Guides
Every guide follows the same rules: published figures only, sourced and dated; "not published" where a maker hides a number; no hands-on testing claims, because we do not do hands-on testing.
Monitoring decisions
- ADT Monitoring Cost: What ADT Publishes and What It Does Not (August 2026)ADT monitoring pricing as of August 2026: Self Setup monitoring from $24.99/mo, Pro Install from $45.99/mo. ADT's full price list is quote-based, not published.
- Best Self-Monitored Systems With No Monthly FeeWhich security systems work fully at $0/month: Abode, SimpliSafe unmonitored, Ring without a plan, Eufy, Aqara, and Wyze free tier limits, as of August 2026.
- Can You Negotiate ADT's Price? What ADT Actually PublishesWhat ADT actually publishes about pricing: current offers, fine print, and the levers that lower your bill without relying on unverified negotiation tactics.
- Cheapest Professional Monitoring Plans, RankedEvery professional monitoring plan with published pricing, ranked from $4.99 to $99 a month as of August 2026, with contracts, equipment needs, and fine print.
- DIY vs Professional Monitoring: Real 5-Year CostsReal 5-year totals for DIY systems (SimpliSafe, Ring, Abode, Wyze) vs pro setups (ADT, Vivint, Frontpoint): equipment, fees, installs, and contract fine print.
- Does a Home Security System Lower Your Insurance?Most major insurers offer a protective device discount for security systems. What state insurance departments say about the size, and how to claim it.
- Home Security for Elderly Parents: Monitoring That Makes SenseMonitored home security for an aging parent: panic buttons, medical alert crossover, monitored smoke and CO, false alarm handling, and family app access.
- How Long Do Security Systems Last? Lifespans, Batteries, and Sunset DatesSecurity system lifespan by the published specs: sensor battery lives, the 10-year smoke alarm rule, warranty terms, and network shutdowns that retire panels.
- How to Cancel ADT Without OverpayingHow to cancel ADT: the phone number, the online path, what the 36 month contract's 75 percent early termination charge costs, and ways to avoid paying it.
- Is ADT Worth It? The Honest Cost MathADT monitoring runs $24.99 to $59.99 a month as of August 2026, plus a 36 month contract for pro install. Honest math on when ADT is worth it and when it isn't.
- Is Professional Monitoring Worth It? We Did the MathProfessional monitoring costs $9.99 to $99 a month in August 2026. We compare published prices, FBI and BJS burglary data, and break-even math by situation.
- Is Ring Alarm Worth It? The Budget MathRing Alarm kits run about $200 and professional monitoring is $19.99 a month with no contract. Where Ring Alarm wins on cost and where it falls short, honestly.
- Is SimpliSafe Worth It? Plans, Real Costs, and Who It FitsSimpliSafe monitoring runs $22.99 to $79.99 a month with no contract as of August 2026. Honest cost math from published pricing and who it actually fits.
- Is Vivint Worth It? Contract Terms and Real CostsVivint runs $199.99+ for equipment plus $24.99 to $44.99 a month for monitoring as of August 2026. Contract terms and honest math on whether it is worth it.
- Are Monitored Smoke and CO Detectors Worth It?Monitored smoke and CO detectors summon the fire department even when nobody is home or awake. NFPA fire-death data and real add-on prices, examined.
- Moving With a Security System: What Each Provider Lets You DoWhat happens to ADT, SimpliSafe, Vivint, and Ring systems when you move: which ones travel, contract traps, official phone lines, and costs as of August 2026.
- Renting vs Buying Security Equipment: Financing Terms, DecodedAlmost nobody rents alarm equipment anymore; you buy it outright or finance it. The published financing terms at ADT, Vivint, SimpliSafe, and Ring, compared.
- Ring Monitoring Cost: What 24/7 Professional Monitoring Actually Requires (August 2026)Ring plan prices as of August 2026: professional monitoring requires the $19.99/mo Ring Pro plan. What Solo, Multi, Pro, and Virtual Security Guard include.
- Security System Installation Cost: Every Published Fee, ComparedWhat professional security system installation costs, using only published fees: flat rates from $124.99, per-device pricing, and where quotes hide fees.
