Verdict
A chintzy entrance - level organisation , the Abode Security Kit extend most of the features of its big brother , including muscular automations , professional monitoring and responsive control . This model also fetch Wi - Fi to the Hub . There ’s no Zigbee / Z - Wave support on the hub , which is n’t a bighearted red ink , but it ’s a shame that HomeKit is leave out . Overall , the Abode Security Kit does n’t work out that much cheaper than the Smart Security Kit , so I ’d spend the extra to get all the feature of speech .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
As good as theAbode Smart Securitysystem is , the base Mary Leontyne Price is quite expensive and it comes with a Zigbee / Z - waving hub that many people wo n’t habituate . To cater for your more mean customer , there ’s the Abode Security Kit , which ships with a cheaper hub that covers the basics .
The overall system is as good as ever , with my only complaint that HomeKit sustenance is not available on the new product .
Design and installation
The Abode Security Kit ships with the fresh Security Hub . This outfit cost £ 197.99 and gets you the new hub , a Key Fob and a Mini Door / Window Sensor . That ’s almost £ 100 less than the Smart Security Kit , which costs £ 294.99 and gets you the more potent Smart Security Hub , two Mini Door / Window Sensors , one Motion Sensor and one Key Fob .
Even grease one’s palms the additional movement sensor ( £ 44.99 ) and Mini Door / Window Sensor ( £ 33.50 ) , there ’s a £ 20 saving over the Smart Security Kit . That ’s not life - switch sums of cash , but potentially deserving it if you do n’t necessitate or want the extra features that the more Smart Security Hub has : reenforcement for Zigbee and Z - Wave devices , and Apple HomeKit support .
For me , I ’m not worried aboutZigbeeand Z - Wave , as I useSmartThingsfor this ; however , I do useHomeKitfor menage automation , so it ’s a big shame that the new Gateway does n’t have this .
Installation of the scheme is gentle . Abode provides a cheat sheet to get you started , showing how to connect the Hub to your home web via Wi - Fi . Via the Abode app , I then had to enter the code printed on the installation sheet to get the Hub to instal .
Once connected , there ’s an option to connect the Hub via Wi - Fi . As I have Ethernet around my sign , I favor this connectedness as I determine it more reliable .
The apparatus modus operandi also got me to turn on the mightiness switch , which activates the internal battery , which yield around five hours of backup should there be a power unsuccessful person .
Cleverly , the kit that I was provide came with the Mini Window / Door Sensor and Key Fob pre - paired , so there ’s no work to do there . Additional doorway sensor , central fobs and move sensor can be bought to fill up out the package : at a lower limit , I think it ’s worth having a Window / Door Sensor tie in to each easily - accessible door or window , plus a question sensor in corridor .
Abode also betray glass - fracture sensors , which could be utilitarian if you have window out of sight that you think a thief may give away to make out through .
Features and performance
In its nonremittal configuration , the sensor is called the Door / Window Sensor , but you’re able to rename it so that it makes more sense , such as Front Door . It ’s worth diving event into the preferences to configure how the detector works : it ’s configured as a door detector , but you should change this if it ’s connected to a Window .
sensor can also be adjusted to sour differently in different mode . The default configuration is that sensors are active after a countdown timekeeper in both forth and Home modes . you may set them to Inactive for a mode . For example , you may not require a window sensor on a chamber window to be combat-ready in Home way , so you may launch the Window at night .
It ’s also potential for a sensor to be dynamic immediately when a musical mode is selected . That ’s utilitarian for rear entry : a back entrance , for good example , arming as soon as the alarm is put on . alive devices immediately also sound the alarm the second they ’re touch off . That ’s useful for non - entry sensor : those that are windows and doors that you do n’t spread out when you come into the house .
sensing element that are active after a countdown trigger do n’t become dynamic until the countdown to arming has cease ; when activated in an alarm mode , they trigger the Hub to blare and originate its countdown , giving you meter to get into the family and turn the warning gadget off .
By default , Abode sets the countdown to build up time at 60 seconds , and the same for the entry countdown . you’re able to overrule this if you need more or less prison term .
If you test to arm the system while a detector is open ( for model , you ’ve got the front threshold open ) , then you ’ll see a warning in the app severalise you which sensor is currently open . sensing element can be get around but will become fighting the second they conclude ; for example , I can set the warning signal with the front door open and then close down the doorway .
That ’s serious than theRing Alarm , which disables sensor that are unfastened . If I want to go out and have my front door open , then I have to close it , arrange the alarm , and then start the door .
With the fundamental fob , you may just go out and then activate the dismay . My only complaint about this gadget is that the symbols on it are a little hard to understand : the small lap is armed , two circles is home mode , and the X disarms .
Guests can be invited to the system via an email link to the app . you could , of grade , buy additional Key Fobs or buy the optional keypad if you ’d prefer .
Although the Abode organization can be used without a plan , you only get basic push notifications , ca n’t get at the timeline or lay in any TV for cameras or the Abode Doorbell . It make sense , then , to upgrade to a program .
Standard monetary value £ 7.99 a month ( similar to the Ring plan ) and gets you seven days of picture story , home automation ( you’re able to sic the alarm clock to disarm and arm base on your location , plus a few other procedure ) , and more in - deepness notice .
Upgrade to the Pro Plan , and the Hub ’s SIM carte is enable for 4 G patronage , protect you should your net miscarry , and video history is increase to 10 twenty-four hours . More significantly , you also get 24/7 UK Accredited Professional Monitoring , although this does require an internal television camera so that the monitoring squad can verify a shift - in and call the police on your behalf . If you do n’t have cameras , the squad will call all keyholders to separate them .
mechanization are a herculean part of the arrangement and can do some canny thing . For example , I can get a custom alarm should my front room access be left open for more than five min , or have my alarm arm and disarm based on my location .
While third - party Zigbee and Z - moving ridge gimmick ca n’t be connected , the system can connect to Bose , Ecobee , Sonos and Google Nest devices . For instance , I put my Nest Thermostat into Eco style when I set the alarm . iFTTT support also opens up connections to thousands of other machine .
Amazon Alexa andGoogle Assistantsupport are built - in , giving voice - activated arm and disarm option , provided you limit a voice PIN . Plus , Alexa turn can be created using the Abode hardware as triggers .
IFTTT support is also available , say , changing the manner of anArlo Pro 5camera arrangement when the scheme is arm or disarmed .
I ’ve retrieve that this Hub responds apace to the computer keyboard and app , work reliably every time that I ’ve armed and disarmed it . And , I institute that alerts came through speedily when I triggered the alarm .
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Should you buy it?
If you care what the Adobe organization offer and do n’t give care about HomeKit , then this kit is dandy value .
For only a small more , the Home SecurityKit propose more features and wider backup .
Final Thoughts
I really like the Abode system . It ’s authentic and muscular . In most regards , the novel Abode Security Hub and Kit are great , bringing the same excellent features at a lower price .
As good as the organisation is , it ’s not that much tawdry than the Smart Security Kit , which comes with a couple of extra sensors , and tot HomeKit reenforcement along with Z - Wave and Zigee gadget support . I ’d rather give the extra for HomeKit support , relinquish Wi - Fi ; if you do n’t care about HomeKit , then the new system is good .
Trusted Score
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FAQs
This hub is not HomeKit compatible but does work with IFTTT , Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa .
No , you do n’t , but you get introductory features . make up for a subscription and you get unlock more automation , SIM backup and call centre monitoring .
