Best home security systems in the UK 2023

Who’s it right for? 

•  Any size property, thanks to its eight different home security packages to choose from

Who is it not for? 

• Households requiring professional installation

SimpliSafe’s home security system offers eight packages at different price points, designed to suit a range of requirements. Homeowners can design their own systems, guarding against thefts, fires, and floods, and can choose to include or exclude premium features as desired. 

SimpliSafe provides a free basic plan by which you can self-monitor your equipment and avoid the costs of professional monitoring. However, if you prefer, two paid-for monitored plans are available – Pro (53p/day) and Pro Premium (83p/day). Both include 24/7 live monitoring, cellular connection to guard against periods of no wifi, 24/7 flood and extreme temperature monitoring and extendable warranty periods. Pro Premium also includes emergency service dispatch, unlimited camera recording, 24/7 guard response and video alarm verification for a comprehensive setup.

Both professional plans can be cancelled anytime, subject to the latest terms and conditions.

SimpliSafe is easy to install on your own, and there is live expert assistance to ensure your system is correctly installed. If you prefer, the company also offers professional installations starting from £125. 

Cost

SimpliSafe’s lowest-priced basic four-piece package, The Foundation, starts at £249.96, while its most expensive package, a 15-piece indoor-outdoor system, The Edinburgh, costs £654.87. The optional paid subscription plans start from 53p/day, with no long-term contracts. 

Our recommendation

Our testing found that SimpliSafe is an excellent choice for anyone who wants tailored, cost-effective home protection, with or without professional monitoring. 

Who’s it right for?

• Homeowners on a budget

Who is it not for? 

• DIY installation

ADT Fire & Security has over 148 years of experience in guarding homes and even businesses. It provides a comprehensive, all-inclusive service that covers the entire home. ADT has four basic home security packages, but what makes ADT a stand out provider is that your home security system will be completely tailored to your home’s security needs. The custom packages are comprehensive and professional, and they include all the most important equipment that is required to keep your home protected. ADT’s 24/7 professional monitoring will secure a home, no matter if you are there or away. 

Additionally, smart-home integration gives users control over their security system through voice commands and via a smartphone or tablet. This is an excellent feature for those who want to be able to control the security system from wherever they are.

Cost

As ADT offers a customisable service, the cost depends on package type and what kind of equipment might be added on. This can work as an advantage as you can tailor the system to your budget, but for some it might be a hindrance when trying to compare like-for-like systems. The required monthly fee starts from £35.99 for professional monitoring, maintained cover, labour and so on. Add-on cameras and other accessories are available from as little as £1.

Our recommendation

ADT Fire & Security requires a start quote and assessment of the property (over the phone or, preferably, in person) before professional installation. The assessment is free and with no-obligation to buy. 

Our testing shows that ADT Fire & Security is an excellent choice for anyone who wants an all-inclusive and reliable alarm system. Although it’s not the cheapest option, it’s dependable and covers the entirety of a home with sensors and cameras.

Who’s it right for?

• Homeowners who require a bespoke system

Who is it not for? 

• Customers who don’t want a monthly monitoring subscription

Verisure’s home security system has over three million users in Europe and a solid footprint on the home security systems market. Verisure offers a fully customisable package to suit your home and requirements, with a comprehensive selection of equipment from door and window sensors, to security cameras and smoke alarms. Verisure’s cameras feature motion sensors and can even help catch a burglar when a visual confirmation has been made. The Verisure keypad is easy to use even for kids thanks to their keyfob system.

Verisure offers 24/7 professional monitoring and the team will alert the police or fire brigade if they have a visual confirmation of a threat. That being said, their monthly costs tend to also be higher than some other brands, but no long contracts are required and you can cancel your plan whenever you like, once the initial six months has lapsed. Be prepared, however, as there is a £99 fee should you want to keep your equipment but just forgo the Verisure monitoring service. 

A big plus for Verisure is the professional installation service that will arrive at your home within 24 hours of the initial quotation and get your home alarm system up and running. 

Cost

The initial cost of Verisure packages can be quite expensive; their typical packages start at around £399, depending on how many sensors and cameras are added. Verisure currently charges a £32 monthly fee for professional monitoring. However, we would argue that it’s worth keeping the monitoring service, as without it you don’t receive any notifications or have the ability to access footage via the app.

Our recommendation

Verisure is an extensive and fully bespoke security system that can be installed for homes and businesses. It’s a reliable company with the big advantage of a guard response (with professional monitoring) and the ability to alert the authorities during a threat. If you have a larger property (where other companies’ smaller add-ons or custom build systems might get equally expensive) and want a package tailor-made for your home, our research confirms that Verisure is an excellent choice.

Who’s it right for? 

• Users with a smart home ecosystem 

Who is it not for? 

