Best Self-Monitored Home Security Systems With No Monthly Fees
They're from Abode, Blue by ADT, Kangaroo, Ring, and SimpliSafe
By Daniel Wroclawski
Home security systems have long been associated with costly monthly fees. They’re required for professional monitoring, where trained dispatchers keep an eye on your system and alert the authorities in the event of a break-in.
But there are now a variety of DIY home security systems that allow you to monitor them yourself from your smartphone—and avoid the extra fees altogether.
Consumer Reports has put a number of these systems through our home security system tests, which assess things like how well the sensors work, how quickly alerts are sent, and how easy it is to install each system. We also recently began testing these systems for digital privacy and security, and we’ve found that some systems are vulnerable to hacking. These results are now folded into our ratings, so you can find a home security system that also protects your data and withstands hacks.
We’ve found that the very best self-monitored systems come from Abode, Blue by ADT, Kangaroo, Ring, and SimpliSafe. Below, CR members with digital access can see ratings and reviews of these five security systems.
When one of these systems is triggered, a siren goes off to scare away potential intruders and you get an alert on your smartphone so that you can call the police yourself. One thing to be aware of is that if you call 911 from out of town, the dispatcher then has to contact your hometown’s police department, which could delay the police response. You could call your local police department directly instead.
You also have some flexibility where monitoring is concerned. “Many of these DIY systems still offer optional professional monitoring,” says Bernie Deitrick, CR’s test engineer for home security systems. “You can sign up for it temporarily if, say, you go on a long vacation.”
To see all the systems we tested, check our full home security system ratings. And for more on how we test DIY security systems, see our free home security system buying guide.
5 Best Self-Monitored Home Security Systems
Security Systems 101
Self-installed security systems are becoming more popular, but there are a few things to consider. On the “Consumer 101” TV show, Consumer Reports expert Dan Wroclawski explains to host Jack Rico what to look for when buying one.
