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Our top pick is ADT, thanks to its white-glove professional installation; we didn’t lift a finger to set up the wired system.
Updated October 1, 2024
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If your home has thick brick walls and a large square footage, a hardwired security system would be more reliable than a wireless one. Spotty Wi-Fi signals and limited cellular coverage won’t be a problem with a wired system. In fact, we recommend them for rural home security.
With all the hubbub about wireless systems however, only a few providers still offer wired ones. We went ahead and tested their security systems for about a month each. Our findings? ADT and Vivint topped the list with their personalized professional installation, but if you’re looking to install the system yourself, Ring and Lorex are good DIY options.
The only way to make unbiased and trustworthy recommendations is to test products ourselves. So we buy the security systems, install them in our own homes, and test them for weeks and sometimes months. This approach helps us get a feel for the features, usability, response time, and app of each security system so we can give you our honest recommendations.
We do our best to compare apples to apples, which is why we install every home security system we test in the same environment. We use a two-story, 2,200-square-foot home owned by one of our experts. In our experience, testing security systems in a real home provides the most accurate results.
We also purchase the same equipment for each security system and place them in identical locations. You can see below our typical system setup.
Using our extensive experience in the security industry, we narrowed down the most important factors for hardwired home security systems. These factors are top priority:
Using this criteria, here’s how we scored our top picks.
Rating the Best Hardwired Home Security Systems
Unlike other review sites out there, you won’t find reviews for hammers, frying pans, and every other household item on our website. Our team of experts only reviews safety and security equipment. That means we know our stuff. The experts assigned to this review were:
Our experts at SafeHome.org have over 75 years of combined industry experience, making us the most accomplished home security team online. Since 2016, our work has been featured in several major outlets, including The New York Times and The Washington Post. Together, we have achieved:
Every recommendation we make is based on first-hand product experience and a thorough understanding of the home security industry. Now, let’s learn more about the best hardwired home security systems.
ADT isn’t just at the top of this particular list. We think it’s the best home security system out there. That’s because high-quality equipment is best paired with professional installation and monitoring.
On that note, ADT still charges premium prices. It made a few price cuts over the years, especially on its monitoring packages, but ADT is still pricier than DIY options like SimpliSafe. It delivers a more premium service though. Find out more by checking out our full ADT review.
Arming my ADT System
We found installation to be about as easy as installation gets, by which we mean we didn’t have to do it. While there’s an option now to self-install ADT equipment (see our ADT Self Setup review), we’ve come to love ADT for its white-glove professional installation service.
Our ADT installer even had to climb up a six-foot ladder to install our security camera.
We wound up paying over $200 for the install, but we’re glad we did. Hardwired systems can be tricky. Even the technician needed a couple of hours to complete the job, but when all was done, the system worked flawlessly. We’re not sure we could have pulled that off if we installed the system ourselves.
FYI: Only a few of the ADT equipment we tested were wired, like the base that plugged into an outlet and the Nest Cam with floodlight that required a junction box. The rest of the sensors were wireless. But even so, the hub easily covered our 2,500-square-foot home.
As with installation, monitoring is professional, and you don’t get a choice in the matter. The good news is that you’re much better off with professional monitoring since you can’t possibly be available to check alerts 24/7. The even better news is that ADT operates the best security monitoring in the industry, with 12 centers located across the country.
We loved SMART Monitoring in particular. False alarms happen, and you don’t need to get a call everytime they do. With ADT, we received text alerts in a matter of seconds, through which we can immediately confirm or waive off alarms. ADT only ever called us when we didn’t respond to the text alerts.
Pro Tip: We found that setting up text alerts sped up ADT’s response to our break-in simulations. We used to get calls about 30 to 45 seconds after a sensor had been tripped. Now, we get a text in less than 10 seconds.
There are certainly cheaper systems on the market. Hardwired ADT systems cost upwards of $400. You can finance that equipment for up to 60 months, meaning you can get a system with no money upfront. Additionally, ADT has recently cut monitoring fees significantly. Basic monitoring is just $29.99 per month, down from $45. And you can add camera feeds and smart home integration for an additional $15.
When we buy our ADT system, we always ask for professional installation for free. That means we need to pick up the phone and call, but more often than not, it works. We think that’s a small price to save up to $200 on our ADT bill.
Know More:ADT contracts require customers to sign up for three full years of monitoring. Your commitment can balloon to 60 months if you finance your equipment. To compensate, the company gives you six months to decide whether or not you’re happy with your ADT equipment and service.
