Home Security Unveiled - What's best for your family?

What Is The Best Indoor Security Camera for DIY?

May 26, 2020September 2, 2020 Darrin 58 Comments

Watch your home from anywhere!!

Several companies that manufacture home security products have simplified the process, which directly caters to do-it-yourselfers. What Is the best indoor security camera? Well, we’ll find out!

We’re going to go over the top 6 indoor security cameras that can be installed without the costs of hiring installation professionals.

The runners-up are:

SimpliSafe
Ring
Nest
Honeywell
Amazon
Arlo

All of these companies have other products and packages that will secure your windows, doors, and exterior. But as the title denotes, we’re going to put their other products aside, and concentrate on what these companies offer with their cameras only.

Since many of these brands have similar features from one another, we’ll point out things that stand out for each camera. In the end, we’ll try to figure out who has the best indoor camera out of these six contenders, using their lowest cost items.

Simplisafe Simplicam

Check Today’s Prices Here!! SimpliSafe SimpliCam

120-Degree Field of Vision
Microphone
HD Video & Audio
24/7 free Live Streaming
Motion Alerts
Intelligent Motion Detection Technology
Plugs Into Outlet
Connects via Wi-Fi
30 FPS- H.264 Encoding
Night Vision
No Paid Subscription Necessary to Use the Camera

Though there are impressive features provided by this little camera, the most impressive is the intelligent motion sensor. This sensor detects human body temperatures. Things like moving branches, birds flying by outside your window, cats and dogs, or other ordinary things that move around won’t start sending you false alarms.

Ring Indoor HD Security Cam

Check Today’s Price Here!
Ring Indoor HD Security Camera

1080p HD
Live View
Night Vision
140° Diagonal, 115° Horizontal, 60° Vertical Field of View
2-way Audio with Noise Cancellation
Plugs Into Outlet
Connects via Wi-Fi
No Paid Subscription Necessary to Use the Camera
Advanced Motion Detection with Customizable Motion Zones

This security camera allows you to set up motion zones within the field of view. This means that if there’s something in the field of view that might wind up sending you false alarms, you can eliminate that section from triggering the camera. This is a useful feature that will save you a good deal of set up time and aggravation, dealing with false alarms.

Google Nest-Cam Indoor Security Camera

Today’s Price!!

130 Degree Field of View
Night Vision
Up to 1080p HD
Plugs Into Outlet
Speaker – Microphone 2 Way Audio
Connects via Wi-Fi
8x Digital Zoom
30 FPS
Video and Audio Triggering
No Paid Subscription Necessary to Use the Camera

The 8x zoom feature is beneficial in the event you need to get greater detail on something that has triggered the camera. Also, you can zoom the camera in to remove outlying things such as windows or other potential natural triggers in a room. The audio triggering technology used with this camera is also a benefit because things don’t always fall within the frame. Any loud bangs or breaks will send an alarm to your Nest app.

Honeywell C2 Wi-Fi Security Camera

Click Here For Today’s Best Price!!

Connects via Wi-Fi
Up to 4 FOV Zones to Modify Trigger Sensitivity
1080p
30 FPS
6x Digital Zoom
145 Degree Field of View
Night Vision
Geofencing
Works with Amazon Alexa
No Paid Subscription Necessary to Use the Camera

Honeywell has created a unique feature corresponding with the Honeywell app and the camera called Geofencing. This feature tracks your location, telling the camera to activate when you’re away, and shut down when you’re approaching your home. This can be turned on or off, so that you can leave the camera on after you’re in your home for the night.

Amazon Blink Indoor Home Security Camera

Today’s Price Can be Found Here!! (this is an add-on camera, it would need the sync module for it to function) Blink HD Home Security Camera

720p HD
2 Way Audio
Connects via Wi-Fi
Battery Powered
30 FPS
110 Degree Field of View
Light to illuminate Low-Light Settings
Temperature Monitoring
No Paid Subscription Necessary to Use the Camera

Despite the lack of night vision, the Blink Indoor Home Security Camera has one thing that the others don’t- battery operation. The lack of worrying about the limits of a power chord opens up your options when it comes to the placement of your camera. Also, this camera uses temperature monitoring to catch any strange temperature discrepancies that cross the sensors.

Arlo Wire-Free HD Security Camera

Check Here for Current Pricing!!

1080p HD
Connects via Wi-Fi
110 Degree Field of View
Digital Pan & Zoom
Night Vision
Battery Powered
Base Station
Indoor/Outdoor Weather Resistant Shell
Adjustable Sensitivity Motion Detection
No Paid Subscription Necessary to Use the Camera
Smart Scheduling – Geofencing

The Arlo Security Camera has one leg-up on the other cameras because it is weather resistant. This makes it a more versatile camera and gives you unlimited mounting possibilities up to 300 feet from the base station. The motion detector sensitivity can be manipulated by extending or retracting the sensor’s reach. This is good to avoid unnecessary alerts.

What is the Best Indoor Security Camera Out of these 6?

To narrow down the playing field, a number of questions will have to be answered.

1. Which camera is the cheapest? At just under $60.00, Ring takes the mantle as the most affordable out of these six.

2. Which camera has the most features? After looking into the functions of all of these cameras on their manufacturer’s pages, Nest takes the lead relating to the number of useful features.

3. Which Camera would be the easiest for the do-it-yourselfer to install? All of these cameras are friendly on the DIY community. However, because of the lack of power chords and needing to worry about placement distance from outlets, the Amazon Blink and Arlo come in neck and neck in this category.

And the Winner Is!

Out of the six security cameras, the best of the bunch would be the Nest-Cam Indoor Security Camera. This is determined by what you get for the money in terms of essential security features. The Nest camera has all of the basics (which other more expensive candidates don’t have), and a lot of extras- and still doesn’t require a base station to use.

Other cameras were eliminated for several reasons. No night vision, no 2-way audio, and no zoom capabilities were among these factors.

Conclusion

All of the factors that were used to determine which is the best security camera were based only on the features available, and the degree of getting what you’re paying for. The more expensive cameras might have fewer yet more powerful features.

If you don’t care about the camera having 2-way audio, but don’t want to deal with power wires, then you’d probably not want to go with the Nest and instead get the battery-operated Blink or Arlo Cameras.

At the end of the day, the best choice for you will significantly depend on your needs. Everyone has a different set of requirements, and it’s important to make sure you have that established before selecting a security camera.

Please leave a comment, a suggestion, a question, or any input you may have on this article and the products we’ve been discussing. The experience individuals have varies greatly and your input is valuable!

About the Nest Security Camera System

May 21, 2020August 16, 2020 Darrin 32 Comments

The DIY community interested in securing their homes have an array of things to think about. Cost, do-ability, capability, and needs, all gel together to help make decisions.

The Nest Security Camera System has thrown its hat into the ring, offering a range of different products to choose from with all of these factors in mind. To view the Nest cameras and other smart home products, click here.

