There are many powerful security tools that homeowners can use to protect their homes and their families. If you’re looking for a reliable way to improve your home’s level of security and keep your loves ones safe, then one of your best bets is to install a home security system. As the name suggests, home security systems aim to protect your property and those inside it from potential home intrusions and burglary. Now, if you’ve never purchased a home security system before, you might think that investing in a professional model can be a pricey endeavor. That’s exactly why more and more homeowners are opting to go with DIY home security systems instead. Not only are DIY home security systems much more affordable than professional ones (for which some brands won’t even require you to pay monthly fees), but they’re also much easier to upgrade (especially in the long run), and they’re also incredibly flexible, as you can upgrade them however you see fit, from adding any number of cameras or sensors from any manufacturer you like, all the way to integrating that same system with multiple smart home devices. That’s exactly what the Abode Security Kit aims to offer you, all with an entry-level of
The Abode Security Kit is a three-piece high-end DIY wireless home security system kit that has an easy and wire-free installation and includes the Abode Security Hub, which is a smart security hub equipped with a built-in 93 dB siren and a built-in backup battery that offers up to 12 hours of battery life in case of a power outage while also integrating additional security functions such as RF interference protection and signal guard protection, a mini door/window sensor that accurately detects whenever a door or window is opened and sends you a smartphone notification while boasting 100 ft. of wireless range, up to 4 years battery and compatibility with Apple HomeKit, and also a key fob for arming and disarming the system that’s even equipped with a silent alarm button for discretely alerting the monitoring center without sounding the system’s alarm while boasting 100 ft. of wireless range and approximately 5 years of battery, with the system’s smart hub also featuring both Ethernet and Wi-Fi connectivity, optional 4G cellular connectivity in the case of internet outages via a paid subscription, in-App controls via the Abode App including an Away Mode, plus compatibility with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Google Nest smart home devices and also with smart devices from Bose, Sonos, and more, along with the possibility of expanding the system with additional devices to suit your security needs.
This cutting-edge DIY wireless home security system kit is a powerful and versatile benchmark in home security, as it offers homeowners an outstanding entry-level ad incredibly flexible home security solution for keeping their home safe from potential intruders, all with a very user-friendly experience. Whether you use it for a basic home security setup or even an advanced connected home security system, this is the ideal solution for comprehensive home security.
Now, let’s have a more detailed look at the Abode Security Kit, go over each of the kit’s smart home security devices, and check out what each of them has to offer you and how they can all help to improve your home’s level of security.
DESIGN & SPECS
Abode Security Hub (Smart Security Hub)
Starting with the Abode Security Hub, which is the kit’s dedicated smart security hub, the device comes at a very compact size, measuring just 5.75 inches long by 5.75 inches wide by 1.65 inches tall, and the unit is also fairly lightweight, weighing only 15.50 oz.
The kit’s smart security hub also has a very minimalist and modern design, and also packs a high-quality and durable construction, for which the device is even rated to have a smash and grab protection.
One great feature about this DIY wireless home security system kit is that its dedicated smart security hub comes equipped with a built-in 93 dB siren that can be quite useful to scare away intruders and deter any further invasion in the potential of an unexpected break-in taking place.
Not only that, but the kit’s smart security hub also integrates additional security functions, the first of which is RF interference protection, for which the system will alert you via a smartphone notification if the system detects to any sort of radio frequency interference.
Moreover, it also integrates signal guard protection, for which the system will alert you via a smartphone notification in case your gateway gets damaged by an intruder.
Know that the Abode Security Hub is powered directly to electricity via an AC/DC 12V/2A power adapter (included in its package) and is rated to have a Power Input of 110-240V.
In addition to its dedicated power adapter, the kit’s smart security hub also comes equipped with a built-in backup battery that offers the device up to 12 hours of battery life in the event that a potential power outage occurs.
Abode Mini Door/Window Sensor
The kit’s second component is the Abode Mini Door/Window Sensor, which consists of a small and discreet wireless security sensor and a magnet that can be installed in most doors and windows.
Both parts of the kit’s sensor come at a very compact size, with the sensor’s main unit (i.e. its base) measuring just 1.10 inches long by 0.40 inches wide by 2.09 inches tall and its dedicated magnet measuring just 0.70 inches long by 0.30 inches wide by 1 inch tall.
Both parts of the sensor also feature an incredibly discreet design, which allows them to perfectly blend in with most doors and windows and become practically invisible once installed, and both parts also pack a very durable construction.
The kit’s door/window sensor unit is capable of accurately detecting whenever a door or window is opened while the system’s security functions are enabled, immediately sending you a smartphone notification if that ever happens.
For its wireless connectivity with the system’s smart security hub, the kit’s mini door/window sensor boasts Abode’s AbodeRF radio frequency connectivity, which works in a 433Mhz frequency band and has approximately 100 ft. of wireless range.
It’s also worth noting that the kit’s wireless security sensor for doors and windows is also compatible with Apple HomeKit.
The kit’s door/window sensor is powered by a removable CR2450 Lithium battery (which can be replaced at any time) and boasts up to 4 years of battery life.
