Oct 26, 2018 - After spending more than 45 hours researching and two months testing 12 home security systems, we found our pick to be the best option. Home security systems such as ADT, MONI and Vivint, focus on home security but offer automation upgrades. These upgrades aren't as complex or customizable as whole-house automation systems, notably lacking home theater integration. Advanced Technology for the Best Home Security. Bay Alarm home alarm systems are customizable and affordable. In addition to the most advanced home security technology, you can rest easy knowing that our quality service and 24-hour home alarm monitoring (included with your system) is always the best choice.
Questions to ask before you buy a home security system Before we get in too deep, you’ll want to have these questions in-hand to make the most informed buying decision for your home. I mean, what security system components do you really need? How much should you expect to pay for an alarm system? What does installation involve and how complicated is it? I’m sure these are some of the questions running through your head – they were for me. Here’s a run down of the questions you should ask the company before you buy. I have also put together the answers to help you choose the best home alarm system for you.
1. What are my options? What’s the difference between home alarm and home security? As far as the industry’s concerned, not much. Technically speaking, a burglar alarm consists of just the skeleton sensors necessary to detect an intrusion (door, window, and motion) and notify the homeowner with an audible noise. An alarm system extends this to also include fire and smoke detectors. Taking it a bit further, a home security system also can include monitoring by a central station, home security cameras, remote control via your smartphone, and home automation options such as automated lighting and door locks.
With all the tech options today, you probably want to choose this more comprehensive security system to best meet your needs. How much does it cost? A self-monitored home alarm system includes an extensive set of sensors including carbon monoxide, freeze and water sensors.
For example, offers a popular self-monitored home alarm for around $260. A full-fledged home security system is monitored by a central station and can be upgraded with all the bells and whistles, including home security cameras. It typically requires a 3-year contract and starts at $20 per month plus installation fees of $100 and up (but if you ask nicely, they might just offer free equipment and installation). Is there an installation/set up involved? For most home alarm options, yes. Burglar alarms that you buy on Amazon are “do it yourself”, or self-installed.
It sounds scarier than it is. In fact, it can be very easy since this usually involves simply attaching sensors to your doors and windows using sticky peel-and-stick adhesive tape (which is also provided). Most of the national security system companies have professional install options available if you prefer, but they can add to the cost, and could involve drilling holes in your walls.
So with wireless technology, more companies (including Frontpoint and Link Interactive) are relying on a “Do It Yourself” model. DIY allows you to save money on installation and moving costs down the road. It’s also more convenient since you can do it on your own time instead of taking time off work to meet the installer. Get a Free Quote from – Our #1 Pick for Best Home Alarm System in 2018 4. Are there contracts? Only home security systems that include a monthly monitoring packages have contracts.
Contracts vary based on your needs, but longer contracts generally mean better prices, so be sure to ask about discounts on longer term contracts. Make sure to read your contract carefully before you sign to double-check that you’re not getting hit with any extra costs or hidden fees.
Do I need a phone line? Older alarm systems that relied on phone lines were vulnerable to cord cutting by thieves, especially on older homes where the phone lines are exposed.
In fact, most companies don’t offer landline monitoring these days. Modern systems, including those you can buy and install yourself, offer broadband (internet) or cellular options which are much more secure. I’ve heard a lot about ADT. What’s all the hype?
Has been around for years, and is one of the largest home security system providers nationwide. They use an authorized dealer program to sell their product in local markets which means they’re available almost everywhere in the United States. The downside is that their customer service record varies greatly depending on location. This makes it difficult for us to review them as a national provider so be sure to check with your neighbors and also your reviews on your local Better Business Bureau, Yelp!
And Angie’s List. What happens if I’m broken into? It depends on the type of home alarm system you have installed. With a, if someone breaks into your house, you’ll receive a notification through your smartphone, text message, or email. With a professionally monitored home security system, a representative from the central monitoring station will contact you. If the alarm company can’t reach you, they will quickly dispatch local law enforcement to your home to prevent further damage.
So which is the best home alarm system? Has been our #1 pic as the best home alarm option for ten years in a row.
Frontpoint offers 100% dedicated cellular connection, the best customer service record of all the companies we reviewed, and patented crash and smash protection that signals the monitoring station when a break-in is detected. For a more in-depth breakdown of home alarm systems and home security companies, check out 2018’s.
I worked with their technical support and they were extremely helpful. You need to call and receive a call back or better yet you can make an appointment for when you want them to call you back. She (Jaime) called back at the appointed time, spent 45 minutes updating and helping me get the cameras working correctly. My issue was not a quality problem but a configuration problem. The technician was very knowledgeable and explained how the system worked in a simplified way which helped me tremendously.
GW security has exactly the resolution of camera set up you need at an affordable price. Even over a month later they still get right back to me with any technical support questions and upgrades I wish to make. One camera had a minor glitch so they exchanged it directly and best of all promptly with the no added expense on my part. The resolution quality and clarity of these cameras are second to none. Further to a review previously that someone made their waitlist for technical support has been getting increasingly shorter.
