12 hours ago
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Renters experience break-ins and thefts, but too often they leave security up to the property owner. The secret is that many security kits are designed to be as movable and tenant-friendly as possible, including peel-and-stick sensors and low-maintenance app management. No screws, conversions or permanent changes are required.
Arlo has a unique, powerful home security system that’s a perfect fit for apartments and small homes. This kit provides two all-in-one sensors that can measure up to eight things, including an opened door or window, motion detection, smoke or carbon monoxide leak detection, and even ambient light changes.
Pros
- Compact 8-in-1 sensors
- Easy to set up
- Rare extras like light and leak detection
- Subscription isn't required for most features
- Ideal for smaller spaces
- Affordable at about $150
- Can work with Arlo doorbells and other tricks
Cons
- No additional smart home integrations with third parties
Aqara's security system isn't just adhesive-based and renter-friendly, it's also super small and guaranteed not to get in the way. The 2K pan/tilt camera offers smart detection features and two-way audio while also acting as a hub. It supports a little motion sensor, access sensor and vibration sensor that you can put nearly anywhere, from under a table to over a cabinet drawer.
Pros
- Tiny, affordable security
- A 2K pan/tilt camera with great video clarity
- Sensors that are effective and easy to set up
- Compatibility with other platforms, including Apple
Cons
- Not every renter may want a camera (although it does include a privacy mode)
- More intricate home routine options can be confusing or hard to find
If you're a renter and you prefer professional home monitoring for your system, one of the best choices available is Wyze's Core security kit. It includes important basics like entry sensors, a motion sensor and a climate sensor, and lets you add a Wyze cam to boot.
Pros
- Three months of free monitoring with a low $10 fee afterward
- Affordable initial price less than $100
- Easy setup
- Compatible with Wyze cams and other sensors
- The Wyze app is quite user friendly
Cons
- Professional monitoring is required and that's not for everyone
One of the SimpliSafe facets we like is the customized kit options for the size of your home, no sign-ups or estimates required. The Foundation Kit is one of the best options for renters who may have smaller homes. It's equipped with the basics, including an entry sensor and motion sensor to help you get started. SimpliSafe’s keypad and sensor designs are excellent, easy to fit and mount in small spaces, and come with adhesive strips for minimal impact.
Pros
- Good design
- Easy starter package
- Usually affordable with common discounts
Cons
- Some very good features locked behind the self-monitoring plan
If a full security kit isn't really your style, you have other options -- and one of my favorites is this simple, affordable panic button from Ring. You can put it anywhere you spend a lot of time in your apartment, no base station or hub required -- instead, it taps into Amazon Sidewalk, using a bit of your Wi-Fi bandwidth and devices in range near your apartment, which means it may be able to work even if your Wi-Fi goes down.
Pros
- Affordable emergency contact option that's an alternative to security systems
- Can put it anywhere
- No hub needed
- Can support emergency services with a subscription
- Subscription includes Alexa Guard benefits
Cons
- Paying $20 for emergency services is pricey but fortunately not necessary
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- Best Home Security Systems for Renters in 2026: No Screws, No Hassle
- What is the best home security system for renters?
- Best security systems for renters in 2026
- Best overall home security system for renters
- Best security system with a camera for renters
- Best home security system for renters with professional monitoring
- Best adhesive-based home security system for renters
- Best panic button alternative for renters
- Security systems for renters compared
- How we test home security systems
- Other home security systems for renters we tested
- Is it legal for a renter to install their own security system?
- Factors to consider when choosing a home security system for renters
- What we've updated
- FAQs
That opens up these security systems to most renters, but which are the right options? I've spent nearly 300 hours testing the latest security systems from top brands to find out. I settled on most versatile, compact kits that won't kill your budget and are easy to move with you. Here's what works.
What is the best home security system for renters?
Arlo's new Security Tag is a great fit for its super-compact home security system.
ArloAfter considering renting situations, I kept coming back to one security kit: Arlo's innovative, compact system with two do-everything sensors and an arm/disarm keypad, a snug fit for most renting situations with a subscription option that isn't required for core features, making it optimal for those with an eye on their wallets.
