Best Security Systems for RVs in 2025
ADT wound up as our top pick with intelligent alerts from its Google Nest Cams and a capable self-monitoring plan.
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Last Updated on Feb 28, 2025
- Advanced security cameras with facial recognition
- Free plan includes full access to the mobile app and notifications
- Partnership with Google enables a seamless integration with Google Home smart devices
- Security cameras work as stand-alone products
- Affordable solar panel option for most security cameras
- Cellular backup does not require professional monitoring
- Easy installation on all components that work in an RV
- Flexible security systems work with any assortment of equipment
- Top-tier monitoring with video-verified alarms
If you’re like us, when you’re planning a cross-country road trip in your RV, you make a detailed list of everything related to the trip. You plan what you’re going to eat each day and, of course, every site you want to see. But we think you should add one more item to your list. And that’s how you’re going to keep you, your family, and your belongings safe while traveling in unfamiliar places. Well, we’re here to help you with that item of your to-do list before heading off on your next adventure.
We’ve tested over 60 security systems. Some of our favorite security systems don’t work in RVs. For instance, when we tested Vivint, we could only install it in a home, apartment or business.
That doesn’t mean there aren’t good options for RVs. Your options are just a bit more limited. Through our tests, we found ADT, Ring and SimpliSafe work the best for RVs, and we have a couple of honorable mentions too. Now let’s dig in!
>> Learn About: Complete Guide to Home Security Systems
Summary of the Best Security Systems for RVs
- ADT - Best Advanced Security Cameras
- Ring - Best Solar-Powered Options
- SimpliSafe - Easiest Installation
Comparison of the Best Security Systems for RVs
| System |
ADT
|
Ring
|
SimpliSafe
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Ranking | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
| Ratings | 9.8/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.2/10 |
| Required Base Station | Yes | No | Yes |
| Cellular Backup | Available with professional monitoring | Yes | Available with professional monitoring |
| Power Options | Battery, Plug-in | Battery, Plug-in, Solar, PoE | Battery, Plug-in |
| Equipment Packages | Starting at $349 | Starting at $244.95 | Starting at $249.96 |
| Read Review | ADT Review | Ring Review | SimpliSafe Review |
What to Look For in a Security System for Your RV
Of course, you need a security system that can work in an RV. And not every security system can. For instance, based on our tests of Frontpoint, we would not be able to use it since they require professional monitoring which doesn’t work for RVs.
So, what should you look for in a security system for your RV?
- Easy and clean installation: First of all, we do not want to damage our RV to install a security system. That’s why we’re going to prioritize an easy install process that doesn’t require any drilling.
- Cellular backup: Our RV doesn’t have the most reliable internet connection. So, we wanted a system with strong cellular backup. Whenever our internet went down, we’d still receive alerts from our system. Even if your RV has a reliable internet connection though (Starlink, for example), we still recommend a security system with cellular backup just in case.
- Optional solar power: The generator for our RV only gives us so much power, and we didn’t want to use much of it for our security system. Components that were powered by a solar panel didn’t even need to hook up to our generator letting us binge watch more episodes of The Mandalorian during those rainy days.
- Self-monitoring options: Professional monitoring doesn’t work well for RVs. The monitoring agents need your address to dispatch emergency personnel and with an RV constantly on the move, they won’t be able to provide assistance. That’s why we need a system with strong self-monitoring capabilities in our RV security system.
Now that you know what we looked for in a security system for an RV, let’s go over our top three picks.
>> Read More: Best No-Monthly-Fee Home Security Systems
Business Security Systems Compared
| System |
ADT
|
Ring
|
SimpliSafe
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Ranking | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
| Ratings | 9.8/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.2/10 |
| Required Base Station | Yes | No | Yes |
| Cellular Backup | Available with professional monitoring | Yes | Available with professional monitoring |
| Power Options | Battery, Plug-in | Battery, Plug-in, Solar, PoE | Battery, Plug-in |
| Equipment Packages | Starting at $349 | Starting at $244.95 | Starting at $249.96 |
| Read Review | ADT Review | Ring Review | SimpliSafe Review |
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1. ADT - Best Advanced Security Cameras
View Packages Links to ADTProduct Specs
Equipment Costs Packages starting at $349 Monitoring Options Professional and DIY Monthly Monitoring Costs Starting at $24.99 per month Contract Lengths Month-to-month or 36 months and up Installation Options Professional and DIY Smart Platform Integration Alexa and Google Home ADT Overview
We tested almost all of ADT’s equipment to see how well each component worked. ADT used to require an in-depth professional installation and professional monitoring, both of which are less than ideal for RVs. But they’ve grown with the times and now offer fully DIY systems. Even though these are relatively new offerings, ADT is anything but new to the home security industry, so they were able to knock it out of the park right away. This brought down ADT’s pricing too. Plus, they partnered with Google, bringing Google Nest Cams to their lineup.
