The Best Security Systems for Large Homes

ADT Equipment

As for ADT equipment built to protect large homes, I can think of a few. For starters, ADT offers indoor and outdoor cameras, including an outdoor camera with built-in floodlights that can help provide outdoor security lighting. There’s also a battery-powered indoor/outdoor model you place almost anywhere. ADT’s security cameras are actually from Google Nest. You can read all about my experience with them in our Nest Cam review.

I’m a fan of ADT offering Nest Cams now because I tested ADT’s former security cameras. They are nowhere near the quality of Nest Cams, in my opinion. Google Nest smart cameras don’t just detect movement, they can tell you whether the object that moved was a person, an animal, or a vehicle. They can also tell people apart with facial recognition. I woke up to a Nest Cam alert one night, and I didn’t even have to open my eyes for more than five seconds. Just by glancing at the notification, I knew it detected a cat in my backyard. I went straight back to sleep.

Other than the cameras, ADT offers a complete suite of sensors for security and safety monitoring. They have motion and entry sensors, garage door sensors, glass break sensors, smoke alarms, water leak sensors, and gas leak sensors, just to name a few. And the best part is, all those ADT sensors are monitored professionally.

ADT Monitoring

Speaking of professional monitoring, ADT is simply a cut above the rest because it has nine monitoring facilities in total. For comparison, my second pick, Vivint, has two monitoring centers and most other companies have only one.

The advantage of a redundant monitoring network such as that of ADT is that you know the service is always up. Let’s say there’s a storm in one of the locations and it becomes understaffed. If that happens, the other eight can take over responding to alarm calls from ADT’s over 6 million residential customers. I have never seen that kind of redundancy in any other monitoring service I’ve tested.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Won’t a service like that be expensive?” Not really. I signed up for the most expensive monitoring package and still got charged only $34.99 per month. Compare that to Frontpoint’s $49.99 monthly plan and you can see that ADT is really one of the more affordable security systems. That said, ADT does require a monitoring contract for a minimum of three years. It locks in the price but it also keeps you from canceling your account for the next three years, so make sure ADT is right for you before signing up.

ADT Home Automation

When you live in a large home, having home automation is simply practical. Just imagine: Instead of going around the house turning off lights or locking doors, you can simply use an app to schedule your smart lights and locks or control them manually. Even better, some security systems would let you create if-then rules for full autonomy. “If I arm my system, then turn off the lights” — that sort of thing.

ADT offers home automation. It’s not its strongest suit, but it works pretty good. I’m able to control my smart lights from the ADT Control app and schedule them to turn on and off at all hours. I’ve also set my smart thermostat to enter energy-saving mode when I arm ADT to Away mode.

I’ve had to use the app and my web dashboard to customize ADT’s home automation, though. The touch-screen control panel doesn’t allow such customizations. That’s one of ADT’s weaknesses. But, overall, I’d give ADT two thumbs up in the home automation department.

Vivint Equipment

Most of Vivint’s equipment is pretty normal. I remember thinking to myself that Vivint sensors look a bit clunky for a high-tech security system, especially those bulky door sensors that they offer. But if you can look past that, you’ll see interesting pieces of equipment from Vivint.

My personal favorite (and recommendation for owners of large homes) is the Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro. I suggest exploring the Smart Deter function in particular. Using person detection and following rules you set, the camera itself can send away possible lurkers and intruders using lights and sounds.

Vivint’s smart outdoor camera is highly customizable. You define the monitored area, duration for triggering Smart Deter when someone lingers in the area, and select the light type (e.g., strobe, soft glow, etc.) and alarm tone. It’s best paired with the Spotlight Pro, which can use AI to follow around the movement of any person that walks into frame. It literally shines the spotlight on intruders. See my review of Vivint cameras for more details.

Vivint Monitoring

Just like ADT, all Vivint systems require professional monitoring. That’s the only way the system works. And like I mentioned earlier, Vivint has two monitoring facilities for redundancy — one in Utah and another in Minnesota.

As for cost, Vivint’s monitoring prices were surprisingly affordable. I paid $39 per month for my monitoring subscription. It’s a little more expensive than ADT, but I liked Vivint’s fast response times. It is one of the security systems with the fastest response times I’ve recorded. Text alerts came in in under 10 seconds, while alarm calls came in within 30 to 60 seconds. The average response time in the industry is 60 seconds.

One thing I didn’t like about Vivint though is that there’s a limit to the number of cameras you can have per subscription. The maximum is six cameras. That might be enough even for a large property if you’re buying just outdoor cameras, but not if you’re also getting indoor cameras and video doorbells. My suggestion is to use a different indoor camera system. Check out my top-pick indoor cameras for guidance.

