Abode March 19, 2026 About 44 million U.S. households rent their homes. Most assume they can’t install a security system because their landlord won’t allow drilling or permanent modifications. That hasn’t been true for years.
Modern DIY security systems use adhesive-mounted sensors, wireless hubs, and cellular backup — no holes in walls, no hardwired connections, and no long-term contracts. When you move, pull the sensors off, pack the hub, and set up at your new place in 30 minutes.
Here’s what to look for and which systems are worth your money in 2026.
Not every home security system works in a rental. Here are the five things that matter:
| Feature | Abode | SimpliSafe | Ring Alarm | Cove |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | Free–$20 | Free–$25 | $5–$20 | $15–$25 |
| Contract Required | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Self-Monitoring (Free) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Adhesive Sensors | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Cellular Backup | ✅ All plans | Paid plans only | Paid plans only | ✅ All plans |
| HomeKit Support | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Z-Wave / Zigbee | ✅ Both | ❌ No | ✅ Z-Wave | ❌ No |
| Pro Monitoring | $20/mo | $25/mo | $20/mo | $25/mo |
| Starter Kit Price | $279 | $250 | $200 | $179 |
Abode’s Smart Security Kit ($279) is designed for exactly this scenario. The kit includes a Smart Security Hub, a Mini Door/Window Sensor, and a Keypad 2 — everything you need to get started.
3-year cost: $279 kit + $0/month = $279 total (self-monitor). Or $279 + $20/mo × 36 = $999 with professional monitoring and cellular backup.
SimpliSafe is the name most renters recognize. The hardware is straightforward, setup takes about 30 minutes, and monitoring starts at $0/month for self-monitoring.
3-year cost: $250 kit + $0/mo = $250 (self-monitor). Or $250 + $25/mo × 36 = $1,150 with pro monitoring.
Ring makes sense if you already own Echo devices and Ring cameras. The alarm system integrates tightly with Alexa routines and Ring’s camera lineup.
3-year cost: $200 kit + $5/mo × 36 = $380 (basic). Or $200 + $20/mo × 36 = $920 with pro monitoring.
Cove bundles monitoring into every plan — there’s no free self-monitoring tier. Good for people who know they want pro monitoring and want the simplest possible setup.
3-year cost: $179 + $15/mo × 36 = $719 (basic monitoring). No free option available.
Most apartment dwellers don’t need 15 sensors and 4 cameras. Here’s a practical setup:
| Device | Where | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Hub + Keypad | Entry hallway | Central control, arm/disarm on your way out |
| Door sensor × 2 | Front door + balcony/patio door | Detect entry through the two most common break-in points |
| Motion sensor | Living room or main hallway | Catches movement if someone bypasses a door sensor |
| Camera | Pointed at front door (interior) | Video evidence + visual verification for monitoring center |
Total cost with Abode’s Smart Security Kit + one extra sensor + one Cam 2: approximately $350.
Most leases allow wireless security systems since they don’t modify the property. If your lease mentions “no alterations,” adhesive-mount systems like Abode satisfy that requirement — nothing is permanently attached.
Many renters insurance policies offer 5–15% discounts for monitored security systems. On a typical $200/year renters policy, that’s $10–$30 back annually. Here’s how to claim the discount.
Apartment internet is shared infrastructure. If your building’s internet goes down, a system without cellular backup is offline. Abode’s paid plans include cellular backup so your alarm keeps working regardless.
Ground-floor and second-floor apartments with balconies are vulnerable. Sliding glass doors are easy to force open. A door sensor on the slider takes 30 seconds to install and covers this gap.
Camera-only setups (Blink, Wyze, eufy) record what happens but don’t prevent anything. No siren, no monitoring center, no police dispatch. A camera watches someone break in. A security system triggers a 95dB+ siren and alerts a monitoring center that dispatches police — often before you even see the notification.
If budget is the constraint, start with sensors and a hub. Add a camera later. The Abode Cam 2 is $35 and integrates directly with the security system.
Yes. Wireless DIY systems like Abode, SimpliSafe, and Ring use adhesive mounting — no drilling or permanent modifications. Most landlords have no issue with these.
Abode’s free self-monitoring plan costs $0/month after the initial kit purchase ($279). You get push notifications, app control, and a 95dB siren — no monthly fee required.
If you travel or work long hours, professional monitoring means someone is watching even when you can’t check your phone. At $20/month with Abode Connect+, it’s less than a streaming subscription.
Yes. All wireless DIY systems are portable. Peel off the adhesive sensors, pack the hub, and reinstall at your new address. Abode, SimpliSafe, Ring, and Cove are all fully relocatable.
Building security protects common areas, not your individual unit. Package theft, shared-access break-ins, and unlocked balcony doors are apartment-specific risks that building security doesn’t address.
Yes. Abode is the only DIY security system with native HomeKit integration. You can arm, disarm, and create automations directly through Apple Home — no third-party bridge needed.
Last updated: March 2026
