A vacation home is a blissful way to escape work and the stresses of everyday life. You’d want you and your family to revel in the tranquility of your vacation home without having to watch your back. You’ll also be peaceful knowing your property is safe, even when you’re miles away. That is why investing in the best security is crucial.
So what is the best security system for a vacation home?
The best security system for vacation home should have remote monitoring capabilities, 24/7 professional monitoring, smart home integration, mobile alerts, and notification features.
In this article, we’ve narrowed down the best security systems to help you pick the best for your second home. We’ll give you a breakdown of each system’s features, pros, and cons so it can be easier to decide.
5 Best Security System For Vacation Homes
Our top security system selections are the best whether you’re searching for a system for your second home, vacation rentals, or Airbnb.
1. Best Vacation Home Security System Overall: SimpliSafe
SimpliSafe is best known for its cutting-edge technology and comprehensive security systems. It offers options for motion detectors, entry sensors, and water sensors. The security system from SimpliSafe comes with a base station, several sensors, and a keypad.
SimpliSafe security system integrates with smart home devices and enables you to control your home through Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Watch. The SimpliSafe App lets you receive notifications when alarms go off, lock and unlock doors, and arm and disarm alarms. You can also see what’s happening in your home or scare off intruders using the SimpliCam security cameras. Furthermore, this security system lets you choose between DIY or professional installation.
Too busy to monitor your home? Don’t worry. SimpliSafe offers 24/7 monitoring at a cost of less than $1/day. SimpliSafe offers different packages, so you can customize a security system that meets your needs.
Pros
- DIY or professional installation
- Smart home compatible
- No long-term contracts
- 24/7 professional monitoring and fast emergency response
Cons
- Most features require a subscription
2. Best for Professional Installation: Vivint
Vivint is among the most popular home security companies in the market. Their products work well together to create a perfect home security system. The system has a security and doorbell camera, smart locks, thermostats, smart lighting, sensors, and a touchscreen control panel.
With a Vivint security system, you don’t have to worry if you turn off the lights. The security camera allows you to keep an eye on your home and deter unwanted guests. You can also include environmental monitoring sensors such as smoke, fire, and water leak detectors to help you detect potential hazards early and be able to take action. All this is made possible by smart home automation features and the Vivint App.
Vivint’s 24/7 monitoring ensures that professionals watch your home, allowing you to concentrate on things that need your attention most. A professional monitoring your home results in quick response to alarms and emergency services, if needed.
Pros
- 24/7 professional monitoring
- Smart home integration
- Professional installation
- Easy customization
Cons
- No DIY installation and self-monitoring
- Expensive equipment and monthly fees
3. Best for DIY Installation: FrontPoint
FrontPoint is known for its DIY installation and fantastic customer service. Having a home where you’re not physically present, reaching customer support becomes crucial, especially if you have an issue with your security system. FrontPoint outshines most security companies in this, as they are just a call away.
If you’re looking for the best security system for vacation home that you can easily install, FrontPoint might be your solution. The system lets you watch your home from anywhere with live and recorded camera footage. You’ll also get notifications about what’s happening at your vacation home.
The system is 100% wireless, making it perfect for a vacation home you rent out, and burglars will have no wire to cut to disable the alarm. The system protects you from burglars and hackers and prepares you for extreme weather. It also provides a 24-hour battery backup, ensuring you can monitor your home even when the power goes out.
FrontPoint’s Crash and Smash Protection ensure the system continues to work even if an intruder smashes it. The best thing about FrontPoint’s security system is that you get to choose the equipment for building your system.
Pros
- Easy DIY installation
- Home automation
- Exceptional customer support
- 24/7 professional monitoring
Cons
- No professional installation
- High upfront costs
4. Best for Small Spaces: Ring Alarm 8-Piece Kit (2nd Gen)
If you’re looking for the best security system for vacation home with 1-2 bedrooms, Ring Alarm 8-Piece Kit (2nd Gen). The Ring Alarm 8-Piece Kit (2nd Gen) is a comprehensive security system with a keypad, a base station, four contact sensors, one motion detector, a range extender, a motion detector, and a video doorbell.
Ring offers optional professional monitoring to ensure your home receives 24/7 monitoring with emergency police, fire, and medical response. When you subscribe to the Ring Protect Pro Plan, you can keep your security system online even during a power outage with Alarm Cellular Backup.
