Customization is king for home security systems, and that's why I'm a huge fan of DIY security kits that let you install your own setup just the way you want it, without any professional fees, upselling or contracts.
This eight-piece Ring Alarm system offers an excellent kit for smaller homes at a reasonable price, with a reliable platform that can easily connect to any Amazon Echo or Alexa devices you may have (if you choose a subscription). The kit includes a base station, a keypad for arming/disarming, four contact sensors for guarding various entry points, a motion detector and a range extender if your Wi-Fi network doesn’t quite reach the outskirts of your home where you’d like to place sensors.
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Pros
- Reasonable pricing
- Handy app
- Good extras
- Included range extender
- Easy to expand
- Subscription isn't required for important features unless you want monitoring
Cons
- Not everyone needs a range extender
- Limited smart home integration
- Only Alexa, no Google Home or Apple Home here
This security "system" is actually a single device -- but you'll be amazed at just how much it can do for your home security. This small sensor can accurately send alerts when doors, windows and drawers open or close, just by placing it near the edge and calibrating it for a few seconds.
Pros
- A single sensor that can guard nearly anything from doors and mailboxes to artwork and safes
- Customized detection for tampering based on what alerts you want
- Matter and Zigbee support
- Sets up and calibrates in just a few minutes
- Well under $50
- Can work well with an Aqara camera hub
Cons
- You'll need a compatible Aqara hub to enable the best features, which costs around $100
SimpliSafe was one of the first DIY home security systems to hit the market and is a reasonable alternative to ADT and other professional alarm company firms. That's due in large part to its affordable cost and wide variety of accessories in comparison to most security systems. SimpliSafe makes a variety of different starter kits that usually start at around $200 to $300, and you can often get them for less through discounts.
Pros
- Easy to install and operate
- Great customizability
- Professional monitoring options
Cons
- Limited smart home integrations
8.3/10 CNET Score
Arlo, the maker of one of our favorite outdoor security cameras, introduced its home security system in 2022 and it immediately stood out for its All-in-One sensors. While most home security sensors serve a single purpose such as motion or sound detection, the Arlo All-in-One sensors are capable of eight different detection functions. The sensors can detect motion and sounds such as smoke or CO alarms, plus changes in ambient light or temperature. That's great if you have a small place like an apartment, dorm or bedroom and want quick sensor placement that can do a little of everything, anywhere.
Pros
- System is agile and responsive
- Modular system can be customized to your needs
- Each sensor performs eight different functions
Cons
- Gets fairly expensive once you add accessories and professional monitoring
- No integration with Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant
- Battery and cellular backup costs an extra $80
The Abode Smart Security kit is slightly smaller than our other picks, providing a hub, one mini door/window sensor, a motion sensor and a key fob. You can easily purchase separate sensor packs to expand it, and even its slimmed-down kit offers serious advantages. Notably, it’s one of the few DIY systems that works well with Apple’s Home app and Siri. That’s only the beginning of Abode’s smart home integration, which also supports numerous products from Sonos, Bose, Yale, Schlage, Philips Hue, Ecobee and many more. That makes it the perfect fit for someone who already has a family of (random) smart devices to link up.
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Pros
- Great smart home integration
- Apple support
- Mini sensor can fit in tight places
Cons
- Only a couple of sensors for the price
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These security systems start with a base package that you can set up in an afternoon to guard doors, windows, entryways and more. Then you can build them out with additional sensors whenever you want. Here's what I found performed the best.
What is the best overall DIY home security system?
The CNET team has years of hands-on testing, with hundreds of hours of experience and plenty of insights to share. With all that expertise in mind, our pick for the top DIY home security system is the reliable, expandable, eight-piece, second-gen Ring Alarm Kit.
Read more: How to Turn Your Old iPhone or Android Into a Home Security Camera for Free
We also offer options for those who already use various smart home technologies, along with tips to consider while shopping for security solutions. If you want to start a little smaller, check out our lists of the best indoor security cameras and outdoor security cameras, as well as our rundown on the cheapest home cameras.