Abode Key Fob
Lastly, the kit also includes a wireless key fob that’s used for arming and disarming the system with just the touch of a button, including not only the kit’s included door/window sensor, but also any other security sensor or other types of home security devices that you might have integrated with the system.
This key fob can also be temporarily shared with other family members, as well as neighbors, babysitters, contractors, etc. in order to give those people temporary access to your home when they require entrance to it.
The kit’s key fob also packs a super compact form factor, measuring just 2.06 inches long by 1.35″ inches wide by 0.55 inches thick, and also packs a high-quality and durable construction.
This wireless key fob also comes equipped with a small key-chain loop that allows you to conveniently attach it to any key-chain.
In regards to the key fob’s interface, the top-center of the device integrates a built-in LED signal indicator, which lights up in a Red light color when the key fob is transmitting a signal.
The top-left button consists of an Away button (used to activate the system’s Armed Away Mode when leaving your home), while the top-right button consists of a Home button (used to activate the Armed Home Mode, enabling you to move freely within your home while any door and/or window that you’ve equipped with a sensor is armed).
The bottom-left button consists of a Disarm / Standby button (used to set the system’s door and window sensors to a Disarmed/Standby Mode, but any fire sensors and water sensors that you’ve integrated with the system will still remain On), while the bottom-right button consists of a Panic button (i.e. a silent alarm button that can be used for discretely alerting the monitoring center without sounding the system’s alarm, meaning the smart security hub’s siren.)
For its wireless connectivity with the system’s smart security hub, the kit’s key fob also utilizes Abode’s AbodeRF radio frequency connectivity, which has approximately 100 ft. of wireless range.
The kit’s key fob is powered by a removable CR2032 3V 230mAh Lithium coin cell battery (which can be replaced at any time) and boasts approximately 5 years of battery.
SET UP / INSTALLATION
When it comes to setting up this DIY wireless home security system kit, the whole system offers you a very easy and wire-free installation, making it fairly simple and straightforward even for less tech-savvy people to install it.
The Abode App will offer you guided step-by-step instructions for the system’s entire installation process. In the occasion that you end up getting stuck in a particular step, know that the company’s support team is available via email, website chat, or phone call, and they usually don’t take long to answer.
For setting up the kit’s dedicated smart security hub, simply connect it to power, and then to the internet either via an Ethernet cable or via Wi-Fi.
In terms of installing the kit’s door/window sensor, note that this wireless security sensor is designed to work with a gap of up to 0.75 inches of space between its base sensor unit and its dedicated magnet.
CONNECTIVITY
For establishing a wireless connection between the system’s smart security hub and your smartphone, the Abode Security Hub features both Ethernet connectivity (via an Ethernet cable) and also Wi-Fi connectivity.
In addition, the system’s smart hub also boasts compatibility with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Google Nest smart home devices, as well as with smart devices from Bose, Sonos, and other smart home brands.
Users are also offered the option to have 4G cellular connectivity to ensure the system is always operating in the case of internet outages, but note that this is only achievable through a paid subscription service.
THE SMARTPHONE COMPANION APP – The Abode App
For controlling the system’s home security functionalities wirelessly, users are required to install the Abode App on their smartphones, which is available to download for free for both iOS and Android devices.
Via the accompanying Abode app, users can easily install the kit’s included wireless door/window security sensor (as well as any other home security device that you decide to pair with the system in the future), can arm and disarm the system, get smartphone notifications in the case that any of the kit’s paired security sensors detect any level of intrusion, and can also set up device groups and customizable smart home automations for a more flexible home security.
In addition, users are also offered the possibility of expanding the system with additional devices to suit your security needs.
Lastly, know that you can also opt to subscribe to the company’s Abode Standard Standard Plan for self-monitoring functionalities (starting at $7/month), which will allow you to add additional security tools like video recording and storage, get even more detailed mobile event alerts, and can also get intelligent person, pet, and package detection (via smart home security devices like the Abode Wireless Video Doorbell – which we’ve reviewed here at GadgetGram), or ultimately, subscribe to the Abode Pro Plan (starting at $23/month) for having professional monitoring.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX?
Inside their package users will find: their Abode Security Hub, along with one (x1) Abode Mini Door/Window Sensor (base sensor unit and magnet), one (x1) Abode Key Fob (for arming and disarming the system), and also a User Manual.
FINAL THOUGHTS
All in all, the Abode Security Kit completely redefines the user experience of a typical home security system, from its installation, to its everyday use, and even its expansion. This DIY wireless home security system is incredibly versatile when it comes to its offered home security functionalities (along with additional security functions that you can get from expanding it further), is very easy and straightforward to set up, and is also very intuitive to use and configure as well as expand with additional smart home security devices.
If you’re interested in purchasing it, know that each kit is currently discounted from its standard price of $139.99, and is now going for just $79.99 (saves you $60). You can order it online from Abode’s official shopping page.
Know that you can also buy additional Mini Door/Window Sensor units (discounted from $29.99 to just $19.99) from Adobe’s website or from Amazon, as well as additional key fob units (discounted from $19.99 to just $15.99) from Adobe’s website or from Amazon.
