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David Priest Former editor
David Priest is an award-winning writer and editor who formerly covered home security for CNET.
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David Anders Senior Writer
David Anders is a senior writer for CNET covering broadband providers, smart home devices and security products. Prior to joining CNET, David built his industry expertise writing for the broadband marketplace Allconnect. In his 5 plus years covering broadband, David's work has been referenced by a variety of sources including ArcGIS, DIRECTV and more. David is from and currently resides in the Charlotte area with his wife, son and two cats.
Expertise Broadband providers, Home internet, Security Cameras
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Our Picks
Best system for a home rental
SimpliSafe
View details
Regardless of whether you're a homeowner or a renter,home security systems are good to have. The issue is, if you're a renter, finding a home security system can be tricky because many require drilling into walls or doorframes. Landlords aren't usually keen on allowing this but don't stress; you can get some great home security options meant specifically for renters.Many of them are DIY-friendly, which means you'll save a little money too.
Professional systems tend to rely on permanent fixtures and long-term contracts which don't make much sense for renters. The better picks for home security systems for a rental property are going to be cheaper, DIY products. To ensure we have a balanced approach for our list of the best home security systems for renters, we tested every major security system on the market, from professionally installed systems to DIY ones. Here are the best systems for the job.
Read more:7 Home Security Tips for Apartment Dwellers
Best apartment security systems
Pros
- Incredibly affordable
- Performs well
- Easy to use
Cons
- Accessory options are limited
Installation DIY installation
Contract Required No
Voice Assistant Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
Additional Fees 24/7 professional monitoring fee, recording fees
Service Bundles N/A
Full Review Read full review
Best system for a building unit
Ring Alarm
Ring has a ton of baggage, but its five-piece home security system is a solid midrange DIY security option for renters. It comes with a door/window sensor, a motion sensor, a keypad, a range extender and a base station. While it's not as good as its Ring Alarm Pro system, many renters don't need a new router -- let alone a mesh Wi-Fi system.
What I like most about this Ring Alarm for renters is that it works with the Ring Peephole Cam, which is one of the only video doorbells that works with those peepholes you often find in apartment buildings. Like Wyze, Ring unfortunately doesn't have cell backup.
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40% off with Fast Protect Monitoring
Pros
- SimpliSafe is one of the most affordable monitored security services you can buy, and it's also one of the easiest to set up and use. The variety of sensors all performed well in our tests, and the redesigned hardware looks better than ever at no additional cost.
Cons
- SimpliSafe isn't the best option if you want a security system that will sync up with a larger smart home platform, and the $99 SimpliCam is far from our favorite smart security camera. Also, we could only get the glass break sensor to work with the sensitivity dialed all the way up.
Installation DIY installation
Contract Required No
Voice Assistant Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
Additional Fees 24/7 professional monitoring fee, storage fee
Service Bundles N/A
Full Review Read full review
Editors' choice
40% off with Fast Protect Monitoring
SimpliSafe is our favorite DIY home security system for renters for several reasons: it's reliable, well-priced and has no significant weaknesses (that's right, you have cell backup here, unlike the two systems above). That said, SimpliSafe does have one shortcoming for renters in particular: its video doorbell is wired-only. For many renters without doorbell wiring (or without permission to fiddle with it), that takes the video doorbell off the table.
If you're not worried about the video doorbell, SimpliSafe offers fantastic packages at prices that, while slightly higher than the systems above, beat out direct competitors like Abode. Packages start at $245, but you can regularly find them on sale on the SimpliSafe website for significantly less -- at the time of writing, for instance, the base package only costs $196.
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Security systems for renters compared
| Wyze Home Monitoring | Ring Alarm (5-piece) | SimpliSafe (8-piece) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $100 | $199 | $230 |
| 24/7 professional monitoring fees | $10 | $20 | $18 |
| System hardware | 2 door/window sensors, 1 motion detector, 1 keypad, 1 base station with built-in siren | 1 door/window sensor, 1 motion sensor, 1 keypad, 1 range extender, 1 base station | 1 base station, 1 keypad, 4 entry sensors, 1 motion sensor, 1 panic button |
| Setup | DIY installation | DIY installation | DIY installation |
| Extra features | 24/7 professional monitoring, remote alerts, false alarm prevention, no long-term contracts, Alexa and smart home integration | Mobile notifications and remote alerts, integrates with Alexa and other Ring products | Cell backup, 24/7 professional monitoring service, customizable system, Alexa and Google Assistant integrations, 24-hour battery |
| Review score | 8.4 | 7.5 | 8.5 |
How we test home security systems
For each system we test, we install it ourselves just as you would at home, or we have an installer come set it up in the case of professional systems like ADT and Comcast Xfinity. Once it's installed, we spend at least a week testing the system and all the device-by-device features. Our ranking puts a priority on value but also takes into strong consideration the quality of hardware, service and general user experience -- including how easy it was to set up and the frequency of false alarms. For more robust information on any of the recommended security systems above, please read the full reviews.
If you want to read more about our review process, check out ourin-depth article on how we testhome security systems and services.
You can add a home security system to your rented apartment or home, but a DIY, noninvasive system (one that does not require drilling into walls or doors, or rewiring a doorbell, for example) will often be your best bet. What's more, professionally installed security services may come with a contract that extends past the length of your lease, further complicating your next move.
Before purchasing a system or signing up for a service, check your lease agreement to make sure any major changes, like the installation of a home security system, are allowed in your apartment or home.
An exterior camera, unless reserved to private spaces like your back patio, is generally not recommended for apartments because it will routinely capture footage of people in public spaces. Additionally, many lease agreements do not allow for the exterior installation of devices such as cameras or satellite dishes.
On the other hand, there are many reasons why you may want to add a security camera or two inside. Smart home cameras are great ways to monitor kids from another room or pets when you're out of the house. As for security, a camera may capture images or videos of intruders and send you an alert. Furthermore, the presence of a security camera is often enough to deter a potential burglar, so consider placing a camera somewhere it can be easily seen by others.
Installing a home security system that monitors entryways and the interior of your apartment is one of the best ways to secure your dwelling, but there are other measures you can take. It's a good idea to keep any valuables out of sight, especially from windows (where someone may see them from the outside).
The buddy system can be a free but invaluable way to enhance your apartment's security: Make friends with your neighbors, communicate suspicious activity and ask them to keep an eye on your property while you keep an eye on theirs.
You may also want to consider renter's insurance to minimize losses in the event of a burglary or other security breach. To learn more about home security for apartments, check out thesehome security tips for apartments.
