Typically the lighter and compact the hard armor plates are in your plate carrier, would be ideal for home defense use and protection.
HD or home defense has generally always involved smaller anything, when it comes to dealing with a home invasion or attempt break-in; because of the confined spaces found within a dwelling or home- if you find it necessary to search, clear, or fight within the confines of a room- or several rooms inside your house or structure- you will be better fighting off or defending yourself with compact weapons, pads, plate carriers, and plates as possible, so as not to restrict your own movements or reduce your self-defense space, and especially not to hinder your body’s range of motion while wearing body armor or returning gunfire.
Even soft body armor vests are a viable option in protecting yourself from armed home intruders, any form of NIJ rated body armor that you are able to put on and put to use- until law enforcement can arrive -is a critical need when it comes to home defense.