Best Security Systems for Seniors in 2024, Tested for Senior-friendly Features

1. ADT - Best Professionally Installed

SecurityScore:

9.8 /10

855-908-4461

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How We Review

Product Specs

Equipment Costs	Packages starting at $599
Monitoring Options	Professional
Monthly Monitoring Costs	Starting at $25 per month
Contract Lengths	36 months and up
Installation Options	Professional
Smart Platform Integration	Alexa and Google Home

855-908-4461

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What You Need to Know About ADT

ADT takes care of its customers the best way it knows how – by providing expertly installed security systems monitored by their award-winning 24/7 monitoring service. This company offers round-the-clock home security, which is exactly what seniors living independently need.

A typical security system from ADT includes a touch screen control panel and sensors to monitor for intrusion. Safety sensors like smoke alarms and gas leak detectors are available as add-ons. All of those are monitored by ADT, so if anything goes awry, the emergency contacts will get a call. Police, fire, and/or medical responders will also be dispatched if necessary.

ADT offers security cameras, too. Besides storing video evidence, ADT security cameras can stream live footage to a smartphone, so family members and caretakers can use them to check in on their loved ones.

What Makes ADT Different?

ADT stands out as a full-service option for home security. It is unlike the Cove security system we recently tested that offers the equipment but leaves the installation to the user and the professional monitoring to a third-party partner. Cove is great, but ADT’s full-service approach is just better suited for those who want to age in place safely.

What does ‘full-service’ mean? Well, our experience with ADT started with a consultation and continued on with professional installation and monitoring. Here’s how it went:

1. On day one, we called ADT for a quote.
2. A security expert visited us personally on the same day to discuss our options and make recommendations based on our home’s layout.
3. We finalized our order. The next day, an installation specialist set up the system for us.
4. The installer activated the professional monitoring service before leaving.

We didn’t have to do anything labor-intensive throughout the process. ADT took care of everything. The company’s white-glove service is its main advantage.

Of course, ADT’s full-service offering comes with a full-service price to match. (It’s not cheap!) But if it’s within your budget, ADT is a great pick to take care of you or your aging loved one.

Our Hands-On Experience With ADT

At first, ADT gave us the impression of a high-tech security system, with its touch screen control panel and the ADT smartphone app. But living with ADT for a month showed us that it can be a frills-free security system even for persons who might struggle with technology.

Arming and disarming the system is all you really need to do to enjoy ADT’s protection. When armed in Away mode, all sensors actively monitor for potential break-ins. In Home Mode, all sensors except the motion sensors are armed. This will allow you or your loved one to roam freely inside while the rest of the ADT system keeps burglars out. And keep in mind, anytime an armed sensor detects an intruder, it notifies ADT’s monitoring center.

So, how easy was it to arm and disarm ADT? We had several options:

• ADT Key Fob: This was the easiest method for arming and disarming. It has dedicated buttons for arming (shield with a check), disarming (shield with an X), and Home Mode (shield with a person icon). There’s also a button to trigger a panic alarm manually. The Key Fob doesn’t require a passcode to arm or disarm – recommended for seniors who tend to be forgetful.
• ADT Control app: For seniors who are comfortable using a security system app, the ADT Control app is another easy option. Disarming the system using the app requires a maximum of two taps. Arming it requires at least two taps, but more if you want to set an exit or entry delay. The delay allows the user to enter or exit the house without triggering a false alarm, customizable between 45 and 254 seconds.
• ADT Control Panel: The ADT Control Panel, which is a touch screen keypad, might be the hardest to use. It requires a passcode to arm and disarm the system. It’s also the least accessible as the panel needs to be kept inside the house, ideally mounted to a wall. It’s not impossible to use though, especially with some practice.

As for ADT’s actual ability to deter or prevent crime, we loved the siren on the ADT control panel. It was loud enough to fill the living room and be heard in our kitchen, although it wasn’t loud enough to reach the second floor. Additional keypads with a siren can be purchased though.

The monitoring service was really the icing on the cake. With cellular and battery backup, ADT monitored our security system day in and day out, with or without power and internet. Also, every time we spoke with a monitoring agent – about six to eight times throughout our month-long test – they always sounded calm and level-headed.

ADT Equipment and Monitoring Costs

Our biggest concern about recommending ADT is the price, especially the price of the equipment. The system we received was high-quality, but it was nearly twice as expensive as SimpliSafe equipment (our #2 pick for seniors). To give you some context, here’s SimpliSafe vs ADT’s pricing on some components:

Thankfully, you do have the option to pay in installments with ADT. The equipment cost will be added to your ADT monthly fee and you can choose to pay in two, three, or five years. SimpliSafe offers financing too, but only for up to two years. ADT’s longer financing plans mean that you can enjoy lower monthly installments. Just note that there will be an early cancellation fee if you try to cancel your security contract early (up to 75% of your remaining balance).

