- Get Echo in some packages
- Use Alexa Guard integration
- Use Alexa Guard Integration
- Ask Alexa to track battery life
- Use Alexa Guard Integration
- Ask Alexa to track battery life
- Ask Alexa to call for help
- Check event history with voice
Bottom line: Amazon Alexa gives ADT a high-tech upgrade
ADT has been the first name in home security for nigh on two centuries—but that esteemed reputation has collected a little dust over the years. We’ve enjoyed all the changes ADT rolled out in 2020, and its strong Amazon Alexa integration is one of our favorites.
While most security systems let Alexa arm and disarm your system, ADT gives you true voice control. You can turn smart lights on, adjust the temperature, and ask if you left the garage door open (hint—if you did, Alexa will close it for you).
Now you can get the most reliable pro monitoring in the business and all the newfangled bells and whistles offered by other companies like SimpliSafe or Vivint. It’s about time, ADT. Welcome to the show.
The best security systems that work with Alexa
Compare the best Alexa home security systems
| Lowest monthly price* |
| Installation |
| Contract required |
| Arm with Alexa |
| Smart home control with Alexa |
| Call for help with Alexa |
| Learn More |
| Best for monitoring | Best for integration | Best for emergencies | Best for smart home control | Best for simple voice control |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| $44.99 | $10.00 | $19.99 | $29.99 | $44.99 |
| Pro | DIY | DIY | Pro | DIY |
| Yes ✓ |
No X |
No X |
No** X |
No X |
| Yes ✓ |
Yes ✓ |
Yes ✓ |
Yes ✓ |
Yes ✓ |
| At higher plan price | Ring Bridge required | No X |
At higher plan price | Yes ✓ |
| With Alexa Guard | No X |
Yes ✓ |
No X |
No X |
| View Packages | View on Amazon | View Packages | View Packages | View Packages |
*Price listed for the most affordable plan that is compatible with Amazon Alexa.
**No contract options available with up-front equipment purchase.
Amazon.com price as of 07/24/2020 at 11:17 a.m. (MT). Read full disclaimer.
Our approach
To figure out which security systems work best with Amazon Alexa, we started with the systems we already know do a good job at keeping your home and family safe. We considered our usual criteria, including price, tech and equipment, customer satisfaction, and overall value.
From there, we looked at how easy it was to add voice control with Alexa and how much you could do with it.
We prioritized systems that offer great pro monitoring and those that let you do more with Alexa than simply arm and disarm your security system. Top consideration was given to these primary factors:
- Built-in Alexa integration
- Alexa Guard integration
- Smart home controls
- Emergency help integration
The best security systems that work with Alexa reviews
ADT: Best for pro monitoring
ADT has always been good at keeping watch over your home, but its tech evolution has often lagged behind other home security companies. 2020 heralded a new era for the security stalwart, and we’re glad to see it.
We put ADT at the top of this list because you get high-end home security protection—including the most monitoring centers of any home security brand. And that’s only made better when you add the convenience of voice control with Amazon Alexa.
ADT and Alexa
When you add the Alexa Smart Home skill to your ADT home security setup, you turn Alexa into your household safety monitor. You can use voice control to do things that would normally require you to open the ADT Control app on your phone.
That’s convenient if you’re elbows deep in dinner, but it’s extra helpful for people with dexterity issues or other challenges that make getting into your phone an arduous task.
Alexa Guard integration
Plus, you can activate Alexa Guard to listen for signs of danger when you’re not at home. If something suspicious is detected (the fire alarm or breaking glass) you can get an instant alert on your phone or have Alexa send an audio clip directly to an ADT monitoring center for immediate assistance.
Insider info
These extra “ears” let you run errands or visit the grandparents in peace—knowing that ADT (and Alexa) are keeping watch on everything while you’re away.
The biggest disappointment is that you need to spend more to get these benefits. The lowest-level monthly plan that comes with Alexa compatibility runs about $45 per month, and you can’t get smart home controls until you jump up to the $63 monthly plan.
Get all the details in our full ADT review.
What you can do with ADT and Alexa
On top of arming and disarming your ADT home security system, you can use Alexa to control other smart home devices and keep you updated on system activity. You can try these tasks:
- Check in on the status of your system (is it armed?).
- Turn lights on and off, and dim or change colors on smart light bulbs.
- Lock and unlock smart door locks.
- Control the temperature in different rooms to make sure everyone is comfy.
- Use Alexa Guard to monitor CO and smoke alarms, listen for suspicious sounds like glass breaking, and automatically send audio clips to ADT’s monitoring centers.
