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Wyze Review

Sunday, October 1st

2023 Home Security System Reviews

Wyze Review 1 Star Rating

Wyze

1 Star Rating
  • $99.99/year for home monitoring
  • Expandable up to 100 sensors
  • DIY installation

Wyze is a relatively new company that was founded in 2017 by four former Amazon employees, Yun Zhang, Dave Crosby, Dongsheng Song, and Elana Fishman. The company started with a single product, a low-cost smart home camera, which quickly gained popularity due to its affordability and ease of use.

Making smart home technology accessible

The company's mission is to make smart home technology accessible and affordable to everyone, regardless of their budget. Wyze achieves this by using a direct-to-consumer business model and keeping its profit margins low. Since its start, Wyze expanded its product lineup to include other smart home devices, including the Wyze Home Security System. The company likes to promote its system as "superior performance, no contracts, cheaper than Netflix" .

Easy on your wallet and very expandable

At first glance, the Wyze Home Security System is a budget-friendly option that provides basic home security features at an affordable price. The system includes a hub, sensors, and a keypad, which are easy to install and operate. The Wyze system is also compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing for voice control and integration with other smart home devices. Another feature that gets people's attention is the fact that this system can expand to include up to 100 sensors.

The hub is the brains of the system

The Wyze hub acts as the central control unit of the system and connects to your home Wi-Fi network. The hub communicates with the sensors and keypad to provide alerts and notifications to your phone via the Wyze app. The app is user-friendly and provides a live stream of your cameras and alerts for any activity detected by the sensors.

Sensors can be customized

The Wyze sensors are small, battery-powered devices that detect motion and can be placed on doors and windows. When the sensors detect motion, they send an alert to the Wyze hub, which triggers an alert on your phone. The sensors have a range of up to 300 feet and can be customized to trigger different actions, such as turning on lights or activating sirens.

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Keypad is pretty basic

The Wyze keypad allows you to arm and disarm your system using a four-digit code. The keypad also has a panic button that triggers an alarm when pressed, notifying you and triggering an alert on your phone.

Where's the sales team or support reps?

Unfortunately, right out the gate, Wyze dropped the ball: at the time of this review, their home security systems were marked as "not available" and we were invited to submit our email to be notified when they were back in stock. Curious, we turned to Wyze's live chat, only to find a bot that couldn't tell us when that might be. Clicking the button to "contact support" , all we got was an email: no toll-free number and definitely no live agent on the other end of the chat. Not exactly an auspicious beginning for a company that wants us to trust with our home security needs.

These systems have been "out of stock" for over a year

That seemed to be due to the fact that the main product in the Wyze system, the Sense Hub, was itself out of stock. The site allowed us to place an order for monitoring, sensors, literally anything else in the Wyze inventory - just not the "brains" of the entire operation. And, even more disturbing, it was the exact same thing over a year ago: the Sense Hub was unavailable.

Terrible reputation

That's okay, because this home security system's reputation won't exactly have you waiting with bated breath hoping that it will come back in stock soon: the company has an "F" rating from the Better Business Bureau, with 110 complaints filed there over the last year. It doesn't get any better no matter where you look, from Trustpilot to Wyze's own Facebook page: customers rant about not being able to get a refund even when equipment arrives broken, cameras constantly going offline, false alarms, you name it. It's challenging finding any homeowner with praise for their Wyze home security system.

Avoid Wyze home security systems

It's probably just as well that the Wyze hub is out of stock, because there's just no reason to waste your time or money with this home security system. Being affordable is great if you actually deliver a service of any kind, and too many customers are left feeling less-than-secure with Wyze for us to be able to recommend it even a little. You can find a great deal on a top-notch home security system among the higher-ranked providers in our review, so don't bother looking at Wyze.

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.

