When one of these systems is triggered, a siren goes off to scare away potential intruders and you get an alert on your smartphone so that you can call the police yourself. This is sometimes called “self-monitoring” in home security lingo.
One thing to be aware of is that if you call 911 from out of town, the dispatcher then has to contact your hometown’s police department, which could delay the police response. You can call your local police department directly instead.
It’s important to note that our ratings include systems composed only of security cameras and/or video doorbells, as well as systems that include traditional alarm system hardware (such as door/window sensors and sirens). The top brands are listed below.
To see all the brands we evaluate in our survey, check our home security system satisfaction ratings. And for help finding a DIY security system that meets your needs, see our free home security system buying guide.