Since testing Google Nest Cams on their own and paired with an ADT security system, we can confidently say these are some of the smartest cameras on the market. These cameras are one of the main reasons we liked ADT the best for our RV — they feature facial recognition capabilities. So, when we get alerts, we know if it’s one of us going into the RV for something or if it’s someone we don’t know trying to sneak in.
What We Like
- Advanced security cameras with facial recognition
- Seamless integration with Google Home smart devices
- Affordable cloud recording through Nest Aware starting at $8 per month
- One of the best mobile apps in the home security industry
What We Don’t Like
- Requires a base station
- Solar panel only available through third-party
- Expensive with battery-powered cameras starting at $180
- Prioritizes professionally monitored security, which is not available for RVs
Installation
ADT completely switched up the way they do installation. When we first started using ADT, they required us to schedule a professional who installed our entire system for us. But, they’ve now made their system so easy to install that they focus on DIY installation. That’s great news for our RV since paying to install a security system seemed kind of silly given how small of a space it is.
The latest iteration of ADT’s security system only requires a base station too. And installing that only required us to plug it in. We didn’t need a keypad or a touchscreen control system. Instead, we used the app to arm and disarm our system. It took us 20 minutes max to get our entire ADT system set up in our RV.
Did You Know: You can buy Google Nest Cams on their own if you don’t want to attach them to an ADT system. We liked being able to control them through the ADT app and connect them to our entry sensors, but they’d still be effective on their own too.
Self-Monitoring Capabilities
Our security expert testing the ADT+ app Despite ADT only recently adding self-monitoring as an option, they include more capabilities in their free plan than most security systems. Without paying any monthly fee, our system sent us customized alerts right to our phone. We still got full access to the mobile app too. That’s another feature some competitors lock behind a paid plan. Check out our SimpliSafe vs. ADT guide for a side-by-side comparison.
Now, ADT doesn’t offer cloud storage for its Google Nest security cameras. That’s why it didn’t make our list of the best unmonitored security systems. Instead, we needed to purchase that through Google with its Nest Aware plan. This also unlocked the full capabilities of every Nest Cam we bought, including facial recognition. There are two plans to choose from: one at $8 per month and the other at $15 per month. We went with the $8 per month plan since we don’t like going through 24/7 video recordings anyways.
Here’s a comparison between both cloud storage plans we could choose from with our ADT system:
Features Nest Aware Nest Aware Plus Cloud storage for video events 30 days 60 days 24/7 video storage No 10 days Intelligent alerts, including facial recognition Yes Yes Monthly price $8 $15 Annual price $80 $150 Power Options
We decided to save a few bucks by going with the plug-in version of the Google Nest Cam. All of ADT’s equipment aside from the base station is battery-powered. The base station only needs to be plugged in, and it has a built-in 24-hour backup battery. That battery definitely came in handy a few times when our generator went out in the middle of the night without us realizing. Our security system stayed up and running keeping us safe while we slept. One of the Google Nest Cams is plugged in too, but there’s a battery-powered counterpart.
Neither ADT or Google sell solar panels to power the equipment. But since it’s all battery-powered we just charged up our cameras and replaced the coin cell batteries in the sensors before our road trips. That was enough to keep our system up and running even during a two-month road trip. You might need to charge the Google Nest Cams if you plan to travel in your RV for over four months.
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2. Ring - Best Solar-Powered Options
View on Amazon Links to Amazon.comProduct Specs
Resolution Up to 1080p Field of View Up to 155° Power Wired, battery, PoE, solar Connectivity Wi-Fi, ethernet Video Storage Cloud Smart Platform Compatibility Alexa and Google Home 
Ring Overview
Our team tested the 5-Piece Ring Alarm security system. Similar to SimpliSafe, Ring also offers an easy setup process although they focus more on security cameras. Plus, their cameras can work without a base station. That means you have the option of setting up a security camera or two to overlook the entire interior of your RV if you want. You don’t need to set up a whole security system. Although we always recommend adding entry sensors for your windows and doors so your system can sound an alarm if someone tries to break in. Ring offers that too.
