Car & Personal Safety
Personal Safety Devices You Can Carry in Every State
Personal alarms are legal in all 50 states, pepper spray varies by state. What is legal to carry for personal safety, and what we skip.
Latest review / Outdoor & Perimeter
How to secure a shed or detached garage
A backyard shed or detached garage is easiest to protect with boring hardware: a strong padlock on a hasp that cannot be pried off, light that comes on…
Read the full reviewWe go through cameras, locks, and alarms the way a renter or a first-time homeowner actually shops for them, on paperwork and owner reports rather than a test bench, then tell you plainly what to buy.
Renter-friendly
No monthly fee
DIY install
No Wi-Fi needed
Under $50
Latest
Apartment & Renter Security
Lease Security Device Rules: The 2 Clauses to Check First
Two lease clauses decide what security devices you can install: the alteration clause and any device-specific clause. Check both before you buy.
Locks, Doors & Safes
Door and Window Upgrades That Hold Under a Kick
The fastest fix for a door that kicks in easily is longer strike plate screws, not a new lock. See the upgrades ranked by cost and real effectiveness.
Alarm Systems
What Professional Monitoring Costs Per Month in 2026
Real alarm monitoring runs $20 to $60 a month once contracts, add-ons, and financing are counted, well past the starting-at-$8 number most ads lead with.
Car & Personal Safety
GPS Trackers vs Dash Cams for Car Security: Different Jobs
GPS trackers and dash cams solve different problems for car security. See what each one catches, which to buy first, and when you need both.
Outdoor & Perimeter
Garage Door Security: The Entry Point Homeowners Forget
The garage door opener usually isn't the weak spot. The side door, release cord, and windows are. Here's what to check first, and how to fix each one.
Alarm Systems
Setting Up a Home Security System in One Afternoon
A typical starter kit takes two to three hours to install, and most of that time goes to app setup and Wi-Fi pairing, not physically mounting sensors.
Outdoor & Perimeter
Driveway Alarms: How Much Warning You Get
Driveway alarms give 30-50 feet of warning with a short lag, not full security. See real range, false-trigger fixes, and two models that hold up.
Cameras & Doorbells
Do Fake Security Cameras Stop Burglars?
Fake cameras fool a quick glance but fail the moment someone looks closely. See the tells that give decoys away, and what a real budget camera costs.
Alarm Systems
DIY vs Monitored Alarm Systems: Picking the Right One for Your Budget
Renters and budget buyers usually do better with DIY self-monitoring, while homeowners who want fire and medical dispatch should pay for monitoring.