Sean Jackson

Last updated on Mar 18, 2021

Reviews Report

• SimpliSafe is Reviews.com’s pick for best home security system in Columbus.
• The top home security companies offer mobile apps, integrate with third-party smart home devices, and don’t require any lock-in contracts.
• Other top Columbus home security providers include Ring, Abode, Blue by ADT, and Cove.

Home security is important in Columbus, where property crime is common. As the capital of Ohio and the state’s fastest-growing city, Columbus saw more than 26,000 reports of theft, burglary, and similar crimes last year. As such, it’s no surprise that there’s a high demand for home security systems in Columbus, Ohio.

With a proven home security system in place, you can protect your family and prepare yourself in the event of a break-in. At Reviews.com, we’ve put together a list of the six best security home providers in Columbus by evaluating several criteria, including price, contracts, and customer satisfaction.

The 6 Best Home Security Systems in Columbus

• SimpliSafe: Best Home Security System Overall
• Ring: Most Camera Options
• Abode: Best for Intruder Detection
• Arlo: Best for High-Quality Cameras
• Blue by ADT: Best for Professional Monitoring
• Cove: Best for Emergency Services Connection

Compare the Best Home Security Systems in Columbus

Information accurate as of March 2021.

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

Home Security in Columbus: What You Need to Know 

Columbus, Ohio, crime statistics

Considering that Columbus has more crime than 95% of other communities in the Buckeye State, home security systems Columbus Ohio are definitely in demand. Most of the crime committed in the city is property crime — including theft, burglary, and destruction of property. Here’s a quick look at crime rates in Columbus: 

• In 2019, there were 30,600 property crimes reported in Columbus.
• Most property crimes in Columbus occur at victims’ residences, followed by parking garages and highways/streets.
• According to a LexisNexis crime map, there are concentrated instances of burglaries in the university and Short North areas, as well as in the Hilltop and Linden neighborhood areas between March 2020 and March 2021.

Research your neighborhood

As the capital of Ohio and the home of Ohio State University, Columbus has many diverse neighborhoods, including Bexley, Clintonville, Franklinton, and Westerville. 

If you live in or plan on moving to one of these areas, it’s important to understand the crime rates in your neighborhood before investing in a home security system. Having this knowledge will help you determine how robust your system should be and whether or not you should invest in professional monitoring.

Find out about crime patterns in your area by checking out websites like NeighborhoodScout or Niche. On these sites, you’ll get an idea about common crimes in the city, along with information about crime in particular neighborhoods. You can also check out local newspapers (like the Columbus Dispatch) to find media coverage about crimes near you.

Register your home security system in Columbus

Any new home security systems Columbus Ohio need to be registered with city authorities within 30 days of installation. It’s important to submit your information accurately so that the city has an updated register of alarm systems and emergency responders have it in case of a break-in or accident at your home. 

Here’s how to register a security system in Columbus: 

1. Visit the Columbus alarm registration website
2. Select “Apply for Registration and Pay Online”
3. Fill out the application or download the form and submit it through mail or in-person
4. Pay the registration fee

Like many other cities across the country, Columbus is committed to reducing false alarms. To do so, the city has established a False Alarm Reduction Program, which issues fees for repeated false alarms. 

Residents with registered security systems aren’t charged for their first false alarm, but a second violation costs $50. If you have three or more false alarms at your property, you’ll pay at least $100 per offense.

How to Choose Your Columbus Home Security System

• Interior/exterior cameras: Evaluate your space and determine where cameras are most needed. Depending on your budget and how much crime is in your area, you might want to position a camera at each entrance of your home. If you’re tight on money or not overly worried about break-ins, you might find that motion or glass break sensors are a good alternative to cameras. Also, confirm that your exterior cameras are suitable for outdoor use and can withstand harsh Ohio winters.
• Control panel: There are many different types of home security system control panels, which can include keypads or touch-screen devices. You’ll need to decide what’s best for you based on your personal preferences. If you’re tech-savvy and comfortable using your phone, you could opt for a base station-style home security system. With these devices, a siren will sound, and you’ll get an alert sent to your mobile phone if an alarm goes off. Alternatively, you could opt for a touch-screen device that displays alerts on the control panel itself. 
• Compatibility: All of the home security companies on this list offer mobile apps, so you’ll get a text, call, or push notification if there’s been a disturbance at your property. Similarly, the systems we’ve highlighted above are compatible with various smart home technologies, including Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit. If you use one of these devices or virtual assistants, it might be worth considering a home security system that easily integrates with it.
• Storage: If you decide to buy a video doorbell or security camera, most companies will require you to purchase a professional monitoring plan in order to save, share, or re-watch older footage. Otherwise, you’ll only have access to live video, which isn’t very useful if you need to go back and get footage from a break-in. Before purchasing a new security system, check with your provider to find out what type of plan you’ll need to access and download stored footage.
• Window/door sensors: Many security home companies sell window and door sensors as part of a system bundle. These sensors are more cost-effective than interior and exterior cameras (as low as $25), so you might choose to buy one or two cameras and use sensors in other entryways at your home. Once installed, you can set up your sensors to send a mobile app notification whenever a window or door is opened.

Local vs. national companies

Columbus 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

Sean Jackson Contributing Writer

Sean Jackson is a freelance journalist who has covered insurance, internet, home services and other topics for Reviews.com, ESPN, CBS, and the San Francisco Chronicle.

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