Reviews Report
- SimpliSafe is Reviews.com’s top pick for best home security system in Tucson, earning a 4.4 out of 5.
- Tucson’s crime rate has been steadily decreasing, but is still higher than the national average. As a result, homeowners should consider investing in a home security system.
- Blue by ADT has professional monitoring through the leading security company ADT, meaning customers get professional monitoring on a DIY security system budget.
A home security system can give you the peace of mind that your home and your family are protected. But with so many systems to choose from, it can be challenging to choose the right one. We’ve narrowed down the five best home security systems in Tucson. We compared price, equipment cost, contracts, customer satisfaction, and installation to find the most comprehensive, affordable, and user-friendly systems.
The 5 Best Home Security Systems in Tucson
- SimpliSafe: Best Tucson Home Security for Flexibility
- Ring: Best Tucson Home Security for Ease of Use
- Abode: Best Tucson Home Security for Self-Monitoring
- Arlo: Best Tucson Home Security for High-Quality Cameras
- Blue by ADT: Best Tucson Home Security for Professional Monitoring
Compare the Best Tucson Home Security Systems
| Simplisafe | Ring | Abode | Arlo | Blue by ADT | |
| Reviews.com Score | 4.4 | 4.2 | 4.25 | 4 | 3.6 |
| Monitoring prices start at | $0.50/day | $10/month | $0.20/day or $6/month | $2.99/month | $19.99/month |
| Contract length | None | None | None | None | None |
| Cameras | Indoor Outdoor Doorbell | Indoor Outdoor Doorbell | Indoor Outdoor | Indoor Outdoor Doorbell | Indoor Outdoor Doorbell |
| Sensors | Glass break Intrusion Smoke/CO Flood/freeze Panic button | Glass break Intrusion Smoke/CO Flood/freeze Panic button | Glass break Intrusion Smoke/CO Flood/freeze Panic button | None | Intrusion Flood |
| Smart home integration | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Apple Watch | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Apple Home Kit | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Apple Watch | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit |
| Control panel | Mobile app and keypad | Mobile app and keypad | Mobile app and keypad | Mobile app | Mobile app and keypad |
Information accurate as of April 2021
Best for Flexibility
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Wide variety of cameras
- Affordable high-quality monitoring compared to competitors
- Many devices available to customize system
Cons
- Basic plan doesn’t include mobile alerts
- Limited integration with other smart devices
Equipment Available
- Indoor, outdoor, and doorbell cameras
- Window and door sensors
- Mobile phone control panel
- Environmental sensors
- Smart locks, lighting, and thermostat
Plans & Pricing
- Standard: $0.50/day
- Interactive: $0.83/day
Best for Ease of Use
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Easy to install and use
- Integration with smart home devices
- Affordable professional monitoring compared to competitors
Cons
- No video storage with free monitoring plan
- No security cameras in basic security system kits
Equipment Available
- Indoor, outdoor, and doorbell cameras
- Window and door sensors
- Mobile phone control panel
- Environmental sensors
- Smart locks and lighting
Plans & Pricing
- Basic: $3/month
- Plus: $10/month
Best for Self-Monitoring
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Affordable, yet comprehensive self-monitoring
- Integration with smart home devices
- Multiple sensors available
Cons
- No cellular backup with free monitoring plan
- No indoor-specific or doorbell cameras
Equipment Available
- Outdoor camera
- Window and door sensors
- Mobile phone and keypad control panel
- Environmental sensors
Plans & Pricing
- Standard: $0.20/day
- Pro: $0.66/day
Best for High-Quality Cameras
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- High-quality security cameras
- Low-cost monitoring plans
- No customer satisfaction ratings to gauge performance
Cons
- No sensors or smart home devices
- More expensive security cameras
- Plans are more expensive with more cameras
Equipment Available
- Indoor and outdoor cameras
- Doorbell cameras
- Baby monitors
Plans & Pricing
- Premier: $2.99/month for one camera or $9.99 for up to five cameras
- Elite: $4.99/month for one camera or $14.99 for up to five cameras
Best for Professional Monitoring
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Professional monitoring with the option for free DIY monitoring
- Customizable system
Cons
- No smart home devices and limited sensors
- Self-monitoring doesn’t include cellular backup
- Professional monitoring more expensive than competitors
Equipment Available
- Indoor, outdoor, and doorbell cameras
- Window, door, and flood sensors
- Mobile phone control panel
- Wifi extender for Blue by ADT cameras
Plans & Pricing
- DIY: free
- Professional monitoring: $19.99/month
Home Security in Tucson: What You Need to Know
Tucson, Arizona, crime statistics
If you live in Tucson or are considering a move there, it’s important to understand the city’s crime trends in the city. Not only can this data help you to decide if Tuscon is the right city for you, but it can also help you decide whether you should invest in a home security system.
