I'm a shut-in, which makes me the perfect candidate for a smart security system. I want to know exactly what's going on outside at all times of day, even while I'm still tucked tightly in bed. You don't have to be a serial introvert to benefit from a few cameras and connected devices in your home. If you're frequently away, you may also want to keep a record of packages and people who have passed through while you're out.
Setting up a smart security system is just as straightforward as setting up a smart home. You'll want to choose your smart security ecosystem first, then decide if you want something that's highly expandable later on. You can also keep it simple with a video doorbell that syncs with a smart display inside the home, especially if you're renting and don't have many customization options. Here's how to get started.
Choosing a method of smart security
Most people start with a security camera, with the most popular option being the video doorbell. The video doorbell offers it all: a window to the world, a clear indication that there's an eye on the outside, and the ability to deliver instant notifications for sound and movement at your door. It also serves as a button that people can press to let you know they've arrived. Installation can vary from easily mountable to more involved, depending on whether you integrate an existing doorbell chime. (I've personally eschewed this way because the chime on my old house is broken and I have no intention of ever addressing it.) As long as you have smart displays or speakers inside the home, or a smartphone with connected accessories that blare notifications, you don't need to connect it to a chime.
Not all smart locks take over the door! This August smart lock works over existing door hardware so you don't have to swap out the deadbolt. Credit: Florence Ion/LifehackerThere are smart security systems that extend beyond cameras and door locks to include a base station with a siren, a centralized control panel, and motion and door/window sensors. This is the route to take if you need something particularly sophisticated, especially if you want home monitoring included in the package. It requires more setup beforehand, but you can effectively string together a security system without hiring a professional to do it. The security system can also integrate with an existing smart home. If you have smart bulbs, for instance, you can set them up to turn on when a sensor detects movement.
Let's start with the most straightforward entry points through the typical smart home tech players, where you might have already established yourself. Google's smart security ecosystem, Nest, includes security cameras and smart locks. It offers the benefit of professional monitoring through ADT, and you can integrate third-party cameras and sensors from brands like TP-Link's Kasa or Tapo accessories. However, brands outside of Nest may not be manageable through the Google Home app, meaning you won't have access to video clips or previews from the main app feed (though you can still ask Google to stream them to a smart display).
Amazon also has its own lineup of offerings, which I like to call "platform agnostic," as they are designed to work on either Android- or iPhone-compatible smart homes. Amazon's Alexa ecosystem comprises smart speakers and smart displays that deeply integrate with Ring and Blink's various security cameras, as well as other compatible devices. Ring and Blink are established flagship brands in the Alexa ecosystem, and they work best if you stick to one or the other, with Blink being the "affordable" brand and Ring having more premium options.
A more affordable route to take, and one that most people will likely find themselves drawn to, is the do-it-yourself approach with contract-free professional monitoring, allowing you to pay only for what you need, when you need it. Companies like SimpliSafe and Abode make it super easy to concoct your own network of smart security devices that work in tandem with one another. SimpliSafe offers month-to-month monitoring, while Abode offers on-demand, temporary professional monitoring by the day or week. SimpliSafe and Abode feature base stations, which are smart home hubs equipped with all the requisite connectivity hardware for automating devices, including cameras and motion sensors, as well as providing battery and cellular backup, and a loud alarm that blares in the event of an intruder or other emergency. This route can be cheaper, although it may also cost more if you want something particularly expansive.
The do-it-yourself route is attainable for anyone who doesn't mind a weekend of customizing and adjusting a new system. But if you have security cameras in your setup, I recommend sticking with the camera brand as the main "anchor" of the security system and building around that. If you have a Ring video doorbell, for instance, consider adding Abode or SimpliSafe as an option for third-party motion sensors and similar devices, especially if you're not using the Ring base station. It is easier to manage if you stick with the full Ring security system, as you'll only have to interface with one main app to check in on the home. But the option is there to mix in another provider.
Picking the right smart security system
Some security cameras are so easy to install they magnetize to a metal rack. Credit: Florence Ion/LifehackerIf you're a renter, consider the less permanent option. SimpliSafe and Ring's ecosystems were built around this flexibility, as it's each brand's bread and butter. They include everything you need right out of the box, like a base station that connects to a variety of renter-friendly accessories, stick-and-peel motion sensors, and rental-friendly camera mounting. Ring lets you pay for professional monitoring on a month-to-month basis, although it's not required to use the hardware, whereas SimpliSafe accommodates self-monitored systems. Amazon's Blink is also a viable option to consider for temporary or non-DIY living situations, especially if you prefer notifications via a smart display or speakers.
If you don't have the patience for this kind of smart home maintenance, or you'd rather opt for a professional monitoring company to handle it all, there is no shame in choosing ADT or Vivint. It will cost you more, but both companies have had ample time to establish secure device partnerships. You can get the whole kit and kaboodle through either brand, from motion sensors to security cameras. This is also the route to take if protecting your property while you're not there is key. Companies like ADT boast a massive network of monitoring centers across the continental U.S., and again, you don't have to handle everything yourself.
A smart home with sirens
Regardless of which route you choose for your smart home, don't feel like you have to jump in all at once. I started my smart home security system with a doorbell camera and a connected thermostat. They weren't even from the same ecosystem—the doorbell camera was Ring, and Nest handled the thermostat—but I learned how to use mobile apps to develop routines around each of them. Now I live with mostly Google's Nest cameras, which take on the bulk of the surveillance work. I've incorporated a few budget-friendly brands, such as TP-Link's Kasa, around the house for a little added extra help when I need it, and a smart lock that can be remotely managed to let me know when I've left the front door unlocked.
Hence then, the article about how to build the right smart home security system from scratch was published today ( ) and is available on Live Hacker ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( How to Build the Right Smart Home Security System From Scratch )
Also on site :