Best Home Security Systems for Renters in 2024 - CNET

Article updated on October 21, 2024 at 7:30 AM PDT

We found renter-friendly home security systems to keep your home or apartment secure with minimal installation required. Stay secure without drilling tons of holes that will eat into your security deposit.

CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise.

What to consider

Price

Are you will to pay around $200 for a starter security system for an apartment? Would you prefer to save more money with fewer devices? How do you feel about paying a subscription fee that usually starts around $15 for these kinds of systems? Are you willing to pay much more for professional home monitoring?

Installation

Does the system have options like adhesive to install without significantly damaging walls? Is it easy to pack up and move with you?

Sensors

Does the security kit come with basic sensors for front door contact and additional sensors to monitor a window or entryway?

App

Is the app easy to use and intuitive for first-timers? Does it make setup easy? Can you quickly arm or disarm the system from the app?

Smart device compatibility

Does the system integrate with your preferred smart home platform, such as Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple HomeKit? Can it work with third-party smart home devices?

Additional devices

Is it easy to add more sensors to the security system? Does it support add-ons like cameras or smart locks if you ever want to expand?

CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise.

What to consider

Price

Are you will to pay around $200 for a starter security system for an apartment? Would you prefer to save more money with fewer devices? How do you feel about paying a subscription fee that usually starts around $15 for these kinds of systems? Are you willing to pay much more for professional home monitoring?

Installation

Does the system have options like adhesive to install without significantly damaging walls? Is it easy to pack up and move with you?

Sensors

Does the security kit come with basic sensors for front door contact and additional sensors to monitor a window or entryway?

App

Is the app easy to use and intuitive for first-timers? Does it make setup easy? Can you quickly arm or disarm the system from the app?

Smart device compatibility

Does the system integrate with your preferred smart home platform, such as Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple HomeKit? Can it work with third-party smart home devices?

Additional devices

Is it easy to add more sensors to the security system? Does it support add-ons like cameras or smart locks if you ever want to expand?

Home security systems are important tools for securing your space wherever you live, but installing one can be a bit trickier when you rent. When you own your own house, you can do whatever you want. That includes drilling holes into walls and other construction or maintenance work that makes installing security systems a given right. But if you rent your home or live in an apartment you may have restrictions on what you can do due to different rules and regulations in the contract with your landlord.

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Renters are just as entitled to top home security as homeowners, but not all security systems work well for apartments and rentals. If you're renting, you'll need a simple security device with minimal drilling or installation required. In our many years of testing home security systems, we’ve kept an eye on the best home security kits for renters. Our top choice is the Ring Alarm five-piece kit, which has an excellent mix of sensors, affordability and installation options that won’t leave you with unsightly damage -- plus it's easy to move to a new home. It’s also a great pick for Alexa users.

We've also selected a range of other renter-ready options, including a very compact all-in-one sensor kit from Arlo and a Ring peephole cam we love for apartment buildings. Explore our complete selection below, discover more about home security for apartments and rentals and get answers to common questions. If you’re on a renter-security binge, visit our guides to cheap home security systems and affordable home security cameras to tap into more of CNET's knowledge.

We found Ring Alarm’s security kit easy to set up, with a compact keypad that’s very at home in a small entryway. With a contact sensor for the front door and a motion detector for sensitive areas, it’s just the right size for an apartment or similar rental. The Ring app is also very effective, with a relatively easy UI to learn and plenty of options for control or monitoring. Sensors come with options for adhesive installs to lessen impact, too.

We like the Ring Alarm a bit better than the Ring Alarm Pro kit, especially for renters. The Pro option comes with a router that must be used to enable certain features, which can hamstring existing router setups. Renters will be happier with this simpler -- and more affordable -- package.

One important note: This kit really needs a Ring Protect plan to enable key features, including mobile notifications and arm/disarm options, in the app. We can’t recommend this system without Protect, but it will cost at least $5 per month. Bump that up to $20, and you can get access to professional home monitoring.

Abode’s starter kit is extra simple, with only one mini sensor to monitor a door or window, but it’s also one of the most affordable systems available. You can easily expand the system when you want to. In fact, Abode offers some of the best third-party support around, working with Sonos devices, Bose devices, multiple smart locks and products from brands like Ecobee, Philips Hue or LIFX. If your rental already has smart devices, Abode offers the best chance at compatibility.

The security system can’t support Apple HomeKit or the Home app with this base version, but if you want to upgrade to a more expensive four-piece system ($160), it can also work on the Apple platform. Not many DIY systems extend support this far, making this kit upgrade a good choice for Apple users. You can pay a subscription fee to get camera recording and more, but it’s not necessary for the baseline package.

SCORE

Arlo has a different idea for a home security system that’s a perfect fit for apartments and small homes. This kit provides two all-in-one sensors that can measure up to eight different things, including an opened door or window, motion detection, smoke or carbon monoxide, leak detection and even ambient light changes. That’s a very complete package, and having two sensors means you can place them in the most sensitive areas of your home.

This versatility makes Arlo’s system excellent for renters and particularly easy to set up once you’ve found the right spots. You can mix and match detection functions to cover exactly what you want and avoid unnecessary updates or info. The Arlo Secure plan primarily covers security cameras until the highest tiers start to offer professional home monitoring, so don’t consider it a requirement for these sensors when starting.

