abode Security Review

What’s in the abode iota System?

For comprehensive protection, you’ll likely want to add extra components like glass break sensors, smoke detectors, or outdoor cameras. All of them are available on abode’s website with prices ranging from $30 to $100 per device.

iota Hub

The iota is your gateway, motion sensor, and security camera built into one. You can also use it to connect with devices using Z-wave or Zigbee, and you can control it with your voice via Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. The hub connects via dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5GHz). This ensures stable connectivity in crowded network environments and at range.

What really sets the iota Hub apart is the camera. The towering unit itself is about an inch shorter than the SimpliSafe base station in our SimpliSafe review, but within its relatively small frame, abode managed to include a security camera. And by the way, the iota Hub also has a motion sensor and 93 dB siren.

The iota Hub’s multi-functionality makes it especially valuable for renters or those in smaller spaces. It offers fairly comprehensive security without cluttering your home with multiple devices. However, does it pass as a good indoor camera?

Video

The camera shoots in 1080p HD, the industry standard. I’m also satisfied with the camera’s field of view of 127 degrees, although the view is not particularly wide. Remember that it’s also the system’s hub, so it will probably end up next to your router, on a bookshelf, or on your entertainment rack. You can’t use security camera placement tricks here to maximize its coverage. While the lack of digital zoom is a limitation, the 1080p resolution provides enough detail to identify faces and important details within 15 to 20 feet of the camera.

In terms of video quality it works as a supplemental indoor camera, but you’ll probably still need a few more for total coverage — particularly if you live in a single-family home or a larger property. If you do, make sure you check out our list of the best cameras for bigger homes. If you live in an apartment or a smaller dwelling, you might be able to get away with just the one camera, though.

Night Vision

As you can see, the camera has a pretty clear infrared night vision, as well. It’s not as sharp of a picture as you’d get from the color night vision of a 2K or 4K camera from Arlo, for instance, or from a Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro (though Vivint cameras are built for Vivint’s security packages exclusively and aren’t necessarily the best choice for folks on a budget).

Still, as sort of a free camera that comes with the hub, the night vision works great. In the screenshot above, you can even see South America clearly in the globe sitting about six feet from the camera. That’s with all the lights turned off in my living room.

Audio

I’m pleased to say that the iota has two-way audio, which will enable you to speak to whomever you’re recording. This feature proves particularly useful for package deliveries. It allowed me to give instructions to delivery personnel or deter porch pirates in real-time. I consider it a must-have especially for outdoor cameras, as you never know when an unexpected or suspicious person might be lurking. As far as audio quality, you might encounter some signal interference, but that’s to be expected.

Storage

If you want local and cloud storage, you’re in luck— the iota comes with a slot for an SD card and cloud storage is available for three to 90 days, depending on what plan you choose (see the chart under professional monitoring below).

Artificial Intelligence

The iota still lacks advanced AI features like person detection or package recognition that have become standard in many competing cameras. When it comes to home security cameras, A.I typically refers to person detection or facial recognition, giving the user highly specific notifications. Instead of just being notified when your camera detects movement, A.I cameras can tell you when a person has entered your living room, or even who that person is.

The iota, on the other hand, will only give you a broad notification when it detects motion. If you’re interested in a camera with more A.I features, check out our review of the Google Nest (battery). This one has person detection, and if you purchase a subscription, you’ll even get alerts for familiar faces via facial recognition. Google Nest is one of the best in the industry when it comes to camera A.I.

Smart Platform Integration

Are you ready? The iota integrates with Google Assistant, Amazon Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Nest, Philips Hue lightbulbs, ecobee, LIFX, Yale, Kwikset, Z-wave, First Alert, and IFTTT. This extensive compatibility means you can create sophisticated automations. I recommend having your smart thermostat adjust when you arm the system for away mode, which can significantly reduce your energy bills.1 You could also have your Philips Hue lightbulbs turn on as soon as your iota starts recording. The possibilities are endless (not literally, as you get a maximum of 100 CUE home automations, but you know what I mean).