As for monitoring, you’ll pay $24.99 per month for the Essential Plan if your system doesn’t include security cameras. If your system comes with cameras, the monthly monitoring fee for the Essential + Video plan is $34.99. Those prices are fair, especially considering that Frontpoint’s price is a fixed $49.99 per month. Frontpoint was one of the systems we considered, but it fell out of contention because of its expensive monitoring.

2. SimpliSafe - Best Professional Monitoring

SecurityScore:

9.2 /10

800-544-5942

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How We Review

Product Specs

Equipment Costs	Packages starting at $280
Monitoring Options	Professional and DIY
Monthly Monitoring Costs	$19.99 per month
Contract Lengths	Month-to-month
Installation Options	DIY or professional
Smart Platform Integration	Alexa and Google Home

800-544-5942

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What You Need to Know About SimpliSafe

SimpliSafe’s flexibility as a security system is one of its biggest selling points. It can work like ADT – professionally installed and professionally monitored – but you can also choose to DIY either the installation, monitoring, or both. We strongly recommend going with professional monitoring, though.

SimpliSafe security systems are well-rounded. They include door sensors and motion sensors for keeping intruders out. They also come with a separate base station that has a built-in siren for scaring away burglars. In our testing, it was slightly louder than ADT’s siren. You can also purchase an even louder siren (105 dB) as an add-on, especially if you or your loved one is hard of hearing.

SimpliSafe has things down pat in home hazard prevention. A dedicated smoke alarm and a combo alarm (smoke and gas leak detector) are available. But there’s one piece of equipment that stands out: The temperature sensor. We recommend caretakers place one in the bedroom to constantly monitor the temperature and get alerts when it gets too hot or too cold for comfort.

What Makes SimpliSafe Different?

There’s one other piece of equipment from SimpliSafe that stands out. It’s an indoor security camera called the Smart Alarm. With a Fast Protect monitoring subscription, monitoring agents will be able to use the camera to check on the homeowner. The main purpose is to use the camera’s two-way talk to and live video feed to see and talk intruders into leaving. However, for homes with seniors, it’s also a great way to check on them during emergencies.

Caretakers and family members can also use the Smart Alarm camera to check on their loved one. And what we like about the camera is that it comes with a privacy shutter. During testing, this privacy shutter remained closed unless we armed the camera’s motion sensor, we accessed its live view, or a system alarm event occurred. We value privacy, so we were glad to see the Smart Alarm’s privacy shutter. That was one of the things we noted missing from the Nest Cam (wired) indoor camera that we got from ADT.

Our Hands-On Experience With SimpliSafe

SimpliSafe is one of the most user-friendly security systems out there, especially for aging users. Instead of a touch screen keypad, there’s a calculator-like keypad with physical buttons. And it was simple to operate.

There’s also a key fob for disarming the system or arming it in home or away mode. It was as easy to operate as the ADT Key Fob, although SimpliSafe’s version can be programmed to send out medical alerts. Note that the one from ADT only triggered the security alarm, so SimpliSafe’s is better for folks prone to medical emergencies.

Frankly though, we spent most of our time testing SimpliSafe with a Fast Protect monitoring subscription. Although it’s one of the best no-monthly-fee security systems, we strongly recommend signing up for professional monitoring to enjoy the same crime-preventing perks we accessed:

• Alarm Texts: Every second counts in an emergency – be that a break-in or a medical situation. SimpliSafe sent us text notifications within 15 seconds of the alarm being triggered. That’s in addition to the alarm phone call we received, but that one typically took 30 to 45 seconds to come through. Alarm Texts are simply faster.
• Video verification: Police typically respond to verified alerts quicker than they do with unverified alerts. With video verification, SimpliSafe’s monitoring center confirmed each triggered alarm using our security camera live feed. If there were a real emergency, we’re confident this would help speed up response from our crime-stoppers in uniform.
• Live Guard Protection: This is the feature we talked about earlier that works with the Smart Alarm indoor camera. It improves on video verification because two-way audio access gives SimpliSafe personnel the ability to potentially stop criminals in their tracks.
• Cloud video recording: In case the burglar pushes through with their crime, SimpliSafe security cameras would ensure you have evidence. The Fast Protect plan includes 30 days of video history for up to 10 cameras.

As for downsides, SimpliSafe’s installation fee could be cheaper. It’s a DIY system, but we encourage users with mobility issues to go with professional installation. Unfortunately, SimpliSafe’s installation partner charges at least $124.99 for the service. That’s more expensive than ADT’s $100 installation fee.

We would also like to see more home automation options from SimpliSafe. As you’ll see from our next pick – Vivint – home automation can greatly improve safety and security even for seniors. As it stands, SimpliSafe only works with Alexa and Google Assistant.

SimpliSafe Equipment and Monitoring Pricing

We absolutely loved SimpliSafe’s straightforward and affordable equipment pricing. But there are also things to consider, like the fact that SimpliSafe’s equipment financing plans are only up to two years. That means you might have to shell out more upfront than you would with ADT. In the long run, though, SimpliSafe is cheaper.

Here are SimpliSafe’s package options, and keep in mind you can customize each with add-on equipment.

