It goes without saying that the home security industry has come a long way since more traditional, unreliable protections such as locks and keys, and this is mostly down to how advanced technology is becoming in this particular sector — within Australia and around the world.

Now, although there are plenty of satisfactory home security systems out there that will more often than not be enough to deter anyone from breaking into your house — things like a clearly displayed security camera, for example — the range of technology that is available today can blow this sort of thing out of the water pretty easily.

So, throughout this article, we’re going to be exploring all you need to know about smart home security systems you can invest in now, covering things like how they actually work and what makes them so much better than regular security systems.

Table of Contents:

• What Are Smart Home Security Systems
• How Does a Professional Home Security System Work
• Features of Smart Home Security Systems
• Pros and Cons of a Smart Home Security System
• Reviews
• 1. Wyze Home Monitoring System
• 2. Ring Alarm Security Kit
• 3. Ring Alarm Pro
• 4. SimpliSafe Home Security System
• 5. Abode Iota All-In-One Security Kit
• 6. ADT Self Setup Home Security
• Final Thoughts
• FAQs

What Are Smart Home Security Systems? 🏡️

---

So, to keep things simple, smart home security systems are basically the most effective way that residential spaces can currently be safeguarded, given how advanced some of these biometric tools are and how rapidly the industry is advancing in this regard.

Unlike the more conventional security setups that you’re probably used to seeing on houses — normally just a basic alarm system and some locks — smart home security comes with way more means of protecting your house since they come with a network of a bunch of different devices and technologies that are all connected to one another.

For instance, a relatively common smart home security system setup would be something that includes a range of different sensors and applications that you don’t even need to operate manually or even be present at all — it’s all done automatically.

While you’ll find that quite a lot of regular home security systems have these kinds of features, the main thing that separates the ‘smart’ versions is how interconnected they are to other tools, as well as the artificial intelligence that they’re powered by that lets you see insights and take actions in real time.

So, from video surveillance and motion detectors to even more advanced options like smart locks and environmental sensors, it’s generally a pretty varied industry in terms of the types of tools you have at your disposal — just bear in mind that things can get incredibly expensive quickly.

How Does a Professional Home Security System Work?

---

Let’s provide a little bit more insight into how these systems actually function — all starting with a central hub that whichever smart home security system you choose will be relying on in order to control all of the various devices that are connected to the network.

Try to think of this as the brain of the whole system since this is where all the information from whatever sensors and devices you have installed are coordinated with each other to form a foundation.

Now, in terms of the devices you can expect to see come with these systems, the most popular options are usually some form of motion sensor, door/window sensor, or any other kind of home security camera that is placed strategically throughout your whole home.

This might feel a little bit invasive at first, but all these sensors are doing is continually collecting data so it can be fed directly to the hub we mentioned before. From here, all the information can be processed so any potential patterns, anomalies, or other security threats can be identified.

These systems are obviously pretty proactive when it comes to threat detection, but aside from this, smart home security systems also give you an opportunity to monitor your home on the go by using their dedicated mobile applications.

Put simply, this means that from virtually anywhere in the world, you’ve got the accessibility to check your camera feeds in real time, receive alerts, and possibly even control smart devices, whether that’s turning lights on or off or locking/unlocking certain locks — fairly impressive stuff.

Features of Smart Home Security Systems 🛡️

---

Naturally, the exact features you can expect with your home security system are going to vary depending on which provider you’ve chosen, but a few of the same kinds of services tend to be quite common across the board:

Intelligent Facial Recognition Technology

A lot of this technology uses pretty advanced artificial intelligence in order to distinguish between the people who actually live in your house and potential intruders, so not only does this feature minimise the risk of any false alarms, but it also makes your security setup incredibly personalised.

Professional Monitoring Services

It’s not always a given that your smart home security system will come with this, but professional monitoring services can be pretty game-changing if your alarm is ever triggered.

Put simply, your system will immediately alert emergency services — meaning you don’t actually have to monitor all of these cameras or sensors yourself.

Pros and Cons of a Smart Home Security System

---

Naturally, pretty much any kind of technology is going to come with its own set of advantages and disadvantages, and this isn’t any different when it comes to smart home security systems.