What We Like
- No base station required for cameras
- Optional solar panels for some components
- Self-monitoring plans included cellular backup
- Integrates well with smart home devices
What We Don’t Like
- Cameras are relatively tall so they fell over easy while we drove
- Past security breaches, although they have since been resolved
- The free plan has limited capabilities
- Storing video clips requires a subscription
Installation
Overall, installing Ring components was about as easy as installing SimpliSafe. But, they have a few more options for components that can change how difficult the installation is. For instance, they offer most of their security cameras as plug-in versions too. When we tested the Ring Stick Up Cam Plug-In, we had to look for an open outlet in our RV. Given the amount of gadgets we own, this wasn’t the easiest task.
That said, Ring allowed us to buy just security cameras if we wanted without any base stations. We found that option useful for RVs in particular since we could plop the Ring Stick Up Cam Battery we tested in the back of our RV. This single camera alerted us to any motion in our RV and gave us a live feed of it. Since it ran off batteries, we didn’t need to figure out how much power it would take from our generator either.
Did You Know: Ring also offers complete alarm systems. Although we prefer their security cameras, we liked the aesthetic and simple install of the alarm system. They require a base station though unlike their cameras.
Self-Monitoring Capabilities
We found that the Ring Stick Up Cam could easily be added into any RV for extra protection.
Ring’s self-monitoring capabilities really stood out to us when used in our RV. They have a unique feature they call 24/7 Backup Internet, which allows the cameras to still record events even if the Wi-Fi goes down. Like we mentioned, our RV’s Wi-Fi connection isn’t always the most reliable, and when it went down, our Ring cameras still recorded. Now, it requires the Ring Alarm Pro base station and a $19.99 self-monitoring plan (including cloud recording). Plus, the 24/7 Backup Internet feature is limited to 3 GB of data per month, which is about eight minutes of 1080p video. But that was enough for us since we only had our cameras record when they detected motion.
We also liked how Ring separated its cellular backup for their alarms from their professional monitoring plan. Their $9.99 per month mid-tier plan includes cellular backup for alerts. We could also get cloud storage from any of the following Ring plans:
Features Basic Standard Premium Cloud storage One camera Unlimited cameras at one location Unlimited cameras at one location Person alerts Yes Yes Yes Alarm cellular backup No Yes Yes Video cellular backup (Ring Alarm Pro required) No No Up to 3 GB Monthly price $4.99 $9.99 $19.99 Annual price $49.99 $99.99 $199.99 FYI: There’s a free plan too, but that only gave us access to live-streamed video feeds and basic push notifications so we definitely recommend the paid plans.
Power Options
Here’s where we felt Ring really excelled. They offered us multiple power options for all of their cameras. That was great for our RV. Even the Stick Up Cam that we used indoors comes with a solar panel option. And the solar panel wasn’t attached to the camera, allowing us to set up the solar panel outside the RV during the days we were just hanging around to charge up the camera’s battery. Otherwise, we would have had to bring the camera itself out to charge it. This made it a lot more functional for our RV.
SimpliSafe also offered an add-on solar panel, but it only worked for the outdoor camera and it was expensive at $79.99. Ring’s solar panels only add about $30 to the camera’s base price. We go over all of these details in our SimpliSafe vs. Ring comparison guide.
>> Read About: Comparing ADT vs Ring Security Systems
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3. SimpliSafe - Easiest Installation
View Packages Links to SimpliSafeProduct Specs
Equipment Costs Packages starting at $249.96 Monitoring Options Professional and DIY Monthly Monitoring Costs Starts at $21.99 per month Contract Lengths Month-to-month Installation Options DIY or professional Smart Platform Integration Alexa and Google Home SimpliSafe Overview
We bought every piece of equipment from SimpliSafe for our comprehensive testing. Having started out as a security system for renters, SimpliSafe’s equipment is all designed to be installed without causing any damage. We’ll get into the specifics of how they do that in a bit. Since their start though, they developed their services to offer some of the best security in the industry.
What We Like
- Easy and quick installation process
- Affordable equipment
- Sensor batteries last several years
- Cloud recording plan includes SMS notifications
What We Don’t Like
- Only one cloud storage plan
- A base station and keypad is required
- Limited equipment options
- Minimal automation capabilities
Installation
Like we mentioned, SimpliSafe systems can be installed without making any permanent alterations to a home. That makes them easy to set up in an RV as well. No drills necessary. Each component has a peel-and-stick backing that lets us plop them anywhere we want in our RV. We ended up installing one entry sensor at each door and window as well as a Smart Alarm Wireless Indoor Camera looking from the back of our RV to the front. That let us keep an eye on our entire RV even when we went out for day hikes.
