Trying to figure out which are the best options for home security is confusing.
When you begin looking at self monitored home security systems, things become even more frustrating.
With so many options available on the market today, it’s practically impossible to sift through them with any sort of efficiency.
Before picking the best self monitored home security system for your needs, it’s important to understand what differentiates them short.
They can have more or less of these things, but these are the absolute basics.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Arlo Pro 2 | Best Overall |  |
| YI 4pc Home Camera | Budget Pick |  |
| All in one | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. Arlo Pro 2
Pros:
- Clear 1080p video
- Weatherproof
- Alerts sent to your phone when the camera senses movement
- Great night vision
- Free cloud storage
- 2-way audio (via Amazon Echo)
- Flashlight feature
- Easy DIY installation
- Battery backup for power outages
- No contracts
Cons:
- Extra money for pro packages
- No interoperability
- Lacking range
- Doesn’t have pan or tilt capability
- Night vision not as effective as it could be
Self monitoring security systems can help you keep an eye on your property while you’re away at the office, out with friends, or sleeping at night.
Arlo Pro 2 is a great wireless home security system. It does not require contracts or hard-wired installations, and there’s no monthly fee. Basically, what you pay is what you get. It has a 720p resolution, weatherproof casing, two-way audio Capabilities, and a sound alert system.
2. Blink XT Home Security Camera System
Pros:
- Has a wire-free design with up to two-year battery life
- Waterproof and weatherproof
- Two-way audio and night vision
- Can send you instant alerts
- Affordable
- No contracts or monthly fees
- Free cloud storage
3. All in one
Pros:
- Has everything you need to get started – including four 1080P cameras (720P viewing resolution) providing an excellent surveillance system
- Expanded functionality with the ability to monitor up to eight channels at once
- Very easy to set up
- Good viewing distance. Up to 1000 feet at night
- 720P viewing resolution provides crystal clear video recording
- Great picture quality, with infrared night vision
- The cameras have good viewing from both indoor and outdoor areas
- The 960 viewing angle provides good side to side coverage
- The NVR retains recorded footage for up to 2 weeks
- Some of the cameras are weather resistant
Cons:
- The recording capacity of the hard drive is low – only 1TB
- Does not work with Windows 7
Liveview, Lan and IR-Cut.
4. YI 4pc Home Camera
Pros:
- Great night vision
- Many modes to choose from
- Quick and easy setup process
- Allows for recording and storing of footage
- Suitable for indoor or outdoor use
- Affordable, backed by a one-year warranty
- Allows for monitoring via an app
Cons:
- Some users report connectivity issues
- Motion detection could be better
- Some users report occasional glitches in features
- The app could be more streamlined
The YI 4K self camera delivers spectacular quality in video and audio. The app is one of the best we’ve seen in the category. It’s one of the most affordable self-monitored security systems you can buy, and can easily be setup by anyone.
This is the perfect system for anyone looking for a low-cost and easy to install security system in their home. It’s also very easy to operate, thanks to the great interface and app, and allows for live monitoring and recording, which means you can see what’s happening at home and store footage if necessary. Plus, with two-way talk, you can converse and listen to audio from the camera.
5. ZOSI H.265+ 1080p Home Security Camera System Indoor Outdoor
Pros:
- Great customer reviews
- Affordable and easy to use
- Sleek and modern design
- Easy to set up – no tools required
- Affordable
Cons:
- Lacks advanced features
- A bit more complicated to set up
- Firmware becomes outdated easily
- Remote-controlled pan and tilt functionality has limited range
This is a stylish camera system for home security that is more than fit for the job. It is a great choice for someone who wants to monitor common spaces in and around their home but doesn’t want to spend significantly more than 100 dollars.
The ZOSI H.265+ 1080p Home Security Camera System Indoor Outdoor, 5MP Lite CCTV DVR 8 Channel and 8 x 1080p Weatherproof Surveillance Bullet Dome Camera, Remote Access, Motion Detection (No Hard Drive) comes with eight cameras, receiving antennae, power cords, a remote, hard disk (for recording footage), mounting brackets, screws, and an Ethernet cable.
6. Ring Alarm 5 Piece Kit
Pros:
- Affordable
- Durable
- Easy to install
- Sleek and stylish
- Unlimited free cloud storage
- Warranty
Cons:
- No camera
- Not weatherproof
Listening to experts but also searching through thousands of customer reviews, we’ve discovered the 10 best self-monitored home security systems. We’ve compared and contrasted features such as ease of installation, safety and protection, and customer satisfaction. What we’ve discovered is a range of kits that will help you get the most bang for your buck.
We gave this self-monitored home security system a favorable rating because of its affordable price, free cloud storage, compatibility with smart voice assistants, and the fact that it’s durable and aesthetically pleasing.
To enable Alexa voice control, simply ask, “Alexa, ask ring for help,” and Alexa will guide you through the process. You can also start and stop recording with Alexa voice control.
