Protecting your home can now be a fully digital process, but which monitored security systems, surveillance cameras, video doorbells, and smart locks can you trust? Our readers respond with the answers.
In the realm of home safety, the advent of cutting-edge security gadgets has simplified the task of safeguarding your family, assets, and personal space more than ever before. These devices capitalize on your home’s Wi-Fi network, facilitating a hassle-free setup that doesn’t require the inconvenience of laying wires throughout your living space. Thanks to the integration with your broadband service, these systems offer the convenience of remote access and control, ensuring you’re connected no matter where you are. Whether it’s Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri, your smart home voice assistant becomes a crucial ally, alerting you to potential risks and allowing you to manage security settings with ease. The collective data from your and your neighbors’ security devices can shine a light on local safety concerns, creating a network of vigilance. Furthermore, these internet-enabled systems maintain a line to professional monitoring services, ready to dispatch emergency assistance as needed, merging traditional security measures with modern technology.
In the latest survey for the PCMag Readers’ Choice Award, we invited your feedback on a range of security products you utilize at home. This includes comprehensive security systems with sensors spread across your premises, indoor and outdoor cameras, video doorbells that keep you informed of visitors and deliveries, and smart locks that give you control over access to your home. Each product on its own offers a window into the activities within and around your premises, but when combined, they provide an unparalleled sense of security. “The Home Security Brands You Like Best” were evaluated based on your experiences with these innovative solutions, aiming to empower you with a fortified sense of safety in your daily life.
Monitored Security Systems 2024
In the realm of home security, the rise of DIY systems marks a significant shift in consumer behavior and installation preferences. Data indicates that 75% of individuals with systems older than four years opted for professional installation, a stark contrast to the mere 31% of owners of newer systems. Remarkably, more than 90% of those owning either a Ring or SimpliSafe system, the frontrunners among our survey participants, chose to forgo professional assistance in favor of setting up their systems on their own.
These leading security providers, SimpliSafe and Ring (owned by Amazon), demonstrate an exceptional level of parity in performance and customer satisfaction. SimpliSafe, securing the Readers’ Choice Award annually since the inception of this category in 2018, stands out for its higher satisfaction ratings. Yet, both brands excel across all metrics, notably tying in the crucial categories of overall satisfaction and recommendation likelihood.
Both SimpliSafe and Ring achieved an overall satisfaction score of 8.8 on a scale ranging from 0 (extremely dissatisfied) to 10 (extremely satisfied), underscoring their high standing in consumer regard. This score reflects not an aggregate of various satisfaction metrics but is directly derived from participants’ responses to their contentment with their security systems. SimpliSafe saw a slight increase from its previous score of 8.7, whereas Ring showed improvement from 8.6, highlighting their commitment to customer satisfaction and their prominent role in the narrative of “Monitored Security Systems 2024
Home Security Systems 2024
Both SimpliSafe and Ring achieved noteworthy scores in the category of likelihood to recommend in 2024, each securing a 9.1. This improvement reflects a growing consumer confidence in their products, with SimpliSafe rising from a previous 9.0 and Ring advancing from an 8.9 rating. Additionally, both companies scored equally high in user satisfaction concerning ease of use and the efficiency of window and door sensors, each garnering a 9.3 and 9.1, respectively.
In a more detailed comparison, SimpliSafe slightly outperforms Ring in a few key areas. Notably, it leads in customer service and technical support satisfaction, both rated at 9.1, compared to Ring’s 8.6 in these areas. Despite SimpliSafe’s better rating in overall system cost (9.0 versus Ring’s 8.6), it scores lower in satisfaction regarding the cost of monitoring subscriptions, achieving an 8.3 against Ring’s 8.9. While professional monitoring isn’t mandatory, a significant majority of users from both companies opt for it, with 90% of SimpliSafe and 79% of Ring users choosing this service.
These findings underscore that consumers looking into “Home Security Systems 2024” are presented with two robust options for ensuring the safety of their homes. SimpliSafe holds a slight advantage according to our analysis, but Ring remains a strong competitor. The anticipation grows to see how these leaders in home security will innovate and adjust to stay ahead in the market next year.
Home Surveillance Cameras 2024
SimpliSafe is renowned for its comprehensive home security systems, but it has also been producing security cameras for years. These cameras require a SimpliSafe base station and keypad, making them potentially unsuitable if you have a different security system or are only in the market for cameras. However, the high satisfaction ratings for SimpliSafe’s cameras might prompt you to reconsider.