The only piece of equipment SimpliSafe sells that requires hardwiring is the video doorbell. But, a video doorbell doesn’t exactly work on an RV so that wasn’t an issue for us.
Pro Tip: Although the peel-and-stick adhesives work well for quickly installing SimpliSafe without any permanent damage, we recommend using the mounting hardware. That way, hitting a bump in the road won’t cause any of your security system components to come crashing down.
Self-Monitoring Capabilities
Installing security sensors typically requires just sticking them to the wall with the provided double-sided tape; it’s that easy. Given SimpliSafe’s flexibility, it came as no surprise to us that they let us self-monitor our security system. We had two options: either the free plan or the $9.99 per month cloud recording plan. The free plan lets us view live feeds of our cameras and remotely arm and disarm our system. But that wasn’t enough for us, so we went with the premium self-monitoring plan. That gave us cloud storage for our security cameras, a feature we think is essential for any RV security system.
However, SimpliSafe’s self-monitoring plan does not enable cellular backup for sending you alerts. That was one drawback we saw when self-monitoring from our RV. We needed to fully rely on our hot spot to keep our SimpliSafe system up and running. Good news — the sirens work offline.
Here’s a quick comparison between the free and self-monitoring SimpliSafe plans:
Features Unmonitored Free Plan Self-Monitoring Livestream video Yes Yes Remotely arm and disarm Yes Yes Push notifications and alerts No Yes Cloud recording for cameras No Up to 10 cameras System automation No Yes Price Free $9.99 per month FYI: We highly recommend going with SimpliSafe’s Self-Monitoring plan so you get alerts related to your system. Otherwise, your system won’t tell you when it detects someone entering or leaving your RV.
Power Options
We tested the new battery-powered Smart Alarm Wireless Indoor Camera.
SimpliSafe didn’t give us much choice for power. Thankfully, all of their components we wanted to use in our RV were powered by batteries. For the cameras, we just needed to charge them up before we left on our road trip. And the sensors all run on coin cell batteries that last years. No need to put any extra pressure on our generator with SimpliSafe!
However, the SimpliCam does not run on batteries. So, if you’re looking for the lowest cost indoor camera, you’ll need to account for that when planning out the power usage of your generator. SimpliSafe sells an optional solar panel but it only works with the outdoor camera.
>> Learn More: SimpliSafe Home Security FAQs
Runners Up — Lorex, Wyze and Arlo
Sometimes securing an RV only requires a security camera or two. Their built-in motion detectors can send us alerts anytime someone walks into the RV, and we can immediately pull up a live feed to see who it is. So, we wanted to mention Lorex, Wyze and Arlo on this list too since they make some of our favorite security cameras.
Lorex offers one of the largest security camera selections on the market. If you can’t find what you’re looking for from Lorex, you probably won’t find it anywhere else either. While they don’t offer cloud storage, they have built-in storage or a separate device that the cameras connect to that stores video footage. The Lorex cameras we tested used a DVR system to store recordings.
Wyze, on the other hand, offers some of the most affordable security cameras without being cheap. Their cameras start at $36 so you can outfit your whole RV for under $100 easily. At least, that’s what we did when we tested Wyze. Plus, they offer all the core features we look for in security cameras like motion-based alerts and 1080p HD resolution.
Arlo deserves a special shoutout on this list since they make one of the best security cameras that works without Wi-Fi, the Arlo Go. It runs off of cellular so you still get the features of a Wi-Fi-enabled security camera like live-streamed video without requiring Wi-Fi in your RV. Plus, they offer an all-in-one sensor that we normally don’t like, but it worked well in our RV since we could actually put most of its capabilities to use.
Did You Know: We created an entire guide on security camera placement. If you plan to secure your RV with just security cameras, our guide will tell you how to optimize your security without requiring tons of cameras.
Methodology
Now that you see our recommendations, how can you trust them? Well, that comes down to our methodology. We’ve tested over 60 security systems in our own homes and RVs. While it starts with thorough research to figure out who the industry leaders are so we test all of the best options, it all comes down to our in-person testing.
We use each system for weeks, or sometimes even months, to learn everything about using it day to day, from its strongest features to its unusual quirks. Throughout this time, we perform in-depth tests like simulated break-ins and battery lifespan tests. This way we can fully review each system from a proficiency and ease-of-use perspective.
