Best Home Security Systems for Renters in 2024
Renters, rejoice: These home security systems are affordable, DIY and won't mess up your walls.
Our Experts
What to consider
Price
Installation
Sensors
App
Smart device compatibility
Additional devices
Our Picks
Apartments or rental homes deserve top security, too! And in our years of testing dozens of home security systems, we’ve kept on eye on the best home security kits for renters. Our top choice is a Ring Alarm five-piece kit, 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.
Additionally, we chose 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. View our full range of choices below, learn more about home security for apartments or rentals, and find answers to frequently asked questions. If you’re on a renter-security binge, visit our guides to cheap home security systems and affordable home security cameras for even more CNET expertise.
Best security systems for renters
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.
Best home security system for renters with other smart tech
Abode Security Hub 5-Piece
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
Best compact home security system for renters
Arlo Dual Sensor Home Security System
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.
Best adhesive-based home security system for renters
Simplisafe The Foundation Kit
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.
Best video doorbell alternative for renters
Ring Peephole Cam
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.
Security systems for renters compared
| Best home security systems for renters | Ring Alarm 5-Piece Kit (2nd-gen) | Abode Security Hub 5-Piece | Arlo Dual Sensor Home Security System | Simplisafe The Foundation Kit | Ring Peephole Cam |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| System price | $200 | $140 | $200 | $250 | $130 |
| Subscription price | Ring Protect plans from $5 to $20 per month (encouraged) | $6 to $20 per month | Arlo Secure $8 to $25 per month (not necessary) | $10 to $30 per month | Ring Protect plans from $5 to $20 |
| Starter equipment | Base station, keypad, contact sensor, motion detector, range extender | Security hub, mini door/window sensor, key fob | Keypad, 2 8-in-1 sensors | Base station, keypad, entry sensor, motion sensor | Video doorbell for apartments |
| Contract or professional install required? | No | No | No | No | No |
| Professional home monitoring | Yes with Pro subscription | Yes with Pro plan | Yes with Safe & Secure Plan | Yes with all except self-monitoring plan | No |
| Review score | 7.5 | 8.3 | 8.3 | 8.5 | 7.8 |
How we test home security systems
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.
Other home security systems for renters we tested
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.
Vivint Home Security: Vivint can customize a security system for a small area, but their process is opaque and requires professional installation. We prefer non-contract DIY systems with fewer strings attached for apartment owners who may be moving in the future.
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.
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.
Factors to consider when choosing a home security system for renters
Price
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.
Installation
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.
Sensors
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
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.
Smart device compatibility
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.
Power options
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.
Additional devices
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.
