Installing the best home security system once meant professional fitting and regular maintenance costs. But today’s DIY alarm solutions make it simpler, more affordable and less hassle to keep your smart home safe – ideal when you want to know your home is secure whether you’re away on a weekend break.
Smart locks are ideal for checking the front door is fully secured. In contrast, wifi security cameras and smart video doorbells are great for keeping an eye on your property and for evidence if there’s a break-in.
However, if you want more protection, we’d recommend looking at the best smart alarms that are more than an “intelligent” version of a burglar alarm.
With these, you’ll get sirens, sensors, keypads and cameras to level up your home security system. And, because they connect to your wifi, you won’t have to worry about dangling wires everywhere.
Our list of the best smart alarms contains top-performing models vetted by our expert testers, along with the best home security systems picked from our rigorous research.
How the GH Tech Team tests smart alarms
We assess the performance, ease of use and design of some of the best home security systems available. We test them for simplicity and ease of installation and evaluate the accuracy of any motion and open/close sensors.
We look at how clear and loud the siren is, how quickly it sends notifications and whether it pairs with other smart home platforms such as Amazon Alexa and Apple HomeKit.
We also pay attention to how simple the system is to arm and disarm and whether it’s possible to customise which sensors activate at different times, to see if it’s suitable for use when you’re at home and away from the property.
Yale IA-320 Sync (6-piece)
If you’re after the best home security setup, you can’t go wrong with this system. All the components in the box are pre-paired to the main hub, and all of its sensors are quick to trigger.
We love that it comes with internal and external sirens and that the 200m range of the system also makes it effective for garage and shed protection. The wide range means that this is a system ideal if you need to protect a larger property.
This kit doesn’t include a camera, however, you can buy Yale cameras that work with the alarm as extras – or pick up the 9-piece kit with an indoor camera instead. Expansion is one of the benefits of the Yale ecosystem: you can add up to 40 accessories to a single hub, meaning you can add more sensors and plugs at your own pace.
Smart home compatibility is strong, with support for both Alexa and Google Assistant – alongside Philips Hue lighting. And even though the initial cost is quite high, we like that the system is usable without a subscription. Via the free smartphone app, you can arm, part-arm and disarm the alarm, and get quick notifications if a sensor is triggered.
Eufy 5-Piece Home Alarm Kit
One of the best-value home security systems is this five-piece Eufy kit, and it’s particularly good if you already have one of the brand’s doorbells or weatherproof cameras installed at your home.
Much like the Ring kit on our list, there’s no camera included in this package, but you get enough to get you started: a keypad, two entry sensors for windows or doors, one motion sensor and a tower-shaped base that includes built-in storage.
Installation is DIY, and you’ll pair the system with the Eufy Security App so you can get quick alerts and notifications when the sensors are triggered, or change the sensitivity so you don’t get lots of false alerts from your dog wandering around downstairs as you sleep.
This is an ideal system for smaller homes – a single motion sensor works up to nine metres – and there are no additional subscription fees for extra features. If you do add a camera and want to save footage, the base contains up to 16GB of internal storage.
All of the mounts that you need for installation are in the box and you don’t have to worry about setting it up beside a mains outlet as it uses batteries. According to Eufy, the keypad lasts for six months between charges, while the motion and contact sensors last for up to two years at a time.
Ring Alarm 5 Piece Kit
If your home is already full of Alexa gadgets – such as the Ring Doorbell, Echo Show smart display or the compact Echo Dot speaker – it makes sense to stick with the brand for your home security system. Not only will pairing and communication between your products be seamless, but you’ll already know your way around the smartphone app, too.
We think this 5-piece kit contains everything you need to get started – it includes a Ring base station, a keypad, a contact sensor, a motion detector and a range extender – although you can get more sensors by opting for the seven-piece or the 10-piece instead. You can easily install this by yourself, and we love that there’s no wiring or screws involved.
With a range of about 76 meters, it’s well-suited to any smaller to medium-sized homes. It works best when paired with other Ring doorbells, cameras and sirens, and it’s worth noting that it’s available with a Ring Indoor Cam (usually £49.99) for no extra cost.
On test, we found the system was simple to install and sent speedy alerts when something triggered any of the sensors. It’s impressive how loud the siren is, but most homes will need to buy extra window/door sensors to create a comprehensive system. If you want a mobile data connection to protect against wifi outages or notifications to chosen emergency contacts if you don’t respond to the alarm – you’ll need to pay for the £8 per month subscription.
ERA Protect Deter
This is an ideal security system for smaller homes that you can have up and running in a few minutes. The hub keeps a stable connection by plugging into your router, and the accessories instantly pair by scanning QR codes.
There’s no camera, keypad or fobs with the basic “Deter” package, but it has everything you need – a pet-friendly motion sensor, window sensor and two remotes alongside the hub. Go for the Alert, Defender and Guardian packages for more sensors, sirens and cameras.
On test, we liked the solid build of the components and how easy the app is to understand for beginners – it’s plastic-heavy but that keeps it all lightweight. The motion sensor can be set up using the supplied tape, so installation is simple and it’s also a good option if you’re renting. It did a fine job of detecting motion when we tested it at around 10m away, quickly blasting an alert to our phone.
Even without a big siren in the basic setup, the hub’s speaker is loud enough for indoor use, with a blaring sound that’ll wake even the heaviest of sleepers. You get three months of the ERA Protect Plus subscription for free – and although it costs £8 per month if you want to keep the extra features, it works just fine without paying for a monthly fee, too.
SimpliSafe Essentials Package
One of the most comprehensive security systems that you can buy, SimpliSafe’s 7-piece kit is an ideal starting point for most homes, coming with a base station, a keypad, a 1080p indoor camera, three entry sensors and a single motion sensor.