Also, stay on the lookout for SimpliSafe deals. While the company doesn’t offer senior discounts at the moment, it often has special discounts for new customers that can cut the equipment price by up to 60-percent. A free indoor camera is also usually included in the offer.

Now, for professional monitoring, SimpliSafe offers the Standard and Fast Protect plans. The features we highlighted above are exclusive to the Fast Protect plan.

• The Standard plan is more barebones – it includes professional monitoring with cellular backup, but nothing else. It costs $19.99 per month.
• The Fast Protect plan includes more premium features like Alarm Texts, video verification, and Live Guard Protection. It also includes cloud storage for up to 10 cameras and an exclusive 10-percent discount for additional equipment. Fast Protect costs $29.99 per month.

3. Vivint - Best Senior Home Security With Home Automation

SecurityScore:

9.4 /10

844-922-0575

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How We Review

Product Specs

Equipment costs	Starting at $449
Monitoring options	Professional
Monthly monitoring costs	$40 per month
Contract lengths	Starting at 42 months
Installation options	Professional
Smart platform integration	Alexa and Google Home

844-922-0575

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What You Need to Know About Vivint

Vivint is about as full-service as ADT. It offers professional installation and monitoring. And in our experience, Vivint offers a top-notch level of customer service. There is that four- to five-year monitoring contract to watch out for, which is longer than ADT’s three-year standard contract. But Vivint is a great security system nonetheless.

A Vivint security system relies heavily on sensors and security cameras to offer protection against intruders. The security cameras are especially great at deterring crime. We tested the Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro and saw how the Smart Deter feature powered by A.I. used lights and sound to proactively deter trespassers. And before you get put off by the mention of A.I., let us assure you that Vivint’s camera isn’t hard to use. After initial setup, Smart Deter worked on its own without additional input from us. That’s the power of automation.

What Makes Vivint Different?

You might have already guessed it – Vivint’s biggest advantage is its home automation technology. We don’t normally hear the words ‘home automation’ and ‘seniors’ together, but Vivint set up its smart security system in a way that benefits older adult users, even if they’re not particularly good with new technology.

Let us give you a couple of examples from our Vivint hands-on test.

• Automated temperature control: We paired our Nest Thermostat with our Vivint system and made it so that arming and disarming Vivint would adjust our thermostat automatically. Armed Home and Disarmed set the thermostat to 72 degrees because those modes indicate that we are home. Armed Away sets the thermostat to Eco Mode to save energy while we’re away. Automating the temperature can help seniors stay comfortable at home.
• Automated lighting: We also programmed our smart lights to respond to our Vivint sensors. The motion sensor outside our bedroom triggers our hallway lights to turn on when there’s movement – useful both for scaring away burglars and for when we have to get up in the middle of the night. We imagine it would be useful for seniors too.

So you see, automating smart devices can help aging adults live safely and more comfortably. And if you’re looking for a smart home security system to do that, we personally recommend Vivint.

Our Hands-On Experience With Vivint

Automation can also help deter burglars, but let’s talk about our experience with Vivint purely as a security system.

For starters, we noticed really fast response times from Vivint’s professional monitoring. We received text alerts as fast as under 10 seconds after triggering a sensor and then a phone call within 45 seconds. ADT was a little faster, but Vivint’s response time is within the 30- to 60-second industry average.

Here’s how Vivint’s response times compared to ADT and SimpliSafe:

Those text alerts from Vivint were exceptionally fast. And since we could confirm or ignore alerts through text, Vivint’s alerting process saved us precious time.

Additionally, we liked that Vivint’s Smart Hub – the touch screen control panel that controls the system – has a two-way audio link to the monitoring center. We think that would really be helpful to seniors in emergency situations as they won’t need to pick up the phone. They can speak with Vivint’s monitoring hands-free as long as the Smart Hub is within earshot. It’s pretty loud, too! We could audibly hear it from the kitchen, which is a good 15 feet from the Smart Hub.

Vivint Equipment and Monitoring Pricing

We loved Vivint for all the smart technology it offers, but we’re not big fans of Vivint’s pricing nor its lack of transparency. You won’t find out anything about Vivint’s pricing through its website. The only way to get a quote is to request one by leaving your contact information or by calling Vivint’s phone numbers. That can make comparing security systems more difficult if you’re considering more than one option. Plus, we noticed that Vivint’s sales representatives have a tendency to try to upsell customers.

On the bright side, we think Vivint’s monitoring pricing is fair. It starts at $39 per month, so it’s more expensive than ADT (starts at $24.99) and SimpliSafe’s (starts at $19.99) cheapest offers. But considering the home automation features, that’s a good price. Remember, Frontpoint charges $49.99.

On the equipment end, though, expect to pay Vivint more. The base package starts at $599.99, and add-on equipment can be expensive too. The Outdoor Camera Pro we tested cost us $399, and the indoor camera and video doorbell sell for $249 each. Vivint’s higher equipment pricing is the main reason it’s only third on this list, even though it’s about as good as ADT feature-wise.