The 5 Best Home Security Systems

The COVID-19 pandemic has influenced more people to shop for a home security system — and two options earn especially high marks from consumers who have purchased them.

AT&T Digital Life earned the top ranking among consumers who had a system professionally installed, according to the J.D. Power 2020 Home Security Satisfaction Study.

Meanwhile, SimpliSafe had the highest ranking among DIY installers.

J.D. Power asked consumers how satisfied they are with their home security systems based on a half-dozen factors:

• Billing and payment
• Customer service
• Price
• Professional monitoring
• Purchase and installation
• Quality of the home security system

The systems themselves were ranked in two categories.

Among consumers who purchased a professionally installed security system, three systems earned above-average marks:

1. AT&T Digital Life: Overall customer satisfaction score of 878 out of 1,000 points
2. Vivint Smart Home: 847
3. Brinks Home Security: 842

ADT (834) and Xfinity Home Security (830) scored below the average score for this category, which was 840.

Consumers who purchased a DIY-installed security system gave average or above-average marks to:

1. SimpliSafe: 899
2. Ring Alarm: 882

Blue by ADT (880) fell below the average score among products in this category, which was 882.

About one-fourth of study participants who recently purchased a new or upgraded home security system say COVID-19 was the main reason they did so, according to J.D. Power.

J.D. Power notes that overall, this has been a challenging year for the home security system industry. Customer satisfaction ratings were largely flat when compared with 2019, and some consumers have complained that “COVID-19 created issues in how home security providers support their customers,” J.D. Power says.

The survey was based on responses from more than 3,400 customers.

Keeping your home safe

A great security system can go a long way toward keeping your home safe from thieves. But don’t discount the importance of using a little low-cost common sense.

Your home is especially vulnerable to crooks when it is empty, such as when you go on vacation. Taking a few simple steps can make your abode a less tempting target for thieves, though, as we detail in “6 Free Ways to Keep Thieves Away From Your Home.”

Unfortunately, no matter how careful you are, burglars still may find a way into your home. So, don’t do anything that makes their job easier, like leaving cash around. And while we’re on the topic, check out “6 Reasons Hiding Cash at Home Is a Terrible Idea.”