- SimpliSafe Monitoring Cost: Every Plan Priced (August 2026)SimpliSafe monitoring plans priced as of August 2026: Core at $1.10/day, Pro at $1.66/day, Pro Plus at $2.66/day, plus cheaper standard and self tiers.
- How to Monitor a Vacant or Vacation Home RemotelyMonitor a vacant or vacation home remotely: cellular vs WiFi backup, freeze and leak sensors, monitoring costs, and insurance vacancy rules, as of August 2026.
- Video Verification Explained: How It Changes Alarm ResponseVideo verification lets monitoring centers confirm a real break-in before calling police. How it works, the AVS-01 standard behind it, and who offers it.
- Vivint Monitoring Cost: What You Actually Pay Per MonthVivint monitoring costs explained from Vivint's own pricing: $24.99 to about $57 per month depending on package and contract, plus equipment and install.
Price data
- US Burglary Statistics: The Numbers and Where They Come FromUS burglary counts and rates from FBI estimated crime data (2025) and the BJS victimization survey (2024), with the reporting caveats that matter.
- Home Security Cost Per Month: Every Plan Priced (2026)What home security really costs per month in 2026: monitoring and subscription prices for 20 brands, from $2.99 camera plans to $55 pro monitoring, verified.
- How Much Does a False Alarm Cost? City Fine Schedules ComparedFalse alarm fines range from $0 for a first offense to $500 per event depending on the city. Verified fee schedules from LA, Seattle, Phoenix, and more.
- States With the Highest Burglary Rates (FBI Data)New Mexico leads the nation at 404.9 burglaries per 100,000 people in 2025 FBI data. Full 50-state table, rates, and what the numbers actually mean.
- The Subscription Creep Index: Security Plan Prices 2020-2026Documented security subscription price hikes from Ring, Blink, Nest Aware, Arlo, and Wyze, with old prices, new prices, dates, and sources for every increase.
- US City Burglary Rates: The 15 Largest Cities Compared (FBI Data)2025 FBI burglary rates for America's 15 largest cities: Houston tops the list at 486.5 per 100,000, New York and San Diego run lowest. Data and caveats.
Equipment, by the datasheet
- Best DIY Security Systems: Self-Install Kits and Monitoring Compared (August 2026)DIY security systems compared on published pricing as of August 2026: SimpliSafe, Ring Alarm, Abode, Cove, Wyze, and ADT Self Setup kits and monitoring.
- Best Door and Window Sensors: Specs and Prices Compared (August 2026)Door and window sensors from SimpliSafe, Ring, and Abode compared by published specs as of August 2026: battery life, range, size, price, and system lock-in.
- Best No-Contract Security Systems: Month-to-Month Monitoring Compared (August 2026)Five security systems with published no-contract monitoring compared by price as of August 2026: SimpliSafe, Ring Alarm, Cove, Abode, and Wyze. No lock-in.
- Best Smart Locks for Security Systems: What Integrates With What (August 2026)Smart locks that integrate with SimpliSafe, Ring Alarm, and Abode, compared by published specs and prices as of August 2026, plus how arm/disarm linking works.
- Does Ring Require a Subscription?Does Ring require a subscription? What doorbells and cameras do free, what needs a Ring plan, and current plan prices as of August 2026, from Ring's pages.
- Does SimpliSafe Require a Subscription?Does SimpliSafe require a subscription? What works with no plan, what you lose, and every monitoring plan price as of August 2026, from official pages.
- Driveway Security Cameras: Matching the Camera to the DrivewayDriveway security cameras compared by published specs and August 2026 prices: floodlight, auto-tracking, solar, and LTE options for long or detached driveways.
- Are Glass Break Sensors Worth It? When They Earn Their SpotWhat glass break sensors cover that door sensors cannot, published specs and prices for SimpliSafe, Ring, and Abode as of August 2026, and who can skip them.
- Best No-Subscription Security Cameras (Local Storage)Security cameras with genuine local storage from Reolink, Eufy, Tapo, Lorex, and Amcrest. Storage type, max capacity, and what is free vs paywalled, by the datasheet.