About Nest

Google bought out Nest back in 2014 and has been the driving force behind the brand. Because of this, products produced by Nest coordinated with other smart products provided by Google. Now, all of Google Home products are manufactured under the Nest brand.

For Google smart product users, this is a great thing. But for those who think Google has overextended its reach into our lives, it can be a deterrent.

However, one can’t deny the convenience of having your lights, security system, various appliances, and other smart electronic home devices, centralized and more easily controlled through one company. Not only one company, but all of these can be controlled by one app, called “Nest App.”

Nest Security Camera System Run Through

As far as Nest’s security cameras go, they are more expensive than others out there, but there’s a good reason for that. They do not need a hub like other smart security cameras require. So, all of the thinking that a hub would do for other systems takes place within the camera.

All it needs to know is right there within the camera itself and communicates to your Wi-Fi system, and ultimately to your app. Because it’s doing more than other cameras in the sense that it doesn’t use a hub, more power is required.

Batteries would fail more rapidly, so these cameras need to be plugged into an outlet to operate. This is only an issue if there isn’t an outlet available nearby the area you want the camera focused upon.

So, if you’d rather not have a system that uses a hub, Nest is your choice so long as you can get past the outlet issue.

4 Security Cameras to Choose From

There are four cameras to choose from, two being outdoor and two indoor.

Nest Cam Indoor Security Camera
Nest IQ Indoor
Nest Cam Outdoor Security Camera
Nest Cam IQ Outdoor Security Camera

The Nest Indoor Cameras

The two Nest indoor cameras differ in price, services, and in some ways quality. Otherwise, they operate similarly. You place them where it suits your needs the best, and plug it into an outlet.

Both cameras are 1080p, have night vision along with eight LED infra-red lights and motion sensors, wall mounts, and are 2-way communication ready. Setup and live streaming are very much the same between the two different cameras.

But the big difference between the two is that the IQ is equipped with a built-in Google Assistant. The quality of the internal components on the IQ is better as well, with things like a 4K sensor, 940nm infrared night vision, and daytime HDR.

The daytime HDR increases the quality of the picture that the IQ security camera can produce in regular daytime operation. The night vision being 940nm reduces glare, giving you a better and more precise picture of what’s crossing the field of view. There’s also a 12x digital zoom.

The standard camera has 24/7 streaming capabilities, alerting your app in real-time when something happens. The IQ sends out an alert, and also a snap-shot of what triggered the alert.

The IQ has a better alert system, that can distinguish when a person comes into frame called “Person Alerts.” This causes less false alerts coming to your phone or tablet.

The IQ indoor security camera does have more to offer than the more standard Nest camera and is priced accordingly in comparison.

The Nest Outdoor Cameras

The outdoor cameras are very much like the indoor, with the biggest (and most obvious) difference being the weatherproof casing. Many of the specs and features (the internal works) are the same & will yield the same results.

The regular outdoor camera has a tough weatherproof exterior. This works fine for any weather or climate.

The IQ outdoor camera is weatherproof but is also tamper-proof. Nobody will be disabling this from afar or knocking it out of commission (all depending on how well you mount it).

The outdoor camera has one talk and listen speaker, and the IQ outdoor has three that are louder & are 15x more powerful than the standard version.

Nest Aware

Nest Aware is a subscription-based service that is offered with any Nest security camera. Nest aware gives your lower-priced Nest cameras many of the benefits that come with the IQ models, such as:

Cloud Storage
Facial Recognition Feature
Time Lapsed Video
Person Alerts

Pricing for Nest Aware differs according to how much data you’d like to have stored. If you want to save your video history up to ten days, it costs $10.00 per month for one camera, $5.00 a month for each additional camera.

To store 30 days’ worth of video history, it’ll cost you $30.00 per month for one camera, $15.00 per month for each additional camera. You can purchase this service yearly, which will grant discounts for one or multiple cameras.

All that said, you don’t have to purchase a subscription to Nest Aware to use your security cameras. Everything you’ll need to operate your cameras will be done through the Nest app.

That said, if you can’t afford the IQ cameras now, you could buy the cheaper priced camera and get many of the same benefits through this subscription. It’s an interesting plan that they offer and opens up opportunities that might otherwise be closed due to expense. To see current pricing on the Nest cameras and to view other smart home and security options, click here.

Conclusion

If you’re into turning your house into a smart home, and already use the various smart products that Google has to offer, these cameras will be the perfect addition to your smart system. They’re easy to use, efficient, and are easy on the do-it-yourselfer.

There are cheaper cameras out there, but few will boast the results that these will yield in picture quality. Some might think not having to worry about where to place the hub is a feature all of its own.

Ring Security System Reviews – Smart Home Technology

May 15, 2020August 16, 2020 Darrin 38 Comments

Smart home security systems have become available to homeowners in ways that were impossible in the past. Ring security system reviews tell us how much Wi-Fi has changed the game, expanding their market to people who wouldn’t have been able to utilize their services and products through traditional (hard-wired) means.

The market’s expansion due to Wi-Fi dramatically rests on the shoulders of renters. Not every rental property or apartment comes equipped with a security system. In most circumstances, renters wouldn’t have been able to have a hard-wired system installed.

Security systems have become cheaper, DIY (opposed to having a professional come and install it), and contain a greater variety of options than ever before.

Before we take a look at the buzz around the Ring security system reviews, gathering a consensus on what folks are saying about them, we’ll have a glance at the systems they offer.

Or, if you prefer, click here to go where you can see all of the products that Ring has to offer as well as the products offered by their competitors.

Ring Security System Kits

When it comes to Ring, the sky’s the limit. You can have your whole house outfitted to be controlled through an app- from all the lights in your home, to exterior lights. They have a well-thought-out catalog of products to choose from. Still, for the purposes of this article, we’ll primarily stick to their Kits.

Customers can create their own custom orders to suit their needs. In an attempt to make things easier, they have four kits available- 5-piece, 8-piece, 10-piece, and 14-piece.

The kits displayed below are not always as they are at the time of this article. But rest assured that if those particular packages aren’t available per se, the Ring products are still available and different packages and sales are offered most of the time.

Check the latest price and packages here

5 Piece Security Kit

Ring 5-Piece Systyem

The 5-piece kit consists of:

1 Base Station
1 Keypad
1 Contact Sensor
1 Motion Detector
1 Range Extender

According to Ring, this package is effective up to 1,000 square feet. Coverage consists of 1 window or door, and the motion detector covers one room. This system is best for

8 Piece Security Kit

Ring 8-Piece System

The 8-piece kit consists of the following:

1 Base Station
1 Keypad
4 Contact Sensors
1 Motion Detector
1 Range Extender

You can safeguard four windows or doors using the contact sensors. If placed wisely, the motion detector can cover any entry point within range- down a hallway, for example.

10 Piece Security Kit

Ring 10-Piece System

The difference between the 8-piece and the 10-piece kits is the inclusion of one more contact sensor, and one more motion detector.