ADT essentially invented home security 150 years ago. We weren’t surprised, then, to find that it’s one of the few companies that still offers hardwired systems. This isn’t some fly-by-night outfit. ADT knows hardwired systems work, and in an age where everyone is offering Wi-Fi — including ADT — the company continues to offer the reliable protection of a wired connection to customers who prefer it.
We found ADT’s new, modernized equipment to be as reliable as this ancient-looking one we used to have.
And while Wi-Fi is fine, we can testify to the value of a hardwired system. While we were testing out our ADT system, our city was hit with a massive thunderstorm — wind, rain, lightning, the works. Of course, our Wi-Fi was out for the duration. With no internet and no TV, we were forced to…gulp…read books. We never had to worry about our security, though. ADT kept working, kept transmitting to the monitoring center via our cellular connection, and kept protecting us from harm.
Even though ADT’s equipment isn’t quite as sophisticated as Vivint’s, it is top of the line. Not only are ADT cameras highly rated, but every contract comes with full smart platform integration with both Google Home and Alexa. You can even get the Google Nest Cameras we recently tested with your ADT system. This allows you to automate your ADT system for full voice control.
| Equipment cost | Packages starting at $269 |
|---|---|
| Monitoring options | Professional |
| Monitoring cost | Starting at $29.99 per month |
| Contract length | Starting at 36 months |
| Installation options | Professional or DIY |
| Smart platform integration | Alexa and Google Home |
Vivint has a lot of wireless equipment, but they also have several devices you can connect to your internal wiring. And like ADT, Vivint sent a professional to take care of all the hard work.
We especially appreciated that because Vivint made sure to set up our outdoor camera in the perfect location to deter criminals. That camera, by the way, uses A.I. to detect and turn away intruders, so camera placement is critical to its success. But no worries; we trusted that our Vivint technician knew what he was doing, and we weren’t wrong.
You won’t have to lift a finger while installing your Vivint home security system. Much like ADT, they’ll send someone to set up every device. Our technician even explained why they chose specific spots around our home. This expertise was particularly valuable.
Installation Specialist, Don, Installing the Vivint Outdoor Camera
Installation costs start from $99 and go up depending on the number of devices you have. There are guides on the website if you want to try setting up the equipment yourself. But we always recommend paying the fee, especially when internal wiring is involved.
Pro Tip: We originally wanted to put the outdoor camera above the front door on our porch, but our Vivint installation specialist recommended it to be mounted on an exterior wall. Indeed, the camera ended up getting a clearer view of our driveway and a wider portion of the front yard.
Vivint’s monitoring prices start from $39.99 per month, and the center is available 24/7. We know this for sure.
The technician’s placement of the outdoor camera gave us a better view of our driveway.
An agent checked up on me at 11:30 p.m. while I was out to dinner as an alarm was triggered. All I had to do was pull up the app and check the camera feed to see that the babysitter was leaving the house. I called off the alarm and went back to enjoying my dessert. It was good to know how easy it was to manage these situations no matter where I was.
Vivint doesn’t publicize its equipment prices on its website. You’ll need to give them a call and discuss your requirements. You’ll then get a personalized quote. Prepare to be a little gobsmacked. We know how expensive some of their devices are compared to other brands like Cove and SimpliSafe. For example, the Smart Hub is $399.99, and the Indoor Camera Pro is $249.99.
You can finance the equipment for up to five years, but this locks you into a contract. If you want to pay for everything upfront, you’ll only get a bill for the monthly monitoring fee.
Vivint’s equipment is top-of-the-line. The cameras have exceptional image quality regardless of the time of day, and now they’re powered by AI, they can distinguish between people who live in your household and visitors. It even detects prowlers. A friend of mine was loitering outside while I was getting ready to go out, and the Outdoor Camera with Spotlight Pro shone a light on him. It wouldn’t stop until he was out of sight.
Person Detection on the Vivint Smart Hub
If an alarm is triggered, Vivint instantly sends a notification to cancel the alarm. We had 30 seconds, which is enough time to check the live feeds. If you don’t respond in time, they’ll call to check on you. The response time is in line with the industry average, but we’d like the option to reduce the delay to about 15 seconds. In our opinion, 30 seconds is plenty of time to break in, grab our valuables, and take off.
