The Best Robot Vacuums for 2022
Want to keep your floors clean without lifting a finger? Robot vacuums are more capable and affordable than ever, and we’ve tested all the top models to help you choose the right one to help lighten your home maintenance load.
I’m PCMag’s executive editor of reviews, steering our coverage to make sure we’re testing the products you’re interested in buying and telling you whether they’re worth it. I’ve been here for more than 10 years. I previously managed the consumer electronics reviews team, and before that I covered mobile, smart home, and wearable technology for PCMag and Gigaom.
I’m PCMag’s expert on fitness and smart home technology, and I’ve written more than 6,000 articles and reviews in the 10-plus years I’ve been here. I unbox, set up, test, and review a wide range of consumer tech products from my home in Florida, often with the help of my pitbull Bradley. I’m also a yoga instructor, and have been actively teaching group and private classes for nearly a decade.
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OUR TOP TESTED PRODUCTS
Ecovacs Deebot X1 Omni
iRobot Roomba j7+
Shark IQ Robot Self-Empty XL RV1001AE
Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra
Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo T8 AIVI
Roborock S7+
Eufy RoboVac G30
iLife A9 Robot Vacuum Cleaner
iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO
Wyze Robot Vacuum
The Best Robot Vacuum Deals This Week*
- Roborock S7 MaxV Robot Vacuum and Sonic Mop (Opens in a new window) — $639.99(List Price $859.99)
- iRobot Roomba j7+ (7550) Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum (Opens in a new window) — $599.00(List Price $799.99)
- Ecovacs Deebot X1 Omni 5000Pa Robot Vacuum (Opens in a new window) — $999.99(List Price $1,549.99)
- iRobot Roomba i3 Evo Wi-Fi Robot Vacuum (Opens in a new window) — $229.00(List Price $349.99)
- iRobot Roomba 692 Robot Vacuum (Opens in a new window) — $174.00(List Price $299.99)
*Deals are selected by our commerce team
Vacuums have come a long way. You no longer have to suffer the indignity of dragging around an unwieldy plastic hose connected to a clumsy, wheeled canister the size of a Galapagos tortoise. In fact, you don’t even need to get off the couch. Robot vacuums can help you dispose of dust, pet hair, and other debris in your home without requiring you to lift a finger.
Unlike more traditional canister or stick models, robot vacuums are autonomous and (for the most part) intelligent. The vacuums we’ve tested are equipped with lasers, motherboards, sensors, and even Wi-Fi to navigate around your home without assistance. With a few exceptions, you barely have to interact with them at all.
Just pick a robot-accessible spot for the charging dock, and the bot will return by itself before it runs out of juice. When it does, it stays put until it has enough energy to go back out and continue to bust dust from where it left off. You can also set schedules for most bots to wake up and start a cleaning job, so it can take place while you’re out of the house. That means you can potentially avoid all physical interaction until you need to empty its canister. Even better: Some models actually empty themselves!
With so many different features to choose from, which robot vacuum is right for you? We’ve rounded up the best models we’ve tested to help you decide. Read on for our top picks, as well as all the factors you should consider when buying a robot vacuum.
Ecovacs Deebot X1 Omni
Best Overall Vacuum https://jiji.ng/ and Mop Hybrid
Why We Picked It
The Ecovacs Deebot X1 Omni is the most expensive floor-cleaning robot we’ve reviewed, but it’s also the most advanced. It can both vacuum and mop, empty its own dustbin, and wash and dry its own mop cloth, representing a major step forward in robotic floor cleaning. It even doubles as a roving home security camera with two-way audio, and features a built-in voice assistant, dubbed Yiko, that allows for voice control without a separate smart speaker.
In our testing, it cleaned for up to 145 minutes in Auto mode before running low on juice—a good battery life result. It never got stuck on common obstacles like power cords and long curtains, and had no trouble sucking up dust, hair, and other debris.
Who It’s For
This top-of-the-line model is suitable for those with deep pockets who are willing to pay a premium for convenience. With long battery life, strong suction power, and AI-powered obstacle avoidance technology, the X1 Omni is an excellent option for large homes, and those with pets. The Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra offers similar features and performance for a bit less money, but the X1 Omni is our Editors’ Choice thanks to its streamlined design, built-in virtual assistant, larger water tanks, and hot-air mop-drying feature.
| Sold By | List Price | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $1,549.99 | $999.99 | See It (Opens in a new window) |
| Best Buy | $1,549.99 | $999.99 | See It (Opens in a new window) |
iRobot Roomba j7+
Best for Avoiding Pet Poo
Why We Picked It
The iRobot Roomba j7+ might induce sticker shock, but it’s one of the smartest standalone robot vacuums you can buy. It uses a built-in camera and machine learning technology to recognize obstacles in its cleaning path in real time, and automatically reroute itself around them. iRobot has trained its PrecisionVision Navigation machine learning algorithms to identify phone cords, power cables, headphones, pet waste, shoes, clothing, and towels on the floor using hundreds of millions of images crowdsourced from its customers who have opted in to contribute to its database.
When it encounters potential obstacles that aren’t in its database, the j7+ snaps photos and asks you whether it should avoid those areas in the future. It only takes about a minute to review the obstacle images, and doing so can prove extremely useful. This method allows you to quickly and easily create Keep-Out Zones around areas that typically halt cheaper robot vacuums.