Before you continue: In this context, DIY means you choose and install products yourself. This means you’ll be taking care of the hardware and getting it set up with an app, without calling in a professional to do it for you. That means no contracts and no hidden fees. Read on to discover the best DIY home security systems for you.
Best DIY home security systems of 2026
Pros
- Reasonable pricing
- Handy app
- Good extras
- Included range extender
- Easy to expand
- Subscription isn't required for important features unless you want monitoring
Cons
- Not everyone needs a range extender
- Limited smart home integration
- Only Alexa, no Google Home or Apple Home here
This eight-piece Ring Alarm system offers an excellent kit for smaller homes at a reasonable price, with a reliable platform that can easily connect to any Amazon Echo or Alexa devices you may have (if you choose a subscription). The kit includes a base station, a keypad for arming/disarming, four contact sensors for guarding various entry points, a motion detector and a range extender if your Wi-Fi network doesn’t quite reach the outskirts of your home where you’d like to place sensors.
Ring’s app offers a simple setup process that first-timers shouldn’t have much difficulty with. If you’d like to add other devices over time, Ring products like a Ring video doorbell or a Ring security camera will happily work with your app and may connect to the hub as well. Other smart home devices may not be as compatible -- parent company Amazon prefers to keep Ring within its own ecosystem of products, so integrations with platforms like Google Assistant aren’t possible.
Finally, the Ring Protect plan offers a few extras at its lowest tier, but things get much more interesting at the $20 per month Pro plan, which adds home monitoring -- making your DIY one a professionally monitored system -- that can be a valuable add-on for those who want professional responses during emergencies.
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Pros
- A single sensor that can guard nearly anything from doors and mailboxes to artwork and safes
- Customized detection for tampering based on what alerts you want
- Matter and Zigbee support
- Sets up and calibrates in just a few minutes
- Well under $50
- Can work well with an Aqara camera hub
Cons
- You'll need a compatible Aqara hub to enable the best features, which costs around $100
This security "system" is actually a single device -- but you'll be amazed at just how much it can do for your home security. This small sensor can accurately send alerts when doors, windows and drawers open or close, just by placing it near the edge and calibrating it for a few seconds.
However, the sensor can also detect vibrations, movement, falling and tilting. That makes it an all-purpose way to keep a digital eye on mailboxes, expensive art or electronics, and any area where someone may try to break in. You can adjust it to get exactly the type of alerts you want, depending on where you put it, and connect it to compatible devices such as lights or sirens.
The P100 offers both Zigbee and Matter support, but you really need a compatible Aqara hub to unlock its full potential. (It'll work with other Matter hubs, but only for access.) Fortunately, Aqara's latest cameras, among other devices, can also serve as hubs, so you can double-up on your security. That will increase the price significantly, although the sensor itself is only $30.
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Pros
- Easy to install and operate
- Great customizability
- Professional monitoring options
Cons
- Limited smart home integrations
SimpliSafe was one of the first DIY home security systems to hit the market and is a reasonable alternative to ADT and other professional alarm company firms. That's due in large part to its affordable cost and wide variety of accessories in comparison to most security systems. SimpliSafe makes a variety of different starter kits that usually start at around $200 to $300, and you can often get them for less through discounts.
SimpliSafe's impressive array of accessories such as indoor and outdoor security cameras, key fob, additional motion sensors, smoke detectors, glass break sensors and siren, and its solid performance for the price makes it an easy choice. A subscription plan is necessary to get all features, and those start at around $10 per month for self-monitoring.
... Show more
Pros
- System is agile and responsive
- Modular system can be customized to your needs
- Each sensor performs eight different functions
Cons
- Gets fairly expensive once you add accessories and professional monitoring
- No integration with Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant
- Battery and cellular backup costs an extra $80
Arlo, the maker of one of our favorite outdoor security cameras, introduced its home security system in 2022 and it immediately stood out for its All-in-One sensors. While most home security sensors serve a single purpose such as motion or sound detection, the Arlo All-in-One sensors are capable of eight different detection functions. The sensors can detect motion and sounds such as smoke or CO alarms, plus changes in ambient light or temperature. That's great if you have a small place like an apartment, dorm or bedroom and want quick sensor placement that can do a little of everything, anywhere.
