Some smart speakers can also be used to monitor for the sounds of a break-in or alarm going off, such as the currently US-only Alexa Guard, which turns Amazon’s Echo devices into home surveillance devices. Most smart or wifi speakers can be set to play music or the radio between set times of the day, while many can be set to come on and play music if motion is detected – similar to smart lights. You may be surprised to learn that smart displays with a camera, such as Amazon’s £75 Echo Show 5 or Google’s £219 Nest Hub Max, can be used as smart cameras. The beauty of many smart devices is that they are multitalented. Smart lights can also be linked to other devices such as motion sensors and smart cameras, and be set to come on when someone approaches your home or the alarm goes off. Smart lights such as the Philips Hue can make it look as if someone is at home. To make things a little less predictable, in case anyone is watching your home, you can set some systems to light up at a random time within a set 60-minute period each day. Most smart lights can be triggered remotely from a smartphone but the majority, such as the popular Philips Hue bulbs (starter kits from £50), can also be set to come on and off with a routine, such as at sunset or dawn.
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Smart lights are a 21st century alternative to lamps on timers, and many are as simple to install as just screwing in a new bulb. Smart security doesn’t always have to be about obvious intrusive devices. Be aware, some charge for basic phone app functionality. Many offer optional monitoring and can call contacts or security firms when the alarm is triggered – for a fee. Many can be combined with smart cameras to record when the alarm is triggered.Īs with smart cameras, the app on your phone is just as important as the device in your home, so it is worth making sure the manufacturer has good software. Amazon’s Ring Alarm has sleeker systems available from £219 with optional 3G backup if your wifi goes down. Traditional security firms such as Yale have smart systems starting at £200 with multiple bits in the kit. Most systems will send alerts to your phone when something triggers a sensor, and have sirens built into their base stations, with optional wall-mounted bells available, too. There are many systems available that you can put together, from a range of battery-powered sensors you place on doors and windows, motion sensors for rooms, hallways and landings, and keypads for arming them. If the idea of installing surveillance equipment all over your home fills you with dread, a smart alarm system may be a preferable option.Īmazon’s Ring Alarm offers comprehensive security features. If you also want to keep an eye on the inside of your home, there are many battery and mains-powered indoor cameras available, starting from as little as £50. Those on offer include Ring’s excellent Floodlight cameras (from £179), which are nice and obvious, shine brightly with adjustable lights and have a siren, too, if needed. My favourite type combines a light and a camera. Others, such as Google’s £179 Nest Cam Outdoor, need to be wired into the mains. Some connect straight to wifi, with cloud storage options others require base stations with local storage.īattery-operated models can be placed just about anywhere with magnetic mounts – Arlo offers various models, with prices starting at £130.
Like video doorbells, they come in a range of sizes, prices and capabilities, with most having mics and speakers. If you are worried about the security of a garage, side-alley or garden, smart cameras can provide peace of mind. Smart camerasĪ Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Pro. You must also comply with data and privacy regulations if your camera captures people outside the boundaries of your property, such as on the street in front of your house or your neighbour’s driveway. You have to trust the manufacturer to maintain your privacy with good encryption and security technologies, so read reviews and check out the companies. Good and fast apps for your phone are vital, so you don’t miss things, and this makes cheap models from no-name brands generally not worth buying. Amazon’s popular battery Ring video doorbells start at only £89 and can be connected to a solar panel or the mains, too.
Some, such as Google’s £229 Nest Hello, are wired to the mains, while others are battery-powered. A subscription typically costing between £2.50 and £10 a month is required to store and view video clips after the fact, unless you buy a model such as the £130 Eufy video doorbell, which can record on to local storage. You can see a live feed from your front door at any time and receive notifications when someone walks by or presses the bell. Video doorbells show you who is at your front door.
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