• Homeowners who want a camera-based security system 

Abode’s home security system is thorough and professional. It protects your home against a range of threats, not just burglary, but also flooding and fire, among others. This company stands out because of its smart and top-rated system that can be installed in minutes. There are currently three different packages available that can be expanded with add-ons, if needed.

You can monitor all activity yourself or use Abode’s accredited professional 24/7 monitoring with email alerts. Both options come at a cost, which is unusual when compared with other systems.

Cost

Abode has a mid-range price point; it is not the cheapest but it won’t break the bank either. The starter Smart Security Kit costs £294.99 comes with the Gen 3 Gateway (the hub), two mini door/window sensors, one motion sensor, one of the Abode cams, and a key fob so makes for a pretty comprehensive security package. The more advanced iota Kit is an all-in-one system with a built-in HD camera, siren and motion sensor. 

If you want to reduce costs, you can choose the Standard Plan, which is a self-monitoring option for £7.99 per month. Alternatively, the Pro plan costs £13.99 a month and gives a lot more functionality to your security system.

Our recommendation

Abode’s home security systems are flexible and adaptable. Using one of the starter kits as a base, or building from scratch, there is unlikely to be a sensor or alarm type that Abode doesn’t offer. 

If you have smart devices in your home, Abode can connect to them easily and simply. For instance, Abode can connect to lights and appliances so if a sensor detects an intruder, lights can flash to deter any further movement.

Even though the price point is not the most budget-friendly, our testing confirms it offers excellent value for the money and good customisable possibilities.

Who’s it right for? 

• Larger homes  

Who is it not for?

• Apartments or flats

Yale Home Security has been leading the way in home security since 1840 and now Yale offers some of the best-rated self-monitored smart alarm systems on the market. The products are ideal for those that want to better protect their home with simple, flexible and clever devices. All of the cameras and sensors are controllable via the Yale Home app so Yale’s security is ideal for those who would like a hands-on approach. Both DIY and professional installation (with a one-off payment of around £199) are available.

What’s more, Yale is easily connected with other smart home items like Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, as well as Philips Hue lighting, so it can make a seamless home addition, perfect for a self-reliant lifestyle with no monthly costs.

Cost

Currently there are 10 kits available, with prices ranging from £229.00, for a 4-piece essential kit, to £550.00, for the 14-piece (award-winning) security kit complete with the All-in-One Indoor/Outdoor Camera for better surveillance around your home. There are plenty of alarm accessories such as pet-friendly sensors (£25.00), external sirens (£49.99), smoke detectors (£74.99) and more for you to completely curate your system in a way that suits you. 

Our recommendation

Although the prices are a little more elevated than other home security brands, the quality and ease of installation, as well as the variety of accessories, make Yale the perfect DIY self-monitoring solution. If you’re new to home security, the Sync Smart Home Alarm 5-piece kit will be a helpful starting point. This comes with the ‎Sync Hub, 2x PIR motion sensors, a door/window contact sensor and keypad. To advance your setup a bit more, add an indoor camera for real-time monitoring and two-way audio: perfect for extra vigilance when you’re away from home.

Who’s it right for? 

•  Small homes with minimal entry points 

Who is it not for? 

• Homeowners on a budget  

Arlo offers a selection of modern home security products, including a wireless 4k camera –  Arlo Ultra 2. Arlo has a mid-sized selection of refined smart home security packages that you can customise to your home, should you want. Lots of the bundles feature solar panels to charge the components and most products can be integrated with other smart home technologies, as well, including Amazon Alexa, IFTTT, Google Home, SmartThings and Apple Homekit.

Arlo’s products sit on the more expensive side of the market and, although there is no professional monitoring option, there are reasonably-priced monthly plans, Arlo Secure and Arlo Secure Plus, that come with different benefits to suit your DIY home security style. It’s worth pointing out,however, that there are very mixed reviews online. Arlo currently has a poor TrustPilot rating of 2.2 stars our of five and complaints mostly concern costs and customer service, with some more positive reviews surrounding the products themselves. 

Cost

Although the monthly subscription costs are reasonable, Arlo’s packages are on the more expensive side, compared with others in this space; the basic Essential Flat & Apartment Security Kit starts at £284.97 and the most expensive package, the “Ultimate Home Security Kit”, costs £1,569.95. Furthermore, some arguably essential features are only available with the paid plans, such as 30 days video storage and people, package and pet detection. To cover a single camera the Secure plan costs £3.49 per month, and, for unlimited cameras, £9.99 per month. For £13.99 a month you can upgrade to the Secure Plus plan, which includes everything from the Secure plan, but with an extended 12-month warranty period, higher video quality (4k vs 2k) and more Cloud video history (60 vs 30 days). 

