Locks, Doors & Safes
What Size Safe You Actually Need for a One-Bedroom
Most one-bedroom apartments need a 0.5 to 1.2 cubic foot safe. Here's how to size it by what you're storing, from documents to a laptop or firearm.
Latest review / Cameras & Doorbells
Wired or Battery? The Real Difference in Video Doorbells
Existing wiring settles it fast: wired never needs a charge, battery installs in minutes. See which fits your home before comparing specific models.
Read the full reviewWe test cameras, locks, and alarms the way a renter or a first-time homeowner actually shops for them, then tell you plainly what to buy.
Renter-friendly
No monthly fee
DIY install
No Wi-Fi needed
Under $50
Latest
Cameras & Doorbells
Video Doorbells Without a Monthly Subscription: 7 Options That Still Work
Eufy, Reolink, and Tapo record locally with no monthly fee. See all 7 video doorbells that work without a subscription, and what you give up going free.
Locks, Doors & Safes
Smart Locks for Renters: What Won’t Violate Your Lease
Retrofit smart locks clip over your existing deadbolt so nothing gets replaced or re-keyed. See which models are reversible enough to protect your deposit.
Outdoor & Perimeter
Security Cameras vs Motion Lights: Which Do You Actually Need First
A motion light stops most casual incidents for under $50 with no monthly fee. Here's why it should come before a security camera, not after.
Car & Personal Safety
Keyless Entry Relay Theft: What It Is and How to Block It
Relay theft tricks your car into unlocking via your key fob's signal. A Faraday pouch blocks it completely. Here's how it works and what to buy.
Car & Personal Safety
Catalytic Converter Theft: What Actually Stops It
A welded cat shield is the only device that stops catalytic converter theft. See why cages beat etching and alarms, and which vehicles get targeted most.
Alarm Systems
Can You Take a DIY Alarm System With You When You Move
Yes, most DIY alarm kits pack up and move with you, sensors included, with one exception: anything hardwired, like a doorbell replacing an existing chime.
Car & Personal Safety
Pepper Spray Laws by State: What Changes Where You Live
Pepper spray is legal in every state, but canister size, minimum age, and purchase rules vary. Here's what actually changes depending on where you live.
Apartment & Renter Security
No-Drill Security Devices That Actually Work
The no-drill devices worth buying: adhesive alarms, tension-mount cameras, and sliding-door bars. Which ones hold real weight without a landlord's OK.
Outdoor & Perimeter
Motion-Activated Lights vs Dusk-to-Dawn: Which Deters More
Motion lights win at doors and chokepoints; dusk-to-dawn wins on driveways and side yards. See which fixture fits which spot in your yard, and why.