How to Choose a Smart Home Security System that Works with Your Tech

If you’re looking for the best home security system for your smart home, you want security devices that have compatibility with the rest of your home automation tools.

But what should you look for when choosing devices for your smart security kit?

This guide explains what a smart home security system is and what it does. We also cover some things to consider when choosing devices for your personal system.

What do smart home security systems do?

A smart home security system is an interconnected series of smart devices, like motion detectors, home alarms, smart locks, and indoor and outdoor cameras that communicate with each other using a Wi-Fi internet connection. You can typically control a smart security system from a central touch-screen panel or remotely using your phone or another mobile device.

Is smart home security worth it?

If you’re serious about home protection, a smart security system is one of the best investments you can make. Here are a few of the biggest benefits that homeowners and renters get when using smart security solutions.

• Convenience: Smart security systems make managing your smart home devices convenient. You can control all your devices from a central panel. Some systems even have integrations with systems like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant that let you use voice commands.

• Remote control: Most smart security systems come with a mobile app that lets you monitor and control your system using your smartphone from anywhere. This also lets your system send notifications when it detects suspicious activity or break-ins.

• Motion detection: Smart security systems generally have sensors that can tell when people are moving around on your property. Some sensors can even tell when a human is moving versus an animal.
• Two-way audio: A home security camera with two-way audio lets you speak to the person on the other end of the camera. For example, you could use your video doorbell to tell your delivery driver to hide your Amazon package behind a bush next to your doorway.
• Cloud storage: Most smart systems save security footage on an external cloud server. This makes it easy for you to access and share video clips using devices connected to Wi-Fi.
• Interoperability: You can program devices in a smart home system to work together. For example, you could program your smart garage door to shut and your home smart locks to lock automatically each night when you go to bed.
• Security monitoring: A quality security company may offer a monitoring service that will automatically contact emergency services when anything goes wrong in your home. A monitoring plan usually comes with monthly fees. Professionally monitored systems provide better security than those that require self-monitoring, but they also increase the risk of getting false alarms.
• Reliable customer support: A smart security system from a trustworthy provider will usually give you access to a reliable support team that can help if your system ever malfunctions.

How to choose a smart home security system

The best smart home security system for you will depend on a number of factors. Now, we’ll go over a few things you should consider before deciding which system to buy.

Consider the smart tech you plan to integrate

Not only can smart security devices communicate with each other, but they can also use Wi-Fi or Z-Wave technology to communicate with a wide variety of home automation devices, like smart thermostats and smart lighting.

You can program your devices using IFTTT (if this, then that) commands. IFTTT functionality means that one device performs an action any time another device performs a separate action. For example, you might program your thermostat to cool your home to 68 degrees whenever your garage door opens.

Smart integrations can even save money on energy bills. For example, you can program your AC to shut off when you leave for work in the morning and for it to turn on around half an hour before you get home. That way, you can make sure your home is comfortable, and you don’t waste electricity while no one’s home.

What equipment should you use?

Different-sized homes have security systems with varying levels of complexity. For instance, a security system for a small apartment might consist of nothing more than a doorbell camera, while a system for a larger home might have security gadgets galore. Here’s the most common equipment that might be part of your smart security system.

• Security cameras: Indoor, doorbell, and outdoor security cameras like Vivint’s Smart Home Security Cameras capture footage of possible intruders and threats. Smart system footage is saved to the cloud, where you can access it with your smartphone. A security camera might also have an add-on like night vision or a floodlight.
• Motion sensors: Motion sensors like those offered by Vivint use infrared or ultrasonic audio waves to detect motion in an area. Generally, motion sensors should be placed in areas intruders are most likely to cross.
• Security sensors: Depending on your home, you might have security sensors, like entry sensors, window sensors, flood sensors, and glass break sensors.
• Safety alarms: Some threats can come from inside your home. A combination smoke and carbon monoxide detector can alert you when smoke or carbon monoxide (CO) is detected, so you can contact emergency services quickly.
• Smart garage door openers: Garage doors are one of the easiest ways for intruders to get into a home. You can connect a smart garage door opener to your home alarm system. You can also open and shut your door remotely with your smartphone.
• Smart locks: Smart locks, like Kwikset Smart Locks available through Vivint, let you open your door locks without a physical key. Some smart locking systems will even let you create and track custom keypad codes for the people who come in and out of your home. This way, you know who’s opening your door and when.
• Panic buttons: These strategically placed buttons call emergency services to your home when you press them. They can be extremely valuable for senior citizens who live alone or people with health issues.
• Central control panel: A central base station lets you manage all your devices from one place.

The home security connection type

Your security company needs a way to connect to your system to provide effective monthly monitoring. There are three ways for your security system to connect with a professional monitoring center.

• Landline: A landline security connection is inexpensive and reliable. However, if a criminal snips the landline to your alarm system, they can sever your connection to your monitoring service.
• Wi-Fi: A high-speed broadband internet connection isn’t as easy to tamper with as a landline. However, your system won’t be able to reach your monitoring team if your router shuts off during a power outage. A system might have a cellular backup that allows it to operate when the power goes down.
• Cellular: A cellular connection is reliable, impervious to being tampered with, and can stay intact when there’s no power. However, maintaining a cellular connection with your monitoring company can be pricey.

Home security installation options

It’s possible to DIY your smart security system installation. Some systems are even designed for it. However, even the best DIY system won’t give the level of functionality that a professionally installed system will.

A professional installer will know exactly how to mount and connect all your devices so your system operates at maximum efficiency. A professionally installed system may have more upfront costs than a DIY home security system, but it’s generally worth it to have the peace of mind that comes with knowing your system is set up properly.

Discover how Vivint brings your smart home security to the next level

If you want to provide the best protection possible for your household while improving your home’s automation, take a look at some of the quality smart security products offered by Vivint.

Our experts will help you find the best security tools to be part of your ideal smart home setup. You’ll be amazed by how comfortable and efficient your home can be when all your devices are interconnected. Call us at 855.822.1220 for a free consultation today.