- Pet-Friendly Motion Sensors: Weight Limits ComparedPublished pet-immunity weight ratings compared: SimpliSafe 60 lb, Ring 30-50 lb by setting, Honeywell 80 lb, DSC 55 lb, Bosch 45 lb. What the manuals actually say.
- Security Cameras That Work Without WiFi, on PaperThree ways cameras work without WiFi: LTE cameras (Eufy S330, Reolink Go, Arlo Go 2), SD-card standalone recording, and wired NVR systems. Data plan needs included.
- Solar-Powered Security Cameras: What Works and What to CheckSolar-powered security cameras compared by published specs and August 2026 prices: eufy, Reolink, and Ring options, storage, fees, and sunlight needs.
By situation
- After a Break-In: A Checklist for the First Hours, the First Week, and Feeling Safe AgainA calm checklist for after a break-in: staying safe, the police report, insurance documentation, securing the entry point, and honestly reducing repeat risk.
- Airbnb Host Security Cameras: What the Rules Actually Allow in 2026Airbnb bans all indoor cameras, even switched off. What hosts can legally install outside, how disclosure works, and where audio recording law bites.
- Apartment Door Security: The Complete ChecklistRenter-legal, no-drill ways to harden an apartment door: door jammers, security bars, portable locks, sensors, and viewers, with published prices and strength claims.
- Basement Apartment Security: Low Windows, Shared Entries, Renter RulesSecuring a basement apartment: grade-level windows, glass break sensors from $39.99, renter-safe installs, and why egress windows must never be barred shut.
- Condo Security Systems: What Works When You Share Walls and an HOAHow to secure a condo: door and window sensors, HOA-safe installs, and what monitoring costs by published pricing as of August 2026, with no-contract options.
- Detached Garage and Shed Security: Protecting Buildings Your Alarm Cannot ReachSecuring detached garages and sheds: solving the Wi-Fi and power gap, cellular and solar cameras by published pricing, locks, anchors, and sensor placement.
- Dorm Room Security: What Actually Works When You Can't Drill, Wire, or Install AnythingWhat actually works for dorm room security: no-drill locks, small safes, laptop locks, and what campus housing rules usually say about cameras and alarms.
- Duplex and Multi-Family Security: Systems That Work Across UnitsHow to secure a duplex or small multi-family building: per-unit systems vs shared setups, common-area cameras, and monitoring that dispatches correctly.
- First-Floor Apartment Security: Covering Windows That Anyone Can ReachA first-floor apartment plan that works within a lease: window sensors from $15.99, glassbreak coverage, door hardening, and monitoring from 76 cents a day.
- Garage Security: Closing One of the Weakest Doors in the HouseHow burglars actually get into garages and what fixes it: overhead door habits, sensors from $15.99, the interior door most people forget, and camera placement.
- Security Systems That Work With Home Assistant (2026)Which security systems really work with Home Assistant: Abode, Aqara, Konnected, Ring, and the DIY sensor route, with local vs cloud verified per integration.
- Home Office Security: Protecting Equipment, Data, and DeliveriesA practical home office security setup: entry hardening and alarm coverage for expensive gear, plus data backups and insurance checks most guides skip.
- Home Security During a Power Outage: What Keeps Working and For How LongWhat happens to home security in a power outage: base station battery runtimes from official specs, cellular backup, weak points, and how to extend coverage.
- Best Home Security for Renters: No Drilling, No ContractRenter-friendly security systems compared: SimpliSafe, Ring Alarm, Abode, Wyze, and Kangaroo. No-drill installs, contract-free monitoring, and current pricing.
- Home Security While Traveling: How to Protect an Empty HouseHow to secure your home while traveling: mail holds, light timers, cameras you can check remotely, and when professional monitoring makes sense for trips.
- Home Security Without Internet: What Works With No Broadband at HomeHome security without internet: cellular-connected alarm systems, cameras with local storage, and what you give up. What runs fine with no home broadband.
- Vacant Property Security for Landlords: Between Tenants and BeyondHow landlords secure vacant rentals between tenants: portable no-contract monitoring, water and temperature sensors, occupancy cues, and insurance traps.
