Home Security Resources, Guides & Tips
Expert advice on home security, smart-home automation, cameras, and getting the most from your Vivint system.
How to Integrate All Your Smart Devices Into One System in 2026
Smart bulbs, locks, cameras, thermostats, speakers. If they all live in different apps, your smart home isn't really smart yet. Here's how to bring everything together into one simple system in 2026.
Robot Vacuums Are Getting Smarter (and Cheaper): What It Means for Your Connected Home
A new deal on the Roborock Q7 M5 robot vacuum and mop is the latest sign that smart home devices are becoming more affordable and more capable. Here's what that trend means for homeowners building out a connected household.
What Standing Desks Have to Do With a Smarter, Safer Home Office
CNET's latest roundup of the best standing desks for 2026 is a reminder that home offices are getting smarter gear across the board. Here's why that trend matters for how you think about protecting your workspace, too.
Home Security 101: Why It Matters and How to Protect Your Home in 2026
Break-ins happen more often than most people think, but the right layers of protection can make your home a much harder target. Here's what every homeowner should know about home security in 2026.
Home Automation 101: Why a Smart Home Is Safer and Smarter
Home automation has moved well past novelty gadgets. Here is a plain-English look at what it actually is, why it matters for your safety and budget, and how to start building a smart home that works for your family.
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How to Place Outdoor Cameras for Maximum Coverage Around Your Home
Where you mount your outdoor cameras matters as much as which cameras you buy. Here's how to map your property, cover blind spots, and avoid common placement mistakes.
Xfinity Home vs Vivint: Comparing Bundled vs Dedicated Security in 2026
Thinking about bundling security with your internet bill or going with a dedicated smart home provider? Here's how Xfinity Home and Vivint stack up on equipment, monitoring, contracts, and long-term value.
Abode vs Vivint: Comparing Smart Home Hubs for DIY Homeowners
Weighing Abode against Vivint for your smart home hub? Here's an honest look at installation style, equipment, monitoring, and automation depth to help you pick the right fit.
Arlo vs Vivint: Which Outdoor Camera System Performs Better in 2026?
Arlo and Vivint both make solid outdoor cameras, but they're built for different kinds of homeowners. Here's how they compare on video quality, monitoring, weather durability, and total cost in 2026.
Eufy vs Vivint: Local Storage vs Cloud Storage for Cameras Explained
Choosing between local and cloud camera storage affects your monthly cost, footage reliability, and how easily you can review an event. Here's how Eufy's local-first approach compares to Vivint's cloud model, and how to decide what fits your home.
Wyze vs Vivint: Comparing Budget and Full-Service Security in 2026
Wyze and Vivint sit on opposite ends of the home security spectrum. Here's how their cameras, monitoring, and long-term value actually compare in 2026.
Brinks Home vs Vivint: A Side-by-Side Comparison for 2026
Comparing Brinks Home and Vivint on equipment, contracts, smart-home features, and pricing to help you decide which system fits your household in 2026.
How Many Security Cameras Does Your Home Actually Need?
There's no one-size-fits-all camera count for every home. Here's how to figure out the right number of security cameras based on your home's layout, entry points, and budget.
Cove vs Vivint: Comparing Monitoring Plans and Pricing (2026)
Cove and Vivint take very different approaches to home security. Here's how their monitoring plans, equipment, contracts, and pricing compare in 2026, so you can decide which fits your household.
How to Set Up a Smart Home From Scratch: A Beginner's Roadmap
Thinking about turning your house into a smart home in 2026 but not sure where to start? This beginner's roadmap walks through the planning, hardware, and setup decisions that make the process simple instead of overwhelming.
Indoor vs Outdoor Cameras: Key Differences Homeowners Should Know
Not all security cameras are built the same. Here's how indoor and outdoor cameras differ in weatherproofing, field of view, night vision, and placement, so you can build a smarter home security setup.
How to Choose a Smart Lock in 2026: A Buying Guide
Smart locks have come a long way, but not all of them are created equal. Here's what to actually look for before you buy one in 2026, from entry methods to integration with your home security system.
Google Nest vs Vivint: Comparing Two Smart Home Ecosystems (2026)
Google Nest and Vivint both promise a smarter, safer home, but they take very different approaches. Here's how the two ecosystems compare on devices, monitoring, installation, and cost in 2026.
Best Video Doorbells of 2026, Ranked and Compared
Shopping for a video doorbell in 2026? Here is an honest, no-nonsense ranking of the top options, what makes each one worth considering, and how to pick the right fit for your home.
