Also, because many security systems offer month-to-month contracts, you won’t have to worry about being locked into something long-term or passing a contract on to the next renter.Note too that security systems aren’t just about crime prevention: Most have add-on sensors that can protect your home from fire, flood, and even temperature changes (to prevent pipes from bursting, for one thing). While they were extremely expensive a few decades ago, they are now available at budget-friendly prices and with advanced features thanks to technology. “When putting together your system, think about your long-term plans for home monitoring and identify the main uses you have for a smart home system,” Kostecki says. Keep that in mind if you think you might want to expand to a full system later on down the line.If a professionally installed security system from alarm companies or Brinks Home Security sounds like overkill, then you can save a lot of money by buying a system that you install yourself. Reviewers also praised the ease of use of the key fobs and the ability to disable individual sensors, so you can do things like step out of the back door without setting off the alarm, while still being alerted if someone tries to break down the front door.The Traditional tier starts at about $129 for installation and $44.99 a month for monitoring, which includes two entry sensors, one motion sensor, a siren, keypad and remote.The installation service is provided by the local dealer, so the quality of service that you receive depends on the shop.
Frontpoint – Best DIY Security System. For my money, systems like these offer some of the best value for your home security dollar.These are the mainstays of home security -- security monitoring company names like ADT and Brinks that you've probably been familiar with for years, along with home security systems offered by major telecom providers like Comcast and AT&T.So, are you ready to set up a base station, install that window sensor and door sensor, and connect your doorbell camera to an alarm monitoring service or home security company? You will receive a verification email shortly.One of the other advantages of professionally installed home security systems is that they come with professional monitoring services, too—for an added fee, of course. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors can also be added, for an extra cost. But don’t feel like you have to rush out and buy everything at once. No-contract systems, which allow you to pay for monitoring services on a month-to-month basis rather than committing to a long-term arrangement, are becoming more common. Nest – … Share. Contact sensors are the first thing you should buy alongside the base station; these attach to doors and windows and will alert you when they open. Additional sensors are also available: additional motion sensors, contact and window sensors cost $19.99 and $9.99, respectively.Expensive monitoring, but low up-front costADT is the 800-pound gorilla in this market, but with good reason: It makes one of the best home security systems, offering several tiers of systems and services.Our local reseller offers several levels of service, each of which offers different features, but with a similar up-front cost of about $300. As a former editor for Electronic House and Big Picture Big Sound, I’ve written buying guides for multiple consumer-electronics products, and I’ve written articles covering technology for The New York Times (which is now Wirecutter’s parent company), Wired, Woman’s Day, Men’s Health, and other publications.Rachel Cericola is a senior staff writer at Wirecutter who has been covering smart-home technology since the days of X10.