The days when it was only the rich and famous who had security are long gone. Everybody’s home should be a safe space – somewhere you feel comfortable and secure, and away from harm’s reach.
Thankfully, the rise of technology means that it’s never been easier or cheaper to protect your property. So, whether you’re at home alone or out of the country, you can have total peace of mind.
From smart cameras and video doorbells to personal alarms and smart plugs, here are eight home security gadgets to keep your property safe.
1. Video doorbell
Video doorbells have become one of the most popular home security gadgets recently, and for good reason. These smart gadgets have motion detectors and are connected to your smartphone. So, whenever movement is sensed close to your front door, a notification is sent to your phone, allowing you to access the camera and see who’s around.
Aside from providing an extra level of protection, video doorbells are also convenient, as most allow you to speak through the doorbell to whoever’s loitering – so if you’re out and you see a delivery driver outside your door, you can tell them where to leave your parcel.
Most video doorbells have security screws and are impossible to remove without professional help, so would-be burglars are unable to tamper with them. The Ring Doorbell is the most popular gadget, and not only does the accompanying app connect to any device, be it phone, tablet, or laptop, but it also comes with a wide range of security features and is super easy to set up
2. Smart locks
Smart locks are one of the newest gadgets to hit the market, and they’re predicted to be one of the fastest-growing home security devices. The idea of having a front door without a physical key might seem strange, but hotel rooms have worked that way for years – and if you’re someone who worries that you forgot to lock up, they’re ideal!
With a smart lock you can open your front door with your fingerprint, a key fob, or your mobile phone – or, if you’re traditional, many brands do allow you to use a standard key! Plus, if you want to give a friend or family member access to your home while you’re out, you can send them an eKey, which grants them entry for a set amount of time.
The August WiFi Smart Lock fits over your existing deadlock on the inside of your door, and installing it only takes 10 minutes. Built-in Wi-Fi allows you to lock or unlock your door no matter where you are, give people you trust temporary access (no leaving the key under the mat!), and set auto-lock and unlock processes. It also works seamlessly with smart home assistants like Alexa and Google.
3. Fake security cameras
If you have immediate concerns about security but don’t have a big budget, a good temporary ‘gadget’ is a fake security camera. These can be purchased inexpensively online and easily installed yourself, and they provide instant protection – deterring prospective criminals who are considering targeting your property.
However, it’s worth remembering that experienced thieves and burglars can spot fake cameras, so they’re not a great long-term solution. If you’re looking for immediate peace of mind on a minimal budget, though, they’re a good choice.
4. Indoor security camera
If you want to know what’s going on inside your home when you’re out, whether to keep an eye on pets or just for your own peace of mind, then an indoor security camera is an excellent idea. There are many choices available, depending on how advanced you want your system to be, and whether you want your cameras to come with two-way audio.
One of the best indoor security cameras on the market – and certainly the most popular – is the Google Nest Cam IQ. It has exceptional picture quality, no matter the lighting, and a built-in microphone and speaker, allowing you to communicate with your pets or warn off any intruders.
Another perk of Nest Cam IQ is that it has the ability to ignore certain movements and faces in your home while tracking others – so you can set it to track specific movements and new faces, and won’t be alerted unnecessarily. It also pairs with other Nest products, so you can use your camera to activate lights and window blinds to make it look like you’re home when you’re not.
5. Outdoor security lights
Having a bright motion sensor light outside your property is one of the best ways to deter unwanted visitors while making sure you and your family can easily enter and leave.
Outdoor security lights provide security without having to fork out for a full camera set-up – and lights like Auraglow travel up to 18 metres, so are an easy and cost-effective way to provide your home with light and security.
However, if you’re looking for something a bit more high-tech, Ring – the company behind the video doorbells – also sells Floodlight Cams that come with motion-activated floodlights, two-way talk, infrared night vision sensors, and sirens you can activate from your phone to scare away would-be intruders.
6. Driveway alarms
Driveway alarms aren’t just for driveways; they also work well in gardens, garages, or anywhere outside a property. They come with motion sensors that alert you when someone comes within a certain distance of your home or outside buildings.
An affordable option is Nineleaf Wireless PIR Motion Sensor Detector Security Alarm, which is a DIY wireless alert kit that tracks movement up to eight metres away. The sensors can be placed up to 280 metres from the receiver and, when motion is detected, either an alarm sounds or LED lights start flashing.
If you’re happy to spend a little extra, a more sophisticated option is Guardline’s wireless driveway alarm. This kit allows you to set specific zones for each sensor, and while the detection range for the sensors is 12 metres (the same as Swann’s), the range between the sensor and receiver goes much further – up to 150 metres. You can also choose from 30 different alarm options and LED settings.
7. Smoke and carbon monoxide detector
It’s important to remember that not all threats to your property come from outside your home. Arguably the biggest threat to both life and property is fire, so it’s definitely worth investing in an alarm that goes the extra mile.
The days when smoke alarms were ugly lumps of plastic that you had to clamber up to turn off are a distant memory. Today, the best devices can not only locate the precise location of the fire, but also send you emergency alerts if you’re out, and allow you to silence the alarm from your phone.
If you’re looking for a super smart alarm, then Nest Protect, which detects both smoke and carbon monoxide, is arguably one of the best out there.
Not only does it talk to you just before the alarm goes off – allowing you to rescue any burnt toast if that’s the cause of the smoke – it also lets you turn off the alarm with a single touch of your phone. No more desperately wafting tea towels around!
Plus, Nest Protect regularly tests itself to check it’s in perfect working order. It also integrates with other Nest products, like thermostats. This is especially beneficial when you consider that central heating is one of the biggest causes of carbon monoxide issues because if anything untoward is detected, Nest Protest will simply switch off your heating.
8. Smart plug
And finally, there are smart plugs, which are perfect if you don’t have the budget to fork out for numerous new devices. Smart plugs are adapters that have the ability to turn just about any household electrical item into a smart device.
They can be controlled from your phone or tablet, allowing you to decide how your home runs, no matter where you are. This also means you can do things like turn lights on and off from afar, giving the impression that somebody is home!
Smart plugs are also great ways to save energy, and because they allow you to switch off devices, they also give you peace of mind if you’re someone who worries about leaving things on.
There are many smart plugs on the market but the Kasa smart plug is a best seller. A quick and easy way to bring your home more up-to-date, smart plugs can also be a surprisingly effective way to protect your home.
Final thoughts…
You don’t have to install a full CCTV system throughout your property to feel safer at home.
There are many small changes that make a big difference to how secure you feel, whether it’s installing fake cameras or making sure your appliances are connected to smart plugs.
Security gadgets like video doorbells and outdoor lighting are some of the most popular and effective ways to protect your property – and they won’t break the bank, either.
If you’re feeling uneasy or unsafe at home, it’s definitely worth taking the time to think about which security gadgets are right for you. After all, if a device helps put you at ease, you can’t really put a price on that!
For more on home security, you might want to read our article; Home security; can it save money on your insurance?
Do you own any of these home security gadgets? Or do you have other recommendations for security gadgets that can help you feel safe and secure at home? We’d love to hear about your security experiences in the comments below.