Our recommendation

If you want to try Arlo but don’t want a big initial investment, we would suggest starting with the Essential Home Security Kit at £479.96 and building your package from there, depending on how you get on with it. This bundle features two essential spotlight cameras which are wireless, weatherproof and easy to install. They record in 1080p with an ultra-wide viewing angle to pick up on essential details outside your home. This package also includes the wireless video doorbell and a solar panel charger. There’s two-way audio (in the doorbell and cameras), as well as an integrated siren and spotlight in the cameras. 

If you have a larger home and want to go all in to experience the higher spec cameras, you could try the Advanced Home Security Kit. It costs £1,049.95 and comes with two Pro 4 cameras and a floodlight camera, all with 2k resolution, as well as the video doorbell, indoor camera and solar charger. 

Our research shows that all Arlo components are easily connected to other smart home products, such as Amazon Alexa, Google Home IFTTT and SmartThings. If you have an Apple HomeKit, you will need the SmartHub and, currently, this only works with the Essential Spotlight cameras. Everything can be managed via the Arlo secure app, where you’ll get real-time notifications for any motion or vulnerabilities detected around your home, for a hands-on approach to home security. 

Who’s it right for? 

• Small homes on a budget 

Who is it not for? 

•  Large properties

Ring home security system is a modern newcomer to the market. It’s an affordable and highly-customisable security system that you can expand easily over time. So, even if you don’t have the budget for a comprehensive security system just yet, you can get started with some basic essentials and expand the system in the future. 

Ring offers sensors and cameras, but one of the features that stands out is the video doorbell camera; they are weatherproof, can be active at all times or activated by a motion detector, and feature two-way voice communication.

Tech-savvy people can install the Ring security system themselves, or installed by a professional at an extra cost. The Ring security system can be monitored remotely, which makes it very convenient for those who want to keep an eye on their home when they are out and about, or have the peace of mind that someone is surveilling the property while on holiday or away. 

A note which might be awkward for some is that Ring is owned by Amazon, so it connects brilliantly with Amazon Alexa but has limited functionality with Google Home or other non-Amazon home automation devices.

Cost

Ring is an affordable system that offers three basic packages with the possibility to customise each one with add-ons and accessories. The starting Alarm Pack price is currently £219.99 and includes the essentials for a beginner’s home security system. The most expensive package, the Alarm + Camera + Doorbell Pack is £299.99.

Add-on accessories are available from £8.99 for a contact sensor, to the more expensive Video Doorbell Elite for £349.99. There is the option for professional monitoring which starts at a reasonable £3.49 a month for one camera with the Protect Basic plan, or £8 a month for the Protect Plus. Both come with different benefits which will make your home security setup more reliable.

Our recommendation

Ring is a compact yet comprehensive home security system that includes all the necessary basics. The system is scalable to fit your needs, and doesn’t have to burn a hole in your pocket, either. We would advise customising your security package as you see fit and choosing one of the subscription plans to add a little more function to your setup. 

Ring doesn’t get amazing reviews for some of its products but for a starter package to smart home security, it’s a pretty sound, if basic, choice.

Who’s it right for? 

• Homeowners on a budget or who don’t want extra costs

Who is it not for? 

• Homeowners who are away for long periods of time

Cheap, cheerful, and easy-to-set up, Hey!’s home security provides uncomplicated home security at its finest. If you’re on a budget and want to dip your toes into home security, Hey! combines simplicity and practicality pretty darn well. Among gaming and lighting kits, it offers three main home security packages, with one of the most basic options including a smart video doorbell and camera, and the most advanced including a floodlight camera, smart external camera and doorbell. 

The Hey! systems let you stream footage right to your smartphone via the app so you can keep an eye on your space with FullHD quality and two-way audio communication. 

Costs

The basic two-piece Surveillance Kit comes in at £149.99 and the four-piece Security Kit at £129.99, which contains a smart video doorbell, a motion sensor and two contact sensors. For a slightly bigger spend but a more complete setup, there is the Ultra Surveillance Kit which costs £249.99 — one of the best value-options on the market. 

Our recommendation

Considering Hey! isn’t as established a company in the home security world (yet) compared to the likes of Verisure, Yale, and ADT, there are some features that might need some ironing out, such as the sensitivity of the motion detectors, and so on.

That being said, the affordable price of the Ultra Surveillance Kit would be ideal as a budget option; it is the most complete package with indoor and outdoor monitoring. Plus it has features including automatic night vision switching on the motion sensors and external camera, a long-lasting battery charge and the ability to save footage to an SD card or the cloud. All items come under the one‐year warranty against manufacturing defects, and, from the positive reviews on Hey!’s website and TrustPilot (4.3 out of five stars), it seems that any issues experienced are ironed out fairly swiftly.