The Best Home Security Systems Compare Home Security Systems Compare Home Security System Reviews What are the best Home Security Systems Best Home Security System Reviews

Home Security System FAQ

There are more than 2 million break-ins every year in the United States alone. Home security systems are the most logical way to give yourself the peace of mind that comes from knowing that you, your loved ones and your property are being watched over.
The most important feature is 24/7 monitoring, which most services offer as part of your monthly fees. At a minimum, you'll want to have sensors for all of the exterior doors in your residence.
There are many add-ons that can offer additional security and protection. Your home security system could have smoke and CO2 detectors, flooding sensors, motion detectors, night vision cameras, and much more.
You'll find plans both with and without required service contracts. The tradeoff is usually in the price of the equipment vs. the monthly service fees. (See the next question for more on that.)
That depends. You should expect two costs: equipment and monthly service charges. Some providers of home security systems give you the equipment "for free", as long as you sign a contract (usually 2-5 years). Others have you pay for the equipment upfront as a one-time charge, but their monthly fees tend to be lower. And, with most services, you'll pay more for monthly monitoring if your system has all of the bells and whistles.
One of the most customer-friendly aspects of today's home security systems is DIY installation. While there are still a handful of companies that require you to sit down with a sales rep and then wait for a professional to come and set up your system, the vast majority are designed to be easy and fast for you to install yourself. You'll have ample support via phone or online chat if you need extra guidance during the process.
Yes, most of the time. You'll typically have a 30-day window to use your home security system and decide if it provides the protection and service you need. Terms vary, however: you may get a full refund for all fees paid, or you may only be allowed to break your contract without getting any money back. Be sure to understand the details of any plan you select, before you sign up.
Usually, yes. Because of the do-it-yourself nature of most of today's systems, you can uninstall and move your equipment just as easily as you set it up the first time. You'll just need to update the company with your current address, so that emergency responders have the right location in the event of an alarm.
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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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Select any 2 Home Security Systems to compare them head to head

best-home-security-systems
  • Cove
  • Alarm Relay
  • Xfinity
  • Link Interactive
  • Guardian Protection
  • CPI Security
  • ADT
  • Brinks Home
  • SimpliSafe
  • Frontpoint
  • Abode
  • Ring
  • Vivint
  • Wyze
Cove vs Alarm Relay Cove vs Xfinity Cove vs Link Interactive Cove vs Guardian Protection Cove vs CPI Security Cove vs ADT Cove vs Brinks Home Cove vs SimpliSafe Cove vs Frontpoint Cove vs Abode Cove vs Ring Cove vs Vivint Cove vs Wyze Alarm Relay vs Xfinity Alarm Relay vs Link Interactive Alarm Relay vs Guardian Protection Alarm Relay vs CPI Security Alarm Relay vs ADT Alarm Relay vs Brinks Home Alarm Relay vs SimpliSafe Alarm Relay vs Frontpoint Alarm Relay vs Abode Alarm Relay vs Ring Alarm Relay vs Vivint Alarm Relay vs Wyze Xfinity vs Link Interactive Xfinity vs Guardian Protection Xfinity vs CPI Security Xfinity vs ADT Xfinity vs Brinks Home Xfinity vs SimpliSafe Xfinity vs Frontpoint Xfinity vs Abode Xfinity vs Ring Xfinity vs Vivint Xfinity vs Wyze Link Interactive vs Guardian Protection Link Interactive vs CPI Security Link Interactive vs ADT Link Interactive vs Brinks Home Link Interactive vs SimpliSafe Link Interactive vs Frontpoint Link Interactive vs Abode Link Interactive vs Ring Link Interactive vs Vivint Link Interactive vs Wyze Guardian Protection vs CPI Security Guardian Protection vs ADT Guardian Protection vs Brinks Home Guardian Protection vs SimpliSafe Guardian Protection vs Frontpoint Guardian Protection vs Abode Guardian Protection vs Ring Guardian Protection vs Vivint Guardian Protection vs Wyze CPI Security vs ADT CPI Security vs Brinks Home CPI Security vs SimpliSafe CPI Security vs Frontpoint CPI Security vs Abode CPI Security vs Ring CPI Security vs Vivint CPI Security vs Wyze ADT vs Brinks Home ADT vs SimpliSafe ADT vs Frontpoint ADT vs Abode ADT vs Ring ADT vs Vivint ADT vs Wyze Brinks Home vs SimpliSafe Brinks Home vs Frontpoint Brinks Home vs Abode Brinks Home vs Ring Brinks Home vs Vivint Brinks Home vs Wyze SimpliSafe vs Frontpoint SimpliSafe vs Abode SimpliSafe vs Ring SimpliSafe vs Vivint SimpliSafe vs Wyze Frontpoint vs Abode Frontpoint vs Ring Frontpoint vs Vivint Frontpoint vs Wyze Abode vs Ring Abode vs Vivint Abode vs Wyze Ring vs Vivint Ring vs Wyze Vivint vs Wyze
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