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Donna Pittman

Contributing Writer

Donna Pittman is a freelance writer with a passion for educating consumers about new products, especially in tech. She has been a writer for over 15 years and holds a bachelor’s degree in English. She has written for a variety of industries, including home security, commercial security, and solar energy. When she’s not researching or writing an article, she is probably bargain-hunting or hiking.

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Our team of home security experts put multiple DIY systems through our rigorous hands-on testing process to find the best DIY home security systems of 2023. We ordered and installed dozens of devices, including cameras, sensors, and control panels; used each system in our own homes; and evaluated each company’s customer service and monitoring. We tested SimpliSafe, Cove, Arlo, Ring, and others and named SimpliSafe the top system due to how easy it is to install, customize, and use, along with its low price, solid professional monitoring, and stellar customer service.
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Our takeaway is that the SimpliSafe Home Security System is overall a great choice for homeowners due to its flexibility, easy installation, helpful customer service, and low cost. The overall value outweighs the minor glitches we experienced.
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In today’s home security market, consumers have hundreds of options, from less-expensive DIY systems integrated with smart home devices to traditional, professionally installed security systems. If you are considering a home security system but feel overwhelmed with all of the choices, we can help.
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Alder is a competent security system with minimal upfront cost. The equipment is generally easy to use, but initial setup and DIY installation can be a headache, and you may be subject to lengthy contracts.