Pros
- Echo device included in some ADT packages
- Alexa Guard integration
- 140+ years of experience
- Nine monitoring centers
Cons
- Alexa integration requires more expensive plan
- Smart home controls cost even more
- Mandatory contract
Ring Alarm: Best for built-in integration
Because Ring and Alexa are owned by the same company (Amazon), Ring Alarm has a lot of Alexa-compatible functions. But it didn’t take the top spot on our list, because its home security offerings aren’t as robust as other DIY security options like Frontpoint.
The Ring ecosystem
That said, if you already have a Ring video doorbell or other Ring smart home device, the Ring Alarm security system is an affordable choice that gives you the option of 24/7 professional monitoring.
And if you rent or live in a smaller home, Ring’s slimmer offerings might be a better fit than a larger security system.
But beware; the more extras you want—like security cameras or motion-detection flood
lights—the bigger your up-front price tag will be. You also have to buy special equipment (a Ring Bridge for Ring devices or a Ring Transformer for third-party devices) to make those smart gadgets work with voice control through Alexa.
Ring and Alexa
When all is said and done, it’s a little confusing to figure out how to best maximize Alexa integration with the Ring Alarm system.
I usually love the option to shop by myself online without having to talk to someone. But to get the best Ring Alarm and Amazon Alexa setup, it took a lot of digging and reading to make sure I had all the components I’d need—and knowing this stuff is quite literally my job!
We recommend reaching out to Ring for help to make sure you get everything you need to have all the controls and convenience you want. Their online chat support is your best bet, especially with COVID-19 measures in place.
Learn more about Ring Alarm in our full review.
What you can do with Ring Alarm and Alexa
Here’s a sample of all the things you can control with your voice when you add the Ring skill to your Amazon Alexa app:
- Control Ring video doorbells and set up doorbell announcement notifications.
- Control Ring smart lighting devices.
- Control and access footage from Ring security cameras.
- Control Ring smart locks.
- Monitor battery life in all of your devices.
- Create smart home routines.
- Use Alexa Guard to listen for breaking glass and smoke and CO alarm alerts.
Pros
- Built-in Alexa integration
- Cheap monthly monitoring fees
- Full Ring ecosystem compatibility
- No contract required
Cons
- Extra equipment required
- Up-front price can get expensive
Scout: Best for emergency help
Scout has really elevated its simple home security offerings with comprehensive Amazon Alexa voice control integration. You can run your entire Scout system with Alexa—no need to reach for your phone.
We’ve always liked Scout’s aesthetics and the scaled-down size that makes it a perfect fit for smaller homes, apartments, or even a dorm room. And Scout has always done a perfectly fine job of adding extra protection without emptying your wallet.
Scout and Alexa
Now, the addition of full Alexa control makes Scout a bigger contender when it comes to smart home security systems. But our favorite feature is the ability to call out for help (literally)—Alexa will have Scout call your emergency contacts immediately.
The ability to ask Alexa to call for help is an important feature that makes Scout security easy to use for everyone in your household—from kids to family members with mobility or dexterity challenges. As long as you can call out, Scout and Alexa have you covered.
Scout compatibility
Scout’s accessibility makes up for some of Scout’s limitations, like no smoke alarm monitoring and tricky integration with other smart home ecosystems, like Nest.
If you want Scout to work with your Nest equipment, you’ll have to pay for monitoring from both companies, which makes Scout’s $20 a month pro monitoring seem like less of a good deal.
Find out all the details on Scout home security in our full review.
What you can do with Scout and Alexa
Here’s a look at everything you can do when you add Amazon Alexa voice control to your Scout security system:
- Stay in-the-know on every event your Scout system records.
- Get a run-down of your system’s history (Alexa, ask Scout about the last three events).
- Control and check in on the status of your security system.
- Ask the status of specific sensors like the bedroom window or front door.
- Call your emergency contacts without opening an app or picking up your phone.
- Ask Alexa to call for help from the Scout monitoring center.
- Activate your system’s panic mode.
Pros
- Complete Alexa integration
- Voice control to call for help
- Low monthly monitoring fees
- No contract required
Cons
- Few security equipment options
- Limited third-party compatibility
More brands we considered
Our top three Alexa-compatible home security systems do the best job of maximizing the perks of voice control—both for convenience and safety.
We also looked at some other top security brands, but they didn’t offer much more than the ability to ask Alexa if your security system is armed or disarmed. Here’s a quick look at our runners-up.
Vivint Home Security
Vivint is compatible with two Amazon Alexa skills—the Complete skill and the Basic skill. Depending on which Vivint security system plan you have, you may or may not be able to use these skills.
The Complete skill lets you use voice control for smart home gadgets like door locks, smart lights, thermostats, and garage doors. But that control is limited.