Here are a few things to know about crime in Tucson:
- Crime in Tucson has been decreasing substantially, with a year-over-year decrease of 30%.
- Tucson’s total crime rate is about 59% above the national average. The violent crime rate is 81% above the national average, while the property crime rate is 55% higher.
- Tucson is safer than about 9% of American cities, and you have a 1 in 26 chance of becoming the victim of a crime.
Research your neighborhood
Not only is it important to consider the crime rate for the city overall, but residents should also pay attention to the crime in their individual neighborhoods. Tucson has more than 100 different neighborhoods, and each has its own characteristics and crime rate.
Here are the largest neighborhoods in Tucson:
- Midvale Park: With a population of just over 17,000, Midvale Park is safer than much of the city. While the crime rate is still higher than the national average, it’s lower than the crime rate for the city as a whole. The property crime rate especially falls below the city average.
- Rita Ranch: With a population of just over 15,000, Rita Ranch is one of the safer neighborhoods in the city. In fact, Rita Ranch’s crime rate is below the national average for both violent crime and property crime. The neighborhood is safer than 87% of Arizona cities.
- Sunnyside: Sunnyside is the third-largest neighborhood in Tucson, with a population of almost 14,000. Sunnyside’s crime rate closely resembles the city average. The violent crime rate is roughly 80% higher than the national average, while the property crime rate is 45% higher.
Register your home security system in Tucson
The city of Tucson requires city residents to obtain a license for a home security alarm. It costs $20 to register an alarm system.
Registration of home security systems helps to reduce the number of false alarms that police must respond to. Like many cities, Tucson charges a fee for false alarms. There’s no fee for the incident, but residents will pay a fee ranging from $100 to $300 for second and subsequent false alarms.
To apply for a home or business security alarm license you can:
- Apply online for a new alarm registration
- Fill out and mail in the alarm registration agreement
How to choose your Tucson home security system
There’s a lot to consider when choosing the perfect home security system for you. Here are some things to keep in mind when choosing your Tuscon home security system.
Local vs. national companies
| Pros of local security company | Face-to-face interaction Your money stays in the community The company understands your neighborhood |
| Cons of local security company | Limited financial resources Customer services limited to business hours Less technology and fewer devices |
| Pros of national security company | Round-the-clock customer service The latest technology Many devices to choose from |
| Cons of national security company | Your money leaves your community No understanding of your community Lack of face-to-face customer service |
Tucson Home Security Systems FAQ
Methodology
We evaluated home security companies based on equipment cost, monthly costs, contract options, installation and customer satisfaction to determine Reviews.com scores and create our best home security reviews. To compare home security companies with other providers across the board, we calculate each Reviews.com score based on the following:
- Monthly Price: The lower the cost of a home security company’s monthly contract, the higher the score. Inversely, the higher the cost of the monthly contract, the lower the score in this metric.
- Equipment Cost: Affordability is important with home security, so we awarded higher scores to home security companies with lower prices on equipment.
- Contracts: Reviews.com reviewed the flexibility in contracts of the home security companies. The more flexibility, like having no contracts to bind customers for long periods, the higher the score.
- Customer Satisfaction: With J.D. Power’s 2020 Home Security Satisfaction Study, we assigned a score to each company based on the rating it received.
- Installation: Just like with contracts, we award higher scores to companies that have flexible installation options, like DIY or professional options.
