01Recommended
Eufy
No-fee local storage
- Indoor, outdoor and doorbell cameras
- Entry and motion sensors
17 Best Home Security Systems of 2026
Eufy is the best fit for homeowners who want strong cameras and no mandatory monitoring subscription, SimpliSafe for most households that want contract-free DIY setup, and Arlo for all-in-one sensors that cover doors, motion, temperature and leaks. Decide whether you want self-monitoring or professional monitoring, then compare equipment cost and contract terms.
Fact-checkedOur top 3 picks
Independent picks from our 2026 ranking. No paid placements.
02Best overall pick
SimpliSafe
Most households
- Base station and keypad
- Entry and motion sensors
03Best multifunction sensors
Arlo
All-in-one sensors
- 8-in-1 sensors
- Keypad sensor hub
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The RaveReviews AlgorithmSources, weights and method
How the score works
We collect published rankings in this category, normalize each placement to a 0–100 scale, weight the sources by category fit and recency, and average only the lists where a provider appears. The result is divided by 10 and rounded to one decimal.
- 01Collect the source rankings.
- 02Normalize every position.
- 03Weight the sources.
- 04Calculate the RaveReviews Algorithm score.
Scoring factors
- Protection and features30%
- Price and contract25%
- Installation20%
- App and support15%
- Reputation10%
Sources used
Last reviewed 2026-11-02. 6 sources contributed to this ranking.
The ranking at a glanceScores, chart and shortlist shape
Score curve
How the top 10 scores fall from first to tenth.
#1#5#10
Top scores
The first five, scored out of 10.
What you need to know before you choose.
The best home security system depends on whether you want contract-free DIY gear, professional installation and monitoring, or a camera-first smart-home setup. Compare equipment cost, monitoring fees and contract terms before buying.
Read the monitoring contract and cancellation terms first, because a cheap kit can become expensive if a multi-year plan is required. Confirm whether cellular backup, camera storage and professional monitoring are included or billed separately.
What the research says.
This shortlist is built from published rankings, not a single editor's opinion. Here is the evidence behind the score.
17options reviewed
4.3average score
9.4top score
6authority sources
The home should be the treasure chest of living.
Authority sources
Read the published rankings behind this list.
NerdWallet — Best Home Security Systems
Forbes Home — Best Home Security Systems
U.S. News — Best Home Security Systems
Key insights
17options reviewed
Compared on value, features, ease, support and reputation.
5weighted ranking factors
The same published model across every category.
0paid placements
Compensation never changes a score or a rank.
Home & Living options ranked
17 options, scored on value, features, ease of use, support and reputation.
Eufy
RecommendedBest overall- Indoor, outdoor and doorbell cameras
- Entry and motion sensors
- Local storage with no required plan
SimpliSafe
Best overall pick- Base station and keypad
- Entry and motion sensors
- Indoor and outdoor cameras
Arlo
Best multifunction sensors- 8-in-1 sensors
- Keypad sensor hub
- Optional professional monitoring
Brinks Home
Best for professional installation- Professional installation
- 24/7 professional monitoring
- Indoor, outdoor and doorbell cameras
Vivint
Best professionally installed- Smart Hub touchscreen
- Indoor, outdoor and doorbell cameras
- Smart locks, thermostats and garage control
Guardian Protection
Best for whole-home packages- Professional installation
- 24/7 monitoring with cellular backup
- Smart locks, doorbells and garage control
Frontpoint
Best for value- DIY hub and sensors
- Cellular backup
- App control and alerts
Cove
Best affordable DIY- Touchscreen alarm panel
- Entry and motion sensors
- Indoor and outdoor cameras
Ring
Best DIY ecosystem- Alarm base station and keypad
- Entry and motion sensors
- Security cameras and doorbells
Philips Hue
Best for self-monitoring- Wired video doorbell
- Motion and contact sensors
- Smart lighting integration
ADT
Best professional monitoring- ADT base and keypad
- Google Nest cameras and doorbell
- Entry, motion, smoke and CO sensors
Wyze
Best budget entry- Indoor and outdoor cameras
- Entry and motion sensors
- Self or professional monitoring
Abode
Best smart-home integration- Smart security hub
- Entry and motion sensors
- Apple Home, Alexa and Google support
Scout
Best for a budget system- DIY hub with cellular backup
- Sensors, cameras and video doorbells
- Hazard detectors
Xfinity
Best for Xfinity customers- Professional installation
- Security cameras and doorbell
- Smart-home automation
Vector Security
Best for customized security- Custom system design
- Professional installation
- Indoor, outdoor and doorbell cameras
Deep Sentinel
Best live guard monitoring- AI guard cameras
- Live human monitoring
- Two-way audio intervention
Eufy offers sharp cameras, free local storage on select models and smart-home integration, with equipment from $159.99 and no required monthly fee.
9.4RaveReviews Algorithm
Compare the top options
The details that matter most, in one view.
| Offer | Eufy | SimpliSafe | Arlo | Brinks Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RaveReviews Algorithm | 9.4 | 7.8 | 7.2 | 5.8 |
| Best for | No-fee local storage | Most households | All-in-one sensors | Professional installation |
| Price | $159.99+ | $250.96+ | $199.99+ | $599+ |
| Highlight | Indoor, outdoor and doorbell cameras | Base station and keypad | 8-in-1 sensors | Professional installation |
Showing the top 4 of 17 options. See every ranked option.
The questions buyers actually ask
Clear answers to the decisions that come after the shortlist.
What is the best choice in home security systems?