Who It’s For
If you have a cluttered home or accident-prone pets and you’re in the market for a standalone robot vacuum, the iRobot Roomba j7+ is the model to buy. iRobot is so confident in the robot’s poop-evading abilities that it’s offering it with a P.O.O.P. (Pet Owner Official Promise) guarantee: If the Roomba j7+ fails to avoid solid pet waste within a year of your purchase, the company will give you a new one for free.
| Sold By | List Price | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $799.99 | $599.00 | See It (Opens in a new window) |
| iRobot | $799.99 | $799.99 | See It (Opens in a new window) |
| Walmart | $699.99 | $599.00 | See It (Opens in a new window) |
Shark IQ Robot Self-Empty XL RV1001AE
Best for Bag-Free Self-Emptying
Why We Picked It
These days, automatic dustbin emptying is becoming a standard robot vacuum feature. While most self-emptying robot vacuums transfer the contents of their bin into a bag, the Shark IQ Robot XL takes a different approach. It has two dustbins: one in the robot itself, and a larger one in the base station that only needs to be emptied about once a month. The advantage of Shark’s bagless auto-empty system is that you never have to worry about running out of bags.
The Shark IQ Robot XL also stands out for its self-cleaning brushroll, which in our testing successfully prevented hair from getting wrapped around it, a common problem with many robot vacuums. Moreover, it delivered strong suction power, effectively cleaning dust, debris, and pet hair from hard flooring and carpet, and it never got stuck. It offers a number of useful smart features, including home mapping for targeted room cleaning and virtual no-go zones.
Who It’s For
If you’re looking to upgrade from a basic robot vacuum to one with self-emptying abilities, the Shark IQ Robot XL is an excellent choice. Thanks to its bagless self-emptying system and self-cleaning brushroll, it’s one of the lowest-maintenance robot vacuums we’ve tested. That said, allergy sufferers might prefer the comparably priced Roomba i3+ EVO, which empties its bin into an AllergenLock bag so you’re not exposed to dust.
| Sold By | List Price | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $418.48 | $418.48 | See It (Opens in a new window) |
Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra
Best Suction Power
Why We Picked It
The Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra stands alongside the Ecovacs Deebot X1 Omni as one of the most advanced floor-cleaning robots currently on the market. Like Ecovacs’ competitor, this high-end hybrid can do it all: it vacuums and mops your floors, then cleans itself, so it’s always ready for the next run without requiring you to lift a finger. Even better, it undercuts the X1 Omni by about $150.
The S7 MaxV Ultra boasts a unique mop-lifting feature, also available on the more affordable Roborock S7+, which allows for more efficient cleaning runs than the competition. Most two-in-one robots with a carpet sensor, including the X1 Omni, automatically avoid rugs when mopping so as not to get them wet. Roborock’s VibraRise technology goes a step further—when the robot detects carpet while mopping, it raises the mopping plate about 5mm, allowing it to mop your hard floors and vacuum your low- to medium-pile carpets in a single pass. And with a maximum 5,100 pascals (Pa), the S7 MaxV Ultra offers some of the best suction power we’ve seen.
Who It’s For
If you’re choosing between the two most premium robot vacuums money can buy, the S7 MaxV Ultra and the X1 Omni, go with the former if you have a lot of hard flooring and you’re mainly concerned with mopping performance. Roborock’s bot uses sonic vibration technology to scrub your floors 3,000 times per minute, while the X1 Omni’s circular mopping pads spin at 180 revolutions per minute. Both robots left our test floors streak-free and shiny, but the S7 MaxV Ultra is slightly better at deep cleaning.
| Sold By | List Price | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $1,059.99 | $1,059.99 | See It (Opens in a new window) |
Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo T8 AIVI
Best Battery Life
Why We Picked It
Before the X1 Omni hit the scene, the Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo T8 AIVI was the most advanced floor-cleaning robot we’d seen. This feature-rich hybrid vacuums and mops while using AI to successfully detect and avoid many obstacles other floor-cleaning robots would get stuck on. To put its obstacle-evasion technology to the test, we intentionally placed dog toys that have tripped up other robot vacuums in its path. Without fail, the Ozmo T8 AIVI detected the toys in its way and changed directions accordingly.
Moreover, this robot functions as a roving home security camera. From its companion app, you can move the robot around and view a live video stream of what’s happening inside your home. It also has the longest battery life of any robot vacuum we’ve tested, cleaning for up to 170 minutes on a charge. For even greater convenience, Ecovacs makes an Auto-Empty Station (sold separately) that allows the Deebot Ozmo T8 AIVI to empty its bin into a disposable dust bag without your help.
