A lot of fun can be had when building a smart home, especially when it comes to lighting, music, entertainment and voice assistants. But the industry also has a more serious side: home security and surveillance systems which keep you safe 24/7. Here, the smart home industry proves it is a true force for good, and not just an excuse to have Alexa do whatever you ask.
As you might expect, there are a lot of options to explore. Do you want a system that is both installed and monitored by professionals? Would you like to install the equipment yourself, but rely on the pros to monitor it 24/7? Or, if you are on a tighter budget would you like a system that is entirely off-the-shelf and affordable for most consumers, but lacks professional monitoring?
Once you have answered these questions, you next need to consider your budget and work out what brand and system is right for you. Below, we have outlined each of those three system types, plus a section on dedicated home surveillance systems at the end of the article. Within each section, we have highlighting options for you to consider, with a quick note to explain why we feel they rise above their rivals.
Let's get started...
Professionally Installed and Monitored smart home security systems
iStock
These options are installed by professionals and monitored remotely 24/7, just like a more traditional alarm system. But what they also have is smart home intelligence, with the ability to work in conjunction with a wide rage of connected devices, like your existing smart thermostat, or a new smart door lock.
This is the most expensive option for smart home alarm systems, but offers a complete solution and often comes from companies with huge experience in the security industry.
Vivint Spotlight Pro is an outdoor spotlight and floodlight security cameraGearBrainVivint offers a complete smart home security system. It is professionally installed and monitored 24/7 and includes cameras, doorbell cameras, and a garage door controller. It also works with a wide range of Z-Wave smart home products from other companies, including Yale door locks, Hue light bulbs, and Nest devices, like thermostats and smoke alarms.
The Vivint smart home system can be controlled from the company's wall-mounted touchscreen displays, but it also has a smartphone app and works via voice control with Alexa and Google Assistant. The featured security devices for the company included these upgraded security products:
What makes these new products so unique is Vivint's tracking capabilities, which include the company's Smart Deter technology that can detect and deter lurkers outside your home.
Read More:
ADT customers can now purchase\u00a0and have\u00a0Nest smart home products installed by the security companyADTADT is over 148 years old and a familiar name in the security industry. Suppose you want a professionally fitted and constantly monitored smart home security system. In that case, ADT offers you three packages with professional monitoring, burglary detection, and fire, flood, and carbon monoxide detection. The Starter and Premium packages and a "Build Your Own" option exist. All come with remote arming and disarming features, plus control of a range of smart home devices via the ADT smartphone app. Compatible smart lights, locks, the garage door, and your thermostat can be controlled by the app - remotely or while at home - and the system works with Google Assistant.
Yes, the best new feature of ADT's system is the integration of Google Nest security cameras and doorbells. Google security cameras and video doorbells can integrate seamlessly with ADT home security systems, offering enhanced protection and convenience. Through ADT's partnership with Google, users can monitor their Google Nest cameras and video doorbells through the ADT Control app alongside their existing ADT security devices. This integration allows for centralized control and monitoring, giving homeowners a comprehensive view of their home's security status. Users can receive alerts, view live feeds, and even trigger actions such as arming/disarming their security system directly from the ADT app, ensuring a seamless and cohesive home security experience.
Read More:
Wall-mounted Control4 touchscreenControl4Another whole-home option, Control4 is a complete smart home and security solution that is designed to work in properties of all sizes, and can either be retrofitted or built into a new construction.
The system is controlled with Control4's own operating system, which lives on touch screens designed to be wall-mounted throughout the home, and is accessible via a smartphone app. This system can be used to play music, cue up Netflix, adjust the HVAC, control window blinds and lighting, view security cameras, and check on door locks.
Control4's system works with devices from a wide range of manufacturers, including Samsung, LG, Dish, Sony, Yale, Kwikset, Sonos, Somfy, Apple and Roku.
Read More:
The second tier of smart home security systems require DIY installation, but offer the option of professional, 24/7 monitoring.
Abode Security KitAbodeAbode sells several smart home starter kits, each including a wireless gateway to connect everything to, plus a range of sensors for your windows and doors. There is also a new smart lock from Abode that comes with a keypad, a new video doorbell (Abode Wireless Video Doorbell Cam and Chime), a new outdoor security camera with AI-at-the-edge capabilities, a 1.5-mile transmission range, and exceptional battery life. It's due out in 2024. Plus, there is the Abode Cam 2 Security Camera, which can be used either inside or out. It works on a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi connection and has two-way communications, full-color low-light night vision, 121-degree field of view (FOV), 1080p Full HD, and 24/7 recorded video capabilities.