If you’re like me who’s into smart home and home automation, then you’re going to really like this aspect of the iota Hub and abode in general. Of all the DIY security systems we’ve tested, abode has the largest number of smart home partners. I can’t list them all here, but I’ll give you a few examples.

Integrations with Abode

If you already have a smart home ecosystem in place, you’ll love that abode works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit. That means you can control iota using smart speakers or displays from any of those ecosystems.

As for products that the iota Hub can connect with and control, you can look to brands like Nest, Philips Hue, LIFX, Yale, and Kwikset. Those brands offer smart thermostats, lights, locks, and more.

You can also connect Z-Wave and Zigbee devices to the iota Hub directly. With over 4,000 Z-Wave and Zigbee compatible products available, this integration makes your smart home options virtually limitless.

This is an area where abode really stands out, particularly the Z-Wave and Zigbee compatibility. Most DIY systems work with select smart home brands. For example, SimpliSafe works with Nest and Philips Hue. However, without Z-Wave and Zigbee compatibility, your options are really limited.

And then there are systems that do offer compatibility, but they limit the types of products you can integrate. For example, the Ring Alarm base station uses Z-Wave, but you’re limited to connecting smart locks and smoke and CO alarms. With abode, you get compatibility as well as the ability to integrate with thousands of smart home products.

Cue CUE, Abode’s Automation Engine

It’s not just that abode can connect with other products; it can control and orchestrate them in meaningful ways that makes life easier for the user. That’s the whole point of a smart home system anyway.

The iota Hub does that using CUE, an automation engine you can find in the abode app. It allows you to create automated recipes, mostly in the “if this happens, then do that” format. First, you set a trigger. This can be a sensor getting tripped, a time of day, or your phone’s location. Next, you set an action. This can be turning on smart lights, adjusting the thermostat, locking doors, and many more.

For example, since I want my iota Hub to deter burglars, I created a rule that, if my front door is opened between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., all the lights in my living room will turn on while my Alexa speaker blares a disorienting siren sound.

You can really be creative with these CUE automations, and you can create up to 100 different rules. Sky’s the limit here.

Key Fob

Now that we’ve discussed the iota Hub, its built-in camera, and its smart home integrations, let’s take a look at the other components that came with my iota Hub package.

If you’re looking to arm or disarm your security system in the easiest way possible, just click on your key fob. You can either put your system on home or away mode, standby, or you can press the panic button to activate an alarm. Key fobs are great if you have multiple people living in your home, as you can assign a key fob to each member. They’re particularly useful for households with children or elderly family members who may struggle to navigate smartphone apps.

You can even customize your key fob’s buttons for easier access to your connected devices. For example, you could set one of the buttons to turn your living room lights off. Now you don’t even have to get off the couch to create a movie theater vibe while you watch Rush Hour for the hundredth time! The fobs will work within a hundred-foot range of the iota, and have replaceable batteries. I recommend putting the key fob with your regular keys, as it has a keyhole for the occasion.

Mini Door/ Window Sensor

Your mini door/ window sensor will let you know when a door or window has been opened or closed. As you can see, these sensors are small so they won’t be an eyesore. With an impressive battery life of up to five years using standard CR2032 batteries, maintenance is minimal. You can use these sensors on any door type— all you need to do is peel and stick the sensor and its magnet.

As a side note for minimalists like me, abode offers a second type of entry sensor called the recessed door sensor. It got its name from the fact that it’s installed flush to a door frame, which means when the door is closed, it’s completely invisible. If you want to keep your door free from having any piece of equipment sticking to it, this is a great option for you.

Overall Equipment Rating

Overall, abode offers some pretty outstanding equipment. The list of products isn’t extensive, but it is bolstered by the fact that it can integrate with third-party equipment — a huge selling point in our book. As far as the design goes, abode really knocks it out of the park. I loved the sleek style and clean lines this system offered, and I didn’t feel like I needed to hide the hub behind the bookshelf. I’m giving them nine out of ten here.

Recap of the abode iota Security System

Want to learn more? Check out our best DIY home security systems, or feel free to contact us. We’d love to answer your questions!