In PCMag’s 2026 Readers’ Choice survey, SimpliSafe led satisfaction for full home security systems, Wyze topped standalone indoor and outdoor cameras, Eufy led video doorbells, and Kwikset won the smart-lock category. Ring led overall satisfaction for outdoor cameras that are part of a security system. The results are reader satisfaction ratings for distinct product categories—not a universal ranking or a guarantee that a product suits every home.
What the 2026 survey covers—and what it can tell you
PCMag’s survey was in the field from March 30 to August 2, 2026; its report was published September 29, 2026. It reports how readers rated products in several home-security categories, including overall satisfaction, reliability, setup, ease of use, cost, and likelihood to recommend. The available report does not establish the survey’s sample size, exact question wording, response weighting, or full methodology, so treat its findings as a useful snapshot of reader experience rather than a controlled product test.
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The categories matter. A full alarm system, a camera sold as part of a security system, a standalone camera, a video doorbell, and a smart lock are not interchangeable comparisons. PCMag’s rankings should be read within each category, not as a single contest among all the brands.
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#1 Best Overall
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Category leaders at a glance
| Product category | PCMag’s 2026 survey leader | Key reported result |
|---|---|---|
| Home security systems | SimpliSafe | 8.6/10 overall satisfaction; Ring scored 8.2. (PCMag, 2026) |
| Indoor cameras within a security system | SimpliSafe | Beat Ring in most subcategories; tied on likelihood to recommend. (PCMag, 2026) |
| Outdoor cameras within a security system | Ring for overall satisfaction and likelihood to recommend | SimpliSafe led for video and picture quality, system cost, and ease of use. (PCMag, 2026) |
| Standalone indoor cameras | Wyze | Likelihood to recommend: 9.0; system cost and setup: 9.2 each. (PCMag, 2026) |
| Standalone outdoor cameras | Wyze | Wyze won overall; Eufy had a slight setup edge. (PCMag, 2026) |
| Smart locks and deadbolts | Kwikset | Reliability and ease of use: 8.8 each. (PCMag, 2026) |
| Video doorbells | Eufy | 8.8 overall satisfaction, versus Ring’s 7.9. (PCMag, 2026) |
Full home security systems: SimpliSafe returns to the top
SimpliSafe regained first place in PCMag’s home security system results after Ring led in 2024 and 2025. SimpliSafe scored 8.6 out of 10 for overall satisfaction, compared with 8.2 for Ring. It scored at least 9.0 for monitoring trustworthiness, setup, ease of use, individual sensors, and smoke and CO₂ detection. Ring was 0.1 point ahead of SimpliSafe for reliability. PCMag reported that ADT trailed both in every subcategory where it competed.
These scores point to different strengths rather than a clean sweep: SimpliSafe led the overall result and several practical-use measures, while Ring had the small reliability advantage. A household choosing an alarm system should also decide whether it wants self-installation or professional installation, what kind of monitoring it needs, and whether ongoing service costs and device compatibility fit its plans. The survey does not provide a complete current comparison of those factors or of individual kit contents.
Rank #2
- Home Security Systems
Security-system cameras: the winner depends on where the camera goes
Indoor cameras that belong to a system
SimpliSafe was readers’ top choice for indoor cameras included in a home security system, beating Ring in most reported subcategories. The brands tied for likelihood to recommend. This is a system-camera result, not the same comparison as standalone indoor cameras.
Outdoor cameras that belong to a system
Ring led SimpliSafe in overall satisfaction and likelihood to recommend, while SimpliSafe led for video and picture quality, system cost, and ease of use. Ring’s reported satisfaction fell from 9.0 the prior year to 8.2 in 2026. That year-over-year change is a survey result; it does not by itself show why satisfaction changed or establish a change in camera performance.
Rank #3
- Simple to set up. Seriously secure - Get ready to protect right out of the box. Just plug in the Base Station, download the SimpliSafe App, place your sensors, and start protecting your home. No wiring or drilling required. Or contact SimpliSafe directly if you need help installing your system.
- 1 FREE month of professional monitoring for fast police response when you need it most. With optional monitoring services, our agents keep watch even when you can't, ready to instantly alert emergency responders. Starting at less than $1/day with no long-term contracts or hidden fees. (SimpliSafe products and professional monitoring services are only offered for sale and supported in the US)
- Complete control of your system with the SimpliSafe App - Arm, disarm and protect anytime, anywhere.
- Protection for entry points - Entry Sensors protect windows, doors, and cabinets and alert you when someone tries to enter. Customizable and can send Secret Alerts so you are quietly alerted if someone accesses private areas, without sounding an alarm.
- Blanket a whole room - Motion sensors detect motion within 35 feet, have a 90 degree field of view and get along great with pets under 60lbs. Perfect for full room coverage when placed in a corner.
Standalone cameras: Wyze leads both indoor and outdoor results
Indoor models
Wyze returned to the top of PCMag’s standalone indoor camera results for the first time in six years, ahead of Ring and Blink. Its likelihood-to-recommend rating was 9.0, while system cost and setup each scored 9.2. Those are category-specific reader ratings, not a statement that every Wyze camera has the same features, storage options, or compatibility.