The 10-piece can grant protection for five windows or doors and will cover 1,000 – 2,000 square feet. Ring considers this to be adequate for a standard 1-2-bedroom home.

Now for the Larger Homes!

14 Piece Security Kit

Ring 14-Piece System

The 14-piece security kit is geared to secure a more substantial home of 2-3 bedrooms, tackling 2,000+ square feet.

Base Station
2 Keypad
8 Contact Sensors
2 Motion Detectors
Range Extender

Customized Kits

There is an option that is interesting, that allows you to enter details about your home to come up with a custom kit. The info you enter (how many windows or doors you want to be covered, etc.) formulates what you’d need to secure your home.

Accessories

No matter what you decide to choose, there are always accessories available to include with your order. Among the accessories are yard signs posting that your home is secured by audio/video monitoring systems, extra rechargeable battery packs, solar panels, and a chime box that alerts you to the doorbell or if something is triggering the alarm system.

Aside from the accessories, you can also purchase other mainline products from Ring such as video doorbells, security cameras & other video equipment.

Ring Security App

A great feature of this DIY system is the Ring App. The app allows you to know what’s going on within or around your home wherever you are. When an alarm is triggered, a notice pops up via the app.

Through the app, you can figure out whether or not it’s a false alarm. False alarms could be kids coming home from a friend’s house, family stopping by, or other mundane or well-meaning things that may occur while you’re away.

However, if it’s a break-in or something nefarious happening, you have the option to alert the authorities immediately. Ring will do the calling for you if you maintain their 24/7 professional monitoring membership.

A useful feature that is included in the app is that you can create separate accounts for different family members. This makes it easier to control who can do what, as far as modifications to the system, and extra eyes on what’s going on at home.

Floodlights & Video Doorbell

Ring Black Floodlight Camera The packages talked about above are lacking these two items that are a huge leap forward as it relates to securing your home, but both are available from Ring. In fact, the video doorbell is what started Ring’s direction as a company.

The video doorbell delivers video footage to your app whenever anyone triggers the sensor, alerting you who might be at your door. This is great whether you’re away or not.

The floodlights (which can also be controlled through your app) are battery operated. This is what makes these easy on the do-it-yourselfers.

Ring Security System Reviews

Now that we’re more familiar with their product, let’s get an overall consensus on what people have to say about their products & services.

*Affordable

Many positive reviews include the affordability of their products in comparison to their competition.

*DIY Friendly

Reviews often include how easy their systems are to set up and get running. As is true with any DIY project, the more you can do yourself, the more you save. Security system installations are no exception.

*Monthly 24/7 Monitoring Not Necessary

If you’d rather not spend the $10.00 per month for their monitoring system, and would rather place that on your shoulders, you can. Other companies require you to subscribe to their monitoring programs, and for much more per month than Ring. Users found Ring’s way of doing things to be welcomed freedom.

Conclusion

Your home, your family, your stuff, and your life, should be kept safe one way or the other. Ring makes it possible to purchase what you can afford and continue to build as time and finances progress.

But there’s something that I’d like to point out about this, or any other Wi-Fi system. No matter where you move, you can take it with you. The same can’t be said for hard-wired systems.

Ring has a solid reputation in the DIY community, and according to the reviews provided by users, the investment is well worth the money. Please leave a comment below with any questions or insights you may have. We’d love to hear from you and we will answer all comments or questions. 🙂

If you’d like to check out all that Ring has to offer as a SmartHome product provider as well as the products and services offered by their closest competitors, click here!

Simplisafe Alarm System Reviews – DIY Home Protection

May 11, 2020August 16, 2020 Darrin 89 Comments

In the world of DIY projects, home security can be akin to learning an entirely new trade- just to set up your own system properly. However, Simplisafe alarm system reviews typically begin with how easy the system is to put into place without any installation experience.

Because this is so user-friendly and seemingly a breeze for the do-it-yourselfer, we’re going to dive into the systems available through Simplisafe.

Pick a Security Package

If you look at the packages available at the Simplisafe website, you’ll find that several different packages are meant to cater to certain style living quarters. All will vary in price and will vary in scope.

For example, you’ll not need enough components to fully protect a two-story home if you’re looking to protect a one-story apartment.

Build Your Own Alarm System

If you want to work from the ground up, you can pick and choose which components you’d like to incorporate into your home. This can be more or less expensive, all depending on your needs and how many components you wind up acquiring.

Features Included in the Simplisafe Alarm System

When you dig into the capabilities of the alarm system, you’ll find that the technology included go beyond break-ins. Sleek in appearance, smaller in size, and less intrusive, the components don’t stick out from the rest of your home’s décor.

Here are some of the features you can expect from the Simplisafe alarm system:

Smart Intruder Recognition

The brains behind this alarm system are able to discern between a broken plate, and a broken window; a person entering a space, or an animal like a dog or cat walking through a zone.

This technology prevents false alarms and unnecessary alerts to the professionals at Simplisafe as well as your personal devices.

Not Just a Burglar Alarm

The base station is able to detect fires, smoke, storm damage (such as leaks), and warns you if your pipes are at risk of freezing. Whatever is detected, the proper authorities will be contacted.

If it’s a break-in, the police will be notified, if it’s a fire, the fire department will be called.

Wi-Fi Connections

All components are connected via Wi-Fi, so there are no wires to have to worry about. For the people who are interested in DIY, this is a huge timesaver and avoids having to mess with holes in the walls, or doing more work than you originally anticipated

Signal Burst Technology

Signal burst technology is utilized by Simplisafe to extend the battery life of the components at play while extending the reach of their signals. This is meant to relieve you of having to switch out your batteries over and over again. According to Simplisafe, this technology makes it so you seldom need to change the batteries out.

Alerts

The days of the police showing up at your home because your kids came home before you did are over. Well, at least they are with this system.

The alerts are one of the best and most convenient features incorporated into their systems. You’re alerted personally through whatever device you linked to the system- a tablet or cellphone would be the most common (if not both).

While you’re away, you’re alerted of any findings through your security system. If someone left a window open, you’d be alerted to it if it’s while you’ve turned on your system. You’ll also be told which window!

If there’s any activity detected at all, be it pre-planned like a visitor showing up and turning off the alarm, a fire, or any unusual activity, it will be sent to your device. Also, you can observe what’s going on at home from the palm of your hand, through the lens of the security camera (the Simplicam).

All these options make for instant access into what’s going on inside of your home. You can also arm or disarm your system via phone, making it more convenient if you’re expecting company while you’re out, or if it’s time for the kids to get home from school.

Simplisafe Alarm System Reviews Across the Web

Every outlet that provides feedback on purchases has positive reviews for Simplisafe and their various security products. Google Store has them at 5 stars with nearly 40,000 reviews, and Amazon has them at 4.5 stars with over 8,000 reviews.

