Cynthia Paez Bowman

Last updated on Mar 24, 2021

Reviews Report

• Reviews.com rates SimpliSafe as the best Atlanta home security system, scoring a 4.4 out of 5.
• The best security systems in Atlanta typically include smart home integration to control the home’s functionality remotely. 
• Most home security systems don’t require lock-in contract terms for flexibility.

Home security is more accessible nowadays thanks to the number of wireless systems available. All you need is an internet connection and a smartphone to keep an eye on your home and belongings. You can choose to monitor your system yourself through the app or pay for professional monitoring. It all depends on your budget. 

Doing your research to decide on what company to choose may take longer than setting your equipment up. Don’t fret — we analyzed the top providers in Georgia for criteria such as pricing, features and equipment to report our home security systems Atlanta reviews. You’ll be able to set up the best security system in Atlanta in no time. 

The 6 Best Home Security Systems in Atlanta

• SimpliSafe: Best Overall Atlanta Home Security System
• Ring: Best for Devices and Accessories
• Abode: Best for Smart Device Compatibility
• Arlo: Best for High-Quality Cameras
• Blue by ADT: Best Professional Monitoring Subscription
• Cove: Best for Money-Back Guarantee

Compare the Best Atlanta Home Security Systems

*J.D. Power’s 2020 Home Security Satisfaction Study. Based on a 1,000-point scale.

Home Security in Atlanta: What You Need to Know 

If you’re new to the Atlanta, Georgia, area, choosing the right home security system and knowing the local rules and ordinances is essential.

Atlanta, GA, crime statistics 

Unfortunately, Atlanta is one of the least-safest cities in the country. Securing your home with the best security system in Atlanta can reduce your chances of becoming a victim of crime.

• Crime index: Atlanta has a safety rating of 3 out of 100, where 100 is reserved for the safest cities).
• Atlanta had 46 property crimes and 8 violent crimes per 1,000 residents, annually.
• Chances of being a violent crime victim in Atlanta is 1 in 121 and 1 in 294 in Georgia.

Research your neighborhood

If you’re considering a move to Atlanta, choosing the right neighborhood can make a big difference on how safe you and your loved ones will feel. The safest neighborhoods in Atlanta are:

• W. Wesley Road NW / Moores Mill Road NW
• Druid Hills
• Vinings

Druid Hills and Vinings are family-friendly neighborhoods with an urban feel. They’re generally more expensive than other Atlanta suburbs and a popular area for young professionals. More than half of the residents rent their homes.

Atlanta’s metro area is fairly large. There are many other safe areas to live. Doing your research ahead of time will give you a good feel for the area you’re looking at. Some good sources for safety information include:

• Niche: Provides information on property values, schools and safety statistics
• Walkscore: Areas that are safe enough to walk in are typically safe enough to live in.

Other ways to get a good overview of a neighborhood is by joining a local community Facebook group or searching for neighborhood watch groups for the areas you’re interested in. You can get some good insight on what to expect before you make such an important financial decision of purchasing or renting a home.

Register your home security system in Atlanta

Atlanta requires homeowners and renters to register their alarm systems and renew the registration annually. If a false alarm happens due to a non-registered system, you may face a $150 fine. Registered systems get their first false alarm forgiven. Additional ones cost:

• Second false alarm: $50
• Third: $100
• Fourth to eighth: $200 each
• Seventh or higher: $500 each

Registering your security system is fairly simple. Call 1-855-725-7102 or register online:

1. Visit www.crywolf.us/atlantaga.
2. Click or tap on “New Accounts.”
3. Choose “Apply for a Permit.”
4. Fill out the information required.
5. Click or tap on “Submit.”
6. Save the registration form for your records.

How to Choose Your Atlanta Home Security System 

• Interior/exterior cameras: Atlanta is prone to heavy rainstorms and occasional freezing. Make sure your exterior cameras are outdoor-rated and can handle the heat, rain and occasional cold spell that could damage a less-robust security camera. Most outdoor cameras are rated for more extreme conditions than you’d experience in Georgia. If in doubt, check the specs for the camera.
• Control panel: The control panel is the brain of your home security system. It arms and disarms your sensors and system overall. Some DIY systems don’t include a panel and use your smartphone instead. The best Atlanta home security control panels feature an attractive, touchscreen display that makes it easy to manage and control your system, as well as review video feeds directly from the panel.
• Compatibility: With more smart home devices available every day, finding a security system that’s compatible with your smart devices creates a more comfortable home environment. Look for a system that works with Alexa and Google or sells its own smart devices, such as smart locks, lighting and lightbulbs, thermostats, and wall plugs. You could plug in a lamp to a smart plug and have your security system turn the light on automatically if the system detects motion outside your home.
• Storage: Being able to capture footage of events such as someone arriving at your doorstep is incredibly useful. Imagine if you see someone taking your delivered packages from your doorstep. If you don’t have recording enabled, you wouldn’t be able to provide police with imagery of the person who took your packages. Some home systems include video storage for a set amount of time for free. Other companies only provide storage if you pay for it. Depending on the cost, it’s worth the investment in case of an incident.
• Window/door sensors: Window and door sensors are some of the easiest components in a home security system to install. They’re also effective — you or your monitoring company will get notified if someone opens a window or door. You can also set your sensors to chime if activated. The sound may deter thieves from entering or alert neighbors or others in your household of an intrusion.

Local vs. national companies

Atlanta 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.

About the Authors

Cynthia Paez Bowman

Cynthia Paez Bowman is a contributing writer for Reviews.com. Over the last two years, she has covered insurance, home security and more. She has been featured in MSN, Bankrate, Coverage.com, The Simple Dollar and GOBankingRates. She has dual bachelors degrees in International Business and Journalism from American University in Washington, D.C. “Is It Getting Harder to Get Home Insurance in High-Risk Areas?” is Cynthia’s favorite story on Reviews.com.

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