Home security 2019: The best monitoring services, DIY systems and video doorbells we've tested

Tech is everywhere in our lives and in our homes, and that's led to an undeniable boom in your home security and monitoring options. Along with professional systems that have been around for decades, there's a newly established bumper crop of less-expensive DIY systems that you install yourself, as well as gadgets like cameras, smart locks and video doorbells that are worth considering, too.

It's admittedly a lot to take in -- and today's home security providers don't always make it easy to comparison shop. But hey, that's where we come in! Keep reading for our breakdown of the best DIY home security systems, professionally installed monitoring services and standalone gadgets like video doorbells that we've tested to date.

Read more: Nest vs. Ring vs. Abode vs. SimpliSafe: The smart home security systems with the best privacy policies

Install-it-yourself systems

If a professionally installed system sounds like overkill, then you can save a lot of money by buying a system that you install yourself. For my money, systems like these offer some of the best value for your home security dollar.

You're not missing out on much in terms of functionality. Though professionally installed systems might offer a fancier touchscreen to control the security cameras, sensors, alarms and monitors, the rest of the hardware is largely the same as what you'll get if you go the DIY route, relying mostly on wireless, battery-powered sensors that you stick up around your house.

When DIY systems first started popping up as a low-cost alternative to going with the pros, few, if any, came with an option for professional monitoring or customer service. That's no longer the case. Most DIY systems now offer the option of professional monitoring -- and most of them charge less for it than the professionally-installed security providers do, too. Automation and smart home devices have helped lower the overhead cost for third-party monitoring, which results in savings passed on to you. And the fact that most DIY systems don't require any sort of service contract or monthly fee is another nice part of the pitch.

SimpliSafe's easy-to-install, easy-to-use system is well-positioned as one of the best values in home security. It offers a comprehensive set of features and a very good mix of battery-powered sensors, all of which performed reliably well in our tests. Starter kits start at about $230, or you can build your own custom system with the exact mix of devices you're interested in.

Professional monitoring starts at $15 per month, but you'll almost certainly want to spring for the $25-per-month plan, which adds in things like app controls and voice support via Alexa and the Google Assistant. That also means that you should go with another pick like Abode or Ring if you don't want professional monitoring but still want to control your system from your phone

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Source of the article : https://www.cnet.com/

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