Sunday, October 1st
2023 Home Security System Reviews
Abode
- Customize your system or choose from two packages
- Over 100 smart home integrations (such as HUE, Sonos, IFTTT, Bose, Apple HomeKit)
- Professional ($149/first year, $219.99 subsequent years, or $22.99 monthly) and self-monitoring ($69.99/year or $6.99 monthly) both available
- On-demand short-term monitoring available for self-monitored systems
- Customize your system or choose from two packages
Abode is headquartered in San Francisco and was founded by a former executive of ADT. The company offers home security systems with do-it-yourself installation that prioritize seamless integration with smart home devices, enabling users to connect devices from various platforms, even if purchased elsewhere.
Keep an eye out for savings and deals
As we browsed the Abode site, we got a pop-up offering a 50% discount on our first order of a special sale bundle of equipment. We had to enter our email address to claim the deal, though. There was also a promo at the top of the site featuring a coupon code that would save us 15% on accessories when purchasing a home security kit, no email required.
Custom or pre-packaged, you decide
How do you get started here? Abode aims to simplify the process of building a customized home security system. By clicking on the "build" button, users are prompted to answer questions about their specific needs, such as whether cameras are desired, the number of accessible doors and windows, and what they want to protect. Additionally, Abode offers four pre-packaged equipment bundles for those who prefer a simpler approach. At the time of our most recent visit, those included the following:
- Security Bundle #1: you'll get one each of the security hub, keypad, Cam 2, two mini door sensors, and two color bulbs. This package has a regular price of $500 but was on sale for $249 during our most recent visit.
- Security Bundle #2: you'll get one each of the security hub, keypad, wireless video doorbell, and mini door sensor, and two color bulbs. This package has a regular price of $640 but was on sale for $299 during our most recent visit.
- IOTA Bundle #1: you'll get one IOTA camera/motion sensor combo, 5 mini door sensors, two color bulbs, and one key fob. This setup had a regular price of $700 and a sale price of $289 when we last shopped at the Abode store.
- IOTA Bundle #2: you'll get one IOTA camera/motion sensor combo, 4 mini door sensors, two color bulbs, one keypad, one acoustic glass break sensor, and one key fob. This setup had a regular price of $740 and a sale price of $340.
Build-your-own process not so intuitive
How about going with a customized setup? Honestly, the Abode system builder wasn't as easy to use as we thought it would be. In the question-and-answer process, we told them we needed multiple sensors and cameras, but their recommendation only showed us the basic equipment packages. We could click to add more sensors to our cart - an improvement over last time - but why bother asking the questions if you're not going to apply the answers to our equipment package, Abode?
Professional or DIY monitoring
You've got two options for monitoring your Abode security system: self-monitoring, known as Standard, and Pro. Your best savings comes from paying for a year of service upfront: $69.99 for Standard and $149 for Pro (which jumps to $219.99/year after the first 12 months). You'll also see options for month-to-month service at checkout; on a Pro plan, we were given a cost of $23.99/month for monitoring, and self-monitored systems were $6.99/month.
Self-monitoring customers can pay for short-term professional coverage
If you opt for self-monitoring, Abode offers a unique feature where you can purchase professional monitoring for just three or seven days as needed, which is great if you're going on vacation or will be in an area with poor cell service and can't receive alerts. This is something we haven't seen with other home security services. On the other hand, DIY monitoring customers are quick to point out that the "free" alerts they got only identified that there was something detected but didn't identify which part of the system was triggered - detailed notifications require paid monitoring here.
Inconsistent performance
Abode's reputation has changed a bit since our last evaluation. For example, the company previously maintained an "A+" rating from the Better Business Bureau, but that had dropped to a disappointing "C-" at the time of this review. Fortunately (?), that was only because Abode reps had failed to respond to one of the 12 complaints filed in the previous year, which is not any indication of bad service. On the other hand, client feedback through services like Trustpilot is a little more positive than before, with 56% of customers giving this home security provider a five-star rating.
Mixed reviews
Still, the overall average for Abode there was just a "meh" 3.3 out of 5 stars. For some people these home security systems work great, but most feedback indicates that the equipment and the service itself can be a little iffy and inconsistent. For example, in early 2022, Abode released a system update that resulted in significant problems with basic functions such as keypads and mobile apps. Customers were experiencing long wait times for support from Abode, with some not receiving a response at all.
Room for improvement
Abode isn't the worst home security system on the market, but it's a far cry from the best. It's one of just a handful of options if you want the choice between self- and professionally-monitored plans with do-it-yourself installation, but even that's not quite enough to get us past the lackluster performance of the equipment and support team. We recommend that you consider the top five home security providers in our review instead of going with Abode.
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The 14 Best Home Security Systems
Which Home Security System is the Best?
Home security systems have become increasingly popular in recent years, as people seek to protect their homes and families from potential threats. With a wide variety of options available on the market, choosing the right system for your needs can be overwhelming. We can help you take the stress out of the decision-making process and ultimately select a home security setup that's perfect wherever you live.
Let's get started. As you already know, a home security system is a network of electronic devices designed to secure your home against theft, vandalism, and other possible dangers. A typical system may include sensors, cameras, alarms, and monitoring services.
Home Security System FAQ
Continued from above...
Sensors are the backbone of a home security system. They detect any unusual activity in and around your home and alert the system. The most common types of sensors are door and window sensors, motion sensors, and glass-break sensors. Door and window sensors are placed on the frames of doors and windows and detect any movement when the doors or windows are opened or closed. Motion sensors detect movement within a room, while glass-break sensors detect the sound of breaking glass. Pretty self-explanatory.
Cameras are an essential component of many home security systems. They provide visual evidence of any unusual activity around your home and can help identify intruders. Most cameras are connected to the internet, allowing you to view the footage remotely from your phone or computer.
Alarms are designed to alert you and your neighbors to any potential threats. When a sensor is triggered, the alarm will sound, and a notification will be sent to your phone or monitoring service. These companies monitor your home security system 24/7, and if a sensor is triggered, they will usually contact you to verify whether there is a genuine threat. If they are unable to reach you, they will contact the authorities on your behalf.
Now that you have a solid understanding of the basics of any home security system, what other factors might have an impact on your decision? Here are some criteria to consider:
- Professional install vs. DIY. Professionally-installed systems are designed for those who want a more comprehensive setup, often including cameras, sensors, alarms, and monitoring services. The professional install makes these systems more expensive than DIY systems but provide a higher level of security. DIY systems are designed for those who want affordability and are willing to install and maintain their home security system.
- Cost. Will you pay upfront for the service and/or equipment? What monthly fees are involved? Contracts can often range from 3-5 years, but not every home security system requires one.
- Portability of service. Can you take your home security system with you if you move, either by taking the equipment itself or transferring your contract and having a new install?
- Cancellation. What happens if you decide you don't need a home security system anymore? Many providers have hefty cancellation fees, especially if you signed a lengthy contract in exchange for no upfront equipment costs.
- Trial period. The best home security providers give you a grace period to see how the system works. After all, there's a pretty steep learning curve involved, and you want to make sure your system gives you the coverage and peace of mind you're paying for.
- Satisfaction guarantee/refund policy. Can you get your money back if you don't like how your security system works once it's installed?
- Customer feedback. What do other homeowners have to say about the home security system? Is the customer service team responsive? How often does the system register false alarms?
Top Consumer Reviews brings you the ultimate guide to the best home security systems on the market today. Our comprehensive review and ranking system is designed to give you all the information you need to make an informed decision and protect your loved ones both now and in the future.
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