Best Cheap Home Security System: Do It Yourself, Pro Install, Camera Systems, Wireless, Outdoor, And More
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Want a home security system that’s dependable but won’t break your bank? We’ve reviewed the cheapest, professionally monitored home security systems and give you the lowdown on what you get with each company. We’ve ranked the companies based on cost and performance to make it easy for you.
Article Overview
- Most Affordable Home Security Systems
- Comparison Table
- What Are My Other Options?
- How Important Is Cost?
What Are The Most Affordable Home Security Systems?
Professional monitoring price is a huge component we considered for this comparison because it helps compare apples to apples. Suppose a home security company is using the same company for professional monitoring. In that case, you’d expect the monthly fee to be the same, but this isn’t always the case.
We have an entire article dedicated to explaining all the details about central monitoring stations. If you’re unfamiliar with what a monitoring station is, how they work, type of monitoring connection (landline vs broadband vs cellular), self vs professional monitoring, and the type that each of the companies in our best home security systems review use, then we recommend reading up on everything there is to know about central monitoring stations and then coming back here.
Review Criteria
Our experts chose winners based on the following criteria:
- Professional monitoring cost
- Equipment cost and quality
- Company’s reputation
- Customer reviews
- Broadband (internet) vs cellular monitoring (cellular is safer than broadband) and what form of backup
- Equipment options, including security, smart home, and cameras
- Contract requirements
Winner: Ring Alarm Review
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Ring is the best and most affordable home alarm system with professional monitoring costing only $10 per month. You’re not sacrificing quality by going with Ring, either. It has two monitoring stations through Rapid Response, which is the same company Frontpoint uses. Ring uses broadband to monitor your security system with cellular as a backup.
Security equipment packages are affordable, and you can build your own or add equipment to any package at any time. Ring offers all the essential security equipment (contact sensors, motion detectors, keypad, and more) as well as a variety of cameras, video doorbells, and smart lights.
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Coupon
Our link above applies discounts if available.
Full Ring Alarm Review
For in-depth equipment and plan pricing, pros & cons, key features, a firsthand installation video, user reviews, side-by-side comparisons to competitors, and more, read our dedicated Ring Alarm review.
Runner-Up: SimpliSafe Review
SimpliSafe has two monitoring plans, Standard for $14.99 and Interactive for $24.99 per month. The difference between the two is that you can only access the mobile app, unlimited camera recording, and smart home features with the Interactive plan. SimpliSafe uses COPS for its professional monitoring needs, which has six monitoring stations, so there are many backups if one station goes down during a power outage, natural disaster, or something else. It uses cellular monitoring with broadband as a backup.
SimpliSafe’s equipment is affordable, but its lineup isn’t as extensive as competitors, which is why it isn’t our #1 pick. While it offers various security equipment (entry sensors, motion sensors, freeze sensors, water sensors, glass break sensors, etc.), it lacks in cameras and smart home equipment.
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Coupon
Our link above applies discounts if available.
Full SimpliSafe Review
For in-depth equipment and plan pricing, pros & cons, key features, a deep dive into their app, user reviews, side-by-side comparisons to competitors, and more, read our dedicated SimpliSafe review.
3rd Place: Cove Security Review
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Cove has a unique setup for its professional monitoring. You have the option to pay $0 for up to $400 of equipment if you sign up for their professional monitoring for three years. If you opt for this option, professional monitoring is $25 for Cove Basic or $35 per month for Cove Plus.
Your other option is to pay for the equipment and receive a $10 discount per month on monitoring, which means Cove Basic is $15 per month and Cove Plus is $25 per month. Ultimately, your decision probably depends on how much equipment you plan on installing in your home.
While Cove has a decent lineup of security equipment, including door/window sensors, motion detectors, glass break detectors, and more, it’s lacking in the smart home field and only has one camera. Cove also uses COPS for its professional monitoring, which means it has six stations like SimpliSafe. It has cellular monitoring for all plans but has no backup.
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Coupon
Our link above applies discounts if available.
Full Cove Security Review
For in-depth equipment and plan pricing, pros & cons, key features, a deep dive into their app, user reviews, and more, read our dedicated Cove Security review.
Comparison Table
The table below shows each company’s starting costs as well as monitoring details associated with that cost.
| 1st: Ring Alarm | 2nd: SimpliSafe | 3rd: Cove Security | Abode | Kangaroo | Scout Alarm | |
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| Professional Monitoring Monthly Starting Cost | $10 | $14.99 | $15 | $20 | $10 | $19.99 |
| Equipment Starting Cost | $179 | $229 | $0 | $199 | $7 | $229 |
| Main Form Of Monitoring | Broadband | Cellular | Cellular | Broadband | Broadband | Broadband |
| Backup Form Of Monitoring | Cellular | Broadband | None | Cellular | None | Cellular |
| Monitoring Company | Rapid Response | COPS | COPS | Rapid Response | COPS | COPS |
| Number Of Monitoring Stations | 2 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Contract Length | None | None | None or 3 Years | None | None | None |
What Are My Other Options?
Below you’ll find an alphabetical listing of other companies we’ve reviewed.
Abode | Kangaroo | Scout Alarm
Abode Review
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Abode’s professional monitoring is $20 per month or $200 per year. Like Ring, it uses Rapid Response for its professional monitoring needs, so it has two locations. Abode uses broadband monitoring with cellular as a form of backup.
Abode’s equipment lineup is relatively simplistic, featuring no smart home equipment and only a couple of cameras. Equipment is slightly more expensive than our top picks but is still affordable.
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Coupon
Our link above applies discounts if available.
Full Abode Review
For in-depth equipment and plan pricing, pros & cons, key features, a deep dive into their app, user reviews, side-by-side comparisons to competitors, and more, read our dedicated Abode review.
Kangaroo Review
Kangaroo’s professional monitoring is $10 per month for broadband monitoring with no backup. This is a pretty uncommon practice since most home security providers have a backup if the main form experiences interruption. Kangaroo uses COPS for its professional monitoring needs, which has six locations.
Kangaroo is a pretty bare-bones security company. Its equipment lineup includes a keypad, remote keychain, motion/entry sensor, water/climate sensor, indoor camera, and doorbell camera. All items are incredibly inexpensive, but you have better options than Kangaroo if you want a more intricate system. However, if all you want is a sensor or two to monitor your dorm room, office, or other small space, Kangaroo may be a great option.
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Coupon
Our link above applies discounts if available.
Full Kangaroo Review
For in-depth equipment and plan pricing, pros & cons, key features, a deep dive into their app, user reviews, and more, read our dedicated Kangaroo review.
Scout Alarm Review
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Scout Alarm’s professional monitoring is $19.99 per month for broadband with cellular as a backup. It uses COPS for its monitoring needs, which has six stations.
Scout’s equipment lineup is pretty minimal compared to competitors. It lacks an outdoor camera, something many consumers want in their security system. Equipment is a bit more noticeable than its competitors as well since it’s larger in size. Overall, there are less expensive options in our top picks with more equipment options.
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Coupon
Our link above applies discounts if available.
Full Scout Alarm Review
For in-depth equipment and plan pricing, pros & cons, key features, a deep dive into their app, user reviews, and more, read our dedicated Scout Alarm review.
How Important Is Cost To You?
If cost isn’t your number one concern and performance is, we suggest reading our expert’s reviews of the best home security systems. If the price is still at the forefront of your mind, and you’d like to learn about the cheapest self-monitored security systems, we have those reviewed as well. However, keep in mind that professionally monitored systems are considered safer than self-monitored.
Is there a company that stands out to you?