This system is simple to install and we liked its responsive and loud built-in siren. You can check video feeds via the phone app, although we find that most of the best features are locked behind a paywall.
Unlike the Ring and Eufy kits on our list, it’s great that the system includes a security camera and we find that it only alerts you when it spots the same heat pattern as a human (so there are no false alerts from your pets). Expansion is also very well supported – you can add up to 100 official accessories and a total of 10 indoor security cameras to the base.
While you pay for the luxury, this is the best option if you need total peace of mind that your home is protected at all times. That’s because you can purchase an external monitoring service (from £15.99 per month).
That means if an alarm goes off a security expert (SimpliSafe is partnered with Securitas) will contact you, attempt to verify if a crime is taking place, and contact the police if necessary. You’ll need to pay for the Pro Premium plan (from £20.99 per month) if you want to add unlimited camera recording to the package, however.
Arlo Ultra 2
While we’ve mostly focused on home security kits that have open/close or infrared sensors, it’s possible to set up a comprehensive system only using cameras and motion detection. If you want the best possible video resolution for your recordings – delivering crisp 4K footage – we recommend our pick for the top-quality wifi security camera, the Arlo Ultra 2.
You’ll get sharp details during the day and night and if you opt for three or four cameras, you should have enough to cover all of the key indoor and outdoor areas around your property. It’ll send motion alerts to your phone and can identify whether a person, animal or car caused the movement. It’s worth noting, though, that this feature is part of the one-year free trial of the cloud video storage plan (which usually costs £9.99 per month).
We like that it comes with a motion-activated spotlight, and has a few must-have features for video-based security – including 12x zoom and autofocus on moving subjects.
The subscription plan also lets you set activity zones and comes with camera theft protection insurance, plus 30 days of saved video history. If you don’t want to pay for the membership, you can view the stream from your cameras, get motion alerts and use two-way talk via your phone. This is compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and HomeKit, too.
What is a smart alarm?
A smart alarm is a wireless system that uses your home’s wifi network to connect the different components, which is why they are affordable and you may be able to install one yourself. Like a typical alarm, it will blast out a loud noise that will trigger when something activates the sensors.
The two most popular types of sensors are open/close and PIR (passive infrared):
Open/close sensors are for windows or doors. They’re made up of two parts that form a connection when you close the door or window. If the connection breaks – in the event of an intruder opening the door – the siren goes off.
PIR sensors detect motion using infrared. Put these in a hallway or other entry points to your home and, when it’s armed and the sensor sees something move, the siren will sound.
Some smart alarms include, or work well with, wifi security cameras from the same manufacturer. Not only do these act as motion sensors, but they allow you to see what’s happening in your home if the alarm goes off. This way, you’ll know if it’s a false alert or a real emergency.
With a traditional burglar alarm, you arm or disarm it via a control panel that’s usually in your entrance hall. But, for a smart home security system, you control it through an app on your phone.
This means you’ll also be able to adjust settings when you’re away and get sensor trigger alerts straight to your pocket. The one thing to note is that smart alarms do need a hub to get all the different components to connect without wires.
How much is a smart alarm system?
For between £200 to £300, you’ll be able to pick up a home security system that includes a hub, a few sensors and sometimes a camera too. We’ve rounded up the best wifi security cameras in a separate list, and have included some kits with cameras in this roundup too.
On their own, you can expect to pay between £20 to £30 for open/close sensors for your windows and doors, while cameras can start at around £100. Bear in mind that you’ll need to stick to the same brand so that everything connects and you can control it all through one app on your phone.
Are smart alarms any good?
Smart home security systems are just as effective as traditional burglar alarms but they don’t always have an external siren for the front of your home, which can act as a deterrent to would-be intruders. While most models offer optional monitoring services to alert police, they’re not as comprehensive as those offered by traditional alarms – these often notify the authorities if the alarm has been triggered and not confirmed as a false alarm.
Things to consider when buying a smart alarm
Sensors
Most smart alarm manufacturers offer a mix of sensors in an alarm bundle, so you’ll need to work out the combination you need for your property.
Cameras
If you’re interested in keeping an eye on your home while you’re out, it’s worth looking for a mix of indoor and outdoor security cameras. This way you’ll be able to see whether anyone is sneaking around in your garden or if mischievous pets misbehave in your hallway, and they’ll act as additional motion sensors.
Keypads and fobs
Some smart home security systems feature keypads and fobs that make arming and disarming the alarm easier than via an app. This may be useful if you have dog walkers, cleaners or others who may let themselves in and out of your home when you’re not there.
Sirens
Most brands should include a loud siren to scare off intruders, but we’ve noted if this is not included or is an optional extra. We’ve also included the maximum volume below – 85db is comparable to a kitchen blender, while 100db is as loud as a motorcycle.
Installation
Most of the models we have tested require that you set them up yourself using the provided sticky pads or screws. Just make sure you put any cameras or sirens high enough on a wall (anywhere between 5ft and 8ft) to make sure your pets don’t set it off.
Backup battery
Some smart alarms include a backup battery, which means it will continue to work even if there’s a power cut.
Compatibility with other devices
If you’ve got other smart home devices, such as lights or plugs, it’s worth looking for a home security system that’s compatible. For example, you can set up a smart light to turn on if a door is opened or get a radio connected to a smart plug to spring to life if a motion sensor detects any movement. Some will also connect to voice assistants like Amazon’s Alexa, Apple’s Siri or Google Assistant.
External monitoring service
Some smart alarms come with an optional subscription service that will monitor your home alarm and contact the emergency services if it triggers and you don’t disarm it. Prices are different for each company – so always check.
3 April 2025: This article was updated to reflect the most up to date prices and deals, as well as check stock levels. We also updated the headlines.
You Might Also Like
