24 ways to make your home more secure in 2 days

Home security systems are a lot more affordable than they used to be: You can now get a quality smart home security setup in your home for just a couple hundred bucks, thanks to these smart buys we found on Amazon Prime. With its two-day shipping, you can feel safer within the week.

For starters: The Amazon Cloud Cam makes it easy to keep tabs on your home when you're not there: It offers a crisp, 1080p live feed and motion notifications and free 24-hour clip storage, all for $120.

If you're worried about Amazon packages being stolen from your porch, or unwanted visitors trying to break in, you need a video doorbell. We like the hardwired Nest Hello ($229) for Google or Nest-based smart homes because of its good looks, motion alerts and optional facial recognition (available for $5 a month).

There are a lot of smart smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on the market, but we like the $119 Nest Protect for its stylish look, in-app alarm silencer, and motion-activated nightlight feature.

The $279 Nest Yale Lock is another great option for those with Nest-based smart homes: It can lock your door automatically when your Nest detects you're away, and can disarm your Nest Secure alarm system when you come back.

If you're on a budget, it's hard to beat this $38 camera from Wyze: It captures 1080p video (with free, rolling, 14-day cloud storage), rotates 360 degrees to capture all angles and now includes on-device AI person detection.

The Ring Video Doorbell 2 ($199) can be hardwired, or you can use its removable, rechargeable battery for an even simpler installation. You'll be able to see and talk with visitors on your phone via the Ring app and receive motion-sensed visitor alerts.

The hardwired $249 Ring Doorbell Pro is a smaller and more sleek device than the Doorbell 2. Though it has similar video and audio quality (and lacks a battery), the Pro does allow you to draw motion zones for much more intelligent motion alert notifications.

There are a handful of great smart outdoor security lights by Ring, but the $30 Ring Smart Pathlight is the best of breed: It sends motion notifications, connects to Ring cameras to start video recording, installs in minutes and offers a year of battery life.

The only downside? You'll need a $50 Ring Bridge to make them all work.

This hardwired Ring Spotlight Cam ($199) keeps tabs on the outside of your home with 1080p video, infrared night vision and an audible siren.

The $199 August Doorbell Cam Pro features two-way communication, motion detection and 1080p livestreaming. But unlike the competition, it also includes a built-in floodlight.

The Z-Wave-ready August Smart Lock Pro ($198) has August's DoorSense magnetic field technology built in, so you'll always know for sure whether your door is shut... or whether someone left it wide open.

The Schlage Encode Smart Wi-Fi ($249) may not work with HomeKit, but it's a good lock with a built-in alarm that supports Amazon Key (where available), so you can get your purchases delivered inside of your home, instead of on your porch.

Forget those old-school light timers: The $20 voice-activated WeMo Mini Smart Plug can be set to turn on when you arrive home, when the sun goes down, or even at random times to make it look like you're home even when you're not.

We like the $199 Abode home security system because it's so flexible: You can choose professional monitoring, or self-monitor this system that includes door, window and motion sensors for free.

This $180 Logitech cam features 180-degree wide-angle lens, two-way talk, free 24-hour cloud storage and 15-foot night vision. Person detection, motion zones and up to 31 days of cloud storage are available with a paid premium Circle Safe subscription ($100 a year for one camera, or $179 a year for up to five cameras). 

The battery-powered Arlo Pro 2 ($299) has a strong set of features: motion alerts, 130-degree field of view and seven-day event-based video history. Additional storage, activity zones and person alerts available with an Arlo Smart subscription.

One of the most affordable options if you're looking for 24/7 live monitoring ($15 per month with no contract), the entry-level SimpliSafe Home Security includes a base station, keypad, entry sensor, motion sensor and key fob for $300. But if you're willing to pay more, you can add all sorts of extra goodies, including glass break sensors, water sensors, panic buttons and more.

The Wi-Fi connected Roost Smart Water Leak and Freeze Detector has a good design, reliable performance and, at $90, a reasonable price. Just slip it under a sink or your hot water heater, and enjoy the added peace of mind.

With the $59 Chamberlain MyQ, you'll never have to drive back home to double check that you've shut the garage door ever again: You can check right on your phone.

With the $98 Nexx Garage, you can open your garage door from your phone, via Alexa voice command or using your boring old garage door remote. It will even monitor activity and let you know if you forget to shut the door.

The expandable Vivint Smart Home security system runs from a 7-inch wall-mounted SkyControl panel and works with a wide range of smart sensors: There are door/window sensors, motion detectors, glass break detectors, flood/freeze sensors, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. 

The only catch to this robust system is that you'll have to pay a $40 monthly monitoring fee to use it.

The weather-resistant Philips Hue Outdoor Sensor ($50) triggers both Philips Hue Indoor and Outdoor lights, so if someone tries sneaking up on your home late at night, you'll know about it.

Yep, really: The Amazon Echo, that same smart-home speaker that lets you play Dungeon Adventure, can also keep the real-life trolls away, by connecting all of the other compatible home security pieces you've got... and allowing you to use your voice to control it all.

If you want the features of a Ring Doorbell but live in an apartment, check out the $199 Ring Door View Cam: Just remove your old peephole (it's easy!) and install this cam in the opening.