12 Ways to Boost Your Home Security on a Budget
Advertiser Disclosure: At Slickdeals, we work hard to find the best deals. Some products in our articles are from partners who may provide us with compensation, but this doesn’t change our opinions.
Security cameras and smart assistant-integrated home security systems are among the most popular deals on Slickdeals. Still, some of us simply don’t have the budget for the latest and greatest security suite.
Fortunately, you don’t have to pay an arm and a leg for a good night of sleep or a relaxing day out of the house. There are plenty of clever and inexpensive ways to boost your home’s security using simple and advanced technology alike — ideally at the same time!
Here are some of the best home security tips and products suited for nearly any budget:
Creative Home Security Hacks
1. Install Door and Window Alarms
Alarm systems are a simple, effective way to deter intruders and ensure that you will respond quickly if someone enters your home. Depending on the model, prices can range as high as $300+ for a fully integrated system or as low as $5 for a single stick-on alarm. Each type has its merits, so it’s ultimately a matter of your budget and whether or not you have an existing security system from a specific brand.
If you don’t have an alarm system and want to spring for full coverage, this Ring alarm system is a solid mid-range option.
Ring Alarm 8-Piece Security Kit (2nd Generation) — Sale Price: $199.99 | Reg. Price: $249.99
This Ring alarm system is equipped with a keypad, motion detector, range extender, contact sensor and base station to control each component.
Looking for something cheaper? If you don’t want (or need) to spend money on a whole new system, you can buy a battery-powered window alarm for under $5 at Home Depot.
SABRE Wireless Door/Window Alarm — Price: $4.57
While SABRE’s wireless alarm may not have as many features as high-end security systems, its affordability means that you can cover most of your entryways without doing much financial damage.
2. Buy a Safe
It might not protect your entire home, but a durable safe is a reliable source of protection for your important documents, family heirlooms and spare keys. The size of your valuables, the importance of waterproof/fireproof reinforcement and your preferred lock style are just a few important considerations to make before you purchase a new home safe.
The SentrySafe 0500 is a dependable “fireproof box” that requires a key for entry. It is lighter than most other safes, weighing only 11 pounds.
SentrySafe 0500 Fireproof Box with Key Lock — Price: $35.55
This option is more expensive, but it’s impressively difficult to disable the lock on a large safe from a well-known brand like Honeywell. The 2111 has a dual-lock system, a fire/waterproof rating and a seven-year warranty.
Honeywell Safe 2111 Steel 1 Hour Fireproof Water Resistant Security Safe — Sale Price: $189.99 | Reg. Price: $219.99
3. Store Electronics in a Faraday Cage
If you drive a car that operates using a key fob, you are at much higher risk for keyless car theft. When your key fob is unprotected and within range of your vehicle, an opportunistic thief can use a signal booster to trigger your car’s unlocking mechanism and drive away without making a sound. Fortunately, this can be prevented easily using a faraday cage, a signal-jamming container used to prevent communications with outside devices.
There are plenty of retailers advertising inexpensive faraday containers specifically designed to protect key fobs, such as this $7 MONOJOY pouch.
MONOJOY Faraday Bag for Car Key Fob — Sale Price: $6.99 | Reg. Price: $11.99
For a few extra bucks, you can get a faraday box large enough to store smart devices or several key fobs at once.
TICONN Faraday Box — Reg. Price: $19.95
4. Install Security Cameras
This is a little too obvious to be considered a “hack,” but it’s still worth mentioning, thanks to the widespread availability (and growing technology) of security cameras. Inexpensive options typically comprise a single camera with recording/streaming capabilities, while pricier security cameras come equipped with sophisticated tracking and lighting features.
If you just want coverage for a single spot, this 1080p Wansview camera will give you the best bang for your buck in terms of durability and sensitivity.
Wansview 1080P Wireless WiFi Home Surveillance Waterproof Camera — Sale Price: $27.19 | Reg. Price: $39.99
This ANNKE model also only comes with one camera, but it’s loaded with extra security features, including audio recording, smart IR and night vision.
ANNKE C800 PoE 4K Security Camera w/Audio — Sale Price: $80 | Reg. Price: $99.99
5. Rig Up a Floodlight
Spot and intimidate unwanted visitors using a blast of ultra-powerful LED light. Even if you aren’t too worried about home intrusion, a simple motion-activated floodlight is a handy tool for easy transit through precarious and dark areas of your property.
This Utilitech model from Lowe’s is a good example of a cost-efficient floodlight that covers all of the typical bases — motion-activated, a variety of timer settings and a weather-resistant body.
Utilitech 180-Degree Bronze Hardwired Halogen Motion-Activated Flood Light with Timer — Price: $27.98
If you need to mount your lights in multiple areas, you might be better suited for this two-pack floodlight kit from Commercial Electric.
Commercial Electric Integrated LED Flood Light and Wall Pack Combo— Sale Price: $54.76 | Reg. Price: $84.22
6. Warn Intruders With a Glass Break Sensor
Are you fed up with frequent false alarms from your current home security system? Consider adding a glass break sensor to your suite of security measures. Some models are sensitive enough to detect glass (along with laminate and other alternatives) shattering anywhere in your home, while you may need to double up on cheaper versions. When shopping for a glass break sensor, make sure it is compatible with your current security system (or lack of security system).