If you check out the reviews themselves, you’ll find that the only real complaint is the camera itself. Some people aren’t satisfied with the quality of the image.

The camera costs $99.00 by itself and is by no means a high-ticket item in the world of cameras. But from what I’ve seen, it’s image quality and capabilities, are better than what you’d expect for the price as compared to items in the same price range.

Monitoring Services

There are two different services available as it relates to monitoring your system.

Standard Professional Monitoring- $.50 per day
Interactive Professional Monitoring- $.83 per day

Check out their plan page for descriptions and differences between these two packages.

Conclusion

Well, is the Simplisafe System worth what you’re paying for? Yes, it is. 24/7 monitoring availability and all of the components, do work out to be cheaper than other systems by different brands. The multi-layered levels of security provide peace of mind that extends beyond your windows and doors.

And it can’t be underscored enough; the ease by which this can be installed is a feature all on its own. Just plug in the base, and place the components where you want them- it’s that simple.

Some DIY projects are beneficial or fun. But when it comes to a security system, you’ll be far better off taking the wireless route, and going with a system such as the focus of this page.

The costs saved by doing it yourself versus hiring professionals to come in and install it for you will save you a boatload of cash. Also, knowing that it’s Wi-Fi, you can modify your set-up at any time if you feel compelled to do so.

Once a hardwired system is in place, it’s there forever, and you’ll be leaving it behind when you move on to another home. Such is not the case with this comprehensive wireless system.

If you have any comments or input on SimpliSafe or any other related subject, we’d love to hear from you. Just drop a note below and we will respond to you.

Surfshark VPN Download – The Best Value!

April 27, 2020August 16, 2020 Darrin 44 Comments

Your Surfshark VPN download is available here. The download is free, and the service is top quality. If you’ve decided to try Surfshark, you’ve definitely made a great decision! There are several VPN services available that pass our tests of reliability, functionality, affordability, and overall value, but Surfshark stands out at the moment due to their top-level technology, highly rated customer service, ease-of-use, and a 24-month plan with which none of the others can compete.

Get the Best Pricing While It Lasts!!

To my knowledge, Surfshark currently has the best pricing. If there are any VPN providers that have a better price at the moment, I’m not aware of them, and that’s probably because they have an inferior product to the mainstream VPN products and aren’t a real contender within the market. Now, when I say the best pricing, I’m certainly not referring to any of the free VPN services. In those cases, you definitely get what you pay for. The free ones are not worth the money you DON’T pay for them except for maybe ProtonVPN,

but with Surfshark, it’s a different story!

You get more than you pay for! Well, that’s definitely the case with the 24-month plan. Both their monthly plan and 12-month plan are competitive and slightly below the average cost for top VPN services, while their 24-month deal is currently unbeatable. This special pricing will not be around for long, in my opinion. So, if you want to get the Surfshark VPN download now while this great deal is still available, you can click on the Surfshark logo below to go download it.

What Makes Surfshark So Great!?

Let’s take a quick look at the highlights and features that make Surfshark a winner among VPN services and one that’s growing at a startling rate:

Strict no-logs policy (they are based in the British Virgin Islands where there are no laws mandating the retention of logs regarding your surfing activity, the websites you visit, or the searches you perform. None of your online activity is logged!)
Unlimited simultaneous connections (The only top contender that offers this feature)
Unlocks Netflix (Some territories block Netflix, but you can get around this if you have Surfshark)
A website-unblocking Smart DNS system in working with games consoles, TVs and other gear
Supports P2P and torrenting
More than 1000 servers/160 locations/60+ countries
CleanWeb Tool for URL and ad blocking
Allows 2 servers for one hop for added security
Zero-knowledge DNS servers
Two-factor authentication
Split Tunneling using their Whitelister tool (Allows you to access specific websites- such as your bank, or a network at your employer- outside your VPN connection while leaving all of your other traffic protected)
AES 256-bit network traffic encryption
OpenVPN and IKEv2 security protocols are in place to ensure their service runs efficiently
Kill Switch (The option to automatically cease your internet connection if the VPN drops out- this is to keep you safe when your VPN loses connection, which isn’t often, but does happen with all Internet connections and it’s an added security feature to keep you offline until the security is back in place)
Extremely fast (users who have used different VPNs say that Surfshark is amazingly fast)
Optimized for video streaming
Unbeatable price
30-day money-back guarantee
24/ support and live chat

What Is a VPN Supposed to Do For Me?

The purpose of a VPN is to protect your privacy online. A VPN should provide subscribers with anonymity and security from cyber attacks and hackers attempting to steal personal information. A VPN should hide your IP address while masking it with one of the many IP addresses on one of their servers so that those prying eyes online won’t be able to access your computer or identify who or where you are. These are essential for a VPN to truly be a VPN. Certainly, all the services that we would rank as worthy products/services will include all of these features. However, the best services offer many other features. Each of the top VPNs offer added value services that differ from one to another, but Surfshark not only offers top of the line protection and anonymity, but they have almost all the bells and whistles from the top services combined into one product. And best of all, they offer this product and service at the lowest price for a top-level provider.

Ready to Download Surfshark or Visit Their Website?

If you are ready for the Surfshark VPN download or would like to visit the Surfshark website, click here. If you have questions about the Surfshark VPN, or if you have input or insight, or even a review of your own, please leave it below. I’d love to hear from you!

What Is the Best VPN Software?

April 18, 2020August 16, 2020 Darrin 10 Comments

If you’re searching for the best VPN software and apps, you’re probably looking for a lot of things, like the ease of use, a no-logs policy, reliability, speed, the ability to access certain programming from Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, Disney, and some BBC channels, and you may be looking for other functions like the ability to have control over certain features.

Without question, every VPN should offer the obvious: online security and anonymity!

But as the VPN industry has grown in size, knowledge, and technology, other features have been requested or developed to make your online experience safer and easier and now to help you access websites and programming that may have been blocked due to your geographic location. Manually changing where your IP address is shown to be originating, that access is opened up to basically anywhere with the touch of a button through a VPN.

After trying several top VPNs, researching those that consistently rank highest, and speaking directly to users of those VPNs, one product keeps rising to the surface as an overall winner to answer the question, What is the best VPN software? PureVPN is according to them, and maybe they are right…..? But if you want to check out other highly rated VPNs, go to this review we have of the top VPNs in existence.

Now, don’t misunderstand what I’m alluding to here, the company that has the best service and most options to offer changes on a regular basis as competition is hard at work in this growing industry. This is a competitive field and it becomes more so as time goes on and as the demand for such services increases

===> You can check out this other post we have to see thorough reviews on other VPN services <===

…..and I wouldn’t wait to get myself secure with my personal and/or family’s online activities!

