Why You Can Trust CNET Best Cheap Home Security Systems for 2023
Protecting your home doesn't have to break the bank. Here are our top picks for affordable home security systems.
Despite the many myths about home security systems, the most common one is how expensive they are. It's true that some home security setups certainly can be costly, but there are many starter kits made with the cost-conscious customer in mind.
Affordable home security systems -- both professional and DIY -- are a great way to familiarize yourself with a basic setup and add a low-to-moderate level of security to your home. You can then add cheap cameras, video doorbells and other home monitoring devices to your system to meet your needs and stay within your budget. Here are our picks for the best affordable home security systems to get you started.
If it has to be cheap, you can't get a much better system for the money than Wyze Home Monitoring. If you spend $100 on a starter kit, you can get a hub, keypad, two-pack of entry sensors and a motion sensor. But you can put together a package to meet your specific needs, too, and it will almost certainly cost less than the alternative from any major DIY service provider -- especially if you want to integrate security cameras or video doorbells. Additionally, Wyze's fee for 24/7 monitoring is a very reasonable $10 per month. All in all, you could spend well under $200 for all your hardware and a year of monitoring.
Ring's Alarm Pro system is a little pricier than Wyze's, landing at $300 for the starting kit (though you can often find it on sale for less). But it brings more value per dollar than any other DIY security system. For that price, you'll get the base device, four entry sensors, one motion detector, a keypad and a Z-Wave range extender. That may not sound particularly exciting until you realize that the base station is also an Eero Wi-Fi 6 mesh router. That enables select Ring security cameras or video doorbells to process their data and store their footage locally. Add that to other perks, like an included Alexa Guard Plus subscription and cellular-powered backup Wi-Fi (if your internet or power goes down), and you've got an incredible product for the price.
Ring's highest-level Protect Pro subscription costs $20 per month, which is lower than most of its DIY competitors' $25-$30 range.
SimpliSafe's eight-piece, $315 (currently on sale for $240 at Amazon) home security kit includes the base station, a keypad control panel, four entry sensors, one motion sensor and a panic button. Don't let all the pieces intimidate you. DIY installation and setup is as easy as it gets, or you can opt for professional installation starting at $100.
SimpliSafe home security also comes with the option of DIY or professional monitoring. Self-monitoring using the SimpliSafe app is free unless you want cloud storage for any SimpliSafe security cameras. The professional plan, Interactive Monitoring, starts at around $28 per month and includes 24/7 professional monitoring, high-priority police, fire and medical dispatch, flood and extreme temperature monitoring, plus unlimited video recording for your SimpliSafe security cameras.
Cheap Home Security Systems Compared
| Home security system | Wyze Home Monitoring | Ring Alarm Pro | SimpliSafe 8-Piece | Comcast Xfinity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starter equipment | Two door-window sensors, a motion detector, a keypad and the Sense Hub | Eero Wi-Fi 6 mesh router, door-window sensors, motion detectors, a keypad, a siren and optional professional monitoring subscriptions | Base station, keypad, motion sensor, four entry sensors, one panic button | Touchscreen controller, three door-window sensors, a motion sensor, battery and cellular system backup, Xfinity Home Security yard |
| System price | $100 | $300 | $315 | $360 |
| Monitoring price | $10 | $20 | $28 | $30 |
| Contract required? | No | No | No | No |
| Setup | DIY installation | DIY installation | DIY or professional | Professional installation |
| Extra features | Customizable system, integration with many third-party devices, integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant | Cellular-powered backup Wi-Fi, network security monitoring, local processing, storage for all of your Ring devices and integration with Alexa's Guard Plus service | Customizable system, built-in Wi-Fi and cellular, integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant | Integration with a large and growing list of third-party devices, flexible pricing |
| Review score | 8.4 | 9 | 8.5 | 8 |
Other home security systems we've tested
The CNET home security editors have tested out every major home security system over the years. We haven't listed every single one here since some, such as AT&T Digital Life, are no longer available.
- Abode: While Abode's performance was solid, its prices were higher than other DIY options, such as Cove and SimpliSafe. The Abode Iota all-in-one security camera is 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 best cheap home security system, but it just can't quite edge out Wyze's system for straight-up affordability. In addition, its Pro version adds so much value, it's hard to recommend the original system over its upgraded successor.
- Frontpoint: Although Frontpoint's hardware is solidly priced, its $50 monthly subscription fee is simply too much to recommend it to anyone trying to stick to a budget.
- Kangaroo: While Kangaroo is an incredibly wallet-friendly DIY security system, its value simply isn't as high as Wyze's. Its hardware isn't just cheap on paper -- it also feels cheap. And its doorbell camera is terrible.
- Cove Home Security: While Cove's hardware is reasonably priced, the inability to self-monitor the system -- or even have app access -- 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 others on the list simply for its astronomically high prices and forced contracts.
- Vivint: Like ADT, Vivint isn't for the faint of wallet. While it's a great system for those interested in smart home integration, opting for Vivint won't save you money in the short term or long run.
How we test home security systems
Hands-on testing is core to our evaluations of any home security products. In short, when it comes to home security systems, we pay special attention to the user experience, the promised features, reliability and overall value -- along with a few other elements. We do the testing in a real home environment over the course of at least a full week. If you want to read more about our review process, check out our in-depth article on how we test home security systems and services.
Cheap Home Security Systems Compared
| Home security system | Wyze Home Monitoring | Ring Alarm Pro | SimpliSafe 8-Piece | Comcast Xfinity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starter equipment | Two door-window sensors, a motion detector, a keypad and the Sense Hub | Eero Wi-Fi 6 mesh router, door-window sensors, motion detectors, a keypad, a siren and optional professional monitoring subscriptions | Base station, keypad, motion sensor, four entry sensors, one panic button | Touchscreen controller, three door-window sensors, a motion sensor, battery and cellular system backup, Xfinity Home Security yard |
| System price | $100 | $300 | $240 | $360 |
| Monitoring price | $10 | $20 | $28 | $30 |
| Contract required? | No | No | No | No |
| Setup | DIY installation | DIY installation | DIY or professional | Professional installation |
| Extra features | Customizable system, integration with many third-party devices, integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant | Cellular-powered backup Wi-Fi, network security monitoring, local processing, storage for all of your Ring devices and integration with Alexa's Guard Plus service | Customizable system, built-in Wi-Fi and cellular, integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant | Integration with a large and growing list of third-party devices, flexible pricing |
| Review score | 8.4 | 9 | 8.5 | 8 |
Best Cheap Home Security Systems FAQs
Is it worth it to get a home security system?
Ultimately, you'll have to answer this question for yourself. But home security systems do, in fact, deter burglars. Depending on where you live, a few hundred dollars may be a cost worth incurring to avoid the risk of burglaries or damaged property.
What is a good price for home security?
Home security systems range in price anywhere from $100 to thousands of dollars. Generally, the larger the space you hope to cover -- including the number of entryways you want to monitor -- the more expensive the system. Many systems allow you to pick your devices a la carte, and most monitors shouldn't cost more than $30 apiece. If you're looking for reliable, budget-friendly picks, you shouldn't spend more than a few hundred dollars on home security. Likewise, you shouldn't be paying more than $25 or $30 at the most for monthly monitoring unless you're using a professionally installed system.
More home security recommendations
- Best Home Security Cameras
- Best Indoor Home Security Cameras
- Best Outdoor Home Security Cameras
- Best Video Doorbell Cameras
- Best Facial Recognition Security Cameras
- Best Wireless Home Security Cameras
- Best Cheap Home Security Devices
- Best Nanny Cams
- Best Dash Cams
- Best Solar-Powered Security Cameras
- Best Cheap Home Security Cameras
- Best Smart Locks
- Best Home Security Systems
- Best Home Security Systems for Renters