Many of us instantly become uncomfortable at the thought of leaving our homes for long stretches of time, and rightfully so. If the idea of intrusion or accidents is keeping you from jetting off to your summer destination, then we’ve got just the solution for you. A reliable home security system can put your mind at ease.
What can a home security system do for me?
Before exploring the best options for you, it’s important to be clear on why you need a kit, says Peter Rodrigues, founder and CEO of Sophisticave Smart Home Solutions in Dubai. “The first thing you want to look at is the purpose. Are you interested in a security system for theft reasons, to look at the nanny or to have an eye out on the property that’s not in a gated community?”
The type of security camera would differ for each need. For instance, a Wi-Fi camera with motion detector only records when it spots movement. This is great for outdoor monitoring, but the same cannot be said for indoors, where a working or pet parent would want round-the-clock surveillance. Here, an indoor pan-tilt camera would work best.
Wireless- or IoT-based (Internet of Things) solutions are also popular for the remote access they afford. Think letting in friends, family or the house help into the apartment through your smartphone, while also reviewing footage from your cameras on holiday. Your recorded data is automatically uploaded onto cloud storage, so there’s no cable mess at home either, says Prateek Verma, the Mena-region sales director at the security solutions brand SoHo by Vantage in Dubai.
What should a home security system include?
A comprehensive kit for starters can typically include Wi-Fi cameras, alarms, smart locks, and door and window sensors. “If you live on the lower floor of a building, you can have motion sensor alarms on the balcony door. The siren is raised locally so even the neighbours are notified,” said Verma.
Smart home security, where all you have to do is give out commands to make your home secure, is especially on the rise in the UAE, notes Rodrigues. A smart lock immediately informs you via an app notification if your front door was opened. But there’s more: “At home, I can tell Google Home to lock the front door or Alexa to show me the garage. You can even configure your security system to activate when you say 'good night' out loud.”
Which home security system is the best for me?
The most popular systems in UAE homes come from Ring, eufy and Yale, according to Rodrigues. A home security system should be dependable and user-friendly.
“Ring is a trustworthy brand that people have been using for years, and it works great with home automation systems like Alexa. Then you have eufy, which has nearly the same features as Ring, with two-way audio on cameras, cloud storage via paid subscription and high-definition video. And, Yale is one of the biggest lock making companies out there. But, don’t think about the least expensive product because this is an investment,” he said.
Another case for Ring comes from Amber Ansari, the sales head of Domotics Technical Services in Dubai, a smart home solutions company. He said: “We recommend standard brands like Ring, which works well here in the UAE. It is an easier system to set up – only a few products require expert installation. It’s not necessary to buy the entire kit, either; the system is pretty much plug-and-play, so you can add more products as you go. With the app, you can access the kit from anywhere around the world.”
Here’s a rundown of the best home security systems you can buy on Amazon today. Some come with an installation service on the side, but you can also hire pros directly through Amazon Home Services to get your system up and running seamlessly. Get faster delivery with a Prime membership.
1. Best Overall: Ring Alarm 5-Piece Kit Bundle with Ring Indoor Cam Plug-In
Pros
- Wireless alarm kit with indoor camera
- Compatible with Alexa-enabled devices
- Easy to use – activate Disarm, Away and Home modes with a button
- Includes motion detector and contact sensor
- Camera features include live view, two-way audio and motion alerts
Cons
- Could benefit from additional detectors and sensors (sold separately)
- Emergency contact feature is a paid service
This Ring alarm bundle is your best bet for indoor security. It’s straightforward and incredibly simple to install. The starter kit has a hub or a base station for connectivity, a keypad to arm and disarm the system from inside the home, one motion detector, one contact sensor for doors or windows and a range extender. All controls are a touch away from your phone, where the Ring app keeps you up to date with any triggers while you’re away. For added security, it comes with a palm-sized indoor camera that lets you view 1080p live footage of your child or pet on your smartphone, tablet and Echo devices. If you want to access recorded videos, there’s a subscription plan by Ring that’s free for the first 30 days. This tiny piece of gadget also allows two-way talk, has night vision and sends motion alerts to your phone over Wi-Fi. As for the alarm kit, you can easily add extra motion detectors to expand your coverage. Browse more smart indoor cameras here.
Warranty: The manufacturer offers a limited one-year warranty on the alarm system components.
