Good news: you don't have to hire a professional to install a home security system. Do-it-yourself, or self-installed home security systems include everything you need to get started to monitor your home or small business, including motion and entry sensors and a loud siren. And, many also offer professional monitoring, so you don't have to contact the authorities if someone breaks into your home. Some security kits even provide smart home control, so you can integrate third-party accessories such as smart lights, smart locks, and smart smoke detectors.
After spending nearly three months testing six different systems, our favorite DIY security system is the Abode Essentials Starter Kit. It's one of the most cost-efficient smart security bundles available, and it offers integrated smart home abilities so that you can rig up devices like smart bulbs and smart door locks, along with everything else. The only caveat is that this kit doesn't include many accessories, though you can purchase other sensors for a reasonable price.
Whether you're a first-timer to smart security or a seasoned veteran in the world of automation, the Abode Essentials Starter Kit has something for everyone. In addition to being a versatile smart home controller with both Zigbee and Z-Wave integration — which means you can use it to control things like smart bulbs and smart locks — it's also straightforward to set up.
The beginner's bundle is a bit slim in its accessory offerings, but you can choose from a host of other packages and purchase additional sensors separately. The only downside is that much of Abode's smart home automation programming takes place in a browser window rather than through a mobile app (which you can use for most everything else, such as arming and disarming the system).
Don't care too much for professional monitoring? The Ooma Home Security kit is very bare-bones — you get the hub, one motion sensor and two entry sensors — but you also get Ooma's robust VoIP service with low monthly fees. It's an additional fee to monitor all the sensors you like, and you can give access to anyone who needs to know what's going on at home. Ooma also added professional monitoring, which was a much-needed feature. However, it lacks cellular backup and doesn't work with Google Assistant.
If you don't care too much about fancy home automation schemes like flashing bulbs when someone opens a door, the SimpliSafe Essentials kit is our runner-up pick for best DIY smart security system. In addition to having one of the louder sirens we tested (93 decibels), it's also stylish, and an included keypad makes setting it up accessible for anyone. And, the kit comes with more accessories than the typical bundle from competitors, including three entry sensors instead of the standard one or two. Additional accessories won't break the bank, either.
Ring's Alarm system is affordable, very easy to set up, has a loud alarm, battery and cellular backup, and has a very affordable professional monitoring price. However, aside from Ring products, there's almost no third-party smart home integration, including Alexa and Google Assistant. Bummer.
The Abode iota is centered around a hub with a built-in 1080p camera and 93-dB alarm that connects to all its other door and motion sensors. It's also one of the only security systems that works with Apple HomeKit. It's a good idea, but you can't do as much with the camera as you can with standalone wireless security cameras, which limits its effectiveness.
Honeywell's Security System is centered around an Alexa-enabled hub with a built-in camera, which offers such niceties as facial recognition. However, we found this feature didn't work as well as it should have, the hub doesn't have all the capabilities of other Amazon Echo devices, and Honeywell doesn't offer professional monitoring nor cellular backup.
Samsung and ADT, two of the world's biggest names in their respective industries, have teamed up for this all-in-one security kit. The Samsung SmartThings ADT Home Security Starter Kit combines the professional monitoring services of ADT with Samsung's smart home prowess. The base station acts as both a gateway to the security system with its (dated) 7-inch touchpad, as well as a smart hub with Zigbee and Z-Wave integration. Annoyingly, you can't link third-party smart home accessories with the ADT monitoring service. But the robustness of Samsung's SmartThings ecosystem might be worth it to you regardless, as long as you don't mind the slightly siloed experience.