Read more: 11 of the Best Smart Home Gifts
But if you'd like to look at more options, we've included a great list below, including smart home devices, a very mini camera kit from Aqara and a highly effective Ring peephole camera. The latter is particularly beneficial for apartment buildings. If you want to know more about security, you can check out even more of our valuable CNET guides about cheap home security systems and affordable home security cameras.
Best security systems for renters in 2026
Pros
- Compact 8-in-1 sensors
- Easy to set up
- Rare extras like light and leak detection
- Subscription isn't required for most features
- Ideal for smaller spaces
- Affordable at about $150
- Can work with Arlo doorbells and other tricks
Cons
- No additional smart home integrations with third parties
Arlo has a unique, powerful home security system that’s a perfect fit for apartments and small homes. This kit provides two all-in-one sensors that can measure up to eight things, including an opened door or window, motion detection, smoke or carbon monoxide leak detection, and even ambient light changes.
That’s a complete package at a fairly affordable price, and you can put the sensors nearly anywhere depending on what you want to measure, from access to fire safety. If you feel like two sensors aren't enough, you can add more later.
This versatility makes Arlo’s system excellent for renters and particularly easy to set up once you’ve found the right spots. You can mix and match detection functions to cover exactly what you want and avoid unnecessary updates or info. The Arlo Secure plan primarily covers security cameras until the highest tiers start to offer professional home monitoring, so don’t consider it a requirement for these sensors when starting.
Pros
- Tiny, affordable security
- A 2K pan/tilt camera with great video clarity
- Sensors that are effective and easy to set up
- Compatibility with other platforms, including Apple
Cons
- Not every renter may want a camera (although it does include a privacy mode)
- More intricate home routine options can be confusing or hard to find
Aqara's security system isn't just adhesive-based and renter-friendly, it's also super small and guaranteed not to get in the way. The 2K pan/tilt camera offers smart detection features and two-way audio while also acting as a hub. It supports a little motion sensor, access sensor and vibration sensor that you can put nearly anywhere, from under a table to over a cabinet drawer.
Aqara's sytem is a cinch to set up and works with major voice assistants like Amazon Alexa, Apple Home/Siri and Google Home/Gemini (although some features may be limited if you control it through these platforms).
There's a lot to tinker with when customizing security routines in Aqara's app, but renters can stick with basic alerts and alarms if they don't want to go through all of that, making this kit easy to recommend for a variety of tenants.
Pros
- Three months of free monitoring with a low $10 fee afterward
- Affordable initial price less than $100
- Easy setup
- Compatible with Wyze cams and other sensors
- The Wyze app is quite user friendly
Cons
- Professional monitoring is required and that's not for everyone
If you're a renter and you prefer professional home monitoring for your system, one of the best choices available is Wyze's Core security kit. It includes important basics like entry sensors, a motion sensor and a climate sensor, and lets you add a Wyze cam to boot.
I've tested out Wyze's models and they are serviceable, but the real value here is the three months of free professional monitoring, plus a low-cost $10 subscription afterward. That's less than most people pay for Netflix, and could easily be worth your peace of mind.
Keep in mind, professional monitoring has the ability to notify local authorities in emergencies. Your landlord and lease will probably allow it if you're the one paying, but it's a good idea to double-check.
Pros
- Good design
- Easy starter package
- Usually affordable with common discounts
Cons
- Some very good features locked behind the self-monitoring plan
One of the SimpliSafe facets we like is the customized kit options for the size of your home, no sign-ups or estimates required. The Foundation Kit is one of the best options for renters who may have smaller homes. It's equipped with the basics, including an entry sensor and motion sensor to help you get started. SimpliSafe’s keypad and sensor designs are excellent, easy to fit and mount in small spaces, and come with adhesive strips for minimal impact.
SimpliSafe does have a self-monitoring plan for about $10 per month, which is more useful with a camera, but does add features such as remote arming/disarming and push notifications if an alarm goes off.