Once we finish our testing period, we take a step back and rate the system on a consistent scale. We take into consideration everything from the installation process to how well we can control the system from our phone. Then, we round up our results and determine which systems would work best for protecting our RVs.
Can an RV Use a Security System?
Yes, an RV can absolutely use a security system. We recommend it. If you’re like us, there are a lot of valuables in your RV whether it’s sitting in the driveway waiting for its next adventure or at the campground getting dirty. So, we want a system we can trust to keep our valuables, ourselves and our family safe while out on the road.
Most security systems focus on keeping homes safe though. As such, some don’t quite work in an RV environment. For instance, their base station could require too much power or their smallest equipment package could still be too large for an RV. That’s why we recommend flexible systems like ADT, Ring and SimpliSafe so you can tailor your system to fit the exact needs of your RV.
How Does an RV Security System Work?
An RV security system works in the same way as a home security system with a few exceptions. They use sensors and security cameras to detect when someone could be breaking in. Then, they send an alert to you so you can respond to the potential threat appropriately. With cameras involved, you can check their livestream and recordings of the event to see what happened and call emergency personnel if needed.
For an RV though, they don’t require as many sensors as a home since there aren’t nearly as many entry points. And it wouldn’t be advisable to drive down the highway with a large outdoor security camera mounted to the side of your RV. So, we focus our efforts on interior security with a sensor on each door and window as well as one or two security cameras overlooking the interior of the RV. Best of all, those security cameras can double as dash cams while we’re driving.
Final Thoughts — Does Your RV Need a Security System?
We always recommend a security system for any RV. It’s just a matter of which one. Our favorite in our RV after testing over 60 systems was ADT. It offered us plenty of flexibility and installing it didn’t cause any damage to our RV. Since ADT uses Google Nest Cams, we got access to tons of smart features like facial recognition so we knew when we could ignore alerts.
If you’re looking for camera-based security for your RV, we recommend Ring. You can add a solar panel to almost any of their cameras and using the cameras does not require a base station. They hooked right up to our phone. SimpliSafe offered us the core features we looked for in RV security and an easy install process.
We couldn’t skip over Lorex, Wyze and Arlo when it comes to security cameras as well. Lorex has one of the largest selections of cameras and Wyze offers the best value cameras we’ve seen. Arlo has a security camera that connects through cellular for livestreaming the feed to your mobile device, which we found particularly useful for our RV.
Regardless of which system you choose, adding security cameras and sensors to your RV will make you and your family feel safer while sleeping in unfamiliar locations.
FAQs About Security Systems for RVs
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What is the best security system for an RV?
Based on our testing of over 60 security systems, the best complete security system for an RV is ADT. If you only want security cameras, we recommend Ring and if you want the easiest installation, we recommend SimpliSafe.
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Is a security system for my RV worth it?
Yes, a security system for your RV is well worth it. There are plenty of valuables in almost any RV and they’re relatively easy to break into. Plus, you and your family sleep in your RV. Adding a security system helps keep them safe.
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What security equipment can I add to my RV?
We recommend adding both security cameras and sensors to your RV. That way, you’ll know if someone tries to break in and you’ll have video evidence of it.
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Can my RV power a security system?
There’s always a way to power security equipment in your RV. Most security systems run off of almost entirely battery-powered equipment that lasts for months between charges.
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Does a security camera work as a dash cam for my RV?
Yes, you can use the security camera you buy to watch over your RV when you’re out on your daily adventures as a dash cam while driving to your next spot. As long as it’s wireless, you can easily pick it up and move it between its dash cam placement and security placement.
ADT. (2023). ADT Commercial Establishes Standalone Organization, Rebrands Company to Everon™ as GTCR Completes Acquisition.
everonsolutions.com/insights/newsroom/press-release/adt-commercial-establishes-standalone-organization-rebrands-companyADT. (2024). About ADT.
adt.com/about-adtBay Alarm. (2024). WHAT IS VIDEO ALARM VERIFICATION & HOW DOES IT WORK?
bayalarm.com/blog/what-is-video-alarm-verification-how-does-it-work/Car Scoops. (2023). How A Ford Dealer Outsmarts Fake Customer Damage Claims Saving Up To $4,000 Monthly.
carscoops.com/2023/02/ford-dealer-saves-thousands-each-month-over-fake-damage-claims-by-using-high-def-cameras/