abode Security System

With the launch of its 2014 Kickstarter campaign, abode set out to create the future of home security. Sure, if you’re like us, you’re probably thinking this is the aim of every home security startup, and you’d be correct. What sets abode apart from the competition, however, is its focus on both customization and independence. Each of its systems promises a self-installed, professional-grade security system tailored to homes of any size, all without the burden of contracts. And if you prefer professional installation, that’s an option as well. Nothing wrong with having a lot of options!

More than a decade after their successful launch, abode has become a contender among the heavy hitters in DIY home security. It even regularly makes our page of the best home security system each year. In this review, we’ll take a closer look at each of the packages offered by abode, in addition to the smart home integrations and monitoring options. Because hey, even if we know a home security system is worth it, how much a home security system costs still matters. We’ll also examine how all of this stacks up to competitors. Does humble abode stay true to its mission? We’ll let you know below.

How abode Impressed Us

No Stress Installation

Having worked with many DIY security systems, we have high expectations when it comes to ease of setup. Each of our sensors and cameras, ready to use right from the box, were set up and synced to our Wi-Fi in less than half an hour. Abode also offers professional installation for a fee, but where’s the fun in that?

Flexible Monitoring

Abode offers three different plans for professional monitoring, ranging from the free Basic plan to the Pro plan, the latter including advanced features such as cellular backup and 24/7 emergency protection through a monitoring center. Abode is also the only home security provider to offer on-demand monitoring. While going on vacation, we were able to book a week of professional monitoring and then return to our normal plan.

Smartphone Controls

With the help of abode’s smartphone app (available on iOS and Android), we kept tabs on our home from the office, the coffee shop, and just about anywhere else with a cellular signal.

CUE Automation

With the help of CUE, abode’s proprietary automation engine, we customized each of our smart devices to work in tandem with our security system. In no time, we had set our front door to lock when we left for work and our lights to turn on when the sun set.

To read our experts’ experience testing out abode, check out our full abode review (including a video).

Abode’s Equipment Pricing

Abode offers a few different starter systems to fit different budgets and needs. Their basic kit retails at $130 and includes a security hub, one entry sensor and a keyfob. While that’s a good price, it lacks the smart home features that make abode special.

To get a taste of abode’s smart home capabilities, you’ll need at least the Smart Security Kit for $300. It includes the smart security hub, one entry sensor, one motion detector and a keyfob. This enables abode’s smart home integrations that are available without a subscription. Most competitors require a subscription for these integrations. However, you still don’t get access to abode’s CUE automation system. It also doesn’t include any cameras.

For those of us looking for a bit more of a visual component to our starter kit, abode also offers the iota Security Kit. This package bundles a remote key fob, a mini door/window sensor, and the iota — which acts as the system hub, a 1080p HD camera, a motion sensor, and a 93-decibel siren all in one compact device. With the iota hub, you can access abode’s full range of smart home capabilities.

Abode Package Comparison

You can buy abode security system packages, or camera packages, listed below.

Although both of the aforementioned packages provide everything we needed to get our home secured, we couldn’t help but dig into some add-ons. Abode offers almost everything that we’ve come to expect from DIY security systems, devices such as cameras, door/window sensors, glass break sensors, keypads, sirens, signs, and decals. By the way, when it comes to preventing intruders, never underestimate the power of a home security yard sign.

Abode also offers several unique devices not commonly seen with other companies. For example, we loved the slim strip door/window sensor that fit in the gap of our door frame and practically looked invisible. We were also intrigued by the multi-sensor, a nifty little tool capable of sensing motion, temperature, humidity, and light. When paired with our CUE automations, this device triggered automations to activate our air conditioner, turn off lights, and lock our back door. Plus, we could have the A/C turn off when our abode system was disarmed, saving us a ton on utility bills.

We couldn’t help but notice a couple notable omissions from abode’s lineup. While they recently added a video doorbell to their lineup, they still lack a dedicated outdoor camera. For anyone that wants more options for video surveillance, check out our review of Ring home security cameras. We cover Ring’s outdoor cameras and Ring’s video doorbells on top of their indoor options.

Abode Add-On Devices

Monitoring Pricing

With abode’s no-strings-attached approach to home security, we expected a high degree of flexibility when it came to professional monitoring. With one free plan and two paid plans, both of which available on either a monthly or annual basis, we can safely say that abode lives up to its word.

