Home Alarm Systems for 2022

For some, buying, installing and maintaining your own home security has been standardized with several manufacturers selling full modular kits directly to the consumer. For others, this has led to a nightmare of choices — different systems, features, modules and subscription models — that might seem overly complicated.

The good news is that installing systems and technology to protect your home and loved ones has never been more advanced or affordable — and you’re no longer tied to your local provider’s choices.

DIY Home Alarm Systems

Once you’ve decided to go the do-it-yourself route, the next question is what features you need for your property.

Most traditional alarm systems use a combination of motion sensors for either indoor or outdoor use, as well as contact sensors on doors and windows to detect them opening. These components can be bought individually to fit the needs of every household, and must be married to a central control unit, entry keypad and optional range extenders if the property is too large for a single Wi-Fi network.

Wireless Home Alarm Systems

Almost all modern alarm systems no longer need the installer to route cables through walls or floors around your property. The advent of these devices becoming Wi-Fi compatible has allowed the easy installation of the sensors, base stations and keypads without the need to lay tens or even hundreds of feet of cables through your property.

The only thing you may need to consider now is whether your home network reaches every location where you might want to put a sensor. It’s critical to have a strong signal in all rooms so you can ensure the sensors actually work.

Most alarm companies sell extender kits that are fully compatible with their ecosystems and require very little, if any, setup. A simple way to test this before buying would be to use either a phone on your home Wi-Fi or a laptop, take it to the location you want to install each of your sensors and see if you can still access a webpage. If you can’t, you need to invest in range extenders. But this option is still far easier than laying new cables all around the property.

Home Smoke Alarms & Other Upgrades

These kits don’t just have motion or window and door sensors — they can also be upgraded with smoke alarms, CO2 alarms and flood or freeze sensors among other intelligent upgrades. That’s one of the main benefits of going the DIY route — you can now choose the right level of protection and coverage for your specific use case and property.

We advise having at least one fire or CO2 alarm in or around the kitchen of a property, and flood alarms in the ground floor if your location is at risk of this type of event.

Home Alarm System Remote Protection Contracts

Even if you do decide to install and maintain your own system, it’s worth remembering that these services can also be upgraded with professional remote monitoring if you so choose. Ring, for example, offers a monthly or yearly contract for as little as $10 per month that notifies local authorities in the case of an alarm going off and not being deactivated. While it’s totally optional, it can offer additional peace of mind — particularly when household members might be traveling or away from the property for extended periods.

Getting Started

If you’ve decided to take the leap and install a new system or replace an outdated or expensive monthly contract, the first task should be to plan your entire system with the features that you want. Once you have a clear picture in mind, you can order the components individually or as a kit that comes pre-bundled with a set of items. This typically saves a few dollars versus buying the elements individually.

Please note: Ring is a Patch Brand Partner.