Being home for the holidays with family and friends can often mean hitting the road and leaving behind your own property, raising security concerns for homeowners. That’s why some Mississippians with C Spire Fiber Internet are addressing their holiday home security concerns by installing smart-home security technology. Devices such as smart lighting, smart locks, security cameras and more can help provide peace of mind during the busy holiday season.
To help you be better informed, we’ve put together a list of the most popular smart-home security technologies on the market and included price ranges and a couple of industry reviews for each.
Smart locks
Instead of traditional keys, some consumers are opting to secure their doors with access codes on keypads, key fobs with proximity detectors, and smartphone-enabled controls, such as an app paired with Bluetooth. “Picking the best smart lock for your home depends on a few things,” says Molly Price of Cnet.com. For some, scheduling and user code limits will be important. For others, having a door lock that can be retrofit and not replace the deadbolt on doors is a must-have.”
Price range: $100 to $400
Reviews: PCmag.com here, and Cnet.com here.
Video camera doorbells
Use your fiber internet and video camera doorbells to stream live video on your phone of anyone who approaches your entryway. These devices can be mounted at any entrance to your home and allow you to record and speak to anyone who comes to your door. Doorbell cameras can include video storage, motion detection, sirens, and more.
Price range: $100 to $400
Reviews: PCmag.com here, and New York Times here.
Security cameras
Keep an eye on your indoor pet or the exterior of your home with one of the many indoor or outdoor security camera devices on the market. The technology can include live streaming, two-way communication, night vision, cloud storage, and more.
Price range: Outdoor cameras are $100 to $500; Indoor cameras are $30 to $300.
Reviews: PCmag.com’s outdoor cameras here, and indoor here.
Smart motion sensors
These handy devices can detect motion and ambient temperature changes via infrared lasers, microwave radiation, and more. They can also communicate with other smart gadgets or your phone, which then can sound an alarm or activate a security camera.
Price range: $30 to $100
Reviews: New York Times here, and Chicago Tribune here.
Smart lighting
Set the mood or surprise an intruder with smart lighting. This feature allows you to control the lights in your home from a simple app. You can turn lights on and off and change the brightness via your app or voice-activated virtual assistant.
Price range: $20 to $500
Reviews: PCmag.com here, and New York Times here.