FYI: Vivint also sends text alerts like ADT. We’re an Android household, so we set our phones to prioritize SMS from Vivint by pinning the conversation. That way, they always appear at the top of the notifications. You can do the same on an iPhone.
Product Specs:
| Equipment cost | Contact Vivint for a quote |
|---|---|
| Monitoring options | Professional |
| Monitoring cost | Starts from $99.99 |
| Contract length | Up to five years when financing equipment |
| Installation options | Professional |
| Smart platform integration | Alexa and Google Home |
Ring doesn’t offer complete hardwired systems the way ADT does. Instead, you have to purchase equipment a la carte. On the other hand, Ring doesn’t come with a lot of strings attached. You have choices when it comes to equipment and monitoring. That makes it a great hardwired system for anyone who wants a bit more control over their security. Read our full Ring Alarm review for more information.
Ring Alarm (2nd Gen) Equipment
If you go with Ring, you’re on your own when it comes to installation. The DIY process is pretty straightforward, though. Ring makes it easy by offering step-by-step instructions on the Ring app every time you connect a new device. Plug in a camera, and Ring will walk you through the entire process. Wired setups can take a little longer since you may have to find an outlet and worry a bit more about positioning equipment. Even so, we went from opening our Ring equipment boxes to a fully installed system in around half an hour. Check out our installation guide, which can get your Ring doorbell working in six easy steps.
The Ring Doorbell we installed came with all the mounting tools needed out of the box.
Pro Tip: Once you have one Ring camera set up, it’s easy to add more. You can even group cameras and change their sensitivity settings at once.
Unlike ADT and Vivint, Ring offers self-monitoring. You can get real-time alerts and access to live video feeds for free, or for pocket change each day, you can add video recording.
Depending on your Ring system, we recommend either the self-monitored Ring Protect Plus plan or the professionally monitored Ring Protect Pro. We went with the latter because it offers everything Plus does, but with monitoring for the Ring Alarm system we bought. But if you have just cameras, the Protect Plus plan will do. It lets you add as many cameras as needed and gives them 180 days of cloud recording. We even use cloud storage to record videos of our pets on demand.
At first blush, Ring seems like a much cheaper option than full-service security systems like ADT and Vivint. Professional monitoring, for instance, is just $20 per month. Or you can go it alone with self-monitoring. You still get real-time alerts and live video feeds, and you pay nothing.
We like having options, and here’s what Ring offers:
| Self-monitoring plan | Ring Protect Basic | Ring Protect Plus | Ring Protect Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cloud storage for video history | 180 days for one camera | 180 days for unlimited cameras | 180 days for unlimited cameras |
| Customizable notifications | No | Yes | Yes |
| 24/7 professional monitoring | No | No | Yes |
| Cellular backup | No | No | Yes |
| Price | $4.99 per month | $10 per month | $20 per month |
Since you don’t need to buy a whole system at once, you can spread out the cost of your Ring Alarm security system without any financing. You can buy one plug-in indoor camera for $60 and call it a day if you want (see our full Ring Indoor Cam review for more).
>> Compare: Best Ring Alternatives
FYI: Adding equipment to an existing pro-installed system isn’t as easy. With Vivint, for example, we had to schedule another installation appointment when we decided to test the Vivint doorbell camera. You don’t need that with DIY systems like Ring, since you can just set up new equipment yourself.
No one makes a better video doorbell than Ring. That’s no surprise since Ring actually invented these devices, and the company continues to refine the technology. In fact, we were particularly drawn to Ring because it’s one of the few companies that offer a hardwired doorbell. You can install it in the spot where your original doorbell was and use the same wiring. Attach a Ring chime, and you’re not trading in a doorbell for a camera but upgrading your doorbell to include a camera. That’s what we did when we tested the Ring Doorbell Elite.
Our Ring Floodlight Cam also required hardwiring, for which we paid a local electrician to do.
Ring’s not just about doorbells. It produces a solid line of home security equipment, including a wide range of cameras. We added a Ring wired indoor camera to our doorbell for just $60. That let us keep an eye on our cat while we were at work. With two-way voice control, we were even able to talk to him. We could have heard him talk back too, but he tends to be a bit of a complainer, so we muted things on his end.
