Abode offers comprehensive smart home security solutions that are fairly easy to install yourself. You can also monitor it yourself if you choose not to subscribe to the professional monitoring service, making it one of the most affordable and flexible options available to renters and homeowners. Abode is also one of many companies taking on traditional security brands by producing its own fancy wireless sensors and alarms, and was founded by a former ADT executive. But the Abode family of devices is the most universally compatible and is one of the few to work with Apple HomeKit. With this broad compatibility, flexible pricing, and easy-to-install hardware, Abode has grown to cover the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
Abode offers kits with everything you need, but you can also build your own system to suit your needs (Image credit: Abode)
Packages and prices
Prices start at € 49 for the Smart Security Kit, giving you all the equipment you need to get started. It is very competitive for a complete security package, but it is easy to increase the price by adding other sensors and smart devices from Abode's wide range. For example, Abode's motion sensor costs € 39,99 and its water leak sensor costs € 49,99, which is much more expensive than equivalent SimpliSafe sensors. Abode's premium package, the iota all-in-one security kit, including additional cameras, sensors and more sophisticated equipment, costs € 329
Abode regularly offers discounts on its plans and equipment (Image credit: Abode) Of course, there's no cost to install and you don't have to pay a subscription fee, however there are three monitoring plans available that make a lot of sense. The basic plan is free and only needs to allow you to receive notifications through the app and use basic commands, but some key features like geolocation and CUE automations (more on those in the functionality section) remain out of reach. For €6 a month, you can access and store video from a security camera in the cloud and enjoy premium customer support. But you don't get 24/7 professional monitoring until you pay for the Pro subscription, which costs €20/month or €180 per year. You can pay monthly if you prefer not to sign a long contract. The cancellation fee for an annual contract is €35. If you are not completely satisfied within the first 30 days of purchase, you can get all your money back.
Abode offers a wide range of devices, including sensors, cameras, and more (Image credit: Abode)
Features
Abode has a wide range of devices to choose from, which means plenty of features. It all depends on the package you choose. The starter system, called the Smart Security Kit, includes a Gen 2 gateway (Abode's name for the base station), window/door sensor, motion sensor, and key fob. With the free companion app and the free plan, that's enough to know when your door or window has been opened and motion has been detected within your property. The fob is more than meets the eye because in addition to keeping your keys together, it has buttons to arm and disarm the system and a panic button. Press this button if you ever meet the intruder in person. The base station is the brain of the device and converts the signals from the sensors into a notification on your phone. It also contains a very loud 93 dB siren. The more expensive packages upgrade the Gen 2 gateway to the more sophisticated Iota gateway. In addition to looking much smaller and sleeker than the clunky Gen 2, it packs a motion sensor, speaker, and HD camera. There is also a micro SD card slot so you can record any video triggered by the motion sensor instead of the cloud. This means you get many useful features from your Iota kit without paying a subscription fee. It plugs into the mains, but also has a ten hour battery on board so you're always covered in the event of a power outage. And there's a cellular chip, so you can still message it without Wi-Fi.
Abode's Gateway integrates with Nest, Philips Hue, Sonos and many other smart home devices (Image credit: Abode) The best thing about Iota is its inclusion of Zigbee and Z-Wave, allowing it to communicate securely with a wide range of other smart home devices, up to 160 of them. Abode has quite a few name-brand sensors and cameras, but it works equally well with Nest, Philips Hue, Sonos, etc. products. And it will respond to voice commands given to Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri. It also allows up to 100 CUE automations. These are tasks that you can ask the system to perform automatically in the same way that you would ask IFTT (if this then that). For example, you can schedule via the app to arm the system as long as all associated phones are outside the home's geo-fence. Also, the system will notify you if you are trying to arm it when you have left a window open. Other Abode devices include a keypad, three 1080p security cameras, interior and exterior sirens, and sensors for glass breakage, smoke, and water leaks. All that's missing is a video doorbell and a wall-mounted touchscreen control panel.
You can also find helpful guides and tutorials on the Abode website (Image credit: Abode)
Support
Like all good smart home security, the hardware is only half the story. What happens when one of these sensors is activated? Unlike traditional security brands like ADT or Brinks, you don't need to sign up for professional surveillance. Abode offers three subscription plans and the first one is completely free. Basically, it allows you to use the free companion app to check your notifications, view your security camera footage, and arm or disarm the system. The $6/month option unlocks many features like CUE automations and adds seven days of storage of footage from a security camera. 24/20 professional monitoring comes with the Pro plan and costs €XNUMX per month. With this, you can truly relax knowing that a team of trained professionals is listening to your alarm so you don't have to. When they receive an alert, they will contact you and the key holders on your list. They will also communicate with first responders on your behalf as long as you have included a video camera with cloud storage in your plan. The level of customer support provided by Abode varies depending on your plan. If you're paying, you can contact the team directly by phone, but if you're on the free plan, you'll need to email first. Abode's customer service received mixed reviews from users and the BBB.
Competition
Abode presents a much more affordable alternative to traditional security brands like ADT, Guardian Protection, Brinks and Vivint that emphasize professional installation and monitoring. If you're ready to roll up your sleeves and retrofit yourself (and it's easy), Abode's DIY kits can insure your property for half the cost. With no contract, no move-in fees, and no monthly fee for your optional 24/7 monitoring, it's also much more flexible. What these established brands charge for, in addition to installation, is their own award-winning monitoring and an overall higher level of security. Abode's closest rivals are Frontpoint, SimpliSafe and Ring, all of which offer elegant smart home security solutions that are simple enough to adapt to you. And just like Abode, they all come with optional 24/7 monitoring by outsourced monitoring companies. The differences between them come down to the subtle differences in the devices they offer, the prices, and the service. Frontpoint offers a larger choice of cameras and a longer warranty, but is generally more expensive. SimpliSafe is more flexible in its pricing and plans than Abode, but it has fewer devices and doesn't directly support Apple HomeKit. Ring is cheaper, but has fewer devices and monitoring options.
Final verdict
With its elegant software and universally compatible hardware, Abode has mastered the art of smart home security. All the key ingredients are present in their line of devices, from sensors to cameras, and all are designed for easy do-it-yourself installation. Some of these devices are a bit pricey, but when we compare quotes, Abode is often the more affordable option. Easy integration with Apple HomeKit, as well as other smart home automation platforms, makes it more useful and future-proof. In addition to being well presented, it is one of the most flexible in its prices and packages. The basic plan is free and has enough features in the basic system to protect your property using the great app. However, we recommend you go for the Pro plan as it unlocks a lot more features and gives you 24/7 professional monitoring at a pretty competitive price.
How we saw each other
In general, we like to get familiar with the tests, but in this case calling and installing all the security systems was not practical at all. Instead, we compare every aspect of the top ten names in home and work safety and assign scores on a variety of comparable metrics. Adding up the totals, taking into account various costs (and hidden costs) provided our overall scores. However, choosing your own security solution will depend on your particular situation, so read the full reviews before making your decision.
Do I have to pay monthly fees?
No. Abode offers three subscription plans, but the first is free. It only allows you to operate your security system through the free iOS, Android or web app. You may want to go for the € 6 / month subscription that unlocks features like recording video footage to the cloud, but we recommend the € 20 / month app that gives you professional 24-hour monitoring. / 24 and 7/7.
Can I protect my business with Abode?
Yeah. Abode has all the necessary kit to secure commercial and professional premises....