You can turn lights on and off and adjust the temperature, but for security, all you can do is arm the system and lock the door. Vivint doesn’t let you disarm or unlock with Alexa.
And, as with most other Alexa-compatible systems, you have to tell Alexa to ask Vivint to do whatever you want done.
The Basic skill gives you even fewer options—but you don’t have to ask Alexa to “ask Vivint.” If you want straightforward lighting and thermostat control, you’re in luck. That’s all you can do with Alexa’s Basic skill for Vivint security systems.
Find out more about Vivint home security in our full review, and see how it stacks up to our favorite Alexa-compatible home security system.
Frontpoint Home Security
It’s easy to connect your Frontpoint security system to Alexa’s Frontpoint skill, but it doesn’t give you much extra control. Much like Vivint, Frontpoint’s primary compatibility with Alexa is related to control of smart home devices like smart lights, the garage door, smart locks, and your smart thermostat.
But you do get a few extras. With Alexa, you can arm your Frontpoint system and ask the status of your system. Plus, Frontpoint lets you access security cameras with Alexa. You can move cameras (pan and tilt) or ask the camera to record a clip.
We’ve seen Frontpoint add a lot of smart home upgrades to its offerings over the past couple of years, so we hope to see expanded voice control features in the future. But for now, all you get is pretty basic smart home control that’s available from Alexa all on its own—adding the Frontpoint system to Alexa doesn’t really give you anything new.
Get all the details about Frontpoint in our full review, and find out how it compares to our top Alexa security system.
Final word
Voice control is fun and convenient, but when it comes to your security system, voice control needs to add extra safety. Here’s a quick recap of which home security systems’ Alexa integrations fit the bill:.
ADT offers the most benefits when you add voice control with Amazon Alexa. And we like that the company is so committed to these features that it includes Amazon Echo devices with some of its packages. We also like the extra reassurance of Alexa Guard—that gives you back-up if something happens when you’re asleep or away from home.
Ring Alarm comes with built-in Amazon Alexa compatibility and also includes Alexa Guard, but Ring’s security system equipment and features aren’t as robust as ADT’s.
Scout takes a minimalist approach to equipment, which makes it attractive and ideal for smaller living spaces. But it doesn’t hold back when it comes to what you can do with Amazon Alexa. We like that you can use Alexa to call for help or activate the panic mode.
If you’re still not decided, check out our favorite smart home security systems.
FAQ
How do I connect Alexa to my home security system?
To connect Alexa to your security system, all you need to do is add the skill for your home security company to your Alexa app.
You can find out if your security system works with Alexa by looking for an Alexa skill that matches your security system. Most of the security systems we looked at have Alexa skills that use the brand name. For example, the Alexa skill for ADT is called “ADT.”
For most security systems you can search in Alexa skills or narrow it down by looking in Alexa skills under “Smart Home.” Once you add the skill for your system, you’ll be able to control or check in on your security setup by talking to Alexa through your Echo device.
Can Alexa arm my security system?
Yes. That is the most common skill available when you add Amazon Alexa voice control to your home security system. But most systems don’t let you disarm your system or unlock doors with Alexa.
What is Alexa Guard?
Alexa Guard is a free security feature that lets your Amazon Echo device listen for suspicious sounds like glass breaking or your smoke alarm going off. When you activate Guard in your Alexa app, Alexa will notify you if the device picks up something unusual. You don’t need to have a security system to use Alexa Guard, but not all security systems work with Alexa Guard.
Can I use Alexa to monitor my security system?
Sort of. When you use Alexa Guard, you get notifications of noises happening at your house. If your smoke or CO alarm is triggered, you can call emergency services for help. If you hear glass breaking, you can alert the authorities.
But Alexa isn’t a substitute for professional monitoring from your home security company. It gives you an extra layer to add to self-monitoring if that’s your preference—but you won’t have professionals monitoring your house 24/7. And you won’t have a direct link to emergency services if there is a fire or break-in.
Do I have to use special voice commands when I add Alexa to my home security system?
Yes. Most security systems require you to ask Alexa to ask the system to do an action. For example, you need to say, “Alexa, tell Scout to panic,” instead of just saying, “Alexa, panic mode.”
For some actions, like smart lighting control, you may be able to simply tell Alexa to dim the lights or turn them off. Be sure to pay attention to all directions when you install the Alexa skill for your security system. That’s when you’ll find out what type of voice commands you need to use with your security system.
Related articles on SafeWise
Disclaimer
*Amazon.com list price as of 07/24/2020 11:17 a.m. (MT). Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Safewise.com utilizes paid Amazon links.
Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.
The post The Best Alexa-Compatible Home Security Systems appeared first on SafeWise.
No comments:
Post a Comment