Who It’s For
The Deebot Ozmo T8 AIVI was ahead of its time when it launched in 2020, so while it’s a couple of years old at this point, Ecovacs’ former flagship robot vacuum is still an excellent choice. Even better: You can now snag it for a discount. Its exceptional battery life and obstacle avoidance abilities make it a particularly compelling option for those with large homes and cluttered floors. If you can swing it, we highly suggest adding the Auto-Empty Station, which allows for a month of maintenance-free cleaning between dust bag replacements.
| Sold By | List Price | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Buy | $799.99 | $400.99 | See It (Opens in a new window) |
| Amazon | $799.99 | $799.99 | See It (Opens in a new window) |
Roborock S7+
Best for Multiple Floor Types
Why We Picked It
The S7 MaxV Ultra stole the spotlight in 2022, but the year-old Roborock S7+ is still a strong choice. Like its more expensive sibling, the S7+ boasts Roborock’s VibraRise technology, which allows it to both mop your hard floors and vacuum your carpeting in the same cleaning run. Whereas other hybrid cleaners avoid carpet completely while mopping, the S7+ automatically lifts its mop cloth out of the way and goes on vacuuming, allowing it to complete both tasks more efficiently.
It also features a self-emptying dustbin, good battery life, impressive obstacle avoidance, and strong vacuum suction power.
Who It’s For
If the S7 MaxV Ultra is out of your price range, the S7+ is an excellent alternative. It can’t refill its own water tank, clean its own mopping cloth, or function as a home security camera, but it offers all the other perks of the S7 MaxV Ultra for $400 less.
The S7+ works well on hard flooring and carpet, but is best for homes that have both. With four vacuum power levels—Quiet, Balanced (the default setting), Turbo, and Max, topping out at an impressive 2,500Pa of suction—it’s an excellent option for homes with pets and carpeting.
| Sold By | List Price | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $949.98 | $679.98 | See It (Opens in a new window) |
Eufy RoboVac G30
Best for Cleaning Tight Spaces
Why We Picked It
As robot vacuums get more technologically advanced, with laser navigation sensors and home security cameras, they’re also getting bigger and taller. These days, it’s hard to find a model that stands less than 3 inches. The Eufy RoboVac G30, on the other hand, stands out for its short stature. Measuring 12.8 inches in diameter and 2.85 inches tall, it’s one of the smallest robot vacuums we’ve tested, meaning it can clean where a lot of other robot vacuums won’t fit, like under couches.
Its battery life is just okay, but the RoboVac G30 smartly navigates your home, cleaning in orderly lines instead of randomly ping-ponging from wall to wall like some other affordable models. The RoboVac G30 offers a lot of power for its size, and it automatically increases the suction when it moves over carpets and heavily soiled areas.
Who It’s For
With app and voice control support, smart navigation, and strong suction power, the RoboVac G30 is a solid choice for anyone on a budget. Its compact design makes it especially appealing for small homes and apartments, particularly if you have low-profile furniture. If your current robot vacuum can’t get the dust bunnies under the couch, or constantly gets stuck between chair legs, the G30 is worth a look.
| Sold By | List Price | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $318.99 | $179.99 | See It (Opens in a new window) |
iLife A9 Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Best Basic, Budget-Friendly Model
Why We Picked It
The iLife A9 robot vacuum is the most budget-friendly model on our list, but it offers lots of functionality and excellent performance for its low price. In testing, we were pleasantly surprised at how fast the A9 zipped around and the ease with which it moved between different flooring types. After one cleaning run in our roughly 1,000 square-foot test home, its dustbin was completely full with dust, debris, and dog hair. It left some remnants behind on medium-pile carpeting, but handled hard flooring and low-pile carpeting well. It’s often discounted to less than $200, which is a steal for a robot vacuum with Wi-Fi connectivity, Amazon Alexa voice control support, home mapping, and smart navigation.
Who It’s For
If you’re new to the world of robot vacuums and want to try one without spending a ton of money, the iLife A9 is a wise choice. Since it comes with a physical remote control, a feature that’s becoming less and less common these days, the iLife A9 is also a nice option for those who prioritize ease of use and don’t want to go through the hassle of setting up app or voice control (though it does support those features as well). If you have medium-pile carpeting in your home, it’s not the best option, but if you have hard floors and low-pile carpeting, it’s one of the best robot vacuums you can get in its price range.
| Sold By | List Price | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $99.00 | $99.00 | See It (Opens in a new window) |
| Walmart | $299.99 | $349.99 | Check Stock (Opens in a new window) |
iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO
Most Affordable Self-Emptying Roomba
Why We Picked It
iRobot is one of the most respected names in the robot vacuum market, and the Roomba i3+ EVO is its most affordable model with a self-emptying dustbin. It’s hard to overstate the advantages of this feature. Beyond offering greater convenience than their more manual counterparts, self-emptying robot vacuums significantly limit your exposure to dust, a big plus if you suffer from allergies.
The i3+ EVO offers 10 times the suction power of the entry-level Roomba 600 series, and in testing did a good job of removing dirt from hard floors and carpet. When it finds an especially dirty area, it automatically goes into Dirt Detect mode and moves over the offending spot multiple times until it’s sufficiently clean. iRobot recently updated this model with smart mapping capabilities, so you can send it right to specific rooms by phone or voice for targeted area cleanings.
Who It’s For
The Roomba i3+ EVO is a top choice for anyone looking to upgrade from a standard robot vacuum to one with self-emptying abilities. If you’re tired of manually emptying your current bot’s bursting dustbin on the daily, the Roomba i3+ EVO will eliminate that chore. It’s a particularly compelling option if you suffer from allergies, because it also uses a high-efficiency filter to capture allergens as it cleans.