One of the SimpliSafe facets we like is the customized kit options for the size of your home, no sign-ups or estimates required. The Foundation Kit is one of the best options for renters who may have smaller homes. It's equipped with the basics, including an entry sensor and motion sensor to help you get started. SimpliSafe’s keypad and sensor designs are excellent, easy to fit and mount in small spaces, and come with adhesive strips for minimal impact.

SimpliSafe does have a self-monitoring plan for around $10 per month, which is more useful with a camera, but does add features like remote arming/disarming and push notifications if an alarm goes off.

This unique security camera offers an important alternative to small security systems. After reviewing it, we're happy to include it as an option for renters who want to focus less on sensors and more on a camera view with motion detection.

The Peephole Cam sits mostly on the inside of the door, over the peephole common in apartment buildings -- usually without violating rules against using security cams out in the halls. It includes two-way audio as well as motion sensors, plus doorbell detection. Ring’s motion detection lets you customize what you want to focus on.

While the cam plays very well with Alexa, it would be nice to have additional voice assistant compatibility, but Ring is an Amazon brand after all. The Ring Protect subscription is only necessary if you want to record and share videos.

Placed on a wall, the sensor will sense light, motion, temperature, water leaks, and fire/CO alarms.

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 our in-depth article on how we test home security systems and services.

Ring Alarm Pro Kit: Ring Alarm Pro upgrades the security system in a few ways, but that makes it a poor fit for apartments. It’s much more expensive and the required Wi-Fi 6 router isn’t necessary for renters who likely already have a router of their own.

Wyze Home Security System: Wyze offers an affordable, nimble system, but unfortunately comes with a bucketload of recent security issues that have caused us to pull our recommendations for the time being.

ADT Security Systems: ADT scores quite low on our ratings for customer service, reliability and price, and these flaws are even more noticeable for renters.

Vivint Home Security: Vivint can customize a security system for a small area, but their process is opaque and requires professional installation. For apartment owners who may be moving in the future, we prefer non-contract DIY systems with fewer strings attached.

Frontpoint systems: Frontpoint offers some excellent DIY systems, but you are herded into a very expensive professional home monitoring subscription that’s a poor fit for any renter.

Home security systems tend to start at several hundred dollars and go up as you add more devices. That can be a tough price point for any renter, which is why we focused on kits available for $200 and below whenever possible. Keep in mind, subscription fees can add $15 to $30 per month if you want lots of extra features or monitoring.

Finally, be wary of the prices of major home security platforms such as Vivint, Frontpoint and others. Many run perennial deals that don’t often represent the products very accurately, while others may want you to sign up for a quote before revealing any pricing information.

We know renters want to keep their walls clean and get their deposits back, so we favored systems that could be set up using adhesives or careful placement rather than drilling. This also makes the system easier to take with you when you move.

Even small home security systems come with a front door sensor and easy disarm options that are ideal for renters. But we also like to see extras thrown in at these prices. Our Ring Alarm pick, for example, it’s a motion detector and range extender to help offer more complete coverage. Some brands like Arlo offer sensors with multiple functions, which are an especially good fit for smaller spaces. House renters may want to add extra sensors for additional windows and backdoors, which will bump up the price.

App controls are important when setting up a security system with multiple devices. We look for apps that are intuitive and enable quick systems. Apps should allow you to check on the status any specific device, add new devices and arm or disarm at will.

If you already have a smart device like a Nest speaker or Echo Show, you should look for a home security system that can work with it for more alert options. Apple and Siri compatibility are the hardest to find, although DIY systems like more advanced Abode kits do include. We’re ranking this factor a little lower than usual, because with hubs (usually included) and without cameras (usually not included in starter kits) there’s less need for smart integration.

Wireless systems are a often must-have for the easy DIY renters are looking for. You may also see options for battery backup power during power failures or cellular connections when your Wi-Fi is down, but that will cost extra.

Good systems for renters include options to easily add more devices to the system, preferably both from the brand and from third party smart devices. This makes it easy for renters to expand when they spot a new need or move to a larger location.

Self-monitoring without a subscription (getting alerts on your phone, etc.) is usually possible with DIY systems, including the systems we’ve listed above. However, subscriptions tend to add a lot features, such as power back-ups, more support for third-party devices, more arming modes and even professional home monitoring.

For systems like our Ring Alarm pick, a subscription is essentially required to use the system. For other systems we chose, like our Abode pick or the Arlo all-in-on sensors, subscriptions are less necessary.

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.

Your lease may have more information, but generally these lightweight security systems are legal.

An exterior camera, unless reserved to private spaces like your back patio, is generally not recommended for apartments. They're outlawed in apartment buildings (and easily stolen or broken, too). Landlords may allow them in house rentals but you may need to ask permission first or let them handle it.

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). Remember, apartment buildings may have rules against exterior security cams, but you may be able to use devices like the Ring Peephole Cam.

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 these home security tips for apartments.

Matter (along with the related Thread) is a standard that adds security and compatibility to smart home devices, especially when it comes to support for popular platforms like Apple HomeKit, Google Home, or Alexa. Matter is an excellent sign of an up-to-date, user-friendly device…but it’s still limited on the home security front.

If you’re looking for a single smart lock or similar device, we recommend looking for a Matter-compatible model. But Matter hasn’t rolled out to hub-based security system kits like these -- at least not for now.

If you want to save as much money as possible, think about choosing a single camera or a doorbell like the Ring Peephole Cam. Models like these can include motion detection, object recognition, audio, sirens and a lot more, functioning like a mini home security system in one device. If you really need multiple sensors at different locations, look for an affordable entry-level, DIY system, like Abode's starter kit.