Article updated on August 3, 2024 at 9:55 AM PDT
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David Priest Former editor
David Priest is an award-winning writer and editor who formerly covered home security for CNET.
Home security is a must for keeping yourself and your home safe, but professionally installed security equipment is out of many people's price range. Luckily these days, you can easily assemble your own DIY security systems at minimal cost, so you can keep your home -- and more importantly the people in it -- safe.
As my (now former) CNET colleague Megan Wollerton put it, "The era of the $200 security camera is over." This means you can get several kinds of budget home security devices to achieve professional monitoring, including door cameras, entry sensors, security cameras and home security equipment with smart home integration. Plus, many are often on sale for under $20, so you can create a DIY security system to protect your house without breaking the bank.
Affordable home security is now possible with some of these excellent devices. We've put these home security systems to the test to find you the best of the best this year. Our team has tested for equipment costs, free self monitoring, cloud storage, monthly fees, smart home features and if they can hold their own against more advanced security solutions.
We update this periodically so check back later if you're still looking for a great solution to your home security.
Wyze is well known for its home security cameras, but it also launched a great new video doorbell for under a hundred bucks. The Wyze Video Doorbell Pro has a wide field of view with head-to-toe vision. It also supports two-way talk and high-resolution livestreaming -- and it even comes with an included plug-in chime, if you don't want to wire it.
These are great devices to keep an eye on packages, greet guests and deter porch pirates.
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While we're talking affordable deterrence, it might be worth considering dummy cameras as part of your home security kit. Especially for larger properties, where you want your home security system to cover a lot of ground without breaking the bank, fake security cameras can make your house look like a locked-down compound at an affordable price. You can order a four-pack of dummy cameras for just about $16 here.
Deterrence will only get you so far with a fake security cam. If a burglar breaks into your house, you'll still want an alarm system -- either some sort of alarm monitoring device or motion detector -- to alert you to the breach.
Alexa Guard can help keep an ear (or some far-field microphones) on your house when you're away. An Echo Dot, is the cheapest way to get Alexa Guard monitoring in your house. The latest fourth-gen Dot typically lists for around $60, but the older third-gen Dot works just as well, and can be found for closer to $40 if you want to save some cash. And if you already have an Echo, this monitoring service is totally free and can be set up through the Alexa mobile app.
Just say, "Alexa, I'm leaving" to switch on the home monitoring feature. Then your Echo will listen for glass breaking, alarms or the sound of humans moving around your house (it can distinguish between pets and people) -- and you'll receive a mobile alert if it hears anything.
You can also subscribe to Alexa Emergency Assist for $6 per month.
It can be tough for renters to boost their home security in part because home security system installation can be pretty involved -- especially when you're talking smart deadbolts. So if you want to add a little security to your door locks without much hassle or cash down, consider a DIY system retrofit lock like this one.
Devices like these, while not Wi-Fi connected, still offer clever ways to add one more home security barrier for burglars to bypass, which equals a little peace of mind for the anxious homeowner. And even though it lacks any of the bells and whistles of a smart lock (like a control panel or burglar alarm), it's portable so you can bring this cheap home security lock with you when you're staying at a hotel or an Airbnb.
Wyze Cam is the wallet-friendliest smart Wi-Fi camera. This home security camera offers free person-alerts to your Wyze app, 14 days of cloud storage and an SD card slot if you want continuous recording. Wyze's signature outdoor camera security device also got an upgrade in 2020 and now includes weatherproof housing, sharper night vision, a wider field of view, a functional siren and more -- all for under $40.
One of the most obvious deterrents to would-be intruders is an occupied house. Throw some smart lights into your kitchen, living room or front porch fixtures, schedule them to flip on at certain times during the night and you instantly make your house much less appealing to the more skittish thief.
One of the most wallet-friendly DIY home security system options: The Wyze bulb. You can get two for $17 or four for $40 -- not too much more than a regular LED bulb. These cheap home security gadgets connect directly to your Wi-Fi network and can be controlled with the Wyze mobile app through your mobile device. These lights are perfect to schedule through your app and forget about.
If you're less concerned about recording specific rooms and more interested in monitoring entryways to your house, the security sensor kit could be a better affordable equipment fit for you. Wyze is the security company that takes the cake again here, allowing you to build your own security kit with a selection of devices including a $24 entry sensor, $19 keypad, $10 motion sensor and more.
Again, for the price, these home monitoring security devices are a solid value. For a small apartment, or if you're just monitoring your front and back doors, these smart home security devices could keep you solidly covered with motion detection for super cheap -- eliminating the need for professional monitoring with shoddy customer service or a false alarm.
Watch this: How to buy the right security camera for you
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