One caveat is that the i3+ EVO’s mapping capabilities are limited to a single floor. Its more expensive siblings, on the other hand, can remember multiple floors, which is useful if you have a multi-level home.
| Sold By | List Price | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $549.99 | $349.00 | See It (Opens in a new window) |
| Walmart | $599.99 | $349.00 | See It (Opens in a new window) |
| Best Buy | $549.99 | $349.99 | See It (Opens in a new window) |
Wyze Robot Vacuum
Best for Affordable Laser Mapping
Why We Picked It
Wyze has a reputation for making feature-rich yet affordable smart home devices, and its first robot vacuum is no exception. The Wyze Robot Vacuum features a raised Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensor that casts thousands of invisible laser points to measure surroundings and generate an editable map of your home’s floor plan. Self-driving cars and pricier vacuums feature LiDAR technology, but it’s rare to see in a budget-friendly robot. Once the Wyze vacuum creates a map of your home, you can label each room, select the ones you want cleaned, and send the robot directly there. You can also create virtual walls so the robot avoids certain areas, like a mess of cords under your desk or TV stand. It works quickly and methodically, with 2,100Pa of suction power to effectively collect debris and pet hair from hard floors and carpeting. Even considering its lack of Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice support, it’s one of the smartest robot vacuums in this price range.
Who It’s For
The Wyze Robot Vacuum’s low price and competitive feature set make it a nice option for first-time robot vacuum buyers. In testing, it had no problem traversing hard flooring and carpet, and thoroughly collected dog hair from both, so it’s also a strong budget-friendly choice for pet owners.
If you have a small home or an apartment of around 1,000 square feet or less, the Wyze Robot Vacuum should have no problem covering your entire space in a single run. If it runs low on battery before finishing the job, the robot will return to its base station, charge up, then pick up where it left off.
| Sold By | List Price | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walmart | $267.98 | $298.88 | See It (Opens in a new window) |
Are Robot Vacuums Really Worth It?
A robot vacuum usually costs more than a traditional vacuum (though not always). The models listed here range from around $200 to well over $1,000. That’s a pretty sizable investment, even on the lower end. Let’s consider just what you get for the price.
Unless you really love to vacuum, the task itself is pretty mundane. Depending on the size of your house, a robot vacuum can save you anywhere from minutes to hours of your time every week by taking care of a pretty thankless chore. That alone is reason enough for some people to consider one.
In addition, robot vacuums have reached the point where they’re just as powerful and effective as regular vacuums. The robots here combine spinning brush rolls and side brushes to clean your home just as well as their upright equivalents. They’re also fairly compact, so they won’t take up much space. And they’re slim enough to travel underneath most couches and tables, so you don’t have to rearrange furniture.
Wi-Fi-connected robot vacuums are much more affordable these days than they once were. What are the benefits of connectivity? You can program and control most smart robot vacuums from your smartphone or with your voice via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant integrations.
Connected bots also typically generate statistics and maps of the areas they clean. Many even create personalized floor plans, allowing for targeted room cleanings and eliminating the need for you to use "virtual walls" to cordon off sections of your home.
Some of the most advanced robot vacuums, such as the iRobot Roomba j7+, feature a camera and artificial intelligence technology to automatically identify and avoid obstacles like shoes, toys, and even pet waste. Premium models may also function as a roving home security camera, letting you view live video of your home from wherever you are.
What Is the Best Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum?
One of the best innovations in the robot vacuum space in recent years has been the development of models that can empty their own dustbins. Beyond offering greater convenience than traditional models, they significantly limit your exposure to dust, a big plus if you suffer from allergies. As recently as a couple of years ago, it was difficult to find a sub-$1,000 self-emptying robot vacuum, but the price of these models has been decreasing. Several excellent options are now available for less than $600.
Most self-emptying models transfer the contents of their bin into a bag, which can hold around 60 days’ worth of debris, depending on how often you vacuum and how dirty your home is. The nice thing is that you never have to come into contact with dust and debris. The downside is that you eventually have to buy more bags when you run out.
An exception is the Shark IQ Robot Self-Empty XL, which has two dustbins: one in the robot itself, and a larger one in the base station that holds up to a month’s worth of debris. When it’s full, you simply remove the dustbin, hold it over a trash can, then press the Empty button on the side. The bottom of the dustbin opens, and the contents fall out into the trash. Although allergy sufferers may prefer models that empty their contents into a bag, the IQ Robot XL is more convenient and wallet-friendly, because you don’t have to worry about buying replacement bags.
Self-emptying or not, most robot vacuums also equip small HEPA filters that capture allergens as they run.
Which Robot Vacuum Is Best for Pet Hair? Hardwood?
Generally speaking, all the vacuums on this list can handle hardwood floors and pet hair without issue.
If you have both carpet and hard flooring throughout your home, you might want to consider a hybrid that can do double duty as a vacuum and a mop, such as the Deebot Ozmo T8 AIVI or the Bissell SpinWave Wet and Dry. Standalone robot mops aren’t eligible for this list because they don’t suck up dirt and debris, but they can leave your hard floors nice and shiny.