But what we are looking at here is the current rating of the overall functionality of the software and apps with PureVPN. How reliable is their service known to be? You would unlikely be disappointed with this product as it will most likely cover all the bases of what you’re looking to do with a VPN, and with one of the most reliable VPN services that exist. In fact,

History

PureVPN was one of the first to exist and they have stood the test of time. Meanwhile, keep in mind that any product that gets reviewed online (which they basically all do now) is going to have positive and negative aspects referenced with different reviewers. The few products that keep bouncing around on the top 5 lists of various reviewers are typically the reliable ones written by honest people and organizations.

After poring through countless reviews and reports, trying different products personally, speaking to as many end-users as possible, and compiling the data, the following overall summary will hopefully help you to be confident as you purchase PureVPN if you should choose to do so.

The Good, The Bad, and The Crazy!

Sometimes a single review can have more info than most of us are willing to read. Since I’m sure you aren’t here to read through the lengthy details of twenty different reviews and you just want the bottom line, this report will be simple and to the point so as to give you an end result of what is the best VPN software.

The Good

Great Price!!
No-logs policy
One of the first in the VPN industry (they’ve been around a while)
Built-in ad blocker
A great choice for those in China (it bypasses the China Firewall)
31-day refund policy
Accepts Bitcoin which can add another layer of anonymity
Apps available for all devices (including smart TVs and gaming consoles)
Supports up to 5 simultaneous devices
256-bit encryption and Leak Protection
Kill switch (and why don’t they all have this….? hmmm)
Split tunneling
Great customer service (with a few exceptions)
Very easy to use app
Great for streaming and unblocking geo-restricted content
300,000 IPs and 200n servers in over 140 countries
Based in Hong Kong which makes it a great choice for China
P2P enabled for torrents and files
24-hour live chat support
70% off with the 2-year plan
The first to implement GDPR

The Bad

One reviewer said the app has been known to cause some devices to be sluggish
No free trial, although there is an almost free 3-day trial
Had kept logs at one time which bothers some people
Some have reported slower speeds; although those issues may be resolved, it’s something to keep in mind

The Crazy

Here is the “crazy”! PureVPN has been accused of willingly giving up info to authorities after claiming to not keep online records. But here are a few things to keep in mind; Although I understand PureVPN has always claimed to be a no-logs service, meaning they keep no record of your online activity at all, there are stories of a criminal investigation regarding a cyberstalker in 2016 where they turned over some records to authorities.

First, it is one thing to not “keep” or “register” logs….

…..and quite another to take the safeguards that assure no tracks exist anywhere within their complex system!

I don’t know if that’s the case, but I do know that they aggressively pursued an arrangement with an industry-leading Independent Auditor that now reviews PureVPNs servers to be certain there are no tracks left behind. Hong Kong, where PureVPN is based, is not part of the 5/9/14 jurisdiction, which is a coalition of countries that have made it illegal for a VPN to not keep online activity records. So, if they weren’t deliberately keeping records but a warrant was issued to search their equipment, they would still have to allow the authorities to conduct the search as laid out in the warrant

…..even though there was no requirement for them to keep records of users’ online activity….

If nothing was there, cool, but if the authorities found some tracks/evidence that would help their prosecution of a defendant, they could use that info. Seems like that is what happened. But it appears that PureVPN took the determined and definitive steps to make sure nothing like that could ever happen again.

Truth is, unless we learn of authorities seizing info from other VPNs, we really don’t know which ones really keep no logs at all and which ones just have a “no logs” policy but don’t go the extra mile to ensure the info isn’t hidden, lurking somewhere on their servers. PureVPN has taken that step by hiring an Independent Auditor to ensure they remain a trusted leader in the VPN market.

The “no free trial” thing doesn’t bother me so much as I realize with a company that’s been around this long without any refund policy issues, if I don’t like it, I can get a refund within 31 days and it would’ve still been a free trial, right?

The Conclusion (The second conclusion like a preacher I guess, because my first one was “The Crazy” above)

In supplying the good and the bad above, there was much more I could have added to the good list. The bad list could’ve realistically been smaller, but I am striving to pore through any negatives I see and be as honest about products and services as is possible. Therefore, even if only one out of 30 reviews mentioned a particular negative aspect, I wanted to give it to you. Such as the app is sluggish.

Well, this entire article is written based on the question of “What is the best VPN software?” The reliability of the software, app, and service are the elements I was mostly looking for in order to provide you with as accurate info as I could find. I didn’t see repeated accounts from clients, reviewing agencies, or from my own experience of slower download speeds or their app being sluggish. Perhaps this was with older devices. All things considered, you won’t be disappointed with the reliability and functionality of PureVPN. Click on one of the links or banners to take a closer look at PureVPN’s low-cost offers.

The Best Driveway Alarm – Guardline!

April 8, 2020August 16, 2020 Darrin 6 Comments

The Guardline Security Driveway Alarm is probably the best driveway alarm available. You may be wondering what exactly is a driveway alarm. It’s actually a sensor that detects motion and heat with the use of Passive Infrared Technology which ensures there will not be false readings from dead leaves or other organic materials. Their sensors have a reach of up to 1/4 mile! Of course, driveway alarms are somewhat notorious for occasional false alerts, but Guardline has honed in on features and designs that have all but eradicated this problem. Guardline has engineered their product(s) with adjustable settings that provide a homeowner or landowner with the ability to adjust the sensors to their particular situation and location. Their sensors are top-of-the-line products that have been designed and perfected for almost 20 years.

Guardline is an American company that has been dedicated to testing and refining property line sensors (and they are not just for property lines btw; we’ll get to that in a bit), and the constant rave reviews by customers should set a homeowner at ease. Because of this focus for nearly two decades, they have developed a product to detect motion anywhere on your property with accuracy and dependability, exceeding the performance of their competition. And their industry-leading 2-year warranty points to their confidence in their product and in that fact that you’ll be completely satisfied. This is why Guardline is considered the best driveway alarm.

Easy Installation and World-Class Customer Service

Guardline’s systems are completely DIY because they are extremely simple to install. However, that doesn’t mean they leave you after the sale to figure it all out on your own. Their customer support has a wonderful reputation within the security industry for helping customers all along the way, before AND after the sale. So, you aren’t left alone to figure everything out on your own after the sale. With a commitment to stand with you every step of the way, you won’t have to talk to a bunch of recorders and go through 40 menus to get a real person. In addition to this phone-based support, they also offer live chat support and video tutorials that are easy to follow.

Although the original intent of their products was to secure the perimeter of a property line or the entrance to a driveway, the affordability and functionality of their sensors has led to their use in patios, garages, porches, and just about anywhere on your property where you’d want to be alerted when someone crossed the invisible line.

A Little Bit About Their Products

Here’s where it starts getting even better. There is no need for WiFi, no contracts to worry about, no monthly fees, no concerns about anyone hacking into these products, and the motion detector/alarm is completely wireless. The sensors come with a receiver that will accommodate up to 16 sensors each. When an automobile, a person, or even a large animal crosses within 40 feet of where you have positioned a sensor, a signal is sent to the receiver that can be placed wherever is convenient for you. There are over 30 notification sounds that you can choose from, and if you have multiple motion detectors, you can apply a different notification sound to each sensor. These receivers are very compact and can be carried around with you if you’d like, or you can purchase extra receivers to place in convenient places around your home, garage, barn, etc… But most people seem to be content with one.

