Abode review is our top pick when it comes to choosing the best DIY home security starter kit.
It is not only affordable as compared to other similar options but also has many excellent features worth looking at.
In this article, we have shared a detailed Abode review and have shared its features, pricing, pros and cons, and other details. Let’s get started.
Summary
| Guide | Abode Review |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2014 |
| Features | Easy integration with other devices and more |
| Installation | DIY |
| Contract | Not needed |
| Price | $329 – $620 per year |
| Trial Period | 30-day trial period |
| Rating | 4\5 |
| Website | Click here |
Key Takeaways
- Abode offers a 30-day trial period, and you do not need to sign any contracts.
- It offers many features and services like a custom package, multiple voice assistant integration, Wifi camera & gadgets, etc.
- Abode comes with many products such as motion sensors, cameras, security accessories, smart home devices, etc.
- Abode integrates with Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Bose, Sonos, and about a dozen other well-known brands.
- It has a rating of 3.4/5 stars on Trustpilot, which is decent, but you can check out Vivint if you want the best security system company.
What Is Abode?
Abode offers an excellent DIY home security system that helps you turn your house into a smart house.
It not only offers a number of gadgets but also helps you take solid control, which helps you keep your family safe.
It offers everything under the sun- a built-in siren, a battery-powered security camera, a motion detector, two-door and window sensors, and a key fob for remote arming and disarming.
Another interesting thing is that it can be integrated with not only google voice and Alexa but also with Apple HomeKit, Bose, Sonos, and about a dozen other well-known brands, unlike other similar options.
Let’s look at all features and gadgets available with Abode.
Features & Services
- Custom package
- Easy installation
- Multiple voice assistant integration
- Wifi camera & gadgets
- Professional monitoring
- User account feature
Read: ADT Review
Products
There are a huge variety of products that you can choose from. Let’s have a look at this one by one.
Doors And Windows
Mini Door/Window Sensor
Abode offers three minds of compact and sleek-looking door/window sensors that alert you every time your window or door is opened.
You can connect any of these with your voice assistant and can get notifications on your phone.
There are three different kinds of door/window sensors that you can choose from depending on the width and height of your door or window. These are namely Mini, Slim strip, and recessed sensors.
Vibration Glass Break Sensor
As the name suggests, this gadget alerts you when it detects the distinct noise of a glass break.
It comes with an adjustable sensitivity level. It can sense glass break noise up to 100+ feet range.
Acoustic Glass Break Sensor
This is again a glass break sensor, the difference being that it is more efficient as compared to the Vibration Glass Break Sensor.
Acoustic Glass Break Sensor has a 25-foot detection range and up to 1000 feet of range from the gateway.
Motion Sensor
Abode’s motion sensors have a 110-degree field view and 35 feet of motion-detecting range. It can distinguish between an animal’s and human’s motion too.
Multi-Sensor
This sensor can not only sense motion but also temperature, humidity, and light.
You can connect this sensor to your smart assistant, and you can use it to control the temperature in your house and turn on/off lights. And also, you get notified if the temperature rises unusually.
Cameras
Abode offers two kinds of cameras. These are:
Outdoor Smart Cam
This camera works as an outdoor, indoor, and even doorbell camera. You can hardwire your doorbell into this camera.
It comes with a motion sensor that alerts you when there is someone at your door.
This camera comes with 1080p resolution, night vision, two-way talk, 152º field of view, and more which we really like.
Abode is launching its other camera too, which is called Abode cam 2. It also has interesting features that you will surely like.
Wireless Video Doorbell Camera
Security Accessories
Keypad 2
This control keypad comes with low light. It lets you arm and disarms your system.
It comes with a magnet and can be easily mounted on the wall, and has a range of up to 1000 feet.
Abode Keypad 2 Review
Key Fob
This compact button helps you arm and disarm your system with a touch. It also lets you assign each fob to different users to see who armed and disarmed your system.