To pick up pet hair, you need a robot vacuum with strong suction power. Most companies in this space advertise power in pascals (Pa), the metric unit of pressure, though iRobot doesn’t always make this information easy to find. In general, the more power, the better, especially if you have carpet, but battery life and obstacle avoidance capabilities are also important factors.
The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner for Your Home
We test robot vacuums in our homes, with the following categories in mind: battery life, navigation, obstacle avoidance, the setup process, and suction power. If it supports Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, we also evaluate the app experience and other smart features.
Recommended by Our Editors
Chances are you don’t want to babysit your vacuum. That means you’re looking for a robot that can traverse different floor types or maneuver around furniture without your help. This is especially true if you have dark flooring, as infrared sensors might mistake a black carpet for a ledge, and refuse to pass over it. We test vacuums on hardwood, tile, and rugs to see how well they manage the transitions across various surfaces.
Battery life is also important to consider based on the size of your home. In general, most robot vacuums can run for between 60 and 70 minutes, which should be enough to tackle smaller homes and apartments. If you have a bigger living area, look for a robot vacuum that can get at least 90 minutes of battery life so it can hit every room before requiring a recharge. To test this aspect, we charge the battery to full, start a cleaning cycle, and time how long the robot runs before it needs to be docked. In some cases, it may take several complete cleaning cycles for a robot to run out of battery.
Another note on battery life: The number you see listed in the chart below is our tested result in normal mode. High-power modes often bring that number down a bit.
Most robot vacuums are reliable when it comes to getting rid of standard household detritus, so you don’t have to worry about whether they can suck up lint, dirt, or hair. Since we test all the robot vacuums in the same home environment, we check how full the dustbins get and whether the robot picks up obvious debris like pet hair and dust bunnies.
We also note whether the robot cleans in a random or methodical pattern. Many of the latest models feature a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) laser (the same technology self-driving cars use) to map your home and plan an efficient cleaning route. But some affordable robot vacuums still haphazardly ping-pong from wall to wall, inefficiently crossing over the same space multiple times as they clean.
Finally, we test how easy it is to set up, program, and control the robot. Some only require an initial battery charge, while others ask you to install side brushes and batteries. For connected bots, app design and reliable Bluetooth or Wi-Fi are major factors that impact your experience.
We provide a detailed analysis of each of these vacuums in our reviews, and you can see our vacuum product guide for the latest models. If you specifically want to stick with the iRobot brand, we also have a roundup of the best Roombas. When you find the right one for you, be sure to read up on our simple robot vacuum tips.
The Best Smart Home Security Systems for 2022
Looking for an alarm system to make you feel more secure? We’ve tested all the top professional-install and DIY home security packages to help you decide which one is right to protect your family and your property.
I’ve been working with computers for ages, starting with a multi-year stint in purchasing for a major IBM reseller in New York City before eventually landing at PCMag (back when it was still in print as PC Magazine). I spent more than 14 years on staff, most recently as the director of operations for PC Labs, before hitting the freelance circuit as a contributing editor.
I’m PCMag’s executive editor of reviews, steering our coverage to make sure we’re testing the products you’re interested in buying and telling you whether they’re worth it. I’ve been here for more than 10 years. I previously managed the consumer electronics reviews team, and before that I covered mobile, smart home, and wearable technology for PCMag and Gigaom.
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OUR TOP TESTED PRODUCTS
Vivint Smart Home
ADT Command
SimpliSafe Home Security System
Ring Alarm Pro
Wyze Home Monitoring
Abode iota All-In-One Security Kit
Blue by ADT Home Security System
Ring Alarm Security Kit
Cove Home Security System
Frontpoint Home Security
The Best Smart Home Security Deals This Week*
- Ring Alarm 5-Piece Kit (2nd Generation) (Opens in a new window) — $129.99(List Price $199.99)
- Ring Alarm 8-Piece Kit With Doorbell and Echo Show 5 (Opens in a new window) — $294.97(List Price $424.98)
- Ring Alarm 8-Piece Kit With Indoor Cam and Echo Show 5 (Opens in a new window) — $299.99(List Price $384.98)
- Ring Alarm 14-Piece Kit (2nd Generation) (Opens in a new window) — $209.99(List Price $329.99)
- SimpliSafe 12-Piece Wireless Home Security System (Opens in a new window) — $239.99(List Price $399.99)
*Deals are selected by our commerce team
It’s easier than ever to set up a smart home in which you can remotely control your lights, lawn mowers, thermostats, vacuums, and just about everything else from a smartphone app. It has also made it simple (and relatively affordable) to monitor your home from pretty much anywhere. Smart security systems are highly customizable and available as do-it-yourself kits or as full-blown setups that include professional installation and monitoring.
Depending on your needs, you can go with a system that you monitor yourself, or pay a subscription fee to have professionals surveil your home 24/7 and contact your local fire or police departments when alarms trigger. You can even take advantage of on-demand monitoring services when you’re away on vacation. Of course, the more coverage you have, the more you should expect to pay.
If you’re not ready for a dedicated security system, plenty of standalone devices are available that let you monitor your home from anywhere via your phone or tablet, including indoor and outdoor security cameras, video doorbells, motion sensors, and smart locks.
Here are our top picks, as well as what you need to know before deciding how to secure and monitor your home. We also have a beginner’s guide to setting up a smart home if you want to do more than just secure your property.
