Ever wondered if Safety at home is possible, at an affordable price? This Review about the Abode Home Security System will show you how! – Even when you are looking for professional safety without monthly fees? Read on…
In this Review of the Abode Home Security System we want to give you the answer. Home Automation & Tips, Installation and Integration.
Read on and learn more about this System. Is it worth your money?
Product: Abode Home Security Solution
Category: Home Security & Home Automation Kit
Price: Daily actual Pricing: Hover Your Mouse Here!
More Reviews: Read what other Customers say
Who is Abode?
Abode Home Security Review
Abode (meaning & definition: a place of residence; house or home) is a company with the goal to reinvent home security systems. They had a very successful Campaign on kickstarter which allowed them to bring their system to the market. They have engineered a solution which they say “…is easy to install and gives you Professional-Grade Security.” If this is true? Lets find out ….
Abode Home Security Review
Installation, Setup & Integration
Installation of the Abode Home Security Kit was finished quick and easy. Even for people without experience the instructions were easy to follow. A DIY system for anyone who knows how to use an internet browser and smartphone.
After connecting the Abode Hub or as they call it gateway, you just follow the easy steps within the app. Android and iOS of course. You can do the same within your browser and you are good to go. Connect up to 155 home automation devices, which makes this home security system really unique. As these devices are manageable through the Abode system and even through their cloud, you even can grant the additional 24/7 monitoring company access to these devices. This boosts possibilities to get more information when an alarm was triggered by the system (eg.).
abode home security
Daily Use of the System
Our Experience & Possibilities. What really makes the Abode Home Security Solution stand out is the possibility to use this system without any contracts.
This means no monthly fees! Even better: You can (optional) order professional monitoring that is offered in 3-day, 7-day or 1-month periods. No long-term contracts. Just pay for professional monitoring when you really need it. Going on vacation? Let them take a look for you.
The Core of the System is the Abode Hub or Gateway. Not “just” a normal hub. They really thought about a better overall user experience. The System has a built in 10+ hour battery backup. An optional cellular backup with a monthly fee, keeps your system connected at all times.
A built-in 110 decibel siren notifies you immediately if there is an alarm. You even can configure the same speaker to play a door chime when a door opens.
Home Automation Possibilities
With its very accessible system for other home automation devices, you can automate various actions. You can trigger these simple within the hub. For example the built in iPhone Location System can trigger that your doors all lock automatically when you leave. Or trigger the outside lights to turn on when you come back home and open the garage doors for you.
Beneath their native abodeRF (proprietary signal for abode devices), they allow approved Z-Wave and ZigBee devices. This is sad as it limits possibilities, but for security reasons it makes sense! You can easily setup automation rules to make your home work for you. For example the Abode Home Security System connects with Amazons Echo. But allowing everybody to disarm your system by a simple voice command saying “Alexa, disarm all security cameras!” is restricted. Sad sad burglars.
Connectivity
In our testing environment, we were not able to connect all our desired components directly to the “new grid”, but Abode is adding supported devices regularly. For example some window or door sensors from other companies did not work. Of course from Abodes point of view this makes sense. They can sell their own additional devices. Often these are way more expensive than similar devices. But, to be fair you must consider, that the Abode Home Security System has very high build quality.
Need an additional, external siren for another area of your home? They have a lot of additional devices. These should satisfy anyone’s home security needs.
Abode Home Security Review
– PROS and CONS –
PROS:
We already mentioned a lot of Pros above, like the individual monitoring plan, the open hub but there are really a lot more.
+ Their Motion Sensors with built in camera provides pictures when an alarm is triggered. But you find these in a lot of other Home Security systems as well. As false alarms are one of the major problems with home security systems this is a really helpful feature. You can either verify the event by taking a look what triggered the alarm or if you are on a paid plan, grant the monitoring center permission to view motion sensor pictures.
+ Beneath the build in Home Automation possibilities of the Abode System you can use IFTTT for an even greater variety of option. (See our Comprehensive Guide to IFTTT).
+ The promised battery life of the system is significantly higher than the competition. Cameras are supposed to last 4-6 years (!) and the sensors about 10 years (!). Of course this will vary with usage but even if they “only” would last half of that it would be a great advantage over the competition. Low battery conditions are a common cause of false alarms.
+ The support of different home automation standards like Z-wave, Zigbee and IP based smart home devices makes this system highly integrate-able. Abode also has an IFTTT channel.
+ Design and build quality is really on a very high level. They outsmart most of the other home security devices which often look kind of old fashioned.
This makes integration in your home environment more fun!
CONS:
To be honest this is only the second time in our Review-History that it is really hard to find “real” things we did not like.
– Higher price than other home security systems. But you get way more functionality, better encryption (safety) and a better design?!? Decide yourself!
– Compatibility with cheaper Devices from other companies especially windows and door sensors. (they add new devices regularly)
Conclusion
Of course this system is not for everybody. Some of you simply will not need a whole home security system. For those of you, take a look at our comparison of home security cameras (all-in-one security devices).