Water Leak Sensor
Water leaks can cause havoc in your house and can cause a lot of ruin and, in turn, a lot of money.
Abode offers an efficient water leak sensor that alerts you with its 85-decibel siren when it comes in contact with water.
Smoke Alarm Monitor
This works like any other smoke alarm sensor. The difference is that it is wireless, has 1000 feet range, and has a battery life of up to four years.
Indoor Siren
You can pair this siren with other devices so that when they chime, this also chimes.
It is a good gadget if you have placed a certain device in an area who’s sound can’t be heard in a different place.
Outdoor Siren
This outdoor siren comes with a decibel range of 107. It is great to scare off burglars and intruders.
And it not only makes noise but also comes with a light that glows when the siren chimes.
Panic Button
This is a very compact and handy button that you can use in case of an emergency.
When you press it, it immediately sends a notification to your family members and also alerts the professional monitoring center.
System Status Indicator
This gadget comes with a light that indicates whether your security system is armed or disarmed.
Smart Home Devices
Color Bulb
These are smart wireless bubs that can be connected to your device. You can control the lighting, temperature, and color using it.
Power Switch
This device turns any outlet into a smart outlet, and you can control it from any device with the help of the Abode app.
Signs and Decals
There are four kinds of signs that you can choose to scare off thieves and intruders.
These are namely Yard signs, Double-Sided Sticker, Forward-Mount Sticker, and Rear-Mount Sticker.
The Abode Iota Home Security Kit Review
Plans And Pricing
| Plan | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| iota All-In-One Security Kit | $329 | One Mini Door/Window Sensor & one Key Fob. |
| Smart Security Kit | $279 | Gen 2 Gateway With 1 Mini Door/Window Sensor, one Sticker, one Key Fob, and one Motion Sensor |
| iota Sale Bundle | $700 | One iota (Camera & Motion Sensor), one Keypad, one Abode Cam 2* (Free), one Mini door sensor, and one KeyFob. |
| Special Sale Bundle | $620 | One Gateway, One Keypad, one Abode Cam, two (Free), two Mini door sensors, one Motion Sensor, one KeyFob |
Abode Monitoring Plan
| Plan | Price | Monitoring Type |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | No cost | Self-monitoring |
| Standard | $6.00 or $60.00 per year | Self-monitoring with on-demand pro monitoring |
| Pro | $20.00 per month or $200.00 per year | Professional monitoring |
At the time of writing this review, there was a 50 percent off on all products. The plans started for as low as $279.99.
Hence, do make sure to look out for discounts which will help you to save a lot.
Other Equipment
- Mini Door/Window Sensor: $38.00
- Recessed Door/Window Sensor: $42.00
- Door/Window Sensor: $32.00
- Vibration Glass Break Sensor: $50.00
- Slim Strip Sensor: $42.00
- Acoustic Glass Break Sensor: $59.00
- Motion Sensor : $55.00
- Wide Angle Motion Camera: $120.00
- Outdoor Smart Camera: $259.00
- Multi-Sensor: $60.00
- Keypad 2.0: $99.00
- Water Leak Sensor: $69.00
- Key Fob: $40.00
- Smoke Alarm Monitor: $58.00
- Outdoor Siren: $99.00
- Indoor Siren: $59.00
- Panic Button: $35.00
- System Status Indicator: $39.00
- Smart Home Power Switch: $49.00
- Multi-Sensor: $60.00
Pros And Cons
Pros
- Wireless system.
- Varied choice of voice assistants.
- Affordable.
- 30-day trial period.
- No need to sign contracts.
- Low Monthly Monitoring Rates
Cons
- Limited Equipment in Starter Kits.
Our Experience With Abode
To get a first-hand experience, we ordered Smart Security Kit. There was a sale going on at the time we ordered, so we got this kit for $231.99, which is pretty good.
