The best home alarm systems to keep your mind at ease

Best self-monitored home security system 2021: As our top pick, the Yale IA-320 smart home security alarm system is comprised of six pieces (smart hub, keypad, contact sensor, external siren, and two motion detectors) but can be expanded to accommodate up to 40 accessories. It's compatible with Alexa and Google Home, and has a range of 200 metres meaning that you can protect all areas in and around your home with ease, and you'll also get live updates straight to your phone when any movement is detected.

Best simple home alarm system: For a home security system that is economical, simple to install, doesn't come with contract fees or too many confusing bells and whistles and will work straight out of the box, the Tiiwee X3 home alarm system is ideal. The kit comes with three door or window alarm sirens that are loud and designed to deter intruders, and one main control for activating and deactivating them.

Best weatherproof home alarm system: If you already have an alarm system and want cameras to add to the mix for extra safety and peace of mind, the Blink Outdoor security camera system comes highly recommended. This four-camera kit — a number one bestselling product in the bullet cameras department on Amazon — is wireless, totally weather-resistant (meaning you don't have to worry about rain or storms affecting the efficiency of your home security), and it has infrared night vision so you can clearly see what's happening around your house, no matter the time or weather.

Best smart home security system: The hugely popular and highly-rated Ring Alarm system will notify you on the smart device of your choosing (or all of them) if someone has entered a room, opened a window or door via the free Ring app. It comes with everything you need to start protecting your home immediately; four door and window sensors, three motion sensors, an operating keypad, and a range extender which is great for larger homes. It can also be paired with the bestselling Ring doorbell.

Best home alarm systems for small homes: You can't really beat the Thurstar security system when it comes to value for money. Ideal for smaller homes, this kit comes with a base station, window and door sensors, contact sensors, and remote controls. You can also control it via the Smart Life app and your voice control assistants. "I am really impressed," reads one five-star review for this kit. "It really does work well. I bought two sets as they are well priced and did a whole house."

Best pet-friendly home alarm system: Motion sensor alarms are a great idea in theory, but if you've got four-legged friends running around when you're not home, you could find yourself in a spot of a bother. Enter the JC wireless and pet-friendly home security system with pet immunity. "It works perfectly if you place it correctly," wrote one cat owner. "It always triggers for people and never my cats, even if I try to trick it by walking on all fours!"

Best contact sensor home security system: Another extremely reasonably priced home alarm system is this wireless smart version from ASGHome that comes with five contact sensors for windows and doors, two remote controls and the alarm siren. You can get a ping to your phone whenever a window or door is opened, and you'll also be immediately informed if the alarm goes off while you're away from home. One happy customer explained, "The alarm is loud and is very responsive, the siren activates immediately when a window/door is opened, followed by a notification on my phone from the app."

Best cheap home alarm system: The KERUI wireless home alarm system is the perfect example that efficient home security doesn't need to be complex or expensive. This Amazon's Choice kit comprises of three contact sensors, two motion detectors, two wireless remote-control alarm-activating key fobs, and one super-loud horn alarm. If you want to up your security later on, this kit can support up to 30 wireless detectors so you can always add more down the line.

Best home alarm systems with easy installation: This five-piece home security set from Eufy can be set up within just a few minutes. The installation comprises of simply fixing the keypad and motion detectors to their mounts, snapping them into place, downloading the monitoring app and you're good to go. "Brilliant system. Easy to install. Does everything I need it to do," wrote one customer, and another added, "The system is incredibly easy to set up; pairing sensors is a breeze and new sensors are reasonably priced."

Best home alarm system with dummy siren: It's common knowledge that a burglar is less likely to break into a property that is noticeably alarmed, and the two large alarm sirens that come with this Honeywell home security kit have bright red flashing LED lights that are visible when someone approaches the house. One buyer described these dummy sirens as "formidable" and another wrote that it "makes a good noise [and has] some great features like anti-tamper on the control unit and outside box."