    Ring
  • SecureScore™: 7.8 / 10
View Packages

 

#8. Cove Security: Best Easiest Install

Best Easiest Install
View on Amazon

 

#9. Alder: Best for Medical Alerts

Best for Medical Alerts
View Packages

 

#10. Link Interactive: Best for Smoke, Fire, and CO Detection

Best for Smoke, Fire, and CO Detection
View Packages

 

Final word

Having a security system can significantly improve the safety of your home. Of course, professionally installed and monitored security can get very expensive. One smart way we like to save money is to choose a system we can install ourselves, SimpliSafe is our favorite no-contract DIY home security system. In addition to five device plans and simple setup instructions, its professional monitoring is also economical. It doesn't lock you into a contract, and there's a 60-day money-back guarantee if you don't think the service is right for you.

Frontpoint is not far behind SimpliSafe. If it wasn't expensive, this would be our favorite system with a DIY installation, especially since it forgoes the monitoring contract requirement. It's more expensive than the other DIY systems on this list, but the excellent equipment and customer service justify the price.

 

How we reviewed the Best DIY Security Systems

It's a seemingly simple and extremely tedious job, and we've extensively researched 15+ DIY security systems in order to find the best product for every lifestyle and budget. Visiting different homes for feedback, we looked at key features, home safety policies, installation scenarios, privacy, customer reviews, instruction manuals, installation support services and all the fine print. In addition to these our staff have also done manual testing in real homes and even conducted mystery shopping for the most authentic experience.

We wanted our rankings to meet people's need for self-installing home security systems - so we surveyed our readers directly. At the end of the day, saving money is their main motivation.

Learn more about the methodology we use for each of our reviews.

 

Disclaimers

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Bestwirelesscam.com utilizes paid Amazon links.

Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.

†Google, Google Nest, Google Assistant, and other related marks are trademarks of Google LLC.


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