Vivint Smart Home
Best for Home Automation
Why We Picked It
The Vivint Smart Home security system is a full-blown home security system that gives you 24/7 monitoring and full control over door locks, cameras, thermostats, and lights. You can even monitor your cars while they are on the road. This pricey system provided speedy emergency response times in testing and is easy to control via a colorful, 7-inch touch-screen video panel, a mobile companion app, or Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands.
Who It’s For
The Vivint Smart Home is ideal for homeowners who require a professionally monitored home security system but don’t want to be bothered with installation issues. A trained professional installs every component and the company provides excellent telephone and in-home technical support. You can save some money with a DIY system from SimpliSafe but, in that scenario, you have to install everything yourself and forgo the touch-screen video control panel.
ADT Command
Best Customer Service
Why We Picked It
Despite being the most expensive home security system we’ve tested, the ADT Command earns our Editors’ Choice award for its excellent white glove customer service; expansive lineup of security and home automation components, and outstanding mobile and web applications. And, in addition to ADT’s first-party lineup of cameras, doorbells, and sensors, you can add third-party Z-Wave devices that enable you to control the system via Alexa and Google Assistant commands.
Who It’s For
The ADT Command is a solid choice for homeowners who require a professionally installed, professionally monitored, soup-to-nuts home security system with class-leading service and seamless home automation features. This system works with a generous assortment of security and smart home devices, though, of course, this protection doesn’t come cheap.
SimpliSafe Home Security System
Best for No-Contract Monitoring
Why We Picked It
Ease of use, affordability, and flexible configuration and monitoring options make the SimpliSafe Home Security System one of our top choices for a DIY home security system. We love that SimpliSafe offers preconfigured packages for homes of all sizes and that plenty of low-cost components are available for DIY setups. This system was easy to install and worked as intended, plus offers professional monitoring at a reasonable cost, should you require it.
Who It’s For
If you’re looking to save a bundle on home security components, installation, and monitoring, put the SimpliSafe Home Security System at the top of your list. It’s incredibly easy to install and configure. You can also switch between self-monitoring and a 24/7 professional option without worrying about a contract.
Ring Alarm Pro
Doubles as a Wi-Fi 6 Router
Why We Picked It
The Ring Alarm Pro is a hybrid DIY home security system that doubles as a Wi-Fi 6 mesh router. It earns high marks for its easy setup process, reasonably priced monitoring options, and ability to bring Wi-Fi 6 connectivity to all corners of your home. It has an auxiliary battery that keeps everything running for up to 24 hours and uses a cellular radio to provide internet connectivity in the event of a power loss.
Who It’s For
If you’re in the market for a smart home security system and want to upgrade your home network to Wi-Fi 6 at the same time, the Ring Alarm Pro accomplishes both tasks. You can customize this versatile system with a variety of sensors and it’s compatible with all of Ring’s video doorbells, cameras, and lighting devices. It also has a built-in Eero 6 router that you can pair with satellite nodes to blanket homes of all sizes in Wi-Fi 6 goodness.
Wyze Home Monitoring
Best for Affordable Professional Monitoring
Why We Picked It
The Wyze Home Monitoring system is easily the most affordable DIY security system we’ve come across; in fact, the hardware is free if you subscribe to a one-year professional monitoring plan. It is completely customizable and offers everything you need to protect your home including entry and motion sensors, climate sensors, cameras, and a keypad. The system is easy to install and works with all of Wyze’s other smart devices including cameras, doorbells, smart plugs, and locks.
Who It’s For
Budget-conscious homeowners should appreciate the Wyze Home Monitoring system’s rock-bottom price and equally affordable components. As with most DIY systems, it’s easy to install and lets you monitor by yourself or opt for professional protection. It works with lots of other Wyze devices, too.
Abode iota All-In-One Security Kit
Best Smart Home Compatibility
Why We Picked It
Aptly named, the Abode iota All-In-One Security Kit uses a base station with a built-in camera and motion sensor. It contains Wi-Fi, Z-Wave, and Zigbee radios that allow you to add a plethora of third-party devices such as door locks, sirens, and lights in addition to Abode’s first-party lineup of entry, water, and glass break sensors. It offers on-demand professional monitoring and supports Apple HomeKit; Alexa and Google Assistant; and IFTTT, thus making it one of the most versatile home security systems available.
Who It’s For
The Abode iota All-In-One Security Kit provides an excellent starting point for anyone looking to add a DIY smart security system to their home or apartment. It’s easy to install, extremely expandable, and compatible with nearly every home automation platform on the market.
Blue by ADT Home Security System
Best for Do-It-Yourself ADT Security
Why We Picked It
Not to be confused with ADT’s high-end Command security system, the Blue by ADT Home Security System is a moderately priced DIY system that works with the company’s lineup of indoor, outdoor, and doorbell cameras. Components and professional monitoring are affordable. The system supports Z-Wave, IFTTT applets, and Alexa and Google Assistant, which means you can add and control loads of third-party security and home automation devices.
Who It’s For
The Blue by ADT Home Security System is a smart choice if you already have one or more Blue by ADT cameras and want to build a DIY security system around those devices. This system is easy to install and is highly expandable, plus, as mentioned, lets you either monitor by yourself or with the help of a professional.
