Best home alarm systems 2026, tried and tested

Best: Home alarm for device connectivity

What we love: A surprisingly small hub and keypad, a slick app and impressive smart-home compatibility make this a versatile system. We particularly liked the easy sensor monitoring and Philips Hue integration

Take note: Registering the system comes before creating an account, which differs from most rivals – although the QR-assisted process is still refreshingly simple

Within seconds of unpacking this kit, we’d ditched our misconceptions about Yale. We’d believed that the brand was all about big, brash (unsightly) wall-mounted warnings to burglars that even considering stepping foot on the property is a massive mistake.

To start with the hub, which also doubles as the alarm and which is packaged alongside two motion sensors, a door/window sensor and a control pad, is one of the smallest we’ve seen, making it perfect for homes.

The calculator-sized keypad is surprisingly compact too, and the addition of that classic, bright yellow Yale alarm – designed to be used externally – will appeal to anyone keen to make it clear that their home is protected.

The set-up process is slightly different to other alarms – instead of starting the process by creating an account, we started by registering our system, and only after doing this could we create an account. It’s all incredibly simple, aided by the nifty QR code on the hub – simply scan it with a phone and the serial number appears. The app is one of the best we’ve come across, and we were particularly impressed with the feature which allowed us to quickly check on parameters such as the signal strength of our sensors.

Another huge advantage is the sheer number of devices this system can be paired with, whether it’s the smart watch connectivity, which uses geolocation to send reminders to set the alarm when the wearer is out and about, or the compatibility with Philips Hue, which will mean the arrival of unwanted intruders won’t just prompt an eardrum-bursting siren, but a Las Vegas-worthy light show, as your Hue lights strobe on and off.