SimpliSafe has a hell of a track record. It won the Editors’ Choice Award here on CNET back in 2014, after exploding onto the still-burgeoning DIY home security scene. Then in 2018, when the third-gen system launched, it impressed again — and it’s remained our top DIY home security pick for the three years since.
SimpliSafe’s packages start at $229, technically speaking, but you can almost always find them at steep discounts on the site. At the time of writing, for instance, the basic package only costs $160 and the most generous one (which includes 13 sensors and accessories alongside the base station) costs $342. I’ll do a more thorough breakdown of the prices compared to competitors later in the review, but suffice it to say, it’s a solid deal.
It’s just as capable as before, too. The system works reliably, the devices on offer cover everything you’d need (including a brand new outdoor camera, as of August 2021) and you can bag 24/7 professional monitoring alongside your local alarm for $15 per month.
In short, SimpliSafe is still king — though it needs to keep watching the throne.