Ring Alarm Security Kit
Best for Ring Device Users
Why We Picked It
The Ring Alarm Security Kit is an affordable five-piece DIY home security system that is expandable and offers professional monitoring at a reasonable price. It works with the entire Ring lineup of video doorbells, indoor and outdoor security cameras, and lights, as well as with lots of third-party Z-Wave and Zigbee smart devices including door locks and smoke alarms. The system performed wonderfully in our tests and is easy to install. Add-on components are comparable in cost with those for SimpliSafe or Abode systems.
Who It’s For
The Ring Alarm Security Kit is a smart choice if you already own one or more Ring doorbells, cameras, or lights. You can choose to self-monitor via the Ring mobile app or subscribe to a Ring Protect Plus plan that unlocks 24/7 professional monitoring and unlimited cloud video storage for your Ring cameras.
Cove Home Security System
Best Touch-Screen Command Center
Why We Picked It
The Cove Home Security System is a customizable DIY home security system that features a colorful, 7-inch touch-screen hub and a quality selection of reasonably priced add-on components including door and window sensors, a glass break sensor, CO and smoke detectors, and a flood sensor. You can also purchase a medical alert pendant that can connect you with the monitoring service in the event of an emergency. Monitoring plans are affordable, too, especially if you pay for the hardware upfront.
Who It’s For
If you want the convenience of a color touch-screen control panel in a low-cost DIY system the Cove Home Security is a solid choice. It’s easy to install and very configurable, plus offers flexible pricing plans. The prices for the add-on components are also competitive.
Frontpoint Home Security
Best for Environmental Monitoring
Why We Picked It
The Frontpoint Home Security system is a smart DIY security system that comes with pre-paired sensors and offers a wide selection of cameras and add-on components, including a heat and smoke detector, a glass-break sensor, and a motion sensor. The Wi-Fi-enabled hub also features a Z-Wave radio that lets you pair lots of third-party devices, a cellular radio that connects to an emergency response center, and an RF radio that communicates with Frontpoint sensors. The system performed flawlessly in testing and is easy to manage either via the web portal or a mobile companion app.
Who It’s For
The Frontpoint Home Security system has everything you need to protect your home from intruders and damage that smoke and fire cause. It’s easy enough to install and works with lots of Z-Wave devices. Just note that the components and professional monitoring plans are a bit pricey.
What Are Home Security Systems And How Do They Work?
A smart home security system connects to your Wi-Fi network so you can monitor and control your security devices via an app. There are many different systems out there, covering a wide range of prices.
Entry-level systems cost less, and usually include some door and window sensors, a motion detector, and a hub that communicates with these devices via one or more wireless protocols such as Wi-Fi, Z-Wave, Zigbee, or a proprietary mesh network. (Matter is another standard to keep an eye on as it emerges.) You can add extra door, motion, and window sensors to provide coverage for your entire house and build a comprehensive system that includes door locks; garage door openers; indoor and outdoor surveillance cameras; lights; sirens; smoke and CO detectors; water sensors; and more.
A word about wireless protocols before we go further: In a perfect world, all home security components would use the same wireless standard to communicate with the main hub, but factors such as power requirements, signal range, price, and size make it virtually impossible to settle on just one. For example, smaller components such as door and window sensors typically use Z-Wave or Zigbee technology because they don’t require a lot of power and can run on smaller batteries. They also operate in a mesh topology and can help extend the range of networked devices. However, neither protocol provides the bandwidth that you get with Wi-Fi, which security cameras rely on to provide smooth video streaming, for instance. Moreover, a hub connects and controls Z-Wave and Zigbee devices, whereas you can control Wi-Fi devices on your home network from an app. Finally, Z-Wave and Zigbee devices use AES 128 encryption and, because they operate in a closed system with a dedicated hub, they are more secure than Wi-Fi devices.
Any smart security system worth its salt offers components that work together in a seamless environment and can be manipulated using customized rules. For example, you can create rules to have the lights turn on when a sensor detects motion, have your doors unlock when a smoke alarm goes off, and set a camera to begin recording when a sensor triggers. Some systems store recorded video locally on an SD card or a solid-state drive, whereas others offer cloud storage. Locally stored video is a good choice for do-it-yourselfers on a budget, but you have to be careful not to overwrite video you may need later. Cloud storage makes it easy to store and access recorded video, but it can cost hundreds of dollars per year depending on your subscription. Some systems offer both cloud storage and local storage, and some provide a dedicated storage drive that gives you DVR capabilities with time-lapse recording, thus making it easy to find a video event that took place at a specific point in time.
All of the systems we’ve tested feature an app that lets you use your smartphone as your command center to arm and disarm the system; create rules; add and delete components; and receive push notifications when alarms trigger. Most apps also allow you to view live and recorded video; lock and unlock doors; change thermostat settings; and silence alarms. Some apps even use your phone’s location services to automatically arm and disarm the system based on your physical location. The more expensive systems usually come with a wall-mounted panel that acts as a communications hub, with a touch-screen display that allows you to do everything the app does. The display lets you communicate with a professional monitoring service when an alarm goes off and view video from any of the installed security cameras.
What Is the Best Self-Installed Home Security System?
