Choosing a right home surveillance system can seem a big task but it should be done in favor of your home security. You can custom select the surveillance system to meet your needs and budget, even with less confusion that you might be imagining.
If you are looking out to set smart home security from the scratch in your home or you have a home security system in place – it pays either way having a better understanding of your requirements when it comes to picking the most effective smart home security system.
Following are 3 main home security types we are introducing you with before we start exploring different components of in/outdoor smart home security.
- Basic Home Security
- Essential Home Security
- Enhanced Home Security
1. Basic Home Security
In case you wish to keep things simple, you can begin with something as straightforward as an entry alarm. This device creates a magnetic field around the door or window on which it is fixed and starts alarming when the magnet field is breached. This way, you will feel much safer at home.
2. Essential Home Security
If you want home security of moderate scale, you can opt for dial-out security systems that use the emergency dialer to notify you on your smartphone, your family member, or local security in event of a breach.
You can choose alarms with multiple sensors to get alerted if there is a flood or smoke around. Its temperature sensors can widen the scope of your home security as well.
For the installation of these units, you can get specialized help to get the job done. The support team will properly install the device and guide you about its functions. Thus, your home gets secured even without you committing much.
3. Enhanced Home Security
With smart home security in place at your home, you can track the activities around from app in your smartphone connected to WiFi.
Thanks to IoT (Internet of Things) that enables you to remotely control lights and door locks as well as helps you streamline entry and exit using your smartphone. You can control sprinkler systems, pet feeders, and even thermostats.
You will be needed a hub alongside motion detectors and sensors to enable communication with your security devices.
Other advanced home security systems are surveillance cameras that can be fixed inside and around the garden, water, and smoke detectors, as well as floodlighting and various audible alarms.
We will begin with approaches to select smart locks then will further discuss on types of home security systems including security cameras, alarm systems, and motion sensors for a safe homestay.
Smart Locks
Smart locks are now an important part of a robust home security system. They use communication protocol including WiFi, Z-Wave, and Bluetooth to communicate with other home devices.
The following will get you know about which of these works best.
WiFi
You will need a separate hub to get the WiFi lock connected with your smartphone.
Z-Wave
Z-Wave based smart lock also needs a hub to translate the signal. Its range tops at 100 feet and is ideal if you wish to operate multiple devices in your home.
Bluetooth
Bluetooth based smart locks don’t need a hub and come with extended battery life. They provide a seamless connection to your phone and tops the range at 300 feet.
The purpose of having a smart lock at home is equally convenient along with providing security. Automatic locking gives you a sense of relax as you can operate it using your smartphone.
Pros
- Keyless Door Operations
- No Expense Installation
- Security & Convenience of Automatic Locking
Cons
- No Audible Alarm
Security Cameras
If you are considering to have a security camera enough for you, you need to consider again as there are better and smart options available in home security cameras that may well cover in/outdoors.
Entry-level video doorbell cameras come with WiFi connectivity to let you track the activities on your smartphone. Even you can check over your smartphone about what is happening around when you are away from your home. Even you can communicate with anyone using your smartphone who is approaching the door or standing there.
Video Ring Doorbells
Video doorbell may be bulky for your restricted door frame, but the advantage is that the added bulk can accommodate a battery that could last a year. While operating it not complex yet expect a precise learning curve to get used to it. Its app is intuitive and the interface is a pleasure to work on.
Pros
- HD video coverage even in the dark
- Live feed let you keep eye on things in real-time
- Alexa enabled, you can control it with digital assistance
Cons
- No free video storage
Alarm Systems
Alarm system provides you with two choices. Whether you can go with the DIY installation or call the experts to do the same. The exception is where you want takeover home security and you already have an alarm system in place. Now many leading alarm models allow communication through the digital assistant.
We are summarizing the key advantages of both alarm system choices – DIY and Professional Installation.
DIY Alarm Benefits
- No installation charges
- In budget
- Build additional sensors to accommodate future needs
Professional Alarm Installation Benefits
- More choices with a professionally installed alarm system
- Extra components at your disposal
- Auto alert if any security breach
- Ability to extend with smoke and water alarm
Motion Sensors
Motion sensors have much evolved since ultrasonic models. Installing an advanced passive infrared motion sensor is best for today’s smart home security. As infrared is now an industry standard, sensors based on infrared can easily detect the objects in motion by penetrating the outer grid and the alarm is triggered accordingly. Usually, motion sensors come in two variations:
- In-door Motion Sensors
- Out-door Motion Sensors
In-door Motion Sensors
The main benefit of having indoor motion sensors is that electricity doesn’t go waste. As sensors read the motion and activate, means the lights get turned on the moment you enter the room and they go off with your exit. You get to experience a huge cut in your electricity bills for the reason indoor sensors save electricity from going wasted. Also, you can have a controller that comes at an additional cost but is a good investment to get you an additional reach as well. Installed with anti-breach security, these sensors save your money and detect any intruder in real-time.
Pros
- Can control the number of wireless receivers
- Top range of 500 feet
- Controller to take charge of a group of lights
- Timer helps cut off your electricity bills
Cons
- Controller comes with an additional cost but is worth to buy for its smart functions
Out-door Motion Sensors
Outdoor motion sensors work together with security cameras to help you keep track outside of your home, like a garden to prevent it from intruders. Pay attention to the sensitivity of the devices, otherwise, the sensors may get activated with minute movement around it – like shrill alarm start sounding when an animal triggers it. Opt for weatherproof outdoor motion sensors with cross-zoning to not to get their alarm improperly activated.
Then you can relax knowing your house is safe inside and out.
Pros
- Wide vision to protect a large area
- Few false positives, 2 zones to breach to register a positive alarm
- Weatherproof, and built to last for years
Cons
- More expensive
Final Words
When you investigate smart home security, you get to see many options. From doorbell camera to full house security systems requiring professional set up, there’s something for all tastes and budgets when it comes to smart home security.