Best Cheap Home Security Devices for 2024

While we're talking affordable home security options, 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 just about $16 here.

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

Alexa Guard can help keep an ear (or some far-field microphones) on your house when you're away. An Echo Dot is the cheapest way to get Alexa Guard monitoring in your house. The latest fifth-gen Dot typically lists for around $60, but you can often find it on sale on Amazon to save money. If you already have one of Amazon's Echo smart home devices, this service is totally free with no monthly monitoring costs and can be set up through the Alexa mobile app.

Just say, "Alexa, I'm leaving" to switch on the home monitoring feature on your smart home device. 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.

You can also subscribe to Alexa Emergency Assist for $6 per month.

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. 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. 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.

One of the most obvious deterrents to would-be intruders is an occupied house. Throw some smart lights into your kitchen, living room or front porch fixtures, schedule them to flip on at certain times during the night and you instantly make your house much less appealing to the more skittish thief.

One of the most wallet-friendly DIY home security system options is the Wyze bulb. You can get two for $17 or four for $40 -- not too much more than a regular LED bulb. These cheap home security gadgets connect directly to your Wi-Fi network and can be controlled with the Wyze mobile app through your mobile device. These lights are perfect to schedule through your app and forget about.

If you're less concerned about recording specific rooms and more interested in monitoring entryways to your house, the security sensor kit could be a better affordable home security device for you. Wyze is the security company that takes the cake again here, allowing you to build your own security kit with a selection of devices including $24 entry sensors, a $19 keypad, $10 motion sensors and more. 

Again, for the price, these home monitoring security devices are a solid value. For a small apartment, or if you're just interested in self-monitoring your front and back doors, these smart home security devices could keep you solidly covered with motion detection for super cheap -- eliminating the need for professional monitoring with shoddy customer service or a false alarm.