Further sensors can be bought separately and added to your system, including ones that alert you to the sound of broken glass and motion sensors like you'd find in a more traditional home alarm system.
Abode's system works with Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, Alexa, IFTTT, and Sonos, plus smart home devices from the likes of Hue, Ecobee, Lifx, Yale, Schlage, and more. Professional 24/7 monitoring from Abode starts at $7 a month.
Read More:
Abode Iota home security kit review
Abode Cam 2 Review: An Indoor/Outdoor Full HD Security Camera at Attractive Price
Ring Alarm Pro Base Station comes with eero Wi-Fi 6 router built-in.GearBrainIf you already have a Ring Video Doorbell or any of the Ring indoor or outdoor cameras like Ring Floodlight or Stickup Cam, the best DIY smart home security system for you is the Ring Alarm Pro Security kit with eero Wi-Fi 6 router. This DIY system does come with professional monitoring as well as an eero Wi-Fi 6 router built-in to the Alarm Pro Base Station. It also has a keypad, four contact sensors (door or window sensors), a motion detector, and a range extender. The system can cover up to 1,500 square feet and if you are to add more Ring Wi-Fi extenders, it could increase your coverage area.
The Ring Alarm Pro Security Kit is the first and only DIY home security system we have seen with a built-in Wi-Fi 6 router. This router gets connected to your existing modem to form an integrated Wi-Fi Mesh Network that can give you a strong and secure wireless connection throughout your smart home. There is a backup battery built into the base station to help you keep this connection working when the power goes out.
The 8-piece Ring Alarm Pro Security Kit costs only $299.99 and is available on Amazon.
Read More:
Frontpoint security touch screen controllerFrontpoint
This is another system offering professional-grade features, but which can be installed yourself. Frontpoint Security offers 24/7 monitoring (contract required), and the system gives itself a health check every 60 minutes to make sure everything is working properly. There's a smartphone app, an Apple Watch app, and Amazon Alexa support for voice control, plus a touch screen control panel for arming and disarming the system.
Frontpoint's systems can include door and window sensors, motion sensors, flood and carbon monoxide sensors, and even sensors to detect when the glass of a window is smashed. The Frontpoint app also gives you control of Z-Wave smart home devices like lights and smart plugs. A cellular connection and backup battery complete this system.
Blue by ADT now called ADT Self Setup
ADT
Launched in January 2020, Blue by ADT was the result of the 146-year-old home security company acquiring Lifeshield in 2019. Unlike ADT's other security products, Blue by ADT was a DIY option for those on a smaller budget or who want to customize their security. However, recently, the company moved away from DIY smart home security systems to focus on professionally installed and monitored systems. As a result, ADT has changed the name of Blue by ADT to ADT Self Setup. This new system is a new suite of security devices and systems that are quick and easy to set up yourself.
The new ADT Self Setup does offer similar products and services as Blue by ADT. It offers self-monitoring as a standard, but professional monitoring can be added for a monthly fee. The system includes security cameras with facial recognition, and they can hook up to Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, and IFTTT. You can add Google Nest security cameras, video doorbells, and floodlight cam to your new DIY ADT system.
Kits are available, which include a camera plus door, window, motion, glass break, flood, and fire sensors to help you build up a complete system. And if you currently have Blue by ADT and want to add new devices, you can. The company has said Blue by ADT will continue to work as normal, and customers still have the option to upgrade to professionally monitored if needed.
SimpliSafe offering 35% off + a free camera with the purchase of any new systemGearBrainSimpliSafe is a mix-and-match smart home security system with the option of professional monitoring. Its value lies in its flexibility and how it continues to work during internet or power outages.
The system is controlled via a central base station, plus there is a wall-mounted keypad for arming and disarming the system, a security camera, and the usual range of door, window, motion, glass, and water sensors, plus a panic button and remote key fobs. The company also has indoor cameras, a smart video doorbell, and a new, updated, powerful wireless battery-powered outdoor security camera with customized motion detection and color night vision to help secure the outside of your smart home. All can be packaged together with the SimpliSafe system that works best for your home.
SimpliSafe works with Alexa and Google Assistant-enabled devices and your Apple Watch to arm your system.
