The Highest-Rated Home Security Systems You Can Get From Costco

If you're trying to figure out how to choose the best security system for your home, you may want to consider one that allows for a DIY installation, has all the equipment you need, and provides the type of monitoring you want. Of course, it's also important to select a unit that fits within your budget, and a Costco membership can help you save money on all kinds of products. Not only does it allow you to save quite a bit by purchasing groceries in bulk (and on the retailer's iconic $1.50 hot dog and soda combination), but you'll also receive some great prices on luxury home items (many of which are definitely worth buying).

Whether you want a luxury home security system (as they all once were) or just some modern technological tools for protecting your family and home, you can save money by purchasing top-tier devices at Costco. To help you determine which security system you should pick, you may want to rely on customer ratings from past buyers. Among the systems that Costco sells, two have impressive 4.7-star ratings (out of 5) from customers: the Ring 2nd Gen 14-Piece Home Alarm Security Kit and the SimpliSafe Series 2 10-Piece Security System. Both products are available for purchase online, with shipping and handling included in the price. (Note that the kits may not be in stock at your local warehouse.)

The Ring 2nd Gen 14-Piece Home Alarm Security Kit ($350 at Costco) includes a base station, two keypads, two motion detectors, a range extender, a stick-up camera, and several eight door/window contact sensors to cover entry points. More than 81% of Costco customer reviews give the kit 5 stars, while only 3% of reviewers assign it a 1-star rating. Setting up and operating this Ring kit was both the primary advantage and frustration mentioned by customers. Most of the 1-star reviewers complained about a difficult DIY setup or broken components. However, far more reviewers described an easy setup process.

Many people mentioned appreciating the Ring security system's ability to integrate with other Ring products they already owned. Additionally, some reviewers listed the kit's inclusion of a camera as a significant advantage. Although the Costco product information doesn't mention much about the camera, it appears to be Ring's 2nd Gen Indoor Cam, which offers 1080p HD video and color night vision. It also has a customizable motion detection feature that lets you tweak the detection zones.

Understand that you won't be able to easily price compare this Ring 2nd Gen system at other retailers. The model number and kit components appear to be unique to Costco, and selling exclusive products from major manufacturers is a common technique the membership retailer uses. Ring offers a 14-piece security kit on its website for $465, but unlike the Costco kit, it doesn't include a camera.

The SimpliSafe Series 2 10-Piece Security System ($200 at Costco, though limited-time sales may be available) includes a base station, keypad, motion sensor, key fob, panic button, outdoor camera, and four entry sensors. This kit has excellent customer reviews online, with 86% of Costco reviewers giving it 5 stars. Only 4% rate it 1 star.

Several reviewers say it's a great starter kit for those who want to try DIY security systems, and others were impressed with how the system allowed them to seamlessly add more components. If you think you might want to expand your coverage options in the future, this is a particularly handy feature. Many customers were also pleased with the image quality from the kit's Outdoor Camera Series 2, which offers 1080p HD video, a 10x zoom feature, and night vision capabilities. SimpliSafe lists the Series 2 camera for $200 when sold individually, so having it included in the Costco system is great value.

As with the Ring system, it's difficult to price compare this product, and the Costco kit appears to have a unique configuration. On the SimpliSafe website, a 10-piece kit with three motion sensors instead of one goes for $441.90. However, this item doesn't seem to have a panic button or camera. That said, the company's site may offer freebies and discounts, depending on when you check.