When it comes to protecting your home, there is nothing more effective than an alarm system. An alarm system can alert you to when there is suspicious activity on your property so you can contact law enforcement and get your family to safety. However, when it comes time to choose an alarm system for your home, you’ll quickly realize you have a lot of options. Here are the four different types of alarm systems to consider for your home.

1. Wired Alarm Systems

Wired alarm systems are hardwired into place. They use your home electrical power and landline telephone connection to transmit signals. These signals are sent to a monitoring center that streams and records the activity. Wired alarm systems have existed for years and are extremely popular with homeowners. They come with a variety of different features and can be easily integrated into your other home security technology. The only downsides to wired alarm systems are that if the electrical connection is disconnected, then you lose protection. So it’s a good idea to have a backup system in place.

2. Wireless Alarm Systems

Wireless alarm systems are a relatively new technology. However, as they are extremely affordable, adaptable, and can move with you, they’ve become extremely popular. Wireless systems use radio frequency transmission to send signals to the control panel. The most popular feature of wireless alarm systems is they facilitate remote monitoring of your home. You can get notifications to your smartphone and actively monitor the situation at your home no matter where you are in the world. You just need an internet connection.

3. Unmonitored Alarm System

An unmonitored alarm system is monitored by your household. When there is an incident, the system alerts you or other family members of the situation. If triggered, you will investigate and contact the authorities if necessary. Unmonitored alarm systems are more affordable than monitored alarm systems, but they do not offer the same level of protection.

4. Monitored Alarm System

Monitored alarm systems have a security team that monitors your alarm off site. If there is an incident, both you and the remote team are notified immediately. They will then contact you and see if you need help. If you can’t or don’t respond, they will contact law enforcement. Monitored systems are more expensive than unmonitored systems because you are paying for an added service. However, monitored systems offer the most protection of all the different alarm systems.

Deciding which of the alarm systems is right for your home depends on your unique needs. For some a simple wireless system works great, for others, a monitored system is the best to keep their home protected. For further help, it’s a good idea to consult with a professional security team to review your security risks and choose a system that is right for you. With their expertise, they will make sure that you choose the best system.