Gabe Turner: Hey, folks. This is Gabe at Security Baron. Sometimes, the last thing you want to see at the end of the month is yet another bill. Today, we’re checking out the best self-monitoring home security systems. [background music] Gabe: In today’s video, I’m going to give you our five favorite self-monitoring home security systems.
Maybe, you want a little bit more privacy and to spend a little bit less money each month on your home security system.
We hope that something from our selection will work for you. If you’d like to see a list of our favorite home security systems, Google “Security Baron best home security systems.” If you have a question about today’s video, leave us a comment, I’ll get back to you. The first self-monitoring home security system I want to look at today is the Ring Alarm home security system.
The Ring Alarm Security Kit is only $239. With that minimalist kit, you get things like a motion detector, keypad, hub and entry sensors that can go on your door or windows. It’s a pretty minimalist setup, but you can enhance it with various components like the Ring door bell and the Ring stick-up cam.
One thing I want to note about Ring is that without any type of professional monitoring plan, you’ll be able to livestream your footage, control your system remotely, and even integrate it with Amazon Alexa. It’s that integration that gives you, of course, that hands-free capability.
Also the ability to set up various smart automations inside your home, so you always know what’s going on. Overall, Ring Alarm provides a lot for very little when it comes to a self-monitoring home security system. [background music] Gabe: The next self-monitoring home security system on our list is Abode smart home security. Abode is the black and white cookie of the home security game. It is tasty.
It’s very aesthetically pleasing, has various mini door sensors, motion sensors, even comes with a nice little key fob. What lets Abode set itself apart is the fact that it has a lot for a little. With the free basic plan, you get unlimited self-monitoring, three days of cloud storage, unlimited user accounts, and the ability to control your home. In fact, you can manage up to 100 home automations on the device with that basic plan.
Of course, you can connect it to 160 other devices.
You’re talking thermostats, light bulbs, whatever you can think of. Abode would probably link up to it. All this comes in the Abode Essentials Starter Kit, which comes in at $279. You’re going to get a lot out of that, and you can control it all in the palm of your hand or right at your fingertips in the mobile application and Web application, which by the way are both rather robust. We like what we see with the Abode self-monitoring home security system.
Hold on. Quick break. I hope you’re enjoying our look at the best self-monitoring home security systems.
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Let’s go back to the video. [background music] Gabe: The next self-monitoring home security system that I’m going to delve into is the Nest Secure. Nest Secure comes with the Nest Guard, Nest Detect, and Nest key tags. The Nest Detect sensors are interesting in that they both function as window and door sensors, and motion detectors. You get all of that in one device, and you get two of those in the package.
The Nest Secure system costs $399.
Remember that the Nest ecosystem is ever-evolving. There are a host of other components that you can add, like indoor cameras, outdoor cameras, even doorbells. In terms of livestreaming, you can livestream without having to subscribe to anything extra. We do want to be clear that if you want any advanced features with your cameras you will have to subscribe to Nest Aware, which can add up over time.
It doesn’t take away from the general security apparatus that is the Nest Secure home security system, which gives you the power to control it all in the palm of your hand, or at your fingertips with the Web application.
Overall, Nest Secure, robust home security system. You’re spending a little bit of money on it, but it definitely will work and be aesthetically pleasing to boot. [background music] Gabe: The penultimate self-monitoring home security system that we want to look at today is the Scout Alarm home security system. Coming in at $229, Scott Alarm brings a lot to the table.
We want to be upfront in saying that to get that self-monitoring, you’re going to have to pay $9.99 a month. It’s not entirely free, but with that $9.99 you also get cellular and battery backup. If you’re an IoT head like me, you’re going to love customizing your smart home with Scout Alarm.
It works with a host of devices. Of course, you’ve got Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Yale Locks, Philips Hue. IFTTT, almost endless possibilities with your Scout Alarm home security system. All of that is customizable right there in the mobile application.
When it comes to customizing your home and monitoring it yourself, Scott Alarm gives you a lot.
[background music] Gabe: The final self-monitoring home security system that I want to delve into today is the Vivint home security system. Vivint isn’t a traditional home security company and the only one that’s on our list today. That’s because it comes with a lot when it comes to self-monitoring. In terms of what you’re paying, it’s pretty spendy, $844. Hold on a second, with that $844 we got Sky Control Panel, smart lock, video doorbell, indoor camera, security sensors, motion detector.
That’s a lot. I mean, you can’t beat that. You don’t have to pay for that all upfront, you can pay monthly for that entire system. On top of it, you can self-monitor. Have it all right there in an intuitive and smooth mobile application.
I would be lying if I didn’t say I find the Vivint system to be one of the more aesthetically pleasing systems out on the market. Its mobile application reflects that. In terms of integrating the elements of your home, it’s really, really easy. I love the integrations that it comes with, and all the different components that you can get right from the start with the basic security package.
Yes, it’s a bit spendy.
In terms of overall experience and what you’re getting out of your home security system, you cannot beat that Vivint experience. [background music] Gabe: That concludes our look at the best self-monitoring home security systems. If you’d like to read any of these reviews in full, check them out at securitybaron.com. If you appreciate today’s video, give us a like and hit that subscribe button.
As always, this is Gabe at Security Baron. Be secure. [music].
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