A home alarm system isn’t something you buy without researching beforehand, as there is so much to consider. And recently, companies like Cove have disrupted the market, resulting in affordable pricing, easy DIY installation, and plenty of smart home automation features. Another recent development we’d like to call out is the innovation in home security. These days, even smart thermostat brands like eco bee and security camera brands like Arlo are incorporating whole-home security systems into their product lines.
What are Home Alarm Systems?
Home alarm systems are used to protect against burglaries and theft, and they often include entryway sensors, motion sensors, security cameras, and a central base station. Most systems cost under $500, and users can also get 24/7 professional monitoring for an additional cost.
With so many options, it may feel impossible to pick the right system (a phenomenon called “over choice”). But don’t worry, we’ve tested dozens of different systems, and we’re here to give you the scoop on what to look for when shopping for a home security system.
Crime Protection
Let’s start by looking at the crime prevention aspect of home security systems. Is security systems worth it in the first place? Do you need a home security system if you’re working from home? Research says yes, security systems can protect you from home invasions, vandalism, and theft. A five-year-long study from Rutgers University found that as the number of home alarm systems in a neighborhood increased, the amount of crime decreased steadily. The fact is that even just having a security system set up makes burglars less likely to choose their home or neighborhood. But just how common are the crimes that security systems protect you from and what exactly do they entail? Let’s take a closer look.
Remote Monitoring and Control
Now that we’ve defined the crimes that home security systems aim to prevent, let’s discuss the most useful crime-deterrent features of home security systems. That’s right, security systems aren’t supposed to just alert you of crimes. They should be able to deter crimes as well. And thanks to modern technology, security systems today are much better equipped with features that can drive away (or even catch) intruders than security systems from decades ago. Remember your parents’ alarm system? If they weren’t home to hear it, then they just had to hope that the neighbors could.
Emergency Response
Most of us don’t have the luxury to monitor every alert that comes from our security systems. We have jobs to do, errands to run, and things to take care of throughout the day, and no one knows exactly when a burglar will strike. Even households with multiple adults can use a little help when it comes to monitoring.
Professional monitoring is exactly for that. Basically, professional monitoring means that in addition to sending activity alerts to your smartphone, your security system also sends alerts to a monitoring center where a team of people is always ready to respond. If an alert comes in, these monitoring agents will pick up their phones and notify you, or if they can’t reach you, they’ll dispatch police to your home.
Environmental Protection
Some security companies also sell environmental monitoring devices like freeze, flood, smoke, or CO sensors. These are typically wireless and Wi-Fi connections so the user can receive alerts even if they’re not home. Every house should have a smoke and CO detector at the very least, and having it all under one app certainly makes things easier.
Home Automation
These days, it’s no longer necessary to flick on the light switch, disarm your security system or even unlock your door manually. Rather, you can set up IoT, or Internet of Things devices to trigger one another automatically. One example that we like to do is have our lights turn on whenever our security system is armed so it seems like we’re home when we’re not, but that’s not where the smart home technology ends.
Conclusion
Choosing a home alarm system to protect you, your home, and your family may seem like a daunting task, but hopefully, this guide will help point you in the right direction. If you’re still not sure where to start, we recommend looking at our “best of” pages, which include the best options with cellular backup, DIY installation, or wireless components. Remember, better safe than sorry!