If you want to go bigger, it's easy to customize the system by adding Arlo cams or doorbells that will also work with the hub. You don't need an Arlo Secure plan for basic features, but if you branch out we suggest it to get extras like video storage.
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Pros
- Great smart home integration
- Apple support
- Mini sensor can fit in tight places
Cons
- Only a couple of sensors for the price
The Abode Smart Security kit is slightly smaller than our other picks, providing a hub, one mini door/window sensor, a motion sensor and a key fob. You can easily purchase separate sensor packs to expand it, and even its slimmed-down kit offers serious advantages. Notably, it’s one of the few DIY systems that works well with Apple’s Home app and Siri. That’s only the beginning of Abode’s smart home integration, which also supports numerous products from Sonos, Bose, Yale, Schlage, Philips Hue, Ecobee and many more. That makes it the perfect fit for someone who already has a family of (random) smart devices to link up.
Abode’s standard subscription plan includes video storage and enables much of that smart home integration, so we highly suggest considering it. The much more expensive Pro plan gives you professional home monitoring but not many other notable additions.
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DIY home security systems compared
| Best DIY Home Security Systems | Ring Alarm (2nd-Gen) | Aqara P100 Sensor | SimpliSafe (8-piece set) | Arlo Home Security | Abode Iota |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| System price | $250 | $30 | $239 | $180 | $330 |
| Monitoring price | $20/month | N/A | $15/month | $25/month | $18 |
| Starter equipment | Door/window sensors, motion detectors, a keypad, a siren and optional professional monitoring subscriptions | P100 Multi-State sensor | 1 base station, 1 keypad, 1 motion sensor, 3 entry sensors | 1 keypad control panel, 2 All-in-One sensors | 1 base station, two mini door/window sensors, 1 glass break sensor, 1 motion sensor, 1 key fob |
| Contract required? | No | No | No | No | No |
| Extra features | Cellular-powered backup Wi-Fi, network security monitoring, local processing, storage for all of your Ring devices | Matter and Zigbee support, but needs a hub (not included) | Customizable system, built-in Wi-Fi and cellular, integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant | 24/7 emergency response, smart interactive notifications, cellular and battery backup, integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant | 24/7 emergency response, smart detect notifications, cellular and battery backup, integration with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple Siri, broad smart home compatibility |
| Review score | N/A | 8.5 | 8.5 | N/A | 7.9 |
When selecting a home security system, the first decision to consider is usually whether you want a DIY or a pro system. Since you're here, you've probably already decided to go the DIY route, so here are some more parameters to consider when shopping around for home security systems.
Equipment and installation
Do you just need to keep watch over your entryways? A good video doorbell for your front door and an outdoor camera covering the back may be all you need; easy to install and monitor yourself. If you want to keep closer tabs on your home inside and out with 24/7 monitoring and quick access to emergency response services, you'll want a more robust system. Most DIY (and professional brands too) offer home security bundles with most, if not all, of the equipment you'd need to get started and the ability to add single devices as needed.
Smart home compatibility
Most home security devices are compatible with Alexa and Google Home smart hubs, but if you prefer Apple HomeKit or another smart home ecosystem, you may have to do a bit more shopping and comparing to find a system compatible with your existing smart home devices. Don't fret over compatibility too much, as Matter will make it easier to connect previously incompatible devices.
Costs, upfront and ongoing
We listed "cost" last here for a reason. A complete home security system will likely cost you at least a couple of hundred bucks, so be prepared for that. There's the potential to spend lots more on equipment, or a lot less; you can find cameras for under $30.
Find your budget range and compare systems in that range across brands. For a home security kit, most starter bundles fall in the same range. If you're comfortable with self-monitoring, DIY systems may not come with any ongoing costs. Monthly subscriptions (without a contract) for cloud storage, enhanced features and possibly even professional monitoring are typically an option with DIY systems, often for lower monthly fees than professional services.