Keep in mind that Ring doesn’t offer a fully hardwired system. Components aren’t connected directly to one another and still communicate via Wi-Fi. Hardwired, in this case, means the equipment plugs into outlets. You still get the advantage of never having to worry about changing out batteries or recharging components, no matter how much you use cameras.
| Monitoring Options | 24/7 professional and DIY |
|---|---|
| Installation | DIY |
| Smart Platform Integration | Alexa and Google Home |
| Equipment Cost | From $244.95 |
| Monthly Monitoring Cost | $20 |
| Contract Length | 1-12 months |
If Ring takes one step away from the full-service options of ADT, Lorex takes a couple more. There are no packaged systems, and the only monitoring option is to do it yourself. The upside with Lorex is that you have a lot of equipment options, so you can set up a system that perfectly fits your security needs. Find out more in our Lorex review.
Note that by “equipment options,” we mean security cameras. Lorex sells nothing else. But they are also some of the best security cameras in the market, especially the wired ones. They connect to a DVR for video storage, so they don’t need Wi-Fi to work.
Our Lorex indoor camera connected to Wi-Fi but plugged into a power outlet.
As with Ring systems, Lorex systems are entirely DIY installations. That can be a problem, especially if you purchase a hardwired system. Lorex hasn’t done much to simplify the process. There are no automatic instructions that pop up on an app. We managed to do it in around an hour, but we’re experts. And even we had to deal with a tangle of wires all over the house until we got it all stowed away.
We eventually had to use a drill to hide the wire dangling from our ceiling-mounted Lorex camera.
Did You Know? The fewer cables, the better. Lorex offers PoE cameras that use the same cable both for power and connectivity. They are significantly easier to install than the ones we tested that had to be plugged in using a power cable and connected to the DVR via an Ethernet cable.
Turns out, monitoring is entirely DIY as well. That doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice security. Lorex makes it easy to self-monitor. The system sends push alerts when it detects a problem, and you can use the Lorex app to check out live feeds. Plus, unlike Ring cameras, most Lorex cameras come with local storage options, so you can store and review footage for free.
That being said, we would have still preferred having professional monitoring. That’s not possible with Lorex right now since it doesn’t offer security sensors (unless it adds video monitoring like SimpliSafe has). Our recommendation is to still have a security system supplementing Lorex. That’s worth exploring because Lorex doesn’t require any monthly fees.
We mentioned already that Lorex offers tons of equipment. As a result, you also get a range of prices. You can pay anywhere from $60 to over $1,000. Although, when we filled out the Lorex Solutions Finder to pick out our system, we chose a complete security monitoring solution. This gave us bundles that start at $442.99. But, since there are no monthly fees, we tend to splurge a little on equipment. It also makes it easy to start small, with what your budget can support, and add equipment as you go.
This Lorex outdoor camera cost us less than $100, which is below the average price of outdoor cameras.
>> Save More: Lorex Black Friday Deals
The big advantage of going with Lorex is camera choice. The company offers a huge selection of cameras, the biggest selection in the market, including tons of wired options. You never have to worry about paying monthly fees with Lorex either since monitoring is strictly DIY. In fact, it sits atop our list of best no-subscription camera systems. And to make monitoring easy, most camera models come with local storage options: DVR, NVR, or on-board recording.
Of course, the downside of DIY monitoring is that you have to be willing and able to keep an eye on your security yourself. We’ll confess that we’re not as diligent as we should be. That’s one reason we always sign up for a professional monitoring plan if one is offered.
While we were testing Lorex, we got an alert while we were at the movies and missed it. We always silence our phones like the pre-movie video tells us to. Luckily, it was just the mailman leaving a package. And our Lorex security system told us that in the notification thanks to one of the best facial recognition camera features we’ve tested. Still, we worried a little about what could have happened.
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or PoE |
|---|---|
| Power | Wired, battery, or PoE |
| Field of View | Up to 180° |
| Resolution | Up to 4K |
| Storage | Free local, optional cloud |
| Smart Platform Compatibility | Alexa and Google Home |
Our Brinks security system with the plug-in control panel and hardwired SkyBell doorbell.
Brinks is an old-school security company, which means a lot of its equipment is hardwired. Unfortunately, it also means some of its practices are a little out of date. The professional monitoring fees start from $39, and you need to sign up for a minimum of three years if you want to be a customer.
It also took them a while to give customers an app, and they’ve only recently released a touchscreen keypad. However, the equipment is reliable, especially as they have cellular backups in case the power goes out. We just think there are better and more affordable options out there.
