Best DIY Home Security Systems in 2025 — Based on Real Reddit Reviews

Do you check your doors every night before bed just to feel safe? Do you worry about your home while you’re at work or on vacation? And are you confused about which DIY home security system is actually worth your money?

You’re not alone. In 2025, home security is a big concern, and there are way too many options out there. That’s why we turned to Reddit—where real people share honest feedback about the systems they’ve actually used.

In this article, I’ve researched real user experiences from Reddit to give you a clear and honest breakdown: Which DIY home security systems truly work—and which ones are just hype?

Let’s dive in and see what real users are saying on Reddit!

2. What to Look for in a DIY Home Security System

Before you settle on a system, it is best to know what actual features matter. Here are the need-to-haves and nice-to-haves:

• Need-to-HavesEasy Setup: Plug and play systems that do not required drilling and hiring an installer are huge plus.
• Mobile App Access: The ability to communicate with your system remotely, arm and disarm, or watch live footage or play back videos on your phone.
• Motion and Entry Sensors: The basic building blocks of your system for doors, windows and unexpected movement.
• Smart Home Integration: Works responsibly with Google Home, Amazon Alexa or Apple HomeKit- voice control and automation.

Bonus Features That Make a Big Difference

• That MatterLocal or Private Cloud Storage: Keep your footage protected and not on a server that can’t be trusted.
• Power Backup and Offline Alerts: You want to be alerted even if the Wi-Fi goes down or there is a power cut.
• No or Low Monthly Fees: Your system should have features you love, without being locked into an embarrassing subscription.

3. SimpliSafe – Reliable, But Frustrating in the Long Run

SimpliSafe is one of the most well-known DIY home security systems, but real user experiences show that it’s not all smooth sailing.

User Experience Summary:

One Reddit user shared that after two years of use, the system was more frustrating than helpful. The Wi-Fi cameras kept disconnecting, battery life was poor, and tech support couldn’t solve the issues—even after hours of troubleshooting. The doorbell camera also missed important activity and often triggered unnecessarily.

Pros:

• Sensors generally work well
• Simple, fast installation

Cons:

• Cameras often drop connection
• Doorbell camera lags and misses motion
• Monthly monitoring is expensive ($32/month)
• Customer support is slow and unhelpful

Bottom Line:

SimpliSafe can be good for basic security with its sensors, but if you’re relying on cameras or want top-notch support, it might fall short.

4. Eufy – Great Hardware, Confusing Ecosystem

Eufy makes some really solid security cameras, but many users find the software and ecosystem frustrating to deal with.

User Experience Summary:

A Reddit user shared their struggle with Eufy’s system upgrades. After buying a solar-powered camera and upgrading to Homebase 3, they found that many older devices no longer worked properly. HomeKit support was inconsistent, and setting everything up was confusing, especially with poor instructions.

Pros:

• Cameras have solid build quality
• Solar charging works well

Cons:

• Confusing product compatibility
• Homebase 2 and 3 don’t play well together
• Manuals are unclear and setup is frustrating

Bottom Line:

Eufy’s hardware is great, but the messy ecosystem can leave you annoyed—especially if you’re mixing old and new devices.

5. Wyze – Affordable but Unreliable

Wyze might seem like the perfect budget option at first, but for some users, the experience goes downhill quickly.

User Experience Summary:

One Reddit user loved Wyze in the beginning, especially the indoor cameras. But things changed after they added a doorbell and the home monitoring kit. The doorbell battery died in just days, and getting help from customer support turned into a frustrating loop of emails and delays. In the end, they felt the system wasn’t worth the trouble or money.

Pros:

• Affordable entry point
• Indoor cameras work well initially

Cons:

• Doorbell battery drains quickly
• Home monitoring is buggy
• Customer support is slow and unhelpful

Bottom Line:

If you just need a cheap camera to check in on your pets, Wyze might do. But for serious home security? It may cause more stress than peace of mind.

6. Arlo – Premium Price, Subscription Trap

User Experience Summary:

While Arlo cameras offer excellent video quality, many users have expressed frustration with the hefty subscription fees. After the free trial ends, cameras lose almost all functionality, leaving users feeling misled about what they could actually do without paying.

Pros:

• High-quality video quality
• Easy to set up

Cons:

• Expensive subscription required for full features
• No video storage after the free trial
• Cameras become nearly useless without a paid plan

Bottom Line:

Great quality cameras, but the hidden costs make it a tough choice unless you’re okay with paying extra for features.

7. Abode – Strong Start, Weak Finish

User Experience Summary:

Once a strong contender for secure, encrypted sensors, Abode now faces criticism for its clunky app, poor UX, and inconsistent emergency response times. Users are also frustrated with the degraded customer service experience.

Pros:

• Encrypted sensors
• Custom rules & automations

Cons:

• Slow emergency response
• Terrible app UI/UX
• Degraded customer support

Bottom Line:

Abode started strong but has fallen short in recent years with a cumbersome app and slow response times.

8. Conclusion: Which One Is Best for You?

Not all systems are equal—real user feedback highlights key differences. Which one fits you best?

• Do you need a budget-friendly option with basic features? Eufy could work for you.
• Are you looking for reliability and don’t mind some camera issues? Consider SimpliSafe.
• Hate subscriptions? You may want to avoid Arlo and Wyze.

Which features matter most to you—price, reliability, or ease of use? Choose wisely based on your needs!