- New Home Security Checklist: The First Week, the First Month, and the System DecisionA practical security checklist for a new home: rekey locks, reset codes and remotes, test what came with the house, then decide on a system without rushing it.
- Home Security for Night Shift Workers: Covering an Empty House at Night and a Sleeping One by DayNight shift home security: your house sits empty overnight and occupied while daytime burglaries peak. Arming modes, alerts, and monitoring set up for both.
- Package Theft Prevention: What Actually Works Against Porch PiratesPractical package theft prevention: reroute deliveries to hold locations, use lockboxes and delivery instructions, and what doorbell cameras really do.
- Pool Alarm Requirements: Which States Require Them and What QualifiesPool alarm laws verified against state sources: New York requires them, California and Florida count them as safety options, and what ASTM F2208 means.
- Rural Home Security With No Cell Service: What Works When Nothing Can Phone HomeRural home security without cell service: what still works offline, why monitored systems need a signal path, and how satellite internet changes the options.
- RV Security Systems: Protecting a Home That MovesWhy home alarm systems fit RVs badly and what works instead: cellular cameras at published prices, battery door alarms, GPS tracking, storage-lot tactics.
- Home Security for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People: Strobes, Bed Shakers, and Monitoring That Does Not Assume You Can HearHome security for deaf and hard of hearing people: strobe and bed shaker alerting devices, text-first alarm systems, and what to ask monitoring providers.
- Sliding Glass Door Security: Fixing the Latch, the Track, and the GlassSliding doors fail three ways: weak latches, lift-out tracks, breakable glass. The fixes, from a $2 dowel to sensors at $15.99 and $39.99 as of August 2026.
- Tiny Home Security: Protecting a Small Space (and the House Itself)Tiny home security has two jobs: protect what is inside a very small envelope, and stop the whole house from being towed away. Here is the minimal setup.
Head to head
- Abode vs SimpliSafe: Smart Home Depth vs Monitoring MuscleAbode vs SimpliSafe compared by published pricing as of August 2026: monitoring plans, free tiers, smart home integrations, and which DIY system fits you.
- ADT vs Frontpoint: Pro Install and Contracts vs DIY Day-Rate PlansADT vs Frontpoint compared by published pricing as of August 2026: monitoring plans, contracts, install models, and which security approach costs less overall.
- Arlo vs eufy Security Cameras: Cloud Plans vs Local StorageArlo vs eufy security cameras compared on published specs and August 2026 pricing: hardware costs, subscription fees, local storage, and night vision.
- Cameras Only vs a Full Security System: What Are You Actually Buying?Cameras record what happened; a full security system can interrupt it. Published 2026 prices for both paths and a look at what each setup can and cannot do.
- Cove vs Ring Alarm: Day-Rate Monitoring vs the $19.99 Flat PlanCove vs Ring Alarm compared by published pricing as of August 2026: monitoring costs, video storage, contracts, and which budget DIY security system wins.
- Cove vs SimpliSafe: Two No-Contract DIY Systems, Priced by the DayCove vs SimpliSafe compared by published pricing as of August 2026: day-rate monitoring plans, warranties, cloud storage, and which DIY system to buy.
- eufy vs Reolink Security Cameras: Two Ways to Skip the Subscriptioneufy vs Reolink security cameras compared on published specs and August 2026 pricing: local storage, subscriptions, power options, night vision, and resolution.
- Landline vs Cellular Alarm Monitoring: Which Connection Should You Trust?Landline alarm monitoring costs less where it still exists, but cellular is now the default. Published 2026 prices and the reliability tradeoffs compared.
- Medical Alert vs Security System: Which One Does the Job You Need?Medical alerts and security systems both summon help but solve different problems. Published prices and guidance on which to buy, or whether you need both.
- Ring Alarm vs ADT: Budget DIY Monitoring vs Full-Service Pro InstallRing Alarm vs ADT compared by published pricing as of August 2026: monthly monitoring costs, contracts, install models, and who runs the monitoring centers.
