During long-term testing, we added the Abode Water Leak Sensor to our security-system setup. Unlike those of our other picks, it includes a 4-foot water-sensing cable for hard-to-reach places. It did respond well when water was present, but then we realized it’s the only one of our picks that won’t also summon a monitoring service when it sends a smartphone alert. The system performed well in our tests, both in self-monitoring mode and when connected to the monitoring service. The system sends an instant push confirmation when in Away mode or when the alarm is triggered. When we tested the professional monitoring, we got service calls between 70 and 120 seconds after the alarm was triggered.
It didn’t report tree branches waving outside nearby windows, for instance. To compare, Vivint and ADT charge $500 to $600 for their base systems, which include a handful of sensors and a touchscreen hub. Among DIY systems like Simplisafe and Ring, starter kits start at around $200 (give or take; sales are common) and include sensors, a keypad and a bridge.
We also have in-depth reviews of the Wyze Cam v3, Wyze Cam Pan, Wyze Video Doorbell, and the Wyze Cam Outdoor. You can also buy security cameras for your Wyze Home Monitoring system during checkout. These are readily available in the Wyze shop and at other retailers, so you can hold off until later to save on your order. Still, we recommend getting at least wyze home security one Wyze security camera (especially since they’re so cheap) for this security system to take advantage of the included cloud storage plan. The biggest drawback of Wyze Home Monitoring is the lack of cell backup. If your Wi-Fi goes down, the system will still detect breaches and set off the local alarm, but it won’t contact the monitoring service.
Footage from the Wyze Cam will have been saved to both its SD card and Wyze’s server, while video of the burglar approaching the front door may also have been captured by the Ring. If a window is broken within earshot of the Echo, Alexa will notify you via the smartphone app. From there, you can use the Echo’s Drop-in feature to listen through its microphone. If you hear someone who shouldn’t be there, you can then call the police or make a noise through the Echo’s speaker; you could shout and tell them they are being recorded, for example. I answered the text that we had set off the alarm and sent my safe word and Noonlight turned off the alarm.
That means you’ll enjoy all the additional perks that come with the revamped plan at no extra cost. Even at $9.99 a month, or $100 a year, Wyze’s home monitoring service is still cheaper than some of its competitors. A good example is Ring’s monitoring service which is $200 per month or $200 per year. Yes, you can purchase a system and self-monitor for free. Wyze offers a 30-day trial period for products bought through their website.
It’s an entry-level plan for folks not needing a full security system—it isn’t compatible with Wyze Home Monitoring. To integrate Wyze’s security system with other smart home devices, you’ll need to use other integration platforms, like IFTTT (an app that specializes in connecting smart home wyze home security devices from different developers). Wyze includes all its smart home features at no extra fee and charges only $2 per month per camera for comparable cloud storage. What’s more, if you pay for a year of professional monitoring ($100), you get 50% off your system and a free Wyze Sense Hub.