If you are only concerned about a specific area, you probably don’t need to spend a bunch of money on a high-end sensor. For just $10, you can pick up a peel-and-stick window sensor alarm from Home Depot.
GE Glass Vibration Door Window Alarm — Price: $9.79
Honeywell’s glass break sensor offers four different sensitivity levels and a wider frequency range for those willing to shell out a little extra for added features, ideal for non-glass windows.
Honeywell 5853 Wireless Glass Break Detector — Sale Price: $57.95 | Reg. Price: $104.94
7. Switch it Up With an Automated Light
Most robbers with any degree of expertise or decorum know better than to barge into any old residence without assessing the situation ahead of time. They are most likely to enter when they think you’re at work or fast asleep, so why not shake things up and confuse them into leaving you alone? Smart LED bulbs can be controlled using virtual assistants like Alexa or through a proprietary app, many of which have a special “Away Lighting” or “Away Mode” designed to periodically switch up the lighting configuration through the night.
Phillips’ Hue line is the most popular (and universally compatible) brand of smart LED lights on the market, but it’s not always the cheapest. If you find a good deal, snatch it up before it sells out. We’ll start you off with this one:
Philips Hue White A19 60W Equivalent Dimmable LED Smart Bulb Starter Kit — Sale Price: $69.99 | Reg. Price: $74.97
Deal-lovers who live more colorful lives may prefer the vibrant array of hues (and more frequent deals) offered by Kasa’s Smart Bulb collection.
Kasa Smart Bulb — Sale Price: $12.99 | Reg. Price: $21.99
8. Double Up Security With a Smart Lock
Smart locks are an extra step of protection for keeping thieves from breaking into your house, with the bonus of keeping you from breaking into your house when you lose your keys. Depending on the brand, you can unlock your door using a good old-fashioned key, a customized PIN, your fingerprint or by connecting to your smart device. If you buy a smart lock with advanced permissions, you can even protect your packages by giving unlock privileges to your mail carrier.
You can bolster your door’s security by adding a Wyze keypad to your setup. The lock’s sensor can be set to automatically unlock when you approach the door, saving you a bit of time and struggle in your daily life.
Wyze Lock Keypad for Wyze Lock — Price: $132.72
For a little extra cash, you can buy a similar smart lock from ULTRALOQ. This is a great pick for sci-fi fans who fantasize about “hacking into” their homes using their super-secret biometric data — a fingerprint.
ULTRALOQ Smart Lock U-Bolt Pro + Bridge WiFi Adaptor — Sale Price: $199 | Reg. Price: $249
9. Hire a Haunted Watch Doll
As our homes and their security measures get smarter, robbers quickly pick up their own new skill sets. If you can’t keep them out, confuse them and take advantage of one common human fear: haunted dolls that won’t stop talking! All you need to do is find the most distressing motion-activated talking doll you can find and place it near a vulnerable windowsill or entryway. Make sure it has an off button — this can backfire on you if you don’t remember to turn it off during the day.
Here are a couple of willing security guards:
Hausse Solar Powered Fake Owl Decoy Scarecrow Decoy — Price: $27.99
Star Wars “Furbacca” Furby — Sale Price: $59.99 | Reg. Price: $79.99
10. Maintain Your Privacy With Smart Blinds
Similar to the added security of smart LED bulbs, smart blinds will make it difficult for potential home invaders to learn your schedule. On top of that, you might even have an easier time falling asleep and waking up.
Zemismart’s motorized blackout shade is a good choice for light sleepers. Between the home security boost and all-encompassing darkness in your home, you’ll be sure to rest easy.
Zemismart Motorized Cellular Shade for Window — Sale Price: $119.99 | Reg. Price: $139.99
You might prefer Yoolax’s smart blinds if you are particular about your shades’ color, texture and appearance. With 15 types to choose from, it shouldn’t be too hard to find the right fit.
Yoolax Motorized Blind Shade for Window — Price: $139
11. Trick Thieves With a Decoy Camera
Experienced breaking-and-entering aficionados have really honed their craft when it comes to evading and disabling security cameras. You can throw them off by installing a conspicuous decoy camera, allowing your real camera to stay safe and catch them wasting their time, which means that you might be aware of their presence by the time they enter.
Before you purchase a camera specifically designed to act as a decoy, check out the “For parts/Not Working” filter when searching for security cameras on eBay. You might find the shell of an expensive brand, which could further convince thieves to leave your house alone.
If that is more trouble than it’s worth, GE has an inexpensive decoy camera for $15.
GE Personal Security Decoy Security Camera, Flashing Red LED — Price: $14.77
12. Install a VPN
Believe it or not, installing a VPN is one of the cheapest tools you can use to protect yourself from potential intrusion. This cybersecurity service may not keep opportunistic street thieves from checking out your window locks, but it’s still an invaluable line of defense against doxxing, identity theft and data breaches that expose your personal information. Many VPNs offer a free tier, and even the pricier options cost about as much as a decent security camera.
Check out current VPN service deals right here on Slickdeals.
Don’t miss out on the next home improvement deal, especially when locking down your dream product is as easy as setting a Deal Alert. Set it, forget it and we will let you know when it goes on sale again.
More to consider:
Our editors strive to ensure that the information in this article is accurate as of the date published, but please keep in mind that offers can change. We encourage you to verify all terms and conditions of any product before you apply.