There are only two different systems from Guardline, which is all that’s needed. One product will transmit up to 500 feet from the sensor to the receiver, and the other, up to a quarter of a mile. That’s pretty good, wouldn’t you say? Those with smaller yards or who use the sensors on a porch or somewhere closer to the house, typically purchase the one with a 500-foot transmission to the receiver. So, here are the two products:

Guardline Wireless Driveway Alarm

The original Guardline Wireless Driveway Alarm with the transmitter sells for around $100.00, and it transmits up to 500 feet from the sensor/motion detector to the receiver(s). All of these sensors have been tested and proven in real-world situations to make sure they work as stated in the advertisements. And all things being honest and fair, the wireless range could be diminished by thick walls, metal siding, extra tall hills, and thick tree growth. However, this isn’t common. These products are, obviously, weather-resistant since they are primarily for outdoors. However, more and more people are purchasing these units for garages, inside barns, and even for the inside of their homes. And remember, additional sensors can be purchased for around $60.00, and the receiver can handle up to 16 detectors.

Guardline 1/4 Mile Range Wireless Driveway Alarm

This product is primarily for those homeowners who have a larger yard or perhaps lots of acreage. Say for instance you have a long driveway, and you can’t see the entryway from the highway because of other buildings, or trees, or if the driveway curves, or any other number of reasons. If you want to know long before someone comes near your home or barn, such as a visitor or delivery person, or in rare instances, someone with nefarious intentions, consider this product. This package which includes the quarter-mile sensor and receiver is durable and weatherproof, just like the 500-foot range original model above. In fact, other than the range each will transmit and the color difference which distinguishes them from each other, they are virtually the same.

All things considered

The Guardline Security Driveway Alarm is the best driveway alarm all things considered, in my opinion. There are other products out there that are good, some with nice features, and there are others that sound good at first or that boast features that seem impressive, but customer reviews say it all. Guardline’s reputation with its client base is impeccable. In fact, a customer is considered a client, not just a customer. A client is someone with whom a business entity has established or hopes to establish a long-term relationship. Guardline is in this for the long haul and desires to build trust with all clients. That’s why they deliver what they promise and are available long after the sale to help you with installation or any other issues you may have. If you are in the market for this kind of product, or if you were not but are now interested, Guardline’s Driveway alarm systems are hard to beat and their warranties and excellent customer service definitely set them apart!

Click here to check out Guardline’s website

What is the Best Doorbell Security Camera?

April 7, 2020August 16, 2020 Darrin Leave a comment

AUNEX Video Doorbell WiFi Doorbell Camera PIR Motion Detection Cloud Storage 720P HD Wireless Doorbell Home Security with Two-Way Talk & Video Night Vision Support Android and iOS(Silver)

Probably more than any other question, people ask me about the doorbell cameras that are currently on the market. What’s the best camera? Which one has the best video resolution? Do they all have two-way audio? Although the toilet paper craze has exceeded any other modern, illogical public insanity I can remember, doorbell cameras have been the craze since the first notable doorbell camera came onto the market. However, it makes sense! People want to know their orders from Amazon, Wayfair, Target or any other suppliers, are safely resting on their porch awaiting their return home. And who doesn’t order from these suppliers these days? We all do for the most part, and we want our stuff to still be there when we get home. So, what IS the best doorbell security camera? In this article I only refer to one. There’s no need to elaborate on all of the options on the market, but I’ll focus briefly on the top ones. Other than the ones mentioned here, several other manufacturers offer doorbell cameras, but they aren’t better than these, in my opinion. You’ll also notice the price disparity with some of the doorbell cameras even when the functionality and quality are on par.

The Aunex Video Doorbell with all of its functionality, features, ease-of-use, and modern sleek design make it a formidable competitor to contend with for the other, more pricey doorbell cams. With a 166 degree field of view (which provides wider angles and less dead zones compared to most doorbell cameras), 720 HD video, and smart night vision, there is nothing to say but “where can I get this product?” No doubt the price will increase once people begin to realize the value of such a quality doorbell camera. We all know how the supply and demand thing works, and it’s logical that the prices will increase once the name recognition hits a certain level. So, now is the time to invest in this product and this company in general. Apparently, they are here for the long haul.

Once you use this product you’ll see how easy it is to navigate through the notifications and alerts. Installation is as simple as it gets. You can also zoom in and out while talking to anyone on your front porch (or where ever you have this camera), and they will assume you are in the house, even if you are in the Bahamas. It’s wireless and has WiFi as well as cloud storage. (This product just gets sweeter and sweeter!!)

So, in answer to the question, “what is the best doorbell security camera?”, I’ve chosen to not overload you with the multiple options you see on other sites. It seemed logical with a product that offers more than Ring or other companies, with a quality, durable product, to not waste your time on a thousand senseless comparisons. If you want more bang for your buck, this is the doorbell camera you are looking for. With motion detection, mobile phone notification, and real-time video and audio from your doorbell camera to your mobile device, and at about half the price of competitors, there isn’t much room for debate.

So, what is the best doorbell security camera? All things considered, it’s the Aunex Video Doorbell! The best price is currently on Amazon.com. Even Amazon rates this doorbell camera at the top of their list. Order today before the secret gets out!!

The Best Security Cameras for Home

March 29, 2020September 2, 2020 Darrin Leave a comment

Everyone’s asking me about home security cameras. In light of where we are today with the questions regarding Covid-19 and the many fears of the unknown as we enter uncharted waters, I keep being asked, “what are the best security cameras for home?” It seems a lot of you are interested in battery-powered security cameras, wireless security cameras, or both.

Be mindful that there are a number of features that vary from camera to camera. Some are wired and connect physically to a hub or monitoring station. Others are wireless in both the sense that they need no electrical wiring run to them to make them function, and they are connected to your in-house WiFi system. Some offer a backup in case of a power outage. Power outages aren’t that common in most areas, most of the time, so, this is usually a non-issue. But right now the out-of-the-ordinary things that are to potentially transpire are unknown. What if there are black-outs or brown-outs due to this unprecedented Coronavirus pandemic? It may be more than just a possibility. Since our homes are suddenly vulnerable during these outages due to the fact that most of the affordable security camera systems aren’t set up to operate without power, consumers are frantically searching for that security camera that is not only battery-powered, but that has the ability to continue recording even when the WiFi (power) is out.

Below you will find what seems to be a few trending products that meet the needs and demands currently being realized within the home security systems industry. Hotly sought at the moment: cameras that are battery powered, have continual disc recording for up to two weeks, good quality picture (ppi) and an affordable price. Now, hang tight as we look at the best security cameras for home.