Read More:
Home surveillance systems have become smarter over the years.
iStock
The third tier of smart home security systems looks at products suited to buyers on a budget or who aren't quite ready to invest in a comprehensive, house-wide system with professional monitoring.
Instead, these options are cheaper and simple to install and configure but rely on your monitoring them yourself.
The Wyze Sense kit costs just $20GearBrainYou can build a Wyze security system with an HD camera, door and window sensors, and a motion sensor for just $40. The camera is half of that cost, and Wyze's sensor starter kit is the other $20, making this an excellent low-cost option for buyers on a budget.
There's no waterproofing here, so this is strictly an indoor-only option, but we think Wyze products look good, are easy to set up and use, and the camera's performance is surprisingly good for the price. Wyze products work with Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT, but Apple HomeKit support is missing.
Wyze doesn't have the option for professional monitoring. But you can store recorded footage either on a microSD card slot into the camera or on the company's free cloud storage platform.
Read More:
Nest Protect smoke and CO alarmGoogleAlthough best known for its learning thermostat, Google Nest is a strong contender in the DIY smart home security space. The Nest Protect smoke and CO alarm combined with the new Google Nest indoor and outdoor security cameras with artificial intelligence baked in, and a video doorbell can easily protect and secure your smart home. All are compatible with the Google Assistant platform and can be integrated into a viable DIY smart home security system.
The Nest Secure was the heart of the company's original security offering but has been discontinued. This was a central unit for a keypad for arming and disarming the system, plus a key fob. Today, Google offers voice and app control of your Nest Detect sensors for your windows and doors and the CO alarm. If you want to add any other compatible Google Assistant device, you can use the same app you might already use to control a Nest thermostat or view your security cameras, making it a seamless experience.
The total cost for a Google Nest DIY smart home security system will vary depending on the components you add. For instance, if you were to combine a Google Nest Doorbell (battery - $179.99), a Nest Cam Outdoor camera - battery ($159.99), and a Nest Protect smoke and CO alarm ($119), the total cost would be slightly less than $500. And if you need installation help, HelloTech will be able to see you and install all your devices for slightly more.
Finally, we have security systems which are primarily home surveillance systems, instead of also incorporating sensors and other devices.
These are closer to what you might have installed in your home before the smart home industry really took off. But, what they may lack in smarts and apps, they make up for by having a single focus - to provide home surveillance.
Night Owl offers a range of dedicated home security camerasNight OwlA camera system specialist, Night Owl sells kits of indoor and outdoor security cameras. Outdoor options stream their footage to a purpose-built control unit and central hard drive, with the option to expand the number of cameras at a later date.
These cameras and smart video doorbell include night vision and person detection, and they work with the Google Assistant, so you can ask for their live video feed to appear on your TV or smart Google/Nest smart display.
Swann security camerasSwann
Swann is also a dedicated home surveillance company that produces a range of indoor and outdoor security cameras. Some also include integrated floodlights for scaring away trespassers; some options can even record in Ultra HD 4K video.
Although not part of a broader smart home system, Swann cameras work with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, and the company also sells a video doorbell.
At the CES Show 2024, the company introduced a new outdoor security called Swann MaxRanger 4K Solar Wireless Camera. The Swann MaxRanger 4K Solar Wireless Camera offers top-notch features for comprehensive outdoor security. Its 4K Ultra HD resolution provides exceptional clarity, while long-range Wi-Fi connectivity ensures reliable coverage over extensive outdoor areas. Powered by solar energy, it eliminates the need for frequent battery changes, making it eco-friendly and cost-effective. With a wire-free design, installation is effortless, and advanced motion detection sends instant alerts to your smartphone. Weatherproof construction ensures durability in various climates, and two-way audio allows for remote communication via the Swann Security app. Equipped with night vision and secure cloud storage options, this camera provides round-the-clock surveillance and convenient access to footage from anywhere. Compatible with the Swann Security app, it offers seamless integration for remote monitoring and customization of settings. This would be a great addition to any smart home security system.
Read More:
Check out The GearBrain, our smart home compatibility checker to see the other compatible products that work with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa enabled devices.
How Vivint Smart Home Hub Workswww.youtube.com
GearBrain Compatibility Find Engine
A pioneering recommendation platform where you can research,
discover, buy, and learn how to connect and optimize smart devices.
Join our community! Ask and answer questions about smart devices and save yours in My Gear.