With the 1080p HD video doorbell, you can see, speak, and hear anyone on the other side. You also receive real-time notifications when sensors detect movement or when the doorbell is pressed.
The Ring App allows you to monitor and control your devices from one place, and you can do this anywhere. Ring offers different kits even for larger homes, making it possible to choose a system that fits your needs. You can add devices to your system, such as cameras, to increase protection in your vacation home.
Pros
- 24/7 professional monitoring
- Cellular backup
- Easy DIY installation
- It’s versatile
Cons
- Most features are available with a subscription
- No professional installation
5. Best for DIY and Professional Installation: ADT
A security system from the grandfather of security companies, ADT, can be a great and reliable choice for your vacation home. With over 145 years of experience, it’s easy to trust a security system from them. ADT allows you to build your system, starting with its base home security system, which includes a base unit, door/window sensors, and a mobile app.
Since ADT integrates well with Nest products, you can add Nest Cam 3, Nest Floodlights, and doorbells. You can also add smoke, carbon, and flood detectors. With the ADT SMART Monitoring technology, you can have peace knowing your home is monitored 24/7 and that alarms reach 911 centers 8X faster.
The phone app allows you to control and monitor your vacation home from anywhere. It also works well with Alexa and Google Assistant. ADT offers different packages at different price levels, some with professional installation and others with DIY installation only.
Pros
- No long-term contracts
- Offers both DIY and professional installation
- 24/7 monitoring
- Reliable choice
Cons
- Expensive
- Most ADT systems require professional installation.
What to Check Out When Choosing a Security System for Vacation Home
Choosing the best security system for vacation home is crucial. As a vacation homeowner, a security system becomes your eyes and ears since you will not spend much time there. Having another set of yours when you go there on vacation is also important to ensure you and your family are safe. Below are the top features to consider when picking a security system for your vacation home.
Remote Monitoring and Control
A feature like a mobile app helps you stay connected to your home remotely. With it, you can view live camera feeds, arm and disarm alarms remotely, receive real-time notifications, switch off smart lights, and lock doors. This is an essential feature when picking a security system for your vacation home.
Professional Monitoring
While professional monitoring means additional costs, it also gives you peace knowing someone is always watching over your property, even when you’re asleep! With professional monitoring, there will be quick response times to unusual happenings in your vacation home, and emergency services can be notified and respond more quickly. On the other hand, if professional monitoring can strain your pockets, consider a system where you can self-monitor. However, it doesn’t come with as many perks as professional monitoring.
Professional or DIY Installation
When choosing a system, check to confirm if it’s DIY or needs a professional to install. Professional installation can be expensive, but it gives one peace of mind knowing that experts installed the system. However, it can waste money for a tech-savvy person, so they prefer installing their system. If you choose DIY, ensure it’s easy to install and configure.
Customizable Features
Look for an easily customized system to meet your vacation home’s needs. Think of features like integration with smart home devices and being able to add or remove components when necessary. To ensure your security system works perfectly, consider using a package from one company instead of getting individual components from different companies. This makes integration and management of the system easier.
Environmental Monitoring
Ensure your system includes environmental monitoring features such as flood and water leak detectors, carbon monoxide sensors, and smoke detectors. These sensors can give you or your security team an early warning of potential hazards, allowing for early intervention. If the system does not have these components, check if you can easily add them to your security system.
Reliable Connectivity and Cellular Backup
Having reliable connectivity means you can monitor and control your home from anywhere. Low connectivity will delay data transmission, reducing your home’s protection. Prefer a Wi-Fi and cellular backup system to ensure your home remains secure even during a power outage.
User-Friendly Interface
Confirm that the control panel and mobile app user interface are easy to operate and manage your system efficiently. There’s no need for an app that requires technical expertise to operate.
Protect Your Vacation Home With ONIT Home
The best security system for vacation homes ensures your property is always safe. It should have remote monitoring and control features, 24/7 professional monitoring, and crucial components such as cameras and motion sensors. At ONIT Home, we provide high-quality products to protect your home. We can customize a unique system that meets your vacation home’s needs. We also offer professional installation and 24/7 monitoring to ensure peace of mind when visiting your vacation home or while away. Visit us online for more information. You can as well call us at 1-833-433-0331 to talk to our dedicated experts. Need security? We’re ONIT!