- Ring vs Nest Video Doorbell: Hardware, Subscriptions, and What You Get FreeRing vs Nest video doorbells compared by published specs and August 2026 pricing: hardware costs, subscription plans, free features, and video resolution.
- Self-Monitoring vs Professional Monitoring: Who Answers Your Alarm?Self-monitoring sends the alarm to your phone. Professional monitoring can request dispatch when you cannot respond. How the two response models compare.
- SimpliSafe vs ADT: DIY Pricing Transparency vs the Pro-Install GiantSimpliSafe vs ADT compared by published pricing as of August 2026: monitoring costs, contracts, install models, and which fits your home and budget better.
- SimpliSafe vs Ring Alarm: Monitoring Prices and Plans ComparedSimpliSafe vs Ring Alarm compared by published pricing as of August 2026: monitoring plans, contracts, video storage, and which system costs less per month.
- Vivint vs ADT: The Two Big Pro-Install Systems Compared on PriceVivint vs ADT compared by published pricing as of August 2026: package costs, monitoring fees, contract terms, and how the two pro-install giants differ.
- Wired vs Wireless Security Systems: The Tradeoffs Nobody Spells OutWireless systems dominate home security for good reasons, but wired still wins on batteries and interference. A plain comparison of how the two actually differ.
- Wyze vs eufy Security Cameras: Budget Price vs No-Fee CompletenessWyze vs eufy security cameras compared on published specs and August 2026 pricing: hardware cost, free features, local storage, and subscription fees.
Where you live
- Home Security in Albuquerque: Burglary Trends, the $25 Permit, and $150 False Alarm FeesAlbuquerque residential burglary is down 17% in 2026 per APD. Alarm permits cost $25 a year and false alarms $150 after the third. Data and decisions.
- Home Security in Atlanta: Crime Trends, Free Alarm Registration, and False Alarm FinesAtlanta burglary is down 20% in 2026 per APD data. Alarm registration is free but required, and false alarm fines reach $500. The data and how to choose.
- Home Security in Austin: Burglary Numbers, Alarm Permits, and CostsAustin burglary data from the FBI for 2023 to 2025, the city alarm permit rule and jurisdiction catch, the $220 unpermitted response fee, and costs.
- Home Security in Charlotte: Burglary Rates, Permit Rules, and CostsCharlotte burglary data from the FBI, CMPD's mandatory alarm permit that gates police dispatch, and what monitored home security really costs in 2026.
- Home Security in Chicago: Burglary Numbers, False Alarm Fines, and CostsChicago burglary counts from the city's own open data portal for 2023 to 2025, the false burglar alarm fine schedule, and what home security costs.
- Home Security in Columbus: Burglary Rates, Costs, and What WorksColumbus burglary numbers from FBI data, the city's suspended alarm registration and false alarm fee program, and what monitored security costs in 2026.
- Home Security in Dallas: Burglary Numbers, Alarm Permits, and CostsDallas burglary data from the FBI for 2023 to 2025, the city's $50 residential alarm permit, the published false alarm fee ladder, and security costs.
- Home Security in Denver: Burglary Rates, Permit Rules, and CostsDenver burglary data from the FBI, the city's mandatory alarm permit, false alarm rules that reduce your response priority, and security costs for 2026.
- Home Security in Detroit: Crime Data, Trends, and How to Choose a SystemDetroit logged 5,278 burglary offense records in 2025 while overall property crime fell 10%. What the city's data means for choosing a home security setup.
- Home Security in Fort Worth: Burglary Data, the $50 Alarm Permit, and What WorksFort Worth logged 2,709 home and building burglaries in 2025, and far more vehicle break-ins. Permit rules, false alarm fees, and how to pick a system.
- Home Security in Houston: Burglary Numbers, Alarm Permit Rules, and CostsHouston burglary counts from HPD's own published 2025 figures, the city's $50 residential alarm permit, the false alarm fee ladder, and security costs.
- Home Security in Indianapolis: Burglary Rates, Alarm Rules, and CostsIndianapolis burglary figures from FBI crime data, the city's no-permit alarm ordinance with escalating false alarm penalties, and security costs for 2026.
