I was recently doing some research on home security systems when I found myself on the Vivint Home Security website. More specifically, I was on the company’s HomeProtect page. Near the top of the page is a statement that reads, “Why choose an essential home security system?”
That got me thinking: what is essential to a security system? What is the bare minimum for a system that will do its job and be worth the money you pay for it? These are not easy questions, given how many home security brands are available. And above and beyond brands like Vivint, ADT, and SimpliSafe, you can find literally hundreds of third-party devices that are not part of any particular ecosystem.
For the record, Vivint’s entry-level HomeProtect system includes:
- 3 window sensors
- 1 door sensor
- 1 motion sensor
- 1 keypad
- 1 security hub
- The Vivint app
- Yard signs
Customers can choose the base package and build on it from there. They can also add monthly monitoring (with no contract) if they choose. It seems like enough to get started. But is it enough to be truly effective? If I were to buy a prepackaged system from a vendor like Vivint, here is what I would want:
1. Perimeter Sensors
Perimeter sensors are essentially window and door contact sensors. I would want one for most windows and every door on the first floor of my home. All accessible from the ground. So that would mean thirteen window sensors and two door sensors for me.
These sensors are important because first-floor windows and doors are among the most common entry points for burglars. Perimeter sensors are not only the first line of defense against unauthorized entry, but they are also the bread and butter of electronic home security.
2. Motion Sensor
Motion sensors are helpful in areas of the home where perimeter sensors make little sense. For example, I have two first-floor windows that are not easily accessible from the ground. Nonetheless, someone could enter by standing on top of a trash can or using a ladder. I can put a single motion sensor in the hallway outside this particular room and gain the same benefit. As a bonus, the sensor would pick up motion up and down the hallway rather than just in the room itself.
These same sensors can be utilized to trigger security lighting. They can be integrated with cameras and other devices to create an entire chain of actions in the event of a breach.
3. Security Cameras
Security cameras are next, and I am surprised that Vivint’s base system doesn’t include at least one. I would invest in a minimum of two. One would be installed outdoors and provide a clear view of the front door. It would hopefully steer criminals away from my home. The second would be in the house, just outside the master bedroom. It would be there to capture images and generate evidence in the event someone broke in.
4. Control Hub
Last but not least is the control hub. It is the brain of the entire operation. A hub ties together every device in the system, allowing each one to work seamlessly with all the others. Without a hub, you are left trying to control your devices with individual apps.
I am on the fence about whether professional monitoring is necessary to have an effective security system. It certainly helps, and I would not mind paying for it, given the benefits it offers. But I could also see my way clear to DIY monitoring if my budget demanded it.