Do-it-yourself security setups are ideal for budget shoppers because they can save you a bundle on installation charges and subscription fees. Most DIY systems are easy to install and are available as kits that you can configure to suit your needs. As your needs change, you can order additional sensors and other components at your convenience and pair them with the system in a matter of minutes.
A basic entry-level DIY system might support only one or two wireless protocols and usually offers a limited selection of add-on components, whereas more expensive DIY systems support multiple wireless protocols and are compatible with dozens of add-on components. Some DIY systems are self-monitored: You still receive alerts when devices trigger, but it’s up to you to contact the local authorities if there’s a break-in or a fire. That said, DIY vendors are increasingly offering professional monitoring services.
What Is the Best Professional Home Security System?
Although many systems use wireless components that you install with double-sided tape, some high-end systems use components that require professional installation. These soup-to-nuts systems typically cost considerably more than DIY systems and offer 24/7 professional monitoring, but you may have to enter into a multi-year contract and pay a hefty termination fee if you break it. They usually use touch-screen hubs that contain RF, Wi-Fi, Zigbee, and Z-Wave radios, allowing them to communicate with and control a multitude of components including door and window sensors; door locks; glass break detectors; indoor and outdoor cameras; light switches; motion and water detectors; smoke and CO alarms; thermostats; video doorbells; and a host of other home automation devices.
With a professional monitoring system, an agent will first try to reach you via the two-way control panel before calling your listed phone number if a smoke or intrusion alarm triggers. If you fail to respond, the agent calls 911 to dispatch an emergency responder to your home. The nice thing about professionally installed systems is you don’t have to lift a finger; after you place your order, a technician comes to your home, sets everything up for you, and shows you how the system works. It’s important to note that, in some areas, you may have to file for a permit to have a security system installed in your home.
Nearly all of the latest DIY and high-end home security systems offer support for voice control via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and, in some cases, Siri. Those voice assistants let you unlock doors, change thermostat settings, open the garage, and arm or disarm your system with a simple command to a connected device like a smart speaker. If you want to stick with Alexa for your smart home security system, make sure to check out our setup guide as well as our explainer on Alexa Guard.
Many also offer support for IFTTT applets, which use triggers from IFTTT-compatible web services and devices to create an action. For example, you can create an applet that tells a floodlight to turn on if your garage door opens.
For more on DIY vs. professional home security systems, see our story on ADT vs. SimpliSafe.
What Is the Best Home Security System Without a Monthly Fee?
Whether you decide to go with a DIY system or opt for a professionally installed system, you have to pay a monthly or annual fee if you require monitoring and, in some cases, you need to pay a monthly fee to offset hardware costs as well. With most DIY systems, such as the SimpliSafe Home Security Kit and the Ring Alarm Security Kit, you purchase the hardware outright and can avoid any monthly fees if you decide to self-monitor. If you add monitoring, fees vary: SimpliSafe charges $14.99 per month for its no-contract monitoring service, for instance.
Monitoring for professionally installed systems tends to be more expensive. We detail these prices in each of our reviews.
What Is the Best Affordable Home Security Camera System?
If you live in a small apartment and want to keep tabs on things when you’re not home, a security camera can get the job done for a lot less money than a full security system. Nearly all standalone security cameras connect to your home’s Wi-Fi so you can see what’s going on from your phone or tablet. Most also have built-in sensors that can detect motion or sound and subsequently send you a notification of those events. You can usually tweak the camera’s motion sensitivity to prevent false alarms due to pet activity or passing cars if the camera is near a window, as well as create a schedule that turns the sensors on or off during certain hours of the day.
Some of the more expensive cameras feature humidity and temperature sensors, plus interact with other connected home devices such as thermostats and smart lighting systems. If you want to save some money and not pay a monthly fee, look for a camera with an SD card slot that allows you to record video when motion or sound events occur; just remember to save your recordings every so often before the camera overwrites them. Alternatively, look for a camera that offers a cloud storage plan.
An outdoor camera (Opens in a new window) is ideal for keeping an eye on what’s happening outside of your home. These devices are weatherproof and typically require a nearby ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet to supply power, although a handful of battery-powered models are also available. As with their indoor counterparts, outdoor cameras connect to your Wi-Fi network and allow you to view live video from your phone. They are fairly easy to install but, if you’re not familiar or comfortable with electrical wiring, you may want to hire a professional electrician for the setup.
Most outdoor cameras offer motion detection with push and email notifications; night vision; and cloud storage for event-triggered video. Some pull double duty as floodlights or porch lights. Other models can even tell the difference between a passing car, an animal, and a person. Look for an outdoor camera that integrates with other smart home devices such as garage door openers, external sirens, and smart switches.
What Is the Best Video Doorbell?
Video doorbells offer an easy way to see who is on your front steps without having to open or even get close to the door. These devices connect to your Wi-Fi network and send an alert when someone approaches your doorway. They record video when someone presses the doorbell or when they detect motion, plus usually offer two-way audio communication so you can speak with the visitor remotely from your phone.
Most video doorbells use your existing doorbell wiring (two low-voltage wires) and are fairly easy to install, but battery-powered models install in minutes. Some work with other smart devices such as door locks and sirens, plus support IFTTT and Alexa voice commands.