Have you ever jolted awake at 3 AM, convinced you heard something downstairs, only to lie there wondering if your home's security would actually protect you if someone was trying to break in? I know I have, and that's exactly why I spent the last year testing five different professionally installed security systems in the same house.
Lakewood, New Jersey has so much going for it - beautiful parks, a tight-knit community, and that perfect balance of suburban comfort with easy access to major cities. But even in this relatively safe community, home security remains a priority.
While Lakewood boasts impressive safety statistics (property crime is 59% lower than the national average, and violent crime is 69% lower), no community is immune to security concerns. With a crime grade of 10 (among the best in the nation), residents might feel a false sense of security. But here's the thing - even in safe communities, targeted break-ins still happen.
As someone who's had five different security systems professionally installed in the same test house, I've learned to cut through the marketing hype. Let me share what really matters when securing your Lakewood home in 2025.
After testing numerous systems, I've found that the cheapest option is rarely the best value. The sweet spot lies in systems that offer reliable protection without unnecessary bells and whistles.
When your alarm triggers at 2 AM, you need absolute confidence that the monitoring center will respond quickly and appropriately. This reliability factor is where national brands like ADT and Vivint consistently outperform budget options.
Here's something interesting from our testing: the security features homeowners actually use daily aren't always what you'd expect. The two most-used and appreciated features across all our test installations were:
Both ADT (through their Google Nest partnership) and Vivint have implemented these features exceptionally well in their 2025 offerings.
Security isn't just about preventing break-ins. It's about comprehensive protection that includes fire safety, carbon monoxide detection, and medical alerts. Our testing revealed that the most effective systems address all these concerns while remaining user-friendly.
The security landscape has evolved dramatically in 2025. Today's systems feature AI-powered cameras that can distinguish between people, pets, and vehicles with remarkable accuracy. False alarms have been reduced by nearly 70% compared to systems from just five years ago.
But some aspects of security remain timeless:
The best systems combine cutting-edge technology with these fundamental security principles.
This is where things get interesting (and where most homeowners get confused).
ADT operates six monitoring centers across the US, providing redundancy if one center experiences issues. When you call about an ADT system in Lakewood, you're likely speaking with SafeStreets, an authorized ADT dealer.
SafeStreets technicians are trained to ADT's specifications and install the same equipment. The monitoring service comes directly from ADT's centers, not from SafeStreets itself.
Vivint takes a different approach with their direct sales and installation model. When you get Vivint, everything from sales to installation to monitoring comes directly from Vivint employees. This vertical integration allows for tighter quality control but sometimes at a premium price.
Here's an industry secret: many local security companies use the same monitoring platforms. Alarm.com powers numerous local dealers nationwide, while ADT has its proprietary monitoring infrastructure. This is why the actual response to alarms can be similar between different companies using the same backend systems.
After watching professional installers work and attempting DIY installations myself, I can confidently say: professional installation is worth every penny, even for tech-savvy homeowners.
Professional installers know:
Common DIY mistakes include placing motion sensors too low (pets trigger them), installing door sensors improperly (creating false alarms), and positioning cameras where they're easily disabled.
When it comes to protecting your family, this isn't the place to cut corners.
After a year of testing, here's my honest assessment: while local companies often offer competitive pricing, the stability, consistency, and peace of mind provided by established national installers like SafeStreets and Vivint is worth the slightly higher cost for most Lakewood homeowners.
The technology gap has narrowed significantly in 2025, but the infrastructure behind your security system—the monitoring centers, technical support, and service guarantees—still favors larger providers.
Don't compromise on professional installation, regardless of which provider you choose. The expertise of a trained installer creates a security foundation that DIY simply can't match. Your family's safety is worth the investment in doing it right the first time.
What security choices have you made for your Lakewood home? I'd love to hear about your experiences in the comments below!
Lakewood has a population of 104,186 and is located in Ocean County. According to recent ACS data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income is $52,530. Median home value is $356,812, and the median rent is $1,414/month. With a median age of 18.5 years old, 32.2% of residents over the age of 24 have at least some college education, with 23.7% having an income over $100,000. 57.3% of households are married.
According to the 2020 Decennial Census, the racial breakdown was as follows:
Home security is more than just cameras that capture bad actors committing crimes. Smart home features such as automated lighting are underrated features that can prevent thefts before they happen.
Professional monitoring is a must, and the choice generally comes down to a balance between the latest technology, overall price, and the service you receive for installation and on-going maintenance.
Our pick for the best home security system is ADT, with its exceptional reputation for customer satisfaction and professional installation, followed closely by Vivint which while slightly more expensive, has the most advanced security technology for your home.
SimpliSafe is our home security system recommendation for renters with its great balance of features and value, while offering minimal installation effort and reasonably priced professional monitoring.
