Home security is a huge factor to consider, especially if your home has been broken into before. Fears of break-ins can keep people up at night, and having an alarm system can help you get the best sleep of your life. We at Smart Home Security want to see you and your family safe. Here are some things to consider when getting a home alarm system.
The first thing we recommend is talking with a professional about what the best option for your home is. When we say professional, we don’t mean us – we mean a real person, someone who will listen to your needs and concerns and find out what the best options for you are. You want to make sure that you’re getting a service that works for you and not just one that’s easy for the company or person installing it. Doing some research on what kind of burglar alarm systems are out there is also important; look at some customer reviews and see what kind of reliability they have. Get all the information you can so that you can make an informed decision about which service is right for you.
Do you have an alarm system?
If not, it’s time to take a look at home security systems. Having a security system can help give you peace of mind, as well as keep you and your loved ones safe.
There are several different types of home security systems available on the market today, including wireless home security systems, hardwired alarms, and monitored alarms. Some of the most popular alarm manufacturers include ADT and Vivint. Before you decide on the type of alarm that’s right for your home, however, it’s important to understand how they work.
There are two main types of home security systems: those that are monitored by a company, and those that are not. Monitored alarm systems require a monthly or annual fee in exchange for monitoring services from a professional monitoring center. If there is an emergency at the home — such as a break-in or fire — the center will call the police or fire department for you. Unmonitored alarms do not offer this service; instead, they simply sound an alert when there is an emergency.
When it comes to your home’s security, there’s no such thing as being too careful. You’ve worked hard for what you have and you want to protect it. But how can you keep watch over your home 24 hours a day when you’re at work or on vacation? A home alarm system is the solution.
But with so many options available, how do you choose the best security system for your needs? Our buyers guide and reviews of the top five alarm systems will help you decide.
If you are looking for a simple alarm system without any bells and whistles, SimpliSafe Home Security is a great option. It offers three packages to choose from ranging from $229 to $489, depending on sensor quantity and other features. If all you need is window and door sensors, SimpliSafe is a great choice because all systems come with those sensors included, but if you need additional protection against fire or carbon monoxide, SimpliSafe only includes smoke detectors in its most expensive package.
SimpliSafe excels at monitoring your home, but doesn’t offer video cameras or smart home integration like some of the other companies we reviewed. For video surveillance, check out our sister site Top Ten Reviews’ review of the best video cameras on the market.
The standard home alarm system is pretty dumb. It just blares out its alarm when it detects motion. But you can get a much smarter system, such as SimpliSafe. I’ve been using a SimpliSafe system since 2013 and can tell you that it’s a big improvement over ADT’s basic alarm system.
The benefit of SimpliSafe is that you can set it up yourself, which saves you $200 (or more), and the monitoring service is cheaper than the competition at $15/month. The downside to SimpliSafe is that there’s no two-way audio with the camera, and no home automation features like turning on lights or opening doors remotely.
SimpliSafe doesn’t offer any “smart” features because they don’t want to be stuck supporting a bunch of complicated smart home tech, so their system is intentionally very simple. What this means for you is that their equipment will not be obsolete in 5 years like some other brands might be, because there’s nothing to upgrade from the existing version.
Are you looking for home security services to protect your home? If so, you likely want the best product and service at a low cost. The good news is that there are many low cost home security systems out there that are very affordable. The bad news is that those same products will not provide the safety and security you desire for your family.
There are many different considerations when it comes to choosing the right alarm system for your home. These include:
The cost of an alarm system
The number of sensors needed
The type of monitoring required
The type of equipment needed (cameras, doors, windows, etc.)
The choice between a wired and wireless home security system is one of the first decisions you will have to make.
Wired systems are considered more reliable because they don’t have batteries to replace or other potential points of failure. They also tend to be cheaper in the long run, though the initial installation cost is higher. Wireless systems are ideal for people who rent homes or apartments and aren’t allowed to make permanent changes, or who have older houses that may not have an ideal mount for a wired system (such as brick or stone walls).
Once you’ve decided on the type of system, you need to decide on what level of monitoring you want. Do you want 24/7 monitoring? Do you want the option for a professional monitoring company to call the police in case of emergency? Do you want remote access from your computer and smartphone? Would you prefer environmental sensors like a carbon monoxide detector or flood sensor? Once you know the answer to these questions, then it’s time to compare all the home security system options out there.
The best advice I can give you is to do your research. Look at all of your options, not just the ones that are advertised the most. Some of the best security companies don’t spend a ton of money on ads because they don’t have to. There are lots of great companies out there, but some are better for different people.
Maybe you live in an apartment and can’t install a system that has to be wired into a wall. Or maybe you’re a renter. It doesn’t make sense to put holes in the walls if you aren’t going to be there for long. Maybe you’d like something that’s easier than using a keypad or having to disarm it every time you come in. Maybe you want something more high-tech.
There are so many options out there, so explore them all and find what works best for you! If you need help making the decision, just reach out to us and we’ll help walk you through it.