The last time I was scheduled to receive a call back it took less than an hour! This is the fifth and final security camera system I have owned to date and I don't see myself needing another one in the foreseeable future. I recommend GW security to everyone including. Tested unit before running all network lines, mounted and tested cameras with no issues. Unit is well built, only issue is the Mobile viewing was a challenge to set up, we could view using secondary software with no issues as long as we were on the same network as the system, as far as veiwing from mobile device that was another story.
After 4 hours of playing around with downloading the recommended software via barcode and trying to get it setup was challenge number two. Finally got everything setup but still get kicked off of remote viewing outside of network. The system deserves a 5 star but the above review explains why I did not give it a higher rating. Excellent picture quality day and night at a nice price. The only reason that I did not give it 5 stars is because of the bulky connector and my reluctance to drill large holes in my exterior walls. I'm amazed that camera manufacturers don't make these cams with detachable cables that can be installed with a holes less that 1/4'.
To get around the problem I ran a bare UTP cable through the wall, sealed it then terminated it in an outdoor electrical box. Then I mounted the camera on an electrical box cover and stuffed the cables into the box.
Updated 7/16/2016 - My folks had one of these cameras installed at their home at the time of a really bad fire. The camera kept working up until the electricity failed.
And afterwards, when I fished the camera from the debris, took it home, and cleaned it up. I have to give this bad boy 5 stars amazing product, just as advertise 'true plug & play IP cameras'. Let me tell you there is no need of POE switch or POE injector this gem power up 2 of my cameras that were over 200ft no problem whatsoever. Each camera has its own dedicated nic card basically 8 port for 8 cameras, all you have to do is setup an IP to dvr, all cameras have their own ip addresses which they don't even have to be on the network am telling you this system have x some sort of own network running inside if we can call it a local network. It's worth the price it save me ton of time and the company money, excellent picture, great interface I don't have anything to complain about it does the job and well. Do not add more than one switch if. ASIN:B07BGTYY4G ZOSI PoE Home Security Camera System,4CH 2MP NVR with (4) 2.0 Megapixel 1920x1080 Outdoor/Indoor Surveillance Bullet IP Cameras 120ft Long Night Vision,Remote Access,Motion Detection(No Hard Drive) If you are looking for a super easy to install surveillance system, this one certainly makes the cut.!
There are a couple things you need to be aware of when purchasing this particular unit. First of all, it is a PoE system which means the power of your network drives the cameras. If you plug directly into the console, there are no issues to be concerned with because it comes with a 60ft cable x qty 4.
If you utilize a network switch to help extend the distance of your cameras, you need to have a switch with PoE on the ports, otherwise it will not work. This unit does not come with a hard drive, so ZOSI sells. Pros: - 3Mp/60 fps cameras with the latest codecs/compression technology (H.265) work extremely well under daylight conditions - both bullet and dome cameras are very well build, have rugged metal housing with rubber seals - adjustable focal length gives enough zoom range to cover every possible application - some of the best cameras in this price range. reasonably low overall power consumption: around 75 watts even with several hundreds of IR LEDs powered in all 8 cameras (cameras and LEDs consume most the power) - lightweight low profile main unit - flexibility of the software that comes with the NVR - has nearly every imaginable feature, - excellent motion activation feature - inputs from multiple external alarms - remote viewing from networked PCs, smartphones and tablets.
can be used with third party programs (I have not verified this yet) - VGA and HDMI outputs with adjustable resolution all the way to 4k! - 'night vision' mode works well. This is a product review for the Amcrest ProHD 1080P WiFi Wireless IP Security Camera (IP2M-841) Product highlight specs: - 1080p @ 30fps - WiFi (supports N up to 5Ghz) - Ethernet (10/100Mbps) - 32GB microSD card (max according to packaging) and possibly 64GB (talk to support) - ONVIF with PZT - Night Vision - Free mobile apps (Amcrest View Pro) My primary reason for buying this camera is the ability to record to my Synology NAS.
I did not test the cloud recording options although it looks to be compatible with many cloud storage options. Also I did not test the Web Access option which allows for online Live viewing from remote locations. Recently Awkward Hamster (who reviews a lot of these IP Cameras) had an excellent review for this camera which I recommend reading for further in-depth usage details. See link below: I had an unanswered question about Synology support and decided to buy it during a sale ($89) because. I replaced the cameras and service I had with Comcast because their cameras were the cheapest on the market with no night vision.
I re-used the existing ethernet cables, so installation was a breeze. I was having trouble with the motion playback and night vision, so I left only a three star. Since then, a technician from GW contact me, where I let her take over my desktop remotely.
She reset some of my settings and turned on the LED lights on each camera. It now works great.
I let her know that I have a camera security system in my vacation home, which has total failed and I will be replacing that system with this same one. I can't say enough how I like this product.