Most smart home security and alarm systems are designed to be installed with simple DIY skills. They connect to your router and use wireless, battery-powered sensors that attach to doors, windows and walls with included adhesive pads or screws and wall plugs. You might need a ladder and a drill to mount outdoor security cameras and sirens – and some basic electrical knowledge if hardwiring a video doorbell – but that’s as complex as it gets. After installation, the systems are usually set up using a smartphone app. Verisure is one of the few systems that requires professional installation.
The essentialsWhen choosing a home security system, start with the essentials. This usually includes a hub or base station that connects devices (like door sensors and motion detectors) to a smartphone app and the internet. Basic kits usually also include the aforementioned sensors and a keypad or fob for arming and disarming the system; some come with external sirens too. Additional sensors, cameras and other devices can be bought separately and added to expand your system.
Key featuresKey features to look out for are battery and cellular backup, which keep the system working during a power cut or broadband blackout. Some home compatibility can be a useful extra, where voice assistants like Siri, Alexa and Google Assistants can be used to control the alarm. If you already own connected cameras or a video doorbell, then it’s worth checking if there’s an alarm system that works with your existing devices for a more seamless installation.
SubscriptionsCosts vary depending on system size and subscription options. Many systems charge a monthly or annual subscription fee to access cloud video storage for security cameras; these fees also sometimes unlock extras like smarter, AI-powered person recognition for security cameras, and cellular backup.
Alarm systems from Simplisafe, Yale and Verisure charge for professional monitoring, where an agent responds to alerts and can even call the emergency services on your behalf, if necessary. Professional monitoring is not ailable in the UK from Ring, Tapo or Eufy – but the latter two remain good options if you want to monitor things yourself, since they store camera footage locally and charge no ongoing fee.
Other smart security brands to considerWe hen’t yet tested every smart security system on the market. Other options, which we will be looking at soon, include smart, expandable and app-controlled systems from Nest, Blink, Abode, Somfy and Philips Hue, whose security devices integrate with its smart lighting products.
We’re focusing on these additional brands because many are household names in the consumer technology space. Nest is particularly popular, since it is owned by Alphabet and therefore a sibling of Google and taps into the Google Home smart home ecosystem, with Google Assistant voice control.
Similarly, since Philips Hue is already such a big name in the smart lighting market, we’ll be reviewing its security products too. The Hue brand doesn’t offer a fully-fledged home alarm system, but its new security camera, door sensors and video doorbell, along with lighting that reacts to motion detection, could offer something unique among its rivals.
Professionally installed alarm brands to considerAll of the products highlighted in this article are intended for DIY installation. This makes them accessible and, while they come with instructions to help you install everything in the best location, their performance can vary depending on how and where each component is installed.
For a fully hands-off approach, where professionals take care of everything for you, there are other options to consider. These include Verisure, which works in a similar way to Simplisafe but requires professional installation. Verisure provides 24/7 UK-based monitoring, where trained staff respond to and verify alarm triggers, make contact with you, and call the emergency services and/or private security guard if required. There’s a smartphone app too, and even a deployable smoke screen to disorientate burglars.
Other options include companies you'll likely he heard of, since they’ve been in the security and home alarm business for years. These include ADT and Banham Security, and while they might lack the smart home gadgets of Ring and Eufy, they he masses of experience – for example, Banham will be 100 years old in 2026.
Professionally-installed systems tend to be more expensive than DIY alternatives. But with the extra cost comes reassurance that the various cameras, sensors and other components he been installed correctly, and in the best possible location. These systems also incur costs for their professional monitoring services – but this is where they really come into their own, offering a level of protection that Ring, Eufy, Tapo, Hue and others simply can’t match.
Why you can trust usThe Independent is committed to providing unbiased reviews and expert shopping advice across a range of home improvement products. Our team of experts has spent years testing and rating the latest smart home tech in our homes, gardens and under real-world conditions, so you can be sure our verdicts are authentic and based on personal experience with each product featured. When it comes to security systems, our expert testers consider everything from app features and ease of setup to ongoing subscription costs.
Smart home security FAQsQHow do smart home security systems work?Unlike traditional alarm systems, smart home security kits are wireless and connect to your smartphone via an internet connection. Such kits usually consist of a base station which connects to your router, either with wifi or an Ethernet cable, then connects to dozens of wireless accessories like motion detectors, door/window sensors, sirens, keypads, cameras and more. Most kits also come with a wireless keypad for arming and disarming the alarm, although this can also be done via a smartphone app and, often, by speaking to a voice assistant like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some systems can be configured to turn on and off based on the location of your smartphone, and that of anyone you live with. When triggered by a break-in or movement, these alarms alert you via the smartphone app. Some also make an automated phone call to your or whoever is on your emergency contacts list. Some systems offer professional monitoring for a monthly fee, where service agents respond to your alarm, use the cameras (with your prior permission) to see what’s going on, and even call the emergency services if required.QDo home security systems affect home insurance?This will depend on your specific circumstances, but it’s definitely worth telling your insurer when you've fitted a security system. That said, not every insurance provider will automatically reduce your premium, and some will ask that a certain type of system is fitted before considering any changes. It’s worth checking with your insurance provider first, since they might only agree to a reduced premium if you fit a certain brand or type of system. A professionally monitored system, like those from Simplisafe and Verisure, are more likely to result in a discount than simpler, self-monitored systems. But it’s worth checking to be sure. In any case, there were over 250,000 residential and non-residential burglaries in the UK in 2024, according to the Office for National Statistics. And, while that was down six per cent on the previous – and down a massive 71 per cent on 2003, when current record-taking began – it still means hundreds of properties are being broken into every day. So regardless of whether an alarm system lowers your insurance premium, the peace of mind it brings could be worth it alone.QWhat is NSI accreditation?NSI accreditation is a UK industry standard issued by the National Security Inspectorate. Accreditation is a sign that a security company meets recognised professional, technical and operational standard. This covers aspects such as system design, the installation, and the vetting of staff involved with the installation and professional monitoring services. Accreditation is often required for police response to monitored alarm systems, so this isn't something that applies to self-install systems from companies like Ring, Tapo, Nest and Eufy.The verdict: Best smart home security systemSimplisafe is currently my fourite smart home security system. It is very easy to set up and install, and there’s a wide range of optional extras to build a whole-home system. But what helps this house alarm stand out from its rivals is the option to pay £27.99 a month for professional monitoring. Since Ring and Eufy don’t offer this service in the UK, it’s something that puts Simplisafe at the top of our list. The Yale Smart Alarm also offers full, 24/7 professional monitoring, but at a higher monthly cost of £36 per month.
If you don’t need professional monitoring, then check out Rin Alarm and the Eufy Home Alarm Kit. Both offer excellent alarm kits that connect to their wider smart home systems comprising security cameras, video doorbells and more. I especially like how Eufy records footage locally, thus oiding the cloud storage fees imposed by Ring.
Finally, if you want to build a large smart home system, I recommend TP-Link Tapo, since the H500 Smart HomeBase hub has Matter support that makes it compatible with a huge number of smart home devices and accessories, beyond just security products.