It came with Mini Door/Window Sensor, one Sticker, One Key Fob, and one Motion Sensor neatly packed in a box.
All the gadgets were of white and back color and had a neat look. The kit comes with an instruction guide to help you with easy DIY installation.
So we followed the instruction and installed the Abode app to connect our device and receive notifications.
The gadgets were really compact, and they came with a sticker. I just had to rip it off and press the small button at the back of the gadgets to mount it on the wall.
Overall, it hardly took us ten minutes to set up the entire thing. We were quite happy with our purchase.
Installation And Contract
As adobe offers a DIY security system, you are supposed to install the gadgets yourself, which is fairly easy.
Follow the below steps to install the Abode system:
- Download the Abode app and create your account.
- Input the starter activation key.
- Now you are required to plug in your Abode Gateway’s power cord. After this, you need to connect the ethernet cable with your internet router.
- To enable battery backup power, flip up the battery switch on the Gateway.
- Now pull the battery tabs out of the security sensors and press the test button on top to see if they’re working.
- Now stick the sensors if you want to monitor.
We love the fact that Abode does not bind you in any contract. You can even purchase their product and try it for thirty days, and if you do not like it, you can return it.
NPC Abode Ratings
| Type | Rating |
| Customer Service | 3.6/5 |
| Responsive | 3/5 |
| Affordable | 4/5 |
| Quality of gadgets | 4/5 |
| Ease of use | 4.2/5 |
Customer Rating
It is always a good idea to check what customers are saying after their first-hand experience with the product.
So we did the hard work for you and found that Abode has an average rating of 3.6 stars which is given by 2,625 customers on Trustpilot.
Customer support
You can reach out to Abode’s customer support via the live chat option available on their website, or you can even reach out to them via email.
Their support is not available 24 hours. You can contact them anytime between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. PT.
What Differentiates Abode From Others?
Abode’s plans pricing are really affordable as compared to other options like Vivint, FrontPoint, etc.
It also does not require any contract, and you can even use it for thirty days before signing up for it.
Rest there isn’t much of a difference between Abode and any other home security service.
Comparison
| Company | Abode | Cove |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2014 | 2018 |
| Installation | DIY | DIY and professional installation both are available |
| Contract | Not needed | Not needed |
| Features | Easy integration with other devices, etc. | Easy integration with other devices, etc |
| Price | $329 – $620 per year | $14.99 – $24.99 |
| BBB rating | Not accredited | A |
| Trustpilot Rating | 3.6 | 4.7 |
Read Cove Review
Final Verdict
We really like Abode when it comes to an affordable home security system. It charges between $329 – $620 per year, but it offers only a handful of gadget options.
In case you want an affordable yet efficient home security company, then you should check out FrontPoint, which is one of our top picks.
As far as the trial period and contract is concerned, both companies offer a 30-day trial period and do not bind you in a contract.
However, FrontPoint will cost you $129 – $598.41 per year, which is way less than Abode. Also, FrontPoint will give you a couple of gadgets, including motion sensors, home automation, etc.
FAQ’s
Does Abode offer cellular monitoring?
Yes, it offers cellular monitoring, but it is available only with their pro plan.
Is it hard to intall Abode home secuirty system?
Not at all. It is really easy to install Abode home security. You just have to follow the instruction that comes with the kit.
Do I need to drill my walls for installation?
No. The gadget comes with a sticker, so you just have to pull it to mount it on the wall.
Can Abode integrate with my thermostat?
It can be integrated with Ecobee smart thermostat.
Will my pet set off the alarm?
Your pet will not set off the alarm if it weighs less than sixty pounds.
Shefali Jain is a Content Editor & Writer at National Planning Cycles.
After completing her graduation in hospitality, Shefali decided to follow her passion and started writing. Shefali has been writing for two years now and contributes to our website as a skilled editor and content writer with strong research skills. Writing product and service reviews, biographies, and book reviews are some of her key areas, among many others in which she specializes.