So, throughout this next section, we’re going to be taking a look at each side of the spectrum so you can have a better idea of which factors to consider before investing in such an expensive safety solution for your home.

Pros

Kicking things off, let’s start positively by walking through some of the main reasons why you’d want one of these networks safeguarding your home:

Smart Home Integration ✅️

Naturally, the fact that you or any of your other family members can pretty effortlessly control all of your smart home technology from the click of a few buttons on an app speaks for itself — giving you way more convenience/automation for things such as lighting, thermostats, and even door locks.

DIY Home Security System Installation Options ✅️

One of the major costs with smart home security systems is often the installation fee, so if you’re able to opt for a do-it-yourself (DIY) installation, you’ve got a much better opportunity to save a bit of money — not to mention that you’re setup other smart home devices exactly how you want them to look, giving you much more control in the overall process.

Cons

For all we’ve talked positively about these kinds of security systems so far in the article — especially in relation to comparatively antiquated alternatives like offline cameras — there are still plenty of not so desirable features that you can expect with smart home devices.

So, let’s break down some of the reasons you might want to stick with the current security system that you’re using in the following section:

Initial Cost and Installation ❌️

It goes without saying that these smart home security systems are far from cheap, especially when you compare this to some of the more traditional security setups out there that can often provide plenty of deterrents for any potential criminals.

Aside from this, though, you’re also going to incur a bunch of extra fees if you’re not particularly tech savvy and need professionally installed systems — something that’s generally fairly off-putting if you’re on a budget.

Potential Vulnerabilities to Hacking ❌️

On the one hand, you’ve got plenty of increased connectivity with these kinds of devices, but while this generally makes things a lot more convenient on your behalf, it actually increases your overall risk of a security breach via hacking than if you used an offline system instead.

As such, you’re going to have to choose a particularly strong password to keep any unauthorised users out of your network — as well as things like keeping your firmware updated regularly.

Best Home Security System — Reviews 👀️

---

Given how popular the market for smart home security systems is becoming, it’s naturally opened the door to a massive amount of new companies trying to sell products in this vein — not all of them being as effective as they’re advertised.

So, in the next section of the article, we’re going to be taking a look at our top six choices for security systems for your home.

Before we move any further, it’s worth noting that it’s fairly difficult to crown one of these options as the ‘best’ by default, as this kind of thing is normally directly correlated to how much you’re willing to pay for the system.

As such, one of the cheaper (yet still highly effective) options we’ll be covering might be the ‘best’ for a different kind of demographic — essentially, it all depends on what you’re able to afford for your house. 

1. Wyze Home Monitoring System — Most Cost-Effective Option

---

As far as customisation goes, you’re able to set up your own keypads, cameras, and even motion sensors however you wish — not to mention how compatible they are with any other smart devices from Wyze that you might already have (slightly more traditional options like doorbells and locks, for instance).

Ultimately, there are probably better options out there in terms of the quality of their devices, but we’re still ranking the Wyze Home Monitoring System as our best pick because of how affordable yet impressive their tools are.

2. Ring Alarm Security Kit — Best Option for Professional Monitoring Services

---

Fortunately, all of their additional security devices — things like their smoke alarms and door locks — are incredibly easy to install, whether you want to set them up yourself or hire a professional to install them for you.

In terms of price, you shouldn’t expect to have to pay any more for any additional devices that you want to add to your network than you would with other options we’ll be covering in these reviews, like Adobe or SimpliSafe.

So, if you’re someone who’s perhaps already got a couple of Ring products for your house, we’d definitely suggest staying within the brand and upgrading with the Ring Alarm Security Kit.

3. Ring Alarm Pro — Best Option for an All Inclusive Approach

---

Fortunately, you’re covered if there are ever any kinds of power outages in your house, too, since the Ring Alarm Pros can be used for approximately 24 hours thanks to the auxiliary battery it comes with — not to mention that it keeps your internet connection stable with cellular radio. 

Just like the previous option, this product, of course, works nicely with the rest of Ring’s doorbells and other home security devices, so it’s another great option if you’re already a fan of Ring.