- Home Security in Jacksonville: Crime Data, Alarm Registration, and False Alarm FinesJacksonville logged 2,490 burglaries in 2025 per JSO data. Alarm registration is mandatory citywide. The fines, the data, and how to choose a system.
- Home Security in Las Vegas: What LVMPD's Numbers Say and How to Choose a SystemLVMPD reports 3,575 burglaries so far in 2026, down 21.3% from last year. What the Las Vegas data means for home security and how to pick a system.
- Home Security in Los Angeles: Burglary Numbers, Alarm Permits, and CostsLos Angeles burglary from LAPD's own 2025 NIBRS data, the mandatory alarm permit at $60, the $260 first false alarm fee, and what home security costs.
- Home Security in Memphis: Burglary Rates, Permit Rules, and CostsMemphis burglary data from the FBI, the Metro Alarm Office permit requirement, the $90 per call false alarm service charge, and security costs for 2026.
- Home Security in Nashville: Burglary Rates, Alarm Registration, and CostsNashville burglary figures from FBI crime data, Metro's required $20 annual alarm registration under Code 10.60, and monitored security costs for 2026.
- Home Security in Oklahoma City: Burglary Data, Permit Rules, and What Actually WorksOklahoma City reported 3,671 burglaries in 2023. What the OKCPD data says, the city's alarm permit rules and false alarm fees, and how to pick a system.
- Home Security in Philadelphia: Burglary Numbers, Alarm Registration, and CostsPhiladelphia burglary data from the FBI for 2023 to 2025, the city's mandatory $50 burglar alarm registration, the $75 excess false alarm fine, and costs.
- Home Security in Phoenix: Burglary Numbers, Alarm Permit Rules, and CostsPhoenix burglary data for 2023 and 2024, why we do not publish a 2025 count, the permit rule covering unmonitored alarms, the $96 assessment, and costs.
- Home Security in Portland: Burglary Rates, Permit Rules, and CostsPortland burglary data from the FBI, the $25 per year residential alarm permit and false alarm escalation rules, and monitored security costs for 2026.
- Home Security in San Antonio: Burglary Numbers, Alarm Permits, and CostsSan Antonio burglary data from the FBI for 2023 to 2025, the SAPD alarm permit at $50 a year, the false alarm fee tables, and what security costs.
- Home Security in Seattle: Burglary Rates, Verified Response, and CostsSeattle burglary numbers, SPD's policy of responding only to verified alarm calls, the city's published false alarm fee rates, and security costs in 2026.
- Home Security in Tucson: Crime Data, the $20 Alarm Registration, and False Alarm FeesTucson logged 1,894 burglary incidents in 2025. Alarm registration costs $20, false alarms hit $100 each after the first. The data and how to choose.
Evidence and background
- Alarm Permits Explained: Who Needs One and What They CostMany US cities require a permit to operate a home alarm system. What permits cost, who is exempt, and what happens without one, from official city pages.
- Are Home Security Systems Tax Deductible?For a personal home, no. With a qualifying home office, the IRS lets you deduct the business share of monitoring costs. What Pub 587 and Pub 530 actually say.
- Do Burglars Return to the Same House? The Repeat Burglary EvidenceRepeat burglary is real and fast: research finds most repeats happen within weeks. What the DOJ-funded studies show, and how strong the US evidence is.
- Do Security Signs Actually Deter Burglars? The EvidenceWhat burglar surveys and victimization data actually show about yard signs, alarm decals, and dummy alarms as deterrents. The honest evidence, with sources.
- How Do Burglars Choose Houses? What the Research ShowsBurglars pick targets on familiarity, occupancy, visibility, accessibility, and expected reward. What DOJ-funded research and offender interviews found.
- What Happens When Your Alarm Goes Off?The step-by-step sequence after a home alarm triggers: sirens, monitoring center calls, verbal passwords, and when police get dispatched, per provider docs.
- When Do Most Burglaries Happen? What the Dated US Data ShowsThe daytime burglary finding is real but old. The national US timing evidence dates to the 1990s, and here is exactly what it does and does not support.