Arlo Pro 3

This is my personal favorite! All things considered, the Arlo Pro 3 has it going on. The Arlo Pro 2, the predecessor to this camera, was great, but the Arlo Pro 3 boasts many improvements and upgrades. The higher quality 2K image resolution provides a clear picture even in very dark or bright areas. The night vision feature offers infrared or full-color video, and the field of view is 160 degrees! With an integrated spotlight, two-way audio that incorporates noise cancellation (to provide superb sound clarity), and a siren, Arlo is proving to be serious about engineering home security products, using the best technology available.

This is a true indoor/outdoor, wire-free camera that is easy to install. In fact, installation is as simple as mounting a strong magnetic plate anywhere you want to which the camera connects (magnetically, of course). This makes the Arlo Pro 3 a great camera to place in areas that need surveillance, but where wiring would be an issue. And the magnetic charging system with this product offers a 6-month battery life between charges. And for recording purposes, this camera has a USB 2.0 port which potentially allows saving up to 2TB of video on your device. Some may prefer the simplicity of a MicroSD slot, but the USB port is another option for those who may want to keep an eye on things when the power is out.

The one drawback that I see to this camera is the fact that the Arlo Pro 3 would need to be purchased with the SmartHub, and two cameras would be the minimum to run the system. This product is currently sold online with 2 cameras and the required SmartHub for under $500.00, which is a great price for a product of this quality. And you can purchase single, additional cameras without having to purchase additional hubs. The current international stay-at-home situation could be having an effect on the pricing and availability of home security equipment as well as so many other things. So, don’t be surprised if certain highly rated products like this camera is out of stock.

Overall, this is a great camera! I’d buy this system for my home. The specs are really great!

Ring Stick-up Cam

At only $100.00, this camera is hard to pass up for those on a tight budget (and I think we all are at the moment). This is Amazon’s new version of the Ring Stick Up Cam Battery. It’s called this because they have another version that runs on solar instead of a battery. It’s worth checking out as well.

This is an indoor/outdoor camera that will record great inside, but it excels when recording outside. It can be mounted in a variety of places and has a 130-degree field of view. The video resolution is 1080p and it has a decent night vision feature. You can record video footage from almost anywhere with this product

The Ring app makes it possible to view live video on your mobile device or save the video. With the app, you can also check the life of the battery or adjust the sensitivity of the motion sensors. With the Ring app, you can adjust the sensitivity of the motion sensor, see where the battery life is at any moment, save video or view it live.

Recently, Ring received criticism for what appeared to be a security breach as nefarious actors hacked into certain individuals’ Ring cameras. Of course, this is possible when dealing with gear that uses WiFi or the Internet. We don’t know if other companies have faced the same thing since not all such activity is either detected or reported. But as a result of the publicity this breach received, Ring, as well as every other reputable manufacturer of home security products, has taken more serious steps to prevent hackers from succeeding in their efforts.

This camera also communicates with Alexa. You can activate features simply by communicating with Alexa. This is an awesome choice for anyone, especially if a strict budget is limiting you.

Blink XT2

Like the Ring Stick-Up Cam, the Blink XT2 is only around $100! It has an amazing two-year battery life using two AA Lithium batteries and is perfect for indoor or outdoor use.

This camera is also wireless. It runs on the batteries previously mentioned and syncs with your WiFi to make it easy to place anywhere. And the installation is simple. Pull this puppy out the box, turn it on, sync it with your mobile device and you’re rolling! Two minutes later and this camera will be in the place of your choosing, protecting what you love.

The Blink XT2 home security camera will stream high-quality 1080p video, and it has a built-in motion detector that will start recording a clip of the event immediately and will simultaneously send you an alert. You also have the option of customizing your own motion zones. Cloud storage is also free with this camera, there are no contracts or monthly fees. You may only want one camera, or maybe you want more. With the Blink XT2, you can have up to 10 cameras with one Blink Sync Module. You can even purchase a 3-camera package for a better deal overall. Check it out here: Blink XT2 Three-Pack with module.

Ring Spotlight Cam

I don’t normally “save the best for last”, and in this case, I wasn’t planning to, but after piecing together all of my ideas on this product compared to the others, perhaps this is my favorite! And it comes in either black or white.

This is a motion-activated home security camera with LED spotlights. You can even adjust the motion sensors to get the ideal setting for your family or situation. When anyone sets off your motion sensors, you get an alert on your mobile devices, laptop, or computer. Once you see the alert that is sent immediately, you can immediately respond via an audio mic and speaker system. It allows you to ward off intruders or acknowledge those that are rightfully there. Either way, it becomes obvious to anyone approaching your home that they cannot approach unnoticed.

This package comes with a 110-decibel siren that you can activate whenever you suspect questionable activities around your home, or if you see someone attempting to violate you and your family. This is an indoor/outdoor camera and it is available as a hardwired device or a completely wireless battery-operated camera. The best security cameras for home offer options that meet the needs of most Americans at this time. This camera will blaze a spotlight on the area where potential intruders or anyone with nefarious intentions may be lurking on your property.

The field of view for this baby is 140 degrees which is a little above average. The camera comes in black or white, depending on your fashion preferences, and the features we haven’t covered here are extensive. This is a great product.

I would say this one should be first, but they are all simply different, and I hope this post has helped you decide, as far as the best security cameras for home, which option is best for you. But do stay tuned! I have some other products you may not be aware of, that you will probably like.

Four Great Security Cameras for Home

Hopefully, you’ve gleaned something from this post. Not every product works for every home. Here I’ve attempted to list the best quality products based on the questions I’m being asked continually at the moment. Of course, the interests of the consumers that contact me vary from season to season and national or local event to national or local event. But right now, people are thinking deeper and about things that would normally be considered extreme. Right now, there is nothing that would seem extreme. We don’t know if the power will go out for conservation purposes, or if we will be able to keep out intruders as the level rises during this time of uncertainty. Let’s be prepared! If you are able, reinforce your family’s security with a system that will offer the best solutions for your unique situation. Your family is worth it!!

Top Home Security Systems – Strengths and Weaknesses

February 27, 2020July 23, 2020 Darrin 9 Comments

Seems like everyone I know has been through the mind-boggling search online for some form of home security system. The top home security systems vary in price and package offerings as some newcomers to the market are offering significant savings while maintaining quality, or often, raising the bar on durability and features. Of course, no one wants to pay more than they have to, but the struggle is often in determining what is simply inexpensive and what is downright cheap. And when it comes to selecting home security systems, this isn’t a place to sacrifice quality.

So, let’s take a look at three of the best home security systems! In this search for the best system, that determination may vary for any particular individual or family and what new offerings may come out as competition within this market heats up; but our overall criteria will be quality, great customer reviews, bundle and package offerings, and affordability. In fact, we won’t even rate them in any particular order since one may be better than another for you, while your neighbors will fare better with another one of these systems. All of these are great products and each offers functionality differing from the others. Again, your specific needs will dictate which system you place at the top of your list. Our goal is to help you determine which one ranks in that top position that’s right for you.

