
A home security
system should be easy to navigate, and the system’s design should make sense in your home. Most of our testers had positive things to say about living with their home security systems. They reported that their systems improved their overall peace of mind. If you’re prone to fretting late at night or while away on vacation, home security systems deliver on their promise of reassurance. That’s not to say there weren’t annoyances — which can become major sore points if you’re interacting with your system every time you leave the house. LiveWatch’s piercing, impossible to mute beeps drew complaints from one tester, as did Link Interactive’s inaccurate digital display. Others, like Vivint and ADT, were
easier to incorporate unobtrusively into our daily routines. The majority of home security companies recommend or require you to call when ordering your service. We recommend this as well, because regardless of whether calling beforehand is required, having an attentive lineup of customer service comes in handy, especially when self installing or encountering difficulty with the system. You can often get a lower price by discussing your quote with a salesperson. Sometimes home security systems require an installation fee, equipment fees, or an activation fee.
On the other hand, wireless
items don’t require any maintenance, which is a great plus.

The best part is if there’s a power outage, most wireless equipment includes a backup
battery to work. Monthly plans are often less expensive than wired home security systems, but there are drawbacks to consider. Once you’ve set up
your home security system, you may need to add extra security cameras or sensors to monitor blind spots that may be out of range. Some home security companies sell additional equipment at a discounted rate if you’ve purchased their home security system. If not, adding additional equipment can be fairly inexpensive. Adding an extra indoor security camera can cost upwards of $100 or an extra door sensor can cost around $30.