Vivint Home Automation

We saved the best for last; Vivint truly shines when it comes to home automation. First off, the Smart Hub. It can directly connect with third-party Z-Wave devices and control them. I have a couple of Fibaro smart plugs and a dimmer switch that uses Z-Wave. I was able to pair them both directly with my Smart Hub. I learned from the technician that the hub supports up to 232 Z-Wave devices, in addition to 100 Vivint sensors. I’d say that’s enough even for the White House.

I also enjoyed the level of customizations the Vivint app provided me. It let me create automation rules so that I wouldn’t have to manually control my connected devices. For example, I set my Fibaro dimmer switch to dim the lights in the hallway outside my bedroom when I turn Vivint to Staying mode at night. It makes it easier to get up in the middle of the night in case something happens. By the way, thanks to that customizability, Vivint made my roundup of the best security systems with an app.

SimpliSafe Equipment

The first thing you should note about SimpliSafe’s equipment is that they were originally designed for DIY installation. They are wireless, easy to install, and lightweight. Their equipment is possibly a little too lightweight for some folks. The motion sensors, for example, don’t have the safe heft I felt with ADT and Vivint sensors.

You should also note that while we typically recommend SimpliSafe as a good DIY security system, we highly suggest opting for professional installation if you own a large house. SimpliSafe is easy to install in my experience, but it can become overwhelming trying to connect every sensor. It’s all wireless after all. At least with professional installation, you can be more sure everything is properly connected.

As for your options, SimpliSafe offers typical home security equipment. They have sensors that detect intrusion and safety hazards like fire and gas leaks. It’s nothing we haven’t already seen from ADT and Vivint, but that’s not bad. It just shows SimpliSafe can provide the same level of security and peace of mind. There is one item missing though: A garage door sensor or tilt sensor. SimpliSafe recommends using the typical door sensor for that.

SimpliSafe Monitoring

Remember the Live Guard Protection feature I talked about earlier? I got access to that when I signed up for the most expensive monitoring plan from SimpliSafe, called Fast Protect. Well, it cost me only $29.99 per month, so it really wasn’t that expensive.

I strongly recommend picking the same monitoring plan if you go with SimpliSafe. It’s the only one that includes the Live Guard Protection feature. It also activates video verification for all SimpliSafe cameras. And since SimpliSafe doesn’t offer local recording for its cameras, you’re going to want to choose Fast Protect for the included cloud storage space for 10 cameras. Each camera will be able to keep event recordings for up to 30 days.

Here’s an overview of SimpliSafe’s subscription options:

It’s also worth pointing out that unlike ADT and Vivint, SimpliSafe doesn’t require any contract of sorts. You’re free to opt in and out anytime. That’s the reason SimpliSafe made my list of the top security system options for renters, but it’s also a good thing for homeowners.

SimpliSafe Home Automation

I’m just going to rip off the band-aid for this one. SimpliSafe’s biggest weakness is home automation — or rather, it’s lack of home automation. Unlike Vivint, which can pair with Z-Wave products, and ADT, which offers smart devices like smart bulbs, SimpliSafe’s sole focus is on home security. It had a smart lock of its own for a while, but it has been out of stock for a long time. It also used to work with Nest smart thermostats and Philips Hue bulbs, but those integrations have since been discontinued.

For you, that means you can’t use SimpliSafe the same way you can use Vivint or ADT to automate your home. But all hope is not lost. SimpliSafe works with Alexa and Google Assistant, two rival smart home voice assistants. And with those integrations, you can synchronize SimpliSafe with other devices compatible with Alexa or Google Assistant. That’s not as good as direct integrations like we saw from Vivint, but it’s better than nothing.

Frontpoint Equipment

I don’t have much to say about Frontpoint’s sensors other than they feel high-quality. They are made of tough plastic and they are built to last. The batteries on the sensors last long, too! I bought a Frontpoint system five years ago (different version than the one they offer now) and the door and window sensors still work fine.

What I found really unique though is the keypad-less Frontpoint Hub. Unlike Vivint and ADT, Frontpoint’s main hub that connects to devices is separate from the keypad. It’s kind of like SimpliSafe in that regard. But Frontpoint has good reasons for opting for that setup. Because the hub and keypad are separate, you don’t have to place it near your front door. That means if a thief breaks in, they won’t easily find your Frontpoint system’s main hub.

If anything though, I’m not a big fan of the keypad. The default keypad included is analog, so I had to spend another $150 for the optional touch-screen keypad. Luckily, a touch-screen keypad is included in the pricier packages. And here’s an extra tip: Time your purchase to take advantage of Frontpoint deals.