2. Best for Outdoor Monitoring: eufy Security eufyCam 2
Pros
- Weatherproof wireless outdoor camera kit
- Streams and records, with no added fee
- Compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant
- Long battery life
- Fast motion alerts to smartphone
Cons
- Bigger homes might need another home base unit
Pair these twin outdoor cameras to the home base (included), and you’re set to go. The eufy two-cam kit has zero hidden costs, since the base stores footage locally for you to review. Both cameras work effortlessly with your home Wi-Fi whilst mounted outside, streaming and recording 1080p live footage around the house, even in the rain. If you think there’s a certain high-traffic area, you can set up activity zones for targeted detection. Do note that the cameras only record when motion is detected, sending you alerts to your phone in seconds, but they do operate nonstop on a 365-day rechargeable battery. In the event of suspicious activity, like disarming of the system, the cameras will sound an external alarm. Since they’re two-way audio-enabled, you can speak to anyone at your doorstep, too. Reviews say larger homes might need another home base or repeater for a stronger Wi-Fi connection. See more smart outdoor cameras here.
Bonus: Buy with 0% instalments and pay Dh66.58 for 12 months with select banks. Add professional installation for Dh134.10.
Warranty: The seller offers a one-year warranty.
3. Best Alarm Kit: Yale IA-320 Sync Smart Home Security Alarm, 6-Piece Kit
Pros
- Wireless alarm kit with smart hub
- Includes two motion detectors and one contact sensor
- Has a loud 104-decibel alarm
- Can add up to 40 accessories
- Compatible with voice assistants Google and Alexa
Cons
- Requires professional installation
For an extensive wireless alarm system, check out Yale’s six-piece kit. The Sync Home Security System includes an external siren that sounds a loud 104-decibel alarm when activity is detected via its two motion detectors and one door or window contact sensor. On busy days, the geolocation feature reminds you to arm the house before leaving, if you haven’t already. This bundle’s smart hub has a 200-metre range to keep your accessories online round the clock, so you can check in from across the world with alerts and notifications. Both the app and the keypad (included) have accessible controls for whenever you want to arm or disarm the system. Reviews attest to the quick alerts from the Yale Home app and the incredibly loud siren that's enough to deter any suspicious behaviour.
Bonus: Buy with 0% instalments and pay Dh76.87 for 12 months with select banks.
4. Best Video Doorbell: Google Nest Doorbell
Pros
- Compatible with voice assistants Google and Alexa
- Head-to-toe field view, with night vision
- Sends real-time alerts when someone or something is at the door
- Three-hour video history
- Wired and battery options
Cons
- Needs a wired connection, if you want your existing chime to ring
Our expert from Domotics Technical Services, Ansari, says apartment home security almost always begins with a video doorbell. These are renter-friendly and come with you wherever you shift to next, ready to be installed again. We picked Google's Nest doorbell kit, which is battery-powered, but it can also be wired to your existing doorbell. It’s discrete and minimalist, while delivering a head-to-toe view of your visitors. Check in on your deliveries and talk to guests while abroad or at home without opening the door, right from your Google Home app. The doorbell is so smart that it can tell the difference between people, packages, animals and cars, leaving you with intelligent alerts on your phone. You can also view the live footage, anytime, anywhere, and if you wanted to confirm a missed delivery, the unit stores up to three hours of free video history. Reviewers are impressed by the clear night vision and audio, as well as the prompt real-time replies. The only qualm is that you'll need to set up the doorbell chime on an external speaker, when powered by battery.
5. Best Wi-Fi Smart Lock: eufy Security Smart Lock
Pros
- Four ways to unlock the front door
- Sturdy metal construction
- Reads fingerprint in 0.3 seconds
- Locks door automatically behind you
- Works with Alexa and Google Assistant
Cons
- Installation only works on doors with separate deadbolt holes
Add a smart lock to your eufy security ecosystem to let anyone in or out, while you’re away from home. This versatile smart lock lets you key in manually, too, aside from the option to unlock by punching in a code, scanning your fingerprint or via its app. There’s always a backup, if anything goes awry. Then there’s the auto-lock feature that makes sure the front door locks securely behind you at all times, which reviewers love to rely on, on the days they forget. It can easily become a part of your bedtime sequence, where the door locks at the drop of a command. This version has built-in Wi-Fi and, hence, doesn’t require any additional equipment for granting remote access – you just need the eufy Security app on your smartphone. Installation can be tricky, note buyers, so do hire pros to do the job. Check out other smart locks here.
Bonus: Buy with 0% instalments and pay Dh72.92 for 12 months with select banks. Add professional installation for Dh225.
Our recommendations are independently chosen by Gulf News editors. If you decide to shop through links on our website, we may earn an affiliate commission, as we are part of Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.