4. SimpliSafe Home Security System — Most Simple Option Best for Professional Monitoring

---

Still, if the DIY setups aren’t your kind of thing (despite the fact that they’re usually a far cheaper alternative), there are plenty of different preconfigured packages offered by SimpliSafe that make it way easier (and faster) to get up and running.

Of course, there are professional monitoring services, too, but we recommend opting for these only if you truly feel like you need them since they come at an extra cost (though still not unreasonable). 

If you do opt for it, though, you’re able to move between the 24/7 professional monitoring options and the self-monitoring options seamlessly — all without being tied down with a contract.

5. Abode Iota All-In-One Security Kit — Most Flexible Option for Home Monitoring

---

As with most of the options we’ve covered thus far, there is round the clock professional monitoring with the Adobe Iota All-In-One Security kit, but it’s perhaps one of the most versatile smart home security options thanks to the range of other services they support — such as Google Assistant, Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and IFTTT.

6. ADT Self Setup Home Security — Easiest Option to Install

---

Now, while the system is incredibly easy to set up, you’ve actually got to subscribe to a monthly plan if you want to take advantage of the ADT+ companion app, so this might be one of the more expensive options on our list, all things considered.

Final Thoughts ➡️

---

To wrap things up, each of the options that we’ve covered throughout this review would undoubtedly be an improvement on whatever traditional home security system you’re currently using — the only major consideration is whether you think you’d actually be able to afford this kind of thing, and if you even necessitate this level of security.

Of course, you’d always want your home to be as safeguarded as physically possible, but it might be worth asking yourself if you’d truly see the benefits of owning one of these systems. For example, if you live in a quiet suburban neighbourhood, somewhere where all of the locals know each other and you’ve generally got a very low crime rate, would you actually need a security system this advanced — especially if you’re on a budget?

On the other hand, if you’ve got plenty of money to spare and perhaps live somewhere with a much higher popularity — say, in a major city with quite a high rate of crime — it goes without saying that a flimsy key and lock might not be something you’d want to rest your hat on, making the smart security options far more useful.

Ultimately, it can be hard to put a price on your and your family’s safety, so investing in this sort of security system is something you should consider very carefully before actually doing it — even more so if you won’t be able to afford it in the long run.

FAQs 🔎️

---

What Happens If I Lose My Smartphone or the Device Used to Control the Security System?

Fortunately, the vast majority of smart home security systems will come with a few different ways you can authorise yourself, so even if you somehow lose the control device, more often than not you can just disable access remotely through a web portal instead.

Furthermore, this kind of multi-user access naturally means all of your family members can control the same system themselves, so it doesn’t particularly matter if just one device is lost.

Do Smart Home Security Systems Have Privacy Zones?

More often than not, you’ll always be able to designate a certain area, like windows or your neighbour’s houses, where your security camera won’t record or even monitor. The home security system that you choose is only really meant for you, so all this does is ensure your neighbours still have plenty of privacy and don’t feel like you’re watching them.

Can Smart Home Security Systems Collaborate With Neighborhood Watch Programs?

This generally depends on who your security system provider is, but it’s fairly common across the board for these companies to work with local neighbourhood watch programs — whether that’s through shared access or even just community alerts.

Naturally, this can add to the appeal of these systems slightly more, since your whole community is now able to get involved and keep the neighbourhood even safer.

Do Smart Home Security Systems Have Emergency Response Coordination With Local Authorities?

Similar to how these systems are often connected with the neighbourhood watch, most smart security systems also have some kind of integration with your local emergency services.

In essence, this means that your system will automatically contact the relevant authorities and provide them with whatever information they need to handle the issue quickly — ultimately resolving any security incidents that bit faster.

How Do Smart Home Security Systems Contribute to Sustainability?

Given that they’re usually switched on around the clock, you’ll find that a lot of smart home security systems are designed to be as energy-efficient as possible — whether that’s down to their low-power modes or the materials that they’re built with. It’s slightly indirect, but the potential theft prevention these systems offer can also minimise some of the environmental impact that’s commonly associated with property crimes.

---

You Might Also Like:

• Is Someone Spying on Your Phone?
• Best Home Security Cameras in Australia
• Best Wireless Doorbell Cameras in Australia (2024)