REVIEW 1: Arlo Wireless Home Security Camera
REVIEW 2: Canary Home Security Camera/Alert and Monitoring
REVIEW 3: Netatmo Home Security Camera
If you are looking for a Home Security System our statement is clear. The Abode is simply one of the best (perhaps the best) home security system we tested so far. As some of us have years of experience in this sector from previous jobs this really means – Abode made a great job!
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Please let us know what you think. We are CURIOUS so tell us, what is your favorite Home Security System you have used so far. Share your why with our community.
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10 comments
Does Abode have a long range camera setup. We have an electric gate and it is about 800 feet from the house. I want to be able to see is at the gate before I open it.
Dear Connie,
you can easily attach a long range camera near your electric gate and connect it with the system. You find some good security cameras in our Review-Sections “Home Security”.
Hope this helps.
Best,
Greg
Can I install a third party OUTDOOR siren? It doesn’t look like you make one.
Hi Harry,
yes you can install a third party Outdoor siren and control or trigger it with the abode home security kit.
You can control some zig_bee and z-wave devices, but not all do work with the abode system. Of course abode wants you to buy
their sensors and additional devices. There were a lot of devices that worked seamless within our tested system.
I you have a device that might not match you can try a nice workaround as abode works great with the ifttt features.
You can take a look here: https://ifttt.com/search/abode if you like.
Hope this helps. If you have any other questions feel free to contact us again.
By the way we are not the manufacturer of the abode system we just made a review. 🙂
All the best,
Greg
I have the Abode system and it works perfect for what I need. Best system I have seen around. I do wish it could add a panic button as well though.
Hey Darren,
thanks for sharing your opinion. You can add a panic button easily by using matching devices with the Abode System.
Tell us what you want to trigger witch the panic button – we will provide you a good solution matching your needs.
Looking forward to our exchange!
Best,
Greg
Hi,
where can i find a list of matching devices for the Abode System?
Hi Nicole,
thanks for visiting our website – hope our review was helpful for you.
Beneath Amazon Echo and Nest and Ecobee3 Smart Thermostats you find a list of supported devices of the abode home security system below:
Product Type Protocol Part number
Aeon LED Bulb Light Bulb Z-Wave ZW098-A52
Aeon Micro Smart Switch Energy Switch Z-Wave DSC18103-ZWUS
Aeon Smart Energy Switch Outlet Z-Wave DSC06106-ZWUS
Aeon Water Sensor Water Sensor Z-Wave DSB45-ZWUS
Aeon Labs – Door Sensor Gen5 Recessed Dr sensor Z-Wave ZW089-ZWUS
Cree LED light Bulbs LED Bulbs ZigBee All USA Z-Wave Cree bulbs
Enerwave Wall Touch Switch Energy Switch Z-Wave ZW15S
Enerwave Wireless 120VAC 20A Energy Switch Z-Wave ZW20R
Enerwave Wireless 3-Way Switch Energy Switch Z-Wave ZW3K
Enerwave Wireless Appliance Module Outlet Z-Wave ZWN-333
First Alert CO Alarm and Smoke Detector Smoke/CO Detector Z-Wave ZCOMBO
GE In-Wall (Coming Soon) Smart Dimmer Z-Wave 12724
GE In-Wall (Coming Soon) Smart Switch Z-Wave 12722
GE Link light bulb Light Bulb ZigBee PSB38-BW30
GE Link light bulb Light Bulb ZigBee PSB30-SW27
GE Link light bulb Light Bulb ZigBee PSB19-SW27
Iris Smart Plug Smart Plug ZigBee 3210-L
Linear Bulb LED light Z-Wave LB60Z-1
Kwiksetdoor locks Lock Z-Wave All USA Z-Wave door lock Series
Leviton Push On/Off Dimmer Scene Capable Z-Wave VRMX1-1LZ
Leviton Push On/Off Dimmer Scene Capable Z-Wave VRS15-1LZ
Linear Garage Door Opener Garage Controller Z-Wave GD00Z-2
Philips hue Light Bulb Light Bulb ZigBee 431650 Currently IFTTT is required
Schlage Appliance Module Outlet Z-Wave RP100RNX
Schlage Door Lock Lock Z-Wave All USA Z-Wave door lock Series
Netvox Smart Plug Outlet ZigBee Z809A
Linear Bulb LED light Z-Wave LB60Z-1
You find the list here: Supported Devices by abode home security system
If your device is NOT in the list you can use IFTTT (see our Guide to IFTTT here).
An overview of IFTTT commands compatible with the abode home security kit you can find here: Abode Home Security and IFTTT
Hope this helps! If you have any more questions just reach out. Let us stay connected and get awesome Tech-Reviews via our E-Mail Services (you can sign up on our homepage and
in the sidebar of each review).
All the best,
Greg
Hi Greg,
I’m also interested in adding a panic button to this Abode System. Can you tell me exactly what matching device to get and how to configure it to trigger the alarm if the panic button is pushed?
Thanks!
Hi Nancy,
thanks for reaching out. We already forwarded your question to our Tech-Staff. We will reach out to you, to give you the best possible answer – probably tomorrow.
Stay tuned …
Best,
Greg