Whether you're monitoring arriving packages or watching for nefarious activity, these days it's important to secure your home with a video doorbell. I own this specific doorbell myself and really love it, especially when I'm home alone. The 1080p video is clear and smooth, and it was relatively easy to install. I also like to scare my husband by randomly speaking to him through it. This joke never gets old (well, for me it doesn't).

With the prospect of trips out and holidays finally on the cards, over the next few weeks many of us will be leaving our houses unattended for the first time in months. So now is the time to think about making your home a bit more secure. In addition to the basics, there is a range of DIY tech that may help to deter would-be intruders and allow you to keep an eye on your home from almost anywhere in the world. From the simple video doorbell to a fully automated light show, here is a quick guide to what is available, plus some tips from police and insurers to help you keep burglars at bay. Simple to install, easy to use and immediately obvious to potential intruders, video doorbells are a popular home security option.

The home is becoming more and more connected, and there are a ton of devices out there aimed specifically at making it more convenient to control lighting and appliances. But connected devices can do more than simply make things a little more convenient -- they can also help keep you and your home safe and sound. There are a ton of smart security products out there, all aimed at tracking and recording your home, specifically at night and when you're not at the home. There are cameras, window and door monitors, alarms, and more -- and all can be used in conjunction with a smartphone app and sometimes with other smart home devices. If you're in the market for some smart home security products, there are a few things you should consider.

Do you want to see who's at your door without getting up, keep an eye out for criminals and hooligans, or simply make sure the delivery guy actually leaves your package while you're at work? With a video camera that lets you see who's at your door, two-way audio, and alerts that stream right to your smartphone, even when you're not home, a smart doorbell might be the perfect device to add to your home. To find out which will really ring your bell, I tested seven of the most popular models. Truth be told, none of them were perfect--but the Ring Video Doorbell 2 (available at Amazon for $199.00) With the most reliable connection and the fastest response time, the Ring 2 is the best bet for any house, especially because it's one of the only models that can run on batteries or be hard-wired.

Web security cameras are getting smarter all the time, and the Netatmo Welcome is on its way to becoming brilliant. About the size of a pepper mill, this cylindrical camera has subtle styling, so it looks at home on an entryway table. And that's the ideal placement for it, because its facial recognition technology can tell you when the kids are home from school or when a stranger has entered your home. But the 199 device is more than just a camera. It also works as a hub for the optional 99 Netatmo Tags, sensors that send your smartphone alerts when windows, doors, or gates (yes, they work outside) open and close.