How many pieces do I need for an apartment versus a house?

A 5- to 8-piece kit (base station, keypad, a couple of entry sensors, and a motion sensor) typically covers a small apartment or starter home, which is why the Ring 5-piece and SimpliSafe 8-piece are popular renter picks. Larger homes with more doors and windows tend toward 12- to 14-piece kits, or you can expand any system by adding sensors later.