In our survey, SimpliSafe cameras received the highest scores for overall satisfaction (8.5) and likelihood to recommend (8.8). The company also stands out for ease of use (9.1), installation (9.0), mobile control (9.1), and reliability (8.8).
For those seeking a home surveillance camera that doesn’t need to integrate with a security system, there are options. Ring closely follows SimpliSafe in overall satisfaction (8.4) and leads in smart speaker integration (8.5), not surprisingly given its affiliation with Amazon. Ring also ranks highest in satisfaction with motion detection (8.5), technical support (8.0), and customer service (7.9), while matching SimpliSafe’s top score in reliability (8.8).
If cost is a major consideration, consider Wyze, which offers individual cameras starting at $20 and affordable monitoring options. In our survey, the company scored highest in satisfaction with system cost (9.3) and monitoring cost (8.5). Wyze’s likelihood to recommend score of 8.7 places it second after SimpliSafe, making it a strong contender in the “Home Surveillance Cameras 2024” market.
Video Doorbells 2024
Nearly ten years have passed since Google’s acquisition of Nest Labs, which initially rose to fame with its revolutionary smart thermostat. Since then, Google Nest has grown into an extensive range of smart home devices, including a video doorbell that has consistently won our PCMag Readers’ Choice award annually since its category inception in 2020.
The primary competitor for Google Nest in this arena is Amazon’s Ring, setting the stage for a clash between these tech behemoths over dominance in the smart home sector. Despite Ring doorbells being significantly more widespread among our readers, with a usage rate over six times higher than Nest, our survey focuses on customer satisfaction rather than sheer numbers. In this aspect, Google Nest edges out with an overall satisfaction score of 8.5, surpassing Ring’s 8.1.
Interestingly, last year both companies shared an identical overall satisfaction score of 8.2. This year, they find common ground again, but in the likelihood to recommend, both securing a score of 8.3 despite the notable gap in their overall satisfaction ratings.
In the setup category, Google Nest and Ring are neck and neck with a score of 8.5. 28% of Google Nest users reported professional installation for their doorbells, contrasted with a mere 11% of Ring users opting for professional setup, highlighting a DIY preference among the latter. Ring slightly leads in cost satisfaction (8.1 to 8.0), which encompasses the price of the doorbell itself and any installation fees.
Both companies also matched in satisfaction with two-way communication, each scoring 8.2. This feature enables users to converse with visitors via smart speakers or smartphones. However, Google Nest pulls ahead in several areas, including mobile control (8.7 to 8.5), motion detection (8.6 to 8.3), night vision (8.5 to 8.3), and live view capabilities (8.9 to 8.6), highlighting its prowess in providing a comprehensive “Video Doorbells 2024” experience.
Smart locks serve as an electronic guardian for your entrance, offering you the ability to dictate entry permissions and timings. These devices are not only advantageous for homeowners but also exceptionally beneficial for those managing Airbnb, Vrbo, and similar short-term rental properties. They facilitate keyless access through a variety of methods, including codes, smartwatches, and voice commands.
Anket katılımcılarımızdan aldığımız geri bildirimlere göre Schlage, en yüksek düzeyde memnuniyet sunarak, ilk kez geçen yıl aldığı Okuyucu Seçimi Ödülü’nü bir kez daha perçinledi.
Smart Locks 2024
In the realm of smart home security, Schlage emerges as the leader, with Kwikset posing as its primary contender, according to our survey findings. Schlage consistently outperforms Kwikset across all areas of customer satisfaction for which both brands have garnered enough responses to qualify. This includes superior scores in overall satisfaction (8.5 compared to Kwikset’s 8.3) and in the likelihood of customers recommending the brand (8.2 versus 8.0 for Kwikset). Although Kwikset’s patrons may not express as high a level of contentment as Schlage’s, it’s noteworthy that Kwikset’s satisfaction metrics have shown an upward trajectory since 2021. This positive trend signals what could be the onset of a promising period of enhancements for Kwikset. Highlighting these developments, “Smart Locks 2024” showcases the competitive landscape of digital lock technology, underscoring Schlage’s dominance while acknowledging Kwikset’s potential for growth.