Frontpoint Monitoring

Frontpoint charges $49 per month for monitoring. It doesn’t matter whether you have only three or a few dozen sensors, you’re going to pay $49 per month. Usually, I see that as a downside. Why pay $49 per month to protect my 2,000-square-foot home when SimpliSafe offers monitoring for $29.99 per month?

But since you’re buying for a large home, I’d say Frontpoint’s pricing is fair. Did you know ADT could increase your monthly fee if you have more equipment to cover the Quality Service Plan (extended warranty)? The same thing with Vivint; each camera you add to your system is equivalent to a $5 increase to your monthly bill. With Frontpoint, $49 is all you’ll pay no matter the size of your system.

Better still, that monthly fee gives you access to all features, from professional monitoring with remote app access to cloud video storage and home automation.

Frontpoint Home Automation

Speaking of home automation, Frontpoint could very easily rival Vivint on this front. I still consider Vivint the top home automation option for smart homes, but Frontpoint has unique features like geofencing. Basically, the Frontpoint app on your phone coordinates your location with the security system. You can use that to automatically arm the system when you leave or disarm it when you arrive. So far, Frontpoint is the only security system I’ve tested that offers this feature.

Frontpoint’s home automation also involves connecting with third-party products, particularly those using Z-Wave. (Yep, just like Vivint.) And the similarity doesn’t end there. Frontpoint can also connect with up to 232 Z-Wave devices. And once they’re connected to Frontpoint, you can control them with the app.

The main difference between Frontpoint and Vivint, at least for me, is that Frontpoint is more app-controlled. Even the optional touch-screen keypad doesn’t offer as many control options as the Vivint Smart Hub. So if you go with Frontpoint, prepare to be on your phone more frequently.

Ring Alarm Equipment

Ring Alarm’s sensors don’t really stand out. I find them feeling a bit less sturdy than ADT sensors, but the overall quality is good. They also look more modern and sleek than my Vivint sensors. That said, Ring Alarm doesn’t offer a lot of options. It doesn’t even have smoke alarms; just listening devices that can listen for the sound of your existing smoke alarms.

Ring makes up for its lack of sensor options with plenty of security cameras though. Here’s an overview of Ring’s most popular cameras:

Among the Ring security cameras I’ve reviewed are battery- and solar-powered cameras with a built-in spotlight, a simple plug-in porch camera (Ring Stick Up Cam), and a $60 indoor camera.

If your house is on a large estate, I recommend the Floodlight Cam from Ring. It’s an outdoor camera which you can either wire to a junction box or plug into an outdoor outlet. It has two floodlights sitting side-by-side that can function either as normal floodlights or as motion-activated lights. And again, you can have as many of these cameras as you want.

Ring Alarm Monitoring

Ring’s monitoring option comes in three flavors: free self-monitoring without video recording, self-monitoring with paid cloud storage for videos, and professional monitoring. Cloud video storage comes complimentary with the last option. Here’s what you get with each of Ring’s paid subscriptions:

I highly suggest going with the professional monitoring option because it costs only $20 per month yet includes cloud storage for unlimited Ring cameras, professional monitoring, and if your state requires it, Alarm Verified Guard Response. Some states require in-person verification by a certified security guard before sending responders to your address. The guards won’t intervene during emergency situations, but they provide necessary verification to speed up response by the police.

There’s also an optional service for Ring security cameras, called Virtual Security Guard. It costs a whopping $99 per month, but it’s like SimpliSafe’s Live Guard Protection for all your Ring cameras and doorbells. It’s understandable why this Ring camera subscription costs that much. But there’s more: You’d need a Ring Alarm with a professional monitoring subscription to use the feature. So all in all, it costs $119 per month. I’ll leave you to decide if it’s worth it.

Ring Alarm Home Automation

Ring Alarm is a lot like SimpliSafe, but slightly better in the home automation department. First off, it works with third-party Zigbee devices including smart lights, smart switches, smart locks, and smart thermostats. You can control those types of devices from the Ring App.

Speaking of the Ring App, note that it’s the all-in-one control center for all Ring and Ring-connected devices. I like that that’s the case, but it can also become overwhelming to use the more devices you connect to it.

In any case, you can also control Ring devices via an Amazon Echo smart speaker or display. Ring is an Amazon company now, and since the acquisition in 2018, I’ve seen a lot of improvement to Ring’s Alexa Skill. My Echo Show 8, for example, announces whenever someone rings my Ring doorbell and can even show me the live video feed. So convenient.