Hands-on testing is core to our evaluations of any home security products. In short, when it comes to home security systems, we pay special attention to the user experience, the promised features, reliability and overall value, along with a few other elements. We do the testing in a real home environment over at least a full week.
Our testing process includes checking the reliability of the product by gauging the response time. A system which doesn't send notifications on time isn't of much value to customers who might need immediate assistance. All our testing is done in a real home environment for at least a week which guarantees that we are able to come across any gotcha's, or practical problems with the security system. Finally, we ascertain the systems a value score based on the feature set, our experience with the product, and, just as important, the price.
The above systems weren't the only DIY options we explored. Here are other competitive security systems we took a look at, and why they didn't quite make our list.
Cove: Cove’s standard lineup is fine, but its generic quality struggled to compete with our picks. If you can’t really find what you’re looking for on our list, stop by Cove to check how its kits fit.
Lorex: Lorex is an excellent home security option for those who prefer sticking with local storage. It is a bit expensive compared to other DIY systems and may require working with its somewhat clunky recorder.
Frontpoint: Frontpoint has a strong array of kits, but like ADT, its massive home monitoring fees (starting at $50) are too difficult to recommend.
Kangaroo: Kangaroo has budget-friendly systems but struggles with design quality. If you want to save as much money as possible, you may want to give it a try.
Wyze: Wyze offers a great starter home kit, but requires a monthly subscription for monitoring. I've given it a place on my best security picks for renters, but I wanted to focus on options that don't necessarily need subscriptions for this list..
When choosing the right DIY home security system, there are a few key factors to keep in mind. Cost is one of the biggest considerations -- both in terms of upfront equipment pricing and ongoing subscription fees for things like monitoring or cloud storage. Entry-level systems can start at around $100, especially if you catch a sale. However, prices can easily climb to $200 or $300 or more as you add sensors, cameras, or alarms. It’s also worth noting that many of these systems go on sale throughout the year, which can help keep costs in check.
Beyond cost, think about how many entry points like doors and windows you want to secure. Some starter kits come with just a base and one or two sensors, while more robust options like the Ring Alarm Pro offer multiple sensors, motion detectors, and even range extenders. More expensive systems tend to offer better smart home integration and extra features, so it’s important to weigh functionality against your budget. Also consider whether you want local or subscription-based storage and monitoring -- some systems offer DIY, no-cost options, while others require a monthly fee for full access.
Is it better to have professional home security service over a DIY version?
A DIY home security system certainly has its advantages, like lower pricing and simple self-installation, but professional security has its perks. DIY systems are typically easy to install and set up. You won't have to worry about setup if your system is installed by an experienced technician.
Professional systems are generally more expensive than DIY but may come with lower upfront costs. You can get free or discounted equipment and free installation with a professional system, but you may also have to sign a one- or two-year contract.
Signing a contract is unfortunate, but the level of monitoring, support and warranties may be worth it. While DIY systems often come with warranties, monitoring options and technical support on their own, professional services are likely going to deliver a more hassle-free experience if you're willing to pay for it.
How much do DIY home security systems cost?
A DIY security system can cost $60 to $400 or more depending on the brand and model you buy and where you buy it. SimpliSafe's 10-piece DIY home security system lists for $730 on its website. Those prices can go much higher if you opt for all the bells and whistles the service offers.
Like with any addition or upgrade to your home, you'll want to evaluate the costs, and what you get for the money when choosing a DIY security system. It's easy for the cost of a DIY system to add up, but keep in mind that choosing a cheaper system that doesn't meet your needs may not be worth your while either.
Do security systems need to be hard-wired?
No, wireless security systems don't need to be hard-wired as they run on batteries that can last several months at a time.
Do you need Wi-Fi for a DIY home security system?
Most easy-to-install DIY home security systems depend on Wi-Fi to connect to the various components and relay notifications to your mobile phone.