Outdoor models
Wyze also won PCMag’s standalone outdoor camera comparison. Eufy had a slight edge for setup, illustrating that a category leader need not lead on every measure. Before choosing a standalone camera, check the current model’s installation requirements, alerts, storage approach, and compatibility with the devices or services you already use; this survey does not supply a model-by-model specification comparison.
Rank #4
- 【Local & Remote Control】 The home security camera system support local view & control, no need WiFi. For remote control, support dual-band WiFi 2.4GHz/5GHz connectivity. WiFi pro technology offers 100ft installation distance, suitable for indoor/outdoor use.
- 【Corded Powered, 24/7 Recording】 Hiseeu security camera system, 24/7 WIRED PLUG-IN powered cameras and NVR support 24/7 recording, don't miss alerts. 3 recording modes (24/7 recording, motion-triggered recording, or customized recording ), total flexibility.
- 【3TB Storage, No Monthly Fee】 Security camera system pre-installed in 3TB hard drive, massive local storage (no cloud fees!) offering over 45 days of continuous 24-hour recording. H.265+ bandwidth optimization Delivers 50% bandwidth reduction compared to H.264 while maintaining 4K/8MP resolution, enabling stable transmission even in low-bandwidth environments.
- 【Expand to 10CH & IP66 Waterproof 】 The NVR security camera system is coming with 8pcs 5MP cameras+1pc 4K NVR, it supported to expand to 10CH, scalability to secure large homes or businesses. Operates flawlessly in heavy snow, high winds, and sub-zero temperatures.
- 【Motion Sensor/AI Human Detection】 Motion detection of the wireless wifi security camera system give you 24/7 uninterrupted protection. Smartly distinguishes people from false alarms (like pets or shadows), sending alerts only for real threats by AI human detection.
Smart locks and deadbolts: Kwikset takes its first win
Kwikset won PCMag’s smart locks and deadbolts category for the first time, scoring 8.8 for reliability and 8.8 for ease of use. Schlage had reported scores only for overall satisfaction and likelihood to recommend, and trailed Kwikset on both; the report does not provide Schlage scores for the other measures.
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Best Value
- A great fit for 2-4 bedroom homes, this Alarm Kit includes one Base Station, two Keypads, eight Contact Sensors, two Motion Detectors, and one Range Extender.
- Includes an intuitive Keypad that can arm and disarm your Alarm and Contact Sensors that detect when doors or windows open.
- Choose the Ring Alarm Kit that fits your needs and detect even more with additional Alarm Sensors and accessories (sold separately) at any time.
- Receive mobile notifications when your system is triggered and monitor all your Ring devices all through the Ring app.
- More peace of mind. Subscribe to a compatible Ring Protect Plan (sold separately) to Arm your Alarm from anywhere, keep your system online if the Wi-Fi goes down, and more. Plus, get 24/7 Professional Monitoring for emergency police, fire and medical response, and more.
Video doorbells: Eufy wins again
Eufy won the video doorbell category for the second consecutive year. Its overall satisfaction score was 8.8, compared with 7.9 for Ring; Eufy scored 9.1 for video and picture quality and 9.0 for reliability. PCMag noted that Ring had 5.75 times as many survey users as Eufy, yet had not won the category since PCMag began including doorbells in 2020. The user-count comparison provides context for the survey, but does not establish how representative either group was.
PCMag home security products editor Angela Moscaritolo described the battery-powered Eufy E340 as “a reasonably priced, highly rated pick for doorstep monitoring that lets you avoid recurring subscription fees to access recorded video and smart detection features.” This is her product assessment, not a verified current price or a universal guarantee about service terms. Check the current model listing and storage, detection, and subscription details before buying.
How to use the results for your own home
- Choose the product category first. Decide whether you need an alarm system, a camera integrated with a system, a standalone camera, a doorbell, or a smart lock. The survey’s category leaders differ.
- Prioritize the measures that affect daily use. For an alarm system, weigh monitoring trustworthiness, reliability, setup, sensors, and smoke or CO₂ detection. For a camera or doorbell, consider image quality, reliability, cost, alerts, and storage. For a lock, check reliability, ease of use, entry methods, and temporary-user controls.
- Confirm practical fit outside the ratings. Check installation needs, compatibility, privacy preferences, current model features, kit contents, and recurring fees. PCMag’s survey does not settle those questions for a specific home or model.
- Consider how devices work together. PCMag Senior Writer Andrew Gebhart said, “It’s an excellent time to dive into DIY smart home security. We’re past the wild unpredictability of early adopter days, and most categories have several reliable brands to pick from that do the job well. Even better, those brands tend to work together and with your preferred digital assistant, so you can mix and match and still end up with an interoperable system.” Treat interoperability as something to verify for the exact devices and assistant you plan to use.
PCMag Editor-in-Chief Wendy Sheehan Donnell said, “More than a decade ago, SimpliSafe blazed the trail in DIY smart home security, building a high-quality system that prioritizes ease of use and versatility.” Donnell also said, “Best of all, you’re never locked into a pricey subscription. In 2026, SimpliSafe is still the leader in our lab testing and racks up impressive satisfaction scores with our readers.” The subscription and lab-testing assessments are Donnell’s statements; the survey report alone does not establish the terms of every plan or reproduce the lab methods.
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