If you want the short answer, start with Eufy. It earned a 9.4 out of 10 in our 2026 ranking, and it is the option we would shortlist first for no-fee local storage. That does not mean it is the right choice for every reader. It means it is the most defensible place to begin.
The ranking is a shortlist, not a finish line. The right option depends on the job you need done, the total cost after fees and the support you will actually use. SimpliSafe is the stronger fit for most households. Arlo is worth a close look for all-in-one sensors. Start with the top pick, then compare the runner-up on the details that change your decision.
Most buyers do not need the longest feature list. They need a clear answer to a smaller question. What will this cost over a year? What happens when something goes wrong? Can I leave without a penalty? Those questions separate a good shortlist from a good decision.
How did we rank home security systems?
We used the same five-factor model across this category. Protection and features at 30%, price and contract at 25%, installation at 20%, app and support at 15%, reputation at 10%. The weights are published because a score without a method is just a vibe with a decimal point.
The process starts with the evidence a buyer can actually check. We review provider materials, published pricing, contract terms and the support model. Then we compare the details that tend to cause regret later. A low headline price does not count for much if the service fee, cancellation term or coverage limit undoes it.
We also separate popularity from quality. A brand can be everywhere and still be a poor fit for your situation. The ranking rewards fit, not advertising spend. That is why the top pick may not be the most famous name on the page.
What should you look for in home security systems?
Start with the features that affect your actual use case. For Eufy, the relevant details include indoor, outdoor and doorbell cameras, entry and motion sensors, local storage with no required plan. Those are not decoration. They are the parts of the product that determine whether it works on a normal Tuesday, not just on the day you sign up.
Then look at the terms. Price is easy to compare. Contract length, service fees, cancellation rules, support hours and eligibility are harder. They are also where most of the real cost hides. Ask for the total annual cost, not the monthly teaser. Ask what happens if you need to cancel, move or change the plan.
Finally, check the track record. A provider that answers a sales call quickly may be slow when you need help. Read recent reviews, look for patterns and ask how disputes are handled. The best time to learn how a company behaves is before you depend on it.
How much do home security systems cost?
Eufy starts at $159.99+ No required monthly fee · local storage. SimpliSafe starts at $250.96+ $22.99/mo pro monitoring · no contract. Arlo starts at $199.99+ $29.99/mo monitoring · no contract. Those prices are a starting point, not a full budget. The final number depends on the plan, the contract, the add-ons and where you live.
Here is the part most shoppers miss. The cheapest monthly price is often the most expensive decision. A low rate with a long contract, a large service fee or a narrow coverage set can cost more than a higher headline price with clean terms. Compare the total cost over the period you expect to use the product.
Set a budget before you compare. Then decide which features are worth paying for. If you cannot explain why an upgrade matters to your actual use, it is probably not an upgrade. It is a sales feature.
Which option is best for no-fee local storage?
Eufy is the pick here because eufy offers sharp cameras, free local storage on select models and smart-home integration, with equipment from $159.99 and no required monthly fee.. It is not the cheapest option in the category, and it is not trying to be. It is the option that makes the fewest compromises where the decision matters most.
That recommendation comes with a condition. If your priority is different, the ranking should change. A reader who needs the lowest possible upfront cost should look at the value pick. A reader who needs hands-on support should pay attention to service quality. The best answer is always relative to the job.
Use the top pick as a benchmark. Compare every other option against it on price, terms and the one feature you cannot do without. If another option wins on those three points, it deserves a closer look.
What should you verify before you buy?
Verify the total cost, not the promotional price. Ask for the monthly cost after any introductory period ends. Ask about setup fees, service fees, cancellation fees and anything that changes when you add a user, a location or a feature. The number you see in an ad is rarely the number you will pay in month twelve.
Verify the terms that are easy to miss. Contract length, renewal rules, data practices and support hours matter more than most buyers expect. If the provider cannot explain them clearly before the sale, assume the answer will be harder to get afterward.
Verify the fit with your actual workflow. A demo can make any product look simple. A free trial or a short pilot can show you what the product feels like on a normal day. Use the trial to test the one feature you need most. That is a better use of time than touring every menu.
What should you do next?
Start with the top pick and read the full review. Then compare the runner-up on the three details that matter most to you. If you are still unsure, use the comparison table and the methodology on this page. The goal is not to keep researching forever. The goal is to make a decision you can explain.
Before you sign up, confirm the current price, the contract term and the cancellation policy directly with the provider. Prices change. Terms change. A ranking can point you in the right direction, but the final check has to happen at the source.
If this ranking helped you narrow the list, stop there. A shortlist of two or three good options is enough. The best decision is the one you can act on with confidence, not the one that keeps you in the research phase for another month.
Who wrote and reviewed this ranking
Every ranking has a named editor and a separate quality review before publication.
David Krug
Head of Content
David leads the RaveReviews editorial team, turning research into clear comparisons and useful guides. He oversees content strategy, testing standards and the final read on every ranking.
LinkedIn
Annie Membreve
Head of Quality Control
Annie runs quality control at RaveReviews, checking sourcing, scoring and the details readers rely on. She reviews every ranking before publication and manages corrections.
TikTokFrequently asked questions
Do I need professional monitoring?
Professional monitoring can help when you are away or unable to respond. DIY alerts are useful, but they depend on someone seeing the notification.
Is a contract required?
It depends on the provider. Some systems require a multi-year monitoring contract, while others are month-to-month. Read the cancellation terms before buying.
Can I install a system myself?
Many DIY systems are designed for self-installation. Professional installation costs more but can be worthwhile for larger homes or complex setups.
Keep comparing
More rankings and guides for the decision in front of you.