Kimberly Alt

Kimberly is our home security expert and has been writing about security and safety since 2013, covering everything from security systems and home automation to identity theft protection, home warranties, medical alert systems, and more. She has personally tested hundreds of system components and interfaced with dozens of home security companies to find out what’s happening behind the scenes. Her work has appeared in many notable brands, including The New York Times' Wirecutter, Reader's Digest, Forbes, People, Woman's World, and Huffington Post. In 2018, she had her first child, which opened up a whole new avenue of security experience with baby gear. She wanted to purchase the safest items for her family. Kimberly received her Bachelor of Arts in multimedia journalism from Simpson College. Her natural curiosity helps her research as she seeks the truth when learning about, comparing, and personally testing products and services.

Stainless steel appliances in kitchen (Caption: America's First Choice Home Club Reviews)

America’s First Choice Home Club Reviews: Customer Service, Cancellation, Coupon Code, & More

America’s 1st Choice Home Club jumped from servicing only 2 states to servicing all but 2 states in the matter of 1 year. The company quickly moved up in our rankings due to this transition as well as for other reasons. America’s 1st Choice Home Club covers a large number of appliances and systems and has a service call fee starting at $75. The company is transparent in its offerings, which makes us ask, “Are they too good to be true?”

DIY Home Security System on table (Caption: Best DIY Home Security Systems)

Best Cheap DIY Home Security Systems: With Cameras, Wireless, Self-Monitored, And More

You’re looking for some extra peace of mind but don’t want to throw all your hard-earned money toward a security company. Which self-monitored home security provider is the most affordable? There are many companies to consider, but with the rapid changes in technology, the value you get can differ vastly. In general, if you’re comfortable with monitoring your own system, you’ll save significantly over a professionally monitored system (one that uses human staffed stations to monitor your system and dispatch authorities on your behalf). However, we do feel a self-monitored system isn’t as secure as a professionally monitored system, but understand professionally monitored isn’t for everyone. We’ve made it easy for you to make the best choice by ranking the top 6 self-monitored home alarm systems by cost. Keep in mind that the cheapest are seldom the best performing systems, so be sure to read our review of the best self-monitored home security systems for a better value and performance perspective.

iRobot Roomba on carpet with kid laying on floor (Caption: iRobot Roomba Review)

iRobot Roomba Review: i7+, i8+, 675, i3, j7+, 694, s9+, e5, i7, & More

If your least favorite chore is vacuuming; there are automatic vacuum cleaners that could save you time and headaches. The Roomba robot vacuum will suck up all the dirt and debris on your floors without having to lift a finger. For this review, we’ll be focusing on the Roomba 960 (our pick for best robot vacuum cleaner), although we will compare it to previous and newer models in the pricing and tech specs section. Find out why Roomba is the #1 pick for best vacuum robot.

A laptop with an orange screen on a desk. Caption: Complete ID Review

Costco Complete ID Reviews: Pros, Cons, Consumer Reviews, Pricing, Vs LifeLock, & More

Costco’s Complete ID protection is one of the least expensive identity monitoring plans on the market. However, it’s only available to Costco members and the price increases if you don’t have the highest membership plan. Is this a viable option to help protect your identity? We’ll share the details with you so you can be sure that you are signing up for the best ID theft protection.

Dog next to robot vacuum (Caption: Best Robot Vacuum Reviews)

Robot Vacuums Reviewed: Neato vs Roomba vs Dyson vs iLife vs Ecovacs Deebot & More

Do you think vacuuming sucks (literally and figuratively)? Then don’t do it anymore! A robot vacuum can do all your floor cleaning with the press of a button. All you’ll have to do is empty the dust bin. A robot vacuum cleaner can range anywhere from $100 to $1,000. We suggest reading each vacuum robot review, so you have an idea of what features you’ll get at each price point.

Google Nest, Echo, and HomePod side by side (Caption: Best Smart Speaker)

Homepod Vs Alexa Vs Google Home Vs Nest Vs Ecobee Vs Amazon Echo Vs Dot & More

How do you want to use your smart speaker? DDo you plan to use it with other apps, have your own personal DJ, learn a wealth of knowledge, or something else? Your answer to this question will determine the best smart speaker for you. We’ve taken a stance on which one we think is best, but that doesn’t mean the other speaker might not be a better fit for your household.

Security light at night (Caption: Best Security Lights)

Best Security Lights Reviews: Solar Powered, Motion Sensor, Outdoor, Flood, Battery Powered, LED, And More

Having your home well-lit at night can deter criminals from lurking around your property. But if you’re only leaving them on while you’re on vacation, it may send the opposite signal – that you’re not home. Also, leaving the porch light on all night isn’t the most energy-efficient or cost-saving solution. Smart security lights that can come on when necessary can not only give your home a “lived-in” appearance, they can reduce your energy bill, make your light at home easier (motion lights don’t require a switch), and you won’t have to swap bulbs as frequently. Our experts comb through the best lights from top providers.

A hand holding up a smartphone with a pastel colored blurry background. Caption: Best Family Tracking App

Best Family Tracking App: Life360 vs Find My Friends vs Family Orbit vs KidControl & More

The weather was terrible this morning when your child left to drive to school. You have this “policy” for them to text you when they make it to school safely, but today you didn’t receive that text. This isn’t the first time this has happened. Sometimes your kid forgets and remembers to text you over lunch. Is there a way you could know that they arrived safely without them having to text you?

A floor mopping robot cleaning a floor. Caption: Best Floor Mopping Robot

Best Floor Mopping Robot: Braava Jet vs bObsweep vs iLife & More

If you’ve got pets, or kids, or you’re a human, you probably have dirty floors. I have to sweep multiple times a week to keep up with the pet hair, dirt, crumbs and other debris that clings to my floors. Let’s face it, none of us clean our floors as much as they need it. Mopping is a pain. It’s messy, takes time and strains the back. We avoid it at all costs. That’s why we put together a comprehensive comparison of robot mops, so you can “hire” one as your personal maid.

Two women climbing down a fire escape ladder on the side of a green building. Caption: Best Fire Escape Ladder

Best Fire Escape Ladder Reviews: 2 Story, 3 Story, Rope, Permanent, Window, For Kids & More

Beep, beep, beep! You wake up in the middle of the night from the fire alarm and everyone is in their bedrooms. You open the door to the hallway and see huge flames that make it impossible for you to escape through your front door or for you to reach your sleeping children.Fear sets in. Do they know what to do? Can everyone reach safety on their own? We know this is scary to think about, but what if it happened to you? Is your family prepared in case of a fire emergency?

A Nest Protect installed on a white ceiling. Caption: Nest Protect Review

Nest Protect Smoke And Carbon Monoxide Alarm Review: Is It Worth It, How To Install, & More

The Nest Protect 2nd Generation is one of the best smart smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms on the market. Nest Protect is WiFi enabled, so you can receive notifications to your phone. It includes photoelectric and ionization sensors (called the split-spectrum sensor), which detects both fast-burning and smoldering fires. It’s a bit expensive, but with its dual sensor, carbon monoxide detection and smart technology, is it worth the steep price?

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