Best cheap home security devices of 2021

Home security is important year-round, but the associated costs can add up quickly. Security equipment of all kinds gets cheaper by the day, though, including detectors, lights, contact sensors and other systems that don’t require professional installation. And that means you can keep your house and everything in it safe without too much financial commitment.

Luckily, writes my CNET colleague Megan Wollerton, “The era of the $200 security camera is over.”

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Check out these budget home security devices, including door and window sensors, security cameras and motion detectors. Many are often on sale for under $20. These home security kits and smart home devices can help secure your house and bring you peace of mind when you’re away. We update this periodically.

Read more: Turn your old smartphone into a new security camera in 3 easy steps

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Best security hack: Nonmon fake security cameras

Screenshot by David Priest/CNET

While we’re talking affordable deterrence, it might be worth considering dummy cameras as part of your home security kit. Especially for larger properties, where you want your home security system to cover a lot of ground without breaking the bank, fake security cameras can make your house look like a locked-down compound at an affordable price. You can order a four-pack of dummy cameras for around $30 here.

Deterrence will only get you so far with a fake security cam. If a burglar breaks into your house, you’ll still want an alarm system — either some sort of alarm monitoring device or motion detector — to alert you to the breach.

Read our top home security cameras list including Arlo Pro and more.

$19 at Amazon

Best cheap home monitoring device: Amazon Echo Dot

Tyler Lizenby/CNET

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Alexa Guard can help keep an ear (or some far-field microphones) on your house when you’re away. An Echo Dot, which you can find on sale for $25 fairly often, is the cheapest way to get Alexa Guard monitoring in your house. But if you already have an Echo, this monitoring service is totally free and can be set up through the Alexa mobile app.

Just say, “Alexa, I’m leaving” to switch on the home monitoring feature. Then your Echo will listen for glass breaking, alarms or the sound of humans moving around your house (it can distinguish between pets and people) — and you’ll receive a mobile alert if it hears anything.

A subscription-based upgrade to Alexa Guard is also on the way for $5 per month.

Read our Echo Dot with Clock review.

$20 at Amazon

$20 at Target

Read more: Alexa has a new superpower: Transforming into a security camera and How to use Alexa with your home security camera

Best cheap DIY lock: Rishon Enterprises Addalock

Screenshot by David Priest/CNET

It can be tough for renters to boost their home security in part because home security system installation can be pretty involved — especially when you’re talking smart deadbolts. So if you want to add a little security to your door locks without much hassle or cash down, consider a DIY system retrofit lock like this one.

Devices like these, while not Wi-Fi connected, still offer clever ways to add one more home security barrier for burglars to bypass, which equals a little peace of mind for the anxious homeowner. And even though it lacks any of the bells and whistles of a smart lock (like a control panel or burglar alarm), it’s portable so you can bring this cheap home security lock with you when you’re staying at a hotel or an Airbnb.