How Frontpoint Monitoring Works: A Look at the Process
Curious how Frontpoint's alarm monitoring actually works, from sensor trip to dispatch? Here's a plain-English breakdown of the process, plus what to consider when comparing monitoring providers.
SimpliSafe vs Vivint for Renters: Which Fits Your Lease Better?
Renting comes with its own security challenges, from lease restrictions to moving day. Here's how SimpliSafe and Vivint compare for renters weighing DIY setup against professional installation and long-term smart-home value.
Vivint vs ADT in 2026: How the Two Security Systems Compare
Vivint and ADT are two of the biggest names in home security. Here's an honest, side-by-side look at how they compare on equipment, monitoring, contracts, and price in 2026.
What to Look For in a Home Security Company in 2026
Not all home security companies are created equal. Here's how to compare monitoring, equipment, contracts, and support so you choose a system that actually protects your home.
Smart Locks vs Traditional Locks: Which Is Safer in 2026?
Smart locks and traditional deadbolts both keep doors closed, but they protect your home in very different ways. Here is how they compare on security, convenience, and cost so you can decide what belongs on your front door.
How to Prevent Home Break-Ins: 12 Proven Tips for 2026
Break-ins often follow predictable patterns. Learn 12 practical, research-backed steps to make your home a harder target in 2026, from door hardware upgrades to smart cameras and lighting.
Night Vision Security Cameras Explained: How They Work and What to Look For in 2026
Not all night vision is created equal. Here is what infrared, color night vision, and low-light sensors actually do, plus how to choose a camera that keeps your property visible after dark.
Garage Door Security: How to Protect a Common Entry Point
Your garage door may be the weakest link in your home's defenses. Here's how burglars exploit it and the smart home upgrades that shut those gaps down.
How Home Security Motion Sensors Work (2026 Homeowner Guide)
Motion sensors are the quiet workhorses of any home security system. Here's a plain-English breakdown of how they detect movement, the different technologies behind them, and how to place them for the best protection in 2026.
Home Security Tips for When You're on Vacation in 2026
Heading out of town? Here are the smartest, most practical ways to protect your home while you're away, from smart lighting to camera monitoring and a few habits burglars really do notice.
Vivint vs Ring: Which Home Security System Wins in 2026?
Vivint and Ring take very different approaches to home security. Here's how professional monitoring, installation, cameras, and pricing compare so you can pick the right fit for your home.
How to Secure a Sliding Glass Door in 2026
Sliding glass doors are a favorite entry point for burglars because factory locks are easy to defeat. Here's how to lock down every weak spot, from track bars to smart sensors.
The Best Smart Home Devices for Home Security in 2026
From smart locks to video doorbells, here are the smart home devices that actually make your house safer in 2026, and how to connect them into one system that works together.
How Smart Thermostats Save You Money in 2026
Heating and cooling account for the biggest chunk of most utility bills. Here's how a smart thermostat can trim that cost automatically, without you having to think about it.
Home Security Checklist for New Homeowners in 2026
Just closed on a new house? Here is the complete home security checklist new homeowners need in 2026, from rekeying locks to setting up cameras and smart alarms.
DIY vs Professional Home Security: Which Is Right for You in 2026?
Trying to decide between a DIY security kit and a professionally installed, monitored system? Here is an honest breakdown of the costs, effort, and protection differences so you can choose with confidence.
What Is 24/7 Professional Monitoring, and Is It Worth It?
A closer look at how 24/7 professional monitoring works, what happens when an alarm trips at 3 a.m., and whether paying for round-the-clock monitoring makes sense for your household.
Doorbell Camera Buying Guide for 2026
Shopping for a video doorbell in 2026? Here's what actually matters, from video resolution and field of view to power options and monitoring plans, so you can choose a doorbell camera that fits your home.
Are Wireless Security Cameras Safe From Hackers? What Homeowners Need to Know in 2026
Wireless security cameras can be hacked, but the risk is largely preventable. Here's what actually makes cameras vulnerable, how to lock yours down, and what to look for in a more secure system.
Best Outdoor Security Cameras of 2026
Shopping for an outdoor security camera in 2026? Here's what actually matters, from resolution and weatherproofing to smart alerts and professional monitoring, plus how to choose the right setup for your home.
How to Install a Security Camera: Step by Step (2026 Guide)
Thinking about adding a camera to your home? Here's a clear, step-by-step walkthrough of how to install a security camera, from choosing the right spot to wiring, mounting, and connecting it to your smart-home app.