• USA TODAY reviewed and ranked the top home warranty companies based on cost, coverage, and service.
• While monthly cost is important, the value of a plan is also determined by its coverage limits and terms.
• Homeowners can save money by comparing quotes, looking for discounts and choosing a plan that fits their specific needs.

Feeling like you’ve been hit with home repair after home repair? Then a home warranty might be worth your while.

But if you don’t want to break the bank with expensive monthly fees, then choosing the most affordable home warranty plan is in your best interest.

The USA TODAY team reviewed the top 20 home warranty companies and ranked them based on plan cost, coverage, service and more. According to our in-house methodology, these home warranty companies offer the cheapest and most comprehensive plans.

Top 6 cheapest home warranty companies of 2026

• 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty: Best for tight budgets
• American Home Shield: Best for high coverage caps
• Liberty Home Guard: Best for affordable add-ons
• Select Home Warranty: Best for basic home warranty plans
• Cinch Home Services: Best for workmanship guarantee
• Super Home Warranty: Best for tech-forward service

2-10 Home Buyers Warranty: Best for tight budgets

Get a free quote from 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty

• Monthly cost: $32 – $42+
• Service fee: $100
• Coverage cap: Up to $2,000 per system or appliance

2-10 Home Buyers warranty is one of the cheapest home warranty companies based on monthly cost. At as low as $32 per month, you can get coverage for your main home appliances and systems.

Unlike some providers that offer one standard service fee, 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty lets you choose how much you want to pay per claim. The service fees start around $100, but you can increase or lower this rate. Changes to your service call fee will inversely impact your monthly rate, so be mindful if you have a tight budget.

American Home Shield: Best for high coverage caps

• Monthly cost: $50 – $100
• Service fee: $125
• Coverage cap: $50,000 term; up to $4,000 for appliances; up to $5,000 for systems

The cheapest home warranty isn’t only about the monthly cost, it’s also about the value of your plan. American Home Shield (AHS) may have higher costs than other providers on this list, but the high coverage caps, comprehensive coverage and reliability make up for the extra $10 to $20 per month.

Hight $50,000 total term coverage and up to $5,000 per appliance or system is among the highest we see in the home warranty industry. Other providers cap this amount at $2,000 per appliance or system, which is not enough to pay for a replacement. But with AHS, you won’t have to pay any more out of pocket, which saves you money on every repair.

Liberty Home Guard: Best for affordable add-ons

• Monthly cost: $55 – $65
• Service fee: $70
• Coverage cap: Up to $2,000 per system or appliance

Liberty Home Guard (LHG) is well known for its robust list of customization options, with over 40 appliances, services and systems in its catalog. Most of these add-ons cost between $3 and $10, so you can customize your plan based on your home for an affordable price. This makes it perfect for any homeowner with luxury appliances, multiple units and home service needs, like pest control.

Liberty Home Guard may offer rates above the industry average of $43 per month, but with that increased charge, you get a low $70 service call fee, up to $30 cheaper than what LHG’s competitors offer.

Select Home Warranty: Best for basic home warranty plans

• Monthly cost: $44 – $47
• Service fee: $100
• Coverage cap: Up to $3,000 per system or appliance

Select Home Warranty offers cheap combination plans that cover both your systems and appliances. These plans start at $47, which is a steal considering competitors offer combo plans in the $60 range.

If you don’t need all the bells and whistles (meaning your home has the standard set of appliances and systems), then a home warranty plan from Select is all you need. With this provider, you won’t pay for coverage you don’t need, a definite perk if budget is your primary concern.

Cinch Home Services: Best for workmanship guarantee

Get a free quote from Cinch Home Services

• Monthly cost: $22 – $59
• Service fee: $150
• Coverage cap: Up to $10,000

Cinch Home Services stands by its service with its 180-day workmanship guarantee, meaning if your appliance or system fails again after a covered repair, Cinch will cover the cost to fix it.

Cinch’s rates are competitive, with the most basic plan starting at $22 per month. This seems like a good deal, but you’ll pay for it with the high $150 service call fee, a cost that’s double what some other providers offer.

Super home warranty: Best for tech-forward service

Get a free quote from Super home warranty

• Monthly cost: $52 – $116
• Service fee: $75
• Coverage cap: Unlimited for systems; up to $10,000

Super home warranty is another provider that may have a higher monthly cost, but the value you get out of the warranty is worth the higher payment. It’s the only provider to offer unlimited coverage for systems, and up to $10,000 for appliances. Super also has a low $75 service fee, making an even better deal.

We love Super’s easy claims process. All you need to do is submit your claim through their app and Super will take it from there.

Are cheap home warranties worth it?

Whether a cheap home warranty is worth it comes down to its value. Most home warranties cost between $45 and $60 per month, with some more expensive companies closer to $100 or more. While the cheaper home warranty seems like a good deal, the value of that plan may not be enough to protect your home.