First, there is the Basic plan. For the low, low price of nothing, this self-monitoring plan offered us access to live stream video feeds, one-touch arming and disarming, smart home integrations, and push notifications to our smartphone. What we missed most with this plan was cloud storage for our surveillance footage. While we were able to effectively tap into a live feed of our cameras, we could not save footage of those who entered our home, which would be a shame if we ever had an intrusion and wanted video evidence.

One step up is the Standard plan, which costs $8.49 per month or $79.99 per year. That’s a big discount if you commit for the year upfront. This plan adds email notifications, customized alerts, unlimited app users, ten days of cloud storage, and geofencing. Unlimited users might not seem like a big deal, but the ability to fine-tune each user’s permissions is genuinely useful for families.

Then there’s the Pro plan, which runs $26.99 per month or $245.99 per year. This plan adds cellular backup and 24/7 professional monitoring from abode’s U.S.-based monitoring centers. That ensures your system is always being watched and stays up even if your internet goes down. This plan also covers fire and water damage alerts — a smart addition given that the average homeowner water damage insurance claim tops $10,000.1

One of our favorite features of abode’s monitoring is what they term on-demand monitoring. When leaving town for vacation, we called up abode and purchased a whole week of 24/7 professional monitoring with no long term contract involved, ensuring the safety of our home from afar.

Breakdown of Monitoring Features

The Smart Home with abode

When it comes to smart home automation, abode certainly had us covered. Our abode system was fully compatible with Apple Homekit, Google Assistant, Alexa, IFTTT, and Z-wave devices, among others. Here’s how we made the most of this functionality.

Apple Homekit

Using Siri as our personal assistant, we set up a variety of voice commands. Saying, “Hey Siri, I’m home,” triggered a plethora of customized automations, including the activation of lights, the disarming of our system, and the lowering of our thermostat. We also said, “Hey Siri, I’m leaving,” in order to reset everything. Using a smart thermostat helped us save energy,2 which meant more money in our pockets.

Alexa

With abode’s smart home skills and Alexa, we armed and disarmed our home, controlled lighting, and locked or unlocked our doors. By asking, “Alexa, is the front door open,” or “Alexa, is the living room window open,” we checked on the status of each of our secured fixtures, which was really nice at the end of the night when we were making sure everything was safe and sound.

Additional Devices

Okay, we admit it. We are huge suckers for a lighting plan. Thankfully, with abode’s support for Philips Hue, LIFX, and Aeotec smart switches, getting the vibe right was simple as setting up a chain of commands through IFTTT. When the sun set, our patio lights were activated for a soothing atmosphere. Relaxation, here we come.

Here are all of the brands that work with abode:

• Nest
• Hue
• ecobee
• LIFX
• Yale
• Kwikset
• Z-Wave
• First Alert
• Zigbee
• Linear
• Danalock
• Schlage
• Aeotec
• Leviton

How abode Stacks Up to the Rest

Pricing-wise, abode is hard to beat. Starter kits retail at $130, additional cameras cost less than $60, and sensors range from $20 to $50 each. Monitoring options are equally competitive with the best home security systems we’ve tested, with annual plans offering big discounts.

The only missing piece when it comes to monitoring? Standalone cloud storage like SimpliSafe offers. SimpliSafe’s self-monitoring plan with cloud storage costs only $9.99 per month. Professional monitoring with SimpliSafe is also cheaper, starting at $22.99 per month. However, the plan comparable to abode’s Pro plan, which includes video storage and camera features, start at $32.99 with SimpliSafe.

Abode also falls short when it comes to cameras. They only offer one security camera — primarily designed — for indoor use and a video doorbell. While these cameras are decent with HD resolution and night vision, they lack impressive features like facial recognition offered by the Google Nest Cams we’ve reviewed. For cutting-edge camera tech, abode isn’t quite there.

Overall Value

In 2014, abode launched as the first contract-free home security system. Even after adding contract options (both long and short-term), they’ve stayed true to their roots.

While limited camera options leave room for improvement, we’d struggle to find a more solid home security system overall. Built to fit any home and capable of supporting up to 160 devices, abode delivers simplicity and adaptability in one package.

If you value DIY setup and hate mandatory long-term contracts, abode’s your system.