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 half a decade after their successful launch, abode is now in competition with 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 three different starter systems. First, there is the basic abode security kit. It comes with the security hub, one entry sensor, and a keyfob for $139.99. And that’s without a sale. But, this kit lacks almost all of the smart home and home automation features that we love about abode.

Next up at bat, the Smart Security Kit includes a gateway hub, a motion sensor, a remote key fob, and a mini door/window sensor, all for $259.99 with the spring sale. While this system does not include a camera, it provides a solid foundation upon which we were able to build the ideal system for our home.

For those of us looking for a bit more of a visual component to our starter kit, abode also offers the iota Security Kit. For $329.99, this package includes a remote key fob, a mini door/window sensor, and an iota, which functions as the hub for your system in addition to being a 1080p HD camera, motion sensor, and a 93-decibel siren.

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 from there is the Standard plan, which costs $6.99 per month or $69.99 per year, a savings of nearly twenty percent (see guys, sometimes long-term commitments are a good thing!). This plan comes with everything included in the Basic option in addition to email notifications, customized notifications, unlimited app users, seven days of cloud storage, and the ability to use geofencing. For those of us with spouses and kids, the ability to have unlimited users certainly came in handy. What’s more, we could even adjust the privileges of each user. For example, we gave our partners full admin controls while only allowing our kids to arm and disarm our system.

Finally, there is the Pro plan, which costs $24.99 per month or $149 for the first year, though this annual price shoots up to $229.99 after this introductory period (rats). With this plan, we got all that came with prior plans in addition to thirty days of cloud storage, cellular backup, 24/7 professional monitoring, and, since we subscribed to the annual plan, an unlimited warranty on our devices. Cellular backup allowed our devices to continue functioning even when we shut off our power and internet. 24/7 monitoring meant that in addition to our smartphones, there was also the help from one of abode’s United States-based monitoring centers. In the event of a break-in or fire, we could rest assured that someone was watching over our home. This feature also protects against water damage. With the average insurance claim from water damage being over $10,000,1 it pays to be safe in this regard.

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’s 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

In terms of pricing, it’s hard to beat abode. Each of its starter kits comes in at $230 to $280. Additional cameras cost $34.99, and additional sensors and devices are all priced at around $20 to $45 each. As far as monitoring goes, the range of prices and features also proves competitive. Throw in the ability to buy into a premium plan for only a week, and you’ve got a monitoring system that hangs in there with the best. All that’s missing is the ability to pay for cloud storage on its own, as offered with SimpliSafe’s pricing plans. You can also get basic professional monitoring from SimpliSafe at $19.99 per month which is a bit cheaper than abode’s $24.99 per month. Although, abode includes a lot more since SimpliSafe’s standard monitoring plan only includes professional monitoring. For a more comparable plan, you’d need SimpliSafe’s Fast Protect plan which costs $29.99 per month.

The main area where abode lacks is in its range of cameras. Offering only one indoor camera and the wide-angle motion camera (which takes pictures, not video), there are certainly a few things left to be desired, particularly a doorbell cam and an outdoor camera. What’s more, the abode’s camera lacks some advanced features such as facial recognition, unlike cameras such as the Nest Cam IQ Indoor, now discontinued. So for those more advanced features, abode isn’t quite there yet.

Overall Value

In 2014, abode burst onto the scene as the first home security system with no contracts required. Even with the addition of contracts, both long and short term, it is clear that they haven’t strayed from their roots. Although the lack of camera types leaves some room for improvement, we’d be hard-pressed to find a more solid home security system. Built to fit any type of home and capable of expanding to support up to 160 devices, abode offers an experience as simple as it is adaptable. If you appreciate the DIY ethos and you loath mandatory long-term contracts, then look no further than abode.