7. Compatible with Alexa App Controlled Updated S03 WiFi and Landline Security Alarm System Deluxe Glass Kit Wireless DIY Home Security System by Fortress Security Store
Pros:
- App-controllable for self-monitoring
- Easy installation and set-up
- Remote monitoring from smartphones and computers
- Affordable price point
- Can be expanded to include virtually every smart home device
Cons:
- Some components do not support Z-Wave
- Limited by wireless range
There are three kinds of security alarm systems available: basic self-monitored alarm systems, professionally maintained alarm systems, and monitored alarm systems. However, if you don’t have the time or energy to get your mind around complicated security details, there’s a great middle-ground option: self-monitored alarm systems. These have all the security functionality of professionally maintained installations with none of the costs.
A self-monitored system, sometimes called a DIY alarm system, leaves the management of the security system to the owner. Although you can hire someone to keep the system up and running, the equipment itself is housed in your home and can be monitored and controlled using DIY home security equipment.
8. SENS8 Home Security Camera System
Pros:
- No wires required- the camera is powered by a removable battery
- Very smart motion detection zone. You can adjust it to match your need.
- The smart interface can be seen by both Android and iPhone.
- Decent battery life. Can work for 6-8 hours on a single charge.
- It has a loud siren.
- It can be used both inside and outside the house.
- It has two way audio.
- With night vision, you will be able to see what is happening even in the darkest place.
Cons:
- The installation process may seem a bit hard for someone who has never done this before.
- If there is a lot of movement in the camera’s zone it can sometimes result in a lot of alerts that are being sent.
This home security camera features some of the smartest motion detection that you can get in a security camera. It is capable of detecting up to 8 movement zones at once. While this feature might seem a bit overwhelming for some it is actually really cool because you can really customize the camera’s motion detection to your own needs.
9. SimpliSafe 12-Piece Home Security System
Pros:
- Professional security system
- Easy to set up and use
- Three year warranty
- Detects fires in a matter of minutes
- Disables alarm within range of your mobile phone
- Digital alarm clock, weather radio, and emergency notification system
- 128-bit encryption system to prevent hackers from decoding audio and video
- Digital wireless technology
- Easy to set up
- Easy to move between homes
Cons:
- You might need to invest in a few extra sensors
- If you want a more customized system, you have to pay extra
- No gated areas
The SimpliSafe 12-Piece Home Security System comes with a monitoring service that sends you alerts and emails when it detects something in your home. It also sends you alerts when it detects a burst of activity.
10. BIBENE 2.4Ghz WiFi Home Security Door Alarm System DIY KIT Works
Pros:
- Affordable
- Relatively easy to install
- Two-way audio intercom included
- Monitors pet activity
- Works with Alexa
- Allows remote control of door locks, lights, indoor and outdoor cameras, and doorbells
- Motion detection sensors included
- Automatic deactivation of siren signals after 10 seconds
- Easy to download a mobile app that controls devices
- Easy to add more sensors
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best self monitored home security system?
Choosing the best self-monitored security system is essentially choosing the best brand that suits your specific needs. We have narrowed down the list to 10 of the best that we recommend. These systems are not in any particular order. The purpose of this guide is to give you the information you need to make the best decision for your particular situation.
Can I monitor my own home security system?
Most home security systems are designed for easy installation, and they are very easy to install and set up even an untrained user can accomplish this, the whole process takes about 10 minutes, you can get the job done without paying anyone else to install the system for you.
All home security systems will come with a user manual that will guide you step by step to successfully install it.
Once the security system is installed, you can choose to manually or automatically monitor it.
Manually monitoring your security system is easy since you will be the one in control of your system.
You can receive instant real time alerts when something takes place as you can see from your remote access.
Most home security companies allow a self monitoring option so you can decide whether to have your security system monitored or not.
If you want to have full control of your home security system, then you should go for a self monitoring system.
What are the top 10 home security systems?
The SkylinkNet Home Security System is a DIY wireless system that comes packed with a starter kit of all the equipment you will need to get started.
The SkylinkNet Home Security Sstem has a terrific easy to use touchscreen app and is compatible with all smartphones.
What is the best home security system Consumer Reports?
Listening to your customers is essential to improving an existing product or developing a new one. To help the manufacturer improve its product, we have listed the most important features you should look for in a smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
Most U.S. homes use smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms. Both types of alarms are vital for early warning of fires and carbon monoxide leakage. For maximum safety, it is important to have both types of alarms.
Smoke alarms give warning when home smoke reaches levels that could be dangerous. CO alarms warn you of rising CO levels that could result in injury, illness, or death. Both kinds of alarms supplement each other, working together to give you notification when it is needed.
Conclusion
The best alarm systems aren't just for protecting your home. With the right home alarm it can also alert authorities, offer remote access, and more.
With this in mind, we searched high and low for home monitor systems that were not only effective at protecting your home and family but were also easy to use and have the technological capabilities we deemed necessary for the modern home.
We looked at all kinds of home monitoring systems. We eliminated any that didn’t have the proper coverage or gave false positives to the police. The home alarm we were left with not only met, but exceeded our standards. For a home security alarm we believe more than any other solution, the Abode is the best option.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Arlo Pro 2 | Best Overall | |
| YI 4pc Home Camera | Budget Pick | |
| All in one | Upgrade Pick | |