We touched on it a bit in the introduction, but it’s worth returning to the topic for a deeper dive. In a time when Wi-Fi seems to rule the market, why would anyone invest in a traditional wired security system? In fact, there are a number of benefits to hardwiring your equipment.
You might think because of those benefits we mentioned that wireless systems are less reliable. And indeed, in certain situations, wireless systems are not as dependable as wired ones. But generally, we don’t have a problem recommending wireless systems. In fact, here’s our list of the best wireless home alarm systems. We’ve personally tested and vetted those.
Frontpoint was one of the first 100-percent wireless systems we tested.
Wireless technology has nearly caught up with wired technology in terms of reliability. They don’t have much of a problem covering even large homes. Our top-pick systems for large homes all offer wireless equipment.
The bottom line is that unless there’s a specific reason you’re opting for a wired system – like if your Wi-Fi is unreliable or you don’t get good cellular coverage for reliable alert transmission – either type of system will work for you.
Pro Tip: Mixing wired and wireless equipment also works. For example, you can have wireless sensors but wired security cameras. That setup worked out great for our ADT system with a Nest Cam with floodlight.
Numerous home security research supports the idea that security systems in general help in keeping burglars out and helping homeowners feel safe. For example:
Adding a wired Ring Doorbell helped us monitor our package deliveries and prevent package theft.
The truth is that wired security systems do just as much as wireless ones in deterring burglars. The main difference is that they’re more reliable in certain situations. A wireless system might stop working when Wi-Fi is down, but wired systems offer alternatives like landline connectivity or local video storage. Security systems with cellular backup are more common now, too.
FYI: Cellular backup uses cellular signal when the primary communication line is unavailable. For example, our Vivint system switched to cellular signals during a power outage that turned off our Wi-Fi router.
From Anthony Travaglia, Retired Police Officer, Home Security Expert
The key to success in protecting your home is choosing the right security system for the job. That can mean different things if you’ve opted for a wired one.
Pro Tip: Comparing two or more security systems can help you in finding the best-value system for your home. We made a tool just for that – see our security system comparison tool.
There’s no getting around it: Hardwired home security systems are becoming more difficult to find as more companies go the wireless route. The good news is that there are still some companies out there that believe in this type of system. That means the only real challenge is deciding which one is right for you.
ADT and Vivint provide the best professionally-installed wired systems. And we love that both offer state-of-the-art features, from ADT’s 12 monitoring centers to Vivint’s A.I.-powered cameras. There are also options out there that efficiently mix together wired and wireless equipment. Ring is one, with its wireless security system and several wired camera and doorbell options. Lorex is another, but it focuses mostly on security cameras.
Regardless of your preference and reason for opting for a wired system, it helps to know a little more about how security systems work. Here’s our home security guide, where we explain the role of typical security system components. Give it a read before deciding on your security package.
Need answers about hardwired home security systems fast? Check our FAQ section below.
ADT makes the best hardwired home security system. It offers high-quality components and the industry’s best professional monitoring for an affordable price. Professional installation means you can be certain equipment is placed in the best possible locations to secure your home, and you can choose between wired and wireless systems.
Wired home alarm systems are better in some circumstances. Wired systems won’t go down just because your Wi-Fi goes out. In fact, if you live in a rural area, you may not be able to get a Wi-Fi signal at all, making a wired system a necessity. However, Wi-Fi does offer some convenience, especially when it comes to installation.
Vivint is not a better home security system than ADT. While Vivint offers some of the most technologically sophisticated equipment on the market, ADT is a close second. ADT has more monitoring centers. You also get a six-month money-back guarantee with ADT, and it’s easy to move if you need to. Plus, ADT charges much less than Vivint for its systems.
Wireless systems sometimes make use of power cords. Wire-free systems operate with no cords whatsoever. Communication occurs via Wi-Fi or cellular connection, while components receive power from batteries, solar panels, or Power over Ethernet (PoE) setups.
Cellular backup helps eliminate issues created by Wi-Fi connections. Some wired systems communicate using Wi-Fi. Even if the components are wired together, they may employ Wi-Fi to communicate outside your home. This means that they can be vulnerable to Wi-Fi outages. Systems with cellular backup switch to cellular if the Wi-Fi should go down. Cellular almost never goes out, meaning it’s virtually impossible for your security to go down.
ScienceDaily. (2013, May 13). Through the eyes of a burglar: Study provides insights on habits and motivations, importance of security.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/05/130516160916.htm