Cheaper home warranties are more likely to cover fewer systems and appliances, come with a higher service fee and have lower coverage caps. The point of the warranty is for it to pay for broken systems and appliances, but when you don’t have the right coverage and the repair costs more than your warranty is willing to cover, then you are still stuck paying out of pocket for repairs.

So are cheap home warranties worth it? Not necessarily. You might be better off paying an extra $20 per month for more comprehensive coverage and a guarantee that you won’t have to pay more than a $75 service fee when you need repairs for normal wear and tear.

That’s why we recommend companies like American Home Shield and Liberty Home Guard.

Factors that affect home warranty cost

Most home warranty providers offer similar rates, but it’s the details of your plan that determine if you got a good deal. The biggest factors of home warranty pricing include:

• Service call fee: The lower the service call fee, the higher the monthly cost. Every time you make a claim, you pay a service fee. These fees range from $60 to $150 or more per visit, and you’ll pay a higher monthly rate for a cheaper fee.
• Coverage cap: Higher coverage caps mean less money out of pocket for repairs. Home warranty providers only allow a certain amount to be paid out each contract term. A coverage cap of $10,000 or more is likely to cover the entire cost of your home appliance repair than a cap of $2,000.
• Covered systems and appliances: The more systems and appliances included in your plan, the more expensive it will be. Combination plans tend to be more expensive than systems- or appliance-only plans.
• Location: Home warranty prices coincide with the cost of home repairs in your location, so monthly rates tend to be more expensive in larger cities than small rural areas.

How much money can you save with a home warranty?

While the monthly rate matters some, it’s not the primary factor that decides the amount you’ll save with a home warranty.

“The average cost can vary from a few hundred dollars a year plus service fees, and what constitutes a ‘good deal’ has less to do with price than it does with clear coverage terms, reasonable service-call fees and legitimate contractors,” says Seann Malloy, Founder and Managing Partner of Malloy Law Offices, who regularly handles real estate litigation.

Whenever you call a home repair company, you typically pay a service call fee (even without a home warranty). A home warranty contract standardizes that fee and provides the funds to complete the repairs.

The amount you save with a home warranty depends on the cost you pay per month, your service fee, covered items, and the cost to repair or replace. Home warranty providers that have high coverage limits, like American Home Shield, ultimately provide more value for your plan than a provider that has a limited coverage cap because the company will pay more for the repairs or cover the cost entirely.

The difference between a $45 plan and a $60 plan is negligible if your refrigerator breaks down and only the more expensive plan has a high enough coverage cap to completely replace it.

How to save money on a home warranty

These cost-saving tips can help you find the best deal on a home warranty:

• Get at least three quotes: Comparing quotes is the best way to ensure a good deal. We recommend you check rates for at least three different home warranty providers in your area and choose the plan that makes the most sense for your needs.
• Take advantage of seasonal deals: Home warranty companies almost always have some sort of promotional deal for new customers. Whether it’s a Black Friday sale or spring price cut, these promotions can save you money.
• Look for group-specific discounts: Some home warranty companies, like American Home Shield, have discounts for veterans, AAA members and more.
• Don’t pay for appliances and systems you don’t need: Choose a home warranty plan based on the systems and appliances you need covered, and don’t pay for coverage you’re unlikely to use. For example, if you have newer appliances, then a combination plan might not make sense for you.
• Limit your add-ons: Even though they cost an average of $3 to $8 per add-on, they add up quickly. Only choose the add-on appliances and systems you need.

Why trust USA TODAY

The USA TODAY team creates and uses an in-house methodology to review and rank every home warranty provider on our list. For the cheapest home warranties, we prioritize the cost and value of these warranty plans. That said, plan cost, service fees, coverage caps and plan offerings make up 68% of a provider’s total score.

Home warranty providers are rewarded for offering comprehensive plans at or below industry average costs, and points are allocated based on how well warranty service is provided.

About the author

Alora Bopray is an editor and writer who has covered the home services industry for nearly a decade. She is an avid DIYer who uses her own successes (and mistakes) to educate homeowners on how to take better care of their homes. Categories covered by this author include home warranty, gutter guards, pest control, mattresses, roofing, car warranty, home insurance, car insurance, weight loss and hair loss.

Frequently asked questions

How much should a home warranty cost?

Home warranties cost $43 to $67 per month on average. This cost depends on the type of plan you have, your deductible, add-ons and location.

Is it worth buying a home warranty?

A home warranty is worth it if you don’t have an emergency savings fund for home repairs. You’ll also get value out of your home warranty if you anticipate you’ll need it, meaning those who have older homes or aging appliances will likely get the most out of a home warranty.

Which is better, American Home Shield or Select Home Warranty?

American Home Shield ranks number two on our list of the best home warranty companies because of its comprehensive plans, high coverage caps and perks. Select Home Warranty is more affordable than AHS, but its plans only cover the basics. If you want breadth of coverage, American Home Shield is better, but if you want affordability, choose Select Home Warranty.