Pros
- Affordable emergency contact option that's an alternative to security systems
- Can put it anywhere
- No hub needed
- Can support emergency services with a subscription
- Subscription includes Alexa Guard benefits
Cons
- Paying $20 for emergency services is pricey but fortunately not necessary
If a full security kit isn't really your style, you have other options -- and one of my favorites is this simple, affordable panic button from Ring. You can put it anywhere you spend a lot of time in your apartment, no base station or hub required -- instead, it taps into Amazon Sidewalk, using a bit of your Wi-Fi bandwidth and devices in range near your apartment, which means it may be able to work even if your Wi-Fi goes down.
The button comes in two flavors. The first is a free option that simply alerts the emergency contacts you've set that something is wrong. The second is a Ring subscription (starting at $20) that includes emergency response options for fires, break-ins and so on. That's pricey but it also includes Alexa Guard support, which means it will work especially well with an Echo speaker, too.
Security systems for renters compared
| $200 | $160 | $100 | $250 | |
| Arlo Secure $8 to $25 per month (not necessary) | Optional cloud storage and feature subscription | Professional monitoring $10 per month (required) | $10 to $30 per month | Emergency services $20 per month, not required |
| Keypad, 2 8-in-1 sensors | 1 base camera hub, 1 motion sensor, 1 vibration sensor, 1 open/shut sensor | Keypad, motion sensor, 2 entry sensors | Base station, keypad, entry sensor, motion sensor | |
| No | No | No | No | No |
| Yes with Safe & Secure Plan | No | Yes | Yes with all except self-monitoring plan | Yes with Ring AI Pro plan |
| 8.3 | 8 | N/A | 8.5 | N/A |
For each system we test, we install it ourselves just as you would at home, or we have an installer come set it up in the case of professional systems like ADT and Comcast Xfinity. Once it's installed, we spend at least a week testing the system and all the device-by-device features. Our ranking puts a priority on value, but also takes into strong consideration the quality of hardware, service and general user experience, including how easy it was to set up and the frequency of false alarms. For more robust information on any of the recommended security systems above, please read the full reviews.
If you want to read more about our review process, check out our in-depth article on how we test home security systems and services.
Ring Alarm Pro Kit: Ring Alarm Pro upgrades the security system in a few ways but that makes it a poor fit for apartments. It’s much more expensive and the required Wi-Fi 6 router isn’t necessary for renters who likely already have a router of their own.
Ring Peephole cam: This camera was designed to fit on apartment doors and look out, with a design typically allowed in apartment buildings. However, Ring discontinued this model and there aren't any trustworthy substitutes on the market right now.
ADT Security Systems: ADT's new ADT+ system is an improvement, but the company still struggles with long-term contracts and insanely expensive subscriptions, two of the worst things for renters.
Vivint Home Security: Vivint can customize a security system for a small area, but their process is opaque and requires professional installation. For apartment owners who may be moving in the future, we prefer non-contract DIY systems with fewer strings attached.
Frontpoint systems: Frontpoint offers some excellent DIY systems, but you are herded into a very expensive professional home monitoring subscription that’s a poor fit for any renter.
Usually, renters can install security systems as long as they don't cause damage to doors, walls, etc. However, you should always look at your lease first if you aren't sure. Some owners include a section in leases that says only the owner can make security additions to the home. If you still want a security system but you spot one of these lease restrictions, you should contact your landlord or property management company and ask if you can install a no-damage, nonpermanent security system. Remember, you can easily take home security systems like these with you if you move.
Price
Home security systems tend to start at several hundred dollars and go up as you add more devices. That can be a tough price point for any renter, which is why we focused on kits available for $200 and less whenever possible. Keep in mind, subscription fees can add $15 to $30 per month if you want a lot of extra features or monitoring.
Finally, be wary of the prices of major home security platforms such as Vivint, Frontpoint and others. Many run perennial deals that don’t often represent the products very accurately, while others may want you to sign up for a quote before revealing any pricing information.
Installation
We know renters want to keep their walls clean and get their deposits back, so we favored systems that could be set up using adhesives or careful placement rather than drilling. This also makes the system easier to take with you when you move.
Sensors
Even small home security systems come with a front door sensor and easy disarm options that are ideal for renters. But we also like to see extras thrown in at these prices. Our Ring Alarm pick, for example, it’s a motion detector and range extender to help offer more complete coverage. Some brands like Arlo offer sensors with multiple functions, which are an especially good fit for smaller spaces. House renters may want to add extra sensors for additional windows and backdoors, which will bump up the price.
A panic button is a more expensive option for solo living, but gives you immediate emergency access.
RingApp
App controls are important when setting up a security system with multiple devices. We look for apps that are intuitive and enable quick systems. Apps should allow you to check on the status of any specific device, add devices and arm or disarm at will.
Smart device compatibility
If you already have a smart device like a Nest speaker or Echo Show, you should look for a home security system that can work with it for more alert options. Apple and Siri compatibility are the hardest to find. We’re ranking this factor a little lower than usual, because with hubs (usually included) and without cameras (usually not included in starter kits) there’s less need for smart integration.
Power options
Wireless systems are a often must-have for the easy DIY renters are looking for. You may also see options for battery backup power during power failures or cellular connections when your Wi-Fi is down, but that will cost extra.
Additional devices
Good systems for renters include options to easily add devices to the system, preferably from the brand and from third party smart devices. This makes it easy for renters to expand when they spot a new need or move to a larger location.
Ring's system offers quality and an ideal choice for smaller homes.
RingSpring 2026: I made a number of changes to this list, including adding the Wyze kit (I'm beginning to recommend Wyze products now that the company has gone years without security issues), moving Arlo's system up to the top and exchanging the defunct Ring Peephole camera with the Ring panic button.
Do I need a subscription for an apartment system system?
Self-monitoring without a subscription (getting alerts on your phone, etc.) is usually possible with DIY systems, including the systems we’ve listed above. However, subscriptions tend to add a lot features, such as power back-ups, more support for third-party devices, more arming modes and even professional home monitoring.
For systems like our Ring Alarm pick, a subscription is essentially required to use the system. For other systems we chose, like our Abode pick or the Arlo all-in-on sensors, subscriptions are less necessary.
Can you install a security system in a rental?
You can add a home security system to your rented apartment or home, but a DIY, noninvasive system (one that does not require drilling into walls or doors, or rewiring a doorbell, for example) will often be your best bet. Your lease may have more information, but generally these lightweight security systems are legal.
Should I put a security camera in my apartment?
An exterior camera, unless reserved to private spaces like your back patio, is generally not recommended for apartments. They're outlawed in apartment buildings (and easily stolen or broken, too). Landlords may allow them in house rentals but you may need to ask permission first or let them handle it.
On the other hand, there are many reasons why you may want to add a security camera or two inside. Smart home cameras are great ways to monitor kids from another room or pets when you're out of the house. As for security, a camera may capture images or videos of intruders and send you an alert. Furthermore, the presence of a security camera is often enough to deter a potential burglar, so consider placing a camera somewhere it can be easily seen by others.
How can I secure my apartment?
Installing a home security system that monitors entryways and the interior of your apartment is one of the best ways to secure your dwelling, but there are other measures you can take. It's a good idea to keep any valuables out of sight, especially from windows (where someone may see them from the outside). Remember, apartment buildings may have rules against exterior security cams, but you may be able to use devices like the Ring Peephole Cam.
The buddy system can be a free but invaluable way to enhance your apartment's security: Make friends with your neighbors, communicate suspicious activity and ask them to keep an eye on your property while you keep an eye on theirs. You may also want to consider renter's insurance to minimize losses in the event of a burglary or other security breach. To learn more about home security for apartments, check out these home security tips for apartments.
What home security systems support matter?
Matter (along with the related Thread) is a standard that adds security and compatibility to smart home devices, especially with support for popular platforms like Apple HomeKit, Google Home or Alexa. Matter is an excellent sign of an up-to-date, user-friendly device but it’s still limited on the home security front. If you’re looking for a single smart lock or similar device, we recommend looking for a Matter-compatible model. But Matter hasn’t rolled out to hub-based security system kits like these, at least not for now.
What is the best affordable security system for renters?
If you want to save as much money as possible, think about choosing a single camera or a doorbell like the Ring Peephole Cam. Models like these can include motion detection, object recognition, audio, sirens and a lot more, functioning like a mini home security system in one device. If you really need multiple sensors at different locations, look for an affordable entry-level, DIY system, like Abode's starter kit.