Protect America

We start with Protect America, which seems to not be as HUGE of a name as EDT, Ring, Simply Safe and a few others. Although they are offering zero upfront fees, you will likely be locked into a contract that will keep you at their mercy. However, their equipment is reportedly well made and reliable and if upfront cash is a problem, this could be a great option.

On a better note, Protect America offers top of the line security features that help protect you and your family. Although you may have a commitment that sort of ties you down, most other companies have higher monthly fees for the monthly service. Protect America offers an introductory offer with its Copper plan, which starts at only $19.99/mo. They also design customized security systems for your home. This means you only receive the services you need to best protect your family and belongings Protecting My Home while avoiding the costs of superfluous items you don’t really need. You will also have convenient access and control wherever you go via remote access and home automation technology. Protect America is a great contender as the right system for your home security needs, and they are one of the top home security systems on the market today. Here are a few highlights to keep in mind:

Five different packages ranging from $19.99 to $41.99
Smaller upfront investment if upfront cash is a problem (Homeowners are locked into a 3-year contract to pay for equipment and services)
Three different monitoring choices depending on a customer’s particular needs
Industry-leading technology, including their Simon XT Touch Screen control pad
Smoke detectors and medical panic buttons
Wireless, high-speed internet or landline options
Great customer reviews

SimpliSafe

SimpliSafe has been around for over 12 years and boasts an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. Their systems and package offerings are quite different from those of Protect America. SimpliSafe systems are completely wireless, and there are no contracts at all. In fact, they offer a 60-day trial period which has earned them a bit of credibility. Their equipment is DIY and extremely simple to install (even a cavechild could do it!), however, they do offer professional installation for around $199.

For anyone on a budget and not wanting more monthly bills, SimpliSafe offers several low-cost introductory packages, and customers can easily purchase additional equipment a little at the time. With this model, a homeowner can decide which items are most needed for their home security needs, start there and add on as funds are available. There are no monthly fees unless a monitoring package is purchased, and all the equipment purchased is the property of the homeowner. If the homeowner moves, the equipment can be easily uninstalled and brought along to the new home.

Remote Home Security These systems are all DIY and are typically operated in a self-monitoring manner. Notifications are sent to homeowners’ mobile phones and computers so that monitoring is easy! For instance, if someone approaches the front door of a customer with a doorbell camera, there is an immediate notification sent out. The homeowner can even communicate with the person at the door with a built-in microphone and speaker. But do keep in mind, SimpliSafe offers two relatively inexpensive monitoring options: $14.99 (no mobile control), and $24.99 (with mobile control). In a nutshell SimpliSafe offers:

No contracts!
Completely wireless systems
Easy DIY installation
Self-monitoring or competitively-priced professional monitoring
Affordable equipment bundles starting at $99.00
Landline, broadband or high-speed internet options
Backup battery in case there are power outages
Excellent customer reviews

Click here to see SimpliSafe Smart Home Packages!

ADT

ADT has been around for more than a century. In fact, they’ve been around for over 140 years. In the late 1800s they created a telegraph-based “call box” that was connected to residences in the area where it was first developed. This was the first known residential security monitoring system. Now obviously, neither their primary function nor their expertise included “wireless” home security systems that long ago. That would have been an area more suited for Nikola Tesla! (I think) But for a company to have been around that long while focusing on one specific area of product and service, perhaps more than just a nod of respect is due. A closer look is warranted as we consider the best home security systems and what many consider the top home security systems based on reviews and customer feedback.

Their reviews are good, the longevity is to be admired, and the pricing seems competitive. The equipment is top-notch as would be expected with such an established company (or any company planning to become well established), and ADT offers equipment that is wired and some that is wireless. Their reviews on their installation are stellar! Their response time is quick and their customer service appears to be above the fray. However, name recognition and confidence with a company with such a long history can sometimes cause the pros to overshadow the cons. In this article we are looking at some of both (However, to get a complete overview of the products and services of any home security system provider, a careful look at each of their websites is recommended, provided you keep your focus on the offerings that interest you while not being distracted by the sales hype and pop-up ads and banners). With that in mind, now we will look at some weaker points that are rarely found in reviews of the best home security systems that seem to point out the same weaknesses with other providers while giving ADT a pass.

The Cons of ADT

For one thing, ADT doesn’t offer a do-it-yourself option. Installation is required with an up front fee (which is similar to other companies with professional installation). There is also a 3-year service contract that that is required to get the equipment, installation and monitoring service. This is what pays for the equipment. Free equipment isn’t free if a customer pays for it through higher monitoring fees with a 36-month obligation. And with professionally installed proprietary equipment (most of it hardwired), a homeowner is unlikely to change providers after the 3 years contract is finished. At that point, the higher than average fees are simply monitoring fees, and monitoring only isn’t very expensive to operate. Also, for their basic systems, a landline is required. Who has a landline anymore? I know some people do, and certainly businesses do, but landlines in the home became a thing of the past in the recent decade or so. And what if a homeowner gets a job offer that just can’t be passed up and decides to take the job and move unexpectedly? Well, your equipment will probably stay in the home you are leaving, which brings me to another point: you must be the homeowner to use ADT. You can’t be a tenant or some other family member. So, again, in a nutshell, here are a few highlights of ADT:

Great track record and a long time in the industry
State-of-the-art equipment
Professional installation
Touch screen control panels
Must have a landline for their basic packages
There is a 3-year contract
The equipment is essentially lease
Professional monitoring is mandatory

Three Great, Yet Different, Options!

Certainly, there are dozens of other options out there. There are home security companies that have unique bundles with special pricing. And almost every company offers special deals once in a while. That could definitely sway a buyer’s decision if a comparable product is offered by another home security company that is offering 75% off. But all things considered, when looking at which companies currently have the best overall product bundles, pricing, services and customer approval, the top home security systems emerge as listed above. Protect America, SimpliSafe and ADT are each unique in their offerings and pricing. The goal here was to lay out the three top home security companies that Weighing Out Home Security Options appeal to the different needs of homeowners. SimpliSafe is fairly clean-cut and straight forward with easy to understand pricing and other offers. Protect America is a little more confusing, but with a monthly monitoring service fee and equipment that is leased monthly (lower up-front costs), Protect America seems to be the clearest without a lot of confusing hidden costs. ADT may have superior hardware (and maybe not…?), more industry expertise (and maybe not…?), more package offerings (and maybe not…?) but their website is the most confusing, and the only way to get to any definitive pricing or to have typical home security system questions answered is to fill out a few pages of info online and they get back in touch with potential customers. It would seem that a larger residence or estate may be better off with ADT, while smaller and more average-size homes would do better with SimpliSafe or Protect America, depending on the needs of the homeowner as discussed above. Whatever you do, choose a top home security system, one that is affordable and reliable, and select the provider that best meets your needs.