Our favorite DIY system is SimpliSafe for its affordable pricing and well-known name. But if you want to self-monitor your system, or make it part of a full-fledged smart home, Abode might be a better choice for you. But either way, let’s get into the details to find the best DIY home security system for your home! If you know the brand name, that’s usually a good sign. You also want a system that’s not going to break the bank. There’s no need to spend an arm and a leg on a DIY alarm system when there are so many affordable options on the market. As for the system itself, we’re big fans of professional monitoring, but there are systems that offer self-monitoring as well. SimpliSafe makes security super accessible for people who don’t want to pay a bunch of money to secure their stuff. Everything from window sensors to motion detectors are pretty affordable through SimpliSafe, and its monitoring prices won’t break the bank. Installation-wise, SimpliSafe is simple (get it?) to set up. You just plug in the base station and use the keypad. All the sensors come with adhesive strips, so it just takes a second to put them up where you want them. Let’s say you self-monitor your own security system. You just keep an eye on your smartphone and if something happens, you take care of it yourself. Well, that works great until you go out of town. Who’s watching your system while you’re sipping Mai Tais on a beach? Abode is the only company we’ve seen that lets you get professional monitoring for just a few days at a time. Even if you want to self-monitor your system the rest of the time, Abode lets you get 3 or 7 days’ worth of monitoring for a pretty low price. Even so, if you want a reliable DIY security system backed up by great customer support, Frontpoint’s the way to go. Especially because it always comes out on top with great customer service scores1 and top-notch reviews from customers.2 And our experience with the Frontpoint team has been consistently positive. We also really like Cove’s equipment. Your DIY system comes pre-configured, so everything is already partially set up for you when you get the box, and installation goes quickly. All you have to do is connect your system to the monitoring station (which is super quick and easy to do through the control panel) and place your sensors where you want them. As for how you control your DIY system, it’s only recently that Scout added an actual keypad to its line-up. For the most part, you use little RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags to turn your system on and off without having to fish your phone out of your pocket. Scout also offers RFID stickers you can put on just about anything and use it to control your alarm system. To find the best DIY home security systems, we tested the top options on the market and discussed system features, details, and inner workings with the security companies directly. But even if you let the professionals do the monitoring, DIY home security is almost always cheaper than the professionally installed kind. Plus you get to skip the installation fees, and you almost never have to sign a contract. First, you set up the control panel (or central hub) and connect it to your Wi-Fi network and the company’s monitoring station. After that, you test each sensor and make sure it’s connected to the hub (usually by pressing a little button on the side). Once you have everything connected, you can put your sensors and devices wherever you need them. Things like door and window sensors and motion detectors come with adhesive strips, so you can stick them just about anywhere. Most DIY security systems also offer a mobile app that you can use to control your system and change the settings. Professionally installed systems, like Vivint and ADT, are more expensive than DIY systems, and you have to pay an extra installation fee to get everything set up. You also usually have to sign a 3- or 5-year contract, and you’ll pay a penalty fee if you break it. That said, professionally installed systems do all the work for you, so you don’t have to figure out which sensors to put where or how to set everything up. Professional installation technicians are also trained to assess your home’s security vulnerabilities, so they can recommend which areas are most important to protect. Keep in mind though that installation technicians are rewarded for upselling you on extra equipment, so you might end up with more than you need (and have to pay a higher price for it